BASIC Urban Kitchen and Bar was honored by San Diego’s Business Improvement District (BID) Council by being named the 2011 BID Business of the Year at the Small Business Awards on June 9. BASIC excelled in all the criteria businesses were judged on, including business staying power, growth, financials, innovations and BID support. Led by hospitality veteran, Jon Mangini, BASIC has thrived at its location in the East Village, 410 10th Ave., since it opened in 2006. Mangini helped launch a restaurant at the W Hotel in 2003 before branching off to open BASIC on his own. Since then, the restaurant has received numerous awards, including an honor for “Design Excellence” by San Diego Home and Garden Magazine, “Best Pizza in San Diego” by NBC’s Golden Local and a “Silver Fork” award by Riviera Magazine. Mangini recently expanded to open BASIC’s sister restaurant, URBN Coal Fired Pizza in North Park. “Everyone said I was crazy when I opened doors in the East Village five yars ago because there was absolutely nothing down in the neighborhood at that time,” Mangini said in a recent statement. “We’re thrilled with the way the East Village has flourished throughout the past few years, and our local clientele is what has really allowed our business to succeed and continue to grow.”