After a major renovation, Hillcrest's Local Habit reopens later this month as a new "Cali-Creole" concept that incorporates traditional, back-country Louisiana flavors with ingredients sourced from local San Diego County farms. The restaurant will feature an entirely new menu, including a Sunday brunch by consulting chef and Louisiana native Nick Brune. It will also have a menu of N'Orleans inspired craft cocktails created by Adam Lockridge, the renowned local mixologist from Prepkitchen, as well as an Absinthe fountain and New Orleans jazz, funk and brass music.
Local Habit is still under renovation and will reopen on March 28 as a farm-driven, Cali-Creole concept with new interior and all food under $15. The grand opening will take place over two consecutive days.
“Local Habit is my baby and I’m grateful to be instrumental in its redesign,” said consulting chef Nick Brune, who sold the farm-driven restaurant to brothers Ignacio, Javier, Guillermo and Antonio Fragoso. The brothers called upon Louisiana-born Brune, who also owns top sustainable catering company Eco Caters and was formerly Jennifer Lopez’s private chef, to shape the new Creole menu.
“Local Habit is my baby and I’m grateful to be instrumental in its redesign,” said consulting chef Nick Brune, who sold the farm-driven restaurant to brothers Ignacio, Javier, Guillermo and Antonio Fragoso. The brothers called upon Louisiana-born Brune, who also owns top sustainable catering company Eco Caters and was formerly Jennifer Lopez’s private chef, to shape the new Creole menu.
“We envision this as a locals hangout with New Orleans jazz, funk and brass — always lit up and alive," continued Brune. "It’s important to give San Diegans something they don’t already have in the way of food and ambience.”
The new Local Habit will be open for Sunday brunch, Friday and Saturday lunch, happy hour, dinner and late night service. Guests should expect a menu (copied below) of Creole pizza, Jidori fried chicken, housemade roux noodles, a selection of po’ boys, whole roasted cauliflower, beignets and buttermilk pie, among other menu items. Then there’s the absinthe fountain - an ever-flowing spectacle of NOLA delight. Bartenders will pour the absinthe into a glass containing a single burnt sugar cube in classic French flare.
The new Local Habit will be open for Sunday brunch, Friday and Saturday lunch, happy hour, dinner and late night service. Guests should expect a menu (copied below) of Creole pizza, Jidori fried chicken, housemade roux noodles, a selection of po’ boys, whole roasted cauliflower, beignets and buttermilk pie, among other menu items. Then there’s the absinthe fountain - an ever-flowing spectacle of NOLA delight. Bartenders will pour the absinthe into a glass containing a single burnt sugar cube in classic French flare.
Local Habit is located at 3827 5th Avenue in Hillcrest. For more information, visit mylocalhabit.com.
