Tijuana chef Javier Plascencia’s second U.S. restaurant, Bracero Cocina de Raiz, is opening Thursday in Little Italy to give foodies a sneak peak.
The new restaurant’s first level and the inside dining room of the second level will be open prior to the grand opening of the entire 4,800 square-foot restaurant in late August.
Plascencia, whose family runs upscale eateries in Tijuana, introduced San Diegans to Baja-Mediterranean cuisine when his Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro opened in Chula Vista a decade ago. In 2012, The New Yorker magazine profiled Plascencia as “the leader of a culinary revival in Baja.”
The new restaurant’s menu features modern Mexican cuisine with both small and large plates, as well as family-style shareable platters.
In the spirit of the bracero tradition — the word means “one who works with their hands and arms” — fresh masa will be prepared on-site with tortillas made-to-order.
A “crudo bar” featuring local Carlsbad shellfish and wild Baja seafood will also offer fresh international specialties such as tiraditos, ceviche and sashimi.
The beverage selection includes a dozen craft beers from San Diego and Baja, and wines from California and the Guadaupe Valley of Mexico.
Bracero is located at 1490 Kettner Boulevard in Little Italy. Hours are 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily
