Telefèric Barcelona now open at Westfield UTC
Telefèric Barcelona, a family-owned Spanish restaurant company based in Palo Alto, opened its eighth U.S. location on July 10 at the Westfield UTC shopping center.
Founded in 1992 in Sant Cugat, Spain, by siblings Maria and Xavi Padrosa, Telefèric (the Catalan word for cable car) is known for its cooked-to-order paellas, pintxos (bite-size appetizers) and tapas dishes that include patatas bravas, jamón ibérico de bellota, gambas al ajillo, Wagyu empanadas, croquetas and more. The restaurants also have a wine list with more than 100 Spanish selections. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.The restaurant also Offers more than 100 Spanish wines. 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite E-25, San Diego. telefericbarcelona.com
The brunch spread with dark chocolate babka and French toast at Cellar Hand in Hillcrest (Kimberly Motos)
Cellar Hand closing Sunday: Cellar Hand, a 120-seat Mediterranean restaurant opened in Hillcrest in spring 2024 by the founders of Pali Wine Co., will close its doors on Sunday. The news was announced in an email Tuesday. Nick and Carmen Perr, along with the Perr family, are the owners of Pali Wine in Santa Barbara County. Cellar Hand was their first restaurant project. The menu, originted by chef Logan Kendall, featured dishes that paired well with Pali’s still and sparkling white, pink, orange and red wines. 1440 University Ave., San Diego. cellarhandhillcrest.com
The Mr. Chuck, the signature burger at Mr. Charlie’s TMS, a vegan “anti fast food” restaurant chain, with locations in Hillcrest and Pacific Beach. (Mr.Charlie’s TMS)
Mr.Charlie’s TMS opens Hillcrest location: Mr.Charlie’s TMS, a Los Angeles vegan “anti fast-food” burger chain launched in 2022 with celebrity investors who include blink-182 bandmate Travis Barker, opened its second San Diego County location July 11 in Hillcrest. The first location opened in January in Pacific Beach. It’s signature burger is the Mr.Chuck, made with a plant protein patty, vegan cheese, lettuce, pickles, onion, sauce and sesame seed bun. Besides its 100-percent vegan menu, the restaurant has a hiring program offering second chances to formerly incarcerated workers who face barriers to employment. The TMS in its name stands for “Told Me So.” 3896 Fifth Ave., San Diego. mrcharlies.co/mission
La Corriente opening in Oceanside: La Corriente Cocina del Pacifico, a Baja California-born Mexican seafood restaurant chain, will open its third San Diego County location later this month in Oceanside. La Corriente is taking over the space formerly occupied by HomeState, the Tex-Mex restaurant that closed in February. The restaurants are known for their raw bar offerings, seafood tacos and grilled fresh fish and shellfish entrées. It joins locations in La Jolla and Coronado. 510 Vista Way, Suite 100, Oceanside. lacorrientedelpacifico.com
A scoop of peanut butter cookie dough ice cream at Scoopy Scoopy, a new ice cream shop in Leucadia. (Pam Kragen / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Scoopy Scoopy opens storefront: One year after launching as a pop-up ice cream business, Scoopy Scoopy opened its first permanent storefront July 11 in Leucadia’s Moto Deli. Scoopy Scoopy was launched on Fourth of July weekend in 2025 by Leucadia neighbors and friends Zach Zien and Steven Segal. The shop serves a rotating variety of super-premium ice cream flavors made by Chocolate Shoppe of Madison, Wis. Hours for now are 12 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. 190 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas. instagram.com/scoopyscoopyy/
New food shop in Rancho Santa Fe: Rancho Sandwich & Creamery has opened in Rancho Santa Fe Village. Owned by Rancho Santa Fe resident Chris Miller, the eatery offers 14 signature sandwiches, breakfast bowls, toasts and burritos, pastries and bagels, salads, wraps and soft-serve ice cream. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturdays. 6110 El Tordo, Rancho Santa Fe. rancho-sandwich-creamery.square.site/
A trio of wood-fired pizzas from Isola Pizza Bar, which opened its third location in Encinitas in June. (Isola Pizza Bar)
Isola opens in Encinitas: Isola Pizza Bar, with locations in Little Italy and La Jolla, opened its third location in Encinitas in June. Founded in 2012 by Italian chef Massimo Tenino, the restaurants are known for their Neapolitan-style pizzas and Italian wine program. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 569 S. Coast Highway, Encinitas. isolapizzabar.com