As the sun set on a lazy Thursday afternoon, the Pacific
ocean filled with an orange luminescence. The sea breeze harried
a few irate seagulls, who hovered leisurely over waves searching
for seafood of their own.
Crowds slowed below, mollified by slowly diminishing
light, and the cool nighttime sea air. Next to me, a black-clad
waitress silently moved among the sparse tables, lighting elegant
small lamps lending a glow to the twilight. This was La Jolla in
the evening. Cool, and relaxing.
Atop the crowds, at the crest of Girard and Prospect
street, I sat in Jay’s Gourmet, as the day ended, and the night
began. Jay’s Gourmet is a restaurant with an essence of coastal
San Diego.Centrally located in downtown La Jolla, Jay’s is
a stylish multi-level restaurant with ocean views in
virtually every location. Wide windows replace walls
allowing the patron to view sunlight, sunset, or starlight. Within
walking distance of the shops on Prospect Street or the beautiful
nighttime walks by La Jolla Cove, Jay’s is readily accessible
to the day patron, or the nighttime diner.
With a stylish bar, chic cuisine, and an setting
second to none, Jay’s is a trendy yet relaxing addition
to the typically stylized La Jolla fare.
Jay’s menu emphasizes Seafood with colorful
Italian flavor, with a plethora of viands, pasta, and fish
to choose from. Not neglected are the hallmarks of middle
Italy; Lasagna, Mannicotti, Parmigiana, and Ravioli…hearty
and somewhat reassuring in a La Jolla restaurant.
Bread, as in Italy, is a staple and served with
the meal, providing the controlled base (as with Japanese
gari) for patrons to truly embrace the powerful Italian flavors
used by the chef.
Yet despite the wide variety of poultry and viands
manifested in a variety of styles, it is in seafood that Jay’s
truly shines.
Jay’s style of sea cuisine is eclectic, and bespeaks
the myriad breadth of La Jolla clientele. Attractive and stylish
but also heartily and simplistically Italian, Jay’s does not
proffer insipid yuppie fare. Indeed, far from it. The rural Italian
“sautéed mushrooms with fresh olives”, is a most
a simple but elegant dish, a partner to fra diavolo baby squid.
Yet in the same breath, Jay’s also offers the
more English basket of fried fish, and of course the quintessential
Clam Chowder…a commonplace yet comfortable aperitif.
Pescatore, a delicious sautée of Halibut, Shrimp, Calimari,
Crab Mussels and Clams, is the centerpiece of the Seafood
menu. However, Cioppino a coastal Italian blend of Salmon,
Halibut and other sea fare is also a remarkable.
Both are reminiscent of coastal Italy, the sort
of Pescara-esque dish of coastal mid-Italy, unsullied by Mediterranean
influence. Of course Jay’s offers fresh Salmon, Halibut,
and myriad pasta seafood dishes, yet among it’s more
simple and delectable dishes is the Salmon alla Pesto, grilled
Salmon nestled in a bed of angel hair, and drizzled in creamy
alla pesto sauce.
Also notable is the Fettuccine Superiore, which
features diced shrimp in garlic wine sauce. Lobster over a
white wine sauce, Filet Mignon, Shrimp and Chicken, and the
Californian Surf and Turf are all specialties of Jay’s.
Perhaps more interesting is the rather
unique Seafood Pizza, a dish which would seem natural
in and around San Diego, yet one which Jay’s seems
to have perfected with Shrimp, Scallops, Baby Clams
Salmon, and again the Italian hints of Garlic and Basil.
As a seaside Italian restaurant, Jay’s is a jewel
of La Jolla, and certainly a welcome stop for any patron
desiring a comforting and relaxing encounter with elegant
Italian seafood.
Jay’s offers a beautiful setting,
delectable meals, and delicious and wide-ranging fare.
A tribute to seafood and the coastal La Jolla.
Photos
by John Leonffu
If
you are the owner of this restaurant and want to edit the info please
click here!
