The one-year-old Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge in the heart of Little Italy houses the largest number of imported cheese wheels in San Diego.

About 100 of the 40-pound wheels dominate a back wall in the spacious, main dining room. More can be found in the restaurant’s “cheese bar,” where the wheels are carved into bowl-shaped vessels for tossing in cooked pasta before it is plated.

Manager Alfredo Piraino said the wheels cost around $1,200 each. They come in three varieties from their designated regions in Italy: Parmesan Reggiano from Emilia-Romagna; Grana Padano from northern provinces; and Pecorino Romano from Lazio and Sardinia.

Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge is part of the San Diego Dining Group, which also operates Roman Wolves,Allegro and the new Brisa, all in Little Italy. It also owns RustiCucina in Hillcrest, Flora in North Park, and Greystone Prime Steakhouse & Seafood in the Gaslamp District. 550 W. Date St., 619-923-1584, vincenzosd.com.

The monetary power of burgers and gorditas

More than $4,000 was raised recently in a downtown food pop-up at The Lion’s Share for Team Cretins, a cyclist group that bikes long distances to generate funds for AIDS/HIV awareness and services. The fundraiser was held in collaboration with The Friendly of North Park. It involved chefs from both restaurants selling their versions of “fat finger food.”

The Lion’s Share sold 106 smoked gorditas, and The Friendly sold 86 of their famous “dirty flat-top” burgers. The food sold out within three and a half hours and the venue saw a line of around 30 people throughout the entirety of the event. 629 Kettner Blvd., 619-564-6924, lionssharesd.com.

For those with nomadic tastes

Normal Heights has made way for a tapas, wine and “listening bar” called Nomade, which reflects the cosmopolitan nature of its food and drink selection. The cozy establishment was recently launched by Juan Carlos Gomez, who owns the long-established El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria in Old Town.

His new venture combines an atmosphere stocked with vinyl records with an all-day menu that begins with coffee drinks, low-alcohol cocktails and breakfast fare. The offerings progress later in the day to international wines, Spanish-inspired tapas, and several entrees such as steak frites and pasta with clams.

Gomez took his cue for Nomade after traveling through Japan, where he observed the concept and sound systems of listening bars. 3027 Adams Ave., nomadetapasandrecords.com.

New breakfast spot opens in the East Village

The ever-expanding and locally based Rise & Shine Hospitality Group has launched 6th & G Breakfast Co. at its namesake location in the East Village. The elaborately designed restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily with a menu containing both morning and afternoon fare.

In keeping with the restaurant group’s creative renditions of American meals seen at its Breakfast Republic and Breakfast Company locations, customers can expect the same level of flair at this newest venture.

The chiliquiles with three eggs, for example, are jazzed up with chipotle cream, radishes and red onion. There is also lemon meringue French toast; strawberry-rhubarb pancakes; birria eggs Benedict; a double smash burger, and more.

Beverages range from specialty coffee drinks and espresso martinis to prosecco mimosas and classic hot chocolate. 695 Sixth Ave., 619-349-4890, breakfast-co.com.

The big crawfish boil returns

The mother of all crawfish boils will dominate downtown’s Waterfront Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 17. It is the 36th anniversary of the New Orleans-style event, which is organized by the LSU Alumni Chapter of San Diego.

More than 20,000 pounds of crawfish will be cooked onsite along with potatoes and corn-on-the-cob. The crustaceans are imported live from Louisiana.

The event also features several food vendors selling Creole fare, plus live music and beer. Guests must be at least 21 years of age.

Tickets are $87 per person which includes a crawfish dinner and unlimited beer and soft drinks.

For more information about the San Diego Crawfish Boil, visit lsusandiego.org.

Top photo caption: Throngs of crawfish are coming to San Diego. (Photo courtesy of LSU Alumni of San Diego)