Encore Sushi, a new project from longtime North County sushi chef James La, has soft opened in the Cedros Design Distric in Solana Beach. The grand opening is set for Oct. 23.
Encore took over the 1,700-square-foot former restaurant space of Kai Ola Sushi at 112 S. Cedros Ave., which closed in June. Chef La previously worked at Kai Ola, as well as Samarai Sushi, as a private sushi chef and other locations.
“Encore is the culmination of 25 years of creating,” La said. “Sushi is a live performance. The counter is our stage, and every piece is cut the moment it’s ordered. Fresh cuts is where we riff, but it always comes back to the fish.”
Sushi chef James La of newly opened Encore Sushi in Solana Beach. (Encore Sushi)
Chris West, a partner in the new retaurant, said its location in the Cedros Design District is intentional.
“Cedros is where North County goes to find something original. Encore is the gateway, the first stop where a night on Cedros begins,” West said.
Encore hours are noon to 10 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; noon to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It’s closed on Sundays. Happy hour is 3 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays, with select $5 offerings. 858-925-7052, encoresushi.com
A sashimi plate at Encore Sushi in Solana Beach. (Encore Sushi)
Cat Cora joins SDFW fest lineup: The San Diego Food + Wine Festival returns Nov. 1-8, with 11 events taking place throughout San Diego. This year’s chef lineup continues to grow, including the recent addition of Iron Chef champion Cat Cora. She will headline the festival’s sold-out closing dinner at Herb & Wood. More than 150 chefs and cooks will participate this year, including 70 from Mexico, including Javier Plascencia, Drew Deckman and Carlos Gaytán. Local talent includes Eric Bost, chef of Michelin-starred Lilo and Jeune et Jolie restaurants in Carlsbad; Tara Monsod of Michelin-recognized Animae in downtown San Diego, as well as Le Coq in La Jolla; and Roberto Alcocer of Michelin-recognized Valle in Oceanside. Nationally acclaimed chefs featured this year include Susan Bae of Moon Rabbit in Washington, D.C., Jonathan Sawyer of Kindling in Chicago, Joe Sasto of “Top Chef,” Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord in Los Angeles, Suzette Gresham of Michelin two-star Acquerello in San Francisco and more. Full schedule of events at sandiegowineclassic.com.
Corkfire wins Temecula Valley burger contest: Corkfire Restaurant at Temecula Creek Inn’s Banh Mi burger won first place Saturday at the 2026 Battle of Burgers competition, held at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula. It featured a patty of smoked pork and veal with char siu, house pickles, lemongrass chimichurri, hydroponic lettuce, charred pepper spread, and a leek ash bun. I served as one of five judges for the contest, where eight Temecula Valley retaurants competed for the top burger prize. The competion is co-sponsored by Visit Temecula Valley, Pechanga and Temecula Valley Unified School District. For more contest results, go to visittemeculavalley.com/battle-of-the-burgers.
Jeremy Rosa is the new executive chef of Andaz San Diego hotel in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. (Andaz)
New chef and menu at Andaz: Jeremy Rosa has been appointed the new executive chef at Andaz San Diego hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter. The Anaheim native’s first priority was reimagining the menus at the hotel’s Rooftop by STK restaurant. New breakfast items include Mexican French toast with Ibarra chocolate, SoCal Benedict and mango parfait with coconut chia milk. New lunch and dinner items include Baja-style fish tacos with mahi-mahi, Saku tuna carpaccio, burrata with toasted pistachios and sourdough toase, esquite and flank steak tacos with Tajín and pickled onions and more. 600 F St., downtown. hyatt.com/andaz/en-US/sanas-andaz-san-diego
Chipotle opens in Chula Vista: A new Chipotle store opens today in Chula Vista. To celebrate, the location is offering two new limited-time menu items, Pollo Asado and Chili Lime Chips. Hours are 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 2010 Birch Road, Unite 102, Chula Vista. chipotle.com
