A Five-Star Steakhouse is Coming to East County
East County is about to have a proper destination steakhouse. The Heritage Steakhouse is bringing a classic American steakhouse experience. It’s the kind you’d expect from a top-tier spot in New York or Chicago. This is coming to a part of San Diego that’s never quite had anything like it.
A Dining Room Worth the Elevator Ride
East County has a serious dining destination on the way. The Heritage Steakhouse is opening in Santee at the Legacy Building at Lantern Crest Resort Community. The experience starts before we even sit down. Glass elevators carry us up to the sixth floor. There, a speakeasy-style dining room waits.
Art deco paintings, old-world brass lighting, rich mahogany paneling, deep leather banquettes, white linen tables, and soft Sinatra-era jazz with a modern edge.
A rectangular bar anchors the space, stocked with handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits, and an extensive wine cellar. The wines are pulled from Napa Valley, Valle de Guadalupe, Bordeaux, Mendoza, and beyond. And the views – sweeping sightlines of planes coming in for landing make for an unexpectedly cool backdrop to dinner.
Serious Beef, Seriously Done
The menu is built around hand-cut USDA Prime, Certified Angus, and Wagyu steaks. They are sourced from select ranches and aged a minimum of 28 days.
Each cut is finished in a high-temperature broiler designed to deliver a precise sear and consistent quality throughout. This is the kind of program where the details matter at every step.
The People Behind it
Founder Michael Grant is bringing the concept to life alongside hospitality consultant Scott Barnett. His career includes serving as President and CEO of Rusty Pelican Restaurants and founding Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.
Barnett scaled that brand to more than 40 locations worldwide and $250 million in annual revenue. There’s serious depth of experience running this project.
See you there!
Whether it’s a celebratory dinner, a work event, or just a night to do something a little special, The Heritage Steakhouse looks like a solid reason to head east.
📆 Opening June 2026
📍 200 Lantern Crest Way, Santee
ℹ️ Find out more here
See you there, San Diego!
