4,000 Sq. Ft. Restaurant Slated For Fifth Avenue

A tipster noticed some paper on the windows at the corner of Fifth Avenue and F Street downtown, and Eater has learned that Ken Irvine, principal at Irvine Hospitality Group, is helping a new San Diego restaurateur with an unnamed 4,000-square-foot concept.

Bluemotif Architecture (Cowboy Star and Harney Sushi Oceanside) is charged with softening up the street-level space in the historic George Hill Building.

"There are a lot of masculine places downtown. This will be a little more on the feminine side," said Irvine, chef-owner of Kensington's French eatery Bleu Bohème, who has also lent consulting prowess to downtown's Gaslamp Strip Club and Blue Point Coastal Cuisine

Watkins Landmark Construction started demo work this week on the two-part restaurant with a to-be-announced menu.

Sources say the space that once housed LA Rack, the corner clothing shop at 545 F St., will get a second life as the bar and sushi lounge while its neighbor, shuttered spot Kiyo's, will focus on a True Foods Kitchen-inspired menu.

The parties involved plan to target San Diegan customers, "We are working on having a local place for downtown that's not tourism or convention driven," Irvine said.
— Tierney Plumb
· Kiyo's Sushi Bar Closes After 20+ Years [~ESD~]
· All Plywood Reports on Eater [~ESD~]