New Now Next:
La Jolla

Like the cool cousin who always seems to know the next best thing before anyone else, La Jolla is at the forefront — and continues to get even better — when it comes to dining destinations, curated shopping, and boutique hospitality.

Despite being open only a few months, the fittingly named Birdseye rooftop restaurant and bar perched atop the Cormorant Hotel has quickly gained popularity for its delicious food, beautiful cocktails, and sparkling blue water views. Even midweek lunch draws a crowd, but whether it’s for lunch, happy hour, or dinner, if you don’t order the ceviche, you’re missing out. It’s the biggest portion of tender shrimp we’ve ever had, with the perfect balance of fresh citrus and heat and gobs of crispy tortilla chips to scoop up every last bite, which you’ll want to do. A newly-introduced Taco Tuesday offering accompanied by a Birdseye Cadillac Casa Amigos Reposado Margarita is just one more reason you’ve got to go. birdseyerooftop.com

Sandpiper is the reimagined restaurant from the George’s at the Cove team that replaces their shuttered Galaxy Taco concept. The brainchild of executive chef/partner Trey Foshee, the kitchen is still led by Christine Rivera and the menu centers around sharable steakhouse-style plates as well as steamed mussels, grilled bone marrow, and more. Insider tip: Stop in for happy hour between 3-5pm and receive a dozen oysters free with the purchase of a bottle of Champagne. sandpipersd.com

With the opening of its latest location on Prospect Street, Lobster West is debuting its “Picnic to the Greens” concept — “The Greens” referring to the lawn of Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Pick up to-go orders in baskets ready for a leisurely al fresco meal where the waves take center stage. The Lobster West family has been sourcing their lobster from the same East Coast supplier since they launched the brand nearly ten years ago. Menu highlights include specialty seafood rolls (lobster, crab, shrimp) and classic signature soups. lobsterwest.com

After more than a decade in North Pacific Beach, the family-owned Java Earth Coffee has expanded up the coast to La Jolla. Located on Torrey Pines Road in the same center as popular Japanese bistro Himitsu, Java Earth serves up drinks including a Maple Cold Foam Americano, Lavender Latte, and Mint Iced Coffee as well as breakfast dishes such as the SoCal burrito and the Be Well Bowl with brown rice, garbanzo beans, spinach, avocado, raw beets, cherry tomatoes, pickled onions, microgreens, and cilantro tahini dressing. A variety of smoothies and rotating pastries including co-founder Debbie Artenstein’s homemade lemon loaf round out the menu. javaearthcoffee.com

The Marine Room on La Jolla Shores adds thrills to the menu when its High Tide Dinners return on August 9-11. Choose the late seating at 7:30pm and your four-course, prix fixe dinner experience will coincide with peak high tide, or reserve earlier seating for à la carte menu options with a little more sunshine as a backdrop to the crashing waves just outside the restaurant’s windows. If you can’t make it this month, the tides — and the dinners — return on September 8-9. marineroom.com

Chef Giuseppe Ciuffa of GRNFC Hospitality has signed a five-year contract with La Jolla Music Society to provide onsite food, beverage, and catering services at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. “We are incredibly excited to enhance the audience experience at The Conrad with top quality, delicious concessions, as well as providing the best possible catering and service for those choosing to hold their special events and celebrations at the venue,” says Ciuffa. ljms.org

Chef JoJo Ruiz brings his flair for the fresh and sustainable north to Science Center Drive with Joya Kitchen, featuring breakfast, lunch, and happy hour. Together with chef de cuisine Ryan Bullock, the Lionfish and Serea executive chef Ruiz has created a seasonal, fresh menu to draw more than the working lunch set to the restaurant’s sleek indoor/outdoor contemporary setting. joyakitchensd.com

Inspired by a shared passion for local street art and original, curated apparel, owners Kalli Legakes and Nate Adams recently opened The Shop La Jolla, featuring edgy streetwear, men’s and women’s clothing, and artwork. Legakes says the store reflects the art community of La Jolla with a unique attention to street fashion and the artists whose work is an expression of that style genre. On select weekends, pop-up-style shops are planned to host emerging artists, young creatives, and local bands at the store. “Through local partnerships and community ties,” says Legakes, “we hope to make The Shop a fusion of the beauty and history of La Jolla and the creative street culture of San Diego.” theshoplajollaca.com

Anticipated to open this month on Wall Street is Marisi, a new Italian concept that’s been two years in the making, featuring handmade pastas and woodfired dishes complemented by a thoughtful and vibrant cocktail program led by Bar and Spirits Creative Director Beau du Bois. The bar will boast homemade limoncello, an Italian Pilsner brewed specifically for Marisi, and a selection of more than 30 brands of vermouth. Diners will be encouraged to conclude their meal like true Italians do, sipping espresso that’s Marisi’s own proprietary blend. marisilajolla.com 

La Jolla siblings Hailey Waitt and Max Waitt are preparing to unveil Orli, a hideaway for discerning travelers that pairs the allure of a boutique hotel with the spirit of a homestay. For the debut location of Orli, located across the street from MCASD, the Waitts purchased the George Kautz House, originally designed-built in 1913 by California modernist architect Irving Gill with gardens designed by the iconic landscape architect Kate Sessions. The siblings are working with Axon Architecture to restore the landmark building and thoughtfully update it for a new era, while at the same time maintaining the historic architectural character of the exterior of the building. Scheduled to be ready for bookings this fall, Orli features 13 bespoke guest rooms and suites, with amenities including tech-forward concierge services, a courtyard with gnarled olive trees for events, a library, brew bar with cold brew and kombucha on tap, and a multi-purpose lounge. Orli will also focus on sustainability including reusable drinkware, filtered water on tap, locally sourced bath products, and more. stayorli.com By Mia Park and Deanna Murphy