January 8, 2014
Jimmy & Kathy DiMatteo, the original and long-time owners of Jimmy Love's in the Historical Gaslamp Quarter, are excited for the next phase of the Jimmy Love's space. Seasoned veterans when it comes to San Diego Nightlife, Contemporary American Cuisine and excellent customer service, the friends, family and the Gaslamp Quarter Community can expect the emergence of another successful Jimmy DiMatteo venue.
Jimmy Love’s has occupied the beautiful Old City Hall building since 1995. As an iconic landmark located on the bustling corner of Fifth & G in the Gaslamp Quarter, millions have dined, danced and enjoyed the overall fun atmosphere offered by the Jimmy Love’s team for over 20 years. Jimmy Love’s has also played host to many high profile events and celebrities that has brought national attention to San Diego and the Gaslamp Quarter.
From Presidents to Sports Models, Jimmy Love’s has played a major role in the growth of the Gaslamp Quarter’s dominant nightlife and popularity. Jimmy Love’s has encountered everything from “Bill Gates” doing the Macarena dance on the bar, President and Mrs. H. W. Bush’s visiting private party, Super Bowl parties for Sports Illustrated and John Madden/Monday Night Football, the premier showing of the Sopranos, to the international and US leaders celebrating on the front page of the USA Today. These are just a few of the many celebrities and athletes “Enjoying the Love” at Jimmy Love’s. Through it all, they’ve thrown amazing parties night after night, while helping strengthen the community’s economy and contributing to the growth of the Gaslamp brand.
Although stepping back a bit from restaurant operations, Jimmy is far from retirement. As a Naval Aviator for over 27 years, CAPT Jim “Guido” DiMatteo has also enjoyed a career far beyond the Gaslamp Quarter. After his tour of duty as the Commanding Officer of the TopGun Adversary Squadrons, VFC-13 and VFC-111, he worked for the headquarters of Naval Aviation at North Island and ran the national events for the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation. After retiring from his highly decorated Naval Aviation career, he has been able to combine his passion for aviation with his love for entertaining. He is currently the international Race Director for the Red Bull Air Races in addition to running the largest Airshow and aviation event in the world in Oshkosh, WI. He credits his “wingman” Kathy, also his wife of 25 years, for much of the success of Jimmy Love’s. As a CPA, she has always been in the background making sure the challenging and sometimes crazy restaurant and bar business runs successfully.
“We would like to say thank you to all who have been such incredible patrons of ours over the past two decades. We feel extremely fortunate to have had such a fantastic 20 year run as Jimmy Love’s but it is now time to change, to enhance, to bring an exciting new culinary, bar and club scene to this great corner. I am excited to announce that I have partnered up with some of San Diego’s finest restaurant/bar/club owners, operators, chefs and managers. I am joining forces with this local All-Star team to do an extensive renovation of this space and we will open back up this spring as a fresh new venue that will combine exceptional cuisine with a fun and exciting atmosphere. We are thrilled to bring this new concept to this wonderful space and look forward to serving you soon.” says Jimmy DiMatteo.
For more information, please visit the Jimmy Love’s website at jimmyloves.com.
