Crest Taco replaces La Posta in Hillcrest, plus high-tech dining downtown

Shayne Somo left and Nicholas Garcia of Crest Taco Photo by Frank Sabatini Jr Chatter was flying as to what would replace La Posta De Acapulco the popular taco joint at Third Avenue and Washington Street that suddenly shuttered in late summer Various rumors indicated that the spot at Third Ave would make way for an ice cream shop a shawarma kitchen a donut business and a hot dog stand None were true Instead the windowed walk-up has transformed into Crest Taco which opened in early December It is co-owned by Nicholas Garcia a longtime chef who worked at The Santaluz Country Club The Prado and other establishments around town His business partners include general manager Shayne Somo and the owners of Bubbles Territory Spirits which shares the same parking lot Garcia describes his menu at Crest Taco as traditional Mexican using fresh produce and butcher-block meats He assures that no canned foods will be used except for tomato paste The modest structure underwent a thorough remodel Decorative tiles were added to the facade new windows were installed and the kitchen received a complete redo Incoming high-top tables in front will provide for stand-up eating Garcia noted the eatery will open daily at a m and close at midnight Sunday through Tuesday and at a m Wednesday through Saturday Speaking of tacos Over in Little Italy owner Adrian Gutierrez opened a second San Diego location of Taco Centro A trio of tacos at Taco Centro Photo by Ismael Abraham Rodriguez Lopez His original kitchen in the Gaslamp Quarter launched in It has since been Gutierrez s dream to open another spot in Little Italy where he resides A native of Michoac n Mexico the entrepreneur brings to the table several presentations of birria which shows up in quesadillas ramen and Mexican-style pizza In addition there are more than a dozen choices each of tacos and burritos ranging from carne asada and al pastor to spicy shrimp mushroom and nopal Mulita and volcan-style tacos are available as well Drinks include beer margaritas palomas and hard seltzers The shop is located on the ground level of the AV apartment building at Kettner Blvd For more information call - Dinner with a high-tech twist An innovative immersive dining experience awaits at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter hotel with the arrival of Le Petit Chef Friends a D visual culinary journey that unfolds directly under the chins of customers Dinner plates at a downtown hotel come alive with -D animation Photo by Gabe Gomez Gabriel Halvor Media Overhead projectors beam down onto diners plates with images of miniature animated chefs who come to life while presenting amusing stories and eye-popping graphics before each program Several of the narratives spotlight the actual food about to be served as guests partake in four courses from a choice of three different menus classic vegetarian and one tailored to kids The concept was created by the Belgian artist collective Skullmapping It has been presented in restaurants and hotels worldwide Three seatings are available each evening starting at p m Wednesday through Sunday at K St Tickets range from to Reservations can be made at - and are being accepted through Dec although plans are in place to extend the experience into the first half of next year Little Italy welcomes Orexi The new Courtyard by Marriott Little Italy has made way for Orexi a ground-level indoor restaurant with a Greek-leaning menu that offers breakfast happy hour and dinner The chic-casual atmosphere distinguished by neutral earth tones and wood accents sets the stage for dishes such as omelets with halloumi cheese shakshuka spiced meatballs chicken shawarma and more In addition cocktails with Mediterranean flair such as the Aegean Glow made with whiskey date syrup and lemon come into play in the late afternoon The name Orexi is derived from the Greek word for appetite or desire Hours are from to a m and from to p m daily Front St - Stout of a different color Leave it to San Diego s first craft brewery to serve up a stout that defies the look and taste of all traditional stouts The limited-release Golden Stout by Karl Strauss Photo by Nicholas Pages The downtown-based Karl Strauss Brewing Company at Columbia St has published its annual Golden Stout The brew debuted six years ago and earned a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival in A year later it won a bronze medal at the same festival More not long ago it received silver honors at the World Beer Cup The medals were awarded within the coffee beer category The stout is unique in that it skips the traditional roasted malts detected in dark beers Its recipe features Ghanaian cocoa nibs and beans by Bird Rock Coffee which consequence in a full-bodied silky stout character with a hint of sweetness People see gold in the glass and expect something light reported Karl Strauss brewmaster Paul Segura It s unlike anything else Golden Stout rings in at percent alcohol It is available on draft at Karl Strauss brew pubs as well as in cans at various San Diego retailers including Bottlecraft in North Park and Royal Food Mart in Bankers Hill Limited supplies are expected to stick around until March