If walls could talk, the ones at 2812 Kettner Boulevard could tell some gnarly tales. “I have pictures from Casbah owner [Tim Mays] with Kurt Cobain singing in that space; Alanis Morissette sang in that space,” explains Robert Richter.
That space was the original location of San Diego’s iconic indie-music box, The Casbah (which moved down the street to its current location in 1994).
Richter and business partner Paul Scappechio plan to honor that history when they open Kiku Room, San Diego’s newest listening bar and cocktail lounge. Whereas most listening bar concepts lean toward a chill vibe, Richter says Kiku will up the energy.
“Music with a pulse is definitely the key here,” he explains, pointing to dark disco, international dance music, Balearic house music. It won’t be a club environment, he’s clear to point out—more of an intimate neighborhood bar that spins tunes with a beat.
Listening bars depend on prime acoustics and prime drinks. On the drinks side, Kiku enlisted Taylor Ivision, a bar consultant who tended at CH Projects’ Youngblood and Noble Experiment. The core will be riffs on classics—Negronis, martinis, and Midori sours—at a neighborly price.
“We’re just kind of tired of paying $18 for a drink, and a lot of other people are too,” Richter says. Kiku will always have a rotating option of three or four classic cocktails for $10. “We’ll have our specialty cocktail menu that’s a bit higher priced, but we at least want to give the option to get a classic for 10 bucks.”
The space doesn’t have a kitchen, and they’ve got no interest in adding one. “It’s always been a bar, on and off since the ’60s, and we’re going to keep that alive,” he says. Expect drink-friendly (nuts, olives), though Richter does hope to partner with food trucks and other pop-ups.
Ralitsa Kombakis of Studio Rallou is designing the stripped-down space that Richter calls “a reprieve from the maximalist trend sweeping the city. We really want the space to feel like your neighborhood bar.”
Kiku Room opens summer 2025 at 2812 Kettner Boulevard.
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Michelin Star Chefs Coming for One Night at Valle
On January 30, Michelin-starred Valle hosts the fourth iteration of its Tres Amigos chef series. To kick it off, Valle chef Roberto Alcocer invites two fellow Southern California chefs to play for a night: Tony Esnault of Michelin-star L.A. spot, Knife Pleat, whose restaurants Church & State and Spring made Jonathan Gold’s annual “101 Best Restaurants;” and Chris Barnum-Dann (another Michelin man and James Beard semifinalist who’s done the Food Network thing). With three Michelin stars between the chefs, it probably won’t suck. Tickets are available right here while they last.
Oceanside Launches Inaugural Swell Plates Series
Oceanside’s recent-ish food revolution has been well-documented, and this month you can taste a decent portion of the buzz in one fell swoop. From January 15 through February 13, the new Swell Plates Series will bring together restaurants like Flying Pig, Allmine, Matsu, 333 Pacific, Dija Mara, 24 Suns (newcomers from chefs who worked at Addison). See the full list of restaurants and dishes here.
Beth’s Bites
- Westfield UTC’s culinary transformation just added two more arrivals to its food city. Melo Melo’s silky jelly desserts have landed right behind Uniqlo, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream lands on January 17. Would I try a ranch-flavored scoop? Inconclusive. Would I smash a pint of their coffee affogato on a Friday night? Absolutely.
- San Diego is finally getting the bagel scene we’ve all been waiting for. Spill the Beans is a coffee shop first, but their bagels shouldn’t be overlooked. Chef Karina Orozco’s signatures range from standards like plain and everything, plus sweets like French Toast and cinnamon raisin, and savories like onion and garlic and sundried tomato-cheese. She also does housemade spreads (like red chili & garlic, my personal obsession). Their fourth location at 980 Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach is now open seven days a week, and yes, after what feels like 200 years, their Ocean Beach spot is still coming soon.
- It’s time to say farewell to beloved bakery and cafe La Clochette in Pacific Beach, but the concept isn’t gone. Their Mission Valley location in Civita remains open, so we can still get our Croque Monsieur fix.
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].
