Oaxacan Restaurant and Tequila Bar Opening in Hillcrest | Eater San Diego

"I'm expecting Cocina de Barrio to open by the first week of November in the former Hillcrest location of Swami’s Cafe, a 4,500-square-foot corner space at 5th Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue that has been shuttered for a remodel. Owner Jaime Osuna is partnering with executive chef Jose Flores, an 18-year restaurant veteran and California Culinary Academy alum who, after cooking in well-known Italian kitchens, is looking forward to a project that reflects his heritage. The menu will focus on Oaxacan and other regional Mexican cuisines with hand-pressed corn tortillas, a variety of moles, fried grasshoppers, and tlayudas; starters include prickly pear and lime-cured striped bass ceviche, salmon tiradito with pickled strawberry, red onion, and mint, and an infladita de barbacoa (puffed blue corn tortillas topped with 10-hour braised beef barbacoa, aguacate salsa, and mole amarillo). Entrées range from chamorro de borrego (braised lamb shank) to the Nayarit seafood dish pescado zarandeado, and desserts will feature homemade ice creams in flavors like Mexican hot chocolate, mole, corn and lime, and dulce de leche. The restaurant will also offer brunch and a 3 p.m.–6 p.m. patio happy hour with tacos and drink specials, and a bar pouring a large selection of tequila, mezcal, Mexican craft beer, and Baja wines." - Candice Woo