East Meets West as Chef Wolfgang Puck Makes His San Diego Debut With Jai

Working closely with Chef Puck to create the diverse menu featuring dishes ranging from miso sake broiled butterfish to crispy Cantonese duck, Chef Yoshinori Kojima-executive chef for Jai and former executive chef at Puck's Red 7 inLos Angeles-has been called upon to provideSan Diego with a world-class dining experience that fuses rich Asian tradition and flavor with contemporary culinary trends.

"Jai is the perfect addition to a city that already celebrates diversity and a variety of cultures," said Chef Wolfgang Puck. "Both the menu and dining room design are fun, contemporary and rich with flavor -- just like La Jolla Playhouse. We are excited to partner with them to offer San Diegans the opportunity to enjoy fresh Asian cuisine along with the performing arts."

Beyond the plate, guests at Jai can enjoy a modern ambiance designed by architect Martin Vahtra of PROJECTS architectural and interior design firm. Vahtra also designed Red 7 for Puck plus Jay-Z's 40/40 Club inLas Vegas, and the Time Hotel inNew York City.

Jai (pronounced "Jay"), whose name draws both on the Thai word for "heart" and references the Chinese good luck dish, is a part of Wolfgang Puck Catering, and in addition to the restaurant, offers full on- and off-site catering throughoutSan Diego.

On-site Catering

Located on the University of California-San Diego campus, Jai's light-filled dining room and inviting outdoor patio provides the perfect venue for private events. Accommodating groups of 10-135, Jai offers flexibility in its catering options. From renting out the entire restaurant for a larger function to the 18-seat private dining room, Jai's on-site catering provides the fine dining experience to private parties and events.

Off-site Catering

For the first time inSan Diego, Wolfgang Puck Catering is offering its award-winning services to the residents. Preparing customized cuisine from start to finish, at the preferred venue of choice, Wolfgang Puck Catering dedicates a personal chef to each off-site catering event. If the customer's venue has a functioning kitchen, the chef will set up there however, if the venue does not have kitchen facilities, Wolfgang Puck Catering will bring in a mobile kitchen to make sure that the cuisine is perfectly prepared.

Jai is located next to La Jolla Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Forum. Dinner hours are 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, closed Mondays. Reservations are highly recommended and available by calling (858) 638-7778.

In addition to the full dining experience offered at Jai, Chef Puck also offers a 'grab and go' menu for theatergoers featuring paninis, sandwiches, salads, pastries and more at the WP Cafe located on the theatre grounds.

The new restaurant also will meld the art of good food with performing arts by hosting "cabaret" beginning in 2009.

About Wolfgang Puck Catering

Founded in 1998 by Wolfgang, CEO Carl Schuster, and interior designer Barbara Lazaroff, Wolfgang Puck Catering (WPC), sets the standard for culinary excellence, bringing our team's legendary combination of innovative cuisine and refined service as fine dining restaurateurs to the worlds' most renowned and demanding corporate, cultural and social settings. WPC currently provides catering services at cultural centers in twelve major markets including Hollywood & Highland and LA Live (Los Angeles); Union Station and Nasher Sculpture Center (Dallas); the Museum of Contemporary Art, the University of Chicago's Gleacher Center and Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies (Chicago); the St. Louis Art Museum and the Contemporary Art Museum (St. Louis); the Museum of Science and Institute of Contemporary Art (Boston); the Walker Art Center (Minneapolis); Indianapolis Museum of Art; Benaroya Hall (Seattle); Newseum (Washington, DC); Springs Preserve (Las Vegas); the Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta); and most recently the La Jolla Playhouse (San Diego). For additional information, visit http://www.wolfgangpuckcatering.com.

     Media Contact:
     Amy Jones
     Fleishman-Hillard for Jai by Wolfgang Puck
     619.237.7717
     amy.jones@fleishman.com

SOURCE Jai by Wolfgang Puck

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Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze, Daily News

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