Are you near University Heights?
Disclaimer: This blog post was written for almost all SEO purposes. I re-post this blog also for SEO purposes, however, there's a story right on the surface of this technical style of writing that I do invite you to read if you have time.
When Jo and I first started to discuss our life together as husband and wife we set up a plan to follow, to give us a vision and direction. We knew we wanted to create a family, experience life, face and overcome life challenges together, amongst other personal and professional goals. We knew the final details would be shown to us along the way. We sort of knew we could work out the even finer details if we worked on them through conversation, course adjustment, one day at a time.
How did we get here? Are you like me and ask that question sometimes? What is our foundation to live life, what are our principles?
That same thought process is what we applied to Cueva Bar. Even further back, Cueva Bar was created one night I shared with Joanna that one day we would be running our own business. The finer details? I didn't know them until the spring of 2010. One day while tasting wine and receiving mentorship from Sheila Tracy I shared with her the details about our menu. When I showed her the empanadas, she immediately said, "ahh tapas, that's what they call them in Argentina, right?".
That night I studied the concept of tapas and who in San Diego was offering them, I googled "Tapas in San Diego", I got answers. The answer came to 3 contenders. Tapas Picasso, La Gran Tapa, and Costa Brava. I am not Spanish, nor Argentina. I was born in Monclova, Coahuila Mexico. I knew I love cooking all kinds of food so the following morning Jo and I decided to add Fusion Tapas to our sign outside to inform the public of our concept and start sharing the news on Facebook and Twitter. Instagram didn't exist yet. Since we opened, we've come up with all sorts of tapas. We've taken the Spanish concept of tapas and its environment and added our flavor, our essence to make it a unique experience. Since we first opened our doors to the public we've received a few mentions, and award on various San Diego online and print publications in the following categories: Tapas, Happy Hour, Empanadas, Tapas, Spanish cuisine, Most Romantic Dining Experience, Gluten-Free, Mole, Sangria, Tacos, and others. I've been cast on Food Network's Cutthroat Kitchen twice, and keep applying to maybe go back on another competition show.
Being listed amongst the top three when you search for the best tapas in San Diego on a constant basis doesn't come easy or without effort. This is a journey Jo and I embarked on together, with our families backing us up from the get-go, and have or have had team members who've believe or have believed at one point in the Cueva Bar dream. Teamwork makes the dream work is an understatement, It is the only way to make the dream work. With respect amongst each other, first and foremost, followed by both human and professional basic principles, we will continue working hard to always be your top choice for Tapas in San Diego. Remember, we are not your typical Spanish Tapas place. For our full tapas menu click here.
Speaking of Sheila Tracy. Sheila offered to help us put together our very first wine list. She's an industry veteran with a plethora of knowledge. Because of her continuous and unconditional support, our wine program has remained in constant change and adaptation to our fans palate and we are now able to offer you the most fun, most relaxed, and casual wine club in San Diego!
So, how did we get here?
One step at a time.
UPDATE:
Since this blog was written a while ago, I've competed in Food Network's Chopped and as you already know, we've rebranded to De Nada Kitchen & Market.
De Nada Kitchen & Market does not offer a fusion tapas inspired menu, for now.
We do not have a happy hour menu for now, but back in the day (a little over a year ago) it used to be from Tuesday to Saturday from 4 pm to 6 pm. Happy hour offerings used to be $5 tapas, $5 wines, $5 sangria, and $4 craft beer on tap.
We're located in the eclectic University Heights neighborhood on:
2123 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116