It’s probably safe to call 2020 the year of great change, right? As pandemic restrictions shift, San Diego’s restaurants continue to adapt and come up with creative ways to keep business moving forward. This week, Eater San Diego shares how Bankers Hill restaurant Cucina Urbana has launched an all-outdoor pop-up dining room, plus other top stories from our food and drink scene.
Cucina Urbana Launches Limited-Time Patio Pop-Up
Even though indoor dining is back at 25% capacity, Cucina Urbana, a revered restaurant in Bankers Hill, has temporarily shifted gears to run an all-outdoor eatery. The restaurant has moved operations to Julep, a Middletown event venue, where it is now running Camp Cucina. The outdoor pop-up features a menu of signature dishes like the giant meatball and fried zucchini blossom, as well as wood-fired pizza. The patio dining space is set to run for the next couple of months, open from 4-9 p.m, Thursdays through Sundays.
By the way, we talk about the latest round of changes for local restaurants in our latest episode of our Scene in San Diego Featuring Eater podcast. You can catch up on that below or here.
UC San Diego Announces 6 New Restaurant Additions to Campus
A new 10-acre development debuting next year at the University of California San Diego will include a handful of well-known independent eateries serving students, faculty and area residents. Ranging from ramen to Chinese to Middle Eastern cuisine, the lineup also includes vegan food.
The Taco Stand to Pair With Japanese Bar in Kearny Mesa
The popular Tijuana-style taco shop The Taco Stand, with locations in Encinitas, La Jolla and North Park, will expand to Convoy Street early next year. The casual eatery will share space with Convoy Music Bar, a new Tokyo-inspired cocktail and vinyl listening bar.
The Scene
More stories from The Scene, your source for what's happening in America's Finest City
Korean Fried Chicken Pro Lands in National City
South Korean chain Vons Chicken opens this weekend in National City. Specializing in multiple flavors of fried chicken, from spicy gojuchang to garlic, honey butter and cheddar, the takeout menu offers fried chicken wings, drumsticks and boneless chicken.
Where to Eat Ice Cream Right Now
It's always ice cream season in San Diego, but the current climate and sweltering temperatures call for cooling, comforting frozen treats. From Mexican paletas to artisan ice cream to small-batch gelato, Eater's latest map highlights dessert shops serving sweet summertime delights.
Listen/subscribe to the Scene in San Diego podcast to get the latest local lifestyle stories and news from our local food and drink scene. As we continue to adjust to life (back and forth, back and forth) in these times of the coronavirus pandemic, the way we enjoy our city has changed. We’ll keep you up to speed on how those changes impact the things you love to do in our city. Tap here to find Scene in San Diego wherever you listen to podcasts.
Candice Woo is the founding editor of Eater San Diego, a leading source for news about San Diego’s restaurant and bar scene. Keep up with the latest Eater San Diego content via Facebook or Twitter, and sign up for Eater San Diego’s newsletter here.
