Top Chef Winner Opens Little Italy San Diego Restaurant

Since the moment my Southern spurs set foot in the sandy dirt of San Diego, I have been an active participant in and palatably–pleased fan of our restaurant scene in Little Italy. Over the years, I’ve become accustomed to the endless ebb–and–flow of new restaurants that consistently flood our watery city: the hubbub that surrounds an opening, the clamor of recent diners to have their reviews noted, followed by the fade as the fad falls and a newer, hipper restaurant opens. But not every restaurant accedes to this cultural decline; a few capable canteens keep customers clambering, asking for more and murmuring their approvals for months, even years, after opening. 

Add this Little Italy Restaurant in San Diego to your must try list. Discover why below.

Juniper and Ivy

2228 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy | Phone: (619) 269-9036 | Online: juniperandivy.com

Nearly a year and a half after opening, Juniper & Ivy has proved that it has staying power in the fickle food scene of San Diego. Helmed by Chef Richard Blais, winner of Bravo’s "Top Chef All-Stars," the Little Italy eatery consistently serves up fresh takes and contemporary twists on American classics. At the top of that list, and one of my personal favorites, deviled eggs; served in a delightfully unique shell of egg–white meringue, the creamy yolk mousse and mustard seed caviar blend seamlessly as the meringue melts in your mouth. It’s this distinctly different— almost idiosyncratic—flare that has kept Juniper & Ivy in the elite echelon of perpetually popular San Diego restaurants.

When dining at Juniper & Ivy, I would make two suggestion: one, invest in a tapas–style approach, making a variety of selections from the ever–changing small plates menu, the restaurants’ strength; and two, bring your appetite. I sampled a little bit of everything, my palate constantly delighting in the explosions of countless flavors, sweet, savory and everything between. I relished the fresh Baja stone crab atop fluffy, freshly–made brioche, paired with a spinach and artichoke spread, kewpie mayo, baby tomatoes and pickled onions; every element of the dish was fresh and bursting with flavor. Following the citrusy summer dish, I tried the morel mushrooms with cheddar–potato agnolotti and Italian black truffles, an earthy compliment to the lighter flavors of before. 

But my true favorite took me by surprise; my server set a dish before me, a thick slab of treacle, ribboned with coffee and raspberry hues, to be spread on more of the crunchy brioche. When a bite first touched my tongue, I sank back into my chair and sighed, the soft, buttery texture delighting my sense of touch almost as much as my taste buds. And then, the reveal: it was not, in fact, a take on traditional gelatin, but a foie gras terrine with a glaze of strawberries and almonds. When you go to Juniper & Ivy, you absolutely must try the foie gras terrine; these delicate flavors and surprising ingredients are definitive of the eatery. 

It’s not just the delectable dishes that make Juniper & Ivy a perennial favorite among San Diegans. The wood–decked facade blends seamlessly into the terrain, creating the illusion that the restaurant is a natural part of the scenery. Step inside and you feel at home; Juniper & Ivy is by no means a small or intimate restaurant, but the cold, modern aspects are well–balanced with warm woods and traditional fabrics. And the service? Unmatched. My server was the perfect blend of approachable and knowledgeable, friendly and professional. Her knowledge regarding the entire menu, from foods to wines, was truly impressive. 

As I spooned heartily into my final dish (the Yodel, an incredible amalgamation of devil’s cake, white chocolate, hazelnut brittle and hot chocolate– a rich dessert my sweet tooth couldn’t deny, despite my burgeoning stomach), I glanced around the room in a glutted reverie. The massive space was full of San Diegans of all types, distinct in age and profession, style and build, but one thing they all had in common? The same delighted, full–bellied smile that was smeared across my face. 

I dived in a little deeper to discover the root of Juniper & Ivy’s utopian atmosphere. When designers set forth to create the iconic eatery, they wanted to make sure the management team had constant, unmetered control of the space to ensure every customer was happy at all times. And how do you create a utopian atmosphere in a dystopian world? The ELAN g! Control System. The ELAN g! is a futuristic hub of regulation, allowing the Juniper & Ivy management team to monitor the climate, audio–video control, and security system directly from their mobile devices. And if management steps out, individualization and accommodation don’t leave with them; certain members of the staff can change the song playing on an individual speaker directly from their mobile phones, allowing them to cater to any guests' request on the spot. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. And the best part is, ELAN g! offers a variety of systems, so you can have that kind of innovative personalization in your own home.