Restaurant rundown: Buzz in Little Italy

The two-story Kettner Exchange, expected to debut in late September, is the latest high-profile restaurant project to locate in Little Italy.

Neighborhood by neighborhood, ambitious restaurateurs are redefining the dining-out identities of San Diegos urban areas, and nowhere is that more evident these days than in Little Italy.

Once known as the tried-and-true haven for the Italian eatery, the still-redeveloping downtown community is now becoming a magnet for more eclectic, eye-popping restaurants that are destinations not only for inventive food but also for hanging out and imbibing craft cocktails. Witness this years high-profile openings of Ironside & Oyster and celebrity chef Richard Blais new home, Juniper & Ivy.

The latest Little Italy addition, expected to debut at the end of this month, is the two-story Kettner Exchange, a $3.6 million project that will have multiple niches for dining and lounging, including a large, upper-level patio with views to San Diego Bay.

While Kettner Exchange developer Matt Spencer is convinced that Little Italy is the go-to destination for hip new concepts, restaurateur John Long is more smitten with East Village and plans to bring his Texas farm-to-pizza concept to the still-maturing downtown area.

Meanwhile, Coronado restaurateur David Spatafore is delivering next month what he says will be the islands first dedicated steakhouse. Hes calling it Stake Chophouse and Bar, located just a block from the Hotel del Coronado.

Heres a look at the restaurants that are reshaping each of their respective neighborhoods.

Rendering of Kettner Exchange interior / Courtesy of Kettner Exchange

Where: 2001 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy (with 18 free parking spaces for diners)

Opening date: Week of Sept. 29

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Restaurant rundown: Buzz in Little Italy