New restaurants & new looks around San Diego

Big things are happening that bring more choices to San Diego diners courtesy of a variety of new restaurants.

Backyard Kitchen and Tap in Pacific Beach

OMG Group recently opened its new American gastropub, Backyard Kitchen & Tap at 832 Garnet St. in Pacific Beach. With an indoor/outdoor bar setting perfect for music, outdoor fire pits and cabanas, Backyard lets patrons enjoy the ocean breeze while sampling scrumptious fare and spirits. The PB hot spot serves brunch, lunch and dinner and offers everything from signature flatbreads to an array of steak and fresh fish entrees.

Eric Leitstein, CEO for OMG Restaurant Group, said teamwork made this restaurant’s opening possible even as the remodeling of Pacific Beach AleHouse continues.

“The project brought our entire company closer together and our sense of family was truly heartfelt,” Leitstein said.

Visit Backyard Kitchen & Tap at backyardpb.com.

PB AleHouse

Work to reopen PB AleHouse is continuing as expeditiously as possible, with plans to reopen in July.

“The restaurant will have an updated look, and we are excited to introduce our latest addition to our team, brewer Jonathan Riley,” Leitstein shared.

Visit Pacific Beach AleHouse at pbalehouse.com.

Breakfast Republic

Following the creation of his new restaurant, Breakfast Republic, Fig Tree Cafe owner Johan Engman has established Rise & Shine as a new restaurant group.

“The time was right to form a restaurant group and basically have an ‘umbrella’ company that oversees the operation of all the restaurants,” Engman said.

The new Breakfast Republic incorporates everything Engman has learned in the restaurant industry about taste, presentation, design and more. Open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Breakfast Republic will serve classic breakfast options plus unique offerings including S’Mores French Toast, Vietnamese Chicken Wing Breakfast Bowl, Mexican Churro Pancakes and more.

Breakfast Republic will feature 20 beers on draft, its own merchandise line and homemade hot sauce.

“I’m eager to have everyone stop by for a meal and a pint of beer when we open in late June,” Engman said.

Breakfast Republic is at 2730 University Ave. in North Park. Keep up with the progress of the restaurant by liking it on Facebook: facebook.com/breakfastrepublicsd.

Verant Group

The Verant Group is a forward-thinking and progressive restaurant industry leader working to deliver a quality, yet comfortable experience.

“We have finessed our concepts to be very specific and defined in an era where brick and mortar, craft beer and cocktails have taken the main stage in the majority of venues around town,” said Eric Ligenfelder, co-owner of the Verant Group. “Food has taken the main stage and has truly become the backbone of our operation.”

The group is expanding in Pacific Beach with a new location. Ligenfelder and Mark Cirillo along with David Cohen, have taken over PB Bar & Grill, and will renovate the space. They expect to open in early 2016.

Verant Group also has been giving its Mission Beach bar, Sandbar Sports Bar & Grill at 718 Ventura St., a facelift.

Ligenfelder said Sandbar is home to the best fish taco in San Diego. Just steps from the beach, the bar features scratch-made street food, and a tequila, mezcal and rum selection to complement its award-winning tacos.

“If you leave your appetite at home, we recommend sitting on the sky deck and watch the sunset while enjoying a fresh Paloma, a house-made margarita or an ice cold beer,” Ligenfelder said. “This is the perfect venue for local San Diego food, sports and sun.”

Visit verantgroup.com to learn more about the group and its various establishments.

Source: DiscoverSD