Moving into the quaint space that last housed Umi Sushi on Highway 101 in Encinitas is Corner Pizza, a Brooklyn-style pizzeria, raw bar, wine house and beer garden from an experienced area chef & restaurateur.
Corner Pizza is the product of Encinitas-based entrepreneur Mario Guerra with help from consulting chef Alex Carballo, who also joined forces for the openings of nearby sister projects Valentina restaurant and Moto Deli. Carballo is also the chef behind Carte Blanche Bistro & Bar in Oceanside and has consulted on several area pizzeria projects in addition to working in the kitchens at a multitude of San Diego restaurants.
This summer, Guerra took over the 1,300 square-foot unit that last housed Umi Japanese restaurant and will soon open Corner Pizza. The Brooklyn-inspired pizzeria will have a wine bar vibe and feature a concise menu of raw bar options like oysters and Littleneck clams, as well as appetizers, handmade pizzas and salads. Standouts include the tuna carpaccio with locally caught bluefin tuna, parmesan capers, arugula, lemon and olive oil; the Killer Bee pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, sopressata, garlic puree, chili oil and honey; and the Padrino salad with Salanova lettuce, radicchio, salami, mozzarella, onion, pickled pepperoncini peppers, roasted chickpeas, tomato, and olive dressing. The counter-service restaurant will also have an outdoor patio and a bar serving local beer and a curated wine list from Somelier Ricardo Zarate.
This summer, Guerra took over the 1,300 square-foot unit that last housed Umi Japanese restaurant and will soon open Corner Pizza. The Brooklyn-inspired pizzeria will have a wine bar vibe and feature a concise menu of raw bar options like oysters and Littleneck clams, as well as appetizers, handmade pizzas and salads. Standouts include the tuna carpaccio with locally caught bluefin tuna, parmesan capers, arugula, lemon and olive oil; the Killer Bee pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, sopressata, garlic puree, chili oil and honey; and the Padrino salad with Salanova lettuce, radicchio, salami, mozzarella, onion, pickled pepperoncini peppers, roasted chickpeas, tomato, and olive dressing. The counter-service restaurant will also have an outdoor patio and a bar serving local beer and a curated wine list from Somelier Ricardo Zarate.
"To me oysters and wine have always been the best pre-pizza snack - delicious, fresh, and not too filling," explained Corner Pizza founder Mario Guerra. "When I go to New York, the first thing I want is fresh oysters or Littlenecks and pizza, but you rarely see them on the same menu."
Corner Pizza is expected to open this month at 1246 N Coast Hwy 101 in San Diego's Leucadia community. For more information, visit corner-pizza.com.
