An All-Day Cafe With Peruvian Roots Will Be Opening in La Jolla | Eater San Diego

"Evolving from a pandemic-born backyard pop-up run out of chef Sebastian Becerra’s La Jolla patio, Pepino reflects his return home after stints at Eleven Madison Park, Coi, Rich Table and Little Italy’s Herb & Wood. One of the area’s first licensed microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs), the breakfast-and-lunch cafe and bakeshop—named for Becerra’s grandfather (pepino means “cucumber” in Spanish)—spotlights Peruvian family-inspired dishes, including a breakfast burrito riffing on lomo saltado and a lechon sandwich dressed with salsa criolla and creamy huancaina. The menu will also feature offerings from industry friends like Wildwood Flour Bakery and Triumph Coffee Club; Marissa Williams is joining as sous chef. Located in the cluster of businesses on Fay Avenue that houses Michele Coulon Dessertier, the restaurant grew through word of mouth and viral Instagram buzz, plans a series of pop-ups in La Jolla and Pacific Beach this summer, and expects construction to finish early next year before adding an early dinner service with more Peruvian dishes plus beer and wine." - Candice Woo