Restaurant Week

Del Mar Plaza, heading towards FLAVOR.

YUMMY!

More than 180 San Diego restaurants offered discounted prix fixe menus this week and it has been extended through September 30^th.

This is the first year I have taken advantage of Restaurant Week.

Wanted to pick a restaurant (or two) that I hadn't tried before. Wanted dining companions that were willing to share.

I am two for two.

Tuesday night was a 3-course dinner at Avenue 5 in Banker’s Hill. Exposed brick, unusual lighting, has an East Coast vibe.

Three of us shared and nibbled on:

Roasted Beets & Wild Arugula (the beet ‘chips’ were amazing)

Heirloom Tomato with Burrata Cheese

Organic Kale Salad with Aged Parmesan (did not know it was possible to wring so much flavor out of kale with no hint of bitterness)

Sesame Crusted Samoan Tombo (was not familiar with this fish and the server aptly described it as a ‘white tuna’)

Achiote Rubbed Kurobuta Pork Loin (enhanced by the grilled peaches and pickled turnips, an odd but delicious combination)

Peach & Champagne Sorbet, Warm Banana Nut Bread Pudding, Ave 5 Flourless Chocolate Cake (all tasty but the sorbet provided spoonfuls of bubbly that were most appealing)

The wine pairing was worth the extra $20.

Thursday afternoon was a 2-course lunch at FLAVOR in Del Mar. Modern and open. Stark yet very comfortable.

Late afternoon inside FLAVOR.

My ‘foodie’ friend perused the menu and said, “Ok, here is what we need to do, split the appetizer, get our own entrees, and split a dessert. That way we can try more dishes.”

Trio of Local Heirloom Tomatoes (garden in a bowl with a dollop of basil pesto)

Grilled Flatbread with white bean purée, baby artichokes, kalamata olives, sweet peppers, arugula, frisée
Housemade Papardelle Pasta with roasted forest mushrooms, shaved san joaquin gold, white truffle oil (both entrees were good but the pasta was the hands-down winner)

Mud Pie (Chocolate Cream, Smoked Devil’s Food, Coffee Ice Cream) left a lasting impression and deserved a more exotic name.

Such fun to have a taste of Restaurant Week.

There is still time to make a reservation.

Bon Appetit!