Saffron Thai, the Thai food destination on Torrey Pines Road, recently closed. Opening in its place will be Karina’s Mexican Seafood, a beachy restaurant that will offer traditional Mexican cuisine. Saffron Thai has been a San Diego establishment since the inception of its Mission Hills location in 1985. This location, located at 3731 India St., is still in business. Saffron Thai’s La Jolla location opened in late 2018; and in fall 2016, Saffron Thai’s original owner, Su Mei Yu, sold the restaurant to the owner of Karina’s Restaurant Group, David Contreras. “While we were able to develop a solid customer following in La Jolla for Saffron Thai over the past year, we felt the location’s potential was not being fully maximized with the concept,” says Contreras. “As a result, we believe our Karina’s concept may be a better fit for the La Jolla market and beach vibe given the menu’s heavy seafood influence and the popularity of Mexican cuisine in the area.” In 1981, Contreras’s parents, Arnulfo Contreras and María Inés Curiel, opened the first Karina’s in Spring Valley. The couple named the restaurant in honor of their daughter, and David Contreras’s sister, Karina. Since 1981, Karina’s Restaurant Group has expanded across San Diego and has eateries in locations like Mission Hills, Bonita, and National City. After more than 35 years of business, the Contreras-Curiel family still prioritizes a strong sense of ‘familia’ in each Karina’s restaurant. “Karina’s was founded on the idea of offering fresh Mexican seafood specialties and traditional family cuisine made to make everyone feel like familia,” says Contreras. Slated to open in early 2020, Karina’s Restaurant Group will open a fast-casual Karina’s Ceviche & More in the former Saffron Thai location. This will be Karina’s Restaurant Group’s second Ceviche & More location; the first is in Mission Hills. The La Jolla restaurant will be complete with counter-service for dine-in or take out, and its menu will feature traditional favorites such as ceviches, tacos, burritos, seafood cocktails, and more. With the opening of Karina’s Ceviche & More, the restaurant group is looking forward to introducing their authentic Mexican seafood cuisine to the La Jolla area. “We’d like to invite the La Jolla community to come and experience our delicious Mexican seafood specialties in a fun and casual setting,” says Contreras. In early 2020, Karina’s Ceviche & More will open at 1055 Torrey Pines Road. To learn more about Karina’s Restaurant Group, visit https://karinasgroup.com/.
