what's doing
 |
Home Mercantile has opened in the old Kate Ross Clothing location. And while the closing of Kate Ross was quite a loss for the neighborhood, at least the wounds can heal well now that this funky, rockin' clothing store has opened its doors.
A mix of new and restored clothing, shoes, hats and accessories at extremely resonable prices awaits the shopper. Vintage Mickey Mouse t-shirts hang next to plaid from who know which decade...it doesn't really matter, because whomever is doing the stocking has an eye for style.
The space has been transformed from a high-end boutique to a open-beamed, artist-inspired stop, with groovy music and amiable sales assistants ready to help out. This is the second location of Home, with the first store up in Encinitas. Stop by and say hello at 3013 University Avenue.
community links
Visit us on FacebookRay at Night Art Walk
North Park Main Street
North Park Community Assoc.
SD Urban City Blog
San Diego CityBeat Blog
Walk San Diego
Every Thursday
 |
Located at 3926 30th Street, the space that once housed Apertivo has been transformed in to an extraordinary space. What once could be described charitably as a drab Denny's now showcases a exposed beam vaulted ceiling that not only creates wonderful atmosphere, but also goes a long way in addressing the bad acoustics that haunted the space previously. The owners have removed any front-facing windows, creating a speakeasy feel, with moody lighting, music, and bar area.
Conceptually the food is Baja-inspired tapas plates, with enough variation to easily satisfy the adventurous diner. Dishes we saw included octopus, rabbit, beef cheek, and chicken spleens, with a fair amount of vegetarian options to boot (see full menu). Beer and wine are available, but no hard liquor.
 |
l Postino (by Arrivederci) Yelp* has opened their doors at 3858 30th Street, San Diego, in the La Boheme building.
Il Postino translates to the postman, and the decor of the restaurant reflects imagery from the 1998 film of the same name (bicycles, postal graphics, etc.) It's an interesting mix of industrial, modern, and old-world decor, and it works surprisingly well.
The restaurant offers an extensive menu of appetizers, salads, pastas, and entrees, at reasonable (mid-range) prices. A full-bar inhabits the center space, with a large wine bar area to the right, and main dining area and pizza oven over to the left
 |
The Smoking Goat Yelp* has opened to the public at 3408 30th Street, San Diego, right next to North Park Fish and Grill.
The interiors of the former Commonwealth Cafe space are gorgeous, designed by local architectural firm Bells and Whistles (who also designed The Starlite Lounge). Warm lighting and rustic French decor create a cozy intimate space.
Dinner options include Steak au Poivre, braised beef short ribs, crab cakes, homemade ravioli, and duckfat truffle fries. Lunch options include pulled chicken sandwiches, burger on a brioche, and assorted salads. Breakfast is available on the weekends and includes typical early day fare.
 |
North Park Fish and Grill Yelp* has opened their doors at 3410 30th Street, San Diego, just south of Mosaic Wine Bar.
The business is a fish market on the South side and a restaurant on the North. Menu items include sushi as well as fresh grilled seafood, while the market carries fish, crab, lobster, octopus, and other assorted sea fare.
While they're still putting finishing touches on the interior and exterior, this is a huge improvement to the neighborhood over the previous Mexican restaurant that was once there.
 |
West Coast Tavern Yelp* has opened at 2895 University Avenue, San Diego, former home of Hawthorne's.
The new restaurant/bar is warm and inviting, and has done a wonderful job at updating the space. Even better, the new menu, consisting of small plates created by Urban Solace's Yelp* chef Matt Gordon, is quite affordable. Add to the mix an extensive selection of hard liquor, beers, and wines and you've got the makings for a great evening out.
 |
Olive Branch Green Building Supply has opened it doors at 3030 North Park Way, San Diego, about 3 doors down from Ray Street.
The store carries products considered environmentally friendly, from paint, low-flow toilets, flooring, and plumbing fixtures and lots of other good things for your home remodeling project.
Stop by and welcome them to the neighborhood and check out some of the great products they have in store
 |
True North Tavern Yelp* has opened their doors in North Park, and you wouldn't recognize the place. The new owners have done an extensive overhaul of the space once home to Shooterz, creating outdoor seating in the front so patrons can take in the action on 30th Street, a huge center bar with flat screen tv's, tons of indoor seating with gorgeous booths, a dance area with DJ booth, and a new outdoor area with private cabanas (there's even a second bar outside).
The new venue is fantastic, and everywhere you look you notice their attention to detail, from the exposed beams and sun roofs, lighting and sound system, brick walls and sleek accessories everywhere.
True North has partnered with Urban Solace (Yelp*) next door so that patrons can order appetizers to go along with their libations.
 |
Mosaic Wine Bar Yelp* launched their soft opening this week. The new space is huge, with fantastic decor and a great vibe. Located at 3422 30th Street, San Diego, a few doors up from Bluefoot, they've done a stunning job at creating a space you want to hang out in for hours. The attention to detail on the design front is something to behold.
They have plenty of areas to hang out in, and the front patio with a view to the street is going to be popular. Along with wines, they have appetizers served from their full kitchen (we highly recommend the flatbread pizzas with either pear and gorgonzola, or arugula and prosciutto).
 |
San Diego's one-of-a-kind self service wine bar, Splash Wine Bar Yelp* , opened to the public this week. Located at 3043 University Avenue, San Diego (in the Nordberg Building), the bar has 3 freestanding self-service wine kiosks in the center of the room where one inserts a prepaid card (which you get at the bar). Once your card is inserted, just push the button above the bottle of wine you're interested in tasting; each push of the button equals one ounce.
The interior of Splash is beautiful. They've exposed the old brick wall on one side, and given the place a nice warm feel with wood-like flooring, calming colors, comfy chaises and ambient lighting.
Stop by and welcome Traci Smith, owner of Splash, to the neighborhood and enjoy a nice glass of wine.
 |
North Park finally gets the proper bakery it's been salivating for with the opening of Cardamom Cafe & Bakery, located at 2977 Upas Street, San Diego(at 30th Street).
Not only does the bakery offer the expected cakes, pies, breads, and pastries, but they're also serving breakfast and lunch (omelets, sandwiches, salads, etc.). Their hours will be 7am - 1pm Wednesdays through Fridays, and 8am - 3pm Saturdays and Sundays (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Owner Joanne Sherif and her husband have done a beautiful job on the place and should prosper in the neighborhood, especially after word gets out on how gracious they are, and how delicious their goods are. Stop by and welcome them to North Park.
updates
August 22, 2009 A new business going by the name The Claddagh Restaurant & Pub has put up notice in the window at 3018 University Avenue (location of the old Ramona Theater). We had heard awhile back that the owner's of Dublin Square in the Gaslamp had signed a lease here, but haven't been able to confirm this. The notice in the window mentions Irish favorites such as Shepherd's Pie, fish-n-chips, and Irish stew. .................. Jack in the Box, at 30th and Upas, has submitted proposals to demolish and replace their current location with a new building approximately 2,500 square-feet (significantly larger than the current space). Their initial plans are calling for a 24-hour drive-thru and reducing parking to 12 spaces (from the 37 required by law). We hear that city planning has asked for a revision to the plans to address the parking issue (as well as a multitude of others). Also have heard a rumor of a possible land swap between the current Jack in the Box and the Pat's Corner across the street, but don't have any details. Stay tuned... .................. This and that...The new AT&T store and US Bank branch have opened at 32nd & University (the Fresh & Easy complex). Looks like the UPS Store is close behind...Both Street Side Thai Restaurant and Urbn Pizza plan to open within the next few weeks, with final inspection from the city being the last bit of business to put away. Street Side put their exterior signage up this past week, and ther interior is looking exotic and swank...The Animal Hospital at Mississippi and University, and the new Pathfinders a few blocks up the street are coming along, with both exteriors going through major renovations (and looking a heck of a lot better!)...We hear that the building that houses Rancho's may be the next location to get a major exterior facelift, which would be quite welcome. .................. July 24, 2009
.................. July 17, 2009 Fresh & Easy has installed their exterior signage and are busy readying the interior. Latest word is a September 22nd open date...Office Xpress has announced that they're moving to Hillcrest, which is good news for North Park Fitness members, as the gym is expanding even more to utilize the vacated space... A yoga studio slash kava bar has opened on Ray Street. .................. June 11, 2009
.................. June 3, 2010
.................. This and that...Albertson's begins their (mostly interior) renovations at the end of June...The North Park Farmer's Market has unveiled their new branding campaign, focusing on the night-time nature of the event...Fresh & Easy now has a target date of early September for opening...more North Park tree grates are scheduled for installation in August. .................. May 27, 2010 A new UPS Store will be the ground floor tenant underneath the new Fresh & Easy store at 32nd and University. .................. El Take It Easy had a soft opening tonight for friends and family. .................. May 20, 2010 Now that they've secured their liquor license, Urbn Pizza, located at 3085 University Avenue, plans on opening in July. .................. New North Park tree grates, as well as landscaping have gone in at the new Fresh & Easy complex at 32nd and University. They plan on opening by August. .................. May 7, 2010 El Take It Easy (El-Tie anyone?), the new restaurant from Jay Porter, owner of The Linkery, is scheduled to open at 3926 30th Street (the old Apertivo location) by the end of the month. We'll post details as learn them. .................. The San Diego U-T is reporting that the art panels for the parking garage are close to being installed, and hints that it may all occur before this year's Festival of the Arts on May 16. .................. April 24, 2010 Wang's in the Desert, the venerable Palm Springs Chinese restaurant and lounge has signed a lease to take over the JC Penney building at 3029 University Avenue (at Ray Street). Development will take approximately 9 months. ..................
.................. SD Urban is reporting that Burger Lounge will opening a new location in Hillcrest. Maybe a little neighborhood love would help convince them that they should come here as well. Visit their website and use the Contact Us link at the bottom of their page and let them know you wish they would come to North Park. .................. The owner's of Albertson's at 2235 University Avenue are planning $1 million in renovations to the aging grocery store. Across University Avenue from Albertson's, renovations are underway in turning the former spa in to an animal hospital. .................. Improvements (both exterior and interior) are being made to the North Park Farmer's Market. First they've added needed electricity so that vendors can continue to sell into the evening after dark. Previously there was no electricity to power lighting so the market had to close at sundown. Additionally, the manager of the market is now Catt White (manager of the Little Italy farmer's market). Can't wait to see the exciting changes that will occur as a result! |
||||
CULTUREDRINKEATSERVICESSHOPNP
STORETIPSThe opinions expressed on this site are those of the owner (except
those expressed on the blog), and have no connection to any city or community entity.