The Early Word on Pizzeria Mozza in San Diego

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After months of speculation and anticipation, Pizzeria Mozza has confirmed that they will be one of the anchor restaurant tenants for downtown's new dining and shopping destination, The Headquarters.

Alex Munoz-Suarez, a rep for the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, gave Eater some advance scoop on this San Diego outpost, which will likely start construction in the second quarter of 2013 and be ready to open with the entire complex this October. Mozza will occupy 4,350-square-feet of The Headquarters along the side of the building that faces Pacific Coast Highway.

Munoz-Suarez said that San Diego was the next logical spot for their fourth Pizzeria Mozza location (the most recent opening was in Newport Beach); he shared that Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich visited and liked La Jolla, but were inspired by the 70+ year history of The Headquarters and that the building's planned transformation, which will install wide plazas and fountains, would make it the closest local approximation to Italy.

The restaurant's layout will include an open kitchen and its signature pizza bar and wine bar, as well as a large indoor dining room, an outdoor dining patio and two private rooms. This will also be the first location to include a Mozza2Go under the same roof, which will serve salads, pizzas, and possibly gelato from a separate takeout counter.

Also exclusive to San Diego, a selection of ten craft beers on tap — nine local and one pilsner imported from Italy. Munoz-Suarez said they'll also beef up the menu with a section of "piatti", more substantial protein-based plates gleaned from their Osteria Mozza concept.
The group's executive chef, Matt Molina, will likely groom one of their Los Angeles-based chefs to bring down to run the San Diego restaurant.
· Pizzeria Mozza [Official Site]
· A Look Inside The Headquarters, Coming Soon. [~ESD~]