As Eater San Diego reported, several restaurants across San Diego have recently closed due to challenges including the rising cost of goods, labor shortages, and evolving customer expectations.
Celebrity chef Richard Blais closed his British gastropub, California English, in Sorrento Mesa on September 25. The space will be taken over by Izola Bakery. In the East Village, Asian fusion restaurant Choi’s shut down in September after operating for less than three years. Former employees alleged the owner failed to pay them more than $100,000 in wages, and the owner told Eater San Diego that the concept wasn't the right fit for the location near Petco Park.
Kokoro Restaurant closed on August 30 after sushi chef Taisho Ishito announced his retirement, concluding 12 years of serving sushi and kappo cuisine in San Diego. In Carmel Valley, Sweetfin closed its last San Diego outpost at One Paseo in August. Additionally, True Food Kitchen in the Westfield UTC Mall closed on October 4 following a Chapter 11 filing, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune.
