San Diego’s already sizzling foodie scene continues to heat up, particularly in the Little Italy neighborhood, where big-name chefs are bringing cool venues and creative flavors to the district.
“The neighborhood has had an influx of celebrity chefs opening cutting-edge restaurants,” says San Diego Tourism’s Candice Ely, director of public relations.
New entries include Richard Blais’ Juniper and Ivy, which opened last year; Javier Plascencia’s Bracero Cocina de Raiz, which opened in July; and a yet-to-be-named new restaurant from Brian Malarkey, scheduled to open this fall.
Juniper and Ivy, the brainchild of Top Chef All-Star winner Richard Blais, is a particularly memorable group choice, with a private dining space hosting 40 seated and a semi-private area overlooking the open kitchen for up to 65. A patio hosting up to 30 seated guests is another option. Numerous group menus are available as well, and the establishment’s innovative “left-coast” dishes showcasing locally produced items are bound to spark plenty of conversation.
As for Malarkey, the former Top Chef star has also grabbed recent acclaim for the innovative Green Acre organic eatery/campus located in nearby Torrey Pines, a unique setting doubling as a special events venue. The diverse event space covers about 20,000 square feet and includes everything from a billiards room to an event lawn, while the fare highlights ingredients from the on-site garden.
