Deckman’s launches chef’s counter, two new restaurants and a Little Italy tasting – San Diego Union-Tribune

Michelin-starred Baja California restaurateurs Drew and Paulina Deckman, who opened their first U.S. restaurant – 31ThirtyOne by Deckmans – in North Park in August, have just launched an eight-seat chef’s menu at 31ThirtyOne.

The chef’s counter, opposite the kitchen, offers a seven-course fine dining menu with extra surprise snacks. The cost is $250 per person, with optional liquor or non-alcoholic drink pairings. It is offered by reservation only, from Tuesday to Saturday.

The new chef’s menu complements the restaurant’s regular dining room menu, a four-course prix fixe dinner for $120. In addition to these two options, guests do not need to make reservations for the rooftop bar, which serves cocktails and mocktails served with Baja clams, beef tartare, mussel ceviche and other small dishes.

Meanwhile, Drew Deckman’s long-awaited documentary series “Ingredient: Mexico‘ is now streaming on Amazon Prime. In the six-part series, which Deckman hosts and produces, he travels across Mexico to explore the country’s food culture through its restaurants, farms, fishermen and artisan food producers.

Finally, 31ThirtyOne hosts one exclusive dinner with 20 seats featuring wines from Dragonette Cellars in the Santa Ynez Valley. The five-course meal – with lobster, bigeye tuna, swordfish, California squab and more – costs $350.

For reservations, visit the3131.com/reservations.

Paradis opens in Mission Hills

Paradis, a European-inspired cafe and bar, opened Nov. 2 on the ground floor of the Sasan Building at 901 W. Washington St. in Mission Hills.

Paradis offers a daytime brunch and coffee menu with pastries from Alyn Lyng. In the afternoon, Paradis switches to chef Jon Hawkins’ menu of pintxos (the Spanish word for bite-sized, skewers) and tapas (small plates), which are designed to complement bartender Eliza Woodman’s drink menu of cocktails, spritzes and non- to accompany spicy drinks. alcoholic drinks, as well as beer and wine. Some of Hawkins’ brunch dishes include stracciatella toast and apple and farro pudding. Evening dishes, which range in price from $2.50 to $24, include ponzu salmon, pistou shrimp, Calabrian dates and pork belly.

Paradis is the first of two restaurants to be opened in the Sasan building by Jacquèe Renna, owner of Pacifica Restaurants. Later this year she will open the much larger rooftop restaurant Communion.

Paradis is open on Thursdays from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm; Friday from 6:30 am to 9:00 pm; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit paradissd.com.

AKA opens in the Gaslamp

AKA, an immersive Asian fusion restaurant, bar and lounge, opened Thursday in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.

AKA, which opened the former Lavo Italian restaurant at 611 Fifth Ave. is owned by San Diego restaurateurs Alessandro Minutella and Giancarlo Guttilla, in collaboration with Vincenzo Lo Verso, and chef Takuya Kudo.

Kudo’s menu features classic Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes, including a wide choice of sushi. The restaurant also offers cocktails, bottle service and live music, entertainment and dancing in the evenings. Visit akagaslamp.com.

Tavolo tasting

Busalacchi Restaurants has launched a monthly Tavolo Tasting Tour series, allowing guests to stroll through Little Italy and make three behind-the-scenes culinary stops at various Italian restaurants. The first Tavolo tours offered in October, November and December sold out quickly. A new tour has been added at 5:00 PM on December 12 for 15 guests.

Dinner starts with cocktails and light bites at Lala, followed by an appetizer, pasta and wine at Barbusa, next door. Then the evening ends with a two-block walk to Nonna for desserts and espresso or a cocktail. Tickets are $100. Visit for reservations or news of future tastings barbusa.com/product/tasting-tour/.