16,000sf, $10 Million Steakhouse Splashes Down on the Waterfront

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse has landed. Grand opening this Saturday, November 3 on a prime piece of downtown bayfront real estate, the sprawling two-story restaurant gives the West Coast its first taste of this premium, no-expense-spared steakhouse from the Texas-based Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group. Following its San Diego debut, the group will open a Double Eagle at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles.

Touching down at 16,650-square-feet, the new restaurant fronts the InterContinental Hotel with almost half of its 480 seats spread across two waterfront-facing, climate-controlled patios. Designed by Aria Group Architects, Inc (Nordstrom, True Food Kitchen, Shake Shack), the indoor spaces feature panoramic views from upper and lower level dining rooms hung with crystal chandeliers, plus two bars and five private rooms. At the center of the space, a marble staircase is surrounded by glassed-in, temperature-controlled wine walls and towers that store upwards of 7,000 bottles.

Running the house is general manager Michael Manoocheri (Four Seasons Hotels, Hotel Bel-Air, Auberge du Soleil), along with two longtime Del Frisco’s team members who both transferred from its flagship outpost in New York City — executive chef Brian Christman and wine director Faith Fulginiti, a Certified Sommelier who helped to oversee the $8 million wine program in Manhattan.

Christman, whose steakhouse experience includes work with Smith & Wollensky’s and Mastro’s Restaurants, returns to San Diego after living here a decade ago and tells Eater that he’s looking forward to adding new plates that reflect local products. This location is featuring Jidori chicken on the menu as well as classic steakhouse fare that ranges from luxurious seafood dishes to handcut USDA Prime wet and dry-aged steaks, including the signature “Double Eagle Steak”, a 45-day, dry-aged double bone-in prime ribeye.

Opening weekend hours are from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Regular operating hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.