**** El Jardin has closed
Sometimes I wait too damn long to do a follow-up post. Such is the case with El Jardin. I just found out via Eater San Diego, that El Jardin will shutter and reopen as a….gasp "Cantina"! This is somewhat sad news as we enjoyed some pretty good meals at El Jardin.
We had returned several times since those visits…..
And yes, that is the $28 "Sonora Dogo" a wagyu beef dog, with chorizo and pork belly….
While not everything was to our taste, the Missus really enjoyed certain dishes; like the Pozole Verde.
And while the food was sometimes uneven and perhaps the service not what we'd say was at the level of the menu; still, it was warm and friendly, the food creative without going for a whole lot of glitz…..
From the Eater post; the chef is leaving, and El Jardin will reopen as a cantina…specializing in, wait for it….carne asada and Margaritas.
So, in spite of having a chef nominated for a James Beard award, making the Michelin Bib Gourmet list, and getting a positive review in the New York Times, El Jardin changes course.
Cheers El Jardin! We'll miss you…..
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Dude… that’s a damn shame.
I know Kat…sad…
I know Derek……it’s a shame.
I hate when a place closes before I finish and post my review. Last time that happened to me was this little Saigon place in Mira Mesa Mall.
High praise but probably wasn’t making enough money. Tacos and margaritas to pull in more locals.
Hi Soo – I’m glad I did an earlier post on the place. Just kinda sad they are closing.
Hi Junichi – Yep…..and it’s kind of paints a certain picture of the dining scene in San Diego too.
Bummer, sad these type of restaurants canāt stay open here.
It is RD. The place had its flaws; but some of the items we had were quite good.
I only went once–at brunch. I got the chicken tinga tostada. It was terrible. Stale tostada shell, and bland meat–I could do SO much better at my local taco shop, and not pay $18 for the privilege. In fact, I could do so much better with a rotisserie chicken at home. Perhaps I didn’t order their best dish, but that plate shouldn’t have even been on the menu.
I’m glad I never went for brunch then Cathy.