Bay Ho's Red Card Café Appoints New Executive Chef & Plans Menu Revamp

January 2, 2017

Red Card Café in San Diego's Bay Ho neighborhood has parted ways with Chef Drew Lopez and promoted Alfonso Arellano to lead the kitchen and oversee a revamp of the gastropub’s new lunch and dinner menus, slated to launch January 10.

Arellano steps into this new position with ten years of hospitality and culinary experience, most recently serving as Sous Chef since Red Card’s August 2016 opening. Prior to that time, the San Diego native worked in the kitchen of Little Italy’s long-lived Glass Door Restaurant atop the Porto Vista Hotel.

"This is a wonderful opportunity, and I’m excited to incorporate the flavors and dishes that have always inspired me into our new menu," said Executive Chef Arellano. "I’m looking forward to guests experiencing that wow factor with their meal."

Through his fare guests will discover glimpses of multiple cultures, the result of early cooking lessons bestowed by his Mexican and American Irish family as well as time serving in the United States Marine Corps, an experience that exposed Arellano to many international destinations and cuisines. Arellano’s preferred cooking style is a fusion of Mexican, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine developed with traditional methods.

“We are excited to see Alfonso move into this new role as Executive Chef. He’s more than ready both in terms of willingness and talent. Every day he brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to our kitchen,” said Red Card’s owner Caroline Sternberg.

Beginning January 10, visitors will be able to order dishes from Red Card’s revamped menus including Crimson Pear or Red Quinoa Tangerine Salad, Country Duck Pate, Smoked Opah Belly with Seafood Mousse, an elevated TJ Dog and Beef Cheek Taquitos. A select few items will remain, including the guest favorite Cubano stacked with lemonade brined pork shoulder and pulled pork.

Red Card Café opened in August 2016 and is located at 4140 Morena Boulevard in Bay Ho. For more information, visit redcardcafe.com.