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Beer JUNE 7, 2022

Kové Hard Yerba Mate To Open New Tasting Room in Miramar

The new taproom will feature 14 taps and a small-batch brewing facility

Kové Hard Yerba Mate To Open New Tasting Room in Miramar
Photos Courtesy of Kové Hard Yerba Mate
Kové Hard Yerba Mate

Kové Hard Yerba Mate opens June 7 in Miramar

Photos Courtesy of Kové Hard Yerba Mate

One year after opening their inaugural tasting room and brewing facility in Barrio Logan, Kové Hard Yerba Mate is ready to open their second location in Miramar. Yerba mate, an herbal tea popular in South America, has yet to achieve mainstream popularity in the American alcohol industry, but as the world’s first 100% organic, gluten-free, vegan hard yerba mate, Kové hopes to introduce the lightly caffeinated beverage to more people through distribution and expanding roster of San Diego locations.

The new space—which lies smack in the middle of a fermentation hub that includes Pure Project, Duck Foot Brewing Company, Ballast Point, Cutwater Spirits, and more—is the first of several planned outposts for Kové.

Alex Montelbano, Kové co-founder & CEO says with this new location, they aim to transcend the standard taproom setting, calling it a “unique visual experience” complete with artist collaborations and an emphasis on greenery.

“Visually, it is more of an artist curation space with botanicals weaved in, rather than an outdoor botanical experience,” Montelbano says. “Customers will have access to exclusive varietals from Kové’s expert brewer while enjoying beautiful art in various forms from local artists.”

Collaborations with artists, cocktail experts, yoga teachers, professional snowboarders, and other brand ambassadors have been a defining part of Kové’s ethos since its original launch in 2021. Montelbano says these partnerships are “incredibly purposeful” and a key part of their lifestyle image. Plus, as one of the few alcoholic drinks that naturally contains caffeine, their 5-percent-ABV cans are specifically designed to be enjoyed any time of day to complement any activity. “Party with a purpose!” Montelbano laughs.

The 720-square-foot tasting room will also feature a small batch brewing facility. Guests can expect 14 taps with core offerings, rotating specials, and seasonal flavors, as well as plenty of cans, growlers, and variety packs for to-go purchases. Plus, Montelbano promises, they plan to announce several partnerships and new flavors for release later this year. With the added brewing capabilities of the Miramar space, Montelbano says they hope to produce 4,500 barrels of hard yerba mate over the next 12 months. (For comparison, in 2021 Modern Times Beer reported an output of 53,000 barrels.)

The Miramar tasting room will soft launch on June 7 with a grand opening planned for June 25. Operating hours will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Visit the new Kové tasting room at 9030 Kenamar Drive, Suite 309 and follow their progress at drinkkove.com.

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Food & Drink SEPTEMBER 22, 2025

Prosperitea Wants to You to Skip Your Daily Coffee

The matcha pop-up is inviting locals to get their caffeine fix while learning more about Japanese tea culture

Prosperitea Wants to You to Skip Your Daily Coffee
Photo Credit: Nguyen Le

Humans are naturally drawn to vibrant hues like bubblegum pink, amethyst purple, and super-duper lime green. But as appealing as those colors are to our eyes and the algorithm, Nguyen Le says they’re rarely natural.

For example, pure, unadulterated matcha gets its Kermit color from tea leaves (specifically, Camella sinensis leaves), which are then cultivated under shade to boost their chlorophyll and amino acids. Matcha tweaked for our maximum stimuli often include green dyes, or extracts from other leaves (suji, moringa), plus flavor enhancers. For pandan, it’s the same. 

For the signature matcha latte at Prosperitea, Le’s pop-up tea service uses real pandan leaves to create a simple syrup and flavorless green chlorophyll to brighten it up. By avoiding artificial flavors and colors and using seasonal fruits to create different syrups, Le says they can highlight what should be the star of the show—the tea itself.

Photo Credit: Nguyen Le

Le grew up casually drinking tea with meals, but found himself getting more and more into coffee during the pandemic in order to support local coffee shops. “My caffeine intake was getting out of control,” he laughs. He switched to loose leaf tea and eventually matcha, which contains less caffeine and releases it more slowly than coffee. But when he tried matcha in Japan, he realized there was an opportunity to bring its ceremonial-grade to San Diego.

New San Diego craft beverage company Koobrew opening in Miramar

Often used liberally, the term “ceremonial grade,” has no official meaning or criteria, Le explains. It’s an unregulated marketing term that anyone can use to suggest a level of quality (and isn’t used in Japan).

“I think the more accurate description of ‘ceremonial’ would be the first harvest of the tea,” he says. “There’s multiple harvests throughout the year, and the first harvest of the year will always yield the best flavor and color for matcha… typically that’s used for ceremonies for the tea schools.”

Propsperitea offers drinks like lattes and Americanos made with matcha or houjicha (a savory Japanese roasted green tea), milk teas, and cold brew teas infused with seasonal fruits. For fall, Le says they’re bringing on fig leaf, sweet corn, white peach, and maple, along with the signature pandan. For now, Propsperitea pops up every weekend at Relic Bageri’s commerce kitchen at 8585 Commerce Avenue in Miramar, but he hopes to increase the amount of pop-ups and private catering events and eventually find a brick-and-mortar space of its own. 

“I would like to be able to do the whole tea ceremony for patrons that want to experience it, but that’s just not possible in the [pop-up] setting,” he says. “Really, drinking tea is meant to be slowed down, and you’re supposed to enjoy the process. But right now, in America, everything’s just like, go, go, go, and they want that instant gratification. I want to be able to share that experience of slowing down the process.”

Find Propsperitea most Saturdays and every Sunday at 8585 Commerce Avenue. 

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

  • Of all the “Tastes Of” neighborhood food tours, Taste of North Park is one of the most jam-packed. Plus, you can choose your own adventure—try over 50 dishes with the “food-only” ticket, add 15 different drinks with the “food and sip” pass, or split the food and get two tasting cups with the “shareable sip” option. (Clever!) It’s going down on October 4, tickets here. 
  • The mission statement for National City nonprofit San Diego Kollective Foundation says it aims to provide opportunities for the small business community while supporting human causes that affect the San Diego community. To help support those goals, it’s throwing a rad-looking night market on Saturday, October 4 at Kujo Eats (3400 E 8th Street) in National City. The free event will have live music, local vendors, and “flavors from every corner of the city.” 
  • Everyone is feeling a bit of sticker shock in the restaurant world right now, and Caffè Calabria wants to help. Every Wednesday and Thursday starting at 11 a.m., you can grab one of its wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas for $13. It’s a pretty great deal for one of the best pies in town.
  • Caffè Calabria isn’t the only spot trying to provide extra value for guests. This November, Elvira in Ocean Beach is launching Cucina di la Nonna, an immersive private dinner theater experience for up to eight people. It’s modeled after a “1970s Italian grandmother’s home,” which sounds both delicious and intense. I’m ready.

Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene

Beth Demmon

About Beth Demmon

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.

Food & Drink SEPTEMBER 19, 2025

Koobrew Craft Beverage Company & Tasting Room Opens in Miramar

Former Boochcraft and Cutwater brewer/distiller Koo Miyake launches his first San Diego beverage brand

Koobrew Craft Beverage Company & Tasting Room Opens in Miramar
Courtesy of Koobrew

When Koo Miyake moved from Japan to the United States for college, he brought with him a deep-seated cultural appreciation for craftsmanship and attention to detail—something he thinks is falling to the wayside in American-made products.

“You see a lot of drinks, something on Instagram, you don’t even know who owns it or where it’s coming from,” he explains. “It’s just another capitalism product.”

So, he decided to do something about it. 

Logo for new San Diego craft beverage company Koobrew opening in Miramar
Courtesy of Koobrew

Next month, Miyake will open his first beverage line in Miramar, in the former Kové tasting room. Dubbed Koobrew, he’ll offer a core series of functional spritzers made with fermented teas, wine yeasts, and different botanicals, plus a few classic European-style beers like pilsners and witbiers. By tying together Japanese attention to detail and California’s spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, Miyake hopes to help resurrect that sense of craftsmanship that once earned San Diego the title “The Capital of Craft.”

He has the experience to do it, too—Miyake has made hard kombucha at Boochcraft, distilled spirits at Cutwater Spirits, and was head of product and a partner at Kové until it closed earlier this year. He’s also a prodigious homebrewer and former beertender at Mikkeller in Tokyo, and he plans to use all of his beverage-making skills at Koobrew. For the soft opening this October, he’ll have around six different beverage options on draft before expanding to packaged bottles and kegs of around four different beers and around 10 “better for you” beverages. He’ll (eventually) need some help, but for now, Miyake says he wants to keep it a solo show to ensure everything is to his standards.

Interior of new San Diego craft beverage company Koobrew opening in Miramar
Courtesy of Koobrew

“I want to be grounded, put my soul and energy into what I’m making—because after I produce my product, it will be released from me,” he explains. “But until everything comes together, I want to try to make everything by myself so I understand everything, and then [I can] feel like I actually own the product and the space and the philosophy behind it.”

Koobrew opens at 9030 Kenamar Drive, Suite #309 this October. Follow @koobrew.co for more updates.

New San Diego restaurant The Hangout in Normal Heights
Courtesy of The Hangout

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

  • Jay Bhavani Vadapav has nearly 200 locations across India, Canada, Australia, and the United States—and San Diego is about to get its first one. The Indian street food sensation will open by the end of September at 9506 Miramar Road with a range of dishes like vadapav (deep-fried potato patties in a bun topped with different spices and toppings), dabeli (a sweet and spicy potato mixture topped with different chutneys), maskabuns (a pillowy, buttery bun often eaten for breakfast or a snack), and more South Indian favorites like dosa, uttapam, and more. All signs point to yum. 
  • When Cafe 21 closed in Normal Heights this April, the news was met with much wailing and gnashing of teeth. But locals can now get their food fix on once more at The Hangout, serving brunch all week (short rib omelettes, Dutch pancakes, corncakes and crumpets, overnight oats and healthy stuff, bloodys), and dinner on weekends (wings and steak plates, salmon plates, mezze platter, burger, etc.). Welcome to the ‘hood!
  • Farming isn’t getting any easier (and land isn’t becoming less expensive). Those of us who live in cities should be looking to urban farming for tips on how to grow where we live, and Seeds@City Farm can help us do just that. The educational program helps train the next generation of food thought leaders, and you don’t have to be a student to benefit from their programs—you can volunteer, check out their farmstand every Wednesday at San Diego City College, or keep an eye on their schedule for different talks and other events. 
  • Late summer brings one of the most exciting times in craft beer—wet hop season. You can get your fill of the hop-drenched brews at Nickel Beer Company in Julian, which currently has three wet hop beers on draft with two more on the way. (Be warned: these beers are for serious hop-heads only.) 

Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene

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].

Beth Demmon

About Beth Demmon

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.

Food & Drink JUNE 30, 2026

An Emo-Themed Bar & Pizza Joint is Rolling Into OB

Drink 182 will pair pop-punk nostalgia with New England-style pizza starting this summer

An Emo-Themed Bar & Pizza Joint is Rolling Into OB
Courtesy of Drink 182

If you’ve ever squeezed yourself into a pair of black skinny jeans with a studded belt, sported a track jacket under a band t-shirt, or swept your Manic Panic-hued hair so far to the side that your part got caught in your cartilage earring, I have good news: Ocean Beach will get a shot of emo and pop-punk nostalgia when Drink 182 opens this July.

The pop-punk bar and pizza spot comes with bonafide scene points. Co-founder Jay Nightride runs the music production studio Nightride Visuals, has worked with artists like Steve Aoki, Lil Jon, and Fall Out Boy, and also plays in Death Cab for Karaoke, a live karaoke band that performs every month at Soda Bar (among other venues). His partner Tony Jaw is easier to spot—he’s the guy with the sky-high mohawk manning the karaoke booth at Redwing Bar & Grill who’s been in the local bar and hospitality business for over a decade. 

Nightride says he’s had the idea for an emo enclave for years, but it wasn’t until after Covid that he partnered with Jaw and got the funding to move forward. “What I was looking to build was a place that I would want to be, where would I want to go to remember these nostalgic songs,” he says. 

Pending permits and final inspections, Drink 182 is slated to open the second half of July. The vibe will be dive bar meets emo night, with memorabilia from different bands who have supported the project splashed across the walls, plus a few arcade games, TVs, and (I assume) a decent sound system. The hours are still undetermined, but Nightride says they tentatively plan to be open until 2 a.m. on weekends and Wednesdays for the OB Farmers Market. In the mornings, they’ll serve fresh pastries and coffee from the similarly music-aligned James Coffee Company (whose co-owner David Kennedy is a member of Angels & Airwaves with blink-182’s Tom DeLonge).

But it’ll be the pizza that really stands out—or at least, they hope. “We’re doing New England beach pizza… a really niche pizza that not a lot of people would know about, unless you’re from North Shore, Massachusetts,” says Nightride, a former Bostonian. “It’s a thin crust, very sweet sauce, very simple, fast, go-to-the-beach kind of thing.”

“Beach pizza” is characterized by its rectangular shape, very thin crust, sweet tomato sauce, and slices of Provolone cheese with minimal toppings. Drink 182’s version will feature homemade dough and sauce, as well as freshly sliced Boar’s Head Provolone. And yes, they are aware there are already a lot of pizza options in the area. It won’t be the same, Nightride promises. 

“Everybody’s first reaction when they hear ‘pizza’ is like, ‘Oh great, another pizza place in OB,’” he laughs. “But we’re trying to do something different, just enough to differentiate it and give people another option.” If you’re not keen on the style, try one of their “drunkables,” another nostalgic riff they hope the pop-punk and emo crowd will appreciate. And if you still need a reason to give Drink 182 a try, I have more good news—you don’t actually have to break out your old skinny jeans. (In fact, please don’t.)

Drink 182 opens July 2026 at 5049 Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach.

Courtesy of Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Beth’s Bites

  • If the steak hype wasn’t hot enough already, The Heritage Steakhouse in Santee just announced Meredith Manée will serve as executive chef of the New York-style steakhouse when it opens in August. Her star-studded kitchen resume spans over 25 years, with stints at the Hotel del Coronado, the Four Seasons, and The Ritz-Carlton Maui, so I think it’s safe to assume we’ll be in good hands. 
  • Rather than waste away in Margaritaville, you have the chance to support the San Diego Music Foundation at the annual Jimmy Buffett-inspired Day of Service at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. On September 4 starting at 5 p.m., the rooftop bar will be rocking with live music and plenty of flowing cocktails, plus a silent auction and other activations to raise money for the local music education organization. I’ll drink to that. 
  • The early bird gets the worm and you can get the early ticket to Celebrate the Craft, the annual culinary festival that takes place at The Lodge at Torrey Pines on October 18. If you snag your ticket before the end of June, you can save $50 (which is nothing to sneeze at), plus you’ll be helping support the San Diego Food Bank. 
  • Mani e Grani, the pizza spot from the same people behind Ciccia Osteria, seems to be inching ever closer to opening its doors in Barrio Logan. I know I’m not the only one anxiously awaiting sinking my teeth into some wood-fired, chewy but crispy, hot-from-the-oven, authentic Italian pizza.

Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene

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].

Beth Demmon

About Beth Demmon

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.

Studio S JULY 1, 2026

Get Your Home Ready for (San Diego) Summer

Tips from the trusted experts at Mauzy Cooling, Heating, Plumbing, and Electrical

Get Your Home Ready for (San Diego) Summer
Courtesy of Mauzy Heating and Air

San Diego summers can be brutal. But since the hottest period is typically late summer into early fall, San Diegans still have time to prepare. The pros at Mauzy Cooling, Heating, Plumbing, and Electrical are standing by to help homeowners fortify their homes against the elements and ensure their air conditioning is as frosty as the penguins that serve as the company’s mascots. 

Many homeowners underestimate the load their AC system faces, especially in the inland valleys where temperatures regularly top 100 degrees. San Diego regularly sees multi-day heatwaves each summer, and a system that struggles on the first day will likely fail by the third. Longer run times, unusual sounds or smells, and uneven cooling from room to room are all signs that your system may not survive the next hot spell.  

Systems typically last 12 to 17 years, but there are exceptions. If a system is approaching that, or is already there, a professional evaluation is recommended before summer really heats up. A good rule of thumb: If you can’t remember when your system was last serviced, it’s due. 

“As technology changes, systems become smarter and smarter,” says Sean O’Connor, an install manager at Mauzy with 42 years of experience. “There are a lot of people out there who will say a system’s only good for 10 years. I don’t buy that—these systems are built to last as long as they’re taken care of.” 

There are also a few steps homeowners can take between services to extend the life of their system. Regularly changing a dirty filter—especially if you have kids or pets—and keeping an outdoor unit clean can help head off problems in the future, says O’Connor. 

Also, be realistic about whether it’s time to replace a unit. O’Connor likens pouring money into salvaging a faulty unit with patchwork repairs and replacement parts to “tripping over a dollar to pick up a dime.” When one part fails, others are sure to follow, and newer parts may not be compatible with older units. Mauzy recommends homeowners use the 50% rule: If a repair costs more than 50% of the system’s replacement value, and the equipment is over 10 years old, replacement is usually the better long-term value. And don’t forget the ducting. An older house that was built with heat and later had air conditioning added may not have sufficient airflow, regardless of how good the system is. 

Last but not least, homeowners should know who to trust when it comes to their homes. Built on three generations of professional integrity, Mauzy has grown into not just a leader for cooling, heating, plumbing, and electrical services, but a leader in the community known for supporting local nonprofits across an array of causes. To ensure complete peace of mind, Mauzy stands behind a comprehensive 12-point guarantee that outlines its commitment to outstanding service, quality equipment, expert technicians who understand how the local microclimates affect HVAC performance, and no upsells or surprises on the bill. 

“We go the extra mile. That’s what sets us apart,” O’Connor says. To get a free quote today, visit mauzy.com.

Courtesy of Mauzy Heating and Air
Partner Content
Features JUNE 29, 2026

5 San Diego Food Trends to Know About

From surprise revivals to changing dining habits, these are the shifts redefining the local culinary landscape

5 San Diego Food Trends to Know About
Photo Credit: Arlene Ibarra

Comebacks Are the New Kickoffs

If absence makes hearts (and stomachs) grow fonder, then shuttered restaurants quickly become the hottest tickets in town—something a number of iconic institutions found out after taking very public hiatuses after historically long runs. For instance, following a lengthy (and extremely flip-floppy) closing process after 92 years in business, Las Cuatro Milpas reopened two blocks away in Mercado del Barrio. Similarly, Carlsbad butcher shop Tip Top Meats reopened in the same location (albeit a smaller space) after the death of founder Joachim “Big John” Haedrich in 2023. Finally, after a whopping decade out of business, Sami Ladeki and chef Alfie Szeprethy brought back Roppongi to its original Prospect Street space, where it was the talk of the town in the late ’90s. All came back under the same proprietors, so they weren’t third-party nostalgia-licensing deals. The algorithm may have ravaged our attention spans away from all but the newest and shiniest, but this proves there’s still hope for our collective prefrontal cortex.

New Generations Take the Reins

Other local eateries honored their pasts by bringing in new perspectives. The Lion’s Share in Embarcadero, Milton’s Deli in Del Mar, Dudley’s Bakery in Santa Ysabel, and J-K’s Greek Cafe in La Mesa handed over the keys to new owners willing to take on a big task: maintain the soul of icons through particularly rough economic circumstances for restaurants, navigate big feelings from longtime regulars (who often don’t take kindly to change), and make some necessary changes to keep going for another few decades. Taking over a project in process can be a lot harder than starting from scratch. But building that feel-good nostalgia doesn’t happen overnight, so it sure helps to have a well-established playbook of success passed down from those who came before.

Courtesy of Sugarfish

The Expansion Class Arrives

It wasn’t just restaurant groups from Los Angeles that decided to put down roots en masse, although San Diego saw plenty of LA transplants recently (Sugarfish, Mr. Charlie’s, For the Win, Katsuya Ko, Bacari). Global brands like Chef Fei, Zuma, and Pepper Lunch have locations of their own on the way, and upscale Canadian eatery Joey joined to the inescapable gravitational pull of Westfield UTC’s culinary cosmos for its first spot in America’s Finest City. Good to see the rest of the world is catching up with what we’ve been seeing the last few years—San Diego is a dining destination already on the rise.

Choosing To Not Choose

Between the never-ending news cycle of doom and perimenopause brain fog, I’m at the stage in life where I’m more than happy to let someone else make a decision for me, especially when it comes to what’s for dinner. And based on the way a lot of menus look right now, I’m not alone. It seems like half the places I visit offer some version of a prix fixe, omakase, or tasting menu. Restaurants are embracing the curated experience to solve the problem of affordability (a fixed menu reduces food and labor costs, guarantees an acceptable check average, etc.) and critical thinking in one fell swoop. Omakase (meaning “I leave it up to you”) is far from a new concept in high-end Japanese sushi culture, but now that it’s popping up everywhere from coffee experiences to grab-and-go sushi and sandwiches, it’s gone from somewhat niche to nearly omnipresent.

Courtesy of Rikka Fika

Local Coffee Hit the World Stage

The world got an up-close look at San Diego’s coffee industry when we hosted the premier specialty coffee expo World of Coffee for the first time this April. San Diego’s long and rich coffee history stretches back to the late 19th century. Things percolated fairly quietly for around a century before really picking up steam. Today, there are nearly 200 specialty roasters and cafes across the county, with many earning national accolades like the Good Food Award (Steady State Roasting, 2020; Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2016), Roaster of the Year by Roast Magazine (Mostra Coffee, 2020; Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, 2012), and the Specialty Coffee Association Coffee Design Award for packaging (Rikka Fika, 2026). Now that we’ve moved past the comically insufferable coffee snob era of the early 2000s, even java newbies can feel comfortable walking into pretty much any coffee shop in San Diego, asking questions, trying a few things, and feeling confident they’re going to get great service and a great beverage.

Beth Demmon

About Beth Demmon

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.

Food & Drink JUNE 25, 2026

Global Fork Food Hall Opens in Little Italy

Offering everything from smashburgers to sundaes, the latest food hall from Tiger Hospitality opens its doors this weekend

Global Fork Food Hall Opens in Little Italy
Courtesy of Global Fork Food Hall

Omakase and fixed-price menus are one way hospitality businesses are addressing our collective food decision-making fatigue. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, some restaurateurs are offering a bonanza of totally unrelated options for people ordering on a whim. Why not pair a lobster grilled cheese sandwich, açaí bowl, and ridiculously loaded hot dog? 

Starting June 27, diners can satisfy their spur-of-the-moment appetites at Global Fork in Little Italy, the latest food hall from Southern California-based Tiger Hospitality. 

Six different food concepts will be featured in the 4,685-square-foot, indoor-outdoor space along the Piazza della Famiglia promenade. The space’s inaugural lineup includes a mix of Tiger Hospitality-owned concepts (Cosmos Burger, La Vida, Lobster Lab, and Prik Ki Nu Thai) and outside operators (Seattle-based Moto Pizza and Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream). The space next door, Good Enough Cocktail Club, is another Tiger-backed brand, operated by the team behind Same Same and Amor y Magia in Carlsbad.

Cosmos Burger serves smashburgers stacked with classic toppings, while Lobster Lab focuses on seafood favorites including lobster rolls, shrimp rolls, and lobster mac n’ cheese. Prik Ki Nu Thai adds Thai street food to the mix, with traditional noodle, rice, and stir-fry dishes. And for those looking for something on the lighter side, La Vida offers things like smoothies, salads, and wraps. 

Courtesy of Global Fork Food Hall

Moto Pizza focuses on Detroit-style square pizza with Filipino influences and, despite the name, is not affiliated with Mr. Moto Pizza. Handel’s, which began in Ohio in 1945, will offer dozens of flavors ranging from staples like chocolate and vanilla to rotating specialties packed with candies, cookies, and other mix-ins. (Handel’s already has a number of locations across San Diego, with a La Mesa store coming later this year.) 

Some of these vendors already operate at Miramar Food Hall, the other Tiger-owned food hall in San Clemente. And some of them will also appear in Station8, the next food hall slated to open in UC San Diego’s Theatre District Living and Learning Neighborhood later this fall. But if you ask me, reviving the space that housed the Little Italy Food Hall before its closure last February is a far better outcome than leaving empty suites smack in the middle of an area saturated with fantastic food options. Plus, where else can you order a slice of beef adobo pizza alongside squares of caviar toast and a banana split?

Global Fork opens June 27 at 550 W. Date Street, Suite B, in Little Italy. Initial operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, but vendor hours may differ. 

Courtesy of Holland Partner Group

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Beth’s Bites

  • La Jolla is reviving one of its own shuttered spaces this August with Tacos & Jarros, coming to the space on Wall Street that formerly housed Comedor Nishi and Coffee Cup. The all-day Mexican restaurant is the latest project from the family behind Cazadores Mexican Grill in Santee and Cotija’s Taco Shop, and will offer wine, beer, tacos, traditional breakfast dishes, as well as lunch and dinner. Some concepts may have hit their ceiling (craft beer, anyone?), but thankfully, it seems that Mexican food still has a long way to go before that. 
  • In the latest hilariously-named collaboration, on June 9, The Lion’s Share will host executive chef Tara Monsod from Animae for a one-night event called Animaeniacs. (Millennials who know, know.) The three-time James Beard Award Semifinalist Monsod will work with Lion’s Share executive chef and co-owner Dante Romero to create a multi-course, family-style dinner inspired by Romero’s Mexican background and Monsod’s Filipino heritage. Tickets get you a seat at the table, plus access to an afterparty in the Marina neighborhood hotspot’s loft, with seatings at 5 p.m. for the early birds and 8:30 p.m. for the night owls. 
  • Thanks to my son’s lifelong obsession with boba, I’m always on the lookout for the latest bubble tea place to check out. Next on my list is Tera Tea House, a boba, matcha, and fruit tea joint coming this month (maybe?) to City Heights near the Copley-Price YMCA. Will I go because their logo is a cartoon dinosaur sipping on boba tea? No, but it sure doesn’t hurt.
  • After opening their latest outpost in North Park, Moniker Group announced plans to open their third Moniker General later this year inside West, a 37-story mixed use building coming to downtown at 1011 Union Street. The space will continue the group’s signature menu of coffee, cold brew, matcha, small bites, wine, and beer, and founder Ryan Sisson says they identified downtown for their next location due to the area’s “tremendous amount of momentum.” I’ve never lived in a building with a built-in coffee shop, but I’ve got to admit, it does sound like a pretty nice perk.

Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene

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].

Beth Demmon

About Beth Demmon

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.

Partner Content JULY 2, 2026

Top Lawyers 2026: Panakos LLP

Discover San Diego’s Top Lawyers — the region’s most trusted legal professionals across diverse practice areas.

Top Lawyers 2026: Panakos LLP
SDM: Top Lawyers 2026

Daniel A. Kaplan

Daniel A. Kaplan is a founding partner of Panakos LLP with more than three decades of civil litigation experience in both state and federal courts. Mr. Kaplan pursues and defends legal claims on behalf of companies, entrepreneurs, and business owners in high-stakes disputes. He focuses on business disputes including breach of contract, unfair competition, trade secret theft, securities disputes, fraud/misrepresentations, and employment matters.

“The best advocacy combines preparation, perspective, and a client relationship built on trust and candor.” — Daniel A. Kaplan

His clients include real estate investors, private and public corporations, and individuals seeking sophisticated legal counsel. Known for practical judgment and strategic advocacy, he works closely with an experienced and diverse legal team to protect, enforce, and defend his clients’ interests.

555 W. Beech Street, Ste. 500, San Diego, California 92101
619-8000-LAW
Panakos.law

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