As we reported this week, Donovan’s is shuttering their Prime Seafood concept on Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp. We gave a couple hints last night about the new operator, but now we’ve been cleared to release a couple advance details. Eric Leitstein and his OMG Restaurant Group are taking over the lease. “It’s going to be an extension of the Union Kitchen + Tap brand,” says Leitstein, talking about his beer-and-bites concept in Encinitas. Leitstein is going to take a month, travel to a few cities to scout concepts, and solidify his vision for the 7,500 square-foot space after the new year. But, interestingly, he mentioned his first venue—the now-closed Mission Beach live music den, Canes.
“It does have a live entertainment license,” he said. “I do know something about booking bands. I wouldn’t try to turn it into a House of Blues. But I wouldn’t mind filling the kind of hole that’s being left by Croce’s.” Croce’s, which for years showcased live blues and jazz, is closing at the end of the year.
For the record, OMG are the initials of Leitstein’s three children.
INCOMING: Union Kitchen + Tap (sort of)
