San Diego's Karina Group has taken over the 6,000-square-foot, two-story Gaslamp Quarter space that last housed the short lived Tocaya Organica and will open sister concepts Karina Cantina and an omakase-only version of the company's recently acquired Taka Sushi.
Founded in 1981 by Don Arnulfo Contreras and his wife María Inés Curiel, Karina's Mexican Seafood has expanded to six locations spread around San Diego, as well as Savoie Italian Eatery in Chula Vista. In 2016, the company partnered with Saffron Thai founder Su-Mei Yu to provide operational support at her historic Mission Hills restaurant and expanded the concept with a new location in La Jolla for a short time before being rebranded into Karina's Cantina. Last fall, Gaslamp Quarter's 23-year-old Taka Sushi was acquired by Karina's Group.
This week, Karina’s Group completed the purchase of the former Tocaya Organica building at 751 5th Avenue in downtown San Diego. The expansive space will be divided to house two restaurants under one roof. Karina's Cantina will serve a menu of ceviches, tacos, burritos, seafood cocktails and other Mexican taco shop items. Another Gaslamp sited Taka Sushi location will also install in the space, but it will be omakase-only, meaning diners will forego ordering and leave the dining experience up to the experienced sushi chefs. Both concepts are expected to open as early as early 2021.
