Distillery, Cocktail Bar, and Wood Fired Restaurant Enter the East Village | Eater San Diego

"Installed in a longstanding building at the corner of Park Boulevard and J Street, the 7,600-square-foot site has been reconfigured into a two-level showcase for house spirits and food. Storyhouse Spirits is co-founded by Steve Kuftinec (director of business development, formerly VP of sales at Uinta Brewing) and head distiller Matt “Woody” Kidd, who runs a 3,700-square-foot distillery that initially bottles Seaside Vodka, Meyer Lemon & Cucumber Vodka, California Dry Gin, and California Coastal Gin, with Bourbon and American Single Malt Whiskey planned for later release. The spirits will be featured in house cocktails such as the Storyhouse Aviation (made with Storyhouse Dry Gin, Creme de Violette, limoncello, and cherry liqueur). An 1,870-square-foot mezzanine lounge has an open-air drink rail that looks into the distillery; there is currently a small patio and future plans for a 1,000-square-foot rooftop deck. Kitchen lead Nick Paulerio, an executive chef and third-generation San Diegan, plans a menu largely from a copper wood-burning oven fueled by white oak to pair with or incorporate the spirits, with plates including Rockefeller-style oysters with dry gin, spinach, cream, parmesan, pork belly, and juniper, and a bourbon-spiked Distiller’s Onion Soup. Storyhouse will offer daily tours and tastings and will be open 3 p.m.–10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 3 p.m.–11 p.m. Friday–Saturday, with brunch 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday." - Candice Woo