It's officially Friday: time to clock off and get those weekend vibes started. No plans yet? No problem! Eater's here with a handy round up of recently opened restaurants, new-to-you bars, seasonal menu changes and cocktail programs, chef debuts and more. Whether you re hankering for an after work happy hour - or the lowdown on this weekend s culinary events, beer festivals or Sunday Brunch bites - our regular weekly feature will be sure to help you make the most of that well-earned downtime.
March 17, 2017 Organic Ramen: Shibari Encinitas finally has a ramen spot! Quietly opened last December, and sharing space with Bull Taco along Highway 101, is Shibari Organic Ramen and Deli. The menu features five bowls of the comforting broth, including a vegetarian and spicy sesame option, in addition to a traditional tonkatsu, to which proteins like chicken, duck, shrimp or beef can be added. From the Japanese deli there are small bites - edamame, seaweed salad, shishito peppers and tsukemono - plus a Japanese catfish plate with cilantro, ponzu, and ginger. Bao-style buns feature too, stuffed with salmon or duck, and there s mochi ice cream for dessert. Shibari is opened Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 101 N Coast Hwy 101 (760) 753-1421 Photo: Yelp
Awesome Mediterranean Food: Sababa Kitchen The recently opened Sababa Kitchen in Del Sur Town Center specializes in healthy Mediterranean foods with a vegetarian and vegan focus. The modified fast-casual concept comprises a counter serve take away option in addition to a sit-down dining. On the menu is a matzo ball soup, plus mix and match schmears and salatim (8 or 16 Oz.) with everything from Israeli salad, tabouli and freshly made hummus to Moroccan carrots, served with your choice of za atar spiced or regular pita. Hot plates and sides range from a herbivore-friendly falafel plate, to sous vide lemon chicken and a lamb and beef shawarma, which can be topped with a selection of sweet and spicy sauces. On the drinks side there is wine, beer, kombucha, kefir and freshly squeezed lemonade, plus Dark Horse on Nitro and a nice selection of teas. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 16475 Paseo Del Sur Suite 105 (858) 312-6858 Photo: Yelp
Community Dinner & Wine Pairing: The Wine Pub While away an evening at the The Wine Pub in Point Loma this Saturday, March 18 when the neighborhood gem hosts OB s Gianni Buonomo Vintners for a communitystyle five-course dinner and wine pairing. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., wine enthusiasts can cozy up for conversation at a long community table on the pub s enchanting patio while Gianni Buonomo Vintners winemaker Keith Rolle presents carefully selected pours alongside each course. The Symphony kicks things off as an aperitif, followed by a roasted corn and red pepper soup (pairing: Blaufrankisch), apple and sage stuffed mushroom (pairing: Maestrale), Meatloaf meatballs (pairing: Charbono), Steak, blue cheese and caramelized onion flatbread (pairing: Sangiovese), with a mini Irish Car Bomb pub cake for dessert. Tickets cost $59 and reservations are required. Tickets can be purchased online. 2907 Shelter Island Drive # 108 (619) 758-9325 Courtesy Photo
New Spring Cocktails: Kettner Exchange Spring is well and truly in the air at Kettner Exchange, thanks to SDCM Beverage Director Steven Tuttle and his just-launched spring cocktail list. His new line up features a variety of seasonally-inspired flavors think apple, honey, and peach -- highlights of which include a Gunpowder Martini crafted with falernum tropical syrup, plus an island-style take on the Sidecar made with Black Barrel Rum, Cointreau, lime, cane syrup and peach bitters. Additional sips include the Honey Nectar, a refreshing mix of four year aged blanco rum, Aperol, lime and honey; the Stone Blossom, made with whiskey, apricot, pineapple, lemon and Demerara; and The Grandfather, prepared with bourbon, apple brandy, sweet vermouth, peychaud s bitters and angostura bitters. 2001 Kettner Blvd (619) 255-2001 Photo: Jorgensen Photography
Japanese Whisky Program: Tajima Mercury Whisky connoisseurs looking to savor some of the world s best should head to San Diego's favorite ramen empire aka the Tajima Mercury Street location to sip and sample their way through the izakaya s well-curated selection. Some of Japan's most popular whiskies feature, including the multiple award-winning Hibiki ($18, 2 Oz.) and the third most prominent in Japan, Komagatake, a well-balanced, fruity and light single malt whisky by Mars Distillery ( $21, 2 Oz.). While Ichiro's Malt and Grain is a blended new whisky with hints of apricot, peach and vanilla, ($13, 2 Oz.). Prefer a craft cocktail? Try the Tokyo Buck, which is crafted with Iwai Whisky, fresh lemon juice, Giffard Crème de Fraise des Bois and garnished with a fresh strawberry, it s topped off with a refreshing pour of ginger beer. 4411 Mercury St. #100 (858) 278-5367 Photo: Lyudmila Zotova