Long Story Short Opens In North Park

Long Story Short, which is taking over the space formerly held by Little Thief Wine Bar & Kitchen at 3017 University Avenue in North Park, is scheduled to open on Wednesday, August 16.

This marks the first permanent restaurant for the husband-and-wife team of Chefs Elliott and Kelly Townsend, who recently concluded a 20-month guest kitchen residency at Vino Carta Solana Beach, the sip-and-shop wine bar and store.

Chefs Elliott and Kelly, who previously cooked at Cowboy Star and Juniper & Ivy, respectively, craft their menu of California cuisine every few weeks based on what they can source locally and seasonally.

They work with several purveyors, including Chino Farms in Rancho Santa Fe and Saraspe Seafoods out of Seaforth in Mission Bay.

Telling their story

Elliott was born and raised in National City, while Kelly grew up in Point Loma. They met at the Art Institute of California – San Diego, where they both earned bachelor’s degrees in culinary management. They now reside in North Park.

“This is not just a restaurant,” Elliott Townsend said. “It’s a collection of things Kelly and I have compiled to tell a story – a story of time, places, and people from our more than 10 years together.

We are from this city, and we love it dearly. The meals we are going to create are an evolution of our relationship, our journey, and what’s still to come. The music is what we listen to, the wine is what we drink, and the food is what we believe you should be eating at this precise moment. Long story short, this is us, and North Park is our home.”

Opening menu

Three of the dishes expected to be on the opening night menu are:

Dry-aged local bluefin tuna, tamarind dashi, cucumber salad
Corn agnolotti, brown butter, huitlacoche
White sea bass crudo, cochinita salsa, figs

Dinner service begins at 5PM, Wednesday–Saturday and at 4PM on Sunday. Bar service begins at 4PM, Wednesday–Sunday. Happy hour is from 4PM–6PM each day. Guests can also enjoy 50% off bottles of wine that are $90 or more on Wednesdays for the entire evening.

Natural wines from small producers around the world will be the focus of the wine menu. There are six taps for draft beer as well, and they will always feature independent craft breweries in San Diego.

“The renaissance of San Diego’s food scene continues to make heads turn when chefs like Elliott and Kelly come to the forefront,” said Long Story Short Managing Partner Patrick Ballow. “Their dedication to their craft will take Long Story Short to the top of the food chain here in their hometown.”