1
This just in: Angelo Sosa left Death by Tequila, which we just discussed on the latest episode of the Happy Half Hour podcast. Death by Tequila was the readers’ choice for Best New Restaurant in 2019, and the ahi crudo made Troy’s list of must-try dishes of 2019. Angelo is staying in San Diego to pursue a new project—stay tuned, we’ll let you know what it is once he’s able to reveal it.
2
The first certified Native American-owned brewery in Southern California is opening in San Diego County at the end of the month: Rincon Reservation Road Brewery is coming to Harrah’s Resort SoCal in Valley Center. It’s opening on January 30, and right now the line includes four ales. The brewery and resort are businesses owned by the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians.
3
San Telmo Argentine Café, which specialized in empanadas and marinated meat sandwiches, closed its shop on Seventh and Broadway. It made our Best Restaurants list in 2018 and was also included in the Food Lovers’ Guide. It was a favorite of SDM staffers and will be missed (but their catering business is still open).
4
One of the first new restaurants to open in 2020 is The Village, a vegan Mexican and sushi spot on El Cajon Boulevard.
5
In case you missed it, 2020 started off with a few big closures: Chef DJ Tangalin closed GayaGaya, his modern Filipino bistro in Miramar; Donovan’s Steak and Chophouse closed its location on Prospect Street in La Jolla; and McCormick and Schmick’s closed without warning after being at the Omni Hotel downtown for 15 years.
6
Sam the Cooking Guy is going to open a two-story restaurant in Seaport Village, taking over the space where Buster’s Beach House has been for 30 years.
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The sustainable temaki (sushi handroll) bar that Chef Rob Ruiz had been planning for Liberty Public Market has been canceled.
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Also in Liberty Station, Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe—a bakery that started in Point Loma 20 years ago and moved to the market—announced yesterday that they closed the café.
Angelo Sosa | Photo by James Tran