Whether you have a taste for smoked meats or sushi, San Diego’s food scene is serving up cuisine for diners of all palates.
The illuminated dining room at International Smoke Del Mar SUSHI PHOTO COURTESY OF FORMULA MARKETING
Stunning bento boxes of sushi await at the new Matsuoka Pure Sushi. SUSHI PHOTO COURTESY OF FORMULA MARKETING
OUT OF THE BOX Trained under Michelin-starred chefs in Tokyo, owner Junya Watanabe and executive chef Hajime Matsuoka are now taking what they’ve learned and sharing it with San Diego locals at Matsuoka Pure Sushi. Nestled in a shared space with RakiRaki Ramen & Tsukemen, Pokirrito and vegan sushi concept Th e Yasai on Convoy Street, the fresh eatery offers fish lovers bento boxes filled with specialty dome-shaped temari sushi, classic and exotic rolls, nigiri, chirashi sushi or multicourse dining experiences in the style of a seasonal kaiseki meal. Go ahead, dive in. 4646 Convoy St., Ste. 101-B, Kearny Mesa, 858.240.1511, matsuokasushi.com
New executive chef James Montejano INTERNATIONAL SMOKE PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MINA GROUP
UP IN SMOKE Veteran chef James Montejano has departed his most recent outpost at RMD Group’s Huntress, where he served as corporate executive chef, to rejoin his longtime mentor Michael Mina and the renowned Ayesha Curry at International Smoke Del Mar. Since 1993, Montejano has been in and out of kitchens with Mina at Aqua and Mina’s Michelin-starred eponymous restaurant in San Francisco, plus he’s led the kitchen at La Valencia, picking up a number of accolades along the way. Now, Montejano is bringing the heat at International Smoke, where he’s serving wood-fired meats—think smoked Korean-style prime brisket—plus seafood and plenty of comforting sides. Don’t miss Curry’s freshly baked cornbread with Thai red curry butter—heavenly! 3387 Del Mar Heights Road, Bldg. 1, Del Mar, 619.331.4528, internationalsmoke.com
A peek at Verbena Kitchen’s charming space in North Park VERBENA KITCHEN PHOTO BY SHAY STUDIO
IN THE KITCHEN Blue Bridge Hospitality and Trust Restaurant Group alum chef Ronnie Schwandt has joined forces with event planner Jillian Ziska of To Be Designed to open Verbena Kitchen, a new neighborhood eatery in North Park, currently open for brunch and dinner. The evening menu offers seasonally driven dishes ranging from Peruvian shrimp ceviche to wagyu beef tartare. Return on Sundays for salmon toast and chilaquiles paired with drink specials like The Gucci Mary (a white truffle bloody mary and a deviled egg ) from general manager Dallas Juanes. 3043 University Ave., North Park, 619.269.5776, verbenakitchensd.com
Brighten up your palate with more than 70 types of sushi at the new Mikami Bar & Revolving Sushi. MIKAMI SUSHI AND JUNIPER & IVY PHOTO BY JTRAN PHOTO
READY TO ROLL It’s all about the dining experience at Mikami Bar & Revolving Sushi, which now claims the title of the largest revolving sushi restaurant in California. With more than 70 types of sushi that travel throughout the space on a winding conveyor belt, the new Kearny Mesa concept is the brainchild of head chef Aiden KT Lee. Expect nigiri, cut rolls, ramen, udon, spicy edamame and more. 7319 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Kearny Mesa, 858.278.2166, mikamisushi.com
Juniper & Ivy’s new executive chef, Jason Franey MIKAMI SUSHI AND JUNIPER & IVY PHOTO BY JTRAN PHOTO
CHANGING HANDS Juniper & Ivy, Little Italy’s acclaimed restaurant that’s been hailed as one of San Diego’s best by Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand, is shaking things up by promoting its current executive chef Anthony Wells to culinary director and bringing on the accomplished Jason Franey in his place. A three-time James Beard finalist, Franey brings with him an impressive résumé that includes Seattle’s Canlis, Monterey’s Restaurant 1833, and Michael Mina’s eponymous restaurants in Las Vegas and San Francisco. Look for Franey to build upon Juniper & Ivy’s beloved menu this fall. 2288 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, 619.269.9036, juniperandivy.com
The dazzling dining room. MIKAMI SUSHI AND JUNIPER & IVY PHOTO BY JTRAN PHOTO
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