New Tradition - New Years Day Dinner

Last night David took me to A.R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines for New Year's Day dinner

We wrote up a review for Yelp this morning - which I'll reprint here to save time (see it at the bottom).

I didn't take any pictures while there because I really just wanted to be in the moment, experiencing it, not standing on the outside taking images of it. So here are a few pics from their website. The first dining room pic is where we sat. Oh and the Christmas tree in the lobby is mine.

David and I talked about our plans for the new year - where we want to travel and what we aspire to. He wrote down a bunch of notes which I'll have to put in a different post.

It was nice getting dressed for dinner and letting the service be attentive. Creating conversation about our lives together and what the new year can bring. Looking back on last year, I realized that I'd spent the year dealing with my fathers death and I'm looking forward to a fresh start this year.

I'd love to start a new tradition with David - going out for a quiet dinner for two somewhere special or new and talking about the year that's passed and the year to come. A lovely way to start 2014.


Here is the restaurant review.
Outstanding fine dining experience. We made reservations for New Years Day dinner. (a Christmas gift from my husband) Service was terrific. We had to change our reservation time and they quickly accommodated. Staff was attentive without being intrusive.The dining room, while full was quiet enough for our conversation.

The food was delicious and inventive. Often, locavore restaurants sacrifice flavor for the principal of sourcing locally and organically. Chef Jeff Jackson creates memorable flavors and each dish was perfectly prepared. We loved the scallop panna cotta amuse bouche and were surprised and delighted by the small plate of beignet and house made chocolates (a treat from the pastry chef) at the end of the meal. These added treats on the house throughout the meal made the higher price points feel not so high and lended a touch of generosity that did not go unappreciated.

The sommelier's wine suggestions were spot on and we loved the fact that the wine list was entirely comprised of California wines - in keeping with the California Craftsman theme of the Lodge. I even went with his suggestion of a merlot (which has never been a favorite) and was pleased with the choice. My husband ordered a Vesper martini and it was executed perfectly - aromatic and smooth.

We started with the citrus salad - greens with citrus segments and a light drizzle of citrus vinaigrette. Our second course included my husband's swordfish with sunchokes and root vegetables. I had the braised corvina with bok choy, onions and pickled celery. We also ordered the smashed potatoes. Yum. The chef sent a second side dish of braised baby turnips and mushrooms. Again a nice surprise. The portions were larger than we anticipated but were so satisfyingly savory they went down easily. Just delicious without being overly filling (perfect after all that holiday eating). We shared dessert - the Apple Tasting which had three small desserts on one plate - a caramel panna cotta, an apple upside down cake and a miniature apple cider ice cream cone. All delicious flavors with different textures and plays on the apple theme. Again, not too filling after a hearty meal.

We aren't big fans of fine dining but this was a fabulous experience that we want to repeat in the future. A perfect place for special occasions or a quiet, intimate dinner for two.