Gold Finch

Helping to fill a void in Jewish-inspired culinary options and modernize the delicatessen genre in San Diego, restaurateur Tracy Borkum (principal of Urban Kitchen Group) opened doors to Gold Finch in September of 2022. A long-awaited passion project, owner/designer Tracy Borkum obsessed over every intricate detail for the full-service restaurant and quick-service deli. She designed the 1,800 square-foot indoor-outdoor space to reflect a lighter, more modern delicatessen vibe. Traditional Jewish delis of yesteryear were decidedly masculine spaces, often named after Frankles, Bens, Levis—and, lest we forget, their sons and brothers. Tracy considered what it meant to her to own a modern Jewish delicatessen as a woman and how that may evolve the stereotype of a traditional deli environment. She designed the space with an intention of ‘lightness,’ incorporating a neutral palate of white stone, natural white oak, organic wallpaper, and soft grey-hued light fixtures and furnishings.

The most noteworthy design feature, or features, of the space include a meticulously crafted custom tambour soffit ceiling, which required over five weeks of intricate work. The woodworker painstakingly cut and laid each slat individually to form the restaurant’s unique pattern. Adding to the ambiance, organic Designers Guild wallpaper showcases a beautifully drawn representation of a summer cottage garden, adorned with abundant flowers, birds, and butterflies in subtle hints of sparkling silver. The lighting scheme combines Scandinavian and modern influences, featuring Muuto’s Ambit Rail Lamp in soft grey-hued handspun aluminum suspended over a communal chef’s table, complemented by Hollis and Morris’ contemporary Catkin pendant lights that grace the entranceway, enhancing the overall aesthetic.