Following up on Pete’s tip that construction has resumed at La Sirena, the restaurant inside the newly renovated Cabrillo Pavilion on East Beach, I went over for a look. There did indeed appear to be activity inside—but more interesting was the sign announcing a liquor-license application. The business name is listed as Reunion Kitchen.
Co-owner Scott McIntosh confirmed that the space will indeed become the third outpost of Reunion Kitchen + Drink, which has locations in Anaheim Hills and Laguna Beach (and a fourth, also in Orange County, in the pipeline). His capital partner, Steven Lynn Craig of Craig Realty Group, had been working with the folks behind the Beachcomber at Crystal Cove on the plans for La Sirena, and when those fell apart, Craig invited McIntosh to step in.
The 117-seat establishment—with 42 of those out on the patio—will be very similar to what La Sirena was proposing. “A lot of materials and finishes were already decided,” says McIntosh, “and of course we’re not changing anything approved by the city. It’ll be a little bit more masculine than you see in the renderings for La Sirena.” The restaurant will initially be open for lunch, dinner, and weekend breakfast; if there’s demand, weekday breakfast will follow. The menu will be along the lines of the all-American ones at the other Reunion Kitchens, but “with more seafood offerings and coastal vibe.” And there will be a walk-up counter for takeout.
As for catering in the Cabrillo Pavilion event spaces, Reunion Kitchen + Drink doesn’t have an exclusive deal with the city, but the convenience factor makes it the likeliest option.
“The city wants us open by September 1,” says McIntosh, “and we’re pushing hard. We’ll begin hiring and training in the coming weeks.”
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Yaas!!!