One of San Diego’s most famous restaurants closed its doors last week after some 70 years along the downtown waterfront.
Anthony’s Fish Grotto served its last meal last week and with lots of emotion, the Ghio family closed its doors for good.
They were forced to close because the San Diego Port District gave the lease to someone different.
The Brigantine was awarded the new lease and with lots of excitement, they and the Port District were ready to move forward on bigger and better things at the Anthony’s site with more restaurants and more modern look.
But suddenly there appears to be a snag.
The California Coastal Commission has put a hold on everything for now that could possibly delay the project for months if not years according to a San Diego Union Tribune report.
The coastal commission staff apparently has issues with what’s called Brigantine’s Portside Pier project dealing with public access, architectural design and coverage over the water.
The port district obviously doesn’t agree and says they’re ready to fight back, saying the coastal commission has no right to review restaurants.
The last thing the port probably wants is for the disagreement to end up in court with plans for improving the waterfront delayed a bit.
But then when a place like Anthony’s which is as much a part of San Diego history than anything for more than 70 years, maybe it’s just tradition’s way of reminding us that sometimes progress isn’t everything.
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