Little Thief

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Little Thief

Little Thief is a wine bar and restaurant located on University Avenue. They offer a variety of wines from global producers who believe in low-intervention winemaking and responsible farming, as well as cuisine from the Michelin-awarded chef Drew Bent's restaurant-in-residence, Papalito, which draws inspiration from the Sonoran border BBQ of Northern Mexico with slow smoked meats and sandwiches, gluten-free snacks, and vegan options available. Little Thief provides you with an epic dining experience while savoring the best natural wines from around the world.

Recent social media posts

10/12/2023

Vivid and vivacious! 'Nuria' Parellada Pét Nat is what we love to drink with our food. Clos Lentiscus celebrates native Catalunyan varieties in raw and delicious forms. Parellada is one of the main varieties in Cava, but their 'Nuria' bottling is so much more than the typical sparkling from the region. Super brisk bubbles burst with bright green apple, lemon zest and almond brioche flavors. The finish is long and lingers with a refreshing saline minerality. The perfect accompaniment to our crudo or the uni risotto! Come see us this weekend for dinner and a drink!

10/11/2023

It our favorite time of year, Lobster Season! Local spiny lobsters fresh out of the water, served in corn butter with jimmy nardello peppers, garlic and . Treat your self today with one of these bad boys and some natty wine!

10/07/2023

Hey gang! A friendly reminder that this week is our last Sunday open. We’re changing our hours. So all you industry folks that haven’t had the chance to come in yet can come enjoy all our good stuff. We’re offering 10% OFF FOOD for our friends in food and beverage. So now you can spend your day off with us and a bottle of wine.

Kitchen is open at 5pm everyday

New hours of operation are as follows:

Tuesday- Saturday
4pm - 11pm

10/04/2023

A new addition to the menu as we transition into fall. Beets roasted in sherry and dressed in a vinaigrette of hibiscus and hoja Santa oil. The dish is topped with fresh cheese and purslane from and finished with an agua Fresca made from avocado pits and cucumber. It’s a refreshing way to enter the less hot months here in San Diego. Come see us this week and give it a try.
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09/29/2023

North Park is our home, we love it. There’s no place we’d rather be on a Friday.

Swing by for a glass or a meal, bar opens at 4pm, kitchen at 5pm.

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09/28/2023

Our Uni French toast is quickly becoming a staple on our menu. It’s a great display of how collaboration is a driving factor in our food program.

Brioche from is soaked in a custard with miatake mushroom miso. Avocado purée and local sea urchin is then glazed in shoyu and mirin infused with sh*take mushrooms and kelp.

It’s an umami bomb that won’t be leaving the menu any time soon! Come by and grab some!

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09/27/2023

Our wine list, just like our food, is ever changing and dynamic and features some of our favorite natural and organic wines from across the globe. Swing by for a glass, or snag a whole damn bottle. (Psst, insider secret: every Wednesday we slash half the price of bottles over 90 bucks.)

We open at 4pm Wednesday-Sunday, reservations are always helpful but not required, cruise by!

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09/24/2023

From a spontaneous “wanna grab a drink?” to an intimate dinner with a loved one, our doors open at 4pm…get in here and make some memories.

🍽️ NEW SEASONAL DISHES:

ROASTED BEETS
Avocado, Queso Fresco, Hibiscus and Hoja Santa Vinaigrette

FRISÉE SALAD
Charred and Fresh Greens, White Bean Vinaigrette, Preserved Citrus, Fried Walnuts, Zataar (vegan)

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH
Kabocha Squash, Grilled Oyster and Maitake Mushrooms, Pumpkin Seed, Miso, Brown Butter, Toasted Grains, Lemon, Thyme

CHARRED CARROTS
Passion Fruit and Orange Wine Sabayon, Serrano Salsa Verde, Nasturtium

TAGLIOLINI DI PUTTANESCA
Handmade Tagliolini, Confit Tomatoes and Garlic, Anchovy Calabrese Butter, Alfonso Olives, Pickled Eggplant, Fried Capers & Bottarga Breadcrumbs

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09/22/2023

Long Story Short is a story of time, place and people. The food we serve is an evolution of our relationship, our journey, and what’s still to come.

The music is what we listen to, the wine is what we drink, and the food is what we believe you should be eating at this precise moment. These are the things that bring us joy, and we can't wait to share them with you.

Reserve a table or walk on in. Looking forward to seeing you.

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09/17/2023

We would like to casually invite you to try our newest dish. It pairs perfectly with fall weather and Beaujolais.

PAN ROASTED MARY’S HALF CHICKEN | mary’s chicken, sun choke and black garlic purée,
roasted sun chokes, rosemary chicken jus, pickled mustard seeds and celery

Address

3007 UNIVERSITY Avenue
San Diego, CA
92104

Directions to University Avenue in San Diego:

For public transport:
Take the Green Line Trolley to the University Ave Station.
From there, walk east on University Ave for 1 block.

For driving/parking:
From I-5 S, take exit 16 for Pershing Drive.
Turn right onto Florida Drive and continue onto Howard Avenue.
Turn left onto Park Boulevard, then right onto University Avenue.
Parking is available along the street or in nearby parking lots.

Opening Hours

Monday	12pm - 10pm
Tuesday	12pm - 10pm
Wednesday	12pm - 10pm
Thursday	12pm - 10pm
Friday	12pm - 12am
Saturday	12pm - 12am
Sunday	12pm - 10pm

Website

https://www.thelittlethief.com/

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What people say

Little Thief, located on University Avenue in San Diego, is a wine bar and restaurant that offers an exceptional experience for wine lovers and foodies alike. The name "Little Thief" comes from the winemaking tool used to sneak a sip of wine straight from the barrel, and this cozy spot aims to be your neighborhood wine cave with a selection of wines from global producers who believe in low-intervention winemaking and responsible farming.

But Little Thief doesn't stop at just offering great wine. They have also partnered with Michelin-awarded chef Drew Bent and his restaurant-in-residence, Papalito. Inspired by the Sonoran border BBQ of Northern Mexico, Papalito offers a sophisticated-yet-casual nod to the flavors, spices, and techniques within the Sonoran culinary tradition. From slow-smoked meats to gluten-free snacks and vegan showstoppers, there's something for everyone at Papalito.

The combination of epic cuisine and natural wines from around the world makes Little Thief a must-visit spot in San Diego. Whether you're looking for a romantic date night or a fun evening out with friends, Little Thief has got you covered. So head over to University Avenue and let Little Thief steal your heart (and palate) with their exceptional offerings!