East Village 'foodery' on menu

Bottega Americana partners (from left) Greg Van de Velde, Dave Warner, Giuseppe Ciuffa, and Chad Ruyle in the East Village space slated to become a restaurant and urban marketplace.

London has its Harrods food hall, Paris its Le Bon March Grand Epiciere, New York its Eataly. This summer, San Diegos East Village will have Bottega Americano, a first-of-its kind foodery inspired by those urban marketplaces.

The Bottega project combines a moderately-priced sit-down restaurant, interactive culinary stations, gourmet retail space, grab-and-go dining options, a bar, patio and private indoor/outdoor space for weddings, parties and corporate events.

Bottega Americano will use patio space at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law for private events. Eduardo Contreras

The $3 million, approximately 8,000-square-foot marketplace, located on the first floor of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law building on Island Avenue, is two blocks north of the new Central Library and is at the epicenter of downtowns residential and commercial construction boom.

During a tour of the still-under-construction space Tuesday, Bottega Americanos four partners said they expect the project to draw from the neighborhoods burgeoning condo and rental developments, new corporate offices, tourists, as well as residents from throughout the county.

When it opens, well be the first ones to do something like this, culinarily, said chef Giuseppe Ciuffa, founder of Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering. Where else can you get a complete meal to go and have a high-quality full sit-down space all under one roof?

The menu and prepared food will be produce-driven, urban Italian with an American twist, with pizza, cured meats, fresh mozzarella, Italian wine and specialty coffees among the expected offerings.

Unlike other food halls, like Eataly, where customers have to order at separate counters or buy products from different vendors, Bottega Americanos retail will be under one umbrella and customers can order off a master menu.

Youre going into a culinary blind date when you come here, joked Ciuffa. Quickly chiming in was partner and fellow chef David Warner: But were very good matchmakers.

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East Village 'foodery' on menu