When chef Travis Swikard proudly walked out of the kitchen with a piping hot tray of colorful 'Petits Farcis' to show diners at tables, I immediately realized that this chef and San Diego's food scene is more than just grilled fish tacos and Cali-Baja cuisine.
CALLIE in East Village
Chef Travis at Callie, is one of San Diego's Michelin-honored chefs and restaurants earning a place on the prestigious list. In the world of dining, earning a Michelin star is the pinnacle of a chef's career. Located in San Diego's East Village, the word Callie in Greek means 'A Thing of Beauty." When Michelin inspectors visited and inspected the restaurant, they noted how the chef 'Takes advantage of the best ingredients Southern California offers in highly shareable dishes featuring the bold, sunny flavors of the Mediterranean."
Chef Travis began his culinary journey alongside the legendary Daniel Boulud at the Michelin-starred Cafe' Boulud. After successfully opening Boulud Sud as Executive Chef, he moved home to San Diego to open Callie in 2019. Soon he earned San Diego Magazine Best New Restaurant and Best Chef in 2021, and Eater awarded him 2022 Chef Of The Year. He received a Bib Gourmand and Plate by the Michelin Guide.
Menu items to order at Callie is the Mediterranean Feast for $75 to get a variety of flavorful items. Pair with some great wines for an additional $40 per person. Chef Travis prepares stuffed Chino Farms vegetables with porcini mushrooms and pistou of summer herbs. His marinated Mediterranean anchovy is enhanced with fennel and espelette on a socca chip.
Besides Callie, San Diego has four other restaurants that have earned Michelin's top global honors, plus Michelin's "Bib Gourmand' designations for quality and value. Here are some others to visit while in San Diego.
MARISI La Jolla
Chef Cameron Ingle is creating fabulous fare at Marisi in La Jolla. Named San Diego's Best Restaurant for 2023 by San Diego Magazine, Critic's Choice, the menu is rooted in regional dishes from Italy. Marisi is popular with locals and tourists seeking Chef Cameron's handmade pasta and Italian hearth-cooked meats and seafoods.
The restaurant offers an international high-intense cocktail program with classic cocktails, Italian aperitivos, homemade limoncello, rare spirits, fine wines, and an Italian pilsner made specifically for Marisi.
Born and raised just outside of Detroit, Chef Cameron started working with Thomas Keller at his renowned Bouchon Bistro. Next he moved to Bavel in Los Angeles when it was awarded 2019 Restaurant of the Year from the Los Angeles Times.
Chef Cameron brings his culinary fine dining talents to Marisi in La Jolla. Order the Nightshade Pizza, and a focaccia round and fresh ricotta to spread on top. Other items to enjoy include a homemade charcuterie board, chicken liver mousse, pastas, salads, and grilled chicken. The Pan con Tomate is made with Chino Farms tomatoes, California olive oil and pickled shallots.
ODDISH WINES
San Diego also has a fascinating beverage, spirit, cider, craft beer and natural wines scene. Oddish Wine by Billy and Suzanna Bletz and winemaker Brandon Cardwell make organic and vibrant cider, coferments, vermouth, and amari.
Their small production, minimal intervention in the cellar and regenerative practicing vineyards in San Diego County allow their bottle to shine in vibrancy and flavor.
They have a wine club and biergarten-style tasting venue located in The Gärten, a multi-vendor social hub in San Diego. Visitors can enjoy a glass of wine or local craft beer with a wood-fired pizza. Live music is performed at least 150 nights a year.
Executive Chef and partner Eric Bost, along with owner John Resnick opened Jeune Et Jolie in North San Diego's city of Carlsbad. Known for its beach vibe, flower fields, golf courses and e-bikes, Carlsbad welcomes both this Michelin star French restaurant and neigboring Campfire.
In French, Juene Et Jolie translates into English to mean 'Young and Beautiful.' Michelin inspectors call the restaurant an 'appealing and well-orchestrated French restaurant oozling with style and elegance at every turn.'
Be sure to order his Croque Madam on buttery brioche bread layered with Iberico ham and a bechamel sauce, before it is topped with kaluga caviar. His Wolfe Ranch Quail entree is served with tender morels, corn and shaved black truffles. The server will spoon an ethereal vin joune on top of this dazzling dish.
Chef Eric Bost's culinary inspiration is attributed to his global travels, working in some of the most renowned restaurants in Paris with Alain Decasse, and Restaurant Guy Savoy in Las Vegas when it received 2 Michelin Stars in 2008.
Working with Chef Eric is Beverage Director Andrew Cordero, creating innovative flavor profiles to pair with the Juene Et Jolie and Campfire food menu. He is the first to craft a spirit-free tasting menu in Carlsbad, and is known for his Espresso Martini mocktail.
This team is eager to open two new venues - Wildland and Lilo before the end of 2024 in Carlsbad on State Street near Campfire and Jeune Et Jolie.
Owner Lara Worm and Cidermaker Jordan Christie established Bivouac Ciderworks in 2017, as one of San Diego's cider pioneers. Located in North Park, USA Today 10 Best readers praised the woman-powered urban cidery as '10 Best Cideries in the United States.'
With a uniquely West Coast spin, the team pair high-quality classic cider flavors with unexpected adjuncts.
One of their most popular ciders is San Diego Jam. It's a mixed berry cider that is tart, jammy and crisp. The ABV ranges from 6% to 6.9% depending on the cider.
Visitors can take a tour of Bivouac Ciderworks Adventure Lodge to visit the Tasting Bar, General Store, Salon D'Eau De Vie, Cider Production Room, Annie's Canyon Restrooms and Cafe.
To learn more about where in San Diego food and beverage venues are dishing happiness and pouring joy, visit San Diego.
