Searsucker

We arrived a bit early but were able to take advantage of the $7 per glass of red wine happy hour. Wine was well worth the money and bartender was fantastic. Food was beyond amazing. We started off with the pickles per our servers recommendation. Delicious. My wife got the scallops and I got the dry aged New York strip. Out of this world. After two more glasses of house red we indulged in the chocolate mousse bar. Best meal I've had in a while. Expensive but worth every penny!

Been here two times and each time has been made wonderful by the staff. The food and the drinks are A+ but the service provided by the people who operate this establishment is what makes it worth it. The food will never disappoint

When friends and family visit San Diego, they have a mistaken pre-conception of Gaslamp being a culinary nexus of interesting restaurants, enticing gastrolounges, and charming wine bars. I struggle to justify to them why they should leave downtown for the better dining experiences in the city. Luckily, with Searsucker, I have at least one worthy Gaslamp restaurant to recommend to my visitors. Searsucker is in the heart of Gaslamp, on the super-busy 5th and Market intersection. It is a stylish-looking joint that demands attention of passers-by. Inside, the restaurant is based on a wide-open theme and uses living room furniture to build a "comfortable and accessible" feel despite its swish accents and intimate lighting. I'd recommend sitting on the sidewalk patio for people-watching, except that the cool kids are inside Searsucker, not outside. In all of my experiences, service at the bar and from the waitstaff has been awesome (and damn well better be for Searsucker's premium menu prices). Searsucker hires professional servers with fun personalities. Some of the food and drink I've consumed there over multiple visits includes: Cheddar Puffers - These chewy, cheesy mini-pastries are a delightful way to start a meal, and come to the table complimentary (despite also being listed on the menu as a paid item). I'll take these over most bread any day. Habanero Pickle with Coriander - a single spicy pickle spear sliced with coarsely-ground coriander. It is simple and small, but delicious. Getting the coriander bits stuck between your teeth is inevitable, so have toothpicks on hand. Scallops "East Coast" - Three diver scallops served with braised leeks, pea shoots, and bacon jus. Solid plate featuring a nice fond/crust on the scallops, but not sure it was worth the $35 I paid for it, especially for just three scallops (albeit they were larger scallops, they were not "over-sized.") There are much cheaper and better scallop dishes in San Diego that provide more substance. If you're in a splurging mood, I'd recommend ordering this as an appetizer rather than an entree. Jalapeño-Chorizo "Corn Off the Cob" - Large side of corn with chorizo. Spicy, sweet, and addictive. Honestly, this side was much-needed to make up for the small amount of food delivered on my scallop entree plate. Fantastic side. Roasted Eggplant - Deliciously firm and seasoned eggplant covered with a TON of yummy mozzarella cheese and light basil-infused red sauce served in a hot cast-iron pan. Think eggplant parm on steroids, HGH, and blood doping. This is the favorite item I've had at Searsucker but unfortunately it was not on the menu the last time I dined there, so perhaps it's a seasonal dish. I last had it in September 2013. S'mores Bar - a graham cracker cake "bar" layered with chocolate, caramel sauce, whipped marshmallow, and crispy chocolate crumbles accompanied by a scoop of dark chocolate ice cream. A solid dessert, but not a memorable one. Nothing particularly bad about it, just not a standout for this S'mores lover. Cocktails - Searsucker's infusions are solid and cheaper than their normal cocktails. I recommend their 5-pepper and vanilla-infused vodkas. Occasionally when I'm hanging around Gaslamp, I'll pop in for their Honeybadger (rye, lemon, and honey), which gets a lot of mileage out of its simple ingredients. If you're looking for a trendy "gourmet casual" establishment with good food in Gaslamp, this is one of very few spots to consider. The ballcap crowd from Barley Mash (across the street) surprisingly tends to mostly stay clear of this place at night, but you should still avoid the bar on weekend nights if you're prone to claustrophobia. That said, it is a popular bar & restaurant for good reason, and although "great for Gaslamp" sounds cynical, I mean that in the best way possible, as this establishment's presence in the neighborhood provides a superb option for adults who enjoy nice things.

Everyone enjoyed drinks and food. Restaurant lighting good, lots of seating and types of seating. We really enjoyed the biscuits, meatballs, and charcuterie. Would recommend and visit again.

By far one of the best gin and tonics. Not ordered by myself of course - I have not given up on bourbon. But when a purple gin came out I had to try. Enjoyable bar scene and bar tenders that can mix you just about anything