Lindsay P.
19 Eats.It Staff Recs
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Bar West, Pacific Beach
07/05/07 The Liquid ExplorerStingaree, Side Bar, the Witherby, and now Bar West. These hot spots have carried the trend to the beach. Finally, Frat Row gets some class.
The nice folks at Bar West will tell you straight up, this is PB dressed up. Young board-shorts dressed dudes sit at the bar in the early evening, the precursor to the evening’s trendy hipsters. Frankly, the venue looks a lot like Stingaree. Beautiful booth seating, circles everywhere, mood lighting and modern design. Large screen TVs for game watching, a private backroom, and of course a few tables on their outdoor patio. If you’re looking for a place to look hot in PB, this would be it.
The food and drink program has some great pre-10pm specials to entice the locals who go to bed early. Monday through Friday happy hour features specialty drinks at 50% off or $5 each and $2 domestic drafts; and they even have a food list specially designed for those fabulous two hours between 5 and 7pm. The other non-secret deals the newcomer should be aware of are Tuesday $4 wings night, and Wednesday three-course meals for $20 and half priced bottles of wine!
Fantasy Mondays are the newest addition to the line-up -- the night all your fantasies come true, as Larry the manager/Executive Chef declares. The dream begins with the Guava Mojito, a refreshingly delicious combination of guava nectar, Effen raspberry vodka, fresh lime, mint leaves, club soda, and sugar cane. And it looks as good as it tastes: like a very pretty ending to a fantastic San Diegan sunset. They also have a Bubble Gum Martini: vodka, crème de banana, Jones bubblegum soda, and a candy dot to garnish. If you’re feeling less “sweet”, you can opt for a bottle of the Bitch Grenache from the mini-wine list. Bottle prices are really reasonable, starting at $35 and going up to $100, with most hovering around $50. Draft beers are $4 or $5 each, and they offer Bass, Fat Tire, Windmer Hefeweizen, Stella Artois, and Yellowtale Pale Ale.
What to pair with the tasty drinks, you ask? Well, they have a Raw Bar menu which offers oysters, ahi tuna, salmon steak tartare, and a ceviche and shrimp cocktail. If you’re feeling like cooked foods, they offer a lot for your palate there too. The tapas menu includes such treats as perfectly pan seared sea scallops served on a bed of spinach, and an artichoke and goat cheese beignet (a. k. a. balls, as Chef Larry explains). They offer gourmet French fries too: truffle pommes frites with a trio of mustard dipping sauces. Yum!
Entrees include the pan seared halibut with a fava bean and mushroom ragu sauce, a T-bone steak, and a double cut pork chop, along with some interesting vegetarian options like white stone-ground polenta in a forest mushroom reduction sauce. Entrees range from $14 to $34, with most in the $20s. And we cannot leave out the Kobe beef burger with smoked bacon and cheddar and a truffle aioli, if you’re feeling like a sandwich; or the braised pork panini made from perfectly slow-cooked pork that falls off the bone, put into a sandwich with caramelized onions and a jalapeno reduction sauce. It comes recommended by the creator himself -- who can resist food gods?
All in all, Bar West makes great drinks and cooks a mean dinner. I recommend hitting up mid-week happy hour with a group of friends, as it’s one of the best deals in town!
I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here once or twice.
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Turquoise, Cafe Bar Europa, Pacific Beach
06/13/07 The Liquid ExplorerThe Turquoise, Café Bar Europa is an exceptional alternative to nightlife outside of downtown.
Hidden away from the college scene that plagues the bars in PB, you’ll discover a gem of a venue: The Turquoise. Leave your breasty tops and board shorts for the “meat strip:” this is classy PB. Groups of properly-clothed professionals in their later 20s to 40s and nice couples out on dates frequent this wine and tapas bar to engage in the art of good old fashioned talking.
The owner has successfully channeled Europe, as the bar’s name suggests, through live Latin music, dark wood tables and chairs, and a very lengthy bar. It reminds you of the English pubs you’d find in Italy or Spain. The lighting is perfectly dimmed enough for you to embark on becoming less sober, and the décor is simple yet elegant, with life-sized pictures of men playing guitar and drums lining the burgundy-colored walls. Little English pub-style tables dressed with candles come in both tall and short sizes, depending if you feel like standing or sitting. The bar itself occupies the center of the large and airy space, with seating that wraps all the way around. But it doesn’t feel crowded or frenetic, even though the live music and dim lighting put you in the partying mood. No, this is the perfect place to come when you want to have a no-stress, no-drama night out with your friends.
The wine list is quite varied. The best deals are the $6 glasses of wine straight from the barrel. These have never been bottled, never sulfited, so you don’t have to pay for all of the processing. Very smart, indeed! A bonus is that the wines served via cask are from the local winery San Juan. Options include a Grenache, a Tempranillo, a Meritage and a Chianti. The Tempranillo is the best! In general, bottled wine glasses hover around $8, a reverse sticker-shock for those of us used to the $12 per glass downtown pricing, and bottles run a very humble $22 to $70, with most hovering around $32. Some noteworthy choices include the Micante Supertuscan for $31 and the Vietti Barolo for $70.
Of course they have beer! No bottles, all drafts. They offer the Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale Ale and the Paulaner Hefeweizen amongst several others, and all cost $5 a glass or $15 a pitcher. Nice! For those of you on an alcohol-avoiding diet, they have a section of the menu devoted to low and no-alcohol choices like the Buckler near-beer, all costing $5.
Now for the tasty and affordable Italy-meets-Spain tapas fare. The 5 to 7pm happy hour features some of their tasty small and shareable tapas, all for $3 a plate. Included in this very Spanish line-up are marinated mushrooms, artichoke hearts, pan-roasted almonds, and herb-seasoned olives. If you’re feeling a bit more hungry, they make a killer Spanish tortilla, perfectly seared lamb chops with porcini mashed potatoes, wild mushroom risotto, or a warming ratatouille for the vegetarian in the group. They offer a nice array of salads and sandwiches if you’re feeling like simple food, or if you’re really hungry they offer full on meals, like pasta and homemade meatballs, pasta carbonara, or a New York steak.
Getting out of downtown is definitely a wallet-friendly move. The Turquoise is the solution for a fabulous night out without blowing your life savings. I hear there may be another coming soon . . . let’s hope so!
I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here three to five times.
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Eden, Downtown-Gaslamp
05/30/07 The Liquid ExplorerEden, the roof-top bar at the luxurious new Ivy Hotel, successfully channels both LA and Vegas all in one.
When you think of Eden, think Saturday night at a hot club with a live DJ, infused with sunshine, beautiful LA-wannabes, a stunning view of downtown SD, and super comfortable seating. The creators of the new Ivy Hotel’s roof-top bar have assembled a well-choreographed symphony of hedonism perfect for the San Diegan scenester in you.
If you’ve never been to the once hot roof-top concept in LA called the SkyBar, don’t worry--you’re not missing much. Really bad overpriced food and drinks mixed with the LA attitude make for a bad scene in my book. But what Eden has done right is to capture the swanky bed-turned-couch, private-cabana-with-bottle-service VIP scene that SkyBar had been aiming for—only Eden has done it right. Even if you don’t feel like paying the stiff fees for the VIP treatment in the poolside cabanas, you can retire to the main lounge area where there is ample couch/bench seating as well as the LA-style couch-beds. A live DJ spins his little heart out to mash-ups of 80’s classics as well as more modern-day club hits. As the crowd becomes less and less sober, it seems as though you are transmitted back in time to the 80’s and 90’s. Don’t worry, though--all songs are techno-versions, and not the real thing.
There are usually several different scenes going on here at any given time. There’s the cabana/pool people, who, quite frankly, don’t lounge poolside for that refreshing dip, as the water is only lukewarm to warm in temperature. No, they come here for the hunt. Girls in bikinis, dudes in their board shorts, all in fabulous sunglasses, lounge around like they’re being chosen to enter the Playboy Mansion. Meanwhile, the bar scene centers around the shaded sixteen-seat bar and the sunlit couch-lined seating area; people who sit here are fully clothed. The bar buzzes with the true vibe of the place. Bartenders are friendly, even eager to help (especially if they think you’re a VIP).
Drinks are amply priced, just like LA; most hover around $15. Typical of their house specialties is one called the Paris Hilton, a blend of Absolut Pear, triple-sec, white cranberry juice and a lemon squeeze. The wine list is quite extensive, presented as a book, and is really designed for the high-rollers. Glass prices range from $8 to $40, most hovering around $15; stick to Spain and Portugal for the best deals. A couple options include the $8 Vinho Verde from Portugal, which is a refreshing light-bodied white made from the Verdejo grape. Heading further up the price scale, they serve the Graeser Cabernet out of Diamond Mountain in Napa, which is a very limited production, hand-crafted style for $23 a glass. They also sell the Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin La Grand Dame NV Brut for $1900--bring your coin-dropping cronies.
The Snacks list offers a nice variety of salads and sandwiches for you to munch on while you sun yourself. The Kitchen Sink salad features artichoke hearts, shrimp, pancetta, jicama, and fried brie tossed in a light mustard dressing. It’s quite nice, great as a refreshing nibble for $16. A BBQ turkey wrap with bacon, avocado and French fries (which are delish) goes for $14. Other creative menu options include the Chicken and Chocolate, which is essentially chicken mole disguised with a name for those who don’t know much about Mexican food. They also serve caviar tacos for $24 or $99.
So grab your designer sunglasses and skimpy beach gear, and check out the only true sun-deck bar downtown. And if you forget the sun block, don’t worry--they stash extras at the bar.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here once or twice.
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Wine Steals, Point Loma
05/03/07 The Liquid ExplorerThe beautiful new Wine Steals in Point Loma brings a new level of sophistication to the wine bar scene.
It’s as though the venue gods actually answered my call. Driving into the new Wine Steals is like driving into someone’s private estate -- there are trees that line the private drive and golf greens that seem to go on forever. Once you enter the adobe-style casa, you are welcomed by warm hardwood floors, their signature wine-barrel-tables, neatly laid out bottles for the retail store, and a zinc bar that faces the classic chalkboard menus.
Just like the original, seating emphasizes being casual and comfortable. That sort of mismatched furniture “coffee-house” feel that the Hillcrest original made famous permeates the couch and bar seating arrangements. It’s clean, it’s airy, it’s like you’re sitting in a winery tasting room in Provence, France. The best part is that this tasting room faces the local golf course, so it’s all green when you look outdoors. Of course, there’s a spacious patio located out there as well, for you and your friends to soak up the natural environment.
Let’s talk about the patrons. Wine Steals followers in general are a very friendly, loyal and unpretentious group. It’s historically been the sort of bar you can roll up to solo, in twos or with your whole gang; any way you roll, you’re bound to meet someone interesting to talk to.
Okay, now for the drink details. This is a wine bar, but they understand that not everyone drinks wine, so they offer a nice selection of Stone beers -- a local brewery, yeah! There’s the Stone IPA, Arrogant Bastard if you’re feeling like a tough-guy, and the pale ale. All beers are $4. For the wines, just like in Hillcrest, their chalkboard features about ten whites and twenty reds by the glass, complete with fun yet informative descriptions, like the Tudor Pinot Noir -- “sexy wine;” Santa Lucia -- “don’t miss;” or the fabulous Valsacro Rioja -- “2001 Vintage! Spanish Heaven!” Of course, their chalk boards wine choices change each week, so nothing is ever stale.
Wine glasses average anywhere from $5 to $16 a glass, and you can always order anything in a half-glass size if you’re the non-commitment type. They also have a killer wine happy hour, running Monday-Friday from 4pm to 6pm, when they offer wines by the glass for $3.
If you’re really feeling exploratory, Wine Steals offers a board of wine flights. This simply means that you can taste more than one wine, usually part of some theme, like the “mixed up” flight in which the Chasing Venus Sauvignon Blanc, Kali Hart Chardonnay, Alamos Malbec, and Cinnabar Mercury Rising are grouped together. All flights are $15.75 and it’s basically equivalent to two glasses of wine.
To pair with your wine, you must have cheese! The gigantic cheese boards, cheese and meat boards, and the ultimate “everything” boards that made the original famous are thankfully served here in the same large size. Their pizza selection is now overseen by their executive chef, Jeff, who hand makes every slice of pie. They offer a pesto pizza, a pepperoni, an “almost everything” and a meat pizza. This is pizza for the east-coasters’ palate, thin-crust, please. Everything is reasonably priced: slices go for $3, the basic cheese board still costs $12, the “everything” board $25; and of course, like the wine you can order half-boards as well.
The Point Loma Wine Steals is definitely worth checking out, especially come summertime when everyone will want to lounge outdoors on their beautiful patio overlooking the green.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here once or twice.
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Yard House, Downtown-Gaslamp
04/23/07 The Liquid ExplorerWith 117 different beers on draft, a wide selection of martinis, and an extensive menu, The Yard House definitely doesn’t suffer any size issues.
The Yard House is the place you go when you’re on a date, visiting your ‘boys’ in town, out with the girls, or just home from being on a Navy ship for six months. This classy, stylish and spacious place truly caters to all of your social life’s mood swings.
Upon entering, you notice the ample restaurant seating and booth space, leading up to the gigantic central U-shaped bar that seats at least 50 people. There are two sides of this huge bar, and if you were to conduct a self-tour of the area, you would notice that all 117 drafts are carefully placed to entice the British drunk inside of you to come out. Even if you have no ounce of British in you, you will still be impressed by the sheer number of choices.
Following on the British theme, the décor itself could be called modern American brewpub meets old English pub. The main level is all clean, well-polished hardwood floors and modern paintings. Downstairs is where you can see the giant beer tanks; if you can get past the sheer size of this place, you’ll notice the white tubes running from this area to the beers on draft. Also downstairs is the VIP nightclub/lounge, which comes alive after 11pm on weekend evenings. It’s the place to check out if you’re ready for a scene change and don’t want to move to a new venue.
Now that we’ve painted a picture of what the place looks like, let’s get down to business. The 117 beers they feature represent most beer-loving nations. Paulaner Hefeweizen, Bayhawk Beach Blonde, Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale, Karl Strauss Amber Lager, and Rogue Dead Guy Ale are just a few examples of what’s in store. The lengthy beer list also has a section labeled “Beer Blends,” where the Black & Tan (a Guinness/Bass Ale blend) and the Eclipse (a Blue Moon/Guinness blend), amongst several others, are waiting to be discovered. Beers come in the pint, goblet, or half-yard sizes, and everything is appropriately priced.
The drink list is equally extensive, with an entire section devoted to martinis. They offer the non-harmonious-sounding Purple Cow and Bikini Tinis, which as the names suggest are nothing alike. The Purple Cow is much heavier ‘cause it’s made with cream, Razzmatazz and Skyy berry vodka. The Bikini is logically more a tropical drink, with pineapple and banana rums. Their martinis are all priced at $9.25. Bonus info: everything is half-off (including appetizers) from 3 to 6pm Monday through Friday.
Speaking of food, the Yard House’s menu can make anyone happy -- really. They have sections covering pizzas, burgers, classic bar apps, healthy bar apps, sandwiches, salads, and seafood dishes. The steamed artichoke appetizer is perfectly cooked and comes with to-die-for homemade potato chips. The seared ahi sashimi is delicious as well. They even offer your classic bar snacks of chicken nachos and onion rings.
But their unspoken claim to fame here is their collection of certified Angus beef choices. We’re talkin’ Manwich-sized man food: half-pound burgers cooked up Hawaiian, barbeque, béarnaise, or your classic Americana style; 10, 12 or 14 oz. Angus steaks; and St. Louis style ribs. The food is darn good, too. Even the salads have flair: the chopped salad comes with cilantro, gazpacho dressing, fresh avocado, and applewood bacon. The food and drinks tie nicely into the décor: clean, modern, and classy.
If you’re getting off work, going out with a group of friends, or just want a simple yet classy and comfortable place to go, The Yard House has it all.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here three to five times.
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Soleil @ K, Downtown-Gaslamp
04/18/07 The Liquid ExplorerThe Gaslamp Marriott is home to San Diego’s best kept secret happy hour spots: Altitude Sky Bar and Soleil@K.
Whether you’re feeling high and mighty or a wee bit more grounded, The Gaslamp Marriott’s Altitude Sky Bar and Soleil@K gives you options.
So let’s take it from the top: at Altitude you get one of the best views in San Diego, including the baseball diamond in Petco Park and the Coronado Bay Bridge. This is the place you go when you’re smoozing clients or showing off San Diego to your out-of-town friends. The place is modern, high tech and stylish. The bar is conveniently at chest height and lacking in seating, which effectively encourages people to either stand and lounge on a slow night, or get their drink and move out on a busy night. The main seating area is in the center of the patio, with hanging heat-lamps to keep you warm from most any angle. When night falls, screens come down for some visually stimulating views of skiers, the mountains, surfers and the ocean. And the audio is definitely ear-perking, with clear-as-day chill groove sounds that make you happy during happy hour.
Altitude bartenders make some stiff drinks. You’ve got your Eclipse Cosmo, which is made with citrus vodka, Grand Marnier, and cranberry juice. Then there’s the White Cosmo featuring white cranberry juice, and the White Sangria, a unique blend of peach schnapps, red wine, and fresh fruits. Drinks are hotel-priced at $12 a drink. To avoid these nightclub prices, hit Altitude at happy hour, which appropriately offers Skyy Vodka based drinks at half price Monday through Thursday.
When you start experiencing Altitude sickness, head on down to Soleil@K for some great eats. This is what San Diegans should demand for happy hour. It goes till 8pm Monday through Thursdays, and the tasty and extensive options are 50% off. Their artisan flatbreads are really a treat. The heirloom tomato flatbread comes with perfectly melted fresh mozzarella and parmesan plus a slice of ripe tomato, all drizzled with a pesto basil sauce. For $6.50, you too can experience the dream. Their sliders come with a temperature option, meaning there is enough patty to choose the temp . . . no skinny McD’s patties here, you get a mini version of the real thing. Oh, and the herb fries! Perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned and perfectly salted, hold the ketchup! Three of these babies can be yours for $6.
Okay, I am the Liquid Explorer, so let’s get back to business. The wine list downstairs is extensive and worthy. They offer 32 wines by the glass, nine flight options, and a vast selection of bottles. In general, the list focuses on some mainstream wineries from California, plus a few from Washington and Down Under. Let’s highlight some of my faves, shall we? Okay, they offer an “Oooh! Bubbles!” flight for $12 that includes three generously poured samples of Chandon, Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial, and the Piper-Heidsieck Brut. On their glass program you’ll find the Cain Cuvee Red Blend from high up Mt. Veeder in Napa for $12. And for bottle selections they have the hard-to-get Paul Hobbs Russian River Pinot Noir if you’re feeling spendy. In general, the wines by the bottle go from $16 to $500, with most averaging around $45.
If you’re feeling like watching the sunset in style, then grabbing some great food in a comfortable atmosphere, and you’re on a budget, hit the Altitude/Soleil@K happy hour. It’s got to be one of the best deals in San Diego.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here three to five times.
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Basic Urban Kitchen & Bar, East Village
04/11/07 The Liquid ExplorerThis “basic” warehouse conversion in the East Village is simply fabulous. And oh yes, the pizza is wicked good too!
Basic Urban Kitchen is as simple as the name suggests. Great beer, excellent pizza, pool tables, lots of space, geometrically organized, near the ballpark . . . hello, it’s a straight-guy’s dream! And a straight lady’s as well, for that matter, as you immediately notice upon arrival. The guy/girl ratio definitely favors the ladies . . . I’d say it’s an 85/15% ratio of guys vs. girls. Yee-hah! As my sister observes, it’s the San Diego version of a “Men in Trees” type bar in Alaska, but luckily the men dress emphatically better here.
Okay, enough BS, let’s stick to the basics:
The place: is big, has high ceilings, an infinite amount of window space to watch the herds on their way to the ballpark, and is divided into three parts that all flow together for your varying moods: the bar scene, the lounge, and the restaurant. While you wait for your table, you can lounge out and people-watch; then move to the wooden-tabled restaurant and share some of the gigantic heavenly pizzas; then head on over the main bar area for some good ole fashioned fun (whatever that means to you). The architecture is simple, yet obviously designed by a pro. Huge metal beams hold up the structure. You feel like you’re in someone’s giant loft. Very East Village, very no-frills chic.
The patrons: average age is 30ish, most seem like they hold respectable jobs or at least contribute somehow in a positive way to the community. Game days are a mixed crowd: families with wee ones can be spotted along with the guy or girl of your dreams. It’s definitely a joint for your favorite pair of jeans, and ball caps can be observed in all of their fashionable forms: classically placed, backwards, sideways, or the rally-cap version that only your father (or the really drunk guy) dares to sport.
Later in the evening, this simple place livens up even more. There are lines to get in to groove to the live DJ’s sounds on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s definitely a 10-to-midnight sort of place. After then, the drunk people suffering from last-call on a Friday night will actually pay twenty bucks for your half eaten pizza (true story). FYI, industry professionals get drink discounts, even on the busy nights . . . always taking care of the local!
The drinks: average prices are $10; 4-6pm Monday-Friday happy hour martinis go for $5! I recommend the Pink Steal: peach schnapps, vodka, oj, splash of cranberry, and triple sec will wow you with the not-too-sweet balanced fruit flavors. Sean, the ex-NY bartender recommends this one, and I agree. On a side note, Sean likes Basic because it attracts the non-amateurs. It’s classy, clean, drinks are stiff and properly priced. Basic, right?
The beer: happy hour drafts go for $3, regular prices are $6-ish. They have the Stone pale ale, the Sam summer ale, the best Guinness draft in town, Stella Artois on draft. It’s a selection supportive of the local.
Pizza: made by an East Coaster for the infinitely picky East Coast pizza palate. Pizza-making is taken very seriously here, and rightly so! As a New Englander myself who also lived in the pizza motherland (Italy) for a year and a half, I find Basic’s crust perfectly thin and crisp. Not your deep-dish cardiac-arrest style pizza, on these pizzas you can actually taste how well harmonized the toppings, the secret cheeses (I got that Parmiggiano is one of them!), and the sauce (or lack of sauce) are together. Like an orchestra that has played together many times before, this is pizza to be proud of. And let’s talk about the size: the small is served on an 8x10” baking sheet! Oh, and the plates are the durable paper ones, and the napkins are surprisingly durable as well.
Basically, this place is really a gem find. The food is fabulous, the drinks hit the spot, the scenery is unprecedented for a straight person in San Diego, and it’s comfortable. Love it!I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here three to five times.
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Sogno DiVino, Little Italy
03/22/07 The Liquid ExplorerThis distinctly neighborhoody Little Italy wine bar is created by Italians and supported by the locals.
Sogno DiVino truly represents the essence of Little Italy, which is all about the community. I’ve been a regular here ever since it opened in late 2005, and the reason why is that it’s absolutely gorgeous, it’s intimate, and the wine list quenches my traveling palate.
This is a place to bring your gang or your parents, which is why it is so popular amongst us non-scene scenesters. The crowd is your thirty to forty-somethings looking for an elegant and unpretentious place to just chill and talk. Its rustic yet elegant touches make you feel as though you’re out on the town without the BS.
In keeping with the Italian culture that is its inspiration, the interior design of this place is well thought out. It’s got a very successful cave-like motif to it, with a stone-like appearance reminiscent of the Shramsberg winery caves in Napa. The z-shaped green and brown onyx bar occupies one side of this decidedly intimate space, seating twelve comfortably. The airy curtains are all joined together by mini glass grape clusters. The wicker-woven chairs remind you of the Tuscan countryside, and the bartenders speak with charming accents.
Sogno DiVino means “The Dream of Divine Wine” in Italian, and the wine list is, in fact, quite dreamy. It changes often, but always offers an extensive international selection in half carafe, full glass, half glass, quarter glass or bottle sized portions. This is a great place to try a flight of several different wines; to aid the novice drinker, each wine comes with a helpful description. For instance, the Nora Albarino, a perfect starter white, reads: “Full body, strong structure, clean finish, with notes of canned mandarin.” I would also add some honeysuckle and peach notes to that description. It’s delish.
Another great white to start with is the Aminea Greco di Tufo. Greco is an ancient grape varietal first planted by the Greeks in the volcanic soils of Mt. Edna in Campania, Italy. It is minerally, limey, full of zest, and thankfully not your California Chardonnay! Actually, there really is only one California Chardonnay offered and another from Italy, which forces the novice to explore outside their comfort zone -- cool!
For reds, the Archery Summit Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley was recently featured. This is a great place to try a wine that may be slightly out of your price range, such as the Archery, which goes for $18 a glass. Another notable red to try is the Elyse Syrah from Napa. It’s sultry, smoky, and ends with a mouthful of blackberry and chocolate. Yum! I’m excited to see most regions of Italy represented on the wine list; not just Tuscany or Piedmont, but Sicily, Trentino, and Il Veneto are featured, as well.
For nibbles, the meat and cheese plate is satiating and tasty. It offers artisan cheeses and meats accompanied by a lovely assortment of dried fruits, olives, and homemade bread. There is also a crostini and olive plate, a pate plate, and a unique assortment of sandwiches and salads. You can also buy any bottle you see on the wine list at retail, and the meats and cheeses can be purchased to go. There’s even a make-your-own sandwich feature from the extensive deli list.
All in all, Sogno DiVino is the perfect place pre-dinner, for dinner, or post-dinner to enjoy time with your community in a dreamy setting. Monday nights are especially dreamy, as the Latin guitarist strums away to your heart’s content. Salute!I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here dozens of times.
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Oceanaire Seafood Room, Downtown-Gaslamp
03/14/07 The Liquid ExplorerDowntown’s Oceanaire is clean, classy and sophisticated, and with a menu printed daily to represent their ultra-fresh fare you can’t go wrong.
Unlike a lot of glitzier places lining the streets of the Gaslamp, Oceanaire is really not too decorative, nor too whimsical. In fact, theme-wise, the restaurant is very tasteful in an old-school seafood restaurant way. Take their classic, concise usage of the nautical colors blue and white. Then there are the strategically placed faux fish hanging on the walls, as well as the token helm in the center of the “Gaslamp-docked yacht meets La Jolla country club” floor plan. It’s visually pleasing, and decidedly not metrosexual. No lines-crossing here -- this is the modern-day version of an old boys’ club night out on the town.
Now, I’m not an old boy -- in fact, I’m a youthful female who happens to own her own company -- but if I were to have the aged owners of some multi-million dollar company in town, they would feel right at home here. But apart from the Wall Street-like suits that flock to this place, the overall feel here is comfortable. You are well taken care of, there’s no pretense, and there’s no b-s youngster scene. Great drinks, fabulous food, and good service, period.
Okay, on with the bar breakdown. The lengthy bar is divided between the raw bar and the barfly bar. It’s clear which side I sit on, as the raw bar features clammed up oysters and clams on ice, which truly don’t make me want to draw near . . . it’s a wee bit chilly for me. But it is beautiful, and reminds me of the lower-level Fish Market bar located near Broadway. Note that happy hour is from 5pm to 6pm and gets you the best deals of the house. Drinks and glasses of wine go for $7. There are food discounts too, and at this place you can take all you can get.
For the margarita and wine lover, the French 75 fits the bill. It’s a blend of triple sec, margarita mix, and champagne with an orange peel garnish. Yum. There’s also a nice selection of single-malt scotches for the old boy in you. And they also have Belvini on offer, which is rare and hard to find. The wine list is quite pleasing and shockingly affordable. It definitely focuses on Californian varietals, but they do offer a Spanish Albarino by the glass as well as a French Syrah-based Crozes-Hermitage. The bottle selection features the delicious Marilyn Remark Marsanne out of Monterey as well as the Dierberg Pinot Noir out of Santa Maria. Most bottle prices hover around $45-55, and glass prices averaging $11.
Food quality matches the prices. The Maryland blue crab cake is definitely more crab than cake, and worth a taste. The succulent and perfectly prepared king crab salad tastes like God made it. The “Angry” whole Christchurch New Zealand pink snapper tastes like God’s mother made it. Nothing here is small. The desserts make movie-theater large-sized popcorn look puny in comparison; the key lime pie actually comes with a steak knife!
Bottom line: when your wallet needs shrinking and you’re up for some deep sea fishing without actually braving the waters, paddle yourself to Oceanaire. You’re guaranteed to leave feeling buzzed, fat, and happy.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here three to five times.
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Nicky Rottens, Downtown-Gaslamp
03/07/07 The Liquid ExplorerNicky Rottens’ name may not sound very pleasant, but be assured, this burger joint comes with all the right fixins’.
The Gaslamp has an old-school new kid on the block that’s here to stay. This place, evidently owned by a Nicky who was spoiled rotten as a child, keeps it simple. No hard-to-pronounce things on the menus, no modern fusion here, just the basics.
This place channels the east coast, more specifically the upscale pubs that dominate Boston. Hardwood bar, hardwood tables, hardwood floors—it’s all very elegant and very yesteryear. There are pictures of gangsters and mobsters on all the walls, interspersed with such kitschy art pieces as a nude chick in a martini glass flanked by two lion-shaped red-lit wall sconces—sort of a lionized red light district, if you will. Apparently Nicky is really into lions, because they’re everywhere. They hold the red lights that illuminate the walls, they form the décor along the bar, and there’s even a lion over the entrance. Roar!
Despite all the lions, though, the ambiance is very inviting and non-threatening. You know it’s dude heaven when there’s a two-and-a-half foot statue of Jack Daniel behind the bar and eight giant-screen TVs scattered throughout the joint. But this place does attract women patrons as well—after all, it’s classy, it’s clean, and it’s filled with guy-candy.
So, what’s on the menu at Nicky Rottens, you ask. Well, this pub (and I refer to it as a pub because it has that old Irish spring to it) features ten classic draft beers; a basic wine selection: Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Sparkling; and a nice collection of drinkies for the liquid explorer in you. The Liquor Allnight—and yes, that really is the name—is their delicious version of a black martini. It’s got Stoli Vanil, Kahlua, Coke and a shot of espresso—wowzers! If that doesn’t whet your whistle, then I would try the Wet and Creamy with an Orange Bikini. It’s a tasty blend of Cointreau, Licor 43 and whipped cream. And the best part of this whole experience is that you get to drink tasty drinks in a beautiful bar and it will only cost you around $8 per round. Perfecto for your money diet!
Even better is the food—both the quantity and quality. Their burgers are truly amazing! The Rottens Stinky Burger is described as “Da one thata smella like Nana Franny's feet,” and comes complete with bleu cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Rotten Sauce (a mayo-ketchup combo). All the burgers come with perfectly fried fries and a pickle to boot. In addition to their dripping burgers described with mafia flair, Nicky’s offers baby back ribs and a “Home Wrecker” hotdog—no description needed there! And I can’t leave out the “bada bing!” perfectly fried onion rings served in a beer-shaped boat. Giant burgers go for $8 a pop, and appetizers hover around $7. Definitely wallet friendly.
All in all, if you want a laid-back pub experience complete with great drinks and killer burgers, and don’t want to charge up your credit card, Nicky Rottens sure doesn’t stink.I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here three to five times.
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Bondi, Downtown-Gaslamp
02/28/07 The Liquid ExplorerBondi, the chic new Australian pub in the heart of the Gaslamp, will quell your hunger and thirst any hour of the day or night.
Bondi is anything but your everyday pub. Firstly, the venue itself is ginormous. Your eyes cannot take in everything you see in a single glance, and you’re inspired to take a full walk around in this most definitely foreign-feeling venue.
We begin the tour de Australia in the muy happening public bar room. Here, beneath a blown-glass sea-anemone chandelier that changes colors like the ever-changing ocean, you will find the core group of Bondi pubsters. The people who frequent this area fit the metrosexual pub profile: male-dominated groups in their mid 20s to early 40s, all clad in white-button shirts and designer jeans. Designer eye-candy for the designer girl gangs, that’s for sure!
In addition to its fully-stocked liquor selection, Bondi’s public bar proudly serves Australian beers and wines. Of special note are several award-winning Aussie draughts, such as Boag’s full-bodied Premium Lager, Coopers Sparkling Ale, Gage Roads Pure Malt lager, and Little Creatures Bright Ale. Wines available are 98% Australian, making for a fun adventure for the liquid explorer. The Rumball Sparkling Shiraz from Coonawarra is a unique experience—sparkling shiraz is definitely heavier and more berry-driven than traditional sparklers. If you’re not up for palate off-roading, try the Trevor Jones Virgin Unwooded Chardonnay. Its tropical fruit, lighter body, and cleansing finish offer a welcoming change from the wooded chards from California. For reds, do the Yalumba Shiraz-Viognier from Barossa, the kingdom of big, berry-driven, chocolatey reds. Another heavy-weight contender to experience is the d’Arenburg Footbolt Shiraz from McLaren Vale. Wine prices fit nicely into your budget, as most glasses start at $6 and go to $11, and bottles hover around $30.
Raw materials seem to be a key ingredient in Bondi’s design, especially in the kitchen bar. There, 40 tons of raw iron ore imported from central Western Australia are contained behind steel frames in an artistic interpretation of wallpaper, or wallrock to be more accurate. The unconventional wall art also includes framed panels of spinifex, Australia’s ubiquitous desert grass. And let’s talk about the Boabs. Two large metallic creations shaped like the trunks of Australia’s mysterious desert trees define a pair of extraordinary private dining spaces for eight. It’s masculine, it’s primal, it’s hot!
The kitchen bar is where the main eats are to be had. The menu is upscale pub fare. Dishes featuring exclusive meats such as the Wagyu Burger topped with beet root and havarti, entice your carnivorous side. There are some unique burger add-ons if you’re super hungry: pineapple for the dieter or egg for the famished! I am utterly fascinated by the barbecued barramundi, a native Australian fish that here comes with corn fritters. My palate is also attracted to the paperbark smoked pork chop served with date stuffing, artichoke mash, roast carrot puree and a munthari berry and rosemary sauce—I’m a sucker for pigs. Burgers and sharers go for around $12 and entrees average to about $20. And don’t forget about desserts. The sticky toffee pudding is more like a caramel bread pudding—yum!
We end our tour of Bondi at the café bar, your morning breakfast spot. The bar is built from jarrah, a giant eucalyptus hardwood. Breakfast is even more engaging when you’re seated in the hanging basket seats inspired by aboriginal fish-traps. Breakfast consists of items like sweetcorn and pumkin fritters, fresh muffins, muesli, fresh fruit, or panini. Costs are proportional to quantity, starting at $3 and going up to $12.
Bondi, like the vast land of Australia, requires several visits to do it right. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or post-dinner all offer new and tasty discoveries for the liquid explorer’s senses.
I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here once or twice.
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Modus Supper Club, Bankers Hill
02/21/07 The Liquid ExplorerCraving a sophisticated late-night scene that serves killer food? Modus bar, lounge and supper club is the answer, my friend.
With a gourmet menu served till 1am every night, a full bar with truly inspiring cocktails, a modern and upscale atmosphere and a wine list fit for the tightwad in you, Modus has got it all.
Located between Hillcrest and Downtown on 4th Avenue, Modus is the best place to go for a first date, or to meet up with a group of friends and just hang out. If you haven’t already noticed by my other recommendations, I am a huge sucker for upscale venues. I like to go out and be inspired by my environment. Leave the dingy, dime-a-dozen pub life to others—I like the pretty, and Modus is exactly that. It offers a non-pretentious, loungey atmosphere complete with all the frills: mellow crowd, mellow tunes, AND sexy ambiance. The environs themselves speak to me in a 70s/Modern tongue, with funky shaped-lamps, swanky bar stools, and an organic waterfall to enhance the chill vibe. Dim lighting for you night-dwellers helps to subdue your angst about being seen. Here, you can just blend and be.
I always wondered what had happened to Region, the ex-fave restaurant in my hood. It mysteriously disappeared about the same time Modus appeared. Coincidence? Actually, Modus was established by Scotty and Ariana Johnson, formerly of Region as well as Martini Ranch. I’m still unclear as to the details of the transition, but I dig the new style and the same approach of serving seasonal menus using fresh, organic ingredients from local farms. The food isn’t cheap, but it is outstanding. Seriously delicious. All I have to say is Braised Short Ribs and Crozes-Hermitage. Go out and splurge—here, the price is right.
Apart from the killer food and atmosphere, let’s hone in on my specialty…the bar! Their drinks have style, they have flair, they have the Shoulda Woulda Coulda. Clever, isn’t it? This flirtatious drink features Wokka Saki, fresh grapefruit and champagne. It’s a light and refreshing start to the evening. Feeling like a heavyweight? The Revolucion will meet your intoxication quotient in a hurry, with the influence of Patron Anejo, triple sec, Satsuma tangerine juice, and Aqua Perfecta pear liqueur. Modus prides itself on its collection of obscure liqueurs and boutique spirits and its freshly pressed juices (for you crunchy types), and the price is made for your designer hemp-sewn wallet, as prices start at $6 and top off at $10.50. We’re definitely not in Downtown, Toto.
In their search for the unique, non-mainstream, the unordinary, the Modus vision fits in with mine perfectly. In keeping with this theme, let’s discuss the wine list, shall we? Okay, definitely not geared for you Cabernet/Chardonnay drinkers. Well, they do offer those varietals, but they also offer the Trou de Bonde Grenache Blanc from Santa Inez, as well as a Slovenian white that even I have never heard of! For the red collection, they offer the Barrua Sardinian Red, as well as the Chateau Muscar Lebanese red. I am dying of curiosity to try both, but I am also intrigued by the collection of Rhone reds. I am a huge fan of these Grenache/syrah based blends from the south of France. They are loaded with juicy cherry fruits and spices that cry out for gamey meats—like the confit of duck! Wine glass prices also won’t unravel your hand-sewn wallet, again starting at $6 and topping off at $10. Bottle prices are also wallet-friendly, with the median price range being in the $50s.
Modus is open every night at 5 and closes at 1:30am, and with the kitchen staying open till one, there’s ample time to stop by have supper or make it a bar-fly night. Everything consumed and seen is impressive yet unpretentious. There’s definitely a neighborly feel at this bar, as people who flock here are on a first-name basis with the owners. Go! Eat, drink, be merry, this place is definitely worth checking out!
I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here more than ten times.
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The Cask Room, East Village
02/15/07 The Liquid ExplorerThe Cask Room is the perfect place to experience a piece of wine country without leaving downtown.
Nestled along the Park Blvd. train tracks of East Village, The Cask Room is a wine lover’s haven. This cozy and classy wine bar is proof to the wine community that “drunken dreams” in fact do come true. Mike Kallay, owner of The Cask Room, explains that he and his wife Stephanie wanted to create a comfortable destination for wine drinkers to engage and intimately explore the world of wine. And comfortable it is! The adjoining rooms are elegantly decorated with dark-brown leather couches, barrel-lined walls, and glass-topped barrel tables. Nothing too elaborate, but its organic and inviting details remind you of a winery tasting room.
With Mike as your personal wine guide, The Cask Room offers a level of service and wine education unprecedented amongst other wine bars. Even its menu is a step above. It’s elaborate, informative, and complete with pictures! Mike uses his personal wine notes to detail the wine’s taste, as well a bit of history for the region/varietal. For example, a wine he turned me onto was described like this on the menu:
2005 Kunin Pape Star (Central Coast, CA) $9/glass $19/retail. ‘Pape Star’ is a play on the traditional Chateauneuf du Pape wines from the Rhone valley. It’s a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre -- with no oak -- showing nothing but the terroir. Peppery currants and blackberry nose, with bright blueberry and cherry flavors, with a sweet dusting of tannins on the finish. 89 points Stephen Tanzer.
The wine list is constantly being modified to feature another of Mike’s delicious finds. It features a modest group of hand-crafted, low-production wines that have been made by the little guy vintners. A new addition to the glass program is the Mueller Zinfandel from Russian River Valley. This wine is hand-crafted by a true farmer whose modest and simple goal is to make really great wine.
In general, glass and bottle prices alike are also very modest, with most glasses costing between $7 and $12, and bottles costing between $11 and $34. And you’ll be pleased to hear that Mike enforces a strict “ever-fresh” wine policy--he never gasses opened bottles at the end of the night to pour for the next day, like most wine bars do, but instead takes them home to polish them off himself. (My kind of guy.)
Some of the munchies to pair with your wine choices include an artisan cheese platter, an olive medley, a baked brie en croute, and crab cakes; most food items cost around $12. Desserts and ports are offered as well as an ever-changing selection of beers.
The Cask Room is a “regulars” sort of place. Whether you’ve got friends or family in town, or need to catch up with an old girlfriend, or want to settle into one of the inviting couches with your date, The Cask Room’s intimate and yet uncrowded environment allows you to engage in artful conversation. Mike does mix it up a bit: each Tuesday the place features live Jazz by the Jon Garner duo and every other Wednesday there is an educational wine event to experience! On these nights, the wine bar comes alive with folks who want to take the wine experience to the next level.
Above all, Mike truly guides you through the whole Cask Room experience. Just when you are ready to try something new, he intuitively appears with another one of his delicious and non-mainstream gems. Tasting with Mike is like tasting with the winemaker himself. His passion, knowledge and stories about the wines infuse and inspire you to explore with him. After a few glasses, you start to see more clearly why people love wine: it’s about sharing with people, and discovering something you never knew existed. In this broken-community culture we live in, getting this glimpse into the highly familial world of wine is a refreshingly intimate experience.
I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here five to ten times.
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The Guild, Barrio Logan
02/07/07 The Liquid ExplorerAppropriately named, The Guild is a smart fusion of design, wine, and food, served in a hip restaurant adjacent to a working machine shop.
If a furniture design studio that serves tasty stylish eats paired with non-mainstream wine options doesn’t excite you, check your pulse.
The Guild is more than a restaurant, it is a workshop, both in the kitchen and on the floor. This is a place for the design geek, social butterfly, and choosy foodie alike to discover their muse. Clear vision, imagination, and big cojones are the foundation of this place. It took guts to build a trendy restaurant in the industrial neighborhood of Barrio Logan, but the place stands a good chance of weaving itself into the fabric of the San Diego restaurant scene.
So what’s in store for your drinking future, you ask? Well, let’s start with the design. The architectural layout is an interesting labyrinth of yin and yang. After entering, you can look through a window at their working machine shop. You can watch the action of welding, cutting and shaping metal, wood, glass, and concrete while you dine. It’s like being back in high school shop class, except the craftsmen are professionals and there's a drink in your hand.
The décor continues the decidedly masculine vibe by intertwining different metals, glasses, woods, and concrete. The chairs are a blend of different warm woods bonded together by metals. Think back to the style of your elementary school chair/desk; now subtract the desk—old school with a twist! Heavy larger-than-life bar chairs prop you up at the bar and comfortably cushion your backside. Meanwhile, the tables provide a warm and intimate refuge from the industrial feel of the place. Different shapes and sizes of warm-hued wood combine with romantic lighting to effectively calm you in this manly structure.
Despite the lack of a full bar, the drink list is extensive and varied. The white peach martini makes the trip well worth it; this perfect starter drink features soju, white peach puree, white cranberry juice, and vanilla syrup. If you’re up for something a bit less ladylike, the bloody beer is a great choice. This is beer for the hockey player inside you: Pacifico beer is mixed with tomato juice and served with a wedge of lime. It sounds like a bloody mess, but is in fact subtlely delicious, and low in alcohol.
The so-called “Vine” list makes a distinction between “food wine vs. wine that creates a tasteful relationship with food.” I am definitely up for the tasteful relationship so, as suggested on the menu, I order the sesame seared yellowfin with a spicy chile sauce, paired with a spicy Côtes du Rhône. I am skeptical, as Rhône reds have a tendency to be a bit too heavy for seafood. But the meatiness of the tuna and spiciness of the sauce work together quite nicely.
I move on to choose as my main entrée the irresistible Kobe beef sliders topped with Humboldt Fog cheese, avocado, tomato, basil and an arugula aioli sauce. It is divine. The executive chef, Melissa Mayer, explains to me the exotic appeal of Kobe beef. It comes from Japanese cattle that are massaged daily and fed sake. The meat definitely has a gamy-tangy quality to it that is quite distinctive and delicious. I pair this fabulous dish with the El Quintanal Tempranillo. The soft earthy character of this aged Spanish red marries nicely to the richness of the avocado and the gaminess of the meat without overwhelming the dish. My palate is in heaven! In general, the wine list isn’t so extensive that you get lost, but offers a nice selection of fuller bodied reds from around the globe as well as some non-chardonnay whites.
Bottom line: at the Guild, design, food, and wine come together in a harmonious symphony for you and your date’s enjoyment. Since the place is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I recommend heading over early for dinner, to catch the hot man-on-metal welding action before you settle into one of the non-declared VIP tables and for some palate pampering.
I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here three to five times.
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The Lamplighter, Mission Hills
02/01/07 The Liquid ExplorerThe Lamplighter is the best place in town for your exhibitionist self to make a public “arse” of itself without the consequences.
Similar to the effect of oxygen-pumped Vegas casinos on encouraging your gambling addiction, an intense energy invigorates every inch of your body as you enter this very ordinary-looking bar, encouraging your hyperactive inner wild-child to surface. This place is the epitome of dive bar, with its beer-soaked carpet smells, stiff drinks, and masses of drunk people. What makes this one so special is that the goal of the night isn’t just getting really drunk, it’s getting drunk so you can live out your American Idol fantasies.
Ordinary karaoke bar, you wonder? No, no, no—performance bar, and no bland versions of “Wind Beneath My Wings” will be tolerated here. It’s an unofficial who-can-top-who competition, where the winner is the most outrageous, the most raw, the most socially uninhibited. The best part of the whole experience is that in a city where appearances are so darn important, the stakes in this self-inflicted public display of humiliation are even higher.
Every once in a while, the legendary twins can be found here, often times in special costumes, dancing and singing their hearts out. Usually they laugh at themselves more than they actually sing, but their dancing skills are truly worth watching, and their joyful uninhibited energy is strangely cleansing. They always come with a cheerleading entourage, and the whole group clearly and quickly becomes the life of the party. Recent witnesses saw them performing a synchronized dance routine on two chairs while belting out “Fame.” They even pulled out the Kevin Bacon move of dancing with the crowd. Now this is classic, uncut, pure comedy. Nothing this ridiculously funny can be found anywhere on tv or in the movies, seriously.
Other than the twins, there always seems to be the quintessential self-promoting sad guy who uses this opportunity as a cathartic emotional release of whatever ails him, effectively bringing down the otherwise joyful energy. Once, this guy actually had his zipper down on stage and suddenly his sad tune became quite hysterical. In general, most people on stage lack that all-outness that the twins seem to capture so well, making most of the karaoke acts just okay. Occasionally, there are people who actually can sing, but it’s most often a half-hearted “dare-ya” sort of attempt.
This place surely packs in the crowd on weekends. And the crowd is quite attractive! Surfer studs, short-skirted girls, and the older “hopeful” crowd occupy this place. On weekends, there is no chit-chatting with bartenders, as they work hard to make sure everyone is in an altered state. Drinks are reasonable—not as cheap as other dive bars, but hey, you gotta pay for the entertainment, right? Speaking of which, getting a song is technically free, but to actually get your name near the top of the list you’ve got to float the karaoke DJ at least $10; for top-of-the-list placement he accepts $20.
Drinks are definitely an accompaniment to the main act on stage. Consistent with what’s expected of a dive bar, beer and liquor are the drinks of choice! I recommend the kamikaze shots here; they have a certain fresh lime quality. The vodka tonic always comes at the right temperature, even when they’re slammed.
If you’ve never been to a karaoke bar, trust me, this one is the best. People really don’t want to sing, they just want to make an ass out of themselves, and what better entertainment is that?
I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here more than ten times.
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Rice at the W San Diego,
01/25/07 The Liquid ExplorerThe Living Room, the Beach, Magnet, Rice…The W Hotel offers a buffet of artfully designed bars that pour kickin' drinks.
The W Hotel upped the local nightlife ante when it opened its doors back in 2002. Vision and grandeur continue to characterize the nightlife spaces in this forward-thinking hotel.
Let’s begin where it all starts: the Living Room. This isn’t your sterile decaying hotel lobby. Oh no, this “living room” has a life all of its own! Spacious, airy, and dramatic, the main lobby offers your eyes ample candy. During the daytime, wicker chairs and pillowed couches line the blue and white colored room, as Thievery Corporation plays over the PA to put the chill on you. But the real fun begins around 9pm when the hotel lobby is magically transformed into a lounge-lizard’s mecca. Thursday through Saturday nights, DJ Who and DJ Beatnik pump the place with sounds that bring out your inner carnivore, and the howl is felt everywhere. Yuppies in suits, ladies with their sexy backs, and older folk intrigued by this magical transformation stick around to feel the invigoration of the nightlife.
To fully experience this ambience, you must try the Porn Star, a W signature drink. Stoli Raspberry, Cointreau, Chambord, and lemonade are shaken, then topped with a Champagne floater. Or, if you’re feeling less naughty, the Angel can also help set the mood: Stoli Raspberry, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice, and fresh lime are again shaken and topped with a champagne float.
Up the mirror-laden staircase and through the organic mini-lounge, you will find the stairway entrance to the elusive Beach. On weekends, you have to wait to get in, as this gateway to paradise is fiercely guarded. The wait is well worth it, however, as fun times are certainly to be had here. Who doesn’t love the beach? Hell, we do live in San Diego, land of beaches and babes. The only downside to the beach concept is that if you’re wearing your $400 Manolo Blaniks, you’d better remove them, as it’s real sand underfoot. Beach’s highlights include cabanas, a big firepit to lounge around, and super-cute bartenders who make mean drinks.
To quell your liquid needs, try the Blueberry Mohito. It’s similar to the original, but made with Malibu Rum and shaken with blueberries! All specialty drinks, whether served upstairs at Beach or down in the Living Room, cost $13. For you less complicated types, the beers on draft, including Stella Artois, Fat Tire, and Wahoo Wheat from Ballast Point (a hometowner), all cost $6.50. Feeling hungry? The very accommodating bartender, Steven, claims that the W offers the best burger in town: “It’s the bomb.” This carnivore’s dream comes complete with provolone, avocado, spicy pickles and all the fixin’s. It’s the perfect integration of bun, Angus meat, and spice, and worth every cent of the $12. Other tasty treats include perfectly fried calamari and savory garlic-lemon fries. For a healthier option, the ahi tartare is terrific.
As its name implies, Magnet, the intimate lounge attached to Rice (the hotel’s source of gourmet food) naturally draws you in. Its décor, in shades of red and dark wood, contrasts nicely with the bright whites and blues that dominate the Living Room. Swanky couch seating and plush pillows offer your eye and derriere a comfortable option. Magnet features an impressive selection of wines by the glass and bottle. My glass favorites include the Kathy Lynskey Gewürztraminer from New Zealand, Bergstrom Pinot Noir from Oregon, and Paoletti Vineyards Cabernet from Napa. Glass pours range from $11 to $20; granted, this is not cheap, but the wines are well worth the heavy price tag. On Tuesday nights bottles are 51% off, so I would recommend that night to splurge on the $165 2003 Chateau du Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape from the Rhone valley—it’s divine!
You can order off the full Rice menu at Magnet, but if you’re feeling like changing seats, grab one of the drape-enclosed corner booths at Rice and sink into the sexy vibe, as you dine like stars on the seared scallops with vanilla-scented yam puree followed by the confit of pork osso bucco.
With these four different environments to entertain you, the W concept truly does offer all of your senses a unique experience, whenever wherever.
I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here five to ten times.
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Red Pearl Kitchen, Downtown-Gaslamp
01/17/07This pearl of a venue offers the gaslamp the perks and frills of a sexy LA lounge- restaurant without the "over-priced" tag.
The Red Pearl Kitchen infuses the Gaslamp lounge scene with a Shanghai-meets-LA glamour, a Sade-meets-Justin Timberlake sex appeal, and Pan-Asian offerings fit for your highness' palate. It’s got style, it’s got flair, and its tasty menu is served till midnight.
This is the sort of place you can go to during the day or the evening, but it’s really designed for the after 10pm crowd. You know who these night owls are: they’re the elusive “Industry” people, ever searching for a place worthy of night-crawling into post-shift. They’re the hipsters who restlessly move from venue to venue in search of the “It” scenes in town. They’re the post-dinner and pre-bedtime people who are talked into grabbing one more drink in the hopes that this spurs them to rally.
And the Red Pearl Kitchen is worth rallying for. Let’s start, LA-style, with appearances. As the name suggests, it all begins with red: red walls, red lamps, red couches. However, you certainly don’t feel like you’re in the “red-light district.” The interior decorator has successfully tempered this fiery color by pairing it with the cool neutral shades of cream and brown: cream cube-shaped seats and a cream brick wall lined with gold help to soothe the bright color.
As you move about the airy room, you discover three private dining areas that branch off from the main dining room. The red room seats six, the fit-for-royalty private dining room seats twelve, and the third dining option is the Chef’s Table. This table for twelve in the kitchen lets you watch the excitement and drama of the “line” close up. $30 per person gets you a live cooking experience where you get to eat all of the chef’s creations. This “chef selection” is also offered to any diner who is open to experiencing the Red Pearl Kitchen’s fabulous hospitality.
Now, let’ s move on to my specialty: drinks. The drink list offers creative choices as well as old faithfuls. I first tried the “Jade Mistress,” their signature drink. Belvedere Vodka is steeped with Thai chiles, fresh apples, and Thai basil, then mixed with fresh lemon sour. As a wine specialist, I am enamored of the delicious contrast of spicy and sweet, all perfectly balanced and accentuated by the special flavor of the basil. Following this divine creation, I tried the “Red Pearl.” One of their most popular choices, it consists of red pomegranate vodka and chilled peaches mixed with pineapple-cranberry juice. It was lovely and something I would crave on a hot mid-summer’s night. All house specialties include fresh-fruit as a main ingredient, which adds a sophisticated dimension to this upscale urban bar. Drink prices are definitely on the upscale end, costing between $11and $14, but the fresh fruit makes it well worth it.
The wine list also offers outside-the-box choices that effectively pair with the Pan-Asian menu selections. They pour an Israeli Sparkling Moscato which is for sure worth trying. It delicately dances in your mouth with melons, peaches, and apricots. This low-alcohol option would enhance the Banana Cake and Jasmine Caramel desserts. Other wine options include the Kathy Lynskey Gewurtztraminer, which is a wonderful accompaniment to spicy foods like the Thai Chile-Glazed Calamari. Austria’s national grape, the Gruner Veltliner, is also represented. This crisp, sleek, apple-grapefruit white would be fabulous with the crab-pork spring rolls or shrimp summer rolls. For the reds they offer the Bitch Grenache, an aggressive high-alcohol red from Australia. Try it with the less bitchy Shaking Kobe Beef from the “Wok-fired” menu. Bottle prices are totally reasonable, starting at $25 and hovering between $35-$45; glass prices stay between $8-$13.
And of course, no Pan-Asian drink list would be complete without a selection of sakes. For the sake novice, they offer a “Sake Trio” similar to a wine flight, where you can taste a few different styles. All of the sakes have catchy names like the Kamazumi “Happy Bride.”
My recommendation is to reserve your group the Chef’s Table, start with the Jade Mistress, move to the Bitch Grenache and end with the Happy Bride. It may not be the most proper tasting sequence for your palate, but it sure sounds fun, now doesn’t it? Oh, and I almost forgot— Sundays, all wine bottles are 50% off, and every night after 10pm industry professionals drink for 50% off. Yeah!
Red Pearl Kitchen
440 j street suite 108
Gaslamp 92101
619-231-1100
www.redpearlkitchen.com
I do not have any connections with this business
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Candelas, Downtown-Gaslamp
01/17/07 The Liquid ExplorerThis alternative lounge scene provides an underground beat for those who want to escape from the realities of the everyday.
Located in the old Chinatown district on 3rd avenue, off the beaten path from the main happenings of downtown, is the Gaslamp’s most intimate hot spot. Candelas, located in the Quong building (a historical hangout for opium users and prostitutes), is the answer to those in search of a unique nightlife experience. The brilliance of this place isn’t its size, which is quite limited, but in its non-scene scene of chill sounds in a very sexy atmosphere.
Large orange-red colored candle-lamps hang from the ceiling along the bar, sending off a very sultry vibe. Brightly colored pillows line the room and make for extremely inviting seating. This is the perfect place to enjoy an intimate date, or if you don’t mind sharing the dance floor with strangers, it’s also a great place to come with a group of friends and dance the night away to the tempo of the evening’s featured DJ. People who come here aren’t afraid to get their groove on, and if you’re on the “hunt,” this isn’t your place. Most who do attend have come before and cover the spectrum of hip, urban, international, and the regular jeans-wearing folk. The door policy at Candelas reads like this: “Look presentable. If you take a shower before arriving and show up in decent clean clothes, you shouldn't have a problem getting in the door. Simple.”
Do keep in mind that the adjoining Mexican restaurant is not your everyday taco stand. It offers cutting-edge top-rated fare, and is very upscale. The original concept for linking up such a fashionable lounge to the restaurant was to enhance the entire dining experience, what the Candelas folks term “a lifestyle.” Bravo to that!
The bar itself offers five seats and an entire array of liquid choices for the thirsty explorer. There is no drink menu, but their specialties are consistent with the Latin theme of the connected restaurant. The Mojito, which has gained popularity amongst other bars in San Diego, has a certain purity to it due to the fresh lime and mint sprigs. Their other specialties include the Caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink. This is made with Cachaca, which is a Brazilian liquor, sort of a cross between vodka in color and rum in flavor. Made similarly to the Mojito, the Caipirinha is also made with a fresh lime and sugar. The Sangria is mouthwatering and comes, as expected, with deliciously marinated fruits, adding a sweet ending to the drinking experience. Well-drinks start in the $7 range and the specialty drinks go up to $12.
The wine list maintains a very Latin flair. Mexico, Chile, and Argentina are vastly represented. Casa Lapostolle Merlot from Chile and Terrazas Malbec from Argentina are a few of my favorites. For those who are looking to stay in North America, there is an extensive selection of Cabernets, Merlots, Pinot Noirs, and Chardonnays. Big names like Caymus and Opus One pair with the upscale menu of dishes like Placer Poblano (a 10oz. Black angus grilled and served with an elaborate tomatillo sauce).
The European wine program remains loyal to Spain and France, with a delightful representation of Bordeaux and Rioja. The white wines offered pair nicely with the fish and seafood theme of the menu. I recommend trying the Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend from Monte Xanic Winery in Mexico with the Huachinango Governator (grilled red snapper served with capers, tomatoes, chile and a balsamic demi-glaze). Bottle prices range from $29-$215, with most costing around $60.
I am happy to see that they offer offbeat wines by the glass for those of us who like to try new things. The wineries of Baja Mexico are represented with names like Chateau Camou, Monte Xanic, and LA Cetto. The locals are supported here as well: the Fallbrook Chardonnay of San Diego County made the glass list. Wine glass prices are modest, as most cost around $7.
To experience the sophisticated Candelas lifestyle, I recommend treating yourself to an elegant dinner of upscale Mexican fare, then hitting the dance floor for an alternative vibe that takes you away from the humdrum of everyday life.
I do not have any connections with this business. I've been here three to five times.
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Dussini Mediterranean Bistro, Downtown-Gaslamp
01/17/07This stylishly chic newcomer infuses the nightclub-dominated downtown with a unique blend of old-school meets the young-and-hip lounge scene.
The Gaslamp Quarter has a new addition to its cache of restaurants: Dussini Mediterranean Bistro. This restaurant, which opened in November 2005 in the revamped space of the Old Spaghetti Factory, is a perfect blend of intimate casualness and upscale chic. Whether you are dining with your soulmate or hosting a party with thirty of your closest friends, Dussini offers a kaleidoscope of experiences. The third-level loft bar is equally diverse. For those of us in search of a great place to chill out and unwind with a cold brew, shoot a game of pool, watch the week’s big game, or cozy up to a wall-length fireplace, it’s one-stop shopping.
The barflies at Dussini’s are definitely a mixed bag, ranging from conventioneers looking for life beyond their hotels, to hip, young beautiful people looking to be seen, to couples sharing some “we” time in one of the romantic booths near the fireplace. The floor plan of this bar is architecturally laid out so that it can simultaneously engage many styles of socializing. The best thing, when you tire of the scenery, is being able to change seats and behold a new view—good news for people watchers (myself included). Bonus points are awarded to the U-shaped bar for seating more than fifteen people comfortably. For those of you who enjoy your drinks nice and cold, the bar is equipped with a unique glass-chilling strip to keep your drink extra frosty.
Dussini’s drink list is so extensive and varied, it requires three menus: the dessert and cocktail list, the wine list, and the reserve wine list. On the dessert and cocktail list, playful drink names are paired creatively with inspiring and funny quotes. You will read lines such as this one for the Gentleman’s Lemonade: “’Twas a woman who drove me to drink, and I never had the courtesy to thank her for it.” My personal favorite is the Achilles Rita (a sort of margarita made with Chambord liqueur and Herradora Reposado tequila): “Alcohol is good for a man so that he can have a good opinion of himself, undisturbed by the facts.” Dussini’s drink prices are cheaper than a nightclub’s, but are pricier than a dive bar, with most of these drinks ranging from $7 to $9. There are also two menu pages devoted to beers, including some hometowners like the Stone IPA and Karl Strauss Hefewiezen. The wine list, although mainly dominated by Californian, French, Spanish, and “It” wines, remains faithful to its Mediterranean roots.
As a wine educator and enthusiast, I am grateful to see that wines vinted in the Rhone region of Southern France are offered by the glass, including two of my personal favorite grape varieties: Viognier and Syrah. Viognier, the ultra-feminine, voluptuous-yet-unpretentious white grape, is one of the rarest and most challenging varietals grown. Viognier’s very masculine red-grape brother, Syrah, is also listed on the menu, giving you the chance to experience some of the most sophisticated and seductively intriguing grapes grown. If you are looking for a classically Californian wine program, they offer a buttery Chardonnay by Acacia Vineyards. The Cabernet selection is endless and offered by the glass or bottle. Between the reserve list and the regular wine list, there are over thirty choices, including the big-label names (and big-price ones, too) such as Opus One, Far Niente, and Quintessa, out of Napa. Reserve list aside, most wine bottles are priced in the $40-$60 range, with by-the-glass prices at $6 to $13.
Dussini offers an equally extensive dinner menu at $15 to $32. Mediterranean fare is represented here by the very Italian Pappardelle alla Bolognese, the Southern French Bouillabaisse de Marseilles, Paella Español, and their signature Moroccan Pork Chop. To appease your more carnivorous side, there are mouthwatering chicken, steak, and lamb options.
To fully experience Dussini’s, I recommend heading over around 8 p.m. for a leisurely dinner and a nice bottle of wine, then heading up to the loft for a lounge experience catered to whatever your mood might be.
I have a connection with this business: Consult and revise their wine list.
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