Ocean Beach has always existed in its own world. It’s precisely that weird, wacky, wild, and wonderful world that business partners Kyle Jaworski and Sebastian Widman want to invest in by opening The Jetty at 4934 Voltaire Street in spring 2025.
“We want to be a place for people in town,” says Jaworski. “Ocean Beach is a very unique community, and a unique market where it’s important that you cater to the locals.”
Jaworski says The Jetty is not a gastropub but is reluctant to define exactly what it will be. He calls it a beach pub-meets-lounge with an “eclectic menu” that will draw a lot from Widman’s craft beer and cocktail experience and dishes they feel OB currently lacks. “But I don’t want to give away too much about our menu ideas yet because it’s still a work in progress,” he laughs.
But he knows one thing for sure—they’re committed to contributing to the local OB community. Jaworski estimates he worked for the NZ Eats Group (Raglan Public House, Queenstown Public House) for around 14 years and has been on the Board of Directors of Ocean Beach Main Street Association for nearly nine years. Widman is part-owner of Ocelot Brewing Company in Virginia, was the sales manager for Amplified Ale Works for years, and was the bar manager at local OB spots The Joint and The Bowl. All this is to say that one, they have the industry chops, and two, Ocean Beach has become home to both over the years. They feel ready to create a gathering space that fits with the, shall we say, particular OB flavor.
Part of that means renovating the former Voltaire Beach House, both physically and psychically. Voltaire Beach House first opened in January 2017 and unceremoniously closed this September amid allegations of theft, assault, and other accusations from both managers and employees, according to Fox 5 San Diego.
“There were some bad vibes, bad blood,” he says. “Just not a good feeling about the place from the community… [but] we really feel that with our connections to the community, we can make this an anchor for his side of town.” Renovations will be primarily aesthetic, but Jaworski says they plan to rebuild the outdoor patio and update some paint and finishes to spruce up the place. They’ll also work on community events with adjacent businesses and subtenants, such as The Artist Outpost.
It’ll take a lot of work, probably some luck, definitely some money, and heaps of resolve. But Jaworski says getting the opportunity to leave their mark, especially in that area of OB, is worth it. “To be able to actually own a business in town is an awesome, awesome feeling.”
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
New Updates On That Brewpub on Adams Avenue
Well, it didn’t open this fall, out Collin Corrigan, founder of Cerveceria Transpeninsular in Ensenada and former partner in El Cruce in Chula Vista, says he and his wife are the new managers of what will be known as Una Mas, opening in March 2025.
The mixed-use space at 2611 Adams Avenue will still be beer-focused, with a heavy emphasis on San Diego local beer from places like AleSmith, Karl Strauss, Coronado, Ballast Point, and Pizza Port, as well as Baja breweries like Insurgente, Transpeninsular, Wendlandt, Baja Brewing, and more. Corrigan says there will also be wines, kombuchas, and NA offerings as well, with Mexican-inspired street food and pub favorites on the menu. The indoor/outdoor concept will be kid- and pet-friendly. “Myself and the partners are all born and raised here in San Diego, so that makes us very proud to do this,” he says.
Beth’s Bites
- Roseacre is coming to La Jolla in the spring 2025. Paul Basile (Basile Studio) and Jules Wilson (Jules Wilson Design Studio) are behind the design of the restaurant set to replace Adelaide’s flower shop at 7766 Girard Avenue, with chef Erik Anderson tapped to head the kitchen. Anderson has a star-studded past, working in kitchens like Coi in San Francisco and earning two Michelin stars as executive chef. His resume is glitteringly impressive—The French Laundry, Noma. We already had eyes on La Jolla, so now I’ll spare another one because that area just can’t stop, won’t stop.
- A grab-and-go concept called Quick Bites opens in Little Italy in January, promising high-quality convenience for us tornado people on the go. As a working parent, I have basically zero time to screw around on any given day, so I say hallelujah! Did I mention there will be cold brew, too?
- The Midway District is on the precipice of massive change but it’s not immune from the typical restaurant turnover. At 3145 Sports Arena Boulevard, Round Table Pizza is out (buh-bye!), and Kiiro Sushi Izakaya is in. I’m not sure yet when this swap will happen, but hey, there’s always an In-N-Out across the street while you wait.
- The sister businesses Tablespoon and Collins & Coupe are hosting The Twelve Tastes of Christmas this month, with a different local vendor on hand every day for you to meet, greet, and shop with directly. Check their Instagram for upcoming vendors’ schedules, including a mobile knife sharpener and a few local bitters companies.
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