Eat Here: JRDN – Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA

Because we have an honesty policy here at Sinful Misadventures, I’m going to say from the start that my childhood neighbor and surrogate sister works as a server at JRDN and has waited on me each time I have been. That said, she’s far from the only reason I return to this restaurant every time I’m in San Diego.

Anniversary Champagne

Come for the View

D.E. and I loved JRDN so much the first time we went together that we decided to come back for our anniversary dinner. Located next to Crystal Pier on the boardwalk in Pacific Beach, the view is spectacular, that is until evening when the lights inside reflect off the glass. There are, however, tables and heaters outside for those wishing to bask in the salty San Diego air. The bar, which offers a cheaper menu than the restaurant, also opens up and is a great place to go for a chic cocktail, like this Moscow Mule, served traditionally in a copper cup.

Moscow Mule

Stay for the Meat

Sure, the vegetarian options are ok and I love that you can make your own salad, but the meat, especially the steaks, are the reason to come to this restaurant. Like the salad, you can build your own dish, choosing the cut of meat, spice rub, sauce and sides you get. On our anniversary visit, D.E. went for the Paso Prime grass fed 8 oz. tenderloin with the JRDN rub, scalloped potatoes, Brussels sprouts cooked in bacon and a Bernaise sauce. My neighbor threw in her favorite house sauce too for fun. Because I’m sinful like that, I thoroughly enjoyed stealing D.E.’s scalloped potatoes and dipping them in the Bernaise sauce.

Instead of beef, I opted for the venison with predetermined sauce (balsamic glaze) and sides (stewed cabbage and pureed sweet potatoes) and was absolutely blown away by the dish’s perfection. Every bite was heaven.

How do you follow heaven? With a sinful dessert, of course. As an anniversary gift to us, my neighbor/our waitress bought us a flourless chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream, which I paired with a Tokei dessert wine from Hungary.

We finished off our gluttony fest with a cappuccino for D.E. and a nice cup of stomach soothing peppermint tea for me. It was the perfect end to a perfect meal.