Cesarina Restaurant Pledges Holiday Sale Proceeds To Staff
Like many San Diego restaurants, Cesarina restaurant in Point Loma, owned by husband-and-wife duo, Niccolò Angius and Chef Cesarina Mezzoni, alongside friend Giuseppe Capasso, has fought tooth and nail to stay alive. Now, with slim margins and an uncertain future, the restaurant is prioritizing the financial well-being of their employees by pledging 100% of proceeds from a special holiday initiative, in which they hope to raise more than $15,000 for staff.
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From ‘Best Restaurants’ to one of SD’s first COVID stories
Cesarina opened its doors in February 2019 and quickly emerged as one of the city’s “Best Restaurants.” Nearly a year later, they were earning plaudits for what most business owners would consider to be their “worst nightmare,” as they became one of San Diego’s first restaurants to see a COVID positive case among employees. The owners took action without hesitation and were applauded within the media and social realms for being a model of transparency and taking genuine care of their staff.
Furthermore, when restaurants around the county were temporarily closing in the uncertainty of what was to come, Cesarina remained open solely to support their family of staff. They pledged 100% of profits to their working employees and raised more than $8,000 before government support came into play back in the Spring of 2020.
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Limited Edition “I Pasticcini di Cesarina”
Cesarina is pledging 100% of profits from their limited-edition holiday boxes, “I Pasticcini di Cesarina,” which are priced at $99 each and feature two dozen specialty tartes, biscotti, cannoli, and other Italian pastries made with love by Chef Cesarina, who hopes to raise $15,000 – $20,000 for her family of employees. Advanced orders should be placed by calling the restaurant direct at 619.226.6222 before Sunday, December 20th for pick-up on Wednesday, December 23rd or Thursday, December 24th. Free delivery will be available to select neighborhoods.
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Walk-through Holiday Décor + Complimentary Holiday Bevvies
For those picking up their orders on-foot, a glistening tunnel of lights, garlands, cascading icicles, poinsettias and oversized ornaments have transformed Cesarina’s anterior walkway and patio into a socially distant walk-through exhibit. Cesarina is also offering complimentary vin brulé (Italian-style mulled wine) and hot cocoa while their staff retrieves guests’ orders.
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(TAKE) Home for the holidays
Virtual Pairings: Providing the intimacy and exclusivity of a chef’s table experience from the comfort of home, each to-go order for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve will come equipped with a custom QR code, which will populate convivial videos of Chef Cesarina Mezzoni greeting guests, discussing her inspiration for the menu and more. Menus and pricing for Cesarina’s holiday offerings will soon be available online here. Cesarina always offers free delivery to select neighborhoods, please visit website for full list.
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Staying open through the holidays
Cesarina will be open for the holidays. Here’s what they have planned:
- Christmas Eve / Special A La Carte Add-Ons – Inspired by the Feast of Seven Fishes, Cesarina’s lineup of Christmas Eve specials will embrace elevated seafood fare. Cesarina’s full dinner menu will also be available for takeout.
- OPEN Christmas Day / Prix Fixe Menu – On Christmas Day Cesarina will be open and offering a multicourse prix-fixe menu available for takeout from 12PM to 3PM.
- OPEN New Year’s Eve / NYE Celebration Package – Say “arrivederci, 2020!” with Cesarina’s New Year’s Eve package. The multi-course takeout program will showcase various antipasti, pasta and risotto, alongside entrée offerings like Lenticche e Cotechino, a traditional celebratory dish said to bring prosperity in the new year. The celebration package will also include add-on prosecco bottles and access to Cesarina’s NYE playlist, featuring the restaurant’s signature electric jazz tunes.
- OPEN New Year’s Day — Cesarina will be open on New Year’s Day.
Placing orders
Advanced orders should be placed by calling the restaurant direct at 619.226.6222 before Sunday, December 20th for pick-up on Wednesday, December 23rd or Thursday, December 24th. Free delivery will be available to select neighborhoods.
See you there….and stay healthy, San Diego!
