Peter Rabbit, Searsucker

Searsucker is located in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. There were so many fun choices on the cocktail menu like the Indian Summer, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Honeybadger and the Pear Tree. It took me a while to settle on the Peter Rabbit. This playful and eye catching drink is made with Pimm's #1, bruised basil, pressed lemon. It's garnished with basil and a pickled carrot that Peter Rabbit probably pilfered from Mr. McGregor's garden. With this cocktail, Peter Rabbit has grown up but is still mischievous as ever. If I hadn't had this drink, I would never had known that this year marks the 110th anniversary of the Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit being published.

Searsucker is a top-notch and popular restaurant in the Gaslamp. I went with a party of 6 people on a Saturday night. Even with a reservation, we had to wait nearly 45 minutes for our 7pm reservation. The hostess and manager apologized profusely and comped us a round of drinks.

Happy Easter All!

The Skinny
Dinner 7 nights a week, full bar
http://www.searsucker.com/
Peter Rabbit, $12

 tuna + charred jalapeno + tomatillo relish 10

red velvet cake 

cream cheese mousse, white chocolate pop and raspberries

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Fetish, Ivy Rooftop

The Ivy Rooftop is located in the Andaz Hotel which is in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. The rooftop pool bar by day transforms into the Ivy Rooftop at night. The specialty cocktail names are such a fun read on the cocktail menu.  I decided on the Fetish with Corzo Blanco, cucumber, simple syrup, lemon juice, salt and pepper.  The added touch of pepper made this exhilarating cocktail more savory.

On cool nights, there are heat lamps and fire pits to keep you warm.  The Andaz San Diego is also home to the four story Ivy Nightclub where you can dance the night away on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights.  Other fun cocktail names on the menu are: Hot Mess, The Diva, The Hook-Up, The Mistress, Femme Fatale, The Cougar and The Siren.

The Skinny
Open daily noon to midnight
http://www.andazsandiego.com

Fetish, $15

Rooftop pool at night

Rooftop Bar

Rooftop firepit

Rooftop dining area

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Blood Orange Jalapeno, Flavor del Mar

Flavor del Mar is hidden on the second level of the Del Mar Plaza along the Pacific Ocean in San Diego. I had read in the San Diego Magazine that the Tangerine Jalapeno was cocktail of choice at Flavor del Mar. I was disappointed when the server said they thad replaced the Tangerine Jalapeno for another citrus. But when he returned to say the new citrus was blood orange, my disappointment turned to excitement. For me, you can not go wrong with a cocktail made with Peligroso Reposado tequila, Cointreau, fresh squeezed blood orange juice, lemon, lime, jalapeño purée, and a chili-lime salt rim.  With the the blood orange version you not only get the normal vitamin C in the citrus, but you also get the added benefit of antioxidants from the anthocyanin. This delicious spicy cocktail definitely packs a punch!

The Skinny
Lunch(Wed-Fri) and dinner (daily), weekend brunch, full bar
http://flavordelmar.com/
Blood Orange Jalapeno, $12

The lights in the outdoor

Bread with 4 types of salt

The Bar

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Chili Mango Margarita, JRDN

From the Mixed Pleasures section of the cocktail menu, the Chili Mango Margarita @ JRDN in the hotel Tower 23 in San Diego. With chili infused tequila, mango and house mix, this spicy sweet margarita hits the perfect spot after a sunny afternoon in Pacific Beach. The squeeze of lime smoothed the sweetness of the mango/house mix.  During the day you can sip the afternoon away in the outdoor seating area to catch more rays and to observe the characters strolling down the boardwalk.

The Skinny
Weekend brunch, lunch Monday - Friday, Dinner 7 nights a week, full bar
http://www.t23hotel.com/
Chili Mango Margarita, $9

Virgin Pomegrate Mojito

Scallops and Risotto

Chicken Caesar Salad

Green Salad

Ribs

Creme Brule

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Roasting Hazelnuts by an Open Fire, US Grant

Hands down my favorite drink of the holiday season was the Roasting Hazelnuts by an Open Fire at the US Grant hotel in San Diego.  After a day of being a tourist in San Diego, this drink was the perfect ending to a busy day.  The server did ask if I liked bourbon and I said "When mixed well in a cocktail, most definitely!"  The drink did not disappoint.   I enjoyed every sip to the last drop.  This cocktail was perfectly balanced with the Bulleit Bourbon, torched Briottet Hazelnut Liquer, applewood smoked brown sugar syrup and egg whites.

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