Consortium Holdings, known for several restaurants around town, is preparing to introduce a new concept in Middletown at 3175 India Street.
The hospitality group responsible for concepts such as Craft & Commerce, Ironside Fish & Oyster, Noble Experiment, Neighborhood, Underbelly, Polite Provisions, and much more is getting ready to grow again. The group purchased Starlite in October 2022 for what was initially billed as an “interior refresh.” Now, the group is completely overhauling the concept to debut something new in the space, which is expected to open in Summer 2024.
Consortium Holdings, led by founder Arsalun Tafazoli, plans to convert the space into an old-school steakhouse-style bar & restaurant with a menu centered around dry-aged meat and a continued focus on craft cocktails, according to SanDiegoVille. Previously, Los Angeles-based firm Bells & Whistles, advertised as Starlite’s original designers, was set to oversee the redesign, while Chef Ted Smith, who previously worked at CH’s Craft & Commerce and Born & Raised, was set to overhaul the menu. It’s unclear if those plans are still set with the new concept.
Starlite was founded in 2007 by The Casbah owner Tim Mays, musician Steve Poltz, and independent filmmaker Matt Hoyt. The trio operated the concept as a go-to neighborhood spot until Hoyt, who managed daily operations at Starlite, died at 45. As a result, his widow, Allison Bell Hoyt, took over managerial responsibilities until CH Projects purchased the space. Now, the group that also owns and operates restaurants such as Fortunate Son, False Idol, Part Time Lover, Born And Raised, Raised By Wolves, and Morning Glory will put a new twist on the space.
“We set out to create not restaurants and bars but public gathering spaces that help cultivate our neighborhoods through the fostering of creativity, dialogue, questions, and conversations,” according to the company’s website. “More than houses for innovative menus and handcrafted drinks, our projects are meant to be incubators for meaningful interaction. We’re not interested in trends, importing or recreating another city’s ethos, or becoming “the next big” anything; our vision is neither rented nor revolutionary. Our goal is deceptively simple: to contribute to the dynamic and culture of the city, elevate communication, and cultivate memorable experiences.”
