Hasta Manana Mexican Cantina Opens in the Gaslamp Quarter | Eater San Diego

"Located in the Gaslamp Quarter at the corner of 5th and K, the new Mexican restaurant and bar Hasta Mañana Cantina opened Friday, May 31 and is led by executive chef Kevin Templeton alongside Aron Langellier and Dave Jones, with industry veteran Todd Brown of Bub’s as a partner. The coastal Baja–inspired menu centers on line-caught sustainable seafood and meats braised in-house, offering starters like guacamole, aguachile, and fish, shrimp, or mushroom ceviche; build-your-own tacos or burritos with fillings ranging from carne asada to surf and turf, diablo shrimp, and oyster mushroom al pastor; and larger plates such as birria made with smoked beef rib served with red chile mashed potatoes and a consomé rojo made from the beef jus. Templeton’s pollo verde is a golden fried chicken finished with sweet onion butter, and his carne asada is prepared with wagyu steak and cinnamon chili oil. Desserts include homemade churros with white chocolate, dark chocolate, and caramel sauces, plus housemade gelatos (dulce de leche, horchata, Mexican chocolate) and sorbets (Jamaica, guava). Colorful murals frame a central bar and roomy dining area, and a dimly lit tequila bar called the Monkey Bar sits in the back. Cocktails feature house-made syrups for margaritas (traditional, spicy, tropical), a carajillo made with Spill the Beans cold brew, 16 draft beers, and rotating cocktails on tap. The owners say they want to create the ultimate hangout people will return to — "Hasta Mañana" translates to "see you tomorrow" — and they’re already considering additional locations. Address: 310 5th Avenue; hours: Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m." - Helen I. Hwang