BAKERY HOP!
It is a super exciting time for the East Village...
What was once a quiet pocket of downtown is now one of San Diego’s most vibrant neighborhoods — full of creativity, incredible food, and the smell of freshly baked bread drifting through the streets.
I've been part of the East Village for decades now 😳 and lately it’s starting to feel like something special is taking shape — what we like to call the East Village Artisan Bakery District.
Within just a few blocks, you’ll find some of San Diego’s most talented bakers: the artistry at HINAR, the buttery layers of ASA, the warm, minimalist charm of Rikka Fika, and now — a heartfelt welcome to Relic, who just soft-opened yesterday. Woohoo! Welcome to the 'hood!! 🎉
It’s a beautiful thing to see: bakers supporting bakers, each bringing their own craft, culture, and heart to the neighborhood. Together, we’re making the East Village a place where you can bakery-hop your way through a morning (or an afternoon) — tasting your way across flaky croissants, crusty loaves, and inventive sweets from some of San Diego’s best.
So grab a friend, plan a stroll, and come hungry.
Start at IZOLA for something hot from the oven, then wander the neighborhood and discover your new favorites.
Here’s to bread, community, and this amazing little corner of San Diego we get to call home.
See you soon on Island Ave!
Jenny + JB
THE EAST VILLAGE ARTISAN BAKERY DISTRICT WALKING TOUR
A perfect Saturday morning, East Village style...
Start at IZOLA: Croissants and sourdough, served hot from the oven.
Stop by HINAR Dessert Bar & Cafe: Beautiful cakes and other sweets.
Pop into ASA: Japanese-inspired pastries and sandwiches with bold, creative flavors.
Stroll over to Rikka Fika: Pour-overs, matcha and baked goods in a bright, serene space.
Finish at Relic: The newest member of the neighborhood’s bakery family.
Bring friends, bring an appetite, and make a morning of it!
IZOLA EVENINGS
We are LOVING evenings at IZOLA. Thanks to everyone who came out for our inaugural week! The guests and our team are loving the vibe that IZOLA takes on in the evening - a slower, quieter pace, accented by candlelight. Jenny and I took a moment on the patio under the string lights to sip on a $2.50 sparkling wine and take it all in.
Come join us every Friday and Saturday until 7p, Sundays until 5p. The full menu is available and we're baking hot from the oven all the way 'til the end! Our sparkling wine special ($2.50 for a glass) is still going, and our new Farmstead Board is available after 12p.
A NOTE THAT MADE OUR WEEK
Every day we feel super lucky to be in the business that we're in. Yes, we're in the business of bread and butter, but really at the core of it all we're in the business of joy. We get the opportunity every day to provide some joy to each of the guests that come through our doors. And when someone takes the time out of their busy day to share their experience with us, we are so grateful.
Becky visited us while in town from Wyoming, and her note captures everything we hope guests feel when they step through IZOLA’s doors - warmth, care, and the joy of something truly handmade.
Here’s what she shared:
Hi, I recently visiting (sic) your bakery and was very impressed, not only were the bakery products amazing, but we were offered a tour and every single employee we met was focused, friendly and knowledgeable. I’m from Wyoming and love to make all things sourdough....this visit was the hi light of my week visiting family in San Diego. I’ll be back (and continue tasting my way through your bakery goodies) as well as my family (that lives in San Diego) will be visiting often. Thanks for making my visit memorable. You truly are the best! -Becky
Thank you so much Becky for sharing your experience with us. We truly appreciate you!
CALLING ALL MUSICIANS, POETS, AND CREATORS!
At IZOLA, we believe in sharing what we create — whether it’s a croissant hot from the oven or a song from the heart.
Our IZOLA Stage has become a space for connection — a cozy corner where neighbors, travelers, and friends gather over coffee and bread to listen, laugh, and feel inspired. Every Saturday from 8am – 1pm, we host live music at the bakeshop, and soon we’ll be adding Friday evenings too.
We’d love to open our doors even wider — to local musicians, poets, storytellers, and performers who want to share their talent with our community. Whether you’re looking to hone your craft, practice in front of a friendly crowd, or just bring a little more joy into the world, we’d be honored to have you on our stage.
If that sounds like you (or someone you know), reach out to Jenny — we can’t wait to hear what you’ve been creating.
BLACK ARTS & CULTURE DISTRICT EVENT
If you've been lucky enough to see one of our musical directors, Kahlil Nash, perform during Saturday Live Music at IZOLA, you know you're in good hands with this event that he is organizing.
Welcome to The Muse: In The Park! Join Kahlil for a day filled with creativity and inspiration at Marie Widman Memorial Park in the heart of the newly established Black Arts & Culture District in San Diego. Immerse yourself in art, music, and performances surrounded by the beauty of nature. Let your imagination run wild as you connect with local artists and fellow art enthusiasts. Share your passion, discover new talents, and be part of a vibrant community celebrating the arts. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired and create unforgettable memories.
Happening October 25 at noon.
LIVE MUSIC SATURDAYS
Every Saturday, we host live music at the bakeshop from 8a-1p. Come on by to see how talented our local San Diego musicians are! Follow us on Instagram to see the lineup!
- Jeffrey Lamont Brown
- Oct 8, 2025
IZOLA EVENINGS
Dear IZOLA Community,
There’s a certain kind of light we’ve always loved at IZOLA — that moment right before dusk when the sun catches the edges of the windows, the ovens hum softly in the background, and everything feels just a little slower. Until now, we’ve closed our doors before that light really has its moment.
But starting this Friday, that changes.
We’re extending our hours to 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and as the sun sets, IZOLA transforms. The floor-to-ceiling windows glow with the last light of day, and as dusk settles in, candles are lit on every table. The back patio overlooking Fault Line Park fills with the warmth of string lights and the faint sound of laughter and clinking glasses.
This is IZOLA Evenings — a new chapter we’ve been dreaming about for a while.
It’s the perfect time to stop by after work and ease into the weekend with a glass of bubbles, or to wander over after dinner for dessert and something sweet from the oven. Maybe you’ll share The Farmstead Board, sip a $2.50 sparkling wine, or split a S’mores Croissant, the marshmallow roasted right in front of you.
There’s something special about being in a space that glows from within — the candles flickering against the glass, the hum of conversation, the sense that time slows down just enough for connection. That’s the magic we want to share with you.
✨ IZOLA EveningsFridays & Saturdays | Now open until 7 pm
🥂 $2.50 Sparkling Wine — extended through this weekend🫓 The Farmstead Board — rustic, abundant, made for sharing🥐 Desserts & Croissants — hot from the oven, perfect to end the night
When the sun goes down, IZOLA glows.Come slow down with us — the candles are already lit.
Hot from the oven, always,Jeffrey, Jenny & the IZOLA Team
✨ New Extended Hours ✨
Monday 7a-2p
Tuesday 7a-2p
Wednesday 7a-2p
Thursday 7a-2p
Friday 7a-7p
Saturday 7a-7p
Sunday 7a-5p
UGLY BOWLS FOR UGLY BOXES!
There are a few people we know (ahem… Mom) who have entire drawers full of Ugly Bit bowls in their kitchens. We get it — Jenny and I do too! We use them for everything: one’s filled with Maldon salt on our kitchen table, others get used for dinner prep, and yes… we even microwave eggs in them for a quick breakfast sandwich (they come out perfectly sized for an English muffin — move over, Mickey D's!).
If your kitchen cabinets are getting a little crowded, we’d love to welcome your Ugly Bit bowls back home to IZOLA. We’ll wash, sanitize, and reuse them for future Uglies.
And for our true Ugly Bit diehards — bring back 10 bowls and you’ll receive a free Ugly Box!
So what’s an Ugly Box?It’s our baker’s-choice grab bag (or in our case, gable box) of frozen goodies. You might find a few misshapen croissants, quarter loaves of sourdough, or a Tahitian Vanilla Knot that’s just a bit too small to pass muster. We’ll fill your box to the brim —sometimes all one thing, sometimes a mix — and what you get will be a total surprise. Guaranteed, it’ll take you on a flavor adventure. Reheating instructions are printed right on the box. (Supplies are limited!)
And if you’re new to the world of Ugly Bits — welcome to the secret menu. These are the “ugly” ends of our croissant dough that we just can’t bear to waste. We mix them with dark brown sugar, raisins, and cinnamon, roll them up, and bake them in a glass bowl to catch all that ooey-gooey goodness as it caramelizes in the oven. They’re not available for pre-order and only in limited quantities each day — so snag one when you can!
To redeem your Ugly Bowls, just bring 10 in and at the counter we'll gift you an Ugly Box!
LIVE MUSIC SATURDAYS
Every Saturday, we host live music at the bakeshop from 8a-1p. Come on by to see how talented our local San Diego musicians are! Follow us on Instagram to see the lineup!
JOHN AND EILEEN SCHNARR
8-9a
John and Eileen have been married for 52 years and counting. Since 1981 John has written over 200 songs. Having both survived life threatening illnesses just months apart they have come out from under that experience, and joyfully embrace their current season for singing, which came with a soaring duet of Yes!
XAVY
9-10a
Xavy is a San Diego native saxophonist with a wide range of musical interests. He is also a member of the Funk/R&B band Heaping Teaspoon.
ISAAC CHEONG
10-11a
Issac Cheong is a San Diego Based musician and photographer. Also known as "She Blonde Swede" his EP "The shopping cart" is available for listening on Bandcamp.
MADELEINE DENISON
11a-12p
Madeleine Denison is a songwriter and musician currently obsessing over her debut album, Etherlines. This project takes influences from the moments in life that cause time to stop, speed, or cease to exist entirely. With a mixture of folk, indie, and alt rock genres, Madeleine’s music seeks to inspire and restore us to a more beautiful vision of life.
MS. CONNIE MUSIC
12-1p
Ms. Connie blends pop, dance, and world sounds to share stories of love, freedom, and beauty—celebrating life through music and feminine power.
- Jeffrey Lamont Brown
- Oct 1, 2025
TIME TO SAVOR
At IZOLA, time is one of our most important ingredients. Every morning bun, every croissant, every sourdough loaf is a story of patience. Time to fold, rest, and fold again. Time for butter to chill and dough to relax. Time for wild yeast to do its quiet, invisible work, transforming flour and water into something alive. Each flaky layer, each airy crumb, each deep, caramelized crust is a record of hours of patience and care under the careful hands of our team layering it all together.
Waiting can feel hard in a world that moves so fast, a world that craves instant results. But when you slow down, something magical happens. Flavors deepen. Textures transform. Anticipation builds. And when that first bite finally arrives, still hot from the oven, you can taste the reward of waiting.
That’s why we’ll never rush what we do. Good things take time — and we think that’s exactly what makes them worth it.
So the next time you’re with us, take a moment. Let the layers flake across your plate, let the sourdough crackle in your hands, and remember: time isn’t wasted here. Because time is more than a recipe step — it’s the space where fellowship shines, where craft is honored, and where community is nurtured. At IZOLA, good things take time — and we think that’s exactly what makes them unforgettable.
✨ New Extended Hours ✨
Monday 7a-2p
Tuesday 7a-2p
Wednesday 7a-2p
Thursday 7a-2p
Friday 7a-5p
Saturday 7a-5p
Sunday 7a-5p
More time for savoring, lingering, connecting...
Bring a friend. Bring your appetite for joy. Come for the croissant, stay for The Farmstead Board (available Fri-Sun, 12-5p), sip something sparkling, and let the afternoon stretch out.
PS - If you'd like to join our elite Front of House team, we now have positions open to support our extended, later hours. Apply now!
$2.50 SPARKLING WINE EXTENDED!
Our new extended hours every Friday, Saturday and Sunday are some of my favorite times to be in the dining room at IZOLA. It's the golden hour, when the world feels a little slower.
To celebrate our extended hours, we've also extended our sparkling wine special! Join us for a glass of sparkling from 12-5p this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For a limited time only....
CELEBRATING DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
The Día de los Muertos celebration at the Sherman Heights Community Center is a weeks-long community festivity that preserves the Day of the Dead tradition, itself a millennial practice. This celebration began in 1994 and over the years the festivity has grown to include onsite community altars, front-yard altars throughout the neighborhood, craft workshops, online tutorials and videos, an activity guide, student tours and food tastings, a procession and fundraising event. The tradition is a joyous occasion when the memory of our ancestors and the continuity of life is celebrated. Festivities run from mid Oct- Nov. 2nd and are open to the public.
Jenny and I can't wait to attend the Pan de Muerto Workshop where we'll get to create our own pan from scratch! We're also excited about their biggest fundraising event of the year, Noche De Mole, which features a light dinner menu inspired by a variety of regional moles from Mexico, signature beverages, entertainment, and a special preview of more than 25 community altars. They've sold out for 3 years straight, so get your tix now!
LIVE MUSIC SATURDAYS
Every Saturday, we host live music at the bakeshop from 8a-1p. Come on by to see how talented our local San Diego musicians are! Follow us on Instagram to see the lineup!