Shelter Island is now home to The Brigantine Inc.’s two newest concepts – Ketch Grill & Taps and Portside Gelato & Coffee. The Port of San Diego and The Brigantine held a grand opening for the debut of both establishments at 2614 Shelter Island Drive on Oct. 24.
“With our history on Shelter Island, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to debut our two newest brands at this location. Visitors, locals and all who work on the island and nearby love our flagship restaurant and Miguel’s Cocina. We know they’ll love Ketch and Portside Gelato as well,” said Mike Morton Jr., president and CEO of The Brigantine.
Ketch Grill & Taps is a casual eatery that connects San Diego’s unique, fresh seafood and pub fare with the area’s thriving craft beer and spirits community. Portside Gelato & Coffee is a walk-up shop scooping up a wide assortment of fine gelato and brewing fresh coffee and espresso from local roaster, Café Moto.
Ketch features an outdoor patio with marina and downtown skyline views. The entire footprint for Ketch and Portside Gelato, including outside areas, is 12,001 square feet. Reclaimed wood is applied throughout Ketch, including in the entry wall along the streetscape in multi-colored teak, the interior service counter and in the booths in the back patio.
“This is a fantastic new waterfront experience. The Brigantine has been serving San Diego for nearly 50 years – in fact, they opened their first Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar on Shelter Island. We’re thrilled they are debuting their latest new concepts on Shelter Island as well,” said chairman Rafael Castellanos, Board of Port Commissioners, Port of San Diego.
Additionally, the restaurant was designed and constructed to be energy- and water-efficient. Features include:
n Drought-resistant landscaping and a drip irrigation system, along with natural runoff filters;
n LED lighting, automation of lights and other systems and energy-efficient kitchen appliances; and
n A Demand control ventilation kitchen exhaust system to limit energy.
The Brigantine is also constructing Portside Pier on San Diego Bay, which will feature all four Brigantine restaurant concepts – Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar, Miguel’s Cocina, Ketch Grill & Taps, and Portside Gelato & Coffee. Portside Pier will be located at 1360 North Harbor Drive along the North Embarcadero in San Diego and is anticipated to open in late 2019.
The Port is self-funded. Revenues generated by tenants like The Brigantine, along with other real estate and maritime revenues, are reinvested into the Port’s 22 parks, public improvement projects, redevelopment projects, Harbor Police and more on San Diego Bay and the surrounding waterfront.