Chef Daniel Barron To Lead Kitchen At Hillcrest's Incoming Bull & Grain

August 20, 2016

We recently announced that an "American style bar and grill", Bull & Grain, was in the process of opening at 1263 University Avenue in Hillcrest in the space that most recently housed Tabletop Commons. Set to unveil this coming September after a total overhaul, the restaurant has announced that Daniel Barron will lead the kitchen as Executive Chef. A longtime San Diego chef, Barron most recently launched Blush Ice Bar before leaving America's Finest City for a short stint as the Executive Chef at Mister Lyons in Palm Springs.

With over 18 years of experience, Chef Barron has run kitchens across America, including in New York City, Beverly Hills, Nashville, and Atlantic City. He has also been the Executive Chef for some of San Diego’s top restaurants, including overseeing all culinary operations at the prestigious La Valencia Hotel and as Executive Chef of downtown's Blue Point Coastal Cuisine. Most recently, Barron was the Executive Chef that opened Blush Ice Bar in downtown San Diego before leaving less than 4 months later. He went on to become Executive Chef of Mister Lyons Steakhouse in Palm Springs.

A native of Detroit, Barron was a James Beard Award Semi Finalist for Best Restaurant/Chef when he was in his early 20s working as the chef of a Tennessee farm-to-table spot called Mad Platter. Barron has locally been awarded with the Chef of the Year Gaslamp Quarter Lamplighter Awards in and Chef of the Fest at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, both in 2011. Bull & Grain hopes that Barron's talent will continue to push the palate by incorporating worldly influences into the restaurant's progressive-American menu, which is still under development.

"As we finalize our menu, we have come to the realization that our cuisine will be one of the most creative and astounding around," boasted Simon Wolujewicz, owner of Bull & Grain. "Every aspect of the Bull & Grain experience will tie together, from the amazing cuisine, to the delicious cocktail menu, to the ambiance of the restaurant. We have already seen great hype for the upcoming opening, and the hype is worth the wait."

Bull & Grain is currently being renovated to include a furnished patio with raw metal and ipe wood railings and a modern-industrial interior that includes a second level lounge. The structure’s historic stone façade is being kept intact.

Bull & Grain has an anticipated opening date of September 19. For more information, visit bullandgrain.com and check out the artist renderings of the space's interior below.