InterContinental Hotel Announces The Re-Opening Of Three On-Site Food And Beverage Concepts

InterContinental Hotel San Diego is in the process of re- opening its three restaurants starting with Garibaldi, San Diego’s largest speakeasy-style al fresco bar and hidden restaurant, followed by the 4th floor rooftop lounge, Layover, and the property’s signature restaurant Vistal.

Strict social distancing measures, along with adherence to National Restaurant Association, FDA, CDC and San Diego County guidelines, will shape the operations moving forward for all food and beverage outlets, complemented by abundant outdoor space. Jeff Josenhans, Food and Beverage Director at the property, has been strategizing how to best re-introduce the hotel’s three food and beverage concepts after expanding the property’s public food and beverage offerings three-fold over the last year— launching Layover last September as an alternative to the hotel’s three meal hub, Vistal, and finally San Diego’s largest speakeasy-style restaurant, Garibaldi, in March of this year.

Garibaldi

Garibaldi, which had only been open for one week of service prior to the stay-at-home orders, re-opened for full service last Friday, June 5th. The menu features isle-inspired Italian fare from Sardinia such as signature handmade pastas, local seafood, and wild game, incorporating hand-picked herbs grown in the adjacent rooftop garden.

Named after the eponymous state fish of California and Italian revolutionary hero, Giuseppe Garibaldi, patrons at this elusive enclave can feast and imbibe in amaro-style cocktails, such as the Sardinian Old Fashioned which uses Mirto liqueur distilled from myrtle berries, as well as curated selections of Italian beer and regional wines, all while enjoying sunset ocean views on the sun-drenched terraza.

The full food menu is available between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. for indoor dining and outdoor dining reservations. Bar reservations can order off of the light bite and cocktail menus. All reservation types will be offered the light bite and cocktail menu after 9:30 p.m., and prior to 5:30 p.m. on weekends. Two hour complimentary parking is available on site.

“Our F&B leadership team has deep ties with the San Diego community and has been involved in not only evolving the San Diego food and beverage scene even prior to the Great Recession, but also advising and supporting local charities and food communities well over a decade. Prior to the introduction of shelter-in-place, Garibaldi donated the entire first opening night’s revenues to San Diego-based Berry Good Food Foundation,” said Food & Beverage Director Jeff Josenhans.

“We believe that a combination of genuine interest in supporting the San Diego food and beverage community, strict adherence to health and safety precautions, and re-positioning offerings at Layover, Vistal and Garibaldi will set ourselves up well to meet the needs of the local community.”

Vistal Bar + Restaurant

Vistal Bar + Restaurant will re-open for full dine-in service in July, along with a summer menu launch. Currently, a limited bar menu is available for dine-in and takeout daily from 3:00 p.m. – 8″00 p.m. (until 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). All items are served in to-go containers, featuring Executive Chef Amy DiBiase’s and Chef de Cuisine Matt Richman’s coastal Southern California cuisine.

Drawing inspiration from the Baja peninsula with a focus on seasonality and locally- sourced ingredients, dishes include house made Ricotta Gnudi, which is made with locally farmed English peas, pea vines, spring onion, and tarragon froth. Additional food offerings will include salads which incorporate produce from the hotel’s newly built rooftop garden, summer soups such as a signature Watermelon Gazpacho, and craft sandwiches.

Josenhans, who formerly developed the beverage program at the US Grant and helped grow the local US Bartender’s Guild chapter, has developed an equally approachable drink menu, including updated wine and beer offerings and new locally-themed and sourced signature cocktails which are priced at $12 to kick off the summer.

Layover

Layover, the hotel’s rooftop lounge and pool bar will be open to the public Thursday-Sunday starting on Thursday, June 11th, with socially-distanced lounge seating on the deck overlooking the San Diego bay. The lounge and bar will primarily offer light bites and aviation-inspired slushies, canned craft beers, wine, and cocktails in to-go containers via counter service, with additional full menu offerings available subject to weather.

Craft slushies such as their signature Aviation and Paper Plane will be on permanent Happy Hour pricing for the month of June. Layover is open from noon through sunset depending on weather conditions.

See you there!