The Beatles. The Strokes. The Who. The, The. Add “The” to the beginning of a name and you’ve got a strong start to a good concept. In Del Mar, two The-leading concepts from Clique Hospitality are gearing up to launch: The Kitchen (due late February) and The Clubhouse (sometime in March).
Clique Hospitality already occupies a dynastic legacy in San Diego and beyond, behind places like Serẽa Coastal Cuisine at Hotel del Coronado, Lionfish at Pendry San Diego, and Temaki Bar in Encinitas, to name just a few. Chef Ryan Bullock, previously from MIHO Catering, will be executive chef for both locations and designer of the California cuisine menu that he says will incorporate plenty of flavors from around the globe, from continents like Asia and countries like Spain.
While both properties will open at Torrey View by Breakthrough’s life sciences campus (and both will feature ocean views), The Kitchen’s indoor/outdoor concept will fit 200 seated guests and focus on lunch and light bites like chef-curated bowls, such as the Mediterranean chicken bowl and tuna sandwich.
But the BYOBowl options “are more similar to Tender Greens or CAVA,” explains Bullock. “You’re gonna walk up and make your own bowl or wrap… it’s all counter-service pickup.” Weekday hours will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and both locations will be closed over the weekends.
Fare at The Clubhouse promises to be a bit heartier than its more health-conscious sibling, with Baja-inspired and signature dishes like lobster rolls and brownie sundaes available for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and early dinner. Bullock says early standouts include the smoked chicken wings, signature burger, and steak fries. Of course, plenty of curated wines and “a full mixology experience” will be available to amplify the cuisine. Around 230 guests can relax at The Clubhouse from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every weekday.
Bullock says once they work out the early-opening kinks, they hope to offer both spaces for event rentals. “One of the greatest things about the property is the layout for events,” he promises. “That’s something we’re hoping to hash out here in the next couple of days.” Drinking and dining with a view of the sparkling Pacific may seem like an old hat to us lucky San Diegans, but I gotta say—it never gets old.
The Kitchen will open at 11208 El Camino Real Ste. 160, and The Clubhouse will open at 11220 El Camino Real Ste. 100.
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
It’s been a dozen wonderful years of The Lion’s Share, who we named as having one of the best bartender teams in 2023. To mark their 12 year anniversary, Executive Chef Mandy Cook designed a new menu that will launch on February 9, a day after their “celebration of exotic proportions” on Thursday, February 8 from 6 p.m. to close. Be warned—they advise guests “must love adventure and taxidermy.”
Gimme all the chiles—New Mexico eatery The Farmacy is coming soon to the Gaslamp Quarter. If their popular Albuquerque location is any indication, we can expect breakfast/brunch fare, an espresso bar, and retail space where Minou previously occupied. Construction and permit holdups have delayed their opening, but we’ll be keeping an eye on their Instagram page for future updates.
Beth’s Bites
Phillip Esteban’s popular Filipino concept White Rice just announced yet another collaborative pop-up at the White Rice Morena location in Linda Vista. The Breakfast Club will bring Bread & Butter and Provecho! Coffee every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, plus offer some sneak peeks at Esteban’s forthcoming Wildflour Delicatessen in Liberty Station. It’s everything delicious under one roof.
Now some bad news: my personal favorite chef in San Diego, Socheath Sun of Angkorian Pikestaff, announced her weekly residency inside Market on 8th is temporarily on hiatus. A few other vendors have already pulled out of the National City space—I smell trouble in paradise.
I’m obsessed with Mission Valley’s 626 Night Market and cannot wait for the next one. Their vendor signup sheet is currently live, and they promised to announce some “BIG news” tomorrow—is it the next event date? I can only (hungrily) wait and pray.
