The Scoop: Top restaurant news in February

Chew on this month’s top restaurant openings, including Philz Coffee, Hundred Proof and Buona Forchetta in Liberty Station.

OPEN: Breakfast Republic East Village

The Breakfast Republic locations just keep hatching. The latest opening of the egg-centric hotspot is in East Village at the former Zanzibar Café location. Breakfast Republic currently has locations in North Park, Liberty Station and Encinitas. In East Village, expect the same innovative and classic dishes, plus a patio open for those sunny San Diego days. The full breakfast menu is available from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

707 G St., East Village. breakfastrepublic.com

NEWS: Breakfast Republic Ocean Beach

With the closing of OB Warehouse comes a new beginning. The Breakfast Republic empire will expand into this beachside space by late April. Get your Oreo pancakes and chicken wing breakfast bowls on Newport Ave.

4839 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach. breakfastrepublic.com

OPEN: Philz Coffee

Philz coffee, a California fave, has announced the soft opening of their first San Diego location on Feb. 3. Known for a “one cup at a time” approach, Philz already maintains a massively caffeinated fanbase in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. The new North County café will bring the same Philz approach to a cup of Joe for San Diegans to sip up. You won’t find any specialty drinks here. Philz Encinitas doesn’t serve any lattes, cappuccinos, espressos or pre-brews, just 20 customized blends of coffee made from high quality beans around the world.

1060 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. philzcoffee.com

OPEN: Hive

There’s a new kid on Convoy St. Hive is a restaurant and entertainment space coming in at 8,000 square feet and expanding to 20,000 square feet within the next year. The location that was formerly Chorus Karaoke & Bar has doubled the amount of karaoke rooms ,all completely updated with the latest technology. A 300-seat dining room serves guests a diverse menu led by Executive Chef Q Yoo. There’s also a nightclub aspect to come.

4428 Convoy St., Kearny Mesa.

NEWS: Hundred Proof

The culinary kings behind Trust - Chef Brad Wise and Steve Schwob - are opening their next venture in the space that was formerly Sausage & Meat. Hundred Proof will open in the spring on Park Boulevard. Expect plush booths, hand-crafted cocktails, boozy milkshakes and bar food done up right. They’ll be open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

4130 Park Blvd., University Heights.

(Almost) OPEN: Buona Forchetta Liberty Station

Buona Forchetta’s second location in Liberty Station will be swinging open doors any day now. This overwhelmingly popular restaurant - which originated in South Park - is a collaboration between owner Matteo Cattaneo and BiCE Ristorante’s executive chef, Mario Cassineri. Two wood-fired pizza ovens anchor this space with Northern Italian dishes and Neapolitan style pizza.

2880 Sims Road, Liberty Station. buonaforchettasd.com

NEWS: StreetCar Merchants - Gaslamp

At the beginning of this year, we announced StreetCar Merchants’ arrival into La Jolla. Now, the Southern comfort food concept is expanding into downtown. While the third outpost of StreetCar (the original is in North Park) won’t likely open until summer, we do know that they are adding craft cocktails and other adult beverages to the mix.

751 Fourth Ave., downtown. streetcarmerchants.com