San Diego, it can be argued, has the greatest weather on planet Earth. We also have some of the best beaches in Southern California. There’s truly nothing better than being able to enjoy our weather and scenic waterside views while enjoying a fine meal.
Which makes the fact that it was cold and cloudy with a thick horror movie-style fog a bit of a let down but it’s not snow so I’m not complaining.
Chart House, located in Cardiff, boasts an amazing ocean front dining experience. Tables RIGHT by the window, which are RIGHT by the ocean. It mimics the experience of eating a full course dinner right on the beach, only without the seagulls, wind blowing sand in your mouth and men in upsetting speedos trying to take pictures of you in your skivvys.
This picture isn’t in black and white.
With a still impressive view for dinner, my companions and I were very much looking forward to seeing what Chart House had to offer. Joining me this go-round were:
Aimee-Roommate since the 90’s, BFF, allergic to hot dogs and therefore labeled a commie by many
Harry-Wise guy, master of the grill, loves camping for some reason
This is my “excited about food” face. Harry is serving up late 1800’s expressionless pioneer portrait realness.
The menu, while mostly seafood, was loaded with traditional stuff. One definitely got the impression that this is a place you take out-of-towners who want a slightly upscale version of stuff they already know and like. Not that I have a problem with that. Good food is good food but I felt like there weren’t a whole lot of unique offerings on the menu. Armed with this knowledge, I opted to skip the crab cakes (a tried and true favorite) and instead order the Artichoke Three Ways. Artichoke hearts are showcased 3 ways; Panko breaded, Fire roasted and bacon wrapped. You know sometimes you’ll go to a concert to see a particular band and the opening act turns out to be amazingly brilliant? The headliner was good too but all you kept talking about on the ride home is how you’re now the opener’s biggest fan ever? Same concept applies here.
They were having a three way right there on the table. In front of everyone! Artichokes are such whores.
This was seriously the best part of the whole night. We all loved it. The panko crusted artichokes were my favorite. Crispy with a delicious aioli. Aimee enjoyed the fact that they were not oily. The roasted artichokes were beautifully done and brought out a mild sweet flavor. The bacon wrapped, while a strong concept, were not the best part of the dish but hardly a misfire.
Harry began with the “Best of Soup”; Tasting portions of clam chowder, lobster bisque & gazpacho. He admitted that he was least excited about trying the gazpacho but was loved it’s almost bloody Mary-type flavor. I ordered a bowl of the Lobster Bisque, a favorite of mine. It was pretty standard but well done. Buttery and rich with a nice saltiness. A little on the heavy side but certainly tasty.
Warm and smooth. Like a sexy, yet reaffirming, hug from a dead lobster.
For his main course, Harry ordered Savory Scallops & Cucumber Salad, served with a cauliflower mash and cucumber vinaigrette salad. He said the scallops were cooked perfectly with a largely forgettable sauce but the real star here was the cauliflower mash. Light and refreshing while staying super tasty. Aimee had the “New Wave Surf & Turf”: fork tender short ribs with Cabernet demi-glace paired with seared scallops in ginger soy sauce, served with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. She added an additional side of Saffron orzo. She also agreed that her scallops were perfectly cooked (You people and your scallops. I can’t.) She loved the ginger soy sauce, especially the fact that it did not overpower the delicate flavor of the scallops. Her short ribs were tender and juicy but the positive notes ended there. She felt her mashed potatoes were just “meh” and the Saffron orzo tasted and looked like it had been a reheated leftover. Yikes.
I ordered the Garlic Panko Crusted Tilapia (Did I mention I will eat just about anything with panko on it? Except scallops. We’ve been over this.) I thought the fish had great flavor. I loved the taste and texture added by the panko. It was served over a bed of creamed spinach. I don’t know if that was the best decision because for me it gave the dish a real heaviness but the flavors were totally on point. Super tasty.
Saucy and rich. Same way I likes my men.
For dessert, we were pressured into ordering the Hot Chocolate Lava Cake. You see, they bake these little beauties to order but it takes 30 minutes so we had to hastily make the decision at the beginning of the meal. Like all the smartest people, I err on the side of fat kid, so I ordered the dessert. The cake features Godiva chocolate liquor in the center & Heath bar crumble on top. It was sweet yet mild and we all kind of loved the choice of toffee in place of nuts.
Pretty but it’s what it was on the inside that counts.
Overall this was a good meal. The place was beautiful, the staff was nice and they were able to accommodate us 2 hours early. We even saw a dolphin. In the water, not like at the bar or anything. Harry and I both agreed that this would be a great place to take a date. I would frankly come back for the artichokes alone. That in itself is a sentence I never thought I’d say ever in life, so I commend Chart House for making that possible.
Further reading http://www.chart-house.com/locations/cardiff/
The Boy Who Ate San Diego 