Sensational Searsucker

Award winning celebrity TV Chef Brian Malarkey, host of TLC's "Mega Bites" and past Bravo Top Chef finalist and James Brennan opened up Searsucker last Saturday night and raises the bar for restaurants in San Diego. Finally we can be known for having good restaurants. Malarkey is accompanied by Executive Sous Chef Benjamin Lieberman from my high school alma mater (Go Big Green) and after a night of eating at Searsucker they made all of my foodie dreams come true.
Taking over what used to Z Gallery in downtown San Diego the restaurant space is huge (7000 square feet with an open kitchen) seating up to 240 people with outdoor seating on the patio. The decor is beautiful and has an urban, vintage western, whimsical feel to it. Searsucker was designed by Thomas Schoos whose projects include Tao at the Venetian in Las Vagas & Manhattan and Koi in LA among many others. From the moment I walked in I thought this looks like a restaurant you would see in New York or Las Vegas, but lucky me...It's in San Diego!
Hallelujah!
With signs that say "EAT" all through-out the restaurant, that is exactly what my table of 4 fabulous friends did and we enjoyed every minute of it!
Small Bites
Mushrooms, truffle's, & burrata - this dish was a favorite. The mushrooms are served hot and the burrata cheese (under developed mozzarella) melts on the top. Now this is a dish that tastes as good as it sounds.
The crab cake which is carb free was hands down the best crab cake I have ever had. Don't get to excited with the carb free because its not fat free but who cares! It is delightful and melts in your mouth. Carbs or no carbs, no other crab cake will ever compare.
Eggs & Bacon - a rendition of eggs benedict. Braised pork belly on a toasted brioche topped with a poached egg & brown butter holllandaise sauce. Yeah, this dish hit it out of the park for me and because of it Searsucker needs to start serving brunch. Immediately!
Ocean
Alaskan Halibut with smoked bacon and corn broth. Now who doesn't love bacon? The fish was cooked to perfection and flavors were amazing.
RanchFlatiron "haystack" chimichuri bearnaise. Don't ask. To die for.
Hock with grits & kale - This braised veal shank was served with rich bacon grits. I loved every bite.
For sides we ordered the fried brussels and they are absolutely incredible fried. They were so crispy almost like you were eating brussel sprout chips. You have to order them. We also had the duck fat fries and the butter potato which were mashed, topped with chives and so smooth & creamy.
Make sure you save room for desserts because they are incredible. As it says on the dessert menu "don't just look", I guarantee you wont!
The "King" Sundae - peanut butter cup ice cream, bacon & honey caramel, bananas, whip cream and candied peanuts. Need I say anything else. It is amazing.
Doughnuts & Chocolate - malted dark chocolate cream & cinnamon sugar doughnuts. They were served hot and you dip them in the chocolate yourself. You can not go wrong.
What I also loved about Searsucker is you really can just go in for drinks and enjoy a fun night out with friends. The bar has locally brewed lagers & ales on tap and the signature drinks were created by Snake Oil Cocktail Co.
Check out Searsucker and "EAT" like you have never have eaten before.
Searsucker 611 fifth ave. san diego ca. 92101
619-233-sear
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