George's at the Cove - California Modern

George’s at the Cove - California Modern

1250 Prospect Street

La Jolla, CA 92037

858-454-4244

On my recent trip to San Diego I had an opportunity to dine at George’s California Modern with my sister, Amanda, and her husband, Andy. Located in scenic La Jolla, just on the edge of the pacific ocean, the restaurant is a fine example of California modern cuisine - all organic ingredients, light flavors, and gourmet touches. We were lucky enough to go during restaurant week, so we were able to eat there for the relatively low price of $40 a person for three courses.

While this is not an inexpensive restaurant, it is well worth visiting, even outside of restaurant week.

The interior of George’s is very sleek, gray and minimalist - California. Waiters scurry about between the white-table clothed tables. All of the windows open out over the water and you can hear the surf below. It is all comfortable elegance. Upon seating you are confronted with a rather large wine list. Now while it displays an impressive range of expensive bottles, there are also reasonable deals to be had. Since my sister’s husband is just getting into wine, I ordered a bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte Brut for the table, a classic. If I dine there again, I will definitely be perusing the list more deeply.

The bread they serve you is fantastic - earthy, whole wheat still warm from the oven. We went through our initial allotment rather quickly as we perused the menu. They obligingly supplied more immediately! The menu has an omnivore side, as well as a vegetarian side (another sign you’re in Cali). We mainly stuck to the omnivore. The appetizer and salad options were so intriguing, we opted to order two and an entree, rather than a dessert! I ordered the fish tacos, the smoked and grilled local octopus and the roasted organic chicken; my sister dittoed on the tacos and the roast chicken, and then ordered the curried Chino Farms carrots; Andy ordered the Japanese hamachi, the date salad, and the braised Colorado lamb shank.

Everything was delicious and artfully prepared. In particular, the tuna taco was fantastic. They pound the tuna out thin into a circle and coat it in corn nuts (to make your tortillas) then add chopped tuna tartare, avocado and cabbage in the middle. Totally creative

approach to sushi and mexican food! My octopus and chicken were also quite tasty, if less inventive. Amanda seemed to really enjoy her curried carrots - they were a subtle blend of sweet and spicy. I think that George’s California Modern does a great job handling the seasonally and locally focused dishes they prepare with a light hand. None of the flavors are overpowering - everything melds beautifully. I hope to go back sometime soon so I can sample some sure to be tasty dessert!