Under his Be Saha Hospitality Group, Amar Harrag opened mezcal-focused Tahona bar & restaurant in San Diego's Old Town in fall 2018. A native of France and graduate of University of San Diego, Harrag also co-owns numerous locations of Matisse Bistro in San Diego and Irvine. He also operates Hidden Craft self-serve beer bar and restaurant in downtown San Diego, Wormwood absinthe bar and French bistro in North Park/University Heights, NFT art gallery/Spanish restaurant and gin bar Botanica in North Park, and runs real estate brokerage Allied Green Realty. Harrag recently teamed up with The Guild Hotel in downtown San Diego to take over the hotel's food and beverage operations, which includes the launch of a new Cali-Mexican restaurant with famed Tijuana chef Ruffo Ibarra.
Similar to the Oculto 477 mezcal speakeasy attached to Tahona in Old Town, Harrag is constructing a sister bar concept in the al fresco space behind the outdoor patio at his Wormwood bistro in North Park. Currently under construction, Le Jardin Secret will be an outdoor lounge area sited under a transparent, vinyl rooftop enclosure accessible through a door. Expect a French garden-inspired design with various seating areas and a bar devoted to all things absinthe, including rare and hard to find bottles served poured over a sugar cube from traditional absinthe fountains. Le Jardin Secret will host frequent live musical performances, including jazz and Chanson Française, as well as educational experiences and other events.
Le Jardin Secret will unveil this March at 4677 30th Street on the border of San Diego's North Park and University Heights neighborhoods. For more information, visit wormwoodsd.com.
