San Diego Restaurant Week 2013: Amaya at The Grand Del Mar

For our first Fall Restaurant Week pick, we went with Amaya at the Grand Del Mar. The meal was $40 or you could choose to have the wine pairings as well for $65. Our overall experience was superb. They seriously treat you like royalty. Our reservation was at 7pm booked through Open Table. Not sure if they had self parking but we couldn't find it so we just did valet instead. Upon walking into the lobby, there were 2 hotel staff that opened the double doors. Seriously felt the urge to curtsy lol. The hotel felt a lot like going into Aulani for some odd reason. The restaurant is downstairs so we headed there. We chose to sit indoors and in a booth (versus a table). Their booths are HUGE. Tony and I could have seriously both laid out and we both still would've had room.

Here's the menu: (what we ordered is italicized)

Cocktails:
L: San Diego Mule (Belvedere Vodka, Canton Ginger Liqueur, Ginger Beer, Strawberries, Lemon Juice)
R: French Kiss (Stolichnaya Razberi Vodka, Chambord, Pineapple Juice, Raspberry Puree, Champagne Floater)

First Course Choices:
Carpaccio of New Caledonian Prawn
Greek Yogurt, Roasted Summer Melon, Basil

California Stone Fruit Salad
Goat Cheese, Marcona Almonds, Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Huckleberry-Glazed Beef Short Rib
Carnaroli Rice Risotto, Corn, Manchego

Entree Choices: (sorry I was too busy scarfing down the food to take pictures lol)
Seared Sea Bass
Sweet Corn and Fava Bean Succotash, Pickled Grape Tomatoes, Lobster Bordelaise

Half Rotisserie Hen
Lightly Smoked, Local Roasted Root Vegetables, Bourbon-Thyme Glaze

Grilled Prime Beef Filet
Loaded Baked Potato Croquettes, Broccolini, Truffle Bearnaise


Dessert Choices:
Caramelized Apple Bar
Shortbread with Dulce de Leche, Caramelized Apples, Vanilla Ice Cream, Apple Cider Reduction

Pumpkin Cheesecake
Snickerdoodle Crust, Spiced Rum Ice Cream, Cranberry Compote

Maple Pecan Pie
Chocolate-Covered Maple Whipped Cream, Baileys Creme Anglaise

Highlights: Appetizers and entrees were absolutely delicious. I rarely give out 5 stars on Yelp but this place definitely gets 5 stars in my book (the only other place that has gotten 5 stars in my book is Sushi Ota). The pumpkin cheesecake was pretty good but the pecan pie was just ok. I'm not a big fan of nuts in general but Tony wanted to try it out. The sea bass was seriously at the thin line between cooked and raw (which is tastier to me). The top tasted almost raw in texture while the bottom was cooked but still extremely melt in your mouth good. The filet was also very good but I loved the sea bass more. The prawns were also super good. So refreshing with the summer melon! As for the cocktails, I would highly recommend the San Diego Mule. I mean wow. I don't think this will be for everyone but if you usually like mules and you like ginger, then bam! this drink is for you! It definitely tasted like gingery goodness with strawberries. Yumes for sure! Tony got the wine pairings with each course so I also go to try. The ones that we liked the most were the Maison Roche de Bellene, Pinot Noir, Bourgogne, France 2010 and the dessert wine, Bersano, Moscato d' Asti, Piemonte, Italy 2011. The Bersano was SO EFFING GOOD. Wish I could've had an entire bottle lol.

Overall, I would highly recommend this place, whether for restaurant week or for special occasions. It's a great place for making that special someone feel even more special :).