Over the past decade, the Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant Juniper & Ivy restaurant has change and adapted with the times.
A handful of chefs have put their individual stamps on the Little Italy restaurant’s menu, a large outdoor dining area was added post-pandemic, and this summer a mini-dining “little sister” concept named Juni was introduced in the bar.
Owner Mike Rosen said the elevated snacks menu was created by J&I culinary director Jon Sloan and chef de cuisine Alex Penkin for customers who want just a cocktail and snack, rather than the full dinner menu, when they’re stopping by on their way downtown to places like the Rady Shell or Jacobs Music Center. Before launching the Juni menu in June, Rosen renovated the lobby bar, adding new plushly upholstered banquettes and cozy chairs for small group seating.
Juni, the entry-level at bar Juniper & Ivy restaurant in San Diego’s Little Italy, has a new look, new bar menu and four new specialty cocktails. (Kimberly Motos)
Only offered in the bar, the Juni menu includes six savory food items and a dessert. All of the dishes are designed as a shareable plate for two, though the ceviche could be a nice bite-size starter for three. There are also four Juni cocktails, including one that’s alcohol-free.
The dishes are affordably priced from $5 for two bite-size fried pizza-style bites to $14 for a plate of Kumamoto oysters with tart green strawberry mignonette sauce. No reservations are necessary for Juni dining, and early birds who show up during the “pre-shift” first hour of service from 5-6 p.m. get an extra $2 off all Juni items.
Elote arancini with lime mayo and chile oil, one of the food items on the Juni bar menu at Juniper & Ivy restaurant in San Diego’s Little Italy. (Kimberly Motos)
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Elote arancini with lime mayo and chile oil, one of the food items on the Juni bar menu at Juniper & Ivy restaurant in San Diego’s Little Italy. (Kimberly Motos)
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Juni Bites:
Dishes may change seasonally but this is the current menu. Most of these dishes are plated with two portions.
Gnoccho Frito: Inspired by the classic Italian fried dough dish from Emilia-Romagna, these puffed bread squares are filled with Nduja-ricotta mousse and topped with a slice of salami and micro-basil. Think of it as a mini stuffed-crust pizza. $5
Elote Arancini: Street food from Italy and Mexico are combined in this dish. Mexican street corn (elote) is incorporated into these Italian-inspired rice ball snacks, which are topped with sliced jalapenos and have a nice spicy kick. $6
Chicken Oysters Yakitori: Chicken oysters are tender, juicy and flavorful rounds of chicken meat found near the bird’s thigh. These tiny tasty bites are smoked, well-seasoned, splashed with jeow som sauce and served on skewers. $8
Wagyu Sliders: These tasty mini burgers are made with Wagyu beef, topped with tallow onions and American cheese and served on a sesame seed bun. $10.
Michelada Ceviche: The largest of the Juni dishes is a citrus-cured cold seafood dish of chopped octopus and shrimp with fresh avocado rolled in black sesame seeds and a side of blue corn tortilla rounds. $11.
Kumamoto Oysters: These sweet Pacific oysters are served with pickled strawberries on a bed of ice and a dropper bottle of Chester’s hot pepper sauce. $14.
Choco Taco: Don’t skip pastry chef Amanda Santiago’s gourmet twist on the ice cream truck classic. taco shell-shaped waffles are filled with pistachio ice cream, dipped in chocolate, rolled in coarsely-chopped pistachios and served on a bed of crunchy cake crumbs. $13.
Juni cocktails:
These drinks are only served in the bar as part of the Juni snacks service.
2228 Martini: House dill vodka is mixed with dry vermouth and olive oil. $18.
Letters Never Sent: Italian gin, vinho verde, green bell pepper, lemon and mint are combined in this garden-flavored drink. $18.
Jungle Hijinx: Two kinds of rum are mixed with creme de banana and lemon for this tropical drink. $18.
Chill Pill: This spirits-free offering features chamomile tea, yuzu, honey and mango juice. $16.
Juni at Juniper & Ivy
Hours: 5 p.m. to close daily
Where: 2228 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, San Diego
Phone: 619-269-9036
Online: juniperandivy.com