Since last week’s closing of Universal nightclub in Hillcrest, it has been reported that owner James Brennan of EntertainSD is presently courting potential buyers who are interested in keeping the space a nightspot. Based on numerous visits and community feedback that I’ve received over the 20 months it operated, the future owners will hopefully learn from Brennan’s mistakes. If so, they would:

Shed lofty admission prices and pretentious guest lists

Eliminate the velvet ropes (This is Hillcrest, not Manhattan or Vegas!)

Don’t hold up entry lines to make it look busy

Offer better drink specials and wave goodbye to expensive “bottle service.”

Spiff up the front sidewalk patio with better furniture

Fill in the empty “cold” space in the interior’s central area

As for staffing: Snotty bartenders and egotistical DJs be gone!

Taco Bell is introducing the “drive-thru diet menu” featuring various items that substitute cheese and creamy sauces with a new salsa containing only five calories per serving. With significant portions of fat eliminated from the new line of tacos filled with beef, chicken or beans, their calorie counts range from 150 for the Fresco Crunchy Taco to 340 for the Fresco Chicken Burrito Supreme. Though for most of us, if you can’t live without tacos, you can’t live without cheese.

San Diego has seen a rash of hot, new Italian kitchens open in the past several months, including the modernly inspired Cucina Urbana, the Milan-based BICE and countrified Buonissimo. Joining the bandwagon is Toast Enoteca e Cucina, set to open next week by Martin Gonzalez, executive chef of Acqua Al 2. His new restaurant promises a choice of more than 400 hard-to-find wines and innovative Italian fare. 927 J St.

Looking to temporarily abandon your dietary New Year’s resolution? Look no further than San Diego Restaurant Week, scheduled for Jan. 17 through 22. More than 50 restaurants throughout San Diego County are taking part, offering three-course meals for $20, $30 or $40 per person, depending on the restaurant. For a complete list of participants, visit sandiegorestaurantweek.com.

The latest farmers market has arrived in Liberty Station from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., every Sunday. Only a few weeks old, the market is smaller in comparison to most, featuring about 22 tents flaunting everything from seasonal produce, beef jerky, East African and Greek cuisine, and of course, lots of hummus and salsas. Dewey and Decatur streets.

The Cohn Restaurant group has opened a sister location of its Gaslamp Strip Club in La Jolla where Trophy’s formerly operated. Named the La Jolla Strip Club, the grill-your-own-meat steakhouse features aged, Midwest beef and 100 different vodkas from around the world. The suggestive “strip club” theme remains evident in menu categories titled “sassy sides,” “XXX-tras” and “naughty treats.” 4282 Esplanade Court, La Jolla, 858-450-1400.