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Kettner Exchange Reveals Dining & Drinking Showpiece in Little Italy

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The neighborhood's largest new restaurant project has finally arrived, and it's stunning.

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An expansive and eye-catching new restaurant project, more than a year in the making, will officially soft open any minute now in Little Italy.

Kettner Exchange, an ambitious new offering from Matthew Spencer and Tyler Charman, who previously partnered on Vin de Syrah, Analog and Firehouse, sits on 10,000-square-feet lot at the corner of Grape and Kettner; the see-and-be-seen setting including two levels of indoor and outdoor dining and drinking.

Overseeing the gleaming kitchen is executive chef Brian Redzikowski (Flavor Del Mar, Aspen's Nobu Matsuhisa), who defines Kettner's menu as "progressive American cuisine", informed by seasonal ingredients and influenced by his experience with French and Asian food. Redzikowski will change his menu weekly and create off-menu dishes for the special Friday and Saturday night chef's table dinners hosted at an eight-seat private dining room.

The 380-capacity venue, a mix of booths, lounge seating and communal tables, also features two 16-tap bars; bar manager Steven Tuttle (El Dorado) is in charge of a cocktail program that includes barrel-aged cocktails, drinks from guest bartenders and a seasonal cocktail menu described as "classic, friendly, and not over-the-top".

On the rooftop deck, there are five cabanas that house a beer tap and a wet bar, plus plenty of seating and space for those unwilling to spring for bottle service; every weekend, a DJ will spin lounge music.

Offering valet parking, Kettner Exchange is open seven days a week for dinner to start, plus brunch on weekends. Due in six months is Donut Joint, an adjacent donut and coffee shop; until then, expect donuts to pop up as frequent dessert specials.

Ketter Exchange Menu

Kettner Exchange

2001 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 255-2001