Michelin-starred restaurateurs Drew and Paulina Deckman of Baja California, who opened their first U.S. restaurant — 31ThirtyOne by Deckmans — in August in North Park, have just launched an eight-seat chef’s menu at 31ThirtyOne.

The chef’s counter, which faces the kitchen, offers an exquisite seven-course menu with additional surprise snacks. Cost is $250 per person, with optional alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage pairings. It is offered only by reservation, on Tuesday-Saturday.

The new chef’s menu complements the restaurant’s regular dining room menu, a four-course prix fixe dinner priced at $120. In addition to those two options, diners don’t need a reservation for the rooftop bar, where cocktails and mocktails are served with Baja shellfish, beef tartare, scallop ceviche, and other small-plate items.

Meanwhile, Drew Deckman’s long-awaited docu-series “Ingredients: Mexico” is now streaming on Amazon Prime. In the six-part series, which Deckman hosts and executive produced, he travels across Mexico, exploring the nation’s food scene through restaurants, farms, fishermen and artisan food producers.

Finally, 31ThirtyOne hosts a exclusive dinner for 20 people with wines from Dragonette Cellars in the Santa Ynez Valley. The five-course menu — which includes lobster, bigeye tuna, swordfish, California squab and more — is $350.

For reservations, visit the3131.com/reservations.

Paradise opens in Mission Hills

Paradis, a European-inspired cafe and bar, opened Nov. 2 on the ground floor of the Sasan Building at 901 W. Washington St. in Mission Hills.

Paradis offers daytime brunch and a coffee menu with pastries by Alyn Lyng. In the afternoon, Paradis switches to chef Jon Hawkins’ menu of pintxos (the Spanish word for small, skewered snacks) and tapas (small plates), which are designed to accompany bartender Eliza Woodman’s drink menu of cocktail- uri, spritzes and more. alcoholic beverages as well as beer and wine. Some of Hawkins’ brunch dishes are stracciatella toast and farro apple pudding. The evening’s entrees, ranging in price from $2.50 to $24, included salmon ponzu, shrimp pistou, Calabrian dates and pork belly.

Paradis is the first of two restaurants opened in the Sasan building by Pacifica Restaurants owner Jacquee Renna. Later this year, she will open the much larger rooftop restaurant, Communion.

Paradis is open from 6:30 to 20:00 on Thursdays; Friday from 6:30 to 21; Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday between 8 am and 8 pm. Visitation paradissd.com.

AKA opens in the Gaslamp

AKA, an exciting Asian fusion restaurant, bar and lounge, opened Thursday in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.

AKA, which replaces the former Italian restaurant Lavo at 611 Fifth Ave., is owned by San Diego restaurateurs Alessandro Minutella and Giancarlo Guttilla, in partnership with Vincenzo Lo Verso, and chef-partner Takuya Kudo.

Kudo’s menu includes classic Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes, including a wide selection of sushi. The restaurant will also offer cocktails, bottle service and, in the evening, live music, entertainment and dancing. Visit akagaslamp.com.

Tavolo tasting tour

Busalacchi Restaurants has launched a monthly Tavolo Tasting Tour series, where diners can stroll through Little Italy making three behind-the-scenes culinary stops at various Italian restaurants. The first Tavolo tours offered in October, November and December sold out quickly. A new tour was added at 17:00 on December 12 for 15 diners.

Dinner will begin with cocktails and light snacks at Lala, followed by appetizers, pasta and wine at Barbusa, next door. Then the evening ends with a two-block stroll to Nonna’s for desserts and espresso or a cocktail. Tickets are $100. For reservations or news about upcoming tasting tours, visit barbusa.com/product/tasting-tour/.