Bruschetta wars

Little Italy newcomer, Postino WineCafe, has rolled into summer with a series of culinary competitions titled, “Battle of the Bruschetta.” The “battles” begin the first of the month, from July through September. Each lasts 30 days as Postino chefs go head-to-head with two different recipes. Customers can order both bruschettas and vote on their favorite one via text message through a phone number provided by a server. The winning recipes stand a chance of earning a permanent spot on Postino’s regular menu this fall.

The current competition for July is between French onion bruschetta and one made with berries and mascarpone cheese. Starting August 1, it’s a contest between Philly cheesesteak and Buffalo cauliflower bruschetta. The series concludes throughout September between the winners of the first two battles. Postino will announce the champion on September 16 on its social media channels. 2100 Kettner Blvd., 619-241-4700, postinowinecafe.com.

Whiskey lovers unite

The nation’s largest whiskey tasting tour will swing through San Diego this month just a stone’s throw away from some of our Uptown neighborhoods, at the Bahia Resort Hotel in Mission Bay.

Named “Whiskies of the World,” the event will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m., July 27. Participants can expect to encounter rare and prestigious “expressions” from more than 150 global distillers. Cigar pairings, light hors’d oeuvres and live entertainment will also be offered amid free-flowing pours of the celebrated spirits. General admission is $125; VIP admission is $175. 998 W. Mission Bay Drive, 800-576-4229, whiskiesoftheworld.com, bahiahotel.com.

Brunch revisions on Park Boulevard

The restaurant known as Breakfast & Bubbles has taken on a new identity through a recent remodel and by renaming itself XOXO by Breakfast & Bubbles.

This year’s winter storms inflicted damage to the space, but the subsequent redo ushered in vintage-looking dining booths and banquettes, along with splashes of red stripping inside and out. Boozy brunches still remain the focus, yet with the addition of a secret menu that observant customers learn about from a discrete footnote on the regular menu. Once discovered, options such as bao buns, steak-n-eggs, and pink espresso martinis come into play.

The regular menu features diner-like dishes that include deviled eggs, French dips, breakfast burgers, and a new white chocolate waffle. All of the meals are available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily. 3831 Park Blvd., 619-269-6281, xoxosandiego.com.

The Gaslamp Quarter welcomes a colorful cantina

Tacos and tequila take center stage at the new Hasta Manana Cantina, which greets with colorful murals, ample seating and two bars. The menu carries the signature of chef Kevin Templeton, a former champion from the Food Network’s “Chopped” series. Some of his preliminary standout dishes include mezcal-brined wings served with mole sauce; a vegetarian version of al pastor using oyster mushrooms; and Wagyu skirt steak accented with cinnamon chili oil.

The drink is equally ambitious. It features a lengthy selection of tequila and mezcals—more than 75 choices—in addition to rums, whiskeys, and cordials. 310 Fifth Ave., 858-321-5515, hastamananacantina.com.

Izola reopens in the East Village

Croissant master Jeffrey Brown has reopened his wildly popular Izola bakery in the East Village, only a few blocks from his original location. Brown sprung onto the baking scene at the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020, when he operated Izola from a cozy loft in the Ratner Building on 13th Street. The self-taught baker quickly became famous for his expertly crafted croissants made with French-imported butter, plus his rustic-style sourdough loaves. During the lockdown, he would lower the baked goods in baskets to eager customers onto the street below.

Brown shut down Izola last year to regroup with plans to resurrect the business in roomier digs. He’s now up and running in a renovated 4,200-square-foot building alongside Fault Line Park. Among the must-try croissants: almond, chocolate, and the Moroccan black olive-chocolate. 1429 Island Ave., 619-289-8358, izolabakery.com.