Yet another Baja California-based chef will be opening a restaurant in San Diego this fall. But unlike Baja chef Roberto Alcocer, who opened Valle in Oceanside to (successfully) earn a Michelin Star, Drew Deckman already has a Michelin star under his belt.
Deckman, the founder of Deckman’s en el Mogor in Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe, will open Watershed restaurant early next year at 3131 University Av. in North Park.
Raised in Georgia, Deckman spent 10 years cooking in France, Switzerland and Germany, where in 2003 he earned a Michelin star. From there, his culinary journey took him to Asia and Hawaii before he landed in Mexico and opened a now-closed restaurant in Los Cabos in 2010 followed by a second location in Valle de Guadalupe in 2011. He lives in the Valle with his wife, Paulina, and their two children. He is well known in Baja for the close relationships he has build with farmers, fishermen and winemakers.
Deckman aims to open his Watershed restaurant in February in the space now occupied by 2-year-old Hoxton Manor. In an Instagram post on Friday, the owners of Hoxton Manor announced that they are closing on Nov. 5.
Craft House opens at Fashion Valley mall
The owners of Craft House restaurant at the Sky Deck restaurant collective in Del Mar have opened a second location this month at Fashion Valley shopping center in San Diego.
Craft House is a new American cuisine restaurant with a Mexican influences created by chef and co-owner Caesar Huerta. Specialties include achiote chipotle or Calabrian chili buffalo wings, blackened salmon BLT, lobster rolls, burgers, steaks and more. Craft house started out in 2016 as a food truck serving burgers made from a blend of fresh-ground chuck, short rib and brisket beef. The restaurant also offers a full bar.
“We call ourselves Craft House to truly represent our commitment to crafting every element in-house and by hand, Huerta said, in a statement. “From meticulously muddled cocktails to our own house-made juices, aiolis, and dressings, we take personal care in every detail.”
Craft House is at 7007 Friars Road, Suite 347, in San Diego’s Mission Valley. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays and Mondays; and 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. Visit crafthouseskydeck.com.
Amalfi Cucina expands to Carmel Valley
The owners of Amalfi Cucina, the two-story Italian restaurant overlooking Lake San Marcos, have opened a second location in the former Dolce restaurant space in the Pacific Highlands shopping center in Carmel Valley.
The new location features the same menu as the original restaurant, featuring pizzas, pastas, seafood and appetizers, as well as weekly specials and a happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. daily. The new location is at 5980 Village Way, Suite 106, San Diego. visit amalficucinaitaliana.com/cucina-carmel-valley.
Luis Ruiz is the founder and CEO of L.A.-based La Carnicería Meat Market, with a new location in Chula Vista.
(Courtesy of La Carnicería Meat Market )
New meat market in Chula Vista
La Carnicería Meat Market, an L.A.-based premium butcher shop chain, has opened its first San Diego County location in Chula Vista.
La Carnicería is part of the Kobe Beef Association and sells imported high-grade Japanese and Australian Wagyu beef products. The chain founded by Luis Ruiz has 10 locations nationwide, including nine in Southern California and one in San Antonio, Texas. The new Chula Vista location is at 67 Broadway, Unit A, Chula Vista. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Visit lacarniceriameatmarket.com.
Dishes at The Cottage restaurants.
(Courtesy of The Cottage)
Cottage coming to Del Mar
The Cottage, the La Jolla-born brunch-lunch restaurant that recently opened an Encinitas location, will expand to Del Mar next spring.
The new Cottage location will open in the Del Mar Plaza shopping center in the 2,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by Rendezvous Restaurant at 1555 Camino Del Mar, Suite 102, Del Mar. The Plaza center in expansion mode, with the addition of Valley Farm Market and butcher shop and several new retail tenants in 2024. Visit cottagelajolla.com.
Dining events
San Diego Restaurant Week returns Sunday: San Diego Restaurant Week returns on Sunday, Sept. 24, with eight days of multi-course lunch and dinner menus priced at $20 and up at more than 100 San Diego County restaurants through Oct. 1. Two-course lunch menus start at $20, and three-course dinners start at $30. Participating venues include Lavo Ristorante in the Gaslamp Quarter (pictured); Vintanta in Escondido; Top of the Market downtown; Piper in Oceanside; Red O in La Jolla; Terra American Bistro in Rolando; STK in the Gaslamp Quarter; Great Maple in Hillcrest and many more. For participants, menus and more, visit sandiegorestaurantweek.com.
Cuervo plans Agave Bar event in Logan Heights: Tequila maker Cuervo is hosting a free popup event today and Saturday where visitors can sample cocktails and food, listen to music and learn about the company’s sustainability program that recycles 100 percent of the agave plant materials used to make its spirits. RSVPs are required to visit the Agave Bar. Hours are 7 to 11 p.m. Sept. 22 and from noon to 4 p.m. and 7 to 11 p.m. Sept. 23 at Bread & Salt, 1955 Julian Ave. in Logan Heights. Ages 21 and up only. To reserve, visit cuervo.com/agave-bar.
Whiskey & Wine Party: Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa hosts its annual tastings event with whiskeys, bourbons and wines from nine vendors, plus Southern comfort food, live music and free parking. 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 22. 9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. $95. estancialajolla.com/local-experiences
San Diego Distillers Guild Fest: The distillers guild will host its fifth annual event featuring tastings of spirits and cocktails from about 20 local distilleries and local spirits brands, along with bites from local food trucks Casanova Fish Tacos and Thumbs Up! Bacon & BBQ. 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 23. Brick Events Center, 2863 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego. Ages 21 and up only. $60, general admission; $85 VIP pass includes early entry and taco voucher. sddistillersguildfest.com
Kingfisher plans moon fest dinner: Kingfisher Modern Vietnamese restaurant in Golden Hill will host its first Moon Festival Champagne Dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 26. Chef David Sim will prepare a five-course seafood dinner with Champagne pairings by four different producers. The event celebrates Vietnam’s Tết Trung Thu festival, which marks the end of the harvest season. Seatings from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 26. $215 per person. 2469 Broadway, San Diego. kingfishersd.com
Rhythm & Brews: Jensen’s hosts this fundraising event to benefit Point Loma Summer Concerts will feature tastings of beer, kombucha, cider and more from nearly 20 breweries, as well as choice of Jensen’s bratwurst or giant pretzels. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 28. The Thursday Club, 1224 Santa Barbara St., San Diego. $40. pointloma.jensensfoods.com/order-online/rhythm-brews/
Paradisaea anniversary dinner: To mark its 1-year anniversary, this Bird Rock restaurant’s executive chef Mark Welker is teaming up with Baja California chef Javier Plascencia on a five-course dinner of California and Baja flavors. 5 p.m. Sept. 28. 5680 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. $115. paradisaea.com
Beers by the Bay: San Diego Mission Bay Resort and Ballast Point Brewing are co-hosting a four-course Southern California-inspired beer pairings dinner prepared by chef Roy Henderickson. 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 29. 1775 E Mission Bay Drive, San Diego. $75 (ages 21 and up only, ID required). missionbayresort.com/