Chef Steve Brown has thrust his way into San Diego's culinary spotlight since returning to his hometown of Imperial Beach in Summer 2016. He's been linked to more restaurants than he's opened, but Brown remains a mainstay in local food news due to his frequent multi-course wagyu popups and the opening of his first brick-and-mortar bistro earlier this year. The latest concept in the pipeline from the ambitious chef is The Vogue - a restaurant, bar, and concert theater project anticipated to land at the historic Vogue Theater in Chula Vista.
The Vogue Theater opened at 226 Third Avenue in Downtown Chula Vista on January 19, 1945, and operated as a single screen movie theater for more than 60 years until it closed in 2006. Denominated as a possible historical site by Chula Vista, the city has been looking to restore and renovate the iconic theater (over-and-over again) for numerous years.
When Steve Brown returned to San Diego from a stint in Los Angeles in August 2016, he announced that he would be opening The Shipping Yard restaurant in Imperial Beach at some point in 2017. Allegations have been made that Mike Hess Brewing took liberties with The Shipping Yard's concept and location for IB (see for yourself by following the links and comparing the artistic renderings), so The Shipping Yard is currently on hold based upon a recent interview Brown did on PACIFIC Magazine's Dish It Up Podcast. Brown is also working on a gastropub concept in Barrio Logan called Bar Logan, which has been long delayed.
With all his projects in the works, Brown did open a hit restaurant in Chula Vista this past August 2017 - Temp° By Cosecha - a modern bistro in the heart of the South Bay community. Brown continues to hold his Japanese Wagyu beef-focused popup dinners under his Cosecha brand and is rumored to be launching a portable sandwich concept - Press by Cosecha - that will appear at area breweries in the future.
For more information on Chef Steve Brown, visit chefstevebrown.com.
