San Diego's Grand Restaurant Group (Bellamy's, Nick & G's) is partnering with The Ritz Theater in Escondido to open a new rooftop bar & lounge with an onsite restaurant from Chef Amy DiBiase.
The Grand Restaurant Group will act as the third party food and beverage operator for Escondido's historic The Ritz theater and its onsite event space The Grand. In the new role, the hospitality company will execute onsite events, manage concert concessions and special occasions, and also be opening a rooftop bar. The new rooftop lounge will offer craft cocktails, locally brewed beers, and a small plates menu from longtime San Diego chef Amy DiBiase.
DiBiase brings over a decade of San Diego-specific experience as she returns to Grand Restaurant Group, where she had worked before taking her previous position as the culinary leader of downtown San Diego's InterContinental Hotel. DiBiase was formerly the executive chef tasked with the opening of Tidal at Paradise Resort & Spa, which won numerous awards as San Diego’s best new restaurant in 2014. In the kitchen, DiBiase is known for putting a California twist on Italian and French cuisine and plans to bring a fresh take on some of her signature dishes at The Ritz.
The Ritz Theater opened in 1938 but shuttered in 1951 when a fire destroyed the interior. The theater reopened in 1954 but did not do well due to the rise of television. In 1970, The Ritz became an X-rated movie theater called the Pussycat but the city of Escondido shut it down after a few years. The theater went through other rebrands and remodels over the years, but eventually closed in 2003. Last year, The Ritz was completely renovated by New Vintage Church. It now serves as both a church and a theater open to the public, and also houses Manzanita Roasting Company and a dance studio.
The rooftop bar at The Ritz is expected to open by this summer at 301 E. Grand Avenue in Escondido. For more information, visit theritzescondido.org.
