The Scoop: Top restaurant news in January

By Michelle Dederko

Jan. 5, 2017 11:42 AM PT

Chew on this month’s restaurant openings, including Voltaire Beach House, Moto Deli Encinitas and StreetCar Merchants La Jolla.

OPEN: Voltaire Beach House

Embracing Ocean Beach vibes, Voltaire Beach House is offering guests more outdoor seating than indoor to soak up the coastal sun. Inspired by the beachside homes of Nantucket, the restaurant and bar serves up American cuisine from Chef Abe Botello. Be sure to enjoy the outdoor fireplace where you can indulge in s’mores under the stars.

4934 Voltaire St., Ocean Beach. voltairebeachhouse.com

OPEN: Moto Deli Encinitas

This traditional European delicatessen has opened an outpost on North Coast Highway 101. Find sandwiches, open-faced tartines, house made charcuterie and baked breads. Menu highlights include the salmon sandwich with an herb cheese spread, a rabbit confit ‘wich that includes mashed root vegetables and quail egg, or a classic caprese sandwich.

810 N. Coast Highway, Encinitas. motodeli.com

OPEN: StreetCar Merchants La Jolla

If you’ve ever indulged in the fried chicken and donuts at StreetCar Merchant’s first location in North Park, you know that its expansion into La Jolla is applause-worthy. The new location has all the same Southern fixings, plus milkshakes, salads and more small bites such as deviled eggs and a shrimp cocktail.

811 Prospect St., La Jolla. streetcarmerchants.com

OPEN: Pappalecco Del Mar

This Tuscan café chain has been rapidly expanding, recently opening in Kensington and Cardiff. The newest location in Del Mar Highlands maintains the same menu stocked with paninis, pizza, breakfast treats, salads, coffee and wine.

12925 El Camino Real, Suite AA5, Del Mar. pappalecco.com

COMING SOON: Wokou

Chef Antonio Friscia has had a dynamic culinary career in San Diego, from Fireside by the Patio to the former downtown spot Gaijin. Now, he’s creating the menu for a new Japanese concept named Wokou in The Village at Pacific Highland Ranch. It’s slated to open this month, and guests can anticipate ramen, yakitori, craft beer and cocktails.

6025 Village Way, Carmel Valley. eatwokou.com

CHEF NEWS:

Javier Plascencia just announced that he is parting from Mexiterranean Hospitality which includes the Little Italy smash hit, Bracero Cocina de Raiz. He is shifting his focus to his restaurants south of the border. Read more here.