**Popped into the latest pizza place to grace the University Heights dining landscape: Pizzeria Bruno.  Three of us arrived about 6:15 and asked to be seated in the bar area—two adorable, yet screaming children were enjoying pizza on the other side of the room.  The kids aside, this is terrific pizza as it should be made…a wood fire oven, very fresh ingredients and a pizza crust that is light, slightly chewy, blistered from the fire and worth every carb bite.

Try the house made mozzarella and tomato salad (ripe heirlooms) with a lovely little balsamic dressing served on the side to be dabbed not smothered on the cheese. ($8)  The handmade breadsticks (from the pizza dough) work to sop the cheese, fresh garlic slices and olive oil on the platter. ($6). The 11-inch Campania pizza included tomato sauce, mozzarella, fennel sausage, mushrooms and roasted onions ($15). The short Italian wine list features small boutique wines by the glass and bottle (nothing over $35). Service is spot on and smart (and our server didn’t need to announce her name, she was great). Open for lunch Thursday to Saturday, from noon, closed Monday. 4207 Park Blvd, (between Howard and El Cajon), 619-260-1311.

**Love wine, German wine in particular? Or never tried it, think it always just something sweet?  Well, here’s a chance to taste more than eight mostly white (in many styles) top notch German wines with Rudi Wiest, one of the best known German wine importers.  This rare event is happening at ENO and 1500 Ocean, two great venues at the Hotel Del Coronado.   Starting at 4pm in ENO with wines, cheese and charcuterie with a four-course dinner at 6:30  by chef Brian Sinnott at 1500 Ocean.

Cost:  $105 for both or ENO  $35, dinner: $70. Drink to your heart’s content and spend the night with 20% off a room at the hotel.  For information and reservations: 619-522-8490 or contact Ted Glennon, ENO wine director at tglennon@hoteldel.com.

In these recessionary times, it’s great to see new places open–we all need to get out once in a while.

Paon opens in Carlsbad.  It features California French cuisine and a well-stocked wine bar in a luscious setting.  The people behind this venture include  Steve Barr and chef David Gallardo, both of the award winning Winesellar & Brasserie.  Buzz hopes to get a peek very soon.

Small Bar, just opened in University Heights.  The same owner as Hamilton’s Tavern in South Park  thought a grown-up bar in the area–no over-the-top weird cocktails, just 40 beers on tap and a full bar for those who might want a Manhattan–would be fitting for the neighborhood.   Bar food includes Hamiltonesque  burgers and more.  The website isn’t quite up and running but it’s at 4628 Park Ave., open daily from noon (10am on Sunday) til 2am.  619-795-7998.

La Mesa steak lovers who like to schlep to Golden Hill to cook their own dinner at the popular Turf Supper Club will soon have Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Lounge in their “hood”.  Turf Club and Starlite owner Tim Mays will open Riviera at 7777 University Avenue in La Mesa.  Turf Club will close within the month and move to the much larger space–look for a December opening.

From a Buzz correspondent comes her account of opening night a new place in University Heights:  “Muzita Bistro, that features the foods of Abyssinian Cuisine (Ethiopian / Eritean). is located on Park Blvd. across the street and a couple doors down from Bourbon Street.  Last night (10/30/08) was (soft) opening night.  This place is cozy, vibey, hip and busy.  The food was delicious.  Beer and wine.  Patio seating.  It’s owned by the Woldemichael family who hail from–where else–Ethiopia.  They are local business and property owners in University Heights and are excited to be adding their ethnic cuisine to UH’s growing and diverse dining options.  Remember, it’s opening week so go with the flow.  Say hi to Abel (a-BELL), don’t let the dreds fool you–he’s an accountant.”  Website not up yet.