A Sneak Peek Into CUCINA enoteca's New Del Mar Digs

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There are a few finishing touches to be made, but here's a peek behind the curtain at CUCINA enoteca, the latest venture from the Urban Kitchen Group (CUCINA urbana, FISH PUBLIC), which is scheduled to soft open on September 29 in Del Mar's Flower Hill Promenade.

Owner Tracy Borkum originally intended to launch last May, but the scope of the work needed on the property was greater than expected; the restaurateur virtually gutted the building, a former Chevy's, leaving only the soaring, sloping roof that reaches 28 feet at its highest point.

The 7,000-squre-foot restaurant's menu and design is similar to the brand's flagship location, CUCINA urbana (a name dispute with a D.C. restaurant prompted the switch from urbana to enoteca), but the enoteca concept has more of an emphasis on the "restaurant to retail" experience, with a dedicated wine shop in the entryway.

Executive chef Joe Magnanelli oversees all CUCINA outposts, but Andrew Bachelier, his executive sous at CUCINA urbana, will be the chef de cuisine here. The Del Mar restaurant will produce handmade pasta for its sister locations, and plans to do more work with whole animals and charcuterie-making.

· Urban Kitchen Group [Official Site]
· All Spot Checks on Eater [~ESD~]