Just over a year ago, the local dining scene in Del Mar reached new heights when the Del Mar Highlands Town Center turned a space above Jimbo’s market into Sky Deck, a consortium of nine “curated culinary destinations,” along with a central cocktail bar and a Brewer’s Deck with three local craft beer and kombucha makers.
Industrial with coastal and maritime decor, the venue started welcoming guests in June 2021. Sunset views can be enjoyed from the rooftop locale over a variety of food and drink options from Ambrogio 15, Craft House, Glass box, J at the Sky Deck, Kiin Extraordinary Thai, Le Parfait Paris, Marufuku Ramen, Understory, Zizikis Street Food and Urbana Mexican Gastronomy. The Brewer’s Deck includes Boochcraft, Northern Pine Brewing and Rough Draft Brewing Co.
At Glass Box, an Asian coastal-inspired eatery and bar, chef and owner Ethan Yang says he wanted to contribute to the community by creating a “memorable and transparent dining experience” hosted in a glass-encased setting. There, visitors can pick from the Yakitori, Omakase, sushi and other options.
The restaurant will present a Domenica Fiore Olive Oil dinner, featuring a five-course meal paired with olive oil cocktails, on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
“The beauty of taste and art are synonymous, and we want to make sure our customers experience both,” said Yang, a third generation restaurateur.
The Understory bar at the center of the Sky Deck serves cocktails, wines, spirits and seasonal beers on tap. Inspired by the movie “Inception” (2010), the partners — Scott Slater (Slater’s 50/50), Thai Slater, Guillaume Ryon, and Ludi Ryon — envisioned a unique world embodying the layer of the forest between the canopy and the forest floor where “life thrives.”
The Sky Deck is at 12925 El Camino Real. Hours vary by restaurant.
Visit delmarhighlandstowncenter.com.
Roxana Becerril is a freelance writer.
