Check out what Mike Spilky had to say about the closure of Comun Kitchen & Tavern

Top Chef contestant says adiós to San Diego

Chad White, a contender in the upcoming season of Top Chef and owner of Común Kitchen & Tavern, is leaving San Diego and has closed his East Village taqueria.

White made the announcement last weekend that he is leaving in December to open a restaurant in his hometown of Spokane, Washington. A chef who was busy on both sides of the border, White is known for Baja-Med cuisine and has a long culinary résumé in San Diego, cooking at the former Roseville, Sea Rocket Bistro, and Gabardine. He opened Craft Pizza Company in UTC and La Justina in Tijuana—both of which he will still operate—and Común last summer.

White told the Union-Tribune that the restaurant on Tenth Avenue and J Street has been struggling and he feels its location played a role. It’s worth noting that Toast Enoteca & Cucina was right next door to Común, and it closed in September. Down the street was Table No. 10, an acclaimed restaurant that folded in August.

That’s three restaurants—led by chefs who are well liked—closing in three months, all on the same block.

“Don’t underestimate how powerful the wrong location can be for a restaurant,” says Mike Spilky, president of Location Matters, a real estate firm that specializes in restaurant leasing.

Spilky says that although these restaurants elevated San Diego’s food scene, this area of the East Village is just not ready for upscale dining: “Had these restaurants been located in Little Italy today, they would have thrived,” he said.

White plans on selling Común. Spilky says the space is unfortunately not worth that much, because there is so much vacancy right next door.

Before he leaves, you can sample White’s cooking at his going away party at Carnitas Snack Shack on Thursday, December 3, from 7 to 10 p.m.

Read the original article here on sandiegomagazine.com.