New Restaurants in San Diego
Oceanside’s Northern Pine Brewing Co. Opens Idaho-Inspired Restaurant
When Anne and Aaron Ortega, co-founders of Northern Pine Brewing Co., dreamed of their next venture, they knew they wanted it to reflect their roots: Idaho. Their idea for The Lodge was born. Housed in the 3,000-square-foot kitchen attached to the brewery, the new eatery features comfort foods like biscuits, fried chicken, homemade soups and fresh produce.
Anne and Aaron brought on Executive Chef Lucas Moreira (previously of Dija Mara and All Mine) to help bring their vision to life. Moreira makes all of the restaurant’s biscuits, brioche buns, sauces, oils, gravies and stocks in-house while running three different meat smokers in the kitchen.
On the menu, Ortega recommends their finger steaks, an Idaho classic she says, with sliced and marinated sirloin strips that are deep fried and topped with their Lodge sauce. Their smoked lion’s mane is also on the top of her list, blending smoked lion’s mane with brown butter, crème fraiche, cucumber and pickled shallots.
And, of course, an obvious must-try is their biscuits and buttermilk-marinated fried chicken. They also just started serving weekend brunch, adding in dishes like chicken and waffles and their mountain benedict with a poached egg, brown butter hollandaise and your choice of protein on one of their specialty biscuits. Coming soon, Ortega hopes to offer beer pairings alongside their food menu.
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Chef Ambrely Ouimette will no longer be part of the launch of Hasekura, the new Mexican-inspired sushi joint opening in Barrio Logan atop Fish Guts. Owner Pablo Becker says the project is still a go, though, and a search for a new sushi chef is underway.
Downtown Chula Vista is hosting their annual Taste of Third event on Thursday, March 21 with more than two dozen local businesses serving their fare along Third Avenue. Guests will get a passport to guide them through the neighborhood as they conquer the food tour.
George’s at the Cove is celebrating their 40th anniversary in La Jolla this year. To kick off the party, the team is introducing a new happy hour menu in their bar areas through February 29 with half off beers and wines by the glass, alongside cheap bites like crispy shrimp and parmesan herb fries.
