JoJo Ruiz has been one of the names on “up-and-coming chefs” lists for a while. He was originally slated to be the chef de cuisine at the newly renovated Craft & Commerce. But when the ever-hip Pendry Hotel calls with a bigger dollar, you answer.
As the chef of the property’s signature restaurant, Lionfish, Ruiz will oversee the hotel’s coastal cuisine with a two-story restaurant. Make no mistake: Ruiz can cook, and Pendry is one of the better hotel groups to open in San Diego in a long time. It’s the biggest opening in San Diego since Nobu at Hard Rock. Worth a visit. Or three.
Photo by Paul Body