Chevys to close after 20 years of serving local communities

By Claire Harlin

After nearly 20 years in operation, Chevys Fresh Mex in the Flower Hill Promenade will close at the end of the year, and a sister restaurant to San Diego’s Cucina Urbana will open there in May.

Flower Hill owner Jeffrey Essakow said it is unfortunate that Chevys didn’t renew its lease when it had the option in August, but he’s excited to see Cucina Enoteca, a modern Italian food and wine bar concept, come to town.

“They are an exciting, new, up-and-coming restaurant, and I’ve been working with owner Tracy Borkum for nine years to bring them to Flower Hill,” said Essakow. “She’s been desperately looking for a North County location and finally found the right spot.”

The opening of the 7,000-square-foot Cucina Enoteca will be the first of 10 nationwide, said spokeswoman Kelly LaPrade Brown, adding that Borkum is working with “a powerhouse team” of local designers and architects. The multi-million dollar project will be the restaurateur’s most elaborate project yet, Brown said.

Borkum’s Banker’s Hill restaurant has turned into a busy landmark since its opening in 2009, and the Flower Hill location — which she described as “the best location in Northern San Diego” — will encompass the same modern kitchen-meets-historic farmhouse concept, featuring a wine shop and bring-your-own option (with a $20 corkage fee, that is). A similar restaurant also opened in Irvine last December.

For more information, visit www.cucinaenoteca.com.