Garo Minassian of Parc Bistro Brasserie promises an ambitious wine list at his upcoming Bankers Hill restaurant. (Photo by Frank Sabatini Jr.)
Food | Balboa Park
From France to Spain
By Frank Sabatini Jr.
San Diego restaurateur Garo Minassian is on a roll. Having just celebrated the fifth anniversary of his French-inspired Parc Bistro-Brasserie in Bankers Hill, he tells us construction is underway for a Spanish-tapas restaurant he’ll open directly across the street.
The venture will occupy 3,550 square feet of the first floor within 525 Olive, an upcoming residential high rise that straddles Fifth Avenue and Olive Street (that we featured in last month’s newsletter). Though not slated to launch until February, Garo has already named it Barca after his visit to Barcelona more than a year ago.
“I immediately wanted to open a restaurant based on everything I saw in Barcelona. It’s a city of great food and architecture. But I had to put the plan on hold when Covid hit,” he said.
Garo commissioned acclaimed architect/designer Jeff Hollander of the nearby Hollander Design Group to execute a plan that will include sliding windows, an indoor-outdoor bar, a wrap-around patio, and whimsical elements beckoning to famed Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi.
The menu promises at least 30 small plates and 20 entrees, plus daily paellas and a Spanish-leaning wine list that will be equal in size to his ambitious inventory at Parc—but with completely different labels. House-made sangrias and cocktails will also be available.
Barca will operate throughout the day and night beneath new second-floor offices of St. Paul’s Cathedral, which owns the lot and partnered with Greystone to develop the 20-story tower.
