January 9, 2020
As part of the Port of San Diego's plan to refresh downtown's struggling retail center, the 30-year-old Buster's Beach House will soon close in Seaport Village to be replaced by a new two-story, 8,000 square-foot bar & restaurant from local hospitality group Grain & Grit Collective and Sam "The Cooking Guy" Zien.
The Port of San Diego Commissioners voted unanimously this week to approve a decade-long lease for the building at 807 West Harbor Drive with Grain & Grit Collective, the two-year-old local hospitality firm behind such area concepts as the Little Italy Food Hall and Carnitas' Snack Shack. The existing lease with Aloha Partners, the company operating Buster’s Beach House, will be terminated in the coming months. Grain & Grit plans to open a new American comfort food restaurant in the bayfront space in partnership with Sam "The Cooking Guy" Zien, who the company already works with to operate Not Not Tacos in Little Italy Food Hall and the incoming Graze, which will open later this year in the space directly opposite the food hall within Piazza Della Famiglia. The new, yet-to-be-named restaurant aims to open by this summer and will provide entertainment and special events in the adjacent courtyard and surrounding walkway for the enjoyment of guests and the general public. Activities and events will include family-friendly gaming, live music, art nights, food and wine tastings, movie nights, cooking demos, and more.
"We are thrilled to once again be teaming up with Sam, this time to create a food and entertainment destination unlike any other!" commented CEO of Grain & Grit Collective Mike DiNorscia. "We are honored to be able to contribute to the revitalization of the iconic Seaport Village and are very excited to introduce a dynamic gathering place for the San Diego community and visitors alike."
The almost 40-year-old Seaport Village is in the process of a $2.3 million refresher to modernize the walking retail area. New leases have recently been secured with local companies including Mr. Moto Pizza House, Mike Hess Brewing, City Tacos, and Spill The Beans Coffee. A 10-year lease with Seaport Market for a market and liquor store was also approved this week."We are thrilled to once again be teaming up with Sam, this time to create a food and entertainment destination unlike any other!" commented CEO of Grain & Grit Collective Mike DiNorscia. "We are honored to be able to contribute to the revitalization of the iconic Seaport Village and are very excited to introduce a dynamic gathering place for the San Diego community and visitors alike."
"The success of Grain & Grit Collective combined with the popularity of 'Sam the Cooking Guy' has the potential to transform and enhance the experience for Seaport Village visitors and tenants," said Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners Chair Ann Moore. "We are feeling a fresh energy with several new shops already open and a variety of site enhancements, entertainment, and events. These new tenants, plus others also coming soon, will bring even more excitement."
