Monday, July 20, 2009

MY 1st TASTE OF THE GASLAMP

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

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

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

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.
They also have a great ambiance and great tequila list.....and an awesome Taco Tuesday.
560 4th Ave
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!!!
Also, I find it worth to mention that it is very easy on the waist line and nutritious!

711 4th Ave

San Diego, CA 92101-6970
(619) 696-7700


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

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)

Sinful Eats is fully loaded and ready to go for those unexpected "sinful" cravings.
I believe this says it all!

Sinful Eats
corner of 6th and F street

Brian's 24 - I had to mention Brian's , having grown up in the NYC area and recently having moved from Miami Beach, I found ONE place thats opened 24hrs!!! I couldn't believe my eyes....lol!

828 6th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6307
(619) 702-8410

Dublin Square Irish Pub & Grill, I must say I didn't know that this would be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!
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
554 Fourth Avenue
San Diego, California 92101
Phone: (619) 239-5818

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!
Pin It