Paulina Chaidez and her brother Cesar opened the first Cocina35 in 2012, following in their restaurateur parents’ footsteps. Initially called La Loteria Comedor Casual, the family business eventually changed its name and now operates locations in downtown, Otay Mesa, Barrio Logan, and Liberty Station. The restaurant specializes in chilaquiles, a traditional Mexican breakfast dish made with fried tortilla pieces or tortilla chips smothered with different meats, salsas, and other toppings. 

Chaidez explains that Cocina35 Brunch is the restaurant’s breakfast and lunch–focused arm, and the new location will mirror the menu and aesthetic of the Liberty Station location. She says they had been looking for opportunities to open in North County, but when they heard that Costa Azul closed last year, they jumped at the chance to take over the suite with sweeping views of the bay and downtown. Plus, she adds, she grew up going to Ferry Landing many times. 

“My dad used to bring us to Coronado every time we visited San Diego,” she explains, saying whenever her family would come up from Mexico, they’d take the ferry over to the island. “This was just an opportunity that we couldn’t pass.”

The approximately 4,500-square-foot space seats 150 guests, and Chaidez says the menu will be the same as Liberty Station with a few customer favorites plus some new ones, like a twist on a Paloma, mimosa flights, and an upgraded lunch menu. Once this location opens up, they plan to open more restaurants in North County in the next six to seven months. But in the meantime, she couldn’t be happier about coming to Coronado. 

Cocina35 Brunch will open at 1201 First Street, #115 on Coronado, in mid-November. It will open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extended late-night summer hours coming in 2025. 

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Cutwater’s Month-Long Haunted Cocktail Experience

If you’re feeling libatious, Cutwater’s annual “Lost At Sea” spooky speakeasy runs all month long, kicking off each night at 6:30 p.m. Guests will “board” a pirate ship and move throughout the decks, checking out different cocktails and nautical-themed small plates. This event runs nightly through Halloween, but only enter if you dare (and if you’re over 21). 

Eat Your Way Through Coronado on Wednesday, October 9

For those feeling peckish, the 15th annual Taste of Coronado takes place on October 9 and runs along the Coronado Ferry Landing before winding to a close at Rotary Park. Proceeds go to the San Diego Rescue Mission a nonprofit program offering housing and recovery aid to the unhoused. Find tickets and more information here. 

Beth’s Bites

• The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival has already begun its six-day string of parties, tastings, and celebrity-studded activations, but the Grand Tasting is yet to come. Snag your tickets for the two-day event and repeat after me: “Alex Morgan. Drew Brees. Drew Deckman. Javier Plascencia”… and so on.
• Need to stock up on stuff to grill for the Padres playoff games or Aztec football? From Friday, October 4 through Sunday, October 6, Iowa Meat Farms’ Mission Gorge location is throwing what they call a “Bonanza Meat Sale” with special prices on tri-tip, brisket, pork baby back ribs, and a bunch of other stuff. You had me at Meat Bonanza. 
• Of course, if you’re headed to the Padres watch party at Gallagher Square, you could always let Swagyu Burger Bar cook for you at their pop-up at 315 Tenth Avenue in East Village. After the playoffs, owner Steve Brown says the space will close until early next year for a complete makeover.

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Cocina35 Brunch Coming To Coronado Ferry Landing appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

When Elisha Babcock and H.L. Story built the hotel in 1888, they dreamed of building a seaside resort that would be “the talk of the Western world,” a phrase they coined that became a slogan of sorts in the early days. Seeing as it’s now 2024, and we’re still very much talking about their project, it’s safe to say mission (mostly) accomplished.

When the renovation is complete in early 2025, it will have been a more than $550 million investment backed by Blackstone Real Estate. The full transformation will include opening a new location of the famous Nobu restaurant and a $160-million renovation of the resort’s oldest section, the Crown Room and Victorian Neighborhood (including the Coronet Room and Ocean Ballroom). The price tag, which started at $400 million in 2018, has now climbed into one of the most expensive hotel overhauls in San Diego history. But it seems to have all been worth it.

“From day one, it has been our goal to ensure that The Del provides guests and the community with a one-of-a-kind experience,” says Brian Kaufman, managing director at Blackstone. He adds that they’re “thrilled” to have “world-class” Nobu cap it off—an exciting landing for a long, painstaking renovation project.

It’s no small feat renovating one of the region’s most iconic, if not the most iconic, landmarks. The comprehensive reno had to be approved by the City of Coronado and the California Coastal Commission, and be completed in accordance with guidelines for its national landmark status.

Plus, San Diegans have held weddings, birthdays, graduation brunches, vacations, and life events here, with pictures to document. Make it too different, and you will alienate generations of locals. Keep it too similar, and what’s the point of undertaking such an expensive renovation, anyway?

Even a quick perusal of Tripadvisor shows that most agreed it was time for a refresh.

Wimberly Interiors led the design in partnership with the California architecture studio from design firm Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. The focus was on ensuring that the public areas remained genuinely Victorian, with original finishes intact. Contemporary design features were added to bathrooms, furnishings, artwork, and updated technology to offer comfort and luxury upgrades to the previously dated property.

David Marshall of Heritage Architecture & Planning leads the current Victorian guestroom redesign effort. His work was instrumental in his firm winning a “Preservation Project of The Year” honor from the Save Our Heritage Organisation and a “Preservation Design Award” from the California Preservation Foundation following their extensive reconstruction of the hotel’s front porch and lobby areas.

Among its current highlights is the recently completed Shore House—a newer build fashioned in Victorian style with red shingles mimicking the original Del buildings— that sits just to the south of the main property on the ocean. It opened in 2022 with 75 residential-style rooms, many suites or duplex-style with kitchens, modern finishes, and outdoor fireplaces. Most rooms have at least partial ocean views, and though some can be reserved as hotel rooms, others are owned as residences.

When Shore House opened, the for-sale units sold out in about 100 days, and cost anywhere from $1.3 million to $5.2 million for approximately 800 to 1,900-square-foot units. It’s a massive addition that created 130 new jobs for the resort and more-or-less operates as its own hotel ensconced within the larger Del universe.

Due to the renovation, many other amenities have opened in the last couple of years. The historic Windsor Cottage was updated while preserving historic elements, like the building’s structure, dating back to its 1905 construction. Called the Ocean Club now, it opened last summer and is a yacht club without boats and outfitted with cocktails, food, vibes, and scenic views.

Other renovations include the fitness center, spa, pool, the shops, and The Vista Terrace, which debuted with the new Sun Deck, Babcock & Story Bar, and ENO Market and Pizzeria in place of the former pool. The main pool was redone entirely and is heated year-round. It’s flanked by shaded chaise lounges, new premium cabanas, and cabanaettes for rent.

That project, which revamped the rooms and suites in The Cabana and The Views neighborhoods, redesigned and renovated 97 and 217 rooms, respectively. The Laundry Pub has also recently opened and is geared toward locals, with many community-focused events and shows on weeknights during low season. It has a long tap list, bar games, and top-notch pub grub.

But the renovation is not quite finished. Up next is yet another room project: The Beach Village at The Del, an enclave of beachfront cottages and villas, which is set to unveil a complete refresh by the end of this year. Nobu will also open next year, comprising more than 3,700 square feet of indoor and al fresco dining.

The older parts of the original main building are also closed off and being worked on. The Victorian, the oldest section of the hotel, is undergoing a more than $160 million revitalization, which will keep its original build while making necessary updates.

These renovations, along with others at the National Historic Landmark property, must be completed according to a strict code to preserve its landmark status. The upgrades include all Victorian guestrooms and suites, and the resort hopes it will be finished by next spring. Think of it like a facelift.

The post Inside the Hotel del Coronado’s $550M Renovation appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Here we go…, I remember thinking. What followed was a flurry of animated debate.

“ABSOLUTELY NOT,” read a reply from a staff member, who lives in Chula Vista.

“Of course!” said another, who lives in Coronado. Folks from the city and North and East Counties weighed in, drawing lines according to the Coronado Bridge, the 94 freeway, and where Southeast meets National City. They evaluated the boundaries of communities like Imperial Beach, Coronado Cays, and Coronado proper. Folks from Chula Vista, in particular, were the most in opposition, likely owing to the stark cultural differences between the wealthy, mostly-white island (peninsula, actually) and the majority non-white cities east of the 5.

We reached no consensus, even among staff who live in South Bay, so I looked outward. “That’s funny to me,” texted Richard Bailey, Coronado’s mayor. “To be honest, I haven’t given it much thought, but, yes, I definitely consider us part of the South Bay.”

Serge Dedina, former mayor of Imperial Beach, agreed, and offered some social proof. “Traditionally, in terms of high school sports and even now with politics … there was the South Bay Metro League, and Coronado was part of it. The mayors held meetings for the South Bay, which includes San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, IB, and ‘Nado,” he said, using an affectionate nickname for the Crown City.

“The city of Coronado is often referred to as located in ‘South Bay for directional or regional purposes,” wrote Andrea McCullough, who handles communications for the city of Coronado.

A dual call to the Chamber of Commerce and Discover Coronado (the tourism board), which share an office, resulted in some discussion. Both entities said they “absolutely” consider Coronado part of South Bay, but neither organization markets the city as such officially. Additionally, Coronado used to be in the same congressional district as the rest of the South Bay cities, but since redistricting in 2022, it is now looped in with the northern coastal cities.

“We still feel the historical geographical designation,” added Rena Clancy, executive director of the Chamber, but someone else in the office piped up in the background: “Honestly, I was sure of the answer when the question was first asked. But now that we talked through it, I’m not so sure. And I was born and raised here.”

So, Coronado is part of South Bay, but it’s also its own thing. The term “South Bay” is colloquial, anyway-it’s not a government designation, but a geographic and cultural one. It’s a vibe, one that Coronado fits into… depending on who you talk to.

The post Is Coronado Part of the South Bay? appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Just Overhaul It

Giving this everyday Encinitas tract home serious design cred involved a near-total reconfiguration, and dasMOD oversaw the transformation inside and out. The back of the home was entirely rebuilt, roof included; interior walls and soffits were removed to create flow and function, and ceilings were raised.

Big-ticket sliding door systems were installed throughout the entire home, bringing in both light and ocean views while facilitating true indoor-outdoor living. The flooring, doors, windows, landscaping, and hardscaping were all redone, along with the bathrooms and kitchens. A new open-flow cooking/living/dining great room anchors the overhaul.

Oak kitchen cabinets, a new cement fireplace surround, and oak floors throughout bring in visual drama with minimal ornamentation, while other unconventional changes start curbside: Dramatic hardscaping includes two-tone cinder blocks that morph into a true design statement, while smaller touches cast just as much impact, including a series of custom copper-framed hexagonal windows in the garage doors.

Let There Be Light

Although HOA restrictions in the Coronado Cays condo community prevented changes to the exterior of this cotton-candy-colored development, boutique real estate developer dasMOD focused on making major moves inside to create an open-flow, light-flooded home.

Starting with structural changes, they opened up the kitchen to bring more water views into different areas of the ground floor. While the restrictions prevented any front or side window alterations, the developers were able to bring supersize glass sliders to the back of the home. They go from wall to wall and are higher than the originals.

Every finish was also redone: flooring, bathrooms, kitchen, paint, doors, and even the stairs and railing. Outside, the deck was completely restructured to create a sunken hangout with a fire pit, built-in barbecue, and exterior kitchen to “truly capitalize on having the water come straight up to your property,” says dasMOD managing partner Sven Simon. The changes added up and paid off in a big way: When it sold, the condo set a new record for highest price per square foot in Coronado Cays.

Become an Arch Enemy

For a client in Black Mountain Ranch, interior designer Jennifer DeLonge carved out breathing room for furnishings and art by becoming an arch enemy. She removed heavy arches—a popular tract home feature in the late ’90s—at every turn, including the entry, family room, living room, and master bath. “It instantly opens up the space, creating a more modern starting point for the design,” DeLonge says.

Like Coco Chanel, DeLonge kept removing one accessory at a time: from the built-ins to the cherrywood staircase rails. She swapped the standard fireplace for on-trend plaster and covered the existing yellow paint in crisp shades of Benjamin Moore white.

The post 3 San Diego Tract Home Makeovers appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Some of those vendors have previously been announced, including Venissimo Cheese, Le Parfait Paris, Liberty Meat Shop (run by local butcher icon, Tommy Battaglia), Cane Patch Pies, Cecilia’s Taqueria, Fully Loaded Juice, Local Greens, Mastiff Sausage, MooTime Creamery (a Blue Bridge concept), WestBean Coffee Roasters, Wicked Maine Lobster, Pasta Design, Stuffed, Point Loma Tea, Fishbone Kitchen and Parana Empanadas.

Today San Diego Mag breaks news on their newest projects. First, four new vendor concepts: Crafted Baked Goods (from Blue Bridge’s pastry chef Francis Laureano, formerly of Bottega Louie), Mama Made Thai, Bread & Butter (a co-op of the city’s best bakeries) and a produce section featuring San Diego farm goods. Then, four big announcements:

1. Mess Hall. An on-site, sustainably-focused restaurant headed by Blue Bridge exec chef Tim Kolanko (ex-A.R. Valentien). What will the restaurant do? It’ll take the best of what the vendors bring to market that day and create a daily menu. The restaurant will also host pop-ups by local chefs, traveling chefs, culinary education dinners, etc. It’ll also give Kolanko’s talented younger chefs (from Leroy’s, Stake, etc.) a chance to design their own menus for a day.
2. Bottlecraft. The popular San Diego-based craft beer bottle shop will open their third location in the main room leading out to Liberty Market’s large patio. It’ll have a tasting bar with 24 beers on tap and big retail aspect.
3. Grape Smuggler. Stake Chophouse and Bar has one of the country’s top sommeliers in Greg Majors, who formerly worked at Tom Colicchio’s Craft Restaurant and Robert Bohr’s former CRU, to name a couple. Grape Smuggler will have about 300 different wines, pulled from everywhere.
4. A killer liquor license: Liquor licenses are weird. You can often drink in this part of a place, but not that part. The way that Liberty Market is set up, Mess Hall and Bottlecraft will occupy about a third of the space, with the vendors set up in partitioned areas in the “market” part. Thanks to a good liquor license, you’ll be able to grab a beer at Bottleshop or a glass of wine at Grape Smuggler, and then walk throughout the market and shop with your drink. Sounds awesome, and dangerous.

With Stone’s success next door, and San Diego’s top pizza joint Buona Forchetta opening their second location a few hundred feet away, it looks like Liberty Station is finally hitting its stride.

Rendering of the incoming Liberty Public Market, set for a November open (we guess more like December).

The post Incoming: Liberty Public Market appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

But it’s the A5 Japanese Wagyu people have asked me about the most. True Japanese Wagyu beef comes in various grades for quality, and A5 is the highest you can possibly get. The server presented the raw beef to us on a plate—dry-aged ribeye, filet mignon, and Wagyu among the cuts.

The Wagyu is immediately identifiable. While the other cuts marbling here and there, the Wagyu is almost white, a sort of impressionistic painting of red meat and pearly fat. Steak experts always talk about “marbling.” The A5 is beyond marbled. It’s snowed.

We were served three ounces of A5 Wagyu—at $28 an ounce, the cost is $84.

“Jesus!” friends have balked. “For three ounces?! No food is worth that!”

Yes, it is. This food is. There’s a primal moan most omnivores are familiar with. That first bite of a truly good steak—a tidal wave of umami that hits the pleasure center on a million years of omnivorous evolution. Take that moan, multiply it by five moans, and that is the experience of each bite of A5 Wagyu. The bite is soft, almost spongy, on account of fat. It straddles the line between a steak and the meat-butter lusciousness of foie gras. You eat it slowly. You let it linger on your tongue. You roll your head around and act in ways inappropriate of your refined setting.

It is that good.

The restaurant suggests three ounces. But I could honestly justify ordering one or two ounces (anything more than three ounces would be far too much of a rich food). Of course “worth” depends on one’s personal economy. I couldn’t afford to pay $28 an ounce for meat on a regular basis.

That said, I would absolutely pay $52 or even $84 once a year for two to three ounces of this food. I have paid $84 or more for an entire dinner. Many, many times. And the eating experience of those three ounces of A5 Wagyu blew most of those entire dinners out of the water. It’s god food.

America has a long history of over-valuing quantity in its analysis of a food’s worth. In the case of A5, its astronomical quality overrides any desire for a traditional American “meal”—meaning, a mountain of food. A5 Wagyu is not meant to be eaten every day or every week or even every month. It should, however, be eaten before your time is through.

Guess which one is the Wagyu?

The post A5 Wagyu: What’s It Worth? appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

FIRST LOOK: Stake Chophouse & Bar

Sam Wells

The post FIRST LOOK: Stake Chophouse & Bar appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

FIRST LOOK: Stake Chophouse & Bar

Sam Wells

The post FIRST LOOK: Stake Chophouse & Bar appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Stuff to Do

* includes fireworks

+ tickets are required

Fireworks

Food and Drink

More Ideas for 4th of July in San Diego

For more, check out:

• The San Diego Summer Guide
• The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014
• The A to Z Backyard Barbecue Guide

The Ultimate Fourth of July Guide

The post The Ultimate Fourth of July Guide appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Stuff to Do

* includes fireworks

+ tickets are required

Fireworks

Food and Drink

More Ideas for 4th of July in San Diego

For more, check out:

• The San Diego Summer Guide
• The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014
• The A to Z Backyard Barbecue Guide

The Ultimate Fourth of July Guide

The post The Ultimate Fourth of July Guide appeared first on San Diego Magazine.