Chef Javier Plascencia's upcoming Little Italy eatery, Bracero: Cocina Mexicana de Raiz, will start construction at the end of the month. Set to open in Spring 2015, the newest restaurant from the well-seasoned Chef Plascencia will be located at the Ariel Suites in Little Italy and feature multiple dining levels to cater to both casual and fine dining, each including a bar, kitchen and patio and a focus on Mexican spirits, wine and modern Baja fare.
Plascencia's new 4,800 square-foot restaurant in Little Italy will be built by San Diego based construction firm, Jaime Partners (Searsucker, Puesto, Comun), who will implement the design by Los Angeles based design firm, Bells & Whistles. The name Bracero is inspired by the Bracero program, which resulted in the importation of temporary contract laborers from Mexico to the United States back in the early 1940s through mid-1960s. Bracero, meaning “one who works with their hands & arms,” was a term for the Mexican manual laborers. Bracero is the second restaurant from Chef Plascencia in San Diego, who also owns the popular Romesco Mexiterranean Bisto in Bonita, as well as multiple restaurants in Mexico including the famed Misión 19, the landmark Caesar's and Finca Altozano in Valle de Guadalupe, to name a few.
Luis Pena, one of the owners, says that Bracero will serve Mexican food with a fun experience. There will be two bars, one on each floor. The first floor will be more casual and will not need reservations. The second floor will be casual, but with a more high-end experience. Reservations will be required for the second floor. Also, the second floor bar will be dedicated to craft liquor from Mexico, featuring mezcal and tequila.
Bracero will be located at 1490 Kettner Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101. The owners plan to open the restaurant in March 2015.
