Cellar Hand Opening in Hillcrest, Offering Hyper-Local Cuisine & Wine

Cellar Hand, the first full-service restaurant venture by the Perr Family, the family behind Pali Wine Co., a family-owned winery crafting exceptional wines in Santa Barbara County, is opening on Thursday, June 6 in the vibrant heart of San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood. 

With the Hillcrest Farmers Market just beyond Cellar Hand’s doors and San Diego County boasting more local farms than any other county in the country, each vibrant dish at Cellar Hand reflects California’s bounty.

Farm-to-Table Excellence

The menu begins with crudos and conservas, boasting rotating varieties of both fresh and preserved local seafood including rockfish, bluefin tuna, scallops, mussels and more. A “For Dipping” section features dishes infused with Mediterranean influence, perfectly paired with housemade 24-hour fermented pita.

Leveraging personal relationships with local farms including Chino, Dasquito, Hakuma, Valdivia, and Cyclops farms, Cellar Hand will feature vegetable-centric dishes determined by our farmers’ seasonal crop.

Lastly, the mains feature local pork and beef sourced from Thompson Heritage Ranch and seafood from legendary fishmonger Tommy Gomes, with dishes like Grilled Whole Rockfish with labne, cucumber, radish, and red ruby grapefruit, and Thompson Heritage Berkshire Pork with bulgarian feta mousse and radishes.

Cellar Hand is a passion project for the Perr family. With a proven track record in the wine industry, Nick and Carmen bring a second generation of energy committed to sustainability, craftsmanship, and community.

Curated Wines and Local Connections

Drawing on their extensive experience, the team has thoughtfully curated a wine list from friends and like-minded winemakers, as well as from their own cellar. This selection spans ancient vines, zippy naturals, lesser-known varieties, and crowd-pleasing favorites, ensuring a diverse offering for every palate.

“With Cellar Hand, we’re bringing to life our vision of a dining experience that not only showcases but celebrates the abundant flavors and talents of California,” states Nick and Carmen Perr.

“Our goal is to forge deep connections with the land and its artisans, farmers, and stewards, creating a space where every meal and glass reflects the passion of our region. Choosing Hillcrest for its dynamic and diverse community was a natural fit, mirroring our commitment to a warm, inviting atmosphere.”

Cellar Hand is committed to preparing hyper-local, sustainably-sourced seafood, championed by Kendall’s connections to San Diego’s network of fishers.

The group’s commitment to California cuisine, by way of amplifying local artisans, lends itself to a conscientious dining experience. The team’s relationships extend to farmers, fishers, ceramicists, winemakers, coffee roasters, and bakers.

“The approach to our menu is minimal and very personal,” says Chef Logan Kendall. “I’ve been fortunate to forge relationships with incredible local purveyors like Maek Ceramics and local legend Tommy Gomes over the years, and collaborate with them to curate goods and dishes for Cellar Hand.”

See you there!

“We’re excited to finally welcome guests into our beautiful space, where we’re committed to only utilizing San Diego-grown flavors that will anchor the restaurant.”

Designed by San Diego based architectural design firm Tecscape Design, the space features a 960 square foot dining room that seats 60 anchored by a central indoor-outdoor bar, with a 1,100 square foot outdoor patio that seats 60.

Guests can observe Chef Kendall and his team firing pita through the exposed kitchen, enjoy beverages around outdoor fire pits, and admire artwork created by Nick Perr.

Located at 1440 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, Cellar Hand will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 PM to 10 PM with future plans to extend hours for weekend brunch. Anticipate events, including winemaker dinners and tastings, as Cellar Hand vows to celebrate local culinary traditions.

Visit the website here for more info and follow them on Instagram for updates.

See you there, San Diego!