The Early Word on Kettner Exchange (Donuts! Patios!)

Eater readers have been sending us photos and queries about the building at the corner of Grape and Kettner, which has new signage declaring it home to Kettner Exchange.

The project won't be complete until the spring, but Kettner Exchange is the newest concept from Matthew Spencer and Tyler Charman, owners of San Diego Creative Media (behind PB's Firehouse, Vin de Syrah and Analog).

Working with Bluemotif Architecture and the designers behind The Patio on Lamont Street, Spencer and Chapman are building the 8.500-square-foot Kettner Exchange into a 250-seat dining and drinking destination complete with its own parking lot, a rarity in Little Italy.

The lower level will house a lounge, bar and some seating for dining, but the main dining room will be located on an upper level patio, to take advantage of the spot's harbor views.

Chef Brian Redzikowski (Vegas' Restaurant Joel Robuchon, Del Mar's Flavor) is crafting the "Progressive-American" menu, which will have east-meets-west touches, while Adam Stemmler (Blind Tiger Cocktail Co.) curates the beverage list.

Since Eater's kind of donut-obsessed, we were excited to hear that Kettner Exchange will share the 10,000-square foot lot with Donut Joint, a new donut and coffee shop serving organic Cafe Virtuoso and donuts from 8 a.m. 'til they sell out; you'll be able to snag a morning snack from a walk-up window on Kettner Street or enjoy your treats on the shop's own rooftop patio.
· Kettner Exchange [Official Site]
· All Coming Attractions on Eater [~ESD~]