Dining divinely at Jsix in San Diego (or, my love affair with ravioli)

You know what I love about lunch meetings? L - U - N - C - H. I'm a foodie at heart and getting to taste my way around SoCal is a job perk for sure. So last week I may have had to leave my cozy nest in Los Angeles, but thanks to the restaurant Jsix, my little trek down to San Diego made my belly sing.


Jsix and LOUNGEsix (the hip restaurant's top-floor, bar-and-pool counterpart) are set in the East Village and Gaslamp Quarter district of San Diego. It's connected to the Hotel Solamar, which I'd definitely look into next time I was going to be in SD overnight.



Like I said, we were doing a lunch meeting thing, so the spot is great for midday professionals (we even got to wrap up our meeting upstairs by the pool!), but boasts a warm atmosphere that'd be sweet for couples and families, too. But I was so in love with my food, I'm not sure I'd even notice if anyone else was in the restaurant with me.


Honestly, I'm pretty pleased with you, Chef Christian Graves. I went with the prix-fixe menu ($15 for three courses? Yes, thank you). I started with the Organic Mixed Greens, 'cuz I'm a sucker for a great side salad. And this one gave me roasted pear (which was so aromatic), spiced candied pecans, cognac-honey vinaigrette, but I held the bleu cheese -- which you non-vegans won't want to do, I'm sure. Next course was the Butternut Squash Ravioli. I'm flushing just thinking about it. See, I'm not big on pastas, but sometimes it's the only vegetarian option beyond a salad (and I didn't want to stop at just a salad). I went for it, and I'm not sorry. Roasted chestnuts. Crisp sage. Pomegranate seeds. All piled on light pillows of butternut squash-filled raviolis. I want it again. Like right now. Like everyday for the rest of my life. Third course was dessert and I chose the Valrhona Chocolate Semi Freddo. I give it a "meh". Next time I'll go with a white chocolate and macadamia nut cookie by Cookies To Go.


My compadres ordered a slew of other supposedly-yummy options, though mostly meat-based so I couldn't try any of them. Except for my dear Tater who, true to her namesake, lovingly shared her herb-coated french fries. On a side note: I ADORE places that bring little personal ramekins of ketchup versus the big ol' communal bottle (ketchup, once opened, is supposed to be refrigerated, people! Jsix knows this and I commend them).


If I was on a pescetarian kick, I would have tasted their Line-caught Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Tartar. It looked divine. Though I wasn't super stoked my table also ordered the Cheese plate (made of cow, sheep and goat) and Charcuteri plate (house-made salamis) appetizers, and they somehow ended up right next to me. But I'm sure, my carnivorous friends, that they were delicious.


Some of our party ordered (and enjoyed) the specialty J-burger. It came on a Kaiser roll with homemade pickles and herbed french fries. I'm pretty sure everyone ordered it with bacon, avocado, cheese, and grilled onions.Tater, who's a fan of a traditional burger, didn't really see what all the fuss was about -- she was more interested in my ravioli.

All in all, I'd make the drive just to eat that darn ravioli again. I feel like I should title this entry MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH RAVIOLI! If only drool was translatable. Hats off to you, Jsix.


Just a few juicy tidbits about LOUNGEsix upstairs: it's known for its cocktails, quick bites, and a gorgeous San Diego skyline vista. Plus the pool, of course, loungers, and private cabanas that would be perfect for late night booze and bonding sessions.


For more information, call 619-531-8744 or check out www.jsixrestaurant.com. Jsix and LOUNGEsix are located at 616 J Street, San Diego.
All photos courtesy of The Place Media Group © 2010.