SAN DIEGO — Harvey Milk’s American Diner, which had its soft opening in August of last year, closed its doors last night to undergo a complete remodel.
An entirely new restaurant and cocktail lounge will welcome back customers, and the entire Hillcrest community with a fresh and exciting new look by famed designers David Kohen and Will Paine at its reopening scheduled for Feb. 13.
“This location, at the corner of Sixth Avenue and University, is special to San Diegans and to the LGBT community, friends, family and supporters worldwide,” explained Harvey Milk’s American Diner managing partner, Frank Lechner.
“We chose this location for the diner and cocktail lounge as a gathering place to honor the memory of Harvey Milk because it’s the gateway to Hillcrest,” Lechner continued. “Harvey is known for his work as a civil rights activist, but he was also a small business owner and believed that neighborhood businesses, shops and restaurants were the grassroots of the community.”
In the movie Milk, Harvey’s Camera shop was memorably and accurately portrayed as the hub of the district for which he won a seat on the San Francisco City and County Board of Supervisors. Likewise, Harvey Milk’s American Diner is the new destination for Hillcrest residents, San Diegans in general and, of course, visitors to America’s Finest City.
Notably, Lt. Harvey Milk (U.S. Navy) was stationed in San Diego; and the city is home to the campaign that has won approval for a U.S. postage stamp in his honor, due for release this year.
“Thanks to the efforts of writer, activist and city commissioner, Nicole Murray Ramirez, San Diego has probably done more to recognize the legacy of Harvey Milk than any other community in the world,” said Lechner. “In fact, we’re the first city to have a ‘Harvey Milk Street.”
In addition to a comprehensive remodel of the restaurant, Harvey Milk’s American Diner will unveil a new menu with updated twists on classic comfort food. Harvey’s bakery will continue to offer delicious, homemade desserts as part of the dining experience.
The remodel will feature the launch of a distinctive, high-energy cocktail lounge, which partners, Tom Brown, Frank Lechner and Big Mike Phillips expect will be an instant hit in Hillcrest. Phillips is a legendary, award-winning San Diego bartender.
“The cocktail lounge will literally be opened wide to the patio with a large roll-up door replacing an entire section of glass, on Sixth Avenue,” Lechner said. “We will also have three shimmering, sculptured-metal panels suspended all the way down from the ceiling as partitions between the dining area and the cocktail lounge.”
Some booths, along the western wall of the restaurant will remain. Elsewhere, contemporary tables and chairs replace booths and allow for greater wheelchair access.
Lechner noted that the location of Harvey Milk’s American Diner at 535 University Ave. is weighted with history, having previously been the site of City Delicatessen and earlier, Caesar’s Restaurant, which was established by Caesar Cardini, inventor of the Caesar Salad. The diner’s menu pays homage to Cardini with the “Kale Caesar” salad, a trendy take on his creation as part Harvey Milk’s lineup of healthy choice entrees.
“When we reopen next month, people will see a brand new Harvey Milk’s American Diner,” Brown said. “Every surface and fixture will be new and part of a stylish and comfortable design plan with colors and textures inspired by our popular logo.”
The restaurant’s logo features a richly colored, red-white-and-blue motif and the smiling image of Harvey Milk.
“I think people will love what we have in store for them,” Lechner said.
On its last day before closing for two weeks to remodel, Harvey Milk’s American Diner played host to one of San Diego’s best-known fundraising events for nonprofit, charitable organizations: that of Big Mike Phillips’ birthday, this year benefiting the Toni Atkins Women’s Health Fund.
Watch for more information about Harvey Milk’s American Diner’s grand opening, featuring a star-studded, celebrity guest list in coming weeks!
