Crush Italian Cuisine & Lounge Ends Run In Solana Beach After Nearly A Decade In Business

October 15, 2020

A mainstay on the Pacific Coast Highway in the seaside community of Solana Beach for nearly a decade, Crush Italian Cuisine & Lounge has permanently closed.

Crush Italian Cuisine & Lounge was opened in summer 2011 by residential developer John Luciano and Doug Guillonin in the 4,800-square-foot former home of PacificCoast Grill in Solana Beach’s Beachwalk Center. The restaurant offered an East Coast Italian-style menu from Executive Chef Jason Calabove, who hailed from the eatery's sister location in Chico, CA. In addition to its food and expansive wine list, Crush was known for hosting nightly live music. The Chico location remains open for business. 

Many longtime San Diego restaurants have permanently shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic and associated restrictions, including the entire San Diego-based Souplantation chain after 42 years in business, Crab Catcher in La Jolla after four decades, Searsucker in the Gaslamp after a 10 year run, Donovan's Steak & Chophouse after 12 years, Whisknladle in La Jolla after a dozen years, The Oceanaire Seafood Room in the Gaslamp after 15 years, The Dubliner on 4th Avenue after almost 20 years, and most recently, 9 year-old Tiger! Tiger! Tavern in North Park.