A Day In San Diego's Historic Gaslamp District
A Sampling Sensation
As a new resident of beautiful San Diego, California, I had been advised to plan mightily for the Taste Of The Gaslamp......and let me just share with you straight from the beginning, I was NOT disappointed. I debated whether to blog about this awesome event (which I recommend to all that live in the San Diego - be there next year!!). But I find myself in the month or so since the event, making many dishes influenced and/or derived from my Gaslamp experience. So I decided to share my day at the Taste....
I went with some local friends whom have done this once or twice before. They had a plot a theme and a story!!
We started at The Palm, they had a surf and turf selection, which kicked off the day in the perfect direction. The stake bites where out of this world.
615 J Street
San Diego, CA 92101
619.702.6500
Next stop Nobu....While I was eagerly expecting to sample some of Nobu's incredible sushi selection, I was sadly disappointed with what they thought to be suffice for their Taste sampling. They offered King Crab Gazpacho, I do not know if I owe the blah sensation I got from the gazpacho to the expectancy of sushi or what, but I found the sake infused guava and passion fruit juice far better than the "main course"
They also offered Nobu Labeled items and cookbooks which was a great idea to taste that which was not sampled.
However the King Crab Gazpacho was rather lovely.
207 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6908
619.814.4124
San Diego, CA 92101-6908
619.814.4124
Bondi Australian Beer & Food is next on our list....I was quite excited about sampling some of the food at Bondi, as I have been there on previous occasions for drinks. I was disappointed to say the least, cheese balls are not my personal opinion of bringing someone back to try the rest of your menu. Though the ambiance is nice and the restaurant very nouveau, I'd say I will keep to the drinks...
333 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
619.342.0212
Chinese time @ The Red Pearl - Ahi tuna on tempura eggplant, spicy kung-pao prongs yum @ The Red Pearl!!!!!! Delissssssh! It was so great I was to busy eating and completely forgot to photo document the whole thing!
440 J St
San Diego, CA 92101-6980
(619) 231-1100
San Diego, CA 92101-6980
(619) 231-1100
Tabule served a refreshing white Chilean sea bass ceviche, very memorable!
535 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6901
619.238.0048
Cafe Sevilla rocks! Paella, roasted chiken, mushroom empanada, artichoke ham salad and dessert...wow!!
The line was incredible, but well worth the wait.
I have since made shrimp, chorizo/onions/manchego, chicken and of course I made a baby portabella/white/shitake mushroom combo that was incredible.
You can get pastry sheets and try them at home, they go great with beer and a few drops of hotsauce!!
Explore the possibilities HERE
They also have a killer sangria at the Tapas Bar and awesome ambiance complete with live music, very authentic of the bars in europe....aaaaand a dance club with latin music and dancing downstairs, I love it!!!!
555 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-5979
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-5979
La Puerta was our next stop. Great mexican food, it was fresh and tasty and comforting all the same time AND their house salsa was incredible I could have drank that stuff!!!
They served carnitas/pork quesadillas and potato flautas (first time I ever ate them and I'm sold!) I couldn't wait to go back again......simply delicious.
560 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 696-3466
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 696-3466
Yogotango they had an aray if exotic flavor, I was pleasently surprised with a dreamy green tea flavor!
And check out these toppings....a yogurt addicts dream come true!!!
Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge looked like a verry fun place to have some drinks and a few appies. The decore made it for a great start of your evening.
The had a very crispy and tasty Coconut shrimp w/sesame mandarin sauce, really finguer licking good.
Check it out for yourself....
801 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6107
(619) 233-1183
San Diego, CA 92101-6107
(619) 233-1183
The Merk on 5th....HOT HOT HOT amazing ambiance, we where there too late to taste their samplings, but it surely made us go back again....it was so cool we thought, that we decided to celebrate my friends birthday there a few weeks later....great martinis!
820 5th Avenue
San Diego, California 92101
619.814.Merk (6375)
I believe this says it all!
Sinful Eats
corner of 6th and F street
828 6th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6307
(619) 702-8410
San Diego, CA 92101-6307
(619) 702-8410
I've been looking for a good shepherd's pie for quite a long time now and I had to land in San Diego to find it, go figure......they also served a yummy in your tummy potato pancake with beef stew and a refreshing chiken salad
That was incredible over all, we had beautiful crisp sunny southern California weather and we made it to 16 out of 32 restaurants in 2 1/2 hrs....we where trully pros. Obviously all didn't make the memorable worth mentioning mark, but there is always next year and I'm already looking forward to it....
Taste of Gaslamp - June 2010
I hope you enjoyed my tastebud adventure through the Gas Lamp and you feel encourraged to come out next year.....I'll be there!
