JAZZ HANDS: Little Italy’s 13,000-square foot jazz supper club, vacant since early last year, sounds to have new owners. Originally, it looked like an L.A. group was set to invade, but multiple sources have told us that local Tim Aaron—who recently took over both Nicky Rottens locations—is heading the project now. Calls to Aaron haven’t been returned so we have zero direct confirmation. But we’re told they’re doing a big remodel and plan to open in June.
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LEUC: Leucadia’s little food renaissance is on. The last couple years has seen Fish 101, Solterra Winery + Kitchen and Regal Seagull move into one of the last funky beach communities in SD. The new project from Vigilucci’s group—Robby’s—is reportedly coming along beautifully, but slow. Now Leucadia is getting Bull Taco—the proudly “inauthentic Mexican” joint made famous because a couple surf punks served creative tacos (lobster chorizo, shrimp curry, even foie gras back when it was legal) out a window overlooking the beach. The new location is going into the former Jamroc (101 N. Coast Hwy 101). There’ve also been rumors that Bull Taco would take over Woody’s in Solana Beach (near CPK, formerly fine dining joint Blanca). But a BT rep says “no, not yet.”
SAN DIEGO MEANS BEER IN GERMAN: Craft beer bottle shops are the new wine bar. Bottlecraft in Little Italy and North Park has obviously done a great job. Now Solana Beach is getting one with San Diego BeerWorks—also going into the Beachwalk Retail Center in the former space of Cupcake Love.
NICE PLACE NEEDS CHEFS: Rancho Santa Fe’s top property Rancho Valencia has lost both exec chef Eric Bauer and sous chef James Noonan. We knew Noonan was leaving to be top toque for Urban Plates, but weren’t sure about Bauer’s new gig. Now Eater’s reporting Bauer has joined catering company H Events, which handles the annual Diner En Blanc. Look for Rancho Valencia to make a big new hire to helm its signature restaurant, Veladora. That $1M Damien Hirst art almost demands it.
TOTALLY UNCONFIRMED RUMORS: By no means are the following cemented nor confirmed, but… A source has told us that the long-shuttered On Broadway has a new owner. Our source also told us that the new club will be called YOLO—the internet acronym for You Only Live Once. Just kind of lets the soul leak out of ya, doesn’t it? Pray harder…. Oggi’s Pizza is reportedly working on opening a bunch of new locations around SD, concentrating the first efforts near SDSU… Pirch—the high-end kitchen showroom that hosts a slew of top-notch culinary events—is expected by expecters to open a few more spots around the city soon…. Three big renovations planned for iconic SD spots: The Catamaran Resort (Pacific Beach), The Horton Grand Hotel (Downtown) and Baleen (at Paradise Point in Mission Bay, home to talented chef Amy DiBiase)…. Keep your eye on the great and mighty Pannikin coffee shop in Del Mar’s Flower Hill Promenade. We have reason to believe there may be some big changes coming to that space as FHP continues its overhaul… We’re also hearing that PB Fish Shop has just signed on for a second location in Encinitas, and are planning a few more…
Three Dots and a Hunger: Jan. 31
