The Port of San Diego Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to begin negotiations with three entities seeking to redevelop the site of the iconic Anthony's Fish Grotto restaurant on the downtown waterfront.
Port staff recommended that the commissioners authorize them to initiate talks with Sunroad Enterprises and The Brigantine Inc., an operator of six seafood restaurants, but not Anthony's, a fixture on the waterfront since 1946.
However, the Anthony's owners asked the commissioners to include them among the finalists, and the request was accepted, according to port spokeswoman Tanya Castaneda.
The 52-year Anthony's lease expires Jan. 31, 2017, so the port requested developers to send in proposals. The port received six sets of plans and staff recommended moving forward with Sunroad and the Brigantine.
Sunroad proposes a two-story building housing five restaurants, including a Stone Brewery company store and tasting room and Blue Point Coastal Cuisine from the Cohn Restaurant Group, which operates local favorites like Corvette Diner and Indigo Grill.
The Brigantine proposal would include four eateries. One would be under its Brigantine name and another would be from its chain of six Mexican restaurants — Miguel's Cocina. Two others would also operate in the building.
Anthony's suggested a joint venture with Fish Market Restaurants Inc. that would include operating a revitalized version of Anthony's, a fast-casual eatery and a third facility catering to higher-end patrons.
