Javier Plascencia Among Chefs Headed to New Tijuana Food Hall

Chef/restaurateur Javier Plascencia, whose San Diego-area eateries include Bonita's Romesco and the upcoming Bracero in Little Italy, is among the 12 chefs who are headed to a new 11,000-square-foot food hall that will open in April 2015 and function as the food court for Plaza Rio Tijuana, a shopping center in the city's Zona Río. The same company is also behind the Food Garden, a street food-centric complex which opened in Tijuana last year.

Plascencia will launch an oyster and ceviche bar, inspired by his excellent Erizo Baja Fish House & Market, and also operate a demonstration kitchen in the food hall where he'll host guest chefs and culinary classes. Chef Martin San Roman, who has worked in San Diego and Mexico, will debut a rotisserie. Other food stands will feature burgers, pizza, carnitas, vegan and Lebanese cuisine.

Also in the works are a specialty coffee shop, two bars featuring beer, wine and spirits and a gourmet market retailing regional products.