The restaurant, which debuted in August to significant PR-driven local buzz and was promoted as a female-led, community-forward dining project, is now marked as “temporarily closed” on Google and phone lines appear inactive. The abrupt closure comes as a surprise considering the fanfare surrounding The Victorian’s launch, its storied location, and the momentum generated by Rivera’s participation on Hell’s Kitchen: Battle of the States, where she represents California.
The restaurant’s debut was one of North County’s most anticipated openings of the year. Led by restaurateurs Emily and David Rassel, the two-story Queen Anne-style home was carefully restored after a lengthy renovation to create one of Oceanside’s most atmospheric new dining rooms. The venue’s vision blended old-world charm with a fresh coastal menu inspired by Mediterranean and Latin flavors.
Rivera, formerly of The Marine Room, oversaw a menu featuring Spanish-style seafood stew, red snapper tostadas, ahi carpaccio, wood-roasted vegetables, and housemade laffa bread. The bar program, designed by Ian Ward and Meagan Crumpley of The Spiritual Advisors, was anchored in literary references to women of the Victorian era and quickly became a talking point among cocktail enthusiasts.
Only weeks after opening, the restaurant celebrated Rivera’s national TV debut with a Hell’s Kitchen viewing party, positioning itself as a space where Oceanside’s culinary identity could shine on the national stage. The concept emphasized community connection, historical preservation, and female-led leadership, making today’s indications of a sudden shutdown all the more jarring for the local hospitality community.
As of this morning, The Victorian’s website remains live but does not indicate its operational status, and online reservation systems show no availability. Social media pages have not been updated, and ownership has not yet posted a public statement regarding closure, layoffs, or the future of the restaurant. In response to request for comment, ownership responded: "Temporarily closed is all that we can say at this time. There’s no news to share."
Only weeks after opening, the restaurant celebrated Rivera’s national TV debut with a Hell’s Kitchen viewing party, positioning itself as a space where Oceanside’s culinary identity could shine on the national stage. The concept emphasized community connection, historical preservation, and female-led leadership, making today’s indications of a sudden shutdown all the more jarring for the local hospitality community.
As of this morning, The Victorian’s website remains live but does not indicate its operational status, and online reservation systems show no availability. Social media pages have not been updated, and ownership has not yet posted a public statement regarding closure, layoffs, or the future of the restaurant. In response to request for comment, ownership responded: "Temporarily closed is all that we can say at this time. There’s no news to share."
The Victorian at Hill Street is located at 524 S Coast Highway in San Diego's North County city of Oceanside. For more information, visit victorianoceanside.com.
Originally published on November 13, 2025.
