San Diego restaurant shakeups include a Pacific Point chef hire, Vin de Syrah closure and new openings across North County and UTC
SAN DIEGO, CA — A series of restaurant changes is rolling through San Diego County, with a new chef joining Pacific Point in Carlsbad, a longtime Gaslamp bar preparing to close and several openings planned or underway in the region.
The updates also include a Pacific Beach patio refresh, a new executive chef for a Santee steakhouse and the return of a live-fire food event at Liberty Station later this month.
Pacific Point taps William Eick for Japanese and Asian-inspired menus
William Eick has been named chef de cuisine at Pacific Point restaurant at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad. He will work with sushi chef Meljohn Sebastian on a seasonal menu shaped by Japanese and Asian influences.
Eick previously founded and owned Matsu, a Japanese-inspired fine dining restaurant in South Oceanside that opened in fall 2021 and closed May 31. In an Instagram post on May 16, he thanked supporters and said the concept would continue in some form.
Vin de Syrah sets final service for June 27 in downtown San Diego
Vin de Syrah, the Alice in Wonderland-themed bar and nightclub in the Gaslamp Quarter, announced that June 27 will be its last day open. The venue was opened by SDCM Restaurant Group in 2009.
The space will remain available for private event bookings after regular service ends at 901 Fifth Ave.
New chefs and openings are slated for Santee, Encinitas and UTC
Heritage Steakhouse, a 120-seat restaurant planned for Lantern Crest Resort Community in Santee, has named Meredith Manée as its inaugural executive chef. The opening is expected in early to mid-August.
Manée has 25 years of experience and most recently served as executive chef at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe. Her earlier posts included work with Four Seasons Resorts, The Ritz Carlton and Hotel Del Coronado.
Oto Sushi of Laguna Beach plans to open a second location in Leucadia in July, while Chef Fei, a China-based Hunan stir-fry chain, is preparing its first U.S. location at Westfield UTC the same month.
Crack Shack and Heritage Fire add more food news for San Diego diners
The Crack Shack in Pacific Beach has added a redesigned patio with a walk-up indoor bar and roll-up windows. The location also introduced a new cocktail and bar bites menu.
Heritage Fire will return to San Diego on June 28 at Ingram Plaza in Liberty Station. The live-fire tasting event will feature local chefs and pitmasters, whiskey cocktails, live entertainment and an audience vote for the Heritage Hero winner.
This year’s lineup includes chefs from Grand Restaurant Group, Kettner Exchange, Cork & Craft, STK Steakhouse, Glass Box, Puama Valley Country Club, Tahona Bar, Vino Trece & Co and Grant Grill.
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