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George's California Modern

George's California Modern is the fine dining restaurant located inside the beloved George’s at the Cove, in La Jolla. Featuring a sophisticated yet relaxed space with a modern aesthetic, an international wine list and seasonal cocktails by mixologist Frankie Thaheld, California Modern prides itself on being both welcoming and intriguing. Executive Chef and partner Trey Foshee's fearlessly diverse menu continues to celebrate fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients while incorporating worldly influences—The Chef’s masterful touch is one reason the California Modern dining experience has been called the best in San Diego. If you haven't been to George's California Modern, you haven't been to George's at all.

La Jolla's Finest Swagger Example

George’s California Modern has been tickling my interest for some time.  The hip sibling in the George’s at the Cove family, this restaurant is on the ‘must-do’ list for any up and coming gourmand and drink-geek like me.  Views to die for, innovative coastal cuisine, and the freshest ingredients possible?  You had me at ‘views’…    Finally, after dancing around the tantalizing issue for some time, a friend and I decide to meet up at this quietly famous San Diego institution and see what all the proverbial fuss is about.

It’s a little early in the evening.  The sun has yet to descend completely and is painting the buildings and surrounding landscape warm hues of orange and red.  Amazingly enough, I could have parked right in front of the restaurant, or I could have taken advantage of the eager parking valets, but as I am early I decide to park up the street and take a leisurely stroll down Prospect Avenue in La Jolla.  I am reminded as to why this community boasts some of the most expensive real estate in the nation.  Beautiful ocean views and inspiring architecture gaze down on the pristine beaches below, now awash in the sun’s fading light.   The restaurant is located right in the heart of La Jolla’s business district and sits on the lower level just below George’s Ocean Terrace. As I walk down the front steps, I begin to see that George’s California Modern is exactly what it says it is: a sleek and modern representation of the finest living California has to offer.  Giant glass doors swing open easily and the friendly hostess gives me a knowing smile as I am trying to take it all in at once.  Now, I’ve been hearing this word a lot lately, and I don’t entirely know what having “swagger” means, but it seems to be an indeterminable kind of cool that ups one’s standing in social circles and makes the bearer enviable to everyone around them.  If swagger could be applied to a restaurant, George’s California Modern has it in spades.

The hostess offers to take me directly to my table, but my dining partner has yet to arrive, so I opt for a drink at the bar.  The bar itself is not huge, having eight or so stools surrounding it.  As I sit down it is already almost full of patrons looking to get an early start on their meal or perhaps just enjoying a post-work libation.  Instead of the typical racks of bottles and dishware, the back end of the bar is a cool grey slate of concrete, while the right side wall of the restaurant serves as the de facto ‘back bar,’ giving the space an open, welcoming feel.

The young couple next to me enjoys large glasses of wine and I am veering that direction until I notice the cocktail list.  I am a sucker for fresh ingredients in a drink and George’s California Modern has no shortage of that.  Rather than take the pre-flavored liquor or the syrup route, they use seasonal herbs, vegetables, and fruit to add unexpected and delicious turns to their beverages.  I’m feeling a little bourbon-esque, so I go for the Sleepy Bison, an intriguing concoction of bourbon, carrot, almond milk, grapefruit bitters, and nutmeg.  The drink is complex and refreshing without overshadowing the bourbon, and I grin a little to myself in pleasant surprise.

I take a minute to peruse the wine list while I sip on my cocktail.  It is extensive, to say the least.  The list is an honest 16 pages of vino for anyone from the casual sipper to the persnickety connoisseur.  I find it surprising that the list tends to be heavier on international and Oregon varietals rather than the typical California Coastals that are so prevalent in most wine lists.  Surprising, yes, but surprisingly refreshing.

As my friend arrives, we go ahead and tell the hostess to show us to our table.  The dining room follows the bar and entrance’s sleek, modern design, with a minimal approach to the decoration and is much larger than I had originally assumed, having probably thirty or so tables.  They’re tucked in and around corners, giving each area a subtle sense of privacy.  I notice again and again throughout the course of our meal that even as busy as this restaurant gets, it remains quiet, as if we’re all in on a huge culinary secret, and we mustn’t let the outside world know. 

I am seated right at the window, and stare out at the edge of the world.  The sun is just about finished with its daily chore, and city lights begin to sparkle off in the distance as the coast commences to wrap back around.  The menu is unexpectedly succinct, having no daily specials and no prix fixe menu that I can discern.  As one might guess from the name of the restaurant, each dish has a modern twist on some tried and true staples.  You aren’t just getting Pacific Swordfish.  You’re getting it with glazed Brussels sprouts, chanterelles, sunchoke puree, charred lemon, potato, and toasted garlic parsley.  The chicken entrée isn’t just chicken, it’s Jidori Chicken with maple-parsnip puree, porcini brazed onion, Chino farms broccoli, and chicken jus.

 The busser drops off a loaf of unsalted sourdough wheat bread with three different seasoning options--sea salt, seasoned salt, and black pepper--as our server walks up and introduces himself as Shane.  I tell Shane that lately I’m in to wines with a bit of uniqueness to them and he recommends a 2008 Pascual Toso Malbec from Argentina.  I find it to be peppery, spicy, and rich.  I am, in a word, completely in love.  At this point my companion and I put ourselves in Shane’s capable hands and tell him to go wild with the appetizers.  He thinks we should try one of their more famous ones and also something…different.  I tell him to surprise us, and again Shane doesn’t let me down.

The first appetizer is the California Modern flagship appetizer, their “Fish Tacos.” The menu dish description says, “Hard to explain, just try it.” And boy are they!  The dish consists of Yellow Fin tuna, corn nuts, and an aioli sauce.  There isn’t a taco “shell” per se, as it’s more of a deconstructed taco.  Altogether it is magnificent.  Like the menu says, it’s hard to explain, you should just try it.  

For our other appetizer, Shane pulls a fast one; he brings out a non-menu item of pickled radish with truffle clams topped with candied Buddha’s hand and trout roe.  The slight citrusy notes of the Buddha’s hand balance the pickled radish and both give the clams a bit of flavorful pop.  The presentation for both plates is much like the restaurant’s décor, a blend of minimalist and elegance.  In direct opposition to the dazzling array of flavors, each dish is plated simply, letting the individual ingredients tantalize you, rather than hide under sauces or be fooled by overstated garnishes.  They are both divine, and we quickly finish them up in anticipation of what is to come.

Shane brings us a 2009 Finca Antigua Tempranillo blend from La Mancha Spain and San Diego’s own Green Flash Stout.  The wine has a hint of mineral with elements of dark cherry and a touch of the spice that I love.  Green Flash’s Stout is a dark, dark stout with a hint of chocolate and strong coffee overtone.

Next we have Seared Beef Carpaccio with shaved onion and a truffle aioli over a Jerusalem artichoke-watercress salad with a levain crisp on the side.  Tender and flavorful, the Carpaccio is sliced about as thin as one could imagine, and the aioli is an understated treat compared to the typical mustard sauce one might find in less innovative restaurants.  The artichoke-watercress salad is a crisp, cleansing complement to the dish.  It is magnificent and gets eaten more quickly than decorum usually allows.

With the Carpaccio, we also have Grilled Sardines with a Buddha’s hand confit, prosciutto, and Chino Farms persimmon.  My companion eyes them skeptically, but I remind him that Shane has brought us this far, and he wouldn’t let us down.  The sardines have a smoky, “big” taste to them, not at all salty like we have (unfortunately) come to expect from sardines these days.  Both they and the prosciutto have just enough natural oil to them to bring out their flavors without it being distracting.  I wrap a bit of the prosciutto around a sardine and sprinkle some of the Buddha’s hand and persimmon on top.  The citrus from the Buddha’s hand makes the meat flavor pop, and the persimmon at the finish provides just the right ending.

For our entrees my friend opts for the Niman Ranch 21 day aged Strip Steak in a red wine sauce with smoked potato puree, glazed carrots, shiitake confit, and an onion-mustard jam on the side.  The marbling is outstanding and the meat positively bursts with flavor and juices.  The smoked potato puree is truly unique and delicious, tasting exactly how it is described--slightly smoky potatoes in an excellent puree.  Along with stealing a few bites of astoundingly tender beef, I end up with a little of the confit as well, and if it weren’t for the sheer genius of the steak, the confit might have stolen the show.

I myself go for the Braised Lamb Shank.  Served in an osso buco style, the bone-in shank rests on a bed of butternut squash risotto with a sweet onion-raisin relish and a feta salsa verde.  It is a rich, fatty, almost decadent entrée with the meat quite literally falling off the bone.  I am provided a knife, of course, but I don’t ever need to touch it.  I am in love with the sweet onion-raisin relish, as I wonder how uncouth it would be to order more on the side.  The fruity play of the raisin mingles wonderfully with the tangy onion.  The squash risotto isn’t nearly as rich as I feared when I ordered it, and the feta salsa, while not being a ‘salsa’ in terms of what one gets at their local taco shop, adds a cheese-fueled punch to the squash. 

To finish off our meal we start with a glass of muscato that is slightly sweet with effervescence and a hint of fruitiness.  Shane pleads with us to try either the Doughnuts and Dips or the Soufflé Cheesecake, but we’re stuffed and decide to go for the Trio of Seasonal Sorbets to lighten things up at the end.

The trio turns out to be Meyer lemon, pineapple, and strawberry.  Far from the over sugared sorbets one may find at local creameries, these sorbets taste natural and fresh, each one better than the last and just as good as the next, a veritable Möbius strip of delightful flavor.

Much to our dismay, the sorbet is not in fact an eternal loop of taste-bud delight.  We finish off the last dish and bid adieu to the capable staff of George’s California Modern.  Neither of us speaks, as we are quietly ruminating on the epicurean experience we just had.    

Insider Tip- It’s fairly common knowledge that parking can be an issue in La Jolla, so it’s well worth it to pull right up front to the restaurant and have the friendly valets take care of your car for you.

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Restaurant Info

  • Address: 1250 Prospect Street, San Diego CA 92037
  • Cross Street: Ivanhoe Avenue
  • Location: La Jolla & UTC | La Jolla Village
  • Cuisine: American | Seafood | California | Vegetarian |
  • Cost: $$$ | Moderate | $50 - $75
  • Category: Fine Dining
  • Star Rating:
  • Reservations: Recommended
  • Dress Code: Business Casual
  • Meals Served: Dinner |
  • Parking: Street | Valet Parking |
  • Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover |
  • Corkage Fee: 25.00 | Magnum is 50.00
  • Phone: (858) 454-4244

Business Hours

Monday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Tuesday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Wednesday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Thursday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Saturday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sunday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Features

  • Full Bar
  • Ocean View
  • Famous Chef
  • Organic Ingredients
  • Private Room
  • Prix Fixe Menu
  • Tasting Menu
  • Winning Wine List
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Valet Parking
  • Personal Wines Allowed

Occasion

  • Romantic Dining
  • Dining Alone
  • Business Dining
  • Meet for a Drink
  • Quiet Conversation
  • Special Occasion

 


F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions

Reservations are not required, but they are always recommended.
Yes. George’s California Modern has a new vegetarian menu with several selections labeled “Ask = Vegan,” which means these dishes can be prepared vegan upon request.
Yes, the restaurant's Ocean View Room has a beautiful view of La Jolla Cove and the Pacific Ocean.
No, George's California Modern's menu actually changes weekly, based upon seasonal availability of ingredients.
Yes, George's California Modern's full menu is available to order at their Modern Bar.
Yes, the dress attire for this restaurant is business casual. Shorts, t-shirts, beach and athletic wear will not be permitted. Collared shirts are required for gentlemen.

Menus

Dinner Menu

  This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


First Course

Entrées

Sides

Vegetarian Menu

  Our intention is to showcase our favorite seasonal ingredients...vegetables. "Ask=Vegan" means if you ask, we are happy to make these dishes vegan. This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Starters

Entrées

Dessert Menu

  This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Cheese

Desserts

Night Cap

Specialty Teas


Map

Restaurant Address: 1250 Prospect Street, San Diego CA 92037

User Reviews

Fantastic  

This was one of the best restaurants we have ever been to. The service was outstanding; our waitress knew exactly what she was talking about when answering our questions about the menu. Her descriptions really wet our appetite. The food was amazing, very fresh and perfectly porpotioned. The Chef obviously knows what flavors go together. The Crye Baby cocktail was suprisingly unique. My husband, who rarely drinks, loved it. The restaurant's simple and "modern" decor complimented the breath taking view of the ocean.

Great place to eat  

The restaurant was very beautiful and suttle. Excellent place to impress your date or significant other. Service was superb.

Dinner at George's  

What more can you say about a fabulous restaurant that offers fantastic entrees, fantastic wine selections, outstanding service, and to top it off romantic ambiance and a unbelievable view of the Pacific Ocean. This is what world class dining is all about.

Stylish with substance  

Decor perfect; modern and sleek without being cold. Food superb with service to match.

good place  

everything is great!!

Great Food, Wine & Service  

Absolutely everything was outstanding with the exception of a screaming kid. The dad finally took it out of the dining room .... thank goodness!

aniversary  

from the moment we walk in they used our name and made everything special for my wife an i on our aniversary the waiter was one of the best

A memorable evening  

We received outstanding service, food and attention. George's California Modern accommodated our request for a window table to celebrate my husband's special birthday, and provided us with a wonderful evening of fine dining.

excellent!  

great!

Visiting from Austin Texas  

My Husband and I were in San Diego with our 5 kids for Spring Break. Our last night in town we went to George's California Modern. It was outstanding. The food and service was above excellent. It was a perfect end to a great vacation.

Birthday Celebration Dinner  

I am so pleased that we chose George's in La Jolla for my Dad's 80th birthday dinner. Both my parents are famously tough critics and they absolutely loved the entire experience. Ambiance, service, food, and the view of the ocean was a masterful combination for the evening. Don't let the modern menu fool you. The food is truly amazing. Bold, complex, and rich flavors in the chicken, steak, and lamb. I'll be going back soon.

George's California Modern  

Outstanding restaurant, service and atmosphere I really couldn't have picked a better place to celebrate an anniversary.

La Jolla Treasure  

George's California Modern Restaurant is where we created a very special vacation memory. We received a recommendation from my brother and sister-in-law who had experienced George's two years ago. We are so glad we were able to see for ourselves. From the minute you walk into George's you feel very special and it doesn't end until you leave. This is an experience, not just a nice dinner. C. Gerlitz

George's California Modern  

Very good restaurant.

George's California Modern Restaurant  

This place was excellent. Highly recommended. The food was great and the service impeccable.Loved the Ambiance. Great place and a must to visit at least once. A little too price for what you get.

George's Modern  

The food was amazing. The service was even more amazing. It was our anniversary and they gave us gifts. The waitress was always available for us. The wine was a little over priced and they could have had a better selection. This is one of my favorite places to go now.

George's Continues to Exceed All Expectations!!!!  

George's California Modern is THE place to go in La Jolla for the finest dining experiece, a menu that is continuously evolving and exceeding any expectations that even the most superior of tastes would be both pleasantly surpised and fully contented. The bar delivers the finest mixed drinks, a wine selection second to none and while this may seem unimportant to some, the seating comfort of every table is amazing. The seats are superior to any restaurant I've ever patroned, making even the most stressed and long week seemingly melt away and the dining experience become the only thing that your has your attention. The menu continues to exceed and surpise, both in the the amazing preparation and delivery, plus in its fairness of price. Watch the sun set on the Pacific as you enjoy the best food San Diego has to offer in what is the most comfortable upscale restaurants you'll ever find.

Terrific  

Great dining experience. Outstanding food and service.

gorgeous restaurant  

Great ambiance and food!  

We had a seat by the window on the middle level - great view of the cove, good mix of fun and fancy. Great fish tacos and serving staff!

George's California Modern  

Nice but croweded floor. Ambience was nice. Funky fake ocean image on windows glass. Lobester was over cooked and chewy.

Great food!!  

Great Restaurant! Outstanding food , especially considering I am a vegetarian Usually I have very limited choices, however they had a wide choice for vegetarians and it was delicious. I wished the staff was more courteous ,friendly and warm . That would have made my evening a first class experience.

Great View  

Food is great! View is excellent.

Unmet Expectations  

For years we have dined at George's on the Cove and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, food and service. Yesterday, we took out-of-town guests to the newly renovated George's and was disappointed. The service and food is stil very good however, the new decor is so stark and minimal it lessens the total experience. No warmth despite the beautiful ocean views. Definitely not the outstanding experience we once had. If you like very minimal decor, this is a choice.

Very Disappointed Overall  

March 25, 2011 - TERRIBLE. We took 2 famous test pilots attending symposium at the Catamaran to dinner there as we wanted to take them to the best restaurant in San Diego. Cons. at hotel recommended George's, La Jolla - that was our mistake listening to him. We were totally disappointed, one liners: service was terrible (had to ask for water twice and had to ask for a fork, had to asked to have dishes removed, table was not clean, only plastic chairs, no table cloth), food was "so so" had the halibut over asparagus, one guest had 3 small pieces of asparagus under the halibut - croutons tasted old on the ceasar salad, bread was not fresh, on and on, you don't get what you pay for here, for the view - they had a "clear" (wasn't clear) awning hanging down on the 2nd level and so you could not enjoy the view - I am sure the San Diego area has many fine dining places and this is not one of them - diners beware!

Horrible waiter  

Horrible Waiter - Beef for Two was enough for 20. So much food it was unappetizing

The Cook spat in the food then served it!  

It was delicious!

Service was Bad. Bad. Bad.  

Our prior online reservation was moved from 6:30 to 5:45 without our confirmation just so they can give us the "OCEAN view" but when we got there at 5:45, they sat us in the back! The front desk missed to look at their computer that it was also our wedding anniversary. The waiter was extra nice to the customers next to us with a free appetizer cuz they were celebrating their wedding anniversary, so I guess the front desk didn't tell him! Front desk should be working at a fast food restaurant! Food was good, I must admit but our experience was just so DISAPPOINTING! Service was horrible. We were dressed for the place but customers were in jeans!

No comment  

No comment

Please don't go...  

It's a tourist spot.. the bar was set very low... and still, I was shocked by the service and food. In a nut shell... One glass of red wine (came back with white), steamed vegtables (had oil), filet mignon.. waiter ran off (not joking, literally ran off)..not asking how I wanted the filet mignon cooked..only to reappear less then 5 minutes later with a almost raw steak.. To cut the waiter some slack.. he was doing the best he could, since I'm certain he was stoned. My husband ordered the Seared Yellowtail...it was pan fried.. when he pressed his fork on it.. oil poured out.

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