Richard Blais to Open Second San Diego Restaurant

When we caught up with Richard Blais a month after opening Juniper & Ivy, the chef remarked that the new restaurant was exceeding his team's expectations and "twice as busy" as expected. Now, at six months in, it's safe to say that his Little Italy showplace for "left coast cookery" is a certifiable hit.

So it's no wonder that Blais is doubling down on San Diego; Eater has it on good authority that the Top Chef All-Stars winner, who has spoken about earning his place at the local table, will open a second restaurant adjacent to Juniper & Ivy.

Blais and partner Michael Rosen of Juniper Hospitality, who purchased the large lot that holds Juniper & Ivy, a parking lot and a not-yet-remodeled warehouse at the corner of Juniper and Kettner, will reportedly be collaborating on a new, more casually-inclined restaurant.

Blais will also be expanding his food television work; next month, he'll pop up as a guest judge on the new season of Top Chef Boston and star in a new solo Food Network project called Hungry Games.
· Juniper & Ivy [Official Site]
· All Richard Blais Coverage on Eater [~ESD~]

[Photo: Richard Blais/Facebook]