Let’s hope The San Diego Union-Tribune report published March 2, naming 103 restaurants in San Diego County cited for various food-safety violations, will result in cleaner and better functioning restrooms.

The article focused on county inspections targeting inadequate storage temperatures, poor sanitation of cooking utensils and the presence of cockroaches, mice, rats and flies, along with their droppings – a checklist that pertains mostly to kitchen operations. Sadly, many of my favorite restaurants made the list.

Food handlers working with dirty hands was among the infractions, which points to the abysmal conditions we’ve all seen in public restrooms at fast-food joints and casual eateries in particular. Consumers should be wary when they encounter restrooms lacking water pressure in sink faucets, as well as depleted supplies of toilet paper, hand towels and soap, dirty or backed-up toilets and urinals, and excessive litter. All pose a safety hazard and should be immediately reported to restaurant management and/or the Department of Environmental Health (619-338-2283).

The 30-year-old Benihana in Mission Valley unveiled a new $2 million interior design last week after being closed for nearly four months. The bolder, more contemporary scheme features an expanded sushi bar, a front bar lounge, two dining rooms, dramatic bamboo planters and vibrant shades of red and green throughout the transformed layout. The menu remains the same, a potpourri of Japanese-style cuisine prepared at the tables by a team of 20 teppanyaki-trained chefs. 477 Camino Del Rio South, 619-298-4666.

Artichoke lovers can take pleasure in a wine-pairing dinner that incorporates the savory thistle into each course on April 3 at Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas. The evening’s menu will embody the star ingredient in dishes such as smoked Gouda risotto fritters, lamb osso bucco, mozzarella cannelloni and roasted pineapple ice cream. The chokes will even appear in martinis in lieu of olives. Wines by Clos LaChance will be poured. The cost is $75. Reservations are recommended. 251 N. El Camino Real, 760-635-1006.

Ralph’s deli service at most San Diego locations has gone from bad to worse with the elimination of a number system that kept customers in fair lineup when ordering cold cuts and sandwiches. According to a manager at the Hillcrest location, the outsourced systems broke down often, with no technical support given by the company that provided them. There’s no indication as of yet that Ralph’s is shopping for a replacement system.

The new Reuben sandwich at Arby’s is near perfect with the exception that the marbled bread it uses isn’t grilled unless customers request otherwise. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

After giving Maryjane’s Coffee House a rave review in this paper’s Epicurious Eating column on Jan. 17, I’ve since returned on a Sunday to regretfully find its brunch prices ridiculously inflated and the service standard abysmally low. Imagine paying $23 for steak and eggs, $12 for chicken or carnitas tacos and more than a 10-spot for a basic burger! The atmosphere was circus-like; handfuls of tables were left un-bussed; my meal order was wrong; and the army of young waitresses and hostesses seemingly trained to talk like 14-year-olds sent my friend and I running. While our local dining makes exciting strides, consistency remains a tricky achievement.