La Jolla is gearing up for a culinary shakeup as it welcomes top chef Anthony Wells from the trendy Juniper & Ivy. According to Eater San Diego, Wells will take over as executive chef at Hotel La Jolla, managed by Aimbridge Hospitality. His mission is to head up a brand new dining venture fittingly named Sea & Sky, located in the hotel's penthouse, which boasts enviable views of the Pacific.

With the dust still settling on his departure, Juniper & Ivy and the Crack Shack's culinary director, Jon Sloan, has already had to temporarily step back into his old role to fill the big shoes left by Wells. Known for his role in earning Juniper & Ivy a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand nod in 2019, the James Beard Award semifinalist is prepping for a February 2024 Sea & Sky debut, part of a multi-million-dollar renovation marking the hotel's half-centenary celebration.

The upcoming Sea & Sky restaurant is set to become La Jolla's new culinary jewel, with the hotel's website showcasing the venue that capitalizes on the area's natural beauty. Wells, who made his name with West Coast cookery, will continue his love affair with regional and seasonal California cuisine in this new space that's being jazzed up to enhance the al-fresco dining atmosphere, right down to redesigned private dining and a cocktail bar that'll feature wine selections from California and the Valle de Guadalupe.

Wells' Sea & Sky is riding the trend wave, promising patrons a menu that celebrates the rich array of produce from the Pacific Coast and the Baja Peninsula, working in concert with Taste & Theory Restaurant Group. Their offerings aim to merge quality ingredients and simply elegant presentations. Sea and Sky intends to open its doors in January. Ahead of the public debut of its private dining room slated for a mid-November reveal, this room, perfect for holiday parties or other festivities, is already taking reservations and looks to impress with its stunning coastal views.