San Diego

• Musical dining chairs. Victor Jaminez is the new chef at downtown's Gulf Coast Grill. Jaminez comes to the Grill from Dakota Grill and Spirits, one of David Cohn's Gaslamp-quarter restaurants, where his replacement is Brian Freerksen of La Jolla's Marine Room. Marine Room executive chef Bernard Guillas, meanwhile, will man the stoves until a replacement for Freerksen is found.

• The dynamic duo of chef Rene Herbeck and maître d' Sheridan Dowling have joined forces once again, this time at the Fontainebleau Room in downtown's Westgate Hotel. Herbeck was the executive chef at Le Meridien's Marius before it was purchased by Marriott. Dowling is returning to San Diego after a stint on the faculty at the CIA in Hyde Park.

• San Diego's Hard Rock Café has opened at 4th and F Streets.

• San Diego Home Garden/Lifestyles recently bestowed its Silver Fork awards, recognizing Loews Coronado Bay Resort's Azzura Point under executive chef James Boyce and the Four Seasons Resort Aviara's Vivace under executive chef Pascal Vignau as the best special occasion/resort dining rooms. Ed Moore of The Bungalow received special recognition for his efforts to raise scholar-ships for needy culinary students in the greater San Diego area.

• San Diegans unable to visit the real Beard House had the opportunity to preview the menu that Hotel del Coronado's Peter Gennaro took to New York in September. Guests feasted on Sonoma foie gras ravioli, grilled buffalo loin, and warm Mission fig tart.