After recently announcing plans to relocate to an unknown site, the owner of La Cocina International has announced he has found a new home for the restaurant in St. Augustine, located at 157 King St.
Previously, What Now Jacksonville reported on chef Norberto Jaramillo deciding to close his restaurant within the Castillo Resort Hotel after 19 years to look for a new home. It didn’t take long, as the renowned chef plans to take over the food service operations at the rooftop space within the San Sebastian Winery, according to Jacksonville Business Journal. The winery’s bar, the Cellar Upstairs, is closed, with plans to reopen around the second week of July.
This is just the beginning for winery owner Charles Cox. While the upstairs dining area is being transformed rather quickly, Cox tells the Business Journal that he has extensive future plans for the winery, including the addition of a new market concept on the property. Unfortunately, this update has been delayed for several reasons, including the nearby Sebastian Inland Harbor Project. These plans are still 18 months to two years away from coming to fruition. Until then, Jaramillo will move his concept to the site and rename it La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs.
“We have one of St. Augustine’s top chefs who’s now working upstairs and doing our food,” Cox tells the Business Journal. “I couldn’t be happier about that. I think it’s going to be a great change. I feel like a restaurant located in a winery always should have been nicer. And this allows us to get there. “I am excited that the rest of the development is finally happening.”
