The long-gestating Fireside by The Patio is gearing up to make its debut in Liberty Station; this latest project from The Patio Group has the talented Antonio Friscia on board as consulting chef. Here now is a sneak peek at the space as it puts on the finishing touches and a rundown of all the vital details you need to know.
1. As of this writing, the restaurant's official soft opening date is March 9.
2. The Patio Group's creative director, Bea Arrues, has designed the space in a bohemian style that should make it feel as though you're dining in the home of a world traveler, with comfortable couches, custom pillows created from rich tapestries and old world art pieces.
3. Most of Fireside's 350 seats are outside. There's a central dining area, but the majority of seating will span two large outdoor patios — options range from cozy two-tops to larger table setups, plus pillow-backed benches and day beds for lounging around the fire pit.
3. Most of the cooking will be done outdoors too. Each patio houses its own impressive cooking suite, stocked with custom pieces that range from yakitori grills to a wood fired pizza oven and wood powered Santa Maria-style grills/smoker ovens. The kitchens will use red and white oak and a variety of fruit and specialty wood for fuel.
4. For those who miss the Friscia's Gaslamp yaikitori spot, Gaijin, its former lead chef Fern Tran is back, with a menu of nine skewered proteins and vegetables plus rotating specials.
5. A daily chalkboard will feature sharable plates that range from classic barbecue (brisket, pork butt) to pork belly, whole fish and fish collars.
6. The rest of menu will be rounded out with starters, salads, flatbreads and entrees; desserts include grilled handheld pies.
7. The cocktail program was developed to pair with the food and ranges from classics to barrel-aged cocktails, smoked cocktails and original creations.
8. The 24-bottle boutique wine list was designed to be accessible and affordable; no bottle is over $56.
9. On one patio, a bar crafted from a shipping container will hold eight rotating taps of beer; a second indoor bar will also have eight taps.
10. Fireside by The Patio will be open for lunch and dinner.