The gregarious Heinrich Stasiuk promises the new Shorebird restaurant in Seaport Village will be a coastal experience rooted in culinary excellence.
The coastal experience has been available since 1980. Formerly called The Pier Cafe, the iconic eatery space was built on pylons that place it directly overtop the San Diego Bay.
Stasiuk says the Shorebird menu is far from anything that might be considered “tourist trap” fare.
“‘We’re a scratch kitchen – nothing comes from a can,” proclaims Stasiuk, founder and chairman of Wild Thyme Restaurant Group, which now has four Shorebirds and a portfolio that includes several Jay Bird’s Chicken restaurants.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 13, Shorebird offered some samples of Chef Jay Bogsinske’s menu. Sushi is a major component. Tempura rock shrimp is amplified by honey aioli and toasted sesame. You can also order the Jay Bird hot chicken sandwiches.
Also on display: Some of the tallest deviled eggs I’ve ever encountered. Chef Bogsinske says he includes two yolk-based servings atop every half egg white.
Dinner offerings get pricy, but not outrageously so. Steaks run from $44 to $69. Stasiuk notes that several fish dishes will come directly off the boats that dock right next door at Tuna Harbor.
Shorebird is one of several new restaurants filling up Seaport Village. Port of San Diego Chair Danielle Moore says Seaport Village now has 57 tenants and is running at 97% occupancy.
There were challenges getting Shoreboard in place in a facility that’s been in operation since 1980. Stasiuk signed a 10-year lease in 2021 and expected to open in 2022. It took three years longer than expected – a gas line and some floor planks had to be replaced. The delay caused the budget to increase by a million dollars, he says.
Seaport Village is currently in a review process for much longer-ranging renovation plans, which could take decades to execute.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the two-story Shorebird seats 119, with nearly every seat offering a bay view. For more information: go to Shorebirds. SDSun
