As if the views in La Jolla weren’t good enough already, happy-hour enthusiasts will have a new haunt from which to take in arguably one of the best views around. Cusp Dining and Drinks, located on the 11th floor of the soon-to-be reopened Hotel La Jolla, is opening its doors soon, offering visitors sparkling drinks alongside sparkling views of the Pacific. The hotel, which has undergone nearly a complete facelift — including an extensive overhaul of its lobby and first floor restaurant, along with the 11th floor dining space — was taken over by the Kimpton hotel chain in April 2011. Inspired by the natural beauty of the surrounding community, architects aimed at creating a space that would make visitors feel as if they never left the wilds of nature, constructing a “tree of life” motif from the ground up. Growing from the first-floor lobby and continuing up the 11th-floor location of Cusp, the hotel’s interior takes on definite “tree-like” qualities, including branches stemming from the walls, petrified wood backdrops and leaf-shaped chandeliers. The colors are warm and muted, contributing to the relaxed atmosphere. Meanwhile, Cusp, set to open Aug. 1, is aiming to create a happy-hour experience like no other. With an incredible panoramic view of La Jolla and the ocean beyond it, the restaurant has brought in chef Donald Lockhart to create a menu based on a social dinner, with small and large plates meant to be shared. Centered around a coastal Mediterranean-inspired palate, the menu includes items like the fried honey and Sriracha pork belly, pepperoni rolls (which, according to Lockhart, are already garnering praise) and a charred octopus panzanella. Plates, ranging from $6 to $30, are intended to leave guests feeling satisfied but never overly full. For those who frequented the hotel’s top-floor restaurant (formerly Clay’s) before the property closed for renovations, the only thing that will be familiar, said Cusp representative Nicole Lazar, will be the view. “Those who were familiar with it before will be amazed,” she said. The best seat in the house, according to Lazar? Sorry guys — it’s the ladies restroom. For ladies that go to freshen up during dinner or happy hour, they may not want to leave. The women’s restroom features a panorama of the surrounding area, which may prove troublesome for their dates waiting back at the table. Hotel La Jolla is located at 7955 La Jolla Shores Drive. For more information, visit www.hotellajolla.com. Cusp will be open daily for dinner at 5 p.m., with happy hour at the bar from 4 to 7 p.m. every day. Breakfast will be served from 7 to 10:30 a.m., and a casual and quick lunch service will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, visit www.cusprestaurant.com.
