Paradisaea [para-di-s-aea] is set to debut in the costal neighborhood of Bird Rock in September 2022. Named after the birds of paradise, Paradisaea is an authentic celebration of the good life in San Diego, offering ingredient driven contemporary Californian cuisine. Imagined by longtime La Jolla residents Eric and Zoe Kleinbub, Paradisaea is fueled by a passion for fine food, wine, cocktails, curated art, and warm hospitality.
Paradisaea is located in the landmark “Piano Building”, designed by renowned modernist and Art Deco architect William Kesling. Originally built in 1949, the iconic structure was meticulously transformed and restored by Eric and Zoe Kleinbub with the help of B&R Architects and interior design firm Georgis & Mirgorodsky.
Under the leadership of Culinary Director Mark Welker, alongside Chef de Cuisine Gabriel Bonis, Paradisaea’s menu celebrates the best seasonal ingredients from local farmers and regional purveyors. Perfect for sharing or individual dining, Paradisaea’s menu highlights ingredient-driven, traditional dishes with an innovative spin. Small plates include oysters on the half shell, hamachi, jalapeño Caesar salad, and wagyu nachos. Tagliatelle with uni, dungeness crab, sun gold tomatoes, Meyer lemon, and saffron is the star among the handmade pasta dishes. One of Paradisaea’s signature larger plates is the roasted chicken, stuffed with lemon-Dijon butter and served alongside buttermilk dressed local greens and salsa verde. To finish, guests can enjoy sweet corn spoon bread with lemongrass and cherries, soft serve milk ice cream with caramel honey, cookie crumble, bee pollen, as well as mud pie with Dark Horse Coffee ice cream, chocolate cookie crumbs, and a Macadamia nut, Bavarian cream.
The beverage program, led by Beverage Director Dannika Underhill, underscores Paradisaea’s commitment to using the best local, seasonal flavors. Known for her playful creations, Dannika has created a menu of original and classic cocktails, San Diego craft beers, and locally distilled spirits. A standout from the cocktail menu is the Paradisaea Mai Tai, featuring a blend of silky aged rums from Jamaica and Belize, fresh lime, local macadamia orgeat, fragrant orange liquor, and served in a signature glass. The cocktails are accompanied by a sommelier curated wine program. Guests can also enjoy Ø proof spirits, as well as coffee, juice, and sparkling beverages.
Reflecting the vision of Zoe and Eric, the design of Paradisaea was brought to life by Georgis & Mirgorodsky, the world-class interior design firm behind projects such as The Pool and The Grill in New York City’s iconic Seagram building. Paradisaea is infused with a warm color palette of greens and salmons, paired alongside custom fabrics and handcrafted finds from local artisans. The centerpiece is an expansive horseshoe-shaped Navona travertine bar, clad in salmon dale de verre cast glass that was custom made by historic Indiana-based fabricator Kokomo Opalescent Glass. The restaurant is punctuated by an eclectic collection of global curiosities including Celadon painted windows, French mid-century Japanese lanterns, a large custom alabaster sconce by Paris-based Galerie Glustin, and a stained rattan wall separating the bar from the open kitchen. The main dining room seats 57 guests and is outfitted with custom designed salmon and cognac-colored biomorphic banquettes, an intricate loggia of leather-clad columns, and driftwood floors. Ceramic tables designed by San Diego artist Josh Herman and a large mural conceived by San Diego artist Eva Struble complete the room.
Complementing Paradisaea, will be Dodo Bird Donuts, an all-day café, and Tropical Punch, a curated collection of finds from around the world, created or selected by Eric and Zoe. Accessible via a separate entrance, Dodo Bird Donuts will offer Simple Beans Co. and Dark Horse Coffee Roasters coffee, Rare Tea Company tea, breakfast sandwiches, donuts, and more. At Tropical Punch, Eric and Zoe will introduce a mix of international brands and emerging talents in the categories of home, beauty, and fashion. Additionally, Tropical Punch will reveal its own label of home, ready-to-wear, and beauty products for retail.
Located at 5680 La Jolla Boulevard, Paradisaea is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 3:00 PM, and on Sundays for brunch through early supper.
