In honor of the fact that Harvey Milk’s American Diner is doing something totally unique in San Diego by bearing the moniker of the LGBT-equality movement’s patron saint and trailblazing public-office pioneer, San Diego LGBT Weekly is sharing with you a Q&A posed to the restaurant’s co-owners, Frank Lechner and Big Mike Phillips about the completely new and completely different look of theirs and fellow co-owner, Tom Brown’s restaurant and lounge in Hillcrest.
You’ve remodeled. What was the goal in choosing to do a remodel?
Frank Lechner: We liked the layout of the restaurant and just believed that by changing the color theme, re- upholstering the booths and replacing some of them with tables and chairs would help change the appearance. We also added see though type panels between the bar and diner to help give each space its own identity. Amazing what a little paint and upholstery can do to change the way a room looks.
Big Mike: We took over an iconic corner with a restaurant that had been there for 30 years. City Deli brought a lot of people a lot of special memories. As the owners of Harvey Milk’s American Diner we felt that we wanted to identify ourselves with a new look and start new memories moving forward.
Would you call it a renovation or a remodel?
FL: Neither, we call it a facelift as the layout is still the same.
BM: I think I would call it a remodel. We’ve kept the same space and layout. We just gave it a whole new look and feeling.
What were the biggest challenges before, during and after the remodel?
FL: Actually, we really did not have any. Our designers David Koehn, Will Paine and our general contractor, Chris Young and his team did an outstanding job and got us open right on time. We truly were very lucky!
BM: There are always challenges in anything one does in life. If we didn’t have them it wouldn’t feel like we accomplished anything. I think our biggest challenge with all three questions is introducing ourselves as a whole new place for people to get used to and consider us as a place to eat, drink and meet up with friends. Nice thing is, it’s building every day.
In a word, what is the theme of the new look at Harvey Milk’s?
FL: Modern, clean, beautiful, comfortable.
BM: Inviting, clean, fun and new experience. Pick any word.
I know there’s a lot of history at the location you and your partners chose for the restaurant and lounge. Can you elaborate a little about that?
FL: This was actually a blessing the way things worked out. We had been planning this project for nearly three-and-a-half years prior to opening and were looking at three other locations in Hillcrest. City Delicatessen had been on the market for some time but we never looked into the location because we knew it would be out of our price range. As fate would have it, we were able to secure the acquisition of the location for Harvey Milk’s American Diner.
BM: The Sixth and University location has been home to a couple of restaurants before ours – Cesar’s and City Deli – both popular in their day. Each lasted for many, many years; and as I mention earlier, a lot of memories have touched a lot of people during their run.
We are just adding opportunities to those who walk through our doors to experience some great food, great drinks and great service. We look forward to collecting our own memories and making our own history as we grow and become part of the Hillcrest community.
What has been the reaction to Harvey Milk’s American Diner’s remodel?
FL: Beautiful, fantastic and thank you are things we hear every day.
BM: OMG! is what I hear most. It doesn’t look or feel like anything that was there before. People love the clean, open comfortable look. David Koehn and Will Paine, our designers, did an amazing job, changing and giving us a new beginning as a new, hip place to enjoy.
Any other changes you’d like to make to the physical location?
FL: We would like to move the bakery toward the Sixth Avenue door and give it a nicer and independent look within the restaurant and install some type of doors which open up to both University and Sixth Avenues. The trick will be designing doors that will get approved.
BM: Yes, we plan on opening up both patios with rolling doors and moving our wonderful and delicious bakery counters toward the kitchen to enlarge the bakery itself.
What about the menu (changes already made and those yet to come)?
FL: The menu has changed a little after our reopening; and we will modify it as we go along. Our work continues in defining what pleases our guests and of course sells well.
BM: Our menu will always be changing as we grow to fit the needs and wants of our customers.
Rumor has it you’re planning a very big official grand opening. We’d be most honored and appreciative if you could give us a little scoop about what’s being planned.
FL: Well we believe we need to do it right and big or don’t do it at all! Plans are underway. I think people will be very happy with what we do.
BM: I would rather leave it more as a surprise and hopefully keep your interest alive!
Harvey Milk’s American Diner
535 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
619-295-2747
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-midnight
Friday-Saturday: 8 a.m.-2 a.m.
