An investment exceeding $1 million sets the stage for a dramatic reinvention of Hotel La Jolla's rooftop restaurant, bringing European seaside glamour, Pan-Pacific cuisine and a new social pulse to the coast.

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A new era of coastal dining and social life is coming to La Jolla with the November 11 debut of Aries, an 11th-floor rooftop restaurant and lounge atop Hotel La Jolla, part of Hilton's Curio Collection.

Backed by an investment exceeding $1 million, Aries represents a dramatic departure from the traditional hotel dining model, transforming a space historically catering to overnight guests into a destination for locals and visitors alike. The project is spearheaded by veteran restaurateur Alessandro Minutella and co-managing partner Giancarlo Guttilla, who together also manage Zama and AKA, two prominent dining destinations in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter.

"La Jolla has never had a shortage of beautiful places to dine. What it's been missing is a little electricity," said Alessandro Minutella. "There's an appetite for something more expressive here, something that embraces La Jolla's sophistication while bringing a fresh sense of energy and excitement."

Aries' culinary program is being developed in collaboration with award-winning Chef James Montejano, whose career spans Michelin-starred kitchens and renowned hospitality destinations, including L'Auberge and Four Seasons.

The restaurant's interiors, designed by Cassandra Builer of Huntress Decor, draw inspiration from the timeless glamour of European seaside destinations such as Saint-Tropez and Cannes.

An adjoining private dining and event space, designed to accommodate approximately up to 100 guests, will extend Aries' distinctive aesthetic and panoramic views to private celebrations, corporate gatherings and special occasions.

About Aries

Debuting November 11, 2026, Aries is a new rooftop restaurant and lounge located on the 11th floor of Hotel La Jolla, part of Hilton's Curio Collection. Led by veteran restaurateur Alessandro Minutella, and co-managing partner Giancarlo Guttilla, with interiors designed by Cassandra Builer of Huntress Decor, Aries combines contemporary Pan-Pacific cuisine, European Riviera-inspired design and sweeping Pacific Ocean views with craft cocktails, curated entertainment and distinctive social experiences. Bringing a fresh energy to La Jolla, Aries aims to redefine the neighborhood's dining and social scene while embracing the sophistication that has long defined the coastal community. For more information, visit www.arieslajolla.com.

Media Contact
Mady Stone
mady@solidstatemarketing.com

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SOURCE Aries La Jolla