After nearly 13 years in business, De Nada Kitchen, formerly Cueva Bar, has announced its impending closure in San Diego's University Heights.
Chef Oz Blackaller opened Cueva Bar in fall 2010, offering an internationally-inspired menu with a strong focus on Latin cuisine. Born and raised in Mexico, Chef Oz moved to San Diego in 2009 with his growing family. He has been featured on Food Network's Cutthroat Kitchen and also appeared on Chopped. In light of the frequently changing precautions during the coronavirus pandemic and other factors, Blackaller rebranded his Cueva Bar in late 2020 to become De Nada Kitchen & Market.
"All shows must come to an end," wrote Chef Blackaller in a post on his social media. "As I bid farewell to my time as a chef, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the memories and meals shared in this kitchen. Cooking has always been my passion, and being able to bring joy to your taste buds through my dishes has been an absolute privilege. From the first crackling of the pan to the final flourish of the plate, I have cherished every moment spent in this kitchen. I am grateful for the ingredients that have made their way into my pots and pans, for the heat of the stove that has brought life to my creations, and for the team of culinary wizards who have worked alongside me to make magic with food."
De Nada Kitchen & Market is located at 2123 Adams Avenue in San Diego's University Heights. For more information, visit denadakitchenandmarket.com.
"All shows must come to an end," wrote Chef Blackaller in a post on his social media. "As I bid farewell to my time as a chef, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the memories and meals shared in this kitchen. Cooking has always been my passion, and being able to bring joy to your taste buds through my dishes has been an absolute privilege. From the first crackling of the pan to the final flourish of the plate, I have cherished every moment spent in this kitchen. I am grateful for the ingredients that have made their way into my pots and pans, for the heat of the stove that has brought life to my creations, and for the team of culinary wizards who have worked alongside me to make magic with food."
De Nada Kitchen will permanently close after end of service on Friday, February 24. The restaurant will continue to operate Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm to close leading up to the last day. Chef Oz also plans on releasing the recipe to his famous sangria to his loyal email subscribers.
