The nearly 50-year-old Bully's North in Del Mar may soon be taken over by the Beverly Hills-based Hillstone Restaurant Group, who hopes to demolish the iconic pub to build an upscale eatery.
Hillstone Restaurant Group - which operates more than 50 restaurants in three states, including Houston's, Bandera, White House Tavern and others - will present site plans to the city of Del Mar's Design Review Board next week at an informal meeting with the goal of building a 5,200 square-foot multi-level restaurant with a 3-tier parking garage at the Bully North space at 1404 Camino Del Mar. The review of Hillstone's plan, which are two years in the making, are expected to last until year's end, and if approved, construction will last until at least 2019.
The new Hillstone project would require a full demolition of the Bully's building, with the goal of more than doubling the size of the 2,200 square-foot Bully's. Initial plans contemplate constructing a stilted platform toward the back of the restaurant and including a full bar, nearly 30 tables inside and out, and an open kitchen - with the concept similar to the brand's R+D Kitchen in Los Angeles's Santa Monica.
Bully's North was opened in 1969 by Lester Hold and George Bullingham. Hillstone Restaurant Group is a family-owned company that began in 1977.
