Finch’s Bistro & Wine Bar in La Jolla, California

Have you ever taken another trip while already on vacation?  Adrian and I have done that a couple of times and it happened again while we were vacationing in Las Vegas a couple of years ago.  Once, we went on a road trip to the Grand Canyon.  Last time we were in Vegas, we decided to escape to California for a day or two.  And we made it all the way to La Jolla and San Diego.  Best spur of the moment decision ever!  First of all, we escaped from the craziness and excruciatingly torrid temperatures of Las Vegas in July, and got to cool off in the Californian mild weather.  Second, we got to see a new place, experience some thrilling sensations while touring the city in speed boats, and sample the scintillating culture and charming food. 

Although we had plenty of authentic Mexican food in the Old Town of San Diego, the restaurant I’d like to focus on today is Finch’s Bistro & Wine Bar in La Jolla.  I have to be honest – I wasn’t quite convinced that I wanted to post a story about this charming little local spot, but I recently stumbled upon the pictures we took while lunching there and the great time and exceptional food we enjoyed that I thought it’d be a shame not to share some recommendations with you.  Maybe you’ll find yourself in the sunny city of San Diego this winter and Finch’s is definitely worth a stop.  It certainly lived up to the high ratings when we paid a visit. 

Since you’re already familiar with my voracious love for beets, the Beet the Heat Salad was a must for me.  And it was so worth it – a mountain of fresh greens coated in a light, sort of creamy and mustardy vinaigrette.  The sweet red and yellow beets beautifully balanced the acidic pickled red onions and tart, citrusy blood orange slices.  The salad was topped with a perfectly tangy and crunchy pistachio crusted goat cheese.  Overall, the salad was colorful, bright and packed with texture and flavor.       

Adrian opted for the Veggie Frittata, which was a perfect golden brown and was nicely complemented by the Yukon gold potatoes and the medley of colorful vegetables on top: zucchini, portabella mushrooms, acidic roasted red peppers, plump tomatoes and delicate, fresh parsley.  And let’s not forget about the generous dollop of velvety and delicate goat cheese.  Perfection! 

The Roasted Organic Chicken Salad Sandwich was loaded and accompanied by garlicky, skinny herbed fries with sea salt sprinkles and a homemade fancy ketchup on the side.  The sandwich was creamy yet light and tart thanks to the crisp grapes.  There were specks of grain mustard throughout and nutty, crunchy toasted pecans which only enhanced the depth of flavor.  And the lightly toasted crusty ciabatta bread incorporated this bundle of deliciousness.  

The Red Snapper en Papillote was so simply prepared yet packed with flavor.  It was fork-tender, melted in your mouth and it came in a bag.  The fish was airy and mild while the potatoes, tomatoes, artichokes and kalamata olives gave it a nice kick.  Delicious, colorful and stunning!  

The good thing after this fabulous lunch was that you still had room for dessert.  I opted for the Finch’s Parfait, which had layers and layers of crunchiness and tartness, sweetness and fresh berries.  It was light and perfect for brunch, too.  And it came in a wine glass; how fancy is that?

Adrian on the other hand preferred the amazing Mascarpone Stuffed French Toast stuffed with a florally mild mascarpone cheese, drizzled with a sweet and dainty roasted banana syrup and served with fresh berries.  It was utter bliss – crusty on the edges and soft in the middle.  Heaven! 

And did I mention the cold, fizzy, bottomless mimosas and the trio or European reds that were perfect for our lunch?  On top of that, the atmosphere was just as gorgeous as the food – a small patio tucked away on a side street, a beautiful water fountain and a generous local clientele.  

So if you ever find yourself in the vicinity of San Diego, do yourself a favor and stop by Finch’s Bistro & Wine Bar in La Jolla and check out this hidden gem!  

 

 

As you can see, I’m back from our annual trip to Romania.  There’s no better time to be at home with family than Christmas, don’t you agree?  Soon, I’ll share with you recipes and winter traditions from Romania and Transylvania but until I manage to successfully organize my ideas and thoughts in my jet lag-fogged mind, Finch’s Bistro & Wine Bar will keep you company.

Poftă Bună! (Bon Appétit!)

Restaurant Information:

Finch’s Bistro & Wine Bar

7644 Girard Ave.

La Jolla, CA 92037

Phone: 858-456-4056

http://www.finchslajolla.com/