Innovative chefs turning San Diego’s scrappy North Park into “restaurant row.”

September 27, 8:33 AMSF Healthy Restaurants ExaminerJanice Nieder

Sprawling North Park’s center is marked by a large sign in the middle of University Avenue near 30th Street, which has become ground zero for some seriously good restaurants run by chefs who are fanatical about sourcing the very best local ingredients by land and sea.

Three top choices  are all located on 30th Street:

The Linkery

Named one of the best American “farm-to-table restaurants” in 2007 by Gourmet magazine, at the Linkery, they either make everything by hand, including various cured meats, freshly baked breads, house made mustard and sauerkraut, hand-spun ice cream, or are on a first name basis with the organic farmers or local manufactures they support. For example, their popular Pulled Pork Sandwich is made from happy, pastured, hormone free,100% Berkshire breed pigs that come from the Metzger Family Farm, so you know you are eating fresh, healthy and preservative free piggy.
Don’t miss: Their delicious home made link sausages which pair beautifully with one of their world-class craft beers. sauce, grilled red onions and then enclosed with a Jalapeno-cheddar roll. The sandwich is then lightly companioned by their tidewater coleslaw and house made pickles. The ingredients are fresh, healthy and free from additives and preservatives.

Ritual Tavern

Oozing dark, cozy Old World pub charm, it’s not surprising that the Ritual Tavern offers a wide selection of lagers, ales and stouts from all over the world as well as 8 locals on tap at all times. What is rather unexpected is the high-caliber of “pub” food with definite slow-food leanings. The signature shepherd’s pie and fish and chips are made with the finest local ingredients. Even their burger gets special treatment, which you can read about on the menu. “All of our condiments: ketchup, mustard, pickles, hot sauce, coleslaw and French fries are prepared fresh, right here. It's our daily ritual.”

Don’t miss: The Beer Cheesecake, a dense New York style cheese cake with nutty, yeasty caramel undertones supplied by the beer.

Ritual tavern
4095 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 283-1618
 

Sea Rocket Bistro

Sea Rocket Bistro offers “ocean-to-table” cuisine with fresh, sustainable sea food taking over the menu. You’ll find ceviche, fish carpaccio, fish cakes, pan-seared fish sandwiches or a yummy sounding Grilled Grape Leaf-Wrapped Fish, stuffed with lemon zest and mint and coated in a hot pepper oil but exactly what fish you’re offered will depend on what the local fisherman bring in.

Check out the bar where you can catch a movie showing boats trawling for your dinner. Keep you eyes peeled and you might even bump into one of the film’s “stars” dropping off their catch of the day.

Don’t miss: Fresh Sea Urchin bisque presented out of it’s deep purple spiked shell.

Sea Rocket Bistro
3382 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 255-7049