Uptown News has a writeup on Uptown Tavern, which is going into the former Ono Sushi spot in Hillcrest and opens in mid-July. From the owners of West Coast Tavern and True North, they’ll be incorporating a previously unused back patio and back houses to provide mostly-outdoor seating. It sounds like the covered front patio will be opened up since owner David Cohen mentions brining more daylight in. The menu will be similar to previous Cohen/Varant locations, and with flat screens showing sporting events, it appears Uptown Tavern will follow their familiar (and successful) theme.

Elsewhere: Hillcrest Brewing Company is open and was looking rather busy when we walked by on our way to The Range Friday night. Our server at the latter mentioned that he works at HBC, and said they have two of their own beers on tap at this point. HBC has gotten national media attention for being the first gay brewery in the US… The Seven Grand sign is up in North Park, and frames the street nicely across from the vertical Wang’s sign as you head west down University. They’re shooting for a late June opening… A food truck lot has been set up downtown at 3rd and B, only to be shut down by the city because there’s nothing in the municipal code to regulate such gatherings. Other cities drew up and re-visited such regulations years ago; nearby restaurants probably aren’t taking too kindly to the increased competition… Jimbo’s natural foods grocery store is coming to the southwest end of Horton Plaza next summer, with dedicated parking and one of these grocery cart escalators.

d bar has opened next door to Snooze on 5th in Hillcrest, and they’re taking San Diego’s dessert scene up a notch. The interior takes advantage of the soaring ceiling with blown glass lights hanging down, looking like upside-down calla lilies. Sophisticated design rules, with clean lines, tasteful light blue banquettes and oversized cakes on big pedestals in the center of the room. The biggest part of the show has to be watching your dessert made at the pastry bar; our resulting “cake and shake” was reasonable ($9) and delicious. A camera displays the pastry bar happenings on the flat screen TV nearby. We also enjoyed the creamy passionfruit frozen yogurt and apricot sorbet they put together for us upon request. Cocktails are excellent and dinner is served late, so d bar has something of interest no matter the mood.

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