Colleges Spice Up Dining Options

San Diego Union-Tribune--

The University of San Diego, which frequently hosts conferences at its hilltop campus in Linda Vista, is about to debut three new eateries, including a 115-seat fine-dining restaurant that will take advantage of stunning water and canyon views.

“There is a trend happening nationwide of real restaurants opening on campus, with the same mentality you see in private industry,” said French-born Andre Mallie, director of auxiliary services for USD. “It's in response to the consumer, and it's definitely a way to bring back alumni and serve our conference population.”

Winemaker dinners, culinary classes with a chef and Spanish tapas buffets are some of the dining programs university officials hope will induce people to stay on campus when hunger strikes.

“This is no different than going to a large hotel that has restaurants,” said MallieÌ�, who received his culinary and hotel management training in Bordeaux, France, and at one time owned a restaurant in Arizona. “And we have two churches on campus, and people like to go to brunch after church.”

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