In addition to a new wood-fired pizzeria and Italian liqueur-centered concept opening later this year, the owners of University Heights hotspot Madison on Park are bringing a new location of their brunch-focused Madi restaurant to San Diego's Hillcrest.
In early 2016, Madison on Park unveiled in the former Lei Lounge space in San Diego's University Heights. A collaboration between experienced San Diego industry insiders, Madison is owned by Jeffrey Fink, a longtime attorney who also long-operated M-Theory Music and FLUXX nightclub, and General Manager Matt Sieve, a third generation restaurateur who once ran now-defunct Isabel's Cantina in Pacific Beach.
In 2022, the Madison team took over the 2,058 square-foot Normal Heights building that previously housed Pachamama, a controversial-from-the-start South American restaurant that abruptly shuttered in fall 2021. The indoor/outdoor space received an impressive retro-style redesign from Dave and Anna Sindelar of ARCHISECTS and opened in August 2022 as Madi, a brunch-centric, globally-inspired restaurant, cafe and bar.
In 2022, the Madison team took over the 2,058 square-foot Normal Heights building that previously housed Pachamama, a controversial-from-the-start South American restaurant that abruptly shuttered in fall 2021. The indoor/outdoor space received an impressive retro-style redesign from Dave and Anna Sindelar of ARCHISECTS and opened in August 2022 as Madi, a brunch-centric, globally-inspired restaurant, cafe and bar.
The Madison on Park team will open a second location of Madi in the long-vacant restaurant unit that last housed a Panera Bread within The Hub shopping center in Hillcrest. Like the original location, expect a menu of fresh pastries and an array of breakfast & lunch dishes, although this new location will have more of a diner vibe.
Highlights from the menu include the famed waffle churro sticks served with jalapeño blackberry sauce, maple cream cheese and fresh berries; a chicken-fried steak and eggs smothered in country gravy served with crispy potatoes, toast and jam; blackberry and goat cheese pancakes with maple syrup, powdered sugar and whipped butter; and the Oklahoma onion smash burger with 1/3 pound of grass-fed beef topped with aged melted Amercan cheese, thinly sliced white onion, and burger sauce on a brioche bun, sided by house fries and pickles. The restaurant will also serve beer, wine, mimosas, low-ABV cocktails and mocktails.
The Madison on Park crew has also partnered with Sicilian-born chef Francesco Bonsinetto and partner Adisa Ziric, who also operate catering & event business Cucina Migrante, for the opening of a new pizza-based concept. Set to open as early as this summer in the 3,500-square-foot space that last housed Florabella Flower Shop, located a stone throw from Madison on Park in Univeristy Heights, the yet-to-be-named restaurant will have a menu of Neapolitan style, wood-fired pizza, as well as Italian-inspired appetizers and entrees. From the bar, expect a devotion to Italian liquors, especially Amaro, an Italian herbal liqueur that is commonly consumed as an after-dinner digestif.
The second location of Madi restaurant will open in 2025 at 1270 Cleveland Avenue in San Diego's Hillcrest. For more information, visit brunchlikemadi.com and check out the new Madi menu below.
The second location of Madi restaurant will open in 2025 at 1270 Cleveland Avenue in San Diego's Hillcrest. For more information, visit brunchlikemadi.com and check out the new Madi menu below.
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