Union Kitchen & Tap Owner Preps New Pacific Beach Playground

For the Eater readers who've been asking what would become of the long-dormant Moondoggies location at the corner of Garnet and Mission in Pacific Beach, here's the scoop just for you.

OMG Hospitality Group's Eric Leitstein, whose local holdings include Pacific Beach Ale House, Encinitas' Union Kitchen & Tap and a Gaslamp outpost of Union Kitchen & Tap that opened earlier this year, is taking over the space at 832 Garnet Avenue for a new bar and restaurant called Backyard Kitchen & Tap.

Set to open in early 2015, the "coastal American eatery" is currently being renovated to include the de rigueur combo of reclaimed wood and a set of garage doors that will open onto Garnet. A large outdoor area, flanked by living walls, will hold an indoor/outdoor bar, cabanas and fire pits; there are also plans for regularly scheduled entertainment, from live music to late night DJs.

Leitstein says, "I want our guests to get a feel for the unique sense of community Pacific Beach locals and visitors share, and bring them together for a fun, relaxing and tasty experience."