'MasterChef' Alum Debuts New 'Drinks & Links' Gastropub

Dubbed San Diego's first Italian gastropub, former MasterChef Season 6 runner-up, executive chef Nick Nappi and local developer Jim Barone are set to officially soft open Bar One on Tuesday, July 12.

Located in the base of a residential building on India Street, Barone and Nappi’s first brick and mortar project aims to fill a niche as an accessible, everyday eatery and watering hole for local residents. In homage to former Little Italy institution, Pete’s Quality Meats, Nappi says he wants Bar One to become a neighborhood after work go-to for the current generation: a welcoming place for a well-priced cold beer and something to eat.

Influenced by his Italian heritage and based on old family recipes, the menu includes homemade sausages (pork, chicken, lamb), salads and assorted small plates ranging from aranicini and gnocchi to wings and a short rib poutine. Known for putting his own modern spin on old world classics, Nappi tells Eater the gnocchi will be deep-friend instead of boiled, and the gravy on the poutine will be "cooked down for hours". A brunch, happy hour and team-driven specials menu are all still currently in the works.

The beverage program, led by bar manager Lia Kim (Omnia), includes plays on classic cocktails like Bellinis, Old Fashioneds, and an Italian twist on the Bloody Mary with basil and smoked sausage. There will be local wine from Temecula and San Diego, in addition to 12 taps of craft beer, including Peroni, two domestics with the remainder rotated weekly from designated local breweries.

Designed by the team at Big Like Giants, Bar One features a brick and wood interior with high-top seating throughout, an extended bar, six TVs and a garage door that rolls up onto a 16-seat sidewalk patio, while a montage of framed black and white family photos adorn the walls.

Bar One will be open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until midnight every Friday and Saturday. Check out the full menu below.

Menu Bar One