Eric Lightstein and OMG Hospitality Group felt the timing was right to bring fine dining to Pacific Beach.
Reitstein has taken over the Backyard Kitchen and Tap at 832 Garnet Ave. and repurposed it as Union Kitchen and Tap, serving up the best of new American cuisine, local craft beer, wine, and handcrafted cocktails. The renovated 6,000 square foot venue offers a spacious lounge-like feel with indoor and outdoor dining options, a lively main bar with multiple TVs, and comfortable lounge spaces for groups and parties. We are proud of our layout.
“It was an existing business that changed the concept to DBA (Doing Business As),” says CEO and co-founder of OMG Hospitality Group, founded in 2008 and named after his children Olivia, Mason and Gavin. said Mr. Leitstein, who is an expert in the field. “Our goal has always been to elevate beach restaurant cuisine.”
Mr. Lightstein added: “We're excited to join PB where the community supports our fine dining and craft cocktail menu; it's part of who we are.”
He characterized the restaurant-bar's food as “New American cuisine with a Southern twist,” and said the menu includes prime steaks, salads, flatbreads and crab cakes, as well as delicious ingredients such as shrimp and gumbo. However, he pointed out that all of the sauces are made from scratch. .
OMG currently includes seven restaurants: Union Kitchen & Tap in Encinitas, Union Kitchen & Tap Gaslamp, PB Alehouse, Union Kitchen & Tap in PB, Waterbar, Moe's and Molly's in Mission Beach. Reitstein is also affiliated with Sandbar and The Fish Shops.
Known for its sophisticated modern takes on timeless classics, Union Kitchen and Tap's dinner includes shrimp and grits made with andouille sausage, roasted tomatoes, aged white cheddar, Anson Mills grits, and chives. It is. Union gumbo made with andouille, smoked chicken, okra, jasmine rice, and finished with green onions. Watermelon salad made with heirloom cherry tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, ricotta salata, arugula, and sherry shallot vinaigrette. Prime steaks, including 12 ounces of prime New York strip, 7 ounces of filet mignon and 18 ounces of prime bone-in ribeye, are served with maître d'er butter and Union steak sauce. The rest of the menu also includes salads, sides, and indulgent desserts like Aunt Dubo's Peanut Butter Pie and Molly's Homemade Carrot Cake.
The PB dining scene is ripe for change, Leitstein argued. “The dynamics between PB and Garnet and the entire beach community have changed,” he added. “There are more young professionals now, not just students. PB is becoming more gentrified because rents are high and expensive. It's no longer an inexpensive zip code. That's why we offer fine dining at Garnet. It felt like the right time to do it.”
Leitstein talked about another change at Union Kitchen PB. “We have live entertainment on Friday nights with jazz and acoustic-style bands,” he said, adding that the bar-restaurant is “no longer a nightclub, more of a lounge,” with an outdoor fire pit. He pointed out that they have established a “casual environment that you can easily enjoy.'' Enjoy. He noted that Union Kitchen PB “still has a sports atmosphere” and is also home to University of Michigan Wolverines fans.
The restaurant's beverage program includes a selection of draft beers, canned beers, wine, and craft cocktails. Highlights include Purple Haze, made with illegal mezcal, ginger liqueur, prickly pear, lime, and sage; California Soul made with Tito, lavender, coconut, guava, agave, and lemon. Good Vibrations made with freshly squeezed cucumber, grapefruit, lime, ginger, and your choice of spirits. He has two Cool 2 B 4-Gotten made with blackberry-infused Bright Bourbon, cider, lemon, and cinnamon. Some cocktails are also available as non-alcoholic versions.
Leitstein said OMG Hospitality is also committed to supporting all three communities that host Union Kitchen eateries: Encinitas, Gaslamp Quarter and Pacific Beach. “We want to give back to the community we’re in,” he said. “We hire locally. We have over 500 employees. This is a way to give back. We support people who live in the community while providing (food) that makes them want to come back.” We aim to create an experience.”
union kitchen and faucet
Location: 832 Garnet Avenue
Hours: Tuesday through Friday for dinner from 4 PM to 10 PM, Saturday through Sunday for brunch from 10 AM to 2 PM, and dinner from 2 PM to 10 PM. Closed on Mondays.
Information: 858-263-7850. The bar is open until 2am every night and serves cocktails, beer, and wine. Additional weekly programs include $1.25 oysters and $5 shaken martinis on Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. On Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., wine by the glass and bottle will be half price. Live music on Thursdays. And on Fridays there's a DJ.
