After nearly 20 years dishing out festive decor paired with a seasonally driven menu, Barbarella in La Jolla Shores has been purchased by a new set of owners who intend to maintain the bar & restaurant as a fun neighborhood destination.
Opened by Barbara Beltaire in 1999, Barbarella restaurant has become a La Jolla Shores fixture, hosting frequent celebrations including embracing annual holidays with elaborate decorations. As of this week, the restaurant was sold to the Hamerslag family - Steven, Blake & Jean. With a seamless transfer, the eatery will experience no downtime with Blake taking over overall management of daily operations with the help of General Manager James Anderson, who has worked for Barbarella for three years, and manager Alex Fatoohi, who has a decade tenure at the restaurant. Along with the 48 other employees who have long worked for Barbarella, the eatery is expected to continue in accordance with the standards set by its namesake founder.
"Barbarella has had a wonderful following of customers for the last 19 1/2 years of business," commented co-owner Jean Hamerslag. "We are not changing much since there is so much customer satisfaction. All of the special holidays will continue to be festive at the restaurant which is the most often asked question. We respect the traditions. The menu will remain the same with some experimentation with specials. Some vegetarian/vegan options will be offered."
Barbara Beltaire, who studied culinary arts in France and Italy and worked as head chef of her restaurant, is stepping away to start a new children's charity named I Love You So So Much, which pays homage to a quote from Barbarella's granddaughter that is also painted on the wall of Barbarella. The non-profit will buy necessities for children in need.
Barbarella is located at 2171 Avenida de la Playa in La Jolla Shores. For more information, visit barbarellarestaurant.com.
Barbara Beltaire, who studied culinary arts in France and Italy and worked as head chef of her restaurant, is stepping away to start a new children's charity named I Love You So So Much, which pays homage to a quote from Barbarella's granddaughter that is also painted on the wall of Barbarella. The non-profit will buy necessities for children in need.
Barbarella is located at 2171 Avenida de la Playa in La Jolla Shores. For more information, visit barbarellarestaurant.com.
