Anthony’s Turnabout Strategy Maximizes Star of the Sea’s Bay View

Back when the first Anthony’s Fish Grotto opened its doors 61 years ago, the county’s list of destination eateries was short, and the successful family-owned enterprise soon expanded with the opening of the posh Star of the Sea, two other full-service restaurants and two smaller ones under the banner of Anthony’s Seafood Group.

Now the company is hitching its wagon to another star , two, actually.

The Star of the Sea, which has been shuttered for more than a year adjacent to the Fish Grotto on Harbor Drive, is scheduled to reopen in late August as an event center, said Craig Ghio, who runs the company along with Rick Ghio and Beverly Mascari.

Though earlier plans called for the restaurant to reopen as a steakhouse under the name of Ghio’s, a highest-and-best-use decision favored targeting events such as corporate parties, receptions, weddings and breakout meetings related to business at the San Diego Convention Center.

Andrew Hauser, the company’s director of marketing, said that in light of the fact that there are already several high-end steak restaurants in or near downtown, another wasn’t needed.

A Ruth’s Chris Steak House is just across the street from the Star of India.

“Demand for bay view event space that is not only on the water but over the water just seemed like it made the most economic sense and filled a niche in the market,” he said, referring to the Star of India’s dock location.

Room For Specialty Venues

Steve Zolezzi, executive vice president of the San Diego Food