New Prepkitchen in Del Mar: Slow Food Sure Moves Fast

Since Whisknladle opened doors in 2008, restaurateur Arturo Kassel and executive chef Ryan Johnston have been satisfying patron’s culinary comfort cravings with their innovative fresh-from-scratch fare in the heart of La Jolla. From savory entrees such as the Olive Oil Poached Ono and Stuffed Roasted Jidori Chicken, to breakfast favorites like the Chorizo Date Fritters and the Oyster Benedict, Whisknladle redefined home cooking as we know it.

But even though their satiating slow food movement instantly received throngs of praise from foodies and restaurant reviewers alike, Kassel and Johnston wanted to expand their signature brand to offer their handcrafted cuisine to those who are always on the go.

Thus, a casual quick-bite eatery, takeout joint and gourmet market all rolled into one, Prepkitchen first came to fruition in La Jolla.

Inspired by the prep work that goes into making food from scratch, Prepkitchen serves handcrafted, artisanal food, offering the convenience of to-go dining without compromising cuisine quality. And now, the managing partners of the nationally acclaimed La Jolla restaurants are bringing a taste of the fun to the North County coast.

Now open, the new Prepkitchen in Del Mar offers a unique take on the dining experience, boasting a casual beachside café atmosphere with farm-to-table fine-dining quality. With 1,700 square feet of both indoor and outdoor space and a quaint outdoor fireplace, the new PK is guaranteed to bring the ultimate dining experience to North County residents.

“Our goal with Prepkitchen has always been to fill what we consider to be a gap in the local dining landscape,” said Arturo Kassel, managing partner of Whisknladle and Prepkitchen. “We want to provide the quality you would expect from a fine dining establishment but with a relaxed and affordable feel that’s focused on the food. It’s a place you can enjoy expertly prepared, un-fussy, fresh food while wearing shorts and flip-flops. Our new location embodies that principle with a bigger, more beautiful and easily accessible space.”

The new a la carte take-out menu features the same gourmet to-go service for lunch as its La Jolla counterpart from 11 am to 3 pm that slides into a relaxed sit down dinner service from 5 pm to 9 pm. Skip over to Prep Kitchen during your lunch break and grab a tasty sandwich such as the Roasted Chicken Salad Sandwich with roasted apples, walnuts, and mustard; or the PK Meatloaf Melt with onions, gruyere, and remoulade. If you’re in the mood for something light, grab a half-pint of savory snacks and starches such as the Chicken & Goat Cheese Stuffed Piquillo Peppers, and the fresh Confit Tuna Salad with white beans, lemon, and fennel.

Prepkitchen’s dinner menu offers a selection of prepared entrées such as Niman Ranch Pork Loin Porchetta with carrots, celery, onion, brown sugar, and Stout 'PK 'Polpettine’ Meat Loaf with mashed potatoes and green beans, beef, fontina, mushrooms, and fresh herbs; Duck Confit with lentils, braised greens, and kumquat chutney; and Baked Rigatoni with ricotta, tomatoes, eggplant, chili, and basil. In addition to gourmet to-go eats, the restaurant provides a selection of wine and beer to complement the food, as well as the signature ‘afternoon aperitivo,’ Prepkitchen’s take on happy hour, that includes any bottle of wine and PK’s cutting board of artisan cured meats and cheeses for only $36.

Prepkitchen Del Mar is located at 12th and Camino Del Mar, Del Mar California, 92104 and is open for walk-in or call-ahead orders daily from 11 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and offers delivery services from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Or visit the original Whisknladle and Prepkitchen in La Jolla.

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