Expectations among San Diego foodies skyrocketed when word first got out that chef Brian Redzikowski--whose résumé includes New York’s acclaimed Le Cirque and Las Vegas’s Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon at The Mansion--was preparing a new eatery in Little Italy. Kettner Exchange's food, design, and service lives up to the hype. The menu spans American, Thai, and Italian flavors, including the spicy tofu coconut soup with shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, and fresh cilantro, and the not-to-be-missed zeppole dessert, a deep-fried, cream-filled Southern Italian delicacy. Food aside, the two-story stunner includes a salvaged tree branch chandelier in the downstairs dining area, a loungelike rooftop with private cabanas and a swinging daybed, and a well-heeled crowd to match. The result? A see-and-be-seen vibe with substance and serious culinary cred.
Expectations among San Diego foodies skyrocketed when word first got out that chef Brian Redzikowski–whose résumé includes New York’s acclaimed Le Cirque and Las Vegas’s Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon at The Mansion–was preparing a new eatery in Little Italy. Kettner Exchange’s food, design, and service lives up to the hype. The menu spans American, Thai, and Italian flavors, including the spicy tofu coconut soup with shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, and fresh cilantro, and the not-to-be-missed zeppole dessert, a deep-fried, cream-filled Southern Italian delicacy. Food aside, the two-story stunner includes a salvaged tree branch chandelier in the downstairs dining area, a loungelike rooftop with private cabanas and a swinging daybed, and a well-heeled crowd to match. The result? A see-and-be-seen vibe with substance and serious culinary cred.