Replacing Charles + Dinorah inside The Pearl Hotel in San Diego's Point Loma is Ponyboy, a new restaurant inspired by mid-20th century Palm Springs and helmed by former employees of three-Michelin-starred Addison.
Two alumni of Southern California's only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Ian Ward and Danny Romero, recently formed Service Animals hospitality group to open Ponyboy restaurant at The Pearl Hotel. The duo had previously operated a variety of pop-up concepts around San Diego, including Ward's Irish Goodbye, which served reimagined Irish-style bites, and Romero's Two Ducks, which he ran for several months with his brother Dante at the Lion's Share in downtown San Diego.
Service Animals Hospitality is taking over the onsite restaurant space at the historic Pearl Hotel in Point Loma to open Ponyboy, named after the main character and narrator of S.E. Hinton's classic 1967 novel, "The Outsiders." Inspired by Palm Springs restaurants of the 1950s and '60s, the menu is designed by executive chef Josh Reynolds, and will feature era-inspired dishes such as chicken à la king, steak Diane, lobster Thermidor, a seafood Wellington, cherries jubilee, ambrosia salad, and more, complemented by a full bar.
The Pearl Hotel in the Point Loma area of San Diego has a rich history dating back to its original opening in 1961. Originally named the Sportsman's Lodge, the hotel was designed as a mid-century modern retreat, epitomizing the sleek, stylish aesthetic of that era. The design and architecture reflected the period's trends, featuring clean lines, geometric shapes, and a focus on functional elegance.
In 2007, the property underwent a significant transformation and rebranding, emerging as The Pearl Hotel. The renovation preserved much of the original mid-century charm while updating the facilities to incorporate a retro-chic decor. Now owned by Casetta Group, The Pearl Hotel is well-known for its distinctive features, including the iconic oyster-shaped swimming pool.
Ponyboy is anticipated to open this summer at 1410 Rosecrans Street in San Diego's Point Loma. For more information, visit thepearlsd.com.
