New in Little Italy: Jonathan Segal's The Q

[stevewag23]

I am sure most of you have seen the new building going up on india street. (Its the one that is incorporating the historical house into the building).

I think it is supposed to have a wine bar, a cafe and a restaurant, but I am not 100%.

I was able to find this data:

"Jonathan and his family will occupy the top two floors for their personal apartments on the Western section (barely visible on the left of the photo). This section will be comprised of Jonathan's studio and residential condos. It was originally slated for office space, but the market for office space in downtown San Diego is non-existent, so it's been converted to residential."

and

"Red Velvet is a wine bar that will be operated by Jonathan Segal's (the building's architect) wife."

Anyone else heard anything?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/88017382...

[stevewag23]

Been to Bencotto twice now. Prosciutto is excellent.

Wines are overpriced but the menu is reasonable. Decent crowd and a good addition to little italy.

It would be a good spot to hit a couple of times a week if you lived close and they offered more value. Only wine. No full bar.

[mjsp1]

www.miafrancesca.com - 28 restaurants in the Chicago Area - 1st west coast location taking over the old Zagarella'a/Cefalu location on India St. should really be great given all the Chi town hype.

[stevewag23]

Restaurant is open. Called Bencotto.

http://www.lovebencotto.com

Menu's seem pretty standard, but I am hoping its good.

Anyone been yet?

[cgfan]

Was hoping it'd be a place that truly respects pasta, with a sensitivity like my fave Oliveto in Oakland. ...then I saw the "choose your pasta / choose your sauce" on the menu, with a fixed list of pastas and sauces no less, and my best hopes seemed to melt away.

Anyone know the details of their "pasta program"? Do they handroll their egg pasta? What does "fatta a mano" mean to them?

[stevewag23]

I agree. The “Pasta Your Way" sounds a little fast food to me.

The do say they have "pasta fatta a mano (daily hand-made) for a smooth consistency".

[ibstatguy]

I've been hearing about the possiblity of this wine bar for about a year

[stevewag23]

Yeah. Glad you posted on this.

It was one of the only "solo threads".

I thought I was the only one who even cared!

[ibstatguy]

LOL; I think I've had several of the "solo" variety

[stevewag23]

Update:

The Wine bar was supposed to be open this month, however upon surveying the progress, seems like that is a very long shot.

Not much progress being made on the construction front.

[stevewag23]

Update:

There will be a wine bar called Red Velvet.

There will be a cafe called I think "Influx".

There will be a restaurant. Italian. By "people from Milan". The name escapes me.

The crazy thing is, if they do all three reasonably well, this could be the most important building in Little Italy.

[RTee]

This "people from Milan" bit doesn't do much for me. I've traveled around most of Italy and found that Milan was the city most devoid of character, cuisine and history. Perhaps this is because I don't like to buy leather bags.

[stevewag23]

Yeah, doesn't sound too strong.

But I do like the suits they make in Milan. And handmade shoes.

[sdnativa]

Well I guess you are not much of an opera fan.

[RTee]

Not as of yet, but I'm not against it. Is Milan renown for its opera scene? I must have missed that.

[DiningDiva]

La Scala...one of the premier opera (and ballet) houses is in Milan. In continuous operation since about the time of the American Revolution

[sdnativa]

thank you.

[ikeg]

The Influx coffee shop is a second location of the Golden Hill establishment, which serves, by my reckoning, the 4th best espresso drinks in the city. (1=cafe calabria, 2=cafe bassam, 3=mystic mocha.) Really, the reason to hit this place will probably be for the cupcakes, which like Rebecca's scones, is the major draw.

[honkman]

Cafe Bassam has a nice vibe, it is often open late and the owner is nice but I would rank their espresso drinks, cappuchino etc. very low in comparison to most other places in SD (most likely even below Lestat Cafe which has the main appeal to be open 24h)