Cooks Confab, is a collection of fourteen chefs in San Diego who  cook together every so often.  Their next event is “Craft Beer:  Grain to Glass, Farm to Table” and promises (as their events always are) to be a knockout at Stingaree.  On August 9, some of the food and drink you can expect for your $90 (a portion of which goes to Slow Food Urban San Diego) includes:  Lightening Brewery, Green Flash Brewing Company, AleSmith Brewing Company to go with food from the confab chefs  (Katie Grebow, Cafe Chloe; Amy DiBiase, Roseville;  Jeff Jackson, A.R. Valentien; Andrew Spurgin, Waters Fine Catering, among others).  For reservations:   619-544-9500 or online at Stingaree.

Over at one of the nicest venues in San Diego, Eno at the Hotel Del begins the week with bubbles.  Every Monday, all sparkling wines will be half price, all night (5pm to 11pm)  including bottles, flights and glasses.  What a great way to start the week and watch the sunset…

Wine tasting and dinners abound so be sure to check out The 3rd Corner, Wine Vault & Bistro, Winesellar & Brasserie, three places known for good wine shops as well.  We’re hearing Cucina Urbana sells wine at the restaurant for a small corkage fee.

And if you want to meet fellow food lovers, get on the email list for Slow Food Urban San Diego so you can go to one of their monthly mixers…meet local chefs and taste local artisan foods.

We’re hearing there’s a soon-to-open modern French restaurant somewhere downtown.  Could it be an outpost for the well-regarded one in Santa Luz ?  Chefs are auditioning and one name that we’ve heard about is  Aaron Martinez  (who was at Addison, then flew to and quickly took flight from Flight).

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UPDATE:  The new name for this place will be PAON which means peacock in French...and due to open sometime in August.  Word travels fast these days and Per Se Restaurant & Wine Bar Carlsbad could have a name problem on their hands.  As noted in a previous post, Thomas Keller got the name first with his well-known eatery Per Se in New York.  Apparently Mr. Keller has voiced displeasure with the Carlsbad wannabe.  We’ll see if there is a name change in the works.

Moving on:  Chef Wade Hageman, has left Blanca in Solana Beach to pursue a location of his own. He hopes to stay in San Diego.  Buzz will keep you posted.

Open for business: Burger Lounge (a Buzz fav) in Little Italy, across the street from Indigo Grill.  It is their fourth location (La Jolla, Coronado and Kensington round out the list).

Cucina Urbana:  Newly named, with a new menu and concept at Fifth and Laurel.  Food pals who recently dined there said atmosphere is fun; food working out the kinks.  Haven’t been, but do wonder why food and service kinks are not worked out before opening to the public, especially with a well-known restaurateur like Tracy Borkum (and others who seem to have the same issue).

Corvette Diner & Gamers Garage finally opened in Liberty Station.  On a recent Monday night, the wait for a table was an hour and a half…gotta love those burgers.  Tiny bar area. Lots of noise and very loud music; lots of  games in a separate area (kids and adults in that area) and an oddly darker dining area that seems a bit more civilized for eating. Oodles of parking and bring your patience while you wait for a table. We didn’t choose to wait.

Had a chance to lunch with out of town friends at Enoteca Style on India Street between Ash and Beech.  Well-priced paninis, and flavorful and inventive salads.  Loved the soba salad with ahi and a Caesar with fresh corn and grilled chicken cut into bite-size pieces.  Interesting wines and happily sold in 3 ounce pours if you so desire.

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