The wine programs at 27 San Diego County restaurants have won 2024 awards of excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine.
Addison, the Michelin three star restaurant in Carmel Valley, has maintained its status as the only San Diego restaurant to earn the Grand Award, Wine Spectator’s highest honor, which recognizes the best wine programs with more than 1,000 selections. The only other Southern California Grand Award winners are Capo in Santa Monica, Patina in Los Angeles and The Stonehouse in Santa Barbara.
Seven local restaurants earned the Best of Award of Excellence, which honors programs with 350 or more wine selections. New to the list this year are Polo Steakhouse in Carlsbad and Born & Raised in Little Italy. They join Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse downtown, Mister A’s in Bankers Hill, the Marine Room and Nine-Ten in La Jolla and Stake Chophouse in Coronado.
And winners of the Award of Excellence, honoring wine programs with at least 90 selections, include five first-time honorees: Ember & Rye in Carlsbad, Hell’s Kitchen in Valley Center, Marisi in La Jolla, Huntress in the Gaslamp Quarter and Paon in Carlsbad. They join A.R. Valentien, Seasons 52 and The Winery Restaurant in La Jolla; Eddie V’s Prime Seafood in La Jolla and downtown; Fogo de Chao, STK San Diego and Morton’s in downtown San Diego; Juniper & Ivy in Little Italy; Solare in Liberty Station; Avant in Rancho Bernardo; the Grove Steakhouse in Alpine, Barona Oaks Steakhouse in Lakeside; and The Fishery in Pacific Beach.
Full details can be found at winespectator.com/restaurants.
Izola Bakery reopens in new location
East Village’s 4-year-old Izola Bakery, which temporarily closed last fall due to permit issues, is now in a soft-opening phase at a new location in nearby Fault Line Park. Known for its wild sourdough bread and hot-from-the-oven croissants, Izola has moved into the former Amplified Kitchen & Beer Garden space at 1429 Island Ave. in East Village. Owners say demand in the first week has outstripped supply, so they’ve been selling out daily. They recommending pre-ordering bakery items online before visiting at izolabakery.com.
Blanco Cocina + Cantina set to open
Fox Restaurant Concepts will open its second San Diego County location on Wednesday at 1301 Orange Ave. in Coronado. Blanco’s Sonoran-style menu is highlighted by tiger shrimp fajitas, tacos, chimichangas and an extensive margarita menu. Visit blancococinacantina.com.
Irv’s and Prince St. outlets open in P.B.
Two quick-service restaurant chains from L.A. and New York opened July 4 in the former Mission + Garnet Food Hall in Pacific Beach. Founded in 1946 in West Hollywood and now owned by Lawrence Longo, Irv’s Burgers has been serving pressed-to-order burgers on fresh-made buns for generations. The P.B. location will be Irv’s first in San Diego County. New York City’s Prince St. Pizza, famous for its rectangular Sicilian-style pizzas, opened its first San Diego location last year in the Gaslamp Quarter. 4505 Mission Blvd., San Diego. Visit irvsburgers.com, eatprincestreetpizza.com.
Punta Mar opens in Encinitas
Lalo González, owner of Mexico’s 35-restaurant Grupo Gula, opened this authentic Mexican eatery on June 27. The menu features aguachiles, ceviches, pizza birria, tostadas and micheladas. The 2,066-square-foot restaurant seats 75 guests at 345 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. Visit puntamarsd.com, instagram.com/puntamarsd.
Seventh House reopens
he Seventh House, an upscale dining lounge that closed in April to make way for the Italian restaurant Cacio e Pepe Trattoria Romana in North Park, has reopened in a smaller, speakeasy-style format inside the library area of Cacio e Pepe at 2835 University Ave., San Diego. The Seventh House soft-opened on July 5. Visit seventhhousesandiego.com.
John Boy bar arriving next month
Forward Hospitality Group of Ohio has announced plans to open one of its 1970s-inspired bars Good Night John Boy in August at 401 G St. in the Gaslamp Quarter. Named after the final words spoken in every episode of the 1970s TV series “The Waltons,” Good Night John Boy will be decorated with ’70s-style shag carpet, plaid couches, retro wallpaper, an illuminated dance floor, spinning disco ball and large portraits of ’70s icons like Farrah Fawcett and Burt Reynolds. With locations now in Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Fla., Good Night John Boy’s Chicago location was a recent top 10 “best new cocktail bar” finalist in Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s regional 2024 Spirited Awards. Visit forwardhg.com/good-night-john-boy.