Berke Bakay, known for his portfolio of multi-vendor dining destinations, is behind several successful projects in Southern California, including the Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad and San Clemente's incoming Miramar Food Hall. Bakay is also the president and CEO of Kona Grill, an upscale casual restaurant company with around 40 locations.
Bakay's approach blends curated local vendors with communal seating and elevated casual fare, often in architecturally distinctive settings. The Miramar Food Hall is being installed in the 1930s-era Miramar Theater, a California registered Historic site in San Clemente. The 12,000-square-foot Windmill Food Hall is located in the former Pea Soup Andersen's building, which features an old Danish-style windmill.
The 4,685 square-foot former Little Italy Food Hall, which shuttered in mid-February after nearly seven years in business, had been home to a rotating mix of eateries and a bar, most recently operated by Grit & Grain Collective in partnership with culinary personality Sam "The Cooking Guy" Zien. The closure came suddenly, reportedly with minimal notice to vendors and staff, and followed a period of strategic shifts and restaurant rebranding within the space.
While details on Bakay’s vision for the new concept remain under wraps, the project marks a highly anticipated refresh for one of Little Italy's most visible dining destinations. Located at 550 W Date Street, adjacent to the Vici Luxury Apartments, the new food hall is expected to bring renewed culinary energy to the neighborhood. The former Basta space across the piazza, which is 1,646 square-feet with a 700 square-foot patio, remains available for lease.
An opening timeline for the new food hall has not yet been announced.
Originally published on May 2, 2025.
