Juniper & Ivy was, perhaps, the most anticipated restaurant I have seen take hold of San Diego’s dining scene. I am happy to say I think the hype was well worthy of this Richard Blais creation. It strikes a balance of chic but not stuffy, creative without being esoteric, and comfortable (and affordable) enough for repeat visits.
It is a welcome addition to San Diego and is sure to pave the way for other chefs and restaurant owners who have done something innovative in other cities and appreciate the untapped potential here in SD.
For planning purpose or just some words to the wise, here are the 10 things you need to know about Juniper & Ivy.
1. Order two biscuits. If you order just one, you will understand why you want two.
2. They have $5 valet parking. Not having to drive around Little Italy for 45 minutes looking for a spot is worth every penny. The parking nearby is limited, so in particular if you are not wearing your walking shoes… valet is a glorious option.
3. It’s never the same thing twice. I’ve been three times now, and every time the menu is different. Some standbys remain, but the offerings are in large part very dynamic. So, if you see something you think you might like, you might want to get it while it’s “hot” and not take your chances on it being there next time.
4. Richard Blais must never sleep. Rich. Is. Always. There. It’s pretty cool for a chef-restaurateur to be this involved in a new project and I’m sure it’s not forever, but you will see him in and around the kitchen and chatting with patrons often.
5. Four people is the perfect party size. You can go with two, or six, and you will have too much, and too little food, respectively. If you want to taste a lot of different items, four is the perfect number. Some of the plates, like the toasts, are portioned into four sharable bites. For oysters, three. If you have a party of more than four, you’ll want to order two of each plate so you’re not hungry after dinner.
6. Don’t miss the hidden cocktail. There’s the drink menu, and then there’s the one, solitary drink on the food menu. I don’t know the rationale behind it, but the drink on the food menu changes along with the food and it’s always a good one. And easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it.
7. Dessert is at the top (bottom). Save room for it! Like the random single drink, the dessert is a little hard to find. It’s at the top of the menu, but upside down. Save room. The desserts here are fantastic.
8. It’s just food! Even though it might be called “soil” or “pearls” or “pollen,” it’s all just food. J&I likes to play with texture, temperature AND flavor, most of the time, at the same time. At the end of the day, it’s just food.
9. Bar dining is welcomed. This is good to know if you a) don’t have a reservation or b) are really just looking for a snack and a stopover. J&I will serve the full menu, even though some of the items are probably much better enjoyed while sitting at a full table.
10. The tasting menu… is still not on the menu. My one bone to pick with Juniper & Ivy is that the “4×4” tasting menu promised upon its launch is not ready yet! Blais told Eater in a recent interview that it’s coming soon but still no definite ETA.
Bon appetit!
-KP