Perhaps it was written in the stars, but recent times saw the closure of North Park’s astrology-themed speakeasy The Seventh House and its attached restaurant Cacio e Pepe. But the universe provides, and come late February-ish, Sono, a new modern Italian eatery will take their place.
This is the second project for husband and wife restaurateurs Ocean Mohamadi and Nino Cusimano. Their first was Flora, located just a few blocks away. They’ve got a long pedigree in San Diego hospitality and are still affiliated with Little Italy’s Roman Wolves. But Flora and Sono marks the build of their own restaurant group—with Cusimano’s the executive chef of both, and Mohamadi running cocktails.
Cusimano’s menu will be inspired by Sicily, Rome, and Naples, with shareable plates, made-from-scratch pastas, pizzas, and tableside focaccia—plus “Pizza Sono” with salsiccia (Italian sausage), friarielli arrostiti (Neapolitan broccoli rabe), mozzarella di bufala, shaved Parmigiano, and toasted walnuts; housemade baked gnocchi with pomodoro sauce, eggplant, basil, and fresh mozzarella di bufala; and polpo croccante with crispy octopus, potato purée, and pea sauce.
Cassandra Builer of Huntress Decor is completely redesigning the 3,500-square-foot space as an ode to 1970s glamour, using concrete, wood, and some very bold animal prints with lots of leather and burgundy. Just looking at the renderings makes me want a cigarette and a martini.
The name “sono,” which means “I am,” in Italian, comes from the idea that restaurants should feel deeply personal, explains Cusimano. “Everything we open is a pretty direct reflection of our lives,” he says. “Our motto is always come as a stranger, leave as family.”
Once open, they hope to host pop-ups and collaborations with other small businesses in North Park. I don’t need a crystal ball to tell him that’s a good idea.
Sono opens at 2835 University Avenue in late February.
Photo Credit: Marshall Williams
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Are They Or Aren’t They? Las Cuatro Milpas May Live Again
In the latest twist in the Las Cuatro Milpas saga, the Barrio Logan institution officially closed the doors of the restaurant space they’ve occupied since 1933 this past December. But wait! After saying they aren’t closing, then saying they are closing but aren’t selling to their neighbors, then selling to their neighbors but maybe staying open for a while, then not staying open, the latest latest is that the family is looking for a new location to reopen in Barrio Logan in an undetermined period of time. Y’all, this is exceptionally good news for my stomach, but I’m not sure my heart can take much more of this.
Courtesy of Harland Brewing Company
Beth’s Bites
The San Diego Museum of Art turns 100 this February, and Burgeon Beer Company is cracking a few cold ones to kick off the party early. The Century Mark pilsner is based on pre-Prohibition lagers (a choice to represent a popular turn of the century brewing style) while the Creative Visions double-dry, hopped, hazy IPA takes the opposite tack by using all state-of-the-art ingredients and techniques as an ode to modernity and the future. (Hat tip to Panama66 owner Jeff Motch for the heads up about the double release.) Grab either (or both!) at a Burgeon taproom near you starting Friday, January 30.
Opening a brewery nowadays is either a smart business move or a fool’s errand, but Harland Brewing Company seems to have found the formula that works. The adventure-oriented beer brand is opening its fourth location (and first full-service restaurant) on Friday, Jan 30 at 16480 Paseo Del Sur, Suite 105. Its already gone from just beer to a counter-service cafe and coffee shop-slash-taproom since opening its first facility in 2019, so clearly, this slow but steady move toward more good food along with good beer seems to be the ticket.
Sura Korean BBQ in Chula Vista is fired up. The Korean barbecue spot just added a fan favorite to their already pretty extensive offerings—Shabu Shabu, or Japanese hot pot. I’m already obsessed with their AYCE KBBQ experience, and this new offering is just making me salivate that much more.
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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.
