Drew Deckman, a Michelin star chef recently living in Mexico, is preparing to open a new concept called Watershed in North Park at 3131 University Ave.
The chef, who earned his Michelin star while cooking in Europe 11, will use this concept to replace Hoxton Manor, according to San Diego Magazine. Deckman tells What Now San Diego that he and his team will take over possession at the beginning of December and renovate the space. Watershed is expected to open no earlier than February 1, according to Deckman, who has enlisted Chef Rob Ruiz to help with the restaurant.
When this new concept opens early next year, customers have a lot to look forward to. Upon entering, there will be an open kitchen with a chef’s counter for about 12 customers, a raw bar, tasting menus, live music, and a rooftop Mexican spirit-oriented bar. While still in the design and remodel phase, Deckman expects to renovate the space to create a welcoming environment with warm wood tones, hay bales covered in adobe, upcycled shells, and white bone colors.
The name is inspired by Deckman’s realization that San Diego and Tijuana are a fluid culinary community centered around the region’s seafood and other natural resources. In keeping with this theme, Watershed will only source wines between Santa Barbara and Baja California. As for food, customers can expect a half dozen or so a la carte plates with larger places for sharing and other family-style options.
All ingredients used will be as local as possible from sustainable sources, an ethos found at Deckman’s other restaurants, such as Deckman’s en El Mogor in Baja, Mexico. Watershed will be free of bottled water, single-use plastics, and individually packaged soft drinks to minimize its carbon footprint. Deckman has also partnered with an unnamed local farmer for exclusive access to herbs and seasonal vegetables.
“We’ve been trying for eight years,” Deckman tells San Diego Magazine. “We have had three spots lined up, and every time we got close, a skeleton popped out of the closet, and it was a deal breaker. But we continued to be diligent. We share the same Watershed, we share the same air, and the same ocean. I wouldn’t say we’re doing Mexican. It’s a celebration of San Diego County and Southern California.”
