Bay Area Barbecue Hotspot Headed for North County

Opened in San Francisco last fall with much fanfare and anticipation, International Smoke is coming to North County’s new One Paseo development. In the Bay Area, critics are just sharing their first thoughts about the much talked-about restaurant, a partnership between Ayesha Curry, a noted cookbook author, host and celebrity chef who also happens to be married to NBA superstar Steph Curry, and award-winning chef Michael Mina of the acclaimed MINA Group. In a statement, Mina said, “The food culture in San Diego embodies innovation through collaboration. International Smoke came to life through my partnership with Ayesha, and we are so thrilled to be a part of the One Paseo project. We look forward to contributing to the San Diego culinary landscape.” Eater SF describes the International Smoke menu as a “world tour of smoke-infused food from St. Louis-cut ribs to Japanese-style grilled lobster and Punjabi fish fry”.

Scheduled to open in early 2019, International Smoke is just one of a number of eateries headed to One Paseo by Kilroy Realty Corporation, which is located at the intersection of Del Mar Heights Road and El Camino Real in Carmel Valley and includes everything from retail and office space to public plazas and multi-family residential units. The goal of the complex’s food programming, explained by Kilroy’s Nelson Ackerly, is to create “diverse dining experiences from fine-casual to an upscale experience – and everything in between”. The following is first wave of restaurant concepts announced for the site:

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Founded in Venice, California, with locations also coming to Westfield UTC and the Gaslamp, Tocaya Organica is bringing its fast-casual menu of modern Mexican cuisine that uses locally-sourced organic ingredients, sustainable fish and meats and offers a range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Another Los Angeles transplant with an outpost already planned for Westfield UTC, Sweetfin Poké features California style and a Hawaiian-inspired “Pole to Bowl” menu of fresh sustainable seafood from former Top Chef contestant chef Dakota Weiss.

And Ways & Means Oyster House, already open in Huntington Beach and Portland with a branch in the works for downtown La Jolla, will be gracing One Paseo with a full-service restaurant dedicated to seafood, including raw bar items and classic seafood dishes, plus a bar pouring beer, wine and craft cocktails.

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