LA JOLLA – A former breakfast and lunch pop-up now has its own brick-and-mortar location in La Jolla.
The brainchild of chef and owner Sebastian Becerra, cucumbers is located at 7556 Fay Avenue, adjacent to Juice Kaboose and across the street from the Vons Shopping Center.
Pepino serves seasonal dishes with a subtle Peruvian influence. Becerras The first independent restaurant concept is where Pizza Pronto was located.
“The goal was to create a community-oriented place and try to tie in with what we were doing before with the pop-ups,” Becerra said. “We had some success there by making the breakfast and lunch areas with homemade pastries.”
Initial plans are to expand Pepino’s breakfast and lunch offerings to include more robust Peruvian dishes as the concept matures.
Guests can expect dishes like a lomo saltado-inspired breakfast burrito, which reimagines beef, onions, tomatoes and fries in a morning wrap, an homage to Becerra’s memories of eating California burritos after surfing Windansea in La Jolla.
Pepino’s also supports the community by using sandwich boards and wood slabs made by students in La Jolla High School’s wood shop class for use in restaurants.
Pepino’s also offers a variety of drinks, including drip and cold brew coffee, made with beans roasted by Talitha Coffee, as well as hot tea and rotating juices of the day.
Wine lovers will also find a carefully curated program: Lucas LanciPepino’s sommelier and wine curator, brings natural and distinctive bottles to complement Sebastian’s cuisine.
Pepino’s space also bears the stamp of local artistry and family history. A sculptural light installation by La Jolla surfer and ceramicist Joe Skoby sets the dining room ablaze, while a hand-knit tapestry by Julia Becerra adds a deeply personal touch. The entire 130 square meter restaurant is anchored by a painting of chef Sebastian’s grandmother in Peru.
Of Peruvian cuisine, Becerra said, “It is very diverse and reflects more on the peasant-style food with many heavy dishes rich in protein and meat, along with ceviche and some classic Peruvian dishes.”
Becerra said Pepino will be open for breakfast and lunch daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when the eatery is closed. The chef hopes to create a welcoming atmosphere that will keep guests coming back.
“The goal is to create a place that is very accessible, where people can come in and have breakfast or have coffee and pastries,” Becerra said.
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