INDULGENCES eating out by david vera The RAGE Knows
Cajun Once upon a bayou, there was a fair city with a broad spectrum of culture and cuisines to
match. Over time, its citizens came to crave a more soulful splash in their nightly routines. So began the hunt for the most satisfying backcountry cooking. Today the arduous hunt continues, but we’ve managed to gather the best of two complemen-
tary worlds: Cajun and Creole—their differences originally stemming from distinctions in class and national background. The resulting mix now invites those who enjoy a hearty, gamey Cajun barbecue to join those in search of a classically bourgeois Creole melting pot for a mouthwater- ing meal. Blending cultures has rarely been this delicious!
THE OBVIOUS CHOICE Yes, you’ve likely driven past it thousands of times and not known it. The good news is that now you won’t have to look far for a vibrant seafood fix with “Louisiana Roots and California Style.” The chef here has done a fantastic job at making a borderline-exotic cuisine quite accessible to the California palate.
Gulf Coast Grill 4130 Park Boulevard between Howard and Polk Avenue 619.295.2244
gulfcoastgrill.com
DO TRY: Sunday Brunch and the $10 Endless Mimosa—can you really think of a bet- ter way to bid farewell to the flesh?
THE CLASSIC This is the place to bring your Mardi Gras date! The backwater atmosphere…the
charming country mystique…the rusty can of moonshine…they all transport you to a quiet little bistro in “Nawlins” and efficiently prepare your senses for the fine cuisine in store. Suddenly, even the ghostly Whaley House Museum begins resembling a South- ern cottage …is that jazz I hear in the distance?
New Orleans Creole Café 2476 San Diego Avenue between Conde and Harney Street in Old Town 619.542.1698
neworleanscreolecafe.com
DO TRY: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo—rich and smoky, this bowl of voodoo magic is perfect for chasing away March’s lingering chill.
THE NEW KID Crawfish…crayfish… crawdads. Whatever you call them, you know you haven’t lived
until you’ve had a mean batch of my étoufée, and while we may not immediately think of the Gaslamp Quarter as a source of Creole chow, this nicely appointed destination is definitely worth a look…and a generous happy hour certainly doesn’t hurt either!
Crab Hut – Louisiana Crawfish Kitchen 1007 5th Avenue at Broadway, Suite 101 in Downtown
crabhutsd.com 619.234.0628
DO TRY: Blackened Tiger Prawn Skewers—Served with asparagus and rice, few foods capture the spirit of a grill’s flame quite like a medley of tiger prawns and bell peppers. *For those who are wondering, tiger prawns are a type of jumbo shrimp, not the body parts of a big cat.
THE FAMOUS HOLE IN THE WALL I love restaurant/market combos. This one-stop-shop has brought the gulf to our
harbor since 1988—and has doubtless provided the ingredients for countless Fat Tuesday dinner parties since then. Look forward to classic Louisiana favorites served in a casual setting. Maybe the saying, “Let the good times roll,” should change to, “Let the food speak for itself!”
Mardi Gras Cafe & Marketplace 3185 Midway Drive between Gaines and Riley Street—across from San Diego Sports Arena 619.223.5501
mardigrascafesandiego.com
DO TRY: Alligator meat! Whether you order it at the table or buy it at the market to cook your own way at home, this one is too cool to pass up. Feed it to your friends and then watch cheesy ‘80s alligator horror flicks! Who says food and art don’t mix?
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RAGE monthly | MARCH 2011
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