Union Kitchen & Tap took over the former When in Rome space (1108 First St. in Encinitas) on May 19. The renovated place, owned by Pacific Beach AleHouse's Eric Leitstein, features an interesting new-American menu of fare like Chicken Fried Duck Confit (that screams “Healthy!”). localunion101.com
One World Café is now open in Balboa Park's World Beat Center (2100 Park Blvd.), serving meatless food Thursdays through Sundays, noon to 7 p.m. Meatless, yes, but with quite the backbone. Example: Green Mole and Vegetable—and Sweet corn and Scallion—Tamales. worldbeatcenter.org
The spot formerly occupied by The Chart House La Jolla (1270 Prospect St.) is now under construction. Eddie V's, a seafood restaurant serving California coastal cuisine, is slated to open July 25. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Eddie V's has two sister locations: Roaring Fork in Austin, Texas, and Wildfish Seafood Grill in Newport Beach. The La Jolla location's kitchen will be helmed by chef Bill Greenwood, the group's corporate chef.
There's a sign up at the vacant space at 415 Market St., Downtown, next to Funky Garcia's, showing an anatomically deficient purple octopus surrounded by the words Mariscos el Pulpo, in addition to the word “seafood,” for those who don't know that mariscos means “seafood” in Spanish. (Pulpo = “octopus.”) Note: There's a Mariscos el Pulpo in Oxnard, but a different person owns it. The website promises to feed you soon. mariscoselpulpo.com
Italians like to eat, and you probably like to eat Italian and other food, so have your way at Taste of Little Italy from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 25— food, drinks and / or dessert from Bencotto, Anthology, Craft & Commerce, Enoteca Style, Indigo Grill and more for $35 in advance and $40 day-of. Tickets are available at tasteoflittleitalysd.com or at participating restaurants.
The corner Restaurant & Bar (369 10th Ave. in East Village) will celebrate its third year with free apps from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 27, and drink specials until 2 a.m. Lucky me. Lucky you. thecornersd.com
SOL Markets is slated to open in September in central San Diego. It'll be a store selling locally grown and produced fruits, veggies and artisan items and a café with food made from these ingredients, also serving local beer and wine. The decision makers hope to have a lease signed by the end of this week. More details on the location coming soon. solmarkets.com
And, on the topic of sol—or, in this case, soul—Food for the Soul opened last month in Oceanside (3753 Mission Ave., Suite 115). It's owned by the Alexander family, who launched the concept at a farmers market and built it into what it is now: a take-it-to-go place serving home-style soul food.
Got food news? Write to brookl@sdcitybeat.com.