Encinitas' East Village Asian Diner Expands To Hillcrest

East Village Asian Diner is moving south to Hillcrest with a grown up version of its original Encinitas location; the Asian fusion eatery will open in the former Pink Noodle space in early September with more booze and later hours.

The new location will look much like its three-year-old northern sister at 628 South Coast Highway 101, a modern industrial-style spot with shiny blue stools, white brick walls and mini robot icons, but it will also be the more social of the two siblings.

The menu of beer, sake and other drink options will be "significantly larger" in Hillcrest, said owner Daniel Bohlen. "We will be open much later as well, but the exact hours are still to be determined," he added. (The Encinitas location stays open until 10 p.m. on most nights.)

The Monk's Stone Pots will still be the main food focus, which come with ingredients like slow roasted pork, marinated sliced beef, kimchi or organic tofu on a bed of rice; other menu anchors include salads, noodles, burritos.

?Why choose to expand 22 miles south? "I've always wanted to open a spot in Hillcrest ever since moving to San Diego seven years ago. I love the neighborhood city feel," said Bohlen, who holds a degree from New York's French Culinary Institute.
· East Village Asian Diner [Official Site]
· All Expansionwire Coverage on Eater [~ESD~]
-Tierney Plumb