Ingrid Croce Introduces Her New Croce's Park West

On December 31, the Gaslamp landmark, Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar, will close after almost 30 years of business.

But by early 2014, Croce's fans will have a new place to call home; Croce's Park West will launch in the 5th Avenue space vacated by Avenue 5. In a letter posted on their website, Croce said she and her husband, Jimmy Rock, are opening the Bankers Hill spot "not as a substitute for Croce's, our Flagship, but as a new island of hospitality and community."

A striped awning-covered 30-seat sidewalk patio is being added outside, while inside, the bar will be doubled in length, to 40 feet, and offer 18 beer taps, craft cocktails and wine; a tufted Chesterfield banquette will help give the room a 1930's theme.

An 180 seat dining room will serve "American Contemporary Cuisine", with 70% of the menu configured for small plate-style eating; all entrees will also be available in half portions and weekend brunch service is in the works. Croce's may be ready for test diners as early as this fall, but they plan to grand open by the time San Diego Restaurant Week kicks off in January.

They've knocked out a back wall, adding another 700 to 800 square feet of space that will be used as their new music room, separated from the restaurant by heavy drapes and a moveable glass wall. Croce tells Eater that multiple sound checks have been conducted to ensure that the noise won't escape into the neighborhood and that the dining room remains quiet even when live music is playing. Look for Croce's Park West to start off hosting entertainment Thursday through Sunday, with the potential to resume their nightly programming.
· Croce's [Official Site]
· All Plywood Report Coverage [~ESD~]