George's on Fifth

The Gaslamp District of San Diego had all the makings for a wonderful
birthday night. The goal was to beat our previous record of five
restaurants in one night. We'd stop in, order a drink and an appetizer
and move on. Of course as the evening progressed we'd linger
longer and longer, and on this trip we found ourselves singing at a
local pub and taking a rickshaw back by the end of the evening. One
of the neat things about spending an evening like this is it gives us a
sample of restaurants, rather than committing to a bomb. One of the
places we'd sampled this night three years ago was Roger's on Fifth,
now George's on Fifth. We knew we had to come back. It was this
first trip that enlightened me to the Gaslamp District. Not only does
it have quite the collection of restaurants, clubs and shops, but
interesting history too. The building that houses George's was once
owned by Wyatt Earp. He ran a saloon and gambling hall here called
"The Oyster Bar". Over the years Wyatt Earp owned or leased at
least four saloons and gambling halls in San Diego, but the most
famous was the Oyster Bar. It was the better known and frequented
saloon and gambling halls in the city because upstairs was a brothel
called the Golden Poppy. The unique feature was that each room was
painted a different color and each lady wore a dress the same color
as her room. Now seemingly lustful red walls still rile up senses while
pristine white drapes and properly dressed tables suggest you get a
room. Above green fabric booths and square tables for two or four is
an unexpected wavy ceiling, and a further reminder of this
restaurant's importance are portraits of famous people who found it
worthy to visit. The owner, George L. Harrington the III, surely
knows what he's doing. He's served as Vice President for Donald
Trump's Trump Plaza and World's Fair Casino Hotels among other
prestigious positions in the hotel/restaurant industry. I don't know if
his time spent in Vietnam has made light of our American woes, but
watching him oversee his restaurant makes it seem like a breeze.
His light and easy manner was charming, while the menu gets down
to some serious business. Teasers include a pan fried Dungeness
Crab Cakes which is artfully presented with Roasted Red Bell Pepper
Cream and Fresh Cilantro Sauce. The cold Maine Lobster "Martini"
delivered hearty chunks of lobster on a pedestal with Guacamole and
a Sweet Cocktail Sauce mingling with bits of cucumber. The Tower of
Tropical Tuna Tartar was just as wonderful with Hoisin Glaze Citrus
Ponzu Broth and Tropical Fruit Salsa. George's is the only place in
San Diego serving Certified Angus hand selected center cut aged
Prime. One can choose a Prime New York Strip with a Jack Daniels
Demi-Glace or a Prime Filet Mignon with a Port Wine Demi-Glace. If
that isn't impressive enough George's also offers Natural Certified
Angus New York Strip. It is the finest breed specific natural beef
available from cattle that have never been given antibiotics,
hormones or animal by-products. George's signature dishes marks
his favorites and the Grilled Double-Thick Pork Chop is a dead
giveaway to his good taste. This was such a homey dish, giving me
grand ideas of my next Thanksgiving. This amazing chop was basted
in a superb Ginger Hoisin Barbecue Sauce and served with wonderful
Sweet Potato Mash, Saffron Dijon Drizzle and Shiitake Corn Relish.
The Jumbo Sea Scallops was coated in a wild rice dust before searing
giving them an ever-so-light crunch. This was served with a
Sundried Tomato Tappenade and sat upon a pool of Green Goddess
Dressing. The scallops were tender, but dense. Both entrees had so
much on the plate to entertain the palate. Finally the Chocolate
Wipe-Out Cake which sounded over-the-top, further impressed,
turning out to be rather addicting. It was rich without being heavy,
but make no mistake, you'll need a cup of coffee or glass of milk to
entertain this one. Yes that birthday weekend certainly paid off,
thank you George! As for beating our record? It's still five
restaurants, but with restaurants this good I really only need one.

Prices: Tower of Tropical Tuna Tartar $12, Double-Thick 14-ounce
Grilled Pork Chop $28, Jumbo Sea Scallops $28, Prime New York Strip
$39, Prime Filet Mignon 8-oz $ 45 and 12-oz $60, Natural Angus
Certified New York Strip $39, Chocolate Wipe-Out Cake

Located at 835 Fifth Avenue in San Diego

Telephone (619) 702-0444