Is it me, or is it virtually impossible to spend less than $50 eating out nowadays? No shade to operators just trying to keep their margins high enough to pay workers and stay in business, but my wallet is definitely feeling the burn.
That’s far from a universal truth, of course. You’ve just gotta look. Plenty of places are leaning into budget-friendly specials (Herb & Sea’s “Happy Meal” comes to mind—a smash burger with fries, three oysters, and a glass of sparkling wine will set you back a very reasonable $20). Bars are responding in kind, adding ultra-premium items for high rollers as well as classic basics that keep prices in single digits, or at least close to it.
That’s precisely what Mike Mayaudon and Shawn Seaman hope to do when they open Good Enough in Little Italy. For $14, guests can get a signature house cocktail, most of which will be twists on traditional drinks. You may already be familiar with some of the drinks from the pair’s other venture, Same Same in Carlsbad—like the Sioux City Old Fashioned with bourbon, a root beer reduction, R&D cherry apple bitters, Angostura bitters, and absinthe.
“I think there’s a void that we can fill there, in terms of something that’s just really approachable,” says Mayaudon. “Shawn and I have both worked in really nice higher-end places and then dive bars… we’re kind of blending a mix of the two.”
Courtesy of Same Same Carlsbad
Of course, operating in Little Italy doesn’t come cheap. The pair promises to offer plenty of premium items as well to accommodate all budgets. “We were even talking about, jokingly, putting on a baller menu,” laughs Seaman. “We might even do, like, $150 Manhattan or something.” But, Mayaudon adds, if you want to follow up a $30 Old Fashioned with a cheap beer and shot, they’re more than happy to oblige.
They’re not cutting corners on the drinks or food, which will feature Spanish-style tapas and pintxos like an off-menu Basque cheesecake limited to eight slices a day. Nor will the sound system be the typical bar speakers plugged into someone’s Spotify playlist. Vintage 1975 Cornwall speakers will provide an “old, warm sound,” promises Seaman. It’s not a listening bar, per se, but hi-fi vibes are definitely on the menu with lots of records and local art completing the space’s aesthetic.
From September 2 through December 5, Good Enough will feature bar takeovers for two-week stints with brands like Fernet-Branca, WhistlePig, and more. But overall, Seaman says they just want to be a place that’s approachable, affordable, and a good hangout spot. “It’s been wonky times, and everyone just keeps jacking their prices up,” he says. “We’ve got your back in these wonky times.”
Good Enough soft opens on Friday, August 22 in the former Basta space. Hours will be from 5 p.m. to midnight daily.
Courtesy of Clos Benoit
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Good Things Come In Fours
At 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 12 at the Sheraton San Diego Resort, Rumorosa is throwing a four-course wine pairing with Clos Benoit. The Valle de Guadalupe–based winery specializes in “food wine,” meaning it’s specifically designed to pair with meals, and by the look of the menu, they know how to do it. The La Paloma White kicks things off with a shrimp ceviche, followed by sea bass with a rosé, Mexican-style birria osso bucco with a 2020 red, and of course everyone’s favorite chocolate cake with another red vintage. Tickets to the 21+ event are available now.
Courtesy of For The Win LA
Beth’s Bites
Bottle Rocket, we’ll miss you. The East Village pub will permanently close this October after six years of craft beer and cheesesteaks. If you haven’t checked them out, you still have a couple months to get your grub on, so head to 805 16th Street to get your last pints and Padres games.
Is it me, or is San Diego suddenly burger rich? I feel like we’ve gotten a boatload of new burger spots semi-recently (and this is by no means a complaint). For The Win from Los Angeles is the latest transplant, landing in Pacific Beach this month with a signature smash burger. During the pandemic, chef-owner Santos Yu went from fancy French food to takeout, and it seems to have worked out nicely for him. For The Win now has 10 locations with at least six more on the way. Burgers have better margins than bistros, it seems.
Bottlecraft is exiting Oceanside, but they made sure the void got filled ASAP. Shoots originally started as a pop-up inside Bottlecraft’s location in Tremont Collective, with chef Davin Waite (The Plot, Wrench & Rodent) teaming up with pro surfer Cheyne Magnusson for a seafood-centric casual concept. Now, they’re taking over the whole enchilada, offering indoor and outdoor seating, 30 taps of craft beer, and an onsite wine and beer shop curated by Bottlecraft to keep that connection. Seems like a convenient handoff for everyone—great teamwork, all!
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Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
