Eater San Diego: Little Italy's Bracero Gets New Name & Concept
A round-up of the top food and drink stories of the week via Eater San Diego
By Candice Woo and Edited by Monica Garske ••
Bracero, a restaurant in Little Italy that created major buzz during its short run, is no more. Eater San Diego shares details on what will replace it, plus other top stories of the week from our local food and drink scene.
Little Italy's Bracero to Transform Into Romesco Mexiterranean Cocina Just two years and numerous accolades after first opening in Little Italy under the guidance of famed chef Javier Plascencia, Bracero will transition into a different eatery this June: Romesco Mexiterranean Cocina. The owners, who also run Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro in Bonita, plan to revamp and rename the Kettner Boulevard restaurant, which will now serve Mexican and Mediterranean-influenced tapas. Foodies will remember that Plascencia parted ways with both Bracerro and Romesco this past January in the first culinary bombshell of 2017 in San Diego’s dining scene.
South Park's Piacere Mio Expands Into North County South Park’s Italian favorite, Piacere Mio, has expanded north. Newly-launched in the Del Sur Town Center is the eatery’s second location, which in addition to its signature menu of homemade pasta, introduces a new wood-fired pizza program created by a master pizza-maker from Naples, Italy, and a cocktail list of Italian classics.
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The newest breakfast-centric spot is located at 4839 Newport Ave., in the 5,000-square-foot space previously occupied by OB Warehouse.
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It’s open daily, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Breakfast Republic is known for its extensive breakfast menu, which includes all kinds of omelets and eggs benedict dishes, plus scrambles, pancakes (Oreo Cookie flavor!), French toast (S’mores and Lemon ‘n Coconut, to name a couple of types) and items like Breakfast Jambalaya, Shrimp & Grits, and Steak ‘N’ Eggs
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Some of the dishes on the menu were inspired by owner Johan Engman’s travels around the world, including Chilaquiles.
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The eatery is also known for its “egg-cellent” décor, including funny signage and cool art.
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The bar is also home to 10 taps of different kombucha flavors and cold brew on nitro.
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The eatery is also known for its “egg-cellent” décor, including funny signage and cool art.
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Sweet breakfast items can be ordered individually, or as flights. One delicious flight combo: Churro Pankcake; Cinnamon Roll PankcakeL Strawberry Cheesecake Pancake.
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Preach. Fun quotes can be found all over the restaurant.
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The bar menu boast more than 20 local beers on tap. There’s also champagne on tap for those morning mimosas.
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The OB restaurant includes a bar-style dining area on the second floor with a view of Newport Avenue through large open windows.
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Since launching in summer 2015, Breakfast Republic has opened locations in North Park, Liberty Station, Encinitas, East Village and, now, Ocean Beach. Carmel Valley is the next one to hatch.
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The eatery is also known for its “egg-cellent” décor, including funny signage and cool art.
Breakfast Republic Opens New Outpost in Ocean Beach Breakfast is clearly the most important meal of the day and the secret to what’s fueling the quick growth of this popular local chain. This week, Breakfast Republic debuted its fifth location, slotting into Ocean Beach, in the former OB Warehouse space on Newport Avenue. Serving up comfort food favorites along with cocktails, beer, coffee and kombucha, the eatery will eventually be joined by arcade bar Coin Haus. Take a look at the cool, new digs in OB.
Carnitas' Snack Shack/Facebook
Carnitas' Snack Shack options at Petco Park: Carnitas Flautas (l); Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog (m); Triple Threat (r).
Laura McVicker
A favorite among locals, Carnitas’ Snack Shack sinks its teeth into the ballpark this season, opening its “Pork House” at Petco Park, in sections 128 and 228. The menu includes staples like the Triple Threat (pork on pork on pork) and some new items like the Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog, plus beer and craft cocktails. Carnitas’ Snack Shack has two other locations: North Park and Embarcadero.
Carnitas' Snack Shack/Facebook
Carnitas' Snack Shack options at Petco Park: Carnitas Flautas (l); Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog (m); Triple Threat (r).
Petco Park/Twitter
Flautas, available at Carnitas' Snack Shack inside Petco Park this season.
Petco Park/Twitter
A bacon cheeseburger and onion rings from Hodad's at Petco Park. The ballpark has added The Draft Taproom to its eatery lineup, which serves two San Diego staples: Hodad's burgers and Ballast Point brews. The Draft can be found in section 205.
Cutwater Spirits/Instagram
Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits brings its Cutwater Spirits brand to the ballpark, including vodka, gin, rum and ready-to-drink canned cocktails. Eater San Diego reports that Cutwater Spirits partnered with the Padres this season to re-brand the former Deep Eddy Vodka Hideaway space in left field on the Toyota Terrace Level; it’s now The Still, an indoor-outdoor lounge with views of the diamond, pouring craft cocktails.
Petco Park/Twitter
An Estrella Jalisco Michelada Especial made with Cutwater Spirits Bloody Mary Mix, available this season at the ballpark.
Laura McVicker
The popular Ocean Beach eatery has landed a spot at Petco Park’s upper deck, in section 309. The menu includes a full bar, craft beer and coastal favorites.
Petco Park/Twitter
A game day dish and cold beer from Resident Brewing Co., served at Petco Parks' Wonderland Ocean Pub.
Wonderland Ocean Pub/Instagram
The Shrimp Aguachile at Wonderland Ocean Pub.
Laura McVicker
Brew enthusiasts will find themselves right at home at Petco Park’s Craft Beer Row in sections 101 to 105. There, small carts are pouring cold craft beer from local brewers like Mike Hess Brewing, Iron Fist, AleSmith and Karl Strauss, to name a few. Cheers!
Laura McVicker
A few years ago, AleSmith Brewing Co. created its San Diego Pale Ale .394 in honor of late San Diego Padres legend Tony Gwynn, named after his 1994 career-high batting average. The craft brew has become a favorite among Padres fans and now, AleSmith is pouring .394 along with other beers across several locations at Petco Park: sections 107; 211; 229; 305; 328. As Eater San Diego reports, the Padres and AleSmith have also rebranded the ballpark’s former Club 19 space on the Toyota Terrace Level (section 2017) into .394, a restaurant and bar pouring the company’s brews and some dishes inspired by “Mr. Padre” himself, including mac & cheese and pulled BBQ pork fries.
Laura McVicker
Hailing from Vista comes family-owned Iron Fist Brewing Co., setting up shop at several spots in Petco Park: a cart on Craft Beer Row in sections 101 to 105; section 107; section 211; section 229; section 305; section 328. Iron Fist will pour several of its brews at its ballpark locations.
Laura McVicker
Resident Brewing Co. is also present at Petco Park this season.
Laura McVicker
So many craft beers from which to choose at Petco Park.
Laura McVicker
The San Diego Padres Home Opener is on April 7, at 3:40 p.m. at Petco Park. They play the Giants.
Spanish Tapas & Wine Bar Swings Into Little Italy Bringing authentic tapas plus cheese boards and other Spanish-inspired snacks to Kettner Boulevard is the newly-launched Bar Bodega. Now open for lunch and dinner, the charming new eatery is offering a wine list of Spanish varietals plus sherry, cider and more.
Nozaru Ramen Landing Soon on Adams Avenue The owner of Ototo Sushi Co. will debut a new concept in Normal Heights next month. Open daily for lunch and dinner and staying open until late night on weekends will be Nozaru Ramen, serving up a menu of ramen varieties and sushi rolls plus beer, sake and wine.
Candice Woo is the founding editor of Eater San Diego, a leading source for news about San Diego’s restaurant and bar scene. Keep up with the latest Eater San Diego content via Facebook or Twitter, and sign up for Eater San Diego’s newsletter here.
