Set to open doors in early October in one of San Diego’s most booming neighborhoods, Waypoint Public, is North Park’s newest casual bistro and bar devoted to celebrating California culture, cuisine and great beer. Founded by a team of hospitality industry veterans - John Pani, Brian Jensen, and Chef Amanda Baumgarten - this dynamic trio has teamed up as partners, each with their own distinct area of expertise, to take over the former Linkery space on the corner of 30th Street and North Park Way.
John Pani, a San Diego native and founder of the hospitality investment and management firm ELE Collective, has for the past 12 years established himself as a key player in a number of local hospitality projects, including the Omni San Diego, Hotel Solamar/ Jsix Restaurant & Lounge, the Marriot Del Mar/Arterra Restaurant, and Little Italy’s Hotel Vyvant. As a Kensington local with a wife and family of three, John, along with his partners Brian and Amanda, quickly recognized an opportunity to bring North Park residents their own interpretation of what an approachable, neighborhood eatery should be.
“Waypoints” have traditionally been associated with navigational monuments, stopping places on life’s journey. North Park’s Waypoint Public will serve as a destination for families and friends, neighbors and visitors alike to enjoy simple, delicious food and exceptional beer. The identity of Waypoint Public is approachable and authentic, celebrating all of what California has to offer, from the beach to the mountains, to the desert. It embraces the bohemian spirit of a traveler roaming through our beautiful state. Waypoint Public highlights someone’s journey, whether they are a group of locals wandering down 30th Street, or an out-of-towner stopping in for a quick bite.
The 5,000 square foot concept, comprised of both indoor and outdoor dining, will undergo a complete overhaul. Among the team of talented design professionals developing the look and feel for the casual neighborhood eatery are Chris Bittner of North Park’s OBR Architecture, interior designer Marianne Berg, formally with Graham Downes Architecture Inc. and Dylan Jones of Little Italy’s Subtext Gallery.
Waypoint brings together an eclectic combination of natural and organic elements to fashion a casual and airy environment emblematic of the Golden State. Some of the more notable design changes include the addition of a massive retractable garage door to the south side of the venue, allowing more light and air into the space, a small exterior patio with comfy lounge chairs, a private event space to host beer dinners and seminars, and a children’s area, where kids can watch vintage cartoons and old surf movies on a nearby projection screen.
Brian Jensen, owner of the nationally recognized Bottlecraft beer shops in Little Italy and North Park, will helm the beer and wine programs. As a jack of all culinary trades, Brian has years of experience working firsthand in the food and beverage industry – he attended the French Culinary Institute in New York and worked as a cook, wine rep and brewer prior to opening his neighborhood craft beer boutiques.
The expansive beer program will showcase a highly curated list of over 300 bottled craft beers from all areas of the globe, plus a custom 30-tap system playing heavy on the West Coast craft brews. The wine list will offer pours from nearly a dozen of California’s premier wineries and vineyards, with a few selections offered on tap. Brian will also roll out a selection of beer cocktails like shandys, micheladas and bloody beers for brunch.
A So Cal native, Waypoint Public’s Executive Chef & Partner, Amanda Baumgarten spent over a decade training and working at several of the most prestigious restaurants in the industry, including four separate Michelin-starred dining destinations, La Tante Claire and Le Gavroche in London and Melisse and Patina in Los Angeles. The Bravo Network’s Top Chef (season 7) veteran has gone on to become the Executive Chef of both Water Grill in Los Angeles and most recently opening Herringbone in La Jolla.
Now, having come full circle, Amanda is precisely where she wants to be, doing something that’s more “her” than ever before. With Waypoint Public, Amanda will fulfill her vision of bringing an eclectic and truly neighborhood concept to life. Pulling inspiration from the venue’s overarching design theme, her seasonal menus will highlight an exceptional hodgepodge of cultural characteristics – Latin, Asian, and European influences she considers already indigenous to the Southern California region.
“There’s something so compelling about being able to mix and match and pull from all of these amazing different cultures,” says Executive Chef, Amanda Baumgarten. “We really do have our own distinct cuisine here in California, making it, from a creative standpoint, one of the most inspiring areas from which to cook.”
Waypoint Public will initially open doors for dinner service, with plans for weekend brunch and happy hour launching shortly thereafter. Waypoint Public’s debut menu will offer a number of eclectic tastes and starters like Salt Cod Croquettes with Sicilian Style Caponatta; Fennel Salad with Charred Local Octopus, Potato and Harissa Aioli; and as a nod to the traditional Salvadoran dish, Pupusas with Oyster, Bacon, and a Jalapeño Apple Slaw.
Dishes like Flank Steak with Dirty Rice, Corn Cake, Mustard Greens and a Chimichurri Aioli, alongside the Carlsbad Black Mussels with Slow Cooked Pork Belly, Tomato Sherry Broth, Kale and Fingerling Potatoes will round out the main courses. A gifted butcher with a distinct sense of flavor and style, Amanda also plans to offer a selection of sausages and charcuterie made in-house (maybe homage to The Linkery). Keeping the family-friendly atmosphere top of mind, Waypoint Public will offer a variety of options for kids including a hot dog, cheeseburger, mac n’ cheese, grilled cheese and fries.
A heavenly assortment of housemade desserts, including Banoffe Pie with Toffee Custard, Caramelized Bananas, Whipped Crème Fraiche and Graham Cracker Crust; a Peanut Butter Brownie Sundae and a Blackberry Crumble with Pecan Ice Cream will satisfy the most discerning sweet tooth.
Waypoint Public is located at 3794 30th Street in North Park. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/WaypointPublic.
