Cafe Califas Opening in Barrio Logan With Outdoor Wood Fired Kitchen | Eater San Diego

"Chef/partner Mario Maruca is aiming to put “California culture on a plate, from San Louis Obispo to Cabo” with Cafe Califas, a new Logan Avenue restaurant opening in the heart of Barrio Logan by late April/early May. The concept will feature a seasonally changing small-plates menu priced to encourage ordering multiple dishes, with a small indoor kitchen but most dining and cooking taking place outdoors on the 4,500-square-foot property; the front patio will serve as the main seating area and Maruca is building a backyard kitchen suite with a wood-fired oven, smoker, and grills inspired by Deckman’s En El Mogor and his own home set-up. Drawing on his experience with wood fire, the menu will include both traditional and unconventional pizzas, roasted and smoked whole proteins, and grilled local vegetables—part of his mission to offer “a lot of good food, cooked simply, over wood fire”—and he plans to make the space community-oriented by hosting guest chefs for monthly wood-fired paella collaborations." - Candice Woo