Starbucks has taken over the former Diedrich Coffee in the Uptown District, and is scheduled to open in early June. The juggernaut chain is also introducing to most locations next month a line of hot, oven-toasted sandwiches that are made with English muffins and contain things like eggs Florentine, sausage, turkey, etc. Some of the smaller stores, however, won’t be able to accommodate the new ovens needed to cook them.

In the meantime, the smell of freshly roasted competition may be wafting through the heart of Hillcrest. Rumor has it that a “hip, upscale” coffeehouse will soon open in the dank and long-defunct storefront sitting almost directly across the street from the Starbucks (near Ben and Jerry’s) at 1240 University Ave.

More than 30 restaurants will open their doors for this year’s Taste of Uptown/Hillcrest on April 21 from noon to 4 p.m. The self-guided neighborhood food fest costs $25 and often sells out prior to the event. Tickets are now on sale and can be obtained by calling 619-233-5008. Participating restaurants and bars include the new Lucky Buck’s, Amarin Thai, Bamboo Lounge, Baja Betty’s, Kemo Sabe, Mama Testa Taqueria, Ono Sushi, Taste of Italy, Wine Steals, the Tractor Room, Kous Kous, Crush and more.

The Wine Lover on Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest, which recently celebrated its eighth anniversary as the second oldest wine bar in San Diego (The Grape downtown ranks as the first), will present a patio tasting of four sparkling wines and champagnes Wednesday, March 28, from 6-8 p.m. The lineup includes Trevisiol Extra Dry Prosecco; Torre Oria Brut Reserve Cava; and Tre Donne Moscato D’ Asti DOCG. The cost is $20, which includes appetizers. Seating is limited to 50 people. For reservations, call 619-294-9200.

Trader Joe’s has opened its ninth and largest location in San Diego County at the historic Liberty Station in Point Loma. The new store carries more breads, cheeses and produce compared to others, and it affords shoppers an airier atmosphere with noticeably wider aisles.

Through its “Senior Brown Bag Program,” the San Diego Food Bank provides a monthly bag of food to low-income seniors (60 years and older) throughout San Diego County. The program is funded in part by the Department of Aging and Independence Services and currently serves more than 1,200 seniors in San Diego County. The food bags contain canned meats and fruits, vegetables, cereal and fruit juices. Qualifying participants pick up their bags at one of 20 sites throughout the county. To apply, call 858-527-1419, ext. 20.

Grant Grill executive chef Andreas Nieto has resurrected one of the restaurant’s longtime favorites – Mock Turtle Soup, which he re-introduced last week to customers at no expense during a lunchtime sampling. Nieto obtained the handwritten recipe from former Grant Grill chef Willie de Pasqel and tweaked it ever so slightly. He kept its base ingredients of ground beef, diced beef tongue (which mimics the texture of turtle meat), plus clam sauce, veggies, hard-boiled eggs and a swoosh of sherry that goes in when it’s served. The soup sells for $10 a bowl.