Tsunami Benefit at Acacia
Chef Albert Hall is donating 100 percent of all profits to World Care on Monday, Jan. 10, from 4 to 10 p.m. at St. Philip's Plaza (Campbell Avenue and River Road); 232-0101.
Out of this World
The Flying Saucer coffeehouse has landed at the southwest corner of Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street. Owners Susan and Leslie Gamble also own Santa Theresa Tile Works. Get more buzz by calling 882-4242; open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Under New Ownership
Daniel Scordato sold Intermezzo to Charlie and Stephanie Heckman. While it's their first foray into restaurant ownership, daughter Sheri graduated from Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute and knows her way around a restaurant. The Heckmans will expand the dinner menu and wine selections. Intermezzo is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and for Sunday brunch at 5350 E. Broadway Blvd.; 748-8100.
JNippon
With a soft opening in December and a grand opening next week, JNippon--sister to Yama restaurant--dishes up fine Japanese dining with a sushi bar and teppan-style grills, plus private seating and 200 types of wine and sake; in the Foothills Mall daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Live music and patio dining will be coming soon; 498-1555. (There's also a JNippon teppan express-to-go in the food court.)
Sauce-y
When the Vanier Galleries closed, Sauce expanded its current presence at Casa Adobes Plaza at Oracle and Ina roads to include the addition of a panini sandwich maker. Fox Concepts restaurants will further expand in late 2005 across the street from Emich Oldsmobile, in the 6300 block of East Grant Road. Although it's too early to confirm, the restaurant may be a contemporary version of Wildflower.