Renowned steakhouse Ember & Rye is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated re-opening, with reservations available from June 22.

In continued collaboration with acclaimed chef, restaurateur, author, and television personality Chef Richard Blais, the restaurant re-emerges with a refreshed menu that includes several signature creations alongside classic Ember & Rye favorites.

Introducing Amazing New Talent

In tandem with the re-opening, Ember & Rye is ushering in a new era of talent under Chef Blais’s guidance with the appointment of James Beard Award semifinalist Executive Chef Jonathan Bautista. Bautista brings decades of culinary experience across the greater Southern California market.

Together, Chef Blais and Chef Bautista will introduce a new iteration of the esteemed Ember & Rye dining experience with engaging programming and activations for resort guests, members, and locals alike.

“It’s not every day you get the chance to celebrate a deeply passionate project all over again. I couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to re-introduce Ember & Rye to the dynamic culinary destinations of Carlsbad and the larger San Diego region,” says Chef Blais.

“This time around, our vision extends beyond just dining; it’s a culinary adventure with an opportunity to blend flavors and creativity. I look forward to continuing Ember & Rye’s success while delivering a unique experience alongside a new team in the same lively environment.”

The distinctive steakhouse, known for its blend of vintage ambiance with modern twists, is situated along the award-winning Aviara Golf Club overlooking the 18th green and surrounding Batiquitos Lagoon, serving as the unofficial clubhouse for resort guests, members, locals, and golf enthusiasts.

Signature Dishes and Chef Creations

Ember & Rye will be open daily for lunch and feature an abbreviated “Between Clubs” menu each afternoon. The menu will include an enhanced selection of signature snacks, unique sandwiches, and refreshing salads, which you can enjoy while surrounded by sweeping vistas of Carlsbad’s treasured natural landscape.

Explore a selection of approachable classics with comforting lunchtime fare like Steak Frites with crispy sweet potato strings, “Shaken Beef Jus,” and the Ember Seared Spicy Tuna Sandwich.

If you’re looking for a heartier afternoon spread following a day on the golf course, the Mishima Ranch Wagyu Beef Burger with kimchi secret sauce, triple-cooked fries, and black truffle-peppercorn ketchup is sure to satisfy even the most astute appetites.

Ember & Rye is also renowned for its dinner menu—a signature fusion of creative preparations and gourmet ingredients that come together to offer vintage steaks, fresh seafood, and seasonal vegetables combining old-fashioned cooking techniques, unconventional flavors, and modern culinary ideas.

Ember & Rye continues to resurrect elements of those nostalgic touches, including personalized tableside presentations of house-made sauces and sides to accompany featured steak entrées, catch-of-the-day fish specials, and gourmet dishes accented by the finest seasonal ingredients.

Storied favorites on the menu include:

• Beef Rib Chop “Storm Breaker Cut”
• A5 Japanese Wagyu Ribeye
• Epic Snack Tower
• Iconic beverages, including the Smoking Ember, will be brought back with the re-opening
• Crispy Stuffed Squash Blossom featuring a pork, shrimp, vermicelli, and wood ear mushroom filling
• Scallop Crudo served in a refreshing pineapple vinaigrette and Veal
• Chop Picatta with green blueberry “capers” stemming from the creative mind and culinary talent of Chef Bautista

Chef Bautista’s Culinary Journey

Bringing more than 20 years of esteemed culinary experience to the Ember & Rye table, Chef Bautista is a proud San Diego native with a deep-rooted understanding of the region’s dining scene.

In the early beginnings of his career, Chef Bautista’s naturally interwoven passions for gastronomy and hospitality first brought him to L’Auberge Del Mar, where he served as sous chef at the resort’s Kitchen 1540 under Chef Paul McCabe.

As he continued to explore his culinary art, Chef Bautista grew his professional portfolio through various establishments before earning himself a James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalist nomination in 2023 at San Diego’s Kingfisher Cocktail Bar & Eatery in the Best Chef, California category.

In this new venture, Chef Bautista will celebrate his Canadian Filipino background through innovative new offerings that blend signature flavors through seasonings and cooking techniques, resulting in a fresh take on Ember & Rye’s beloved menu.

The Vision Behind Ember & Rye’s Reopening

“Ember & Rye is more than a restaurant—it’s a dynamic, immersive dining experience interwoven with the vibrant spirit of Carlsbad,” says Chef Bautista.

“Chef Blais is a culinary icon whose creativity and passion have continued to inspire my own cooking style, and I couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with him and bring our unique perspectives together to create a truly extraordinary offering,”

“Our re-opening promises modern American cuisine through a vintage club-inspired San Diego lens, a fusion of innovation and tradition that reflects the heart of our community. Together with our talented team, we’re ready to reignite taste buds and create unforgettable experiences at Ember & Rye.”

Commitment to Local Sourcing and Sustainability

Ember & Rye’s appeal lies in its unwavering commitment to the restaurant’s core mission, which centers around sourcing ingredients from the region’s preeminent farmers, foragers, and fishermen whenever possible, including Chino Farms, Flannery Beef, J.R. Organics, and Weiser Family Farms. 

Ember & Rye continues to seek out unique regional purveyors and local artisans to spotlight their work as part of its commitment to sustainability, sourcing locally, and acting responsibly when procuring food to minimize food waste in the San Diego area.

See you there!

For more information about Ember & Rye, please visit their reservations website here or call 760 603 6908.

For more updates, follow them on Instagram.

See you there, San Diego!