Cafe Califas Opens in Barrio Logan With Pizza and Paella | Eater San Diego

"Housed in a renovated 4,500-square-foot house on Logan Avenue, Cafe Califas is a 90-seat, casual, community-oriented hangout in Barrio Logan that owner-chef Mario Maruca largely restored himself; with most seating al fresco on a wide front patio and a spacious back deck and a mostly outdoors kitchen, the space showcases an enviable collection of equipment — a wood-fired pizza oven, smoker, Santa Maria grill and fire pit for huge pans of paella. Maruca, who previously ran the Italian food truck Caliano by Spinelli, will serve a Moroccan-style vegan/vegetarian paella with optional proteins, a variety of Neapolitan pizzas and nostalgic pizza fritta (fried pizza dough dusted with sugar), plus grilled skirt steak with onions and chiles, braised and roasted pork belly, "cowboy beans" (stewed pinto beans served with steak and grilled toast) and seasonal specials. His family's importing business from Nocera Inferiore will supply premium olive oil and other Italian products to use on the menu and sell at the restaurant, and a deli case inside will stock salads, roasted vegetables and grab-and-go pizza. A satellite bar on the patio will pour beer and wine and specialize in Baja-inspired sangria made with fresh juices, and Maruca plans to host pizza and paella parties, guest-chef collaborations and rent the outdoor space for private events; Cafe Califas will open starting at noon Tuesday through Sunday at 2219 Logan Avenue." - Candice Woo