Since closing three years ago to the dismay of vegetarians and occasional dabblers of meatless meals, Kung Food in Hillcrest is returning with a novel concept that combines healthy eating with the local arts scene.

The restaurant will officially reopen under new ownership with a Valentine’s weekend “Heart Festival”, which runs Feb. 11-13. The three-day event will feature food, live music, dance demonstrations, poetry and artisans selling various handcraft wares.

“We did a huge amount of rehabilitation to the property, and we’ve only just begun,” says General Manager Mitch Wallis of Hillcrest. “The long-term remodel plan will include doubling the size of the restaurant, adding a drive-in window and completing the patio, which will have a view of Balboa Park.”

The new ownership encompasses a team of food scientists, restaurant experts and marketing professionals “all dedicated to fulfilling the huge demand for healthy and convenient organic food,” adds Wallis.

“I’ve been living in the community for some time and became keenly aware of the void left behind when the original Kung Food closed,” he continues. “I also see San Diego as a city filled with world-class art and culture, and there isn’t any one place in town to get farm-fresh, home-style food as part of the whole arts package. We’re creating a direct pipeline between Mother Earth and urban culture.”

The new Kung Food will operate as a buffet-style eatery and feature a plethora of stews, casserole and quiches sans any animal products. The lineup will also include some raw food items as well as smoothies, soft-serve ice cream, lattes, mochas and organic beer and wine. “Everything is plant-based,” notes Wallis. “But you would never know once you taste it.”

Wallis adds that the entire staff is cross-trained, which means “we’ll all be participating in the cooking. It’s a collective approach of people sharing the vision.”

Entertainment will be woven into the operation on a regular basis, and Wallis says that GLBT groups and artists will play a big role. “We’ll be presenting art receptions, live music from diverse genres and maybe even include a Kung Food movie night. We want this to be a center for educational, social and political meetings as well. Wouldn’t you rather have your meeting or forum at a place that serves great healthy food?”

The opening celebration kicks off with an open-mic session hosted by political satirist Alfred Howard at 8:00 p.m. on Feb. 11. A Valentine’s Day brunch-buffet begins at 9:00 a.m., Feb. 12, followed by live bands, belly dancing and marshal arts demonstrations, and a “marketplace” until 5:00 p.m. A second brunch will be held at 9:00 a.m., Feb. 13, with musician Josh Hall and more artisans. Additional food sampling will continue throughout each afternoon. The cost for the buffets is $5.

Kung Food is located at 2949 Fifth Ave. For more information, call (619) 298-7302.