New Wine Bar & Art Gallery Heading To Hillcrest

The north side of University Avenue, between 5th and 6th, is getting a fresh influx of food and drink; a tipster sent in word that a new wine bar will be replacing the short-lived Cafe Delano at 540 University Avenue, just a few paces from where Blue Ribbon Rustic Kitchen is planning to open this summer.

Owner Rick Richards tells Eater that he plans to open the Rred Gallery and Wine Bar (the double "r" commemorates a late family member) in late May. Rred will seat 45 to 50 people, and offer a selection of small production, cult and boutique wines; they don't have a full kitchen, but the chef will be preparing artful plates of wine-friendly food, including cheese boards, charcuterie plates and caviar. For now, all wine will be sold and consumed on premise, but they may explore off-site sales in the future.

Richards, who heads up a large-scale food and beverage company in Colorado, lived briefly in La Jolla and now he and his wife plan to use San Diego as a home base. At Rred, they'll display the work of local and international artists; Richards says the collection will be "cutting edge and eclectic". Opening hours for the gallery and wine bar will likely be 3 p.m. to 10 p.m on weeknights and midnight on weekends.
· All Coming Soon Coverage on Eater [~ESD~]