As we close out the year in Eater, we reflect on how 2021 began, with California’s stay-at-home order lifting and San Diego restaurants finally able to restart outdoor dining.
But despite all the challenges, the most read stories from Eater San Diego in 2021 reflect a year of achievements and hope on the horizon, from national recognition of local establishments to promising new restaurants, bars, and food halls that have managed to thrive and much-anticipated openings to look forward to in 2022.
Finally opening in June 2021 after a two-year delay, Callie brought warm hospitality and a confident menu to the East Village.
Bringing a diverse set of dining options to the neighborhood, Market on 8th’s food stalls range from a ramen spots run by chef Phiilip Esteban, Eater San Diego’s changemaker of the year, to shops offering Thai, Indonesian, Filipino, and Mexican cuisine.
This fall, in advance of the publication of the statewide Michelin Guide California, the tire company announced the restaurants given Bib Gourmand status.
One of the bigger bar reveals of the year, Wolfie’s Carousel opened on Kettner Street in August with an impressive centerpiece, a 24-seat circular cocktail bar that slowly rotates every 14 minutes.
Scheduled to debut in Spring 2022 is the highly-anticipated collaboration between chef Andrew Bachelier and pro skate legend Tony Hawk.
A former commercial fishermen who worked at Catalina Offshore Products for 15 years, Gomes is opening TunaVille Market and Grocers, a wholesaler and direct-to-consumer markeplacet at Driscoll’s Wharf in Point Loma, in partnership with Mitch Conniff of Mitch’s Seafood.
August 2021 brought the welcome news that a years-long project in the making to bring the legendary Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles to San Diego was finally moving forward again.
Ringing in at 26,700-square-feet, the Sky Deck at the Del Mar Highlands Town Center rolled open in June, spanning two levels and nine restaurants as well as a cocktail bar called Understory and a beer garden with local brewers.
Revealed as part of a comprehensive revamp of Neighborhood and Noble Experiment, its existing East Village spots, Young Blood by CH Projects burst onto the cocktail scene in April.
Compared to 2019, when Addison was the only San Diego restaurant recognized, four local establishments were given Michelin star status in September.