Opening March 4 inside the newly transformed Hotel Solea on Grand Pacific Drive in Carlsbad, Verise will serve as the signature culinary centerpiece of the 201-room property, formerly the Sheraton Carlsbad. Following a multi-million-dollar renovation, the hotel will reopen as an Autograph Collection property under Marriott Bonvoy, positioning itself as a boutique-inspired, botanical escape that blends modern design with relaxed coastal energy.
While Carlsbad has long been known for its family-friendly resorts and proximity to LEGOLAND, Hotel Solea is clearly aiming for a broader audience, like couples, destination groups, and design-forward leisure travelers seeking what the property calls “casual luxury at its coastal-politan best.”
At the heart of that repositioning is Verise. The restaurant is led by Executive Chef Riccardo Bilotta alongside Resort Executive Chef Jason Luke. Bilotta brings an international pedigree rarely seen in North County, with experience in some of Europe’s most acclaimed kitchens, including two-Michelin-star Il Pellicano in Tuscany and three-Michelin-star El Celler de Can Roca in Spain, which has twice been ranked No. 1 in the world by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. His career has also included leadership roles in New York City at Soho House and A Voce, as well as executive chef positions in Seattle and Napa Valley.
Luke, currently Executive Chef for Grand Pacific Resorts, brings deep hospitality experience within Southern California, with previous culinary leadership roles at Harrah’s Resort Southern California and McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood in San Diego. Together, the duo intends to balance Italian authenticity with seasonal California sourcing and an approachable, sun-soaked sensibility.
Verise is described as drawing from the soul of Central Italy while embracing the ease of Southern California. Each morning, pastas will be made in-house, with a menu that shifts with the market. Wood-fired pizzas, seasonal vegetables, and regionally inspired Italian dishes are expected to anchor the offering.
Beyond the core menu, Verise will lean into experience-driven dining. Plans include a tableside cheese wheel presentation, a roaming amaro cart, and a cocktail program built around seasonal spritzes and aperitivo culture. An adjacent Aperitivo Lounge and outdoor patio seating overlook the coastline, while a sun-warmed olive grove just beyond the dining room is designed to evoke a quiet corner of the Italian countryside.
Hotel Solea itself represents a significant reinvention for the property. The transformation includes fully redesigned guestrooms that blend coastal elegance with contemporary lines, a reimagined lagoon-style pool and cabana experience, and a lively central lobby hub designed as a social anchor rather than a pass-through space. Across the campus, the property boasts 70,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space, including an 8,010-square-foot partitionable ballroom, more than 20 breakout rooms, and a grand lawn with atrium and terrace suited for weddings and corporate gatherings.
The hotel’s location places guests minutes from Carlsbad Village, the Flower Fields, hiking trails, premium outlets, and The Crossings at Carlsbad golf course. It also offers a private entrance to LEGOLAND. Hotel Solea will share its campus with The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, which will continue operating with access to Ocean Pearl Spa, WestinWORKOUT fitness facilities, and the ocean-view 20|TWENTY restaurant.
Hotel Solea and Verise are scheduled to open on March 4 at 5480 Grand Pacific Drive in San Diego's North County city of Carlsbad. For more information, visit thehotelsolea.com.
Originally published on February 27, 2026.
