New Restaurant Coming to Clairemont

Globally Inspired Red Card Café to Open in San Diego in August 2016

Restaurant to offer a sophisticated spin on street food and other fare from around the world

Red Card Café, a future San Diego eatery with an overarching concept of global cuisine served in a sophisticated yet approachable manner, will open this August 2016 in Clairemont along the north end of Morena Boulevard. Given its focus on popular dishes from around the globe, Red Card Café fittingly pulls its name from the game of soccer, considered "the world's game" and a personal interest of owner Caroline Sternberg, who grew up in Europe and is now a resident of Bay Ho.

Chef Drew Lopez will lead the kitchen in creating Red Card Café's lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and street food menus. Lopez' prior roles include Sous Chef at Brian Malarkey's Green Acre in University City and the former Delicias in Rancho Santa Fe, as well as Executive Sous Chef of Sausage and Meat and Executive Chef of Lei Lounge, both in University Heights.

Red Card Café's menu will invite guests to explore the flavors of the world through menus featuring a range of starters and entrees, as well as an extensive "Street Food" section comprised of more than a dozen small plates from around the world – from empanadas to poutine to pierogi. Local craft beers and artisan wines will round out the experience. 

"My role as Chef de Cuisine of Red Card Café is the perfect opportunity to express my interpretation of the world's fare in a comfortable atmosphere," said Chef Drew Lopez. "I am happiest when creating meals comprised of quality ingredients from California's farms and coastline, and I find reward in the joy each guest will experience when dining with our family. I'm grateful to be able to serve San Diego and hope that each person feels welcome upon entering Red Card Café."

Sternberg plans to open up the cafe's interior through the removal of a portion of wall between the building's two large dining rooms, creating a more fluid space with booths and tables, a bar and communal table, and toward the back corner of the café a more intimate lounge area with couches. The mainly black and white interior will feature accents of red and subtly placed televisions, while just outside guests will be able to dine on a large patio.

"Red Card Café has been a longtime dream, and we are excited to be able to bring this concept not only to San Diego, but to our own neighborhood," said owner Caroline Sternberg. "We envision Red Card Café being a gathering place or melting pot of sorts. We have created a concept and menu that reaches beyond the typical boundaries of casual dining to exhibit an array of cultures."

Red Card Café will be open daily. The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, and brunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays.

###

About Red Card Café

Red Card Café is a family-owned and operated restaurant serving the world's most popular street foods alongside a blend of thoughtful, modern fare from the United States to the far reaches of the globe – from duck poutine and potato pierogi to Peruvian salchipapas and Argentine empanadas. Its extended dining room features booths, tables and communal dining while blending into a bar and lounge area as well as a large outdoor patio. Private and semi-private dining options are available. Red Card Café is located at 4140 Morena Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92117 and online at www.redcardcafe.com.