This sure feels like North Park’s year.
Brad Wise, chef and owner of Trust Restaurant Group (TRG), is unapologetically ambitious. First he opened TRUST in 2016, followed by Fort Oak and Rare Society in 2019, Cardellino and The Wise Ox in 2020, plus more Rare Society outposts in University Heights, Solana Beach, Santa Barbara, San Clemente and Mill Creek. Now, he’s set to officially take over the anchor location at the corner of 30th and University for his yet-to-be-named take on a French brasserie, opening summer 2025.
“In my mind there have always been a slate of concepts that I’ve wanted to pursue, and this French-ish brasserie is one of them,” says Wise. “The French culinary fundamentals is the first thing you learn in culinary school—it’s ingrained into you from day one. So as I’ve developed my own cooking style, taking inspiration from all over, I’ve always wanted to incorporate this French foundation I grew up with.”
GTC Design, who developed the aesthetic for Rare Society and Cardellino, will spearhead the design of this space, drawing inspiration from classic Parisian restaurants that feels “refined, yet conveying an easy sense of grandeur,” Wise says. They have their work cut out for them—the building has been vacant for years, even before Death by Tequila announced plans (that were ultimately scrapped) to reimagine the space. Wise says a complete rebuild is necessary, but will allow them to realize their vision of an “elevated, plush, charming space.”
Jess Stewart will act as beverage director, developing a brand-new cocktail program alongside wine director Ben Zuba, who will emphasize French wines “and their counterparts in America,” explains Wise. All beverages will synchronize with his French-inspired menu that’s still very much in progress.
If you are reading this and thinking “North Park has definitely hit peak new restaurant,” think again. This year alone, Drew Deckman (Deckman’s en el Mogor in Valle de Guadalupe) is opening 31ThirtyOne, CH Projects (do I really need to list all their concepts?) will launch Persian-inspired bar and restaurant Leila, Moniker Outpost is coming, Bivouac Adventure Lodge is here, Carne y Hueso is coming… clearly, North Park is hungry—really hungry—for more.
But Wise isn’t stopping at North Park. In late 2023, he plans to open the sixth iteration of Rare Society at 6880 Helen Toland Street in Las Vegas at the UnCommons mixed-use development in the southwest part of the city.
Wise always planned to expand the Rare Society concept to a dozen or more locations, but hadn’t been looking at Las Vegas for any of them. “It just wasn’t at the top of my list,” he says, until he realized more and more colleagues were encouraging him to check out Nevada’s potential. Once he scouted the area and got a sense of what was happening in hospitality off the Strip, as well as the vibe of UnCommons and steady flow of Southern California-based visitors already familiar with his ethos, he knew it was a natural next step.
“It’s just becoming a really awesome food city that we wanted to be a part of,” he says.
Wise says they’re currently looking at locations in Texas, Arizona, Florida, and a handful of other states for possible future expansions. But once Rare Society Las Vegas opens, guests can expect Wise’s same spin on traditional steakhouses, where sharing is encouraged via his signature shareable steak boards and seafood towers, featuring an open exhibition-style kitchen, sunken bar, and a wine collection tunnel that arches overhead. Still, Wise promises, no matter where Rare Society opens next, it’ll be a local spot.
“We like to know people’s names,” he says. “We can create a sense of comfort and neighborhood.”
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Matsu hosts Michelin-Starred Chef Jon Yao on March 18
Matsu chef William Eick will host guest chef Jon Yao from the Michelin-starred, Los Angeles-based Taiwanese restaurant Kato for one night only, plus featured Kato bartenders Austin Hennelly and Han Suk Cho joining. To give you a sense of why this is a big deal, the Los Angeles Times named Kato and Yao Chef and Restaurant of the Year for 2023-2024 while we named Matsu the Best Japanese Restaurant in San Diego for 2023. Needless to say, it’s going to be a star-studded evening for guests’ palates, and reservations for the tasting menu are available on Tock for $275 (not including an optional spirit-free beverage pairing from Kato or sake pairing from Matsu during the meal).
Beth’s Bites
When is An’s Electronic Repair, the second location of gelato darling An’s Dry Cleaning, going to open in Ocean Beach? Desperate sweet tooths (teeth?) demand to know!
I love that Barrio Logan is becoming a magnet for All Things Delicious. El Pez Kitchen, who served up their wildly delicious pulpo tostadas at our first (and sold out) Taste of South Bay fest this weekend, is opening their second location in just a couple of weeks and promises to bring their signature Mexican-Japanese fusion to 1776 National Avenue.
Someone mentioned pupusas to me the other day, and I realized I haven’t been to my usual spot El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante in a while. Are there other pupuserias I should check out? Let me know at [email protected].
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
