Menya Ultra Ramen Extending Hours Starting Labor Day

Menya Ultra Ramen expands hours and debuts new dish

As the popular ramen shop gears up to opens its second location in Mira Mesa, its flagship Kearny Mesa location will expand its hours of operation this Labor Day. Starting Monday, September 3, the eatery will be open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Owner/chef Takashi Endo has also just added a new item to the menu: Negi Miso Ramen, based on a special recipe pork broth seasoned with housemade miso, fish-flavored oil, and garlic oil topped with two slices of pork chashu, green onion, wood ear mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil, and black and red pepper. It’s now available in limited quantities, 10 bowls at lunch and 10 bowls at dinner.

Marine Room chef to lead fast-casual chain

Ron Oliver, the longtime chef de cuisine at the Marine Room in La Jolla, has departed the fine dining bastion to join Luna Grill, a steadily-expanding fast-casual Mediterranean eatery as its new executive chef. Oliver, an award-winning cookbook author, will work with Luna Grill co-founder and chief culinary officer Maria Pourteymour on developing new menu items and continuing to grow the brand, which is prepping to open its 47th location.

Pioneering chef creates special at Sweetfin Poke

Chef Peter Merriman, one of the founders of Hawaiian regional cuisine who operates several acclaimed restaurants on the islands, has partnered with Sweetfin Poke on a limited-edition poke bowl that will be available starting September 1 through October 31. The Merriman’s bowl features his take on traditional Hawaiian poke, featuring udon noodles topped with ahi poke, shredded daikon radish, carrots, green onions, and sesame seeds.

The Grass Skirt hosts a luau and pig roast

The Pacific Beach bar and restaurant’s second annual end-of-summer luau and pig roast is scheduled for Sunday, September 16 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., when The Grass Skirt team led by executive chef Brian Redzikowski and beverage director Steven Tuttle will host a tiki-themed bash that’ll feature a traditional spit-roasted pig, tropical drinks, and live entertainment. General admission tickets ($69) include a Tenderbelly Farms pork plate with Hawaiian side dishes, Polynesian-inspired snacks, and poke samples from a live fish breakdown while VIP tickets ($89) tack on early entry, two drink tickets, a Grass Skirt custom luau pin, and a limited edition luau shirt.

The Patio on Goldfinch launches monthly cocktail parties

Goldfinch Gatherings is a new community event that The Patio on Goldfinch will hold the second Wednesday of every month. Kicking off on Wednesday, September 12, the cocktail-style party on the restaurant’s patio will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. offering discounted beverages and tray-passed bites and other drinks. $20 tickets can be purchased at the door the day of the event.