After its successful launch in West Hollywood two years ago, the trend of dining in pitch darkness has arrived in San Diego with Opaque.

Guests at Opaque begin the evening in a lighted lounge before being led, single file, into a dark room, where they rely solely on touch, smell and taste to partake of three-course meals. The wait staff is comprised of blind or visually impaired individuals who are specially trained to serve the meals and offer reassurance to their visionless customers. Dinners are at 7 p.m., every Saturday, starting Aug. 18, in the basement-level Grand Hall at the US Grant Hotel downtown. The cost is $99 including tax, but not drinks. Reservations are required by calling 800-710-1270 or visiting www.darkdining.com.

Fresh cow’s milk mozzarella and its highly prized cousin, burrata, are now available through preorder at Taste Artisan Cheese & Gourmet Shop in Hillcrest on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The cheeses are delivered fresh on the evenings prior to their availability at Taste, and originate from Gioia in El Monte, Calif., says Mary Palmer, owner. “We’ve sold out each time ever since we started carrying them last month.”

Burrata is mozzarella stuffed with mozzarella — the outer skin is the same pasta filata curd, and the filling is a blissful mix of unfinished curd and heavy cream. It sells for $3.50 per piece (weighing about a quarter pound) and is best enjoyed within two days of purchase – especially when paired with the current bounty of seasonal heirloom tomatoes. The fresh mozzarella costs $4.50 per piece (about a half pound). To order, call (619) 683-2306 or visit the shop at 1243 1/2 University Ave.

After opening three weeks ago in La Jolla, Burger Lounge is bringing its all-American concept eatery to Adams Avenue in Kensington, where Just Fabulous formerly operated. The new, second location, slated to open in mid-September, will feature the same retro-modern design elements as the eatery in La Jolla, with a menu consisting of Kobe beef, turkey and veggie burgers, plus grilled skewered chicken tenders, salads and malt shakes. Beer and wine will also be available.

Firefly Grill & Wine Bar in Encinitas will present a 100-percent organic wine dinner at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 23, featuring five wines and four-courses. The wines will be introduced by reps of Quivira Winery from Dry Creek, Calif., a certified organic winery that is also bio-dynamic, meaning that it generates its own power and even uses horses to plow the land. The menu will also be completely organic, featuring foods sourced exclusively from organic farmers and meat and fish purveyors. The cost is $85 per person, not including tax or tip. Reserva-tions are required by calling (760) 635-1066.

One of downtown’s major steak havens, The Palm, has introduced a kids’ summer menu designed in part by young actress Abigail Breslin, recently nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Little Miss Sunshine. The menu caters to children 14 or younger, and features child-sized choices such as grilled filet tenders, sweet potato fries, summer veggies, and brownie cheesecake sundaes, not to mention a kid-friendly version of the restaurant’s strawberry-mint lemonade cocktail.