Uptown Food Briefs – May 8

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

Beer-centric North Park is also becoming a hub for coffee drinkers with the May 4 opening of Holsem Coffee, a small-batch roaster showing off a 2,200-square-foot “coffee parlour” designed in Calcutta marble and oxidized maple wood. Co-owner Salpi Sleiman, who also founded Roast Coach Coffee Bar, teamed up with Shane Brennan of Suja Juice and Comun Kitchen & Tavern for the new Uptown venture, which includes a 15-tap beer system as well. Look for about 18 different coffee drinks using sustainable beans sourced from around the world. Their recipes incorporate components such as house-made nut milks, fruit purees and syrups made from evaporated cane sugar. The menu also features espresso shakes, tea drinks and homemade sodas. 2911 University Ave., 619-546-8542.

As San Diego’s largest provider of nutritious meals to adults and children living with AIDS or cancer, Mama’s Kitchen will hold its annual fundraiser in the form of a culinary extravaganza from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., May 8, at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. The Mama’s Day event showcases more than 50 top-notch restaurants doling out an abundance of savories and sweets. No need to plan on dinner afterwards. The cost is $125 in advance and $150 at the door. 3777 La Jolla Village Drive, mamaskitchen.org.

A franchised gourmet store specializing in oils, vinegars and spirits pulled from casks opened May 3 in the HUB Hillcrest Market. Vom Fass originally launched in Germany and spread across Europe before fanning out to 25 locations in the U.S. The San Diego shop, headed by franchisees Colleen and Jay Cavalieri of Coronado, will also carry pasta, syrups, pestos and spreads. Its spirits selection extends to brandy, whiskey, absinthe and more made by small-batch distillers from around the world. 1050 University Ave., Suite E-103, 619-534-5034.

The third season of the KPBS series, Savor San Diego, debuted at 8:30 p.m. May 7 and continues every Thursday and Saturday for 12 weeks. Hosted by Su-Mei Yu of Saffron restaurants in Mission Hills, the new season spotlights artisan shops such as Venissimo Cheese in Mission Hills, Prager Brothers Bakery in Carlsbad as well as the food scenes in Little Italy and along Convoy Street. For a complete schedule, visit savorsdtv.com.

The recent soft opening of Barn Brewery in North Park features rollouts of the company’s Wicker Basket Blonde, Homestead Hess and Haywire IPA. The suds were brewed off site in prior months, but they’ll soon be made in-house. A food menu of burgers and sandwiches is also in the works. The rustic design greets with big barn doors and heavy wood beams across the ceiling. In addition, the bar carries about 20 taps featuring crafts from other local and national breweries. 2850 El Cajon Blvd., 619-955-8228.

Take a gustatory trip around the globe at SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival, which features 10 different food and drink stations around the park representing flavors from France, Baja, Asia, South American and more. The festival runs on weekends through May 23-24. The dishes, which highlight sustainable, local ingredients, are created by SeaWorld’s Executive Chef, Axel Dirolf, who teaches culinary classes at the Art Institute of California, San Diego. Small-plates range from $4 to $5.50; although park guests can opt for the $40 “sampler package” good for five food items and five drinks. Several craft breweries are also taking part in the month-long event. 500 SeaWorld Drive, 800-257-4268.

A couple of unexpected closures have occurred around town. Royale Café in Bankers Hill, which began as a coffee house and recently added wine and full meal service to its format, has ceased operations because of an ownership dispute. And over in Liberty Station, the eight-year old Wine Steals closed its doors because of a rent increase. “The numbers were simply not working out,” said CEO Ken Mills in a statement released to customers. The company’s Hillcrest and Cardiff locations, however, remain unaffected and will honor gift cards and reward points obtained at the now-shuttered Point Loma location.

—Frank Sabatini Jr. can be reached at fsabatini@san.rr.com.

SDCNN