What's the latest concerning the developement of the park & Bazaar del Mundo in & around the old police Hqs? We took a trip down to say good-bye to Casa de Bandini & the Old Town operation of Diane Powers last May & want to schedule a trip down to view the re-opening.

Nothing has happened yet re the Old Police HQ. The new stuff in Old Town has been a huge failure and so now they're starting to bring in more color and music. Eventually it will be a lame copy of the old Bazaar.

I haven't looked for a while, but I'm pretty sure that Diane Powers will keep the Bazaar web site updated.

www.bazaardelmundo.com

Thanks Barbara. I punched in that website & it doesn't really give any info on the progress.

In a few months I will probably be on here asking the same question again. Hope you're still around. Thanks again.

Did you sign up for emails on that site?

If I hear more, I'll try to remember to post it here. Maybe TahitiTam will see this and may know more.

Hi Barbara & Shea..
I wish I could say that the new building is built and Ms. Powers has re-opened Casa de Bandini and the other great restaurants and shops but I know that she is 2 blocks down where the Guadalajara Grill is in a scaled down version and she was supposed to open in late 2006 for the new location next to Seaport Village at the Old Police Hdq's which has to go $25 million in renovation by the developer but I don't think anything has happened.. I am going to Steely Dan next week at the Marina and I will make it a point to cruise down that way and check it out..
I know that Casa de Pico moved to the former Chevy's location in Grossmont Center in La Mesa.
bazaardelmundo.com/pico2006.shtml

Best to you and if I get more info next week, I will pass it on..

Good morning Barbara & TahitaTams. Thank you for your responses. If you do have any info concerning the progress of the new Bazaar Del Mundo please post it.

I did sign up for emails on the web site for Bazaar Del Mundo but it has not given any updates on the progress of the new complex near Seaport Village.

I understand that the mini bazaar near the Guadalajara Restaurant, Casa de Pico, & Casa de Bandini will be moving to the new complex. I can't wait to check it out. Thanks again!

tahiti tams, you've been providing info on our upcoming trip to San Diego & La Jolla. I just clicked on this San Diego question post, to see what it was, & get further info, & there you are! Going to Steely Dan, lucky you, one of my all time faves! I'd love to see that band, never have. No plays at La Jolla playhouse when we're there 9/14/ - 9/18, & now Steely Dan is there in July! Have fun, I'd love to see them in concert!

I went shopping at the "mini Bazaar" yesterday. There are actually only a couple of shops, but they have nice stuff. As I was there, I walked through the new Plaza del Pasado, or whatever it's called. Many of the potted plants were dying, the bigger plants need more care. They have some of the ugliest furniture I've ever seen. There still are a few shops, but most of them have small displays and are clearly awaiting tenants. There were not many people, no difficulty getting a table if you want one. I don't remember when I've found parking so easy in Old Town.

The actual Old Town, with the real historical buildings, is still the same, but with many, many fewer people than usual for a hot summer day.

You know, I will never know why on earth someone thought it was a good idea to change Bazaar Del Mundo and all the goings there. The tourists absolutely loved it, and the locals. It wasn't my favorite Mexican food, but what they did was a great attempt.

But the complex overall, for fun, shopping, food, drinks, was always a huge hit. I just don't get why someone thought it would be a good idea to "improve" on this success. People who want to see old San Diego prefer the Mexican influence, especially if they don't want to travel to TJ. Such a shame to do this to a great destination.

I can't remember where I heard it, but I'm pretty sure Diane Powers is no longer involved in the Police HQ revitalization...she was unsable to come to terms with the city and is looking elsewhere.

HI Barbara & Heavens..
I am so glad that you went down to see what is going on our beloved Old Town..
It is so sad to see a company called Delaware North ruin another wonderful venue..This was one of the most successful operations in the country that was an old motel and Ms. Powers turned it into a gem for over 25 years of wonderful restaurants, shops and gathering for tourists and locals alike..We would always go when friends and family were out of town and it never got old like some things you have to do with the out of towners..
I loved sipping aquarium size margarita's and eating good Mex food at Casa de Pico and the gorgeous Casa de Bandini and other wonderful gems and just mulling around and seeing just as many locals as tourist!
Petco Park where the Padres play from what I understand Delaware North won the bid from that and when we went the first year to a game and had there food, I told my husband that they won't be able to do a hotdog right and we were right and the residents of SD were in an uproar over the terrible food and service and from what I understand they are out of Petco but for the life of me, How do these people stay in business?
Anyway, sorry for the ramble but I miss it and so does everyone else..

Alice, really? That's disappointing.

TT, one of the "mini Bazaar" shops has mid-size "aquariums" for sale! I almost bought a couple, but then I might actually have filled them up!

Hi Alice & Barbara,
Alice, I did not hear that..I thought it was a done deal to go with the Seaport Village across the way and that is why they moved those horse carriages out a couple of years ago..
I am going to have to investigate this ASAP! Thanks for the info..
Barbara..mid size "aquariums".. fill'er up.,.
Boy, is that tempting...
Thanks so much for the info!!

NEWSFLASH...
I just spoke with Martha at Diane Powers office and she said that talks were off but they are back at the table and they will know in October...
I told her to please let her know that she has such a fan base here at Fodors and I had to get to the bottom of this and anything us Fodorites can do, we would be happy to accomodate..
Yippeeeeeeeee......

TT, great job!

Hey ladies, has anyone tried the Casa de Pico in Grossmont? I've seen it but haven't eaten there. Maybe must schedule a special investigation so I can report back to Fodors...

well, we could all go.......

Another San Diegan here...with the Casa de Pico - Grossmont report...

It is on the outskirts (northeast? side) of the mall and looks surprisingly similar to the way I remembered it looking in Old Town. The salsa is the same, delicious, and the margaritas are generous. The food tasted the same, although I confess to having a different "favorite" Mexican restaurant (Tio Leo's - Mira Mesa and no one else's chile relleno's can compare) so this is not an unbiased review.

It took some getting used to, and I miss the "feeling" that the other location had in the middle of the courtyard, but it is head and shoulders above any of the chain restaurants usually found in shopping malls.

I tried to get reservations for a party of 10 a few weekends ago, but you must to call a week ahead of time to get a reservation. Otherwise you go and wait 45 minutes to an hour. So, in other words, some things never change. ;-)

Wanted to report back on Casa de Pico. Picked up OD from the airport after a ten day, which turned into an eleven day trip to Europe. She was craving Mexican food and she wanted to go where no one who knows us could run into her (she'd had about a 48 hour travel day home, getting stuck in DC with the hightened terror alert and looked like it). So, here is our chance to try Casa de Pico.

Very nice place. Festive and fun, lots of colors and flowers. We went for lunch so no margaritas. Very good food. What we had anyway. Large menu, large portions. A bit expensive, IMO, compared to our little town Mexican hole in the walls that are so good and cheap. But, we are in San Diego with San Diego operational costs.

I would eat here again. Very fun place to take guests visiting the area or to go with a big group for an event, birthday or something. They have awesome chips and salsa. All very fresh. I think at night they have mariachis.