THE NEW GATHERING SPACE
FOOD HALLS REIMAGINE A CLASSIC CONCEPT FOR A MODERN GENERATION .
BY LINDA DOMINGO AND MISSION : BEACH ! STAFF
COURTESY OF PARK COMMONS
Little Italy Food Hall ’ s vendors include Mein St . Asian Kitchen ( top left ), which features a variety of Asian comfort food .
Food at Park Commons
COURTESY OF LITTLE ITALY FOOD HALL
Food halls are all over social media feeds and must-try lists , but the concept of food and beverage vendors sharing a central space has been around for decades . Instead of the fluorescent lights and fast-food chains of yesterday ’ s mall food courts , these epicurean destinations are characterized by Instagrammable interiors and local , independently owned stalls that deliver one-of-a-kind dishes and experiences .
“ I think the appeal of today ’ s food halls is the approachability and variety of choices they allow ,” says David Spatafore , principal of Blue Bridge Hospitality , which manages San Diego ’ s renowned Liberty Public Market . “ The best markets are the ones that showcase both local food and vendors that celebrate the region they are located in .”
San Diego ’ s affinity for new culinary adventures makes the city an ideal hub for food halls . Liberty Public Market , Little Italy Food Hall and Park Commons have quickly become can ’ t-miss spots for visitors and favorite hangouts for locals . Meanwhile , new additions include SocialEats Pacific Beach , Sky Deck in Del Mar Highlands and Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad .
“ I think the current generation is looking for more variety ,” says Mike DiNorscia , CEO at Grain & Grit Collective , which operates Little Italy Food Hall . “ That kind of variety of convenience is delivered in the food hall experience .”
Arturo Kassel , managing partner and CEO at Whisknladle Hospitality , the company behind the Park Commons food hall , agrees that variety is a significant part of the appeal . “ Diners can go out and dine as a group while individually getting exactly what they want ,” he says . “ That is a stark contrast to chef-driven restaurants where the chef and the restaurant have a perspective on food and dining and want you to experience it as they see it .”
Here , discover some of the food halls that have made their home in America ’ s Finest City and the reasons you should save room in your itinerary ( and appetite ) for these epicurean havens .
42 MISSION : BEACH !