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Restaurateur Extraordinaire: Sami Ladeki He's graced our pages as a favorite of readers and editors alike over the decades, and it's no wonder. Restaurateur Sami Ladeki first opened Sammy's Food & Wine in La Jolla in 1989 as Sammy's Woodfired Pizza, introducing San Diegans to pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven. It was an instant success, and Ladeki went on to expand his dining empire with additional concepts in California and Nevada, including Toasted Gastrobrunch and Roppongi Asian Bistro, which just debuted in Imperial Beach. We are elated that La Jolla's Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar, which dazzled diners for 17 years until 2015, is set to return this year in the same location on Prospect Street (happy dance!). Showing no signs of slowing down, Ladeki, a renowned businessman and philanthropist, is a true visionary whose staying power is a testament to his place as a pillar of San Diego's dining scene. sammyspizza.com Some restaurants simply hold a special place in your heart. For my family, it's Samurai Japanese Restaurant in Solana Beach. The restaurant debuted in 1979, and my parents (which includes the stamp of approval from my Japanese-born mother) quickly became devoted patrons. We've celebrated countless birthdays and milestones here over the decades, and it's where my husband, Justin, and I went the night he proposed — after our own meal at Pacifica Del Mar — because my parents were there dining with friends. Pro tip: Request a sushi bar spot with Makoto-san. He only works on weekends these days (as a septuagenarian he's earned the right to make his own schedule). Start with the hamachi nigiri, then let him guide your meal. You'll be so glad you did. samuraijapaneserestaurant.com Home Run Eats: Petco Park As if this San Diego baseball season isn't already captivating enough, in continuing the Padres' ongoing commitment to improving Petco Park, the club completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building prior to Opening Day 2025. And while Petco Park has already long featured a culinary celebration of San Diego with partners including Cardiff Seaside Market, Pizza Port, Puesto, Carnitas' Snack Shack, and more, recent enhancements such as Deckman's at The Draft by Ballast Point, Mostra Coffee, The Mini Donut Company, and new premium catering menus in the luxury suites and lounges make a trip to the ballpark that much more alluring for the Friar Faithful. "We have curated a food and beverage program at Petco Park that reflects the best of San Diego and our dynamic culinary landscape, with several new offerings added every season so that our guests always have something new to discover and experience," says Padres CEO Erik Greupner. mlb.com/padres BY MIA PARK, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ranchandcoast.com 64 JUNE 2025 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE SAMI LADEKI: PHOTO BY VINCENT KNAKAL SAMURAI: PHOTO BY SLOBODAN CIRIC PETCO PARK: PHOTO BY DONALD MIRALLE Sami Ladeki Beloved Family Tradition: Samurai Japanese Restaurant