In 2015 and 2022, respectively, the psychedelic space-age bonanzas known as Kindred and Mothership opened in San Diego. Since then, the team behind the restaurants have helped put San Diego on the map for inventive eating and drinking experiences that often thrill, sometimes confuse, but generally delight guests.
Now, they’re expanding their intergalactic clutches into University Heights—specifically, to 4608 Park Blvd, the new home for Vulture and Dreamboat projected to open sometime in the summer or fall of this year.
The two projects will fall under one roof (which makes sense once you take real estate prices into account) but will each offer a unique approach to their signature brand of offbeat vibes. “Vulture will be a resurrected institution of yesteryear, reimagined through the eclectic possibility of today,” said owner Kory Stetina.
You may be asking yourself “What on earth does that mean?” Don’t worry—I had the same reaction. Basically, it’ll be a dinner spot, with dim lighting, inspired by mid-century aesthetics, and a reimagined bar program that will take classic cocktails and put a new spin on them. Easy enough to digest, if I’m right.
Alternatively, Dreamboat will focus on breakfast, lunch, and desserts, operating as a “micro-diner” with only 10 seats. It’ll be more grab-and-go than stay-and-chill, serving coffee, pastries, and pie from morning until night. (Sometimes you want a late-night sweet—I get it!)
Economic reports estimate between three and six percent of the American population identify as vegan. That would mean there are around 41,460 to 82,920 vegans out of San Diego city’s 1.382 million people, and there are probably less than 30 strictly vegan restaurants across the whole county. That’s a big gap between supply and demand, and Stetina is smart to capitalize on it.
Plus, judging by the vegan and vegetarian options at nearby Kairoa Brewing Company and the fully vegetarian menu at Plumeria down the street, plenty of hungry and thirsty meat-averse diners are already lurking the streets of University Heights. Now, they’ll get even more out-of-this-world, animal-friendly, plant-based food and drink served directly into their humanoid face receptacles. Take me to your tempeh.
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Alesmith Brewing Brings Coffee & Beer Together on March 16
San Diego brewing pioneer Alesmith Brewing already dabbles in craft beer, non-alcoholic beer, and even cheese. But on March 16, it’ll bring another perennial favorite into the Miramar facility for Coffee & Beer, a celebration of coffee beers brewed with roasters across the country. Collaborative beers include San Diego’s Goal Brewing and Mostra Coffee, San Antonio’s Weathered Souls and What’s Brewing Coffee, and more. The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., but they ask that attendees RSVP here so they can prepare accordingly.
Beth’s Bites
A few days ago, I saw a picture of the steak frites at Neighborhood and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them.
Giorgino’s is one of those places where I order the same thing every time—a Godfather cold cut, hold the onions (don’t @ me). BRB, on a sandwich run.
Sushi Ota isn’t the fanciest sushi spot, and it’s certainly not the cheapest, but it’s been my number one favorite for years. My go-to sushi order is definitely the Golden Eye (Kinme) and at least one Rainbow Roll, but is there anything else I should branch out with when I go next? Let me know—[email protected].
