Dumpling Pros Din Tai Fung Among Slew of New UTC Eateries

Will eating at the mall become the thing to do this year? The food options at Westfield UTC are getting a major upgrade this fall, with a high-profile batch of new restaurants signing on to be a part of the shopping center’s grand $585 million expansion plan.

Joining previously announced newcomers, including big-time national burger outfit Shake Shack and Javier’s and The Winery from Orange County, is world-renowned dumpling house Din Tai Fung. Founded in Taiwan, with locations now spanning the globe, the crowd-drawing eatery is known for its delicate, soup-filled steamed dumplings.

Two locally-founded brands will be making their way to the mall — upscale Hillcrest diner Great Maple will have a second San Diego outpost here, and the team behind Little Italy’s Queenstown Public House and Dunedin in North Park are planning to launch a similar restaurant called Arbor. And Fashion Valley fixture True Food Kitchen, the full service relation of the recently-opened Flower Child in Flower Hill Promenade, will slot in another spot in UTC. The Union-Tribune says that Smokeyard BBQ and Chop House, a meat-centric spot hailing from the Mammoth Lakes area and offering everything from American barbecue to South African dishes, will also be part of the mix.