I officially LOVE San Diego! It’s so sunny and summery and the outdoor eating area of the complex I was training in had their OWN FREAKING WATERFALL!!!!! It was so nice to sit under an umbrella with a lovely coastal breeze keeping you just cool enough while you eat your lunch in front of a waterfall. I want to move here so badly. Of course I know the grass always seems to be greener on the other side…but it’s mighty green I tell ya!
Anyways, on my second night, a friend took me to Seasons 52 Fresh Grill and Wine Bar at the Westfield UTC. Boy was that a beautiful mall! It’s an outdoor complex with cabanas and wicker seats spread throughout and music playing on speakers. I would describe it as an outdoor pool party without the pool. It was just a wonderful place to be on a wonderfully breezy, sunny day.
We decided to sit at the bar since the night we were there (a Tuesday!), there was live piano music! On a weekday! See why I love San Diego already? The pianist was fabulous, taking requests and playing jazzy versions of the songs.
One of the specials Seasons 52 is known for is their “Flights & Flatbreads”. For $15-25, you get a flight of 3 wines plus a choice of flatbread, then you get a full glass of your favorite. The lower price point is for either a white or red wine flight, while the $25 price point is for their “Acclaimed series” wine flight.
Tonight I picked the whites because I was planning on having seafood. The three selections were a Sauvignon Blanc from SeaGlass (Santa Barbara/USA ’13), a Chardonnay from Vega Sindoa (Navarra/Spain ’12), and a Moscato from Jam Jar White Blend (Western Cape/South Africa ’12/’13). The Moscato was of course my favorite, it being the sweetest. But the Sauvignon Blanc was a decent 2nd place because the pink grapefruit aroma really came through.
While talking to some of the neighbours (San Diegans are friendly!), one of them asked me to guess what the liquid was in this big glass container that was filled to the brim with oranges. We guessed vodka, but to confirm I asked bartender Brandon.
Brandon told us that it was their in-house infused orange vodka, used for their cocktails. They also have a strawberry version and he proceeded to offer us a taste of both. I tried the strawberry version and found it intensely aromatic and sweet. I would imagine it would be superbly yummy in their strawberry basil cocktail.
Food-wise, I ordered the Oak-Grilled Maine Lobster Tail ($9.50USD) served with melted lemon butter. It was beautifully deshelled and braided. I was initially worried that the meat would be too dry but it was done perfectly—moist and succulent, snappy and fresh with the bright taste of citrus after a squeeze of the roasted lemon. I savored every bite.
For mains the Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops ($22.50USD) hit just the right spot. It came with creamy lemon risotto, english peas, and roasted asparagus. With seven decent sized scallops it was a bigger portion than I expected.
The scallops were just slightly overdone though; I would’ve preferred them a bit more pink in the middle. However the outsides were nicely caramelized and crispy. The risotto was perfectly cooked and creamy.
I really, really enjoyed my second meal in San Diego. The staff at Seasons 52 were absolutely fantastic and I had a great time chatting with my various bar neighbours. I also noticed that they give you sample sippers of whatever wine you are interested in. Like, I said, fanTAStic staff!
I LOVE San Diego!!
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