Will Jack's Rise from the Ashes?

[DiningDiva]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/20...

Another attempt to make that space viable. Hope it works, hope he has deep pockets

[foodiechick]

I think there may be a market for parts of this project, but the high-end nightclub with bottle service will prove short-lived. I live three blocks away and this town closes up well before 11pm, even on Saturday night.

[DiningDiva]

I tend to agree with you on the high-end nighclub and bottle service. I don't think that's a concept San Diego has embraced. I'm also not sure a high-end night club will survive there either, in spite of th availability of expendable cash in LJ.

I do, think, howver, that some of the other concepts have a chance at making it.

[deeznuts]

Yes LJ as does most North County closes up early. Del Mar as well. But Jacks was always popping off when I went, and I went a few times for birthdays and such. It was brisk business while it lasted. I went there maybe a week or two before it was shut down and it was jam packed. People in North County want a spot to hang. There are a couple smaller spots on prospect I've been too as well (Can't remember the name) that are more casual but do have people frequenting it.

[RB Hound]

La Jolla is North County?

[deeznuts]

No, but most of north county and del mar closes up early. Did I write any different.

A bunch of people here who only roam north county do consider LJ as the southernmost tip of their territory. "I don't really go much South." When I inquire if he means south of of Downtown they usually say no, south of La Jolla.

[RB Hound]

Your writing is fine; my reading is off. Not that it matters - I've always found "North County" to be too vague as it is. When I lived in the northernmost portion of RB, I found that it was much faster to drive downtown than over to Oceanside. :)

[deeznuts]

The way I wrote it perhaps was a bit ambiguous. :) Sorry if my reply was a bit crass

North County, the definition, really depends on where you currently are. My friends in Southeast San Diego call Mira mesa north county. I'm originally from Mira Mesa and we all think North county starts after Del Mar. I'm now iN Solana, work in RSF/Del Mar, and my coworkers think anything north of the 56 is North County. It is quite vague as you mention.

But if this place opens in LJ, it'll be the closest thing for North County'ers, all iterations of them, when they want to go see meat. on the table and the dance floor.

[stevewag23]

Its was dead slow during the week and at lunch.

It was interesting that Jack's had one of the most resume heavy chefs in san diego, Tony Disalvo.

I wonder who will be working the stove at Mike's La Jolla.

[deeznuts]

Yup, and I was excited to eat there. Winter 2007 I remember clearly, as I just started dating my lady, and first up was Market, and we loved it. Jacks was a few weeks later, and we were underwhelmed.

[Island]

Never got to Jack's. Is that a spot that's had a lot of restaurant turnover?
Speaking of turnover...I knew San Diego got a Truluck's, but didn't realize it was in that little restaurant area in UTC with Fleming's and Japengo. That place has seen a lot of places come and go. Wasn't the last a seafood restaurant also?
Same thing where Market restaurant is on Via de La Valle, by the Polo Grounds. Don't know what restaurants occupy those spaces now.

[stevewag23]

"Is that a spot that's had a lot of restaurant turnover?"

There was never a restaurant there before Jacks.

This is an interesting project. Mike Viscuso is probably one of the only people in town to take over this spot (chief rival, James Brennan having been all but decimated in 6 or so failed nightclub attempts.)

Viscuso is known for putting out a junk product (Deco's, Belo) with poor food, poor service and charging high prices. Surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly, he has been somewhat successful with it. He is also a san diego high-end nightlife pioneer (E-street alley, on-broadway).

I think however, his luck may run out with this attempt and the Jade theater attempt. It's not 2006 anymore. The multi-colored, striped shirted mortage broker is an extinct species.

La Jolla, despite having cash, is a dead end as far as nightlife goes. On weekedays? La jolla is deader than Jimmy Hoffa.

Jade theater is in a really tough location downtown. (For whatever reason, getting people to go two blocks east of 5th, and a block north of broadway is a real tough sell).

San diego has an over-saturation of pseudo-high end nightlife options. There simply aren't enough people out there to fill them. And san diego, with its family based marketing campaigns, rules, lack of "sin" and early closing hours, simply doesn't attract the high roller clientle need to support these joints.

I was in the gaslamp on wed night, and most places had under 10 people in them. It was shocking.

If the economy keeps moving sideways or moves down, this place is cooked.

[Alice Q]

Jade Theater has been closed for almost two years. This sounds like a suicide mission to me - what makes them think it will do any better than the original idea I can't imagine. Maybe somebody needs a tax writeoff.

[stevewag23]

Since he is renaming the old Jack's La Jolla, "Mike's La Jolla", I wonder if he will rename the old Jade theater, "Mike's Theater"?

[deeznuts]

The food at Jacks was underwhelming when I went there.

Decos and belo are not to be judged by their food. The food really is an afterthought. I was told it is easier to get permits and licenses for the nightclub portion if you have a restaurant, so a restaurant it is. That's what I've been told. Viscuso's brother is my hookup downtown for spots so it's second/third hand info.

The Jade theater spot will be hard. Jacks, though was always packed up until it closed. Keep in mind the buyers after a failed attempt usually get in cheap, so the bar for success should be lower.