“With rebranding, [I] want to expand the offerings past waffles,” she says. The new name, Good Measure, will come with a broadened menu for a more versatile brunch experience and a community space to host guest chefs, collaborations, and pop-ups. As the former owner of experiential pop-up dinner series Cow by Bear, Solomon says it’s essential for her to provide a space for up-and-coming chefs in the same way she felt supported when she was just starting as a young entrepreneur. “There’s strength in numbers,” she says. “Everyone brings something to the table.”

Solomon and her business partner Jess O’Shae purchased Atypical from the original owners earlier this year, but Solomon will be the sole owner and operator once the new iteration launches in December or January. “There is a lot of gray area right now,” she laughs. Once open, she plans to offer brunch Thursdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and host events on weekends as often as possible, and says she’ll expand evening hours in the future.

She also plans to add more visible signage—a necessity for the tucked-away space. Guests will still enter through the back of the laundromat, though, but Solomon says she’ll add more obvious invitations to enter. The vibe will be “bright, colorful, a kind of mid-century modern aesthetic,” she says, with lots of greenery. 

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Family Utopia Kids & Coffee Opening in Carlsbad

Finally, a place where the “are kids allowed here?” debate falls silent! Kids & Coffee, an 11,500-square-foot indoor playspace and cafe, opens on Saturday, November 9 in Carlsbad. During the pandemic, full-time workers and new parents Vivian Ho and Ken Li experienced a structural lack of family support in their community, so they decided to launch a resource for caregivers and their children. 

“Kids & Coffee is unique in a sense that we are one: fostering a safe space for early childhood development, two: we provide a platform and community for the caregivers, and three: we provide the educational resources that the modern parent needs,” says Ho. Mostra Coffee will be the sole coffee provider to the cafe, which will also serve light bites like flatbreads, pastries, sandwiches, and other health-conscious offerings. I personally am ready to try the “Little Beans, Big Dreams” signature coffee blend (but yes, there will eventually be some beer and wine for the adults as well).

Beth’s Bites

• ‘Tis the season for booze and candy pairings, and there’s no one I trust more than Karen Barnett at Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant to guide me on this journey. I’m eyeing the gummy bears with La Flaca, but I certainly wouldn’t turn down a Butterfinger with a Cadillac margarita.
• Say it with me—Board & Brew is finally coming to Mission Valley! The neighborhood is about to get a whole lot tastier. Also, the chain has been around for 45 years?! We love a sandwich success story.
• Lola 55, the Bib Gourmand-recognized taco shop in East Village, is opening its new concept, L55 Tacos, in Westfield UTC this weekend. Well, sort of. It’s technically a friends and family soft opening on Friday, November 1, but all I hear is tacos are coming…
• Goodbye, sweet sushi—Hive Sushi Lounge in East Village closed without warning earlier this week, taking with it the home of Omakase by Ambrely’s pop-up series. Chef Ambreley says she’s looking for a new location to relaunch her concept elsewhere, so drop her a DM if you have a lead.

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 Atypical Waffle Rebranding As Good Measure appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The Mexican-restaurant-slash-mezcal-and-tequila-bar has three other locations in Hillcrest, Point Loma, and Encinitas, each owned by partners Jaime Osuna and Jose J. Flores, the latter of whom serves as each outpost’s executive chef. That partnership will continue at the local chain’s three OG brick-and-mortars, but the Flores will be sole owner of the new spot in NP. 

Flores says he’d been keeping an eye out in North Park for potential locations. Since the opportunity to take over the former Saiko suite came with a full liquor license, he jumped at the chance. He adds that food options will mirror those in Encinitas, and the team is updating the menus at Point Loma and Hillcrest. 

Known for its brunch, Cocina de Barrio offers Mexican-inspired classics like chilaquiles (I prefer verde over rojo, but it’s a win either way), huevos rancheros, churros, French toast, arroz con leche pancakes, and of course, mimosas, margaritas, and more. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m., with specials on wines from Baja California, tacos, and other small bites and cocktails.

Cocina de Barrio North Park opens at 2884 University Avenue this October. It will operate Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow @eatcocinadebarrio on Instagram for more updates on the new location.

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Local Art Show Coming to Fall Brewing in North Park

San Diego textile artist and lobsterwoman Marlene Hurtado (AKA @westghost) is putting the ART back in locAl cRafT brewery on Friday, September 13 with Tuft Shit! A Textile Art Show at Fall Brewing in North Park (4542 30th Street). Grab an Italian pilsner, enjoy local arts and crafts, and pick up some new fuzzy swag starting at 6 p.m. 

Beth’s Bites

• Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off September 15 through October 15, bringing with it many opportunities to check out the numerous restaurants and bars powered by Hispanic chefs and owners. Learn more about the annual event here and check out some of San Diego’s spotlighted businesses, including City Tacos, Spill the Beans, Black Radish, and more. 
• San Diego sports arenas have already taken stadium food to eleven, and Frontwave Arena in Oceanside is no exception. Seaside Market? Gelati & Peccati? Tanner’s Prime Burgers? The athletes can keep their protein shakes. I’m getting New York strip steak tacos and a Cutwater margarita. 
• The restaurant swap game never ends, and the latest is San Diego Dining Group’s acquisition of 611 Fifth Avenue, the former Lavo and Searsucker space. (Remember Searsucker?) “Expected to open by the end of the year” is usually code for “who knows, we’re just guessing, it could be a few months, it could be springtime, stay tuned,” so I’ll wait to see what the group says firsthand before making vague predictions. 

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

The post Cocina de Barrio Taking Over Saiko Sushi Space in North Park appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

If you aren’t familiar with the term designer Neil Shankar coined on TikTok in 2022, you’re probably at least familiar with the vibe. Shoppy shops tend to be pretty small, stocked with intricately curated and highly designed independent goods and sundries—often locally made—and usually have at least a few perishable snacky snacks (and there’s almost always tinned fish). 

In Little Italy, it’s Home Ec. In University Heights, Clos is building Fintastic Provisions. And in North Park, Tablespoon is almost ready to open.

Logan Mitchell and Gary McIntire, the couple behind Collins & Coupe and Cellar Door Supper Club, opened Collins & Coupe in 2017 with a curated selection of vintage bar supplies for professionals and home bartenders. They’ve been using the suite next door for storage and seasonal events for a few years, but decided earlier this year to launch an expansion-slash-sister-company that would offer more kitchen goods beyond the bar—an idea they had even before Collins & Coupe.

“[It] was meant to be much larger and include a cooking classroom,” explains Mitchell. “San Diego hasn’t really had an independently owned cooking store since Great News closed.”

Unlike other local shops carrying kitschy kitchen items, Mitchell says Tablespoon will focus on more vintage sundries and specific cooking supplies. “We’ll have chef-curated selection of vintage and new kitchen tools and cookbooks, locally made pantry and food items, even coffee and sourdough starter from local brands like Sequoia Nut Butter, Juice Jerky, JoJo’s Peanut Butter, Sugar Kiln Cookies, Crysalis Florals, and more,” says Mitchell.

She says they’ll always want to add local purveyors to their lineup, so she invites interested vendors to reach out via their Instagram page or [email protected]. “Since we are so small we won’t have everything, especially not right away, but will do our best to grow our inventory according to what our customers want. So please don’t hesitate to ask for what you need and we’ll try to find it for you,” she says.

Tablespoon soft opens Friday, August 30, with a grand opening on Friday, September 6, for Stroll the Boulevard from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mitchell promises, “We’ll be open all day, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” for Stroll. Regular hours will be Thursday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. 

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Tea Time? Meh. Tipsy Tea Time? Yeah!

Afternoon tea with alcohol? Now we’re talking. On Wednesday, August 21, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., California English will host a boozy tea time with tea-based cocktails, small bites, live music, and lawn games. For $55, you get two drinks tickets for the 21+ event. If you can’t make it on this date, Tipsy Tea Time is available Tuesdays through Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (reservations required). Have a hot honey-fried chicken sandwich scone and a Southern Belle tea cocktail, and enjoy that Southern feeling without the humidity.

Brews & BBQ at Smokey & The Brisket on August 24

East County is on fire—pit fire, with barbecue joints like Papalo, Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs, Coop’s, and Smokey and The Brisket keeping the local barbecue game strong. The latter of these, located in La Mesa, is wrapping up summer on Saturday, August 24, from noon to 6 pm with Brews & BBQ, featuring live music, dog adoptions, arcade games, and, of course, plenty of food and craft beer available for purchase. For $65, guests can get a plate of barbecue and unlimited beer tastings from six local breweries, but the event is free.

Beth’s Bites

• Is it too early to plan for Halloween? I already got a “start Christmas shopping” promo email this week, so I guess not. Spooky pop-up Black Lagoon will be in San Diego from October 13 through November 3 at Seven Grand, offering special spooky cocktails and other concoctions created by Kelsey Ramage and Erin Hayes.
• Brand new Beach Break in Bird Rock brims with beautiful baked bites, beets, beach boxes, and butters. Now that I’m out of (appropriate) B-words, it’s a cute little market with snacks and other supplies for the perfect day at the Cove or wherever your favorite wave breaks. That sounds a heck of a lot better than the smushy PB&Js I pack!
• Chad Michaels, Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season One, says the burgers at Eat Crispy Burger taste “like a million dollars.” But soon, we won’t have to go to Encinitas to grab one of our own—more are coming to San Diego in National City, La Jolla, and possibly a few more.

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 Vintage Kitchen Shoppy Shop Opening in North Park appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Overhyping restaurants is as gross as it is predictable, puts too much pressure on what is ostensibly a dinner party with a permanent address. But, f*ck it. His arrival here, in this tiny New Yorkian fissure of a restaurant space, is the beginning of a new era for North Park. 

31ThirtyOne opens Wednesday, August 14.

Deckman’s existence alone is imposing. He’s 6’6” or 6’13”. Sitting in his office, two days before opening night, he has to duck to not concuss himself on a low part of the ceiling.

“It’s an air duct, so we can’t move it,” he laughs.

On the white board behind him, the words “PRECISION” and “EXECUTION.” Below that, in wobblier script, “I love my dad,” written four or five times. His nine-year-old has been here for this whole process, watching her dad gut a failed restaurant, endure protracted delays, beg mercy from governing bodies that must sign-off before he can serve a single grain.

“I’ve had a shaman come in here twice to cleanse the place,” he says. “She’s coming again Friday.” 

His hair, whitish-gray like the coals he cleaned out of his grill under that Baja tree for the last decade at Deckman’s en El Mogor, makes him look snow-topped. He is alpine. He has a constant, slight hunch, either the result of many years leaned over a cutting board in famous places run by famous food names (Paul Bocuse, Jacques Maximin, his mentor Madeleine Kamman) or because he’s trying to un-impose himself. Lower his altitude to relate. 

Last night was his final “friends and family” dinner—dress rehearsals for his staff. Invite-only, free meals served to investors and friends and loved ones. Grateful guinea pigs who are told to expect everything to go wrong and be kind. Friends and families are an exorcism of last fatal mistakes by staff, before the doors fling open to the savage gen-pop of foodieland.

The food was incredible and imperfect. A 14-day, dry-aged ribeye with potato mousseline is steak and potatoes of your dreams, the crust of the steak so good it turns you feral. The Mindful mushrooms (from growers in El Cajon) with kale and smoked bacon are under-seasoned. At one point, the whole ordering system goes dark. The kitchen staff flies blind. A door handle to the restroom keeps falling off. I pass by the kitchen (everyone passes it, it’s wide open in the tiny middle of the place, a laying bare of the process) and he looks mad, ravenous for a little bit of control, a very seasoned and capable captain on a boat with an engine fire.

The next day, I walk in to see how he’s doing. His staff is gathered around him.

“Last night was terrible,” he says to them. “I was terrible. I never want us to get there again. But this is why we do this. If we did a test run and everyone said everything was great, that does us no good.” He makes six or seven metaphors. At one point he holds up a strainer and equates its perfect circle to the gaggle of humans that make up a restaurant organism.

He’s not chiding. He got his college degree in philosophy. He’s doing that. 

It’s such a wild thing to see Deckman here, in a formal kitchen. For years, he’s stood under pine trees in the dry, open wild of Baja, goggles on, smoke billowing around him, giant tongs in hand. I ask him how it feels to be caged again.

“I love it,” he says. “I can handle it now. This was my life for so many years, that decade in Europe. It became my whole life back then, and not in a healthy way. It was 24 hours a day, no ability to have any relationship. I remember distinctly when Bernard Loiseau shot himself because he was afraid he was going to lose a Michelin star. That changed me. I stopped and said, ‘What the fuck are we doing?’”

And so he went free-range. He got work on fishing boats in Hawaii, then Mexico. When he saw how much biomass was being thrown back into the oceans, he got a bigger perspective on food. Deckman’s, and now 31ThirtyOne, is the reflection of that. All produce and greens are from San Diego farms. Oysters from Baja. Food of its place. 

“At some point, you get so close to it all you can see is a single dot on the page,” he says of the unhealthy side of the chef obsession, The Bear–type kitchen life. “Then you back away and you see all these other dots that make up the bigger picture. When you’re only seeing that dot it’s all ego. In the beginning it was all about me. I thought I was the best thing since beer in a can. But you can only be a dick so long until people won’t answer your phone calls. As I moved away from the kitchen and found other things. I had to stand back from the fire. And then you realize it’s not about you. There are all these people holding up the ship. So stop trying to be the ship and be the water.”

That’s why there are no titles in his kitchen at 31ThirtyOne. No hierarchy. “We’re all just cooks, we’re all just bartenders and servers.”

At one point in opening 31ThirtyOne, he was so deep in blueprints and permitting applications and sheetrock contractors, he couldn’t see the vision of what the food would be. “My PR team kept saying, ‘What do you mean you don’t have a menu? Do you realize you open in a month?’”

So after construction crews had gone home, he sat alone in the kitchen in the dark and tried to see it. “I sat there for 45 minutes to an hour every night,” he says. “And it finally started to come.” 

Wednesday, we’ll see what came.

The post First Look: Michelin-Starred Drew Deckman Opens 31ThirtyOne appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Pronounced “niece” after the city on the French Riviera, owner Anthony Viveros says he plans to have fun with the inevitable mispronunciations referencing the town and general pleasantry. He explains that the double nature perfectly plays into their Old-World-meets-New-World ethos. “There’s going to be a dichotomy,” he says. “Our wine list motif is going to be half New World American and half Old World French, [and] you’ll see that too in our food and cocktails.”

A Chicago native and hospitality lifer, Viveros first came to San Diego around 2011 to open multiple True Food Kitchens with Sam Fox before traveling through Europe starting in 2016, including through Nice. He returned to co-found Nolita Hall in Little Italy in 2018 and worked as the director of operations until 2020. At that point, he partnered with Paul Basile and Jules Wilson to begin conceptualizing their Roseacre project in La Jolla. Bar Nice is his first hospitality project as founder and full partner.

While France is generally well-regarded for the quality of its cuisine, Viveros says the Mediterranean landscape and other unique cultural influences surrounding Nice make it the ideal inspiration for San Diego. Bar Nice will focus on traditional French dishes with a vital seafood component to start, but “at the end of the day, it’s a cocktail bar,” he explains. “We’re going to be really focused on French liqueurs, apéritifs, quinquinas, agricole, rum, things like that.” He adds they also plan to emphasize low-intervention wines, plus plenty of Southern French rosés. 

Viveros’ wife Heather designed the interior and exterior with architect Philip Cudaback from Lahaina Architects to create a warm, timeless, Old World-inspired design heavy on wood elements, marble-patterned tabletops and bar, black and white tiled floors, and brass and gold accents. Viveros calls it “super classic old school French” with a laugh. 

Bar Nice’s opening hours will be Wednesday through Sunday, eventually moving to seven days a week. Happy hour will run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Viveros says he aims to stay open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and close at 11 p.m. the rest of the week. 

Staying open late is a non-negotiable, he says. “I think this is a big void in San Diego right now,” he points out. It’s taken a long time to see the finish line—they signed the lease for the space in 2022—but he’s optimistic about their place in the San Diego food and drink scene. “We’re just really excited to get open. It’s been a really long, long journey, that’s for sure.”

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

George’s At The Cove Turns 40

Everyone loves a splashy new restaurant opening, but it’s another thing entirely to stay in business for 40 years. That’s exactly what La Jolla institution George’s at the Cove will accomplish on August 9 when they celebrate four decades on Prospect Street, with founder George Hauer, chef and operating partner Trey Foshee, executive chef Masa Kojima, and pastry chef Anna Adams on hand to commemorate the occasion. The restaurant has many special events throughout the year, including an upcoming renovation and a chef’s dinner series. 

Perry’s Cafe Closes

Old Town icon Perry’s Cafe announced its impending closure only a few weeks ago but ended up shutting its doors earlier than anticipated on Monday, August 5. The legendary diner operated for nearly 40 years, serving omelets, hotcakes, hot coffee, and hamburgers to tourists and locals alike. Owner Perry Eulmi cited her retirement as the reason for the closure, and we certainly wish her the best on her hard-earned break. 

Beth’s Bites

• San Diegans felt a little deflated at this year’s Michelin mentions (tires, deflated—get it?). We didn’t get a single new star—in fact, Sushi Tadokoro lost one, and the guide dropped Solare Restaurant entirely from Bib Gourmand. Lest Los Angeles feel too smug, Addison is still the only three Michelin-starred restaurant in Southern California, so take that!
• San Diego Beer News first reported Karl Strauss’ San Marcos location, dubbed “The Outpost,” would close permanently on Sunday, August 11, citing numerous issues that prevented them from continuing operations at the experimental concept after less than a year. No other locations are closing—phew. 
• As always, a bunch of new restaurants are on the horizon: 85°C Bakery Cafe is coming to Oceanside (bring me all the buns!), Birria Puesto is coming to San Marcos, Ten Gu Ramen will open in Escondido in October, and Houston TX Hot Chicken is bringing the heat to Gaslamp on Saturday, August 24.

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 A Nice Bar Is Coming To North Park appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

“My nine-year-old son was like, ‘Hey Dad, that’s the catcher who used to be on the Padres,’ and I was like ‘Oh no.’ I didn’t even realize it,” he laughed. “I wanted to just really make it about chef Q and a chef-driven location with his culinary background. Austin is his last name, and he’s from New Orleans… I guess we’ll just roll with it.”

Cich owns Grind & Prosper Hospitality, and is behind concepts like Louisiana Purchase, Miss B’s Coconut Club, Park 101, Coco Maya, and Q and A Restaurant & Oyster Bar. As culinary director, Austin, or “Chef Q,” as he’s better known, infuses all of his menus with a signature flair influenced by his tenure at Louisiana institutions like Cinclare and Antoine’s, latter of which is best known for inventing oysters Rockefeller.

Given his culinary history, many items on Chef Q’s menus center his Louisiana background with ingredients like alligator, andouille sausage, oysters, and crawfish featured prominently. But for Austin Nola, Cich says he wanted to use NOLA as a jumping off point rather than the destination. 

“It’s not going to be New Orleans cuisine per se,” he explains. “There will be some comfort food aspects. We’re going to have artisan pizzas, sandwiches, and a burger. But it’s definitely more broad, more of a worldly approach, but will have Chef Q in all of it.” 

Sharables will be a big focus as well, with more small plates than main entrees, including items like oxtail dumplings, Cajun oysters, crispy pork belly with strawberry glaze, Wagyu meatballs with goat cheese grits, and lobster grilled cheese. Grind & Prosper beverage director Rob McShae will craft the cocktail menu, bringing his twists to classic cocktails as well as a curated wine list.

Austin Nola’s 2,800-square-foot space will be the anchor for Niima Outpost, a mixed-use development at 2519 El Cajon Blvd. in North Park with a yet-to-be explained Star Wars reference. GTC Design (Rare Society, Coco Maya, Cardellino) will handle the design of the restaurant, which will have around 120 seats with two patios, one private and one shared with the building. Cich says he hopes to open in September or October of this year. 

But Cich is most excited about one specific addition—a 500-square-foot private dining space connected to the kitchen with its own entrance, where they’ll be able to offer a more intimate experience for small groups.

“It’s really going to be designed to give that chef experience and do chef’s tables,” he says. The space was originally intended as part of the residential aspect of the building, which will contain 55 apartments with a few short-term rental spaces. 

The private dining room wasn’t the only surprise, Cich explains. The entire restaurant was unexpected. He and his team had been actively scouting for a second location for a new Louisiana Purchase, and were close to committing to a development near SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. It didn’t pan out, but he had other markets on his mind before Hub & Spoke Communities approached him about joining Niima Outpost. He took the meeting without much expectation, but it struck a chord. 

“With everything going on in North Park, it just seems like there’s a resurgence,” he says, pointing to projects like The LaFayette Hotel and Trust Restaurant Group’s future French brasserie. “It seemed like a fun time to get involved on another spot in North Park.”

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Leu Leu Coming To Leucadia

Something is coming to 466 North Highway 101, but I’m not exactly sure what. Leu Leu calls itself a “soul jungle bungalow for lovers of the food, the wine & the wonders of space and time, with an Instagram feed that’s psychedelic space trip meets archival prints from vintage magazines, none of which gives any indication of what said lovers of the food and the wine may be in store for. I managed to make contact in their DMs, but, as they said, it simply led me “down the magik [sic] rabbit hole” and left me with more questions than answers. They told me I must have answered “some cosmic call” to even find them and allowed me to share this “mystery vignette.” I’m interested, confused, and intrigued. Down the rabbit hole, indeed.

WILDCOAST’s Baja Bash To Raise Funds For Ocean Conservation

In more tangible news, on Saturday, June 8, Wildcoast will host their Baja Bash fundraiser from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Montbleau Estate in Solana Beach. Tickets are $225 and get you access to food from San Diego and Baja chefs like Roberto Alcocer (Valle, Malva), William Eick (Matsu), Drew Deckman (Deckman’s, 31ThirtyOne) and many more, plus that priceless feeling of helping to protect 38 million acres of coastline, ocean habitat, and our earth at large. 

Beth’s Bites

Sounds like family-owned Scripps Ranch pizzeria Pazzo’s Pizza is opening a new location in Ocean Beach at 2163 Abbott Street, which formerly housed Surf Rider Pizza, Wild Things Pizza & Beer and SugaLab. Here’s to wishing them prosperity, if not at least longevity, in the space. 

Postino WineCafé’s newest location at One Paseo will open on Saturday, May 11 and join their other newly opened spot in Little Italy. Fun fact: If you join their email list, you get a free bruschetta board. (I’ve done more for less, so color-me intrigued.)

Tea is in, and The Westgate Hotel is upping their service. Between May 13 and June 30, guests and Bridgerton fans can get a “Whistledown” package that includes Champagne, tea sandwiches, and a jar of Whistledown White Ambrosia Tea, as well as a serenade by a live string quartet. Regency-era attire is encouraged, so dust off your corsets and press your white gloves. 

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 More NOLA Coming To North Park appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Brad Wise, chef and owner of Trust Restaurant Group (TRG), is unapologetically ambitious. First he opened TRUST in 2016, followed by Fort Oak and Rare Society in 2019, Cardellino and The Wise Ox in 2020, plus more Rare Society outposts in University Heights, Solana Beach, Santa Barbara, San Clemente and Mill Creek. Now, he’s set to officially take over the anchor location at the corner of 30th and University for his yet-to-be-named take on a French brasserie, opening summer 2025.

“In my mind there have always been a slate of concepts that I’ve wanted to pursue, and this French-ish brasserie is one of them,” says Wise. “The French culinary fundamentals is the first thing you learn in culinary school—it’s ingrained into you from day one. So as I’ve developed my own cooking style, taking inspiration from all over, I’ve always wanted to incorporate this French foundation I grew up with.”

GTC Design, who developed the aesthetic for Rare Society and Cardellino, will spearhead the design of this space, drawing inspiration from classic Parisian restaurants that feels “refined, yet conveying an easy sense of grandeur,” Wise says. They have their work cut out for them—the building has been vacant for years, even before Death by Tequila announced plans (that were ultimately scrapped) to reimagine the space. Wise says a complete rebuild is necessary, but will allow them to realize their vision of an “elevated, plush, charming space.”

Jess Stewart will act as beverage director, developing a brand-new cocktail program alongside wine director Ben Zuba, who will emphasize French wines “and their counterparts in America,” explains Wise. All beverages will synchronize with his French-inspired menu that’s still very much in progress.

If you are reading this and thinking “North Park has definitely hit peak new restaurant,” think again. This year alone, Drew Deckman (Deckman’s en el Mogor in Valle de Guadalupe) is opening 31ThirtyOne, CH Projects (do I really need to list all their concepts?) will launch Persian-inspired bar and restaurant Leila, Moniker Outpost is coming, Bivouac Adventure Lodge is here, Carne y Hueso is coming… clearly, North Park is hungry—really hungry—for more. 

But Wise isn’t stopping at North Park. In late 2023, he plans to open the sixth iteration of Rare Society at 6880 Helen Toland Street in Las Vegas at the UnCommons mixed-use development in the southwest part of the city. 

Wise always planned to expand the Rare Society concept to a dozen or more locations, but hadn’t been looking at Las Vegas for any of them. “It just wasn’t at the top of my list,” he says, until he realized more and more colleagues were encouraging him to check out Nevada’s potential. Once he scouted the area and got a sense of what was happening in hospitality off the Strip, as well as the vibe of UnCommons and steady flow of Southern California-based visitors already familiar with his ethos, he knew it was a natural next step. 

“It’s just becoming a really awesome food city that we wanted to be a part of,” he says. 

Wise says they’re currently looking at locations in Texas, Arizona, Florida, and a handful of other states for possible future expansions. But once Rare Society Las Vegas opens, guests can expect Wise’s same spin on traditional steakhouses, where sharing is encouraged via his signature shareable steak boards and seafood towers, featuring an open exhibition-style kitchen, sunken bar, and a wine collection tunnel that arches overhead. Still, Wise promises, no matter where Rare Society opens next, it’ll be a local spot.

“We like to know people’s names,” he says. “We can create a sense of comfort and neighborhood.”

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Matsu hosts Michelin-Starred Chef Jon Yao on March 18

Matsu chef William Eick will host guest chef Jon Yao from the Michelin-starred, Los Angeles-based Taiwanese restaurant Kato for one night only, plus featured Kato bartenders Austin Hennelly and Han Suk Cho joining. To give you a sense of why this is a big deal, the Los Angeles Times named Kato and Yao Chef and Restaurant of the Year for 2023-2024 while we named Matsu the Best Japanese Restaurant in San Diego for 2023. Needless to say, it’s going to be a star-studded evening for guests’ palates, and reservations for the tasting menu are available on Tock for $275 (not including an optional spirit-free beverage pairing from Kato or sake pairing from Matsu during the meal). 

Beth’s Bites

When is An’s Electronic Repair, the second location of gelato darling An’s Dry Cleaning, going to open in Ocean Beach? Desperate sweet tooths (teeth?) demand to know!

I love that Barrio Logan is becoming a magnet for All Things Delicious. El Pez Kitchen, who served up their wildly delicious pulpo tostadas at our first (and sold out) Taste of South Bay fest this weekend, is opening their second location in just a couple of weeks and promises to bring their signature Mexican-Japanese fusion to 1776 National Avenue. 

Someone mentioned pupusas to me the other day, and I realized I haven’t been to my usual spot El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante in a while. Are there other pupuserias I should check out? Let me know at [email protected].

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 Chef Brad Wise Opening French Brasserie in North Park appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The love affair started a few weeks ago, when I visited the space after it was nearly completed. One of its owners, Dan Valerino, invited me in because he knows I like to creative dishes in a convivial setting with excellent, somewhat hard-to-find wines from the Iberian peninsula and impeccable service. Basically, we both like dining in Europe. 

That vibe is what he and his crew seeks to emulate with Finca. “The style of eating is about giving the power back to the guest,” Valerino says. “You can order a couple of things at a time and not need to plan out your whole meal because you can trust the kitchen to get things to you fast.”

In other words, it’s designed to be social. Not a “shared plates” experience that benefits the kitchen more than the guests, but a genuine Spanish-style tapas set-up, with a top-notch kitchen firing off dishes as orders come in. The way this kind of dining is meant to be.

And speaking of those wines, I also sampled some of Finca’s excellent list of 100-or-so bottles, which are rooted in Spanish and California small-grower selections. Valerino and I share a particular love for red wines from Catalonia’s mountainous Priorat region—there are plenty of shining examples on hand. 

He’s also a leading voice on organic, biodynamic, and sustainable wines, so expect plenty of bottles in that vein. There’s also an impressive sherry section, as well as beer, cider, and vermouth. “We remain dedicated to making sure San Diegans have a place to drink vermouth on the rocks,” Valerino told me during my visit, echoing a deep belief I also share.

Another one of the reasons I’m so jazzed about this opening is because of the folks behind it, who I have known for years (and whose kitchens I’ve also enjoyed dining in). Finca is helmed by partners Valerino and chef Joe Bower, along with seasoned restaurateur Ricardo Dondisch. Valerino and Bower first connected during their time at Juniper & Ivy, where Valerino served as general manager and Bower as sous chef. 

They’ve been locked ever since, with stints at the now-closed The Hake in La Jolla. They’re true pros who are obsessed with hospitality, which Valerino says has been sorely lacking since Covid. Both he and Bower were emphatic that bringing hospitality “back,” so to speak, will be a cornerstone of the Finca experience.

In the kitchen, Chef Bower created a menu with a selection of market-driven, California-inspired tapas at an accessible price point intended to complement Spain’s drinking culture. Dishes include Nashville Peanuts with chicken salt, chicken skin and spicy oil; Patatas Bravas with California pepper, jalapeño cream, garden herbs and roasted garlic cloves; Pork Belly & Cocoa Nibs with grilled banana and sourdough; Surf and Turf Toast with carpaccio of beef, shrimp sausage, horseradish and lemon aioli; and Fried Chicken & Caviar with crème fraîche dressing and ranch herbs. 

In addition to dinner and drinks service, the roughly 3,000-square-foot Finca also features a bottle shop that will host a wine club in the future. The entire space is anchored by an open kitchen and wrap-around, illuminated 14-seat bar. Expansive ceilings offset floor-to-ceiling windows; the industrial space gives way to warmth via a color palette of burnt orange and amber hues, aqua and a variety of golden and wood accents. 

Art by Patrick Bower (Joe’s brother) and Gabriela Dondisch (Ricardo’s wife) adorns the walls and the setting is completed by mismatched vintage serving ware, including ice buckets, plates and glasses scattered throughout. Outside, there are also 16 patio seats.

Finca is located at 3066 North Park Way, San Diego, CA 92104. Restaurant operating hours will be from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weeknights and from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekends while the bottle shop will open at noon shortly after Finca’s opening.

The post First Look: Finca appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

I’m at Oh Glory, a holistic health spa in North Park offering facials, massage, cupping, and acupuncture. I’ve signed up for the latter today—specifically cosmetic acupuncture, a treatment said to help tone your face, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and promote the production of collagen and elastin. 

According to my provider, Dr. Pia Franco, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have been poking folks for beauty reasons since around 200 BC, when royal concubines used acupuncture to preserve their health and youthful appearance. And, yes, it involves needles in your face.

Dr. Franco is already making me feel less nervous about it, though. We start our consultation with a cup of herbal tea in Oh Glory’s soothing, impeccably decorated reception space. As I sip, she asks me about, well, everything—not merely my cosmetic concerns (consistent breakouts and some emergent fine lines on my forehead), but also my digestion, sleep, diet, menstrual cycle, and general physical and emotional wellness.

I tell her about my stomach problems and the recurrent pain in my left shoulder, the muscle tightness that prevents me from lifting my arm. We’ll address those, too, because, here, every cosmetic acupuncture session (called “You Are Glowing” on the spa’s menu) includes placement of needles from head to toe.

“I believe that you can’t really do just cosmetic acupuncture without integrating full-body acupuncture,” Franco says. “[It] is included to touch on that root imbalance of why the cosmetic complaint is occurring. If you have lines on your forehead, that shows that there’s an imbalance in the liver system, so you have to touch on the body and regulate the liver system in order to address how that’s manifesting on the face.”

Franco checks my pulse and asks to look at my tongue, which she says are two other ways doctors of Chinese medicine identify imbalances. People with too much heat might experience a red face, difficulty sleeping, or nonstop ruminative thoughts. Excess cold, on the other hand, can manifest as bloating, digestive upset, or irregular menstrual cycles, she continues. The pulse might be slow, the tongue pale. Acupuncture is intended to help restore balance, no matter which side of the scale you’re on.

In the treatment room, I strip down to my skirt, climb under a cozy blanket, and settle in to get poked. But, first, Franco gives my face a pass with a microcurrent machine, a small, handheld device that “delivers a sub-sensory current—meaning that you don’t feel it—that mimics our body’s natural electrical flow,” she says. Designed to boost collagen and elastin production and tighten facial muscles, the machine may help create a more lifted, sculpted visage. “It’s like taking the face to the gym,” Franco adds.

Afterward, Franco brushes her hands over my limbs, searching, she says, for abnormalities. “It might feel like a hole or a knot of energy,” she tells me. Those areas are the best spots in which to place acupuncture needles.

“Does it feel tender here?” she asks often. Usually, she’s right. She inserts each needle by quickly tapping it through a metal tube into my skin.

“This is basically setting off a healing tsunami,” Franco explains as she gently places a needle near my lips. The tiny wound stimulates a repair response at the site the needle enters, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the area and driving collagen production. More broadly, acupuncture “tells the [brain] to release specific hormones needed for your body’s imbalance,” Franco says. “It [sends] a blueprint for healing.”

The critical question: Does it hurt? Not really. You’re aware of the needle, but it’s too small to truly sting. I feel some slight discomfort when Franco adjusts the needle in more sensitive areas—my hands, my face—but it quickly mellows. It isn’t hard to relax. 

In addition to placing needles in my chin, forehead, and cheeks and around my mouth, Franco also finds acupuncture sites on my feet, hands, arms, legs, and left shoulder and the back of my neck. Then, she sets little shields over my eyes and brings a LED light mask over my face, programming it to flash blue and red. “The red light penetrates the muscle layer, getting to the wrinkles,” Franco says. “The blue light penetrates just under the dermal layer and … is able to kill bacteria, [targeting acne].”

She steps out for 15 minutes to let the mask and needles work their magic. I lay as still as I can, experiencing a (not unpleasant) full-body tingling sensation. Honestly, I feel great. I could nap like this.

When she returns, Franco gently removes each needle and applies a light face oil to my skin in preparation for gua sha, a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves gently scraping the face and neck with a small, flat tool. It’s intended to promote better blood circulation and lymph drainage. “It basically brings an overall glow to the face,” Franco says. Once she’s done, she wipes my face with a hot towel and sends me back into the world.

That evening, that recurrent pain in my shoulder is actually more intense—probably because I was tensing in anticipation of the needles. But over the course of the following day, I notice the terrible joint ache is suddenly, conspicuously absent, and I can lift my left arm again without being stopped in my tracks by tension and pain. My skin looks healthy and luminous, my face depuffed. The cystic zit does not disappear overnight, but Pia’s an acupuncturist, not a magician. 

Patients who are consistent with the treatment have reported plumper, more lifted skin and fewer wrinkles long-term, as well as better digestion and a healthier respiratory system. “We recommend coming about once a week to really see results,” says esthetician Serena Kahlen, who co-owns Oh Glory. 

Of all the potential benefits, though, one stands out as most surprising—and most critical. “I like to think that on an emotional level, it helps women accept their appearances and reframe their idea of aging,” Franco says. “[It encourages them] to honor their journey as they age.”

The post I Tried It: Does Cosmetic Acupuncture Actually Work? appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Rocky farms Jr Chicken entree from The Smoking Goat

Courtesy of The Smoking Goat

North Park Food & Drink

Original 40 Brewing Company

The Original 40 Brewing Company is a beautifully decorated space where you can settle into the comfy seating with one of the 14 house beers on tap and enjoy atypical pub eats like baby back adobo ribs, gougères, and Castelvetrano olives. Cheers! 3117 University Avenue

Communal Coffee

Perched in the center of University Avenue, Communal Coffee shop offers a variety of caffeine- or booze-packed drinks for whatever kind of buzz you’re looking for. Enjoy specialty latte flights, summer cocktails, and wine—or simply snap a pic by their outdoor mural wall for a quick Insta post. Not in the mood for drinks? Buy local goods, merch, or flower arrangements in their shop.2335 University Avenue

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters is another local favorite for getting your caffeine fix while in North Park. Their coffee beverages boast a darker, bolder flavor, and they source direct-trade coffees from around the world. Psst—they also have incredibly tasty vegan donuts on hand to pair with your cup o’ Joe.3794 30th Street

The Smoking Goat

The Smoking Goat‘s rustic interior paired with its delicious French and California  cuisine make it a must-stop on your North Park foodie stamp card.3408 30th Street

One Door North

Next door to their flagship North Park restaurant, the owners of The Smoking Goat opened a visually intriguing, outdoor-themed restaurant dedicated to seasonal, handcrafted dishes. Enjoy a flatbread and a cocktail under the comfort of a canvas tent and a classy chandelier at One Door North.3422 30th Street

Atypical Waffle Company

Enjoy either a sweet or savory Belgian-style waffle in the shade of Atypical Waffle Company offering a colorful patio sporting turquoise baseball seats. They taste best paired with this spot’s coffee and lemonade.3519 30th Street

Modern Times Beer

Local craft brewery Modern Times is a staple in the city, with three locations including their North Park residence. Stop in for a cold one and browse their 20-plus taps, enjoy some local merchandise, and peek at the Yoda made of floppy disks. And, don’t worry, your furry family members are welcome on the patio.3000 Upas Street

Dunedin

Grabbing a flight to New Zealand may be going a bit too far to satisfy your meat pie and lamb burger cravings. Luckily, Dunedin is right around the corner. Offering daily brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks, this NZ-inspired eatery has plenty of treats to try in its exciting, earthy atmosphere.3501 30th Street

Crazee Burger

If you’re feeling up for an adventure, Crazee Burger may be the perfect place to experience something new. The restaurant offers 12 different exotic burger patties, including camel, ostrich, and gator along with beef and vegetarian options as well.3993 30th Street

Underbelly

The line between dining in and dining out is blurred at Underbelly, a funky ramen spot that has windows that flip all the way open to invite in that San Diego sun. Chow down on any of their ramens—made with rich broth and different meats—under the glow of neon lights.3000 Upas Street

Tribute Pizza

Sporting a creative menu in both names and tastes, Tribute Pizza is a local favorite paying homage to the greatest pizzas and pizza makers in the world. They call their style of pizza “Neo-Neapolitan,” because it features a hybrid of New York and Neapolitan techniques. 3077 North Park Way

Belching Beaver Brewery

Belching Beaver is a staple around the city, thanks to their unique brews (such as Horchata with Coffee and Peanut Butter Milk Stout) and a lively tasting room in North Park. Come for the beer, stay for the Jenga and board games.4223 30th St

Caffe Calabria

On Mondays and Tuesdays, stop in to Caffe Calabria for some coffee, tea, and fresh pastries. Every other day of the week, experience the Italian neighborhood bar with pizza, cocktails, espresso, and antipastas.3933 30th Street

North Park San Diego Main Street Murals

Courtesy of North Park Main Street

Explore North Park 

North Park Mini Park

Located behind the Observatory Theater, the mini park plays host to a variety of events through the year for locals to enjoy. From live music to vegan and vintage markets, the space is the epicenter of community gatherings in the neighborhood.3812 29th Street

Juniper Canyon Trail

Juniper Canyon Trail is a hub of hiking, biking, birdwatching, and rock-climbing. If you’re on foot, plan for about two-and-a-half hours of trekking to complete the loop. Bring water, but leave four-legged friends at home—no dogs are allowed on the trail.3331 Nutmeg Street

Switzer Canyon

Head to Switzer Canyon if you’re looking for a hike with a little less mileage. Acting as the border between North and South Park, this 25-minute jaunt typically includes great views of San Diego’s native birds.2800 Maple Street

Mural Walk

North Park is one of San Diego’s most colorful neighborhoods, thanks to vibrant murals decorating walls and buildings throughout the area. Use North Park’s Mural Guide to scout out a route to spot all your favorites, shopping local stores along the way.

North Park Recreation Center

Looking to learn a new skill or meet some friends (or just get your little ones out of the house for the day)? Head over to North Park’s Recreation Center. It offers ceramic classes, sports leagues, kids’ camps and cooking lessons, and movies in the park.4044 Idaho Street

Part Time Lover Bar Interior North Park San Diego

Photo Credit: Riley Dring

Things to Do in North Park

Skin Habit

Skin Habit focuses on personalized facial treatments that target your skin goals— while taking the sticker shock out of your spa day. A 50-minute facial will run you one Benjamin, while 30-minute refreshes cost just under 55 bucks. 3570 30th Street

North Park Observatory

The North Park Observatory is a beautiful, restored 1939 theater that hosts live music (plus the occasional theater show or live podcast recording). The venue is a mosh pit mecca, so don close-toed shoes when stopping by to see bands.2891 University Avenue

Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center

Queen Bee’s is home to an eclectic lineup of events, from jazz jam sessions and concerts with local musicians to sketch comedy shows and dance classes. Recurring events include the monthly San Diego Poetry Slam and weekly Sunday salsa nights.3925 Ohio Street

North Park Thursday Market

Look out for tons of tables packed with fresh produce, homemade baked goods, and local products at the Thursday farmers market. Also slinging gift-worthy picks from small businesses and some tasty prepared food, the market is located right outside the Observatory on North Park Way.3000 North Park Way

Lips San Diego

The only West Coast location of the iconic New York drag club, Lips San Diego hosts fabulous dinner shows Tuesday through Sunday, plus raucous “gospel” drag brunches on Sundays.3036 El Cajon Boulevard

Part Time Lover

Influenced by Japanese listening bars, Part Time Lover‘s unassuming façade hides a moody, art deco–inspired ambiance with DJs spinning vinyl on a hi-fi sound system and bartenders shaking up craft cocktails.3829 30th Street

Pigment Interior North Park San Diego Shop

Courtesy of Pigment

North Park Shops & Boutiques

Verbatim Books

Hit Verbatim Books, a local rare and used bookstore, to peruse thousands hardcovers and paperbacks. We love their zine corner with eclectic, independently published booklets and comics. They also regularly host readings and open mic nights.3793 30th Street

Pigment

Glamorous bath products, neon water bottles, cool bar-cart accessories—Pigment has beautiful and trendy home and gift items. You can personalize a plant for your space at their succulent-potting station.3801 30th Street

Artelexia

Artelexia founder Elexia de la Parra sources home- and kitchenware, packaged foods, colorful gifts, and more from Mexico for her vibrant North Park boutique. Check their website for curated shopping guides with themes like “Dorm Ideas” and “Bachelorette Party.”3811 Ray Street

Day to Day Vintage

Constantly on the hunt for the perfect graphic tee? Day to Day Vintage is a local favorite for streetwear fans searching for sustainable options. Pick up pre-owned clothes from brands like Levi’s and Nike and check out the thrift market that they host every third Saturday of the month.3063 University Avenue

The Girl Can’t Help It

Originally established 25 years ago in London and re-opened in North Park, The Girl Can’t Help It features pre-loved fashion for all genders. The shop is packed with picks from the 1930s to the ’60s—picture sharp suits, swingy dresses, and even filmy vintage sleepwear.3806 Grim Avenue

Sage Sisters

Pop by Sage Sisters for gorgeous, locally sourced flower arrangements in the neighborhood. The charming floral boutique also offers balloons and gifts such as pottery and candles. 3013 University Avenue

Overload

If you are on the move and looking for a place that can keep up with you, skate shop Overload has you covered on all of your skating needs—from colorful decks and durable helmets to funky footwear and fanny packs.3827 30th Street

The Original Paw Pleasers

The Original Paw Pleasers specialize in housemade cakes, ice cream, and cookies just for your pet! Your furry friend’s sweet treat can be decorated for any kind of occasion—celebrate summer with a sun-shaped cookie or manifest a home team win with a Padres jersey cake.2818 University Avenue

Red Brontosaurus Records

Buy, sell, and trade vinyl at Red Brontosaurus Records. The music shop maintains an especially comprehensive collection of punk rock albums and also vends retro video games and consoles. Look out for their in-house events in a wide array of genres, like a local and niche version of NPR‘s Tiny Desk Concerts.3044 North Park Way

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