Chef Dan Mooney RELATE Pop-Up Restuarant serves through Saturday; Local mussels brighten Dolce Pane E Vino Restaurant at Del Rayo Village
Getting a seat at a pop-up restaurant—one of the biggest food trends of 2011—might not be as difficult as scoring a seat at Rao's, but it's close, according to Los Angeles food blogger Tien Nguyen.
"Nationwide, chefs are using temporary restaurant spaces to experiment and create entirely new dining experiences, only to shut down or change menus after only a few days or months," Nguyen said.
"Because what pops up must pop down, access to these unique dining experiences will be highly limited, and only those in the know will be able to snag a table. Here are some of the country's most anticipated pop-ups to come. Plan your meals accordingly," Nguyen added.
For more on 'The Buzziest Pop-Up Restaurants' visit...
For more Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News on RELATE Pop-Up visit this link...
Ending February 26: Dan Moody's Relate in San Diego
San Diego's first pop-up restaurant, Chef Dan Moody's Relate, will close this month after a successful but too-brief 23-day run. The menu changes nightly, though diners can expect a contemporary French menu with at least five courses. More clues: A recent menu featured seared local redrock with a white bean puree, "Crispy Escargots on Toast," and a "Mascarpone Mousse Napoleon" with dragon fruit.
Relate Restaurant, 1010 S. Coast Highway 101 #103, Encinitas, California, (858) 367-3709
Dolce Pane E Vino mussels up...
Dolce Pane E Vino at Del Rayo Plaza has made a name for itself quickly as an affordable gourmet eat and drink place wrapped around some high class Formaggeria.
Now, the Dolce crew goes deep sea locally with special mussels in the dishes courtesy of Carlsbad Aquafarm. At Agua Hedionda lagoon, by the giant Encina Power Plant towers, the 5-acre aquafarm has been turning out fresh sea-farmed shellfish for 20 years. Look for the rows of white buoys floating in the lagoon. Mussels hang from the buoys on 8-foot-long mesh sleeves submerged in salty water.
Sold to almost 50 distributors, the aquafarm's mussels, oysters, sea horses, abalone, algae and brine shrimp goes to restaurants and stores nationwide. The farm also operates booths at the Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Hillcrest farmers markets.
The biggest competition comes from Canada and Mexico, where the federal governments subsidize shellfish farms, according to analysts.
Dolce joins several California fish markets and restaurants in featuring the shellfish. Oceanaire’s oyster bar often shucks one or two types of Carlsbad oysters, such as the petite Lunas, which have a clean, briny flavor and slight metallic finish, or the sweet and delicate Del Sols. Ritual Tavern at North Park sells Carlsbad oysters every Thursday night, and Sea Rocket Bistro and Ritual each have the aquafarm’s buttery-textured mussels on their regular menus.
And now viva Dolce Pane E Vino.
"The inspiration behind Dolce is to provide high quality with ease in all we do. From our fine wines and full bar, fabulous small dishes and entrees, exquisite meats and cheeses, to our artisan furnishings, our sweet and knowledgeable team strive to provide the ultimate dining and wine experience in a warm and whimsical environment."
-- Dolce Pane E Vino
Dolce Pane E Vino Restaurant
Del Rayo Center
16081 San Dieguito Rd
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
(858) 832-1518
www.dolcepaneevino.com
