Downtown’s Exciting Growth and Development

After some lean years, we’re finally seeing multitudes of shops and restaurants opening up in Downtown. Much of it is in the ever expanding newer East Village as it continues to grow.  Below are just some of the new venues that we hope to be able to try out this year!

Roosterfish  615 J St.

Good Time Design is continuing its rapid expansion of Bars and Restaurants by taking over the old Palm restaurant location and opening Roosterfish.  Good Time Design has been mopping up East Village locals over the past few years opening bars and eateries such as Bubs, Blind Burro, Southpaw, Bootlegger, Lucky’s Lunch Counter and many more. 

 Roosterfish is slated to be a unique seafood restaurant, with a “social seafood” atmosphere.  The kitchen will be headed by former Oceanair Chef, Sean Patrick Langlais, and will be comprised of 2 storeys, multiple bars and a street level patio.

Stone Brewery  795 J St.

Stone will be making its way into downtown, taking over the long empty old Proper location.  Stone was founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in San Marcos in 1996.  Since then it’s been one of the fastest growing breweries in America, averaging 43% year over year growth for the past 15 years.  Stone’s brews can be found nationally and in both 2008 and 2009 was named “All-Time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by Beer Advocate.

Current locations include Escondido, Oceanside, South Park, Liberty Station, Kettner Blvd and even Pasadena.  We can’t wait to sip in the sun on the new rooftop patio this summer!

Comun Kitchen & Tavern  935 J St.

Just around the corner from Stone, Chef Chad White will be opening the new “Cheers of East Village” along with partners Shane Brennan and Damien Farrell of Enlightened Hospitality.  The team hopes the new rustic/industrial bar will become the new local hot spot where everyone knows your name.  Expect an opening around May 2014.

Union Kitchen + Tap  335 5^th Ave.

Eric Leitstein of Union Kitchen + Tap and his OMG Restaurant Group have taken over the recently closed Donovan’s Prime Seafood location in the Gaslamp.  Leitstein is in the planning and development stages of what this new location will entail.  He is currently traveling and visiting different venues in order to come up with the inspiration for his new concept.

Tom N Toms Coffee

By the end of the month East Village and Cortez Hill should have 2 new major coffee shops.  Watch out Starbucks, the “Starbucks of Korea” is quickly moving in.  Tom N Toms presently has over 300 locations worldwide, some remain open 24/7.  The shops are meant to be conducive for studying and working and will serve food, coffee drinks, tea, smoothies and juice. 

You’ll find new coffee spots at the bottom of the Strata building, 969 Market St. and in Vantage Point, 1281 9^th Ave.

I know all of you are as excited as I am to have these restaurants and shops in East Village. See you around the neighborhood as we visit these new hot spots.

Written by: 

Rebecca Roman