You'd have to be crazy to open up a restaurant when most people are cutting back on dining out, but Luxus 101 Bistro & Grill which caters to the beach-bound appears to be holding its own.
"Things are turning for the better", says Tommaso Maggiore, owner of the Encinitas restaurant. His family has been in the restaurant business in San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties for years according to our media partner, the North County Times.
The food is upscale in a casual environment. Take the signature Kobe Luxus Burger; 100 percent Angus beef, melted Gruyere cheese, crumbled Gorgonzola, crispy onion straws, tomato and baby greens... and a side of Cajun-seasoned fries. The picture is enough to make your mouth water. The grilled chicken sandwich is beyond ordinary too with apples and Havarti cheese.
Boutique wines are offered from some of the smaller lesser known wineries. Besides extended happy hours, Lexus 101 just added breakfast on the weekends.
"It's definitely a lot of work, "Maggiore says. "It's fun. It's kind of like building a little bit of a family. You get to know the regulars."
