Date Night at Vessel Restaurant San Diego

Vessel Restaurant San Diego - Bar

My husband and I have always been adament about enjoying date night regularly. It’s good for our relationship. Our marriage. And it’s always a fun event. Whether we’re enjoying a bite before the theater, grabbing something quick before a movie, or are invited out to a private tasting at a local restaurant like we were this past week at Vessel Restaurant at the Kona Kai resort. Something about being able to reconnect with out the kids in tow is good for us. And we enjoy the time we spend together.

We’ve visited Vessel before and love the food that Chef Roy Hendrickson prepares. He likes to create New American cuisine featuring seasonal dishes prepared with locally sourced and sustainable ingredients and always seems to hit the nail on the head with his flavor combinations.

Kona Kai Resort San Diego

Kona Kai Marina

Vessel features a stunning outdoor patio set against the colorful backdrop of the picturesque marina, a 360-degree bar at its center and a video wall showcasing local landscapes.

Dinner with a view. Only the best here in San Diego.

Vessel Restaurant at Kona Kai Tasting Menu

Before enjoying our meal, we perused the cocktail menu. I decided to indulge in a blood & sand. It was refreshingly smooth with a citrus twist and definitely hit the right spot after a long day od working and taking care of the kids.

Vessel Restaurant Cocktails

After cocktails we sat down to taste the dishes Chef had prepared. Starting with an amazingly decadent 48 Hour Pork Belly that literally melted in my mouth. And theMaui Coconut Porter he paired it with was equally enjoyable. The 48 hour pork belly was served with plantain powder, sweet potato spaetzle, anise, bitter chocolate.

Next up we enjoyed a simple roasted pear with borage flower, blue cheese, fine herb medley, caramelized black pepper vinaigrette paired with an Alesmith .394 Pale Ale. I could definitely taste summer through this sweet and savory dish.

Vessel Restaurant Summer tasting menu

Before we had to leave the tasting a little short (parenthood doesn’t always get put on hold during date night), we were able to savour a delicate corn dusted albacore with Serrano custard, bacon powder, and onion jam paired with a Refuge Blood Orange Belgian. Yes, you read that right. Bacon. Powder. Seriously amazing.

While we weren’t able to enjoy the last two dishes and the dessert course, we will still be back to try them out at another time. Date night at Vessel Restaurant was perfect. With fabulous dishes, the perfect ambiance, and tasty beer pairings, summer at Vessel is going to amazing.

When was your last date night?

5 Tips for Making Date Night a Priority

5 Tips for Making Date Night a Priority

Are you a couple who keeps pushing date night further and further into the calendar? It’s important for couples to have that time alone. Instead of putting it on the backburner, use these tips to make date night a priority.

Date night doesn’t have to take a back seat and these tips are living proof! Take the time to make your spouse feel wanted and loved by taking them out on a date at least once a month. There’s proof that shows that couples who take the time to date their mate, have a better chance at staying married.

Whether your job, the kids, or time has taken over your date night, reclaim the fun that you once had with your spouse by making date night a priority! [Read more…]

San Diego Restaurant Week 2015 | The Grant Grill Review

San Diego Restaurant Week 2015 - The Grant Grill at US Grant

It’s my favorite time of year! San Diego Restaurant Week 2015 arrives on Sunday, January 18th and will run through January 24th. I cannot wait to indulge and enjoy a new restaurant or two during this celebration of San Diego’s food scene.

My husband and I were invited to try the Grant Grill this past Saturday and I have to say that this is probably one of my new favorite restaurants in Downtown San Diego.

Not only does the menu change around daily, but for restaurant week you aren’t limited to a specific restaurant week menu! For $50 a person, you will be able to choose a starter, entree, and dessert of your choice from their regular menu.  [Read more…]

Finding The Perfect Gift For Someone Who Has Everything: The Gift of Groupon

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Groupon Gift Shop. All opinions are 100% mine.

Finding The Perfect Gift For Someone Who Has Everything

My husband is one of the hardest people to shop for. Sure he likes a broad variety of things but he buys just about everything he needs! That means that I usually end up getting him either an electronic he’d probably purchase for himself anyway or a tool of some sort.

Luckily, with the help of Groupon I was able to score an awesome deal for one of his favorite local restaurants, Bice. $40 for $70 plus I had a coupon for 15% off a local deal since they were out of one of the deals I wanted to purchase. You can’t get better than that.

So what am I to do with a gift certificate to his favorite restaurant? Make it a full on date night gift! I paired the gift card with a pair of tickets to go see Wicked and arranged babysitting with my mother in law so he wouldn’t have to worry about anything. Kind of worked out for the both of us, don’t you think? [Read more…]

Islands Restaurant New Happy Hour Menu

Islands Restaurant New Happy Hour Menu

When my husband and I first started dating one of our go-to spots for dinner or lunch was Islands Restaurant. Not only did we love it for their great food and fabulous service, but we knew what we were getting every time we walked in the door. I don’t think we have ever been disappointed by a meal at Islands.

After having kids, Islands continues to be a great place to grab a bite to eat. And the kids love it just as much as we do. So when I was invited to head on over to the Mira Mesa location to try out a few items from their new happy hour menu I could not say yes fast enough!

We are always looking for a great happy hour spot for girls afternoons as well as our own frequent date night in the afternoons. And boy will we be heading to Islands more often for happy hour! With a great selection of appetizers and drinks for under $5, we can enjoy our favorite burger joint without breaking the bank.

[Read more…]



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