Brothers Danny and Dante Romero — the rising culinary talents behind the cult underground pop-up Two Ducks — have acquired The Lion’s Share, the acclaimed exotic game and cocktail den that has become one of San Diego’s most iconic establishments, located at 629 Kettner Blvd.
The acquisition occurred when The Lion’s Share’s operating partners, Carlos Valente and Roy Ledo, personally approached the Romeros and their business partner, Darius Yasiejko, about taking over the restaurant, according to a press release. Rather than seeking outside buyers, Valente and Ledo chose to entrust the beloved establishment to operators they knew would preserve its legacy. The Lion’s Share will continue operating during the transition, with the new ownership officially taking effect in July 2025.
“I have always loved and respected The Lion’s Share,” Danny Romero said in a press release. “It’s rare to find a place whose legacy you’d actually want to be part of, but this is one of those places. They laid a great foundation, and we are planning to continue building on what they started.”
The Romero brothers bring impressive credentials to the acquisition. Danny previously worked at Addison, Southern California’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, and both brothers crafted the opening concept at Wormwood before leaving in 2023 to expand their presence with Two Ducks and Ponyboy. Two Ducks has operated out of The Loft at The Lion’s Share since January 2024. Plans are in place to evolve the concept and space in the future.
Rather than reimagining The Lion’s Share, the new owners are committed to preserving what makes it a special place. Dante Romero will continue as Executive Chef, maintaining the restaurant’s signature elements: the boundary-pushing cocktail menu, industry-friendly late-night dinner service, and the moody, energetic atmosphere that has made it a local institution. The current team will remain intact, including General Manager Joshua Becker, who was part of the original opening team in 2011, and Bar Manager John Gibian. Valente and Ledo will remain as minority owners, with their management company, Sporting Fraternity, overseeing the transition until Service Animals — the all-star hospitality group behind Ponyboy at The Pearl Hotel, which also counts the Romeros as partners — assumes complete operational control.
“The Lion’s Share has been a big part of our lives for a long time, and we’re grateful for the lessons we’ve learned, the relationships built, and the memories made,” Operating Partners Carlos Valente and Roy Ledo said in a joint statement. “It’s bittersweet, but we are ready to focus on and pursue new concepts. Over the past few years, we developed a kinship with the Two Ducks team, and truly believe that The Lion’s Share will continue to thrive and grow under their care.”
