As chef Travis Swikard proudly paraded out of the kitchen with a steaming hot tray of vibrant ‘Petits Farcis’ for display to diners at their tables, it dawned on me that this chef and San Diego’s culinary culture transcend beyond just grilled fish tacos and Cali-Baja cuisine.
CALLIE in East Village
Chef Travis at Callie, stands as one of San Diego’s chefs and restaurants recognized by Michelin, securing a spot on their esteemed list. Achieving a Michelin star is the apex of a chef’s profession in the culinary world. Nestled in San Diego’s East Village, the term Callie meaning ‘A Thing of Beauty’ in Greek. The Michelin inspectors, upon their visit to assess the restaurant, highlighted the chef’s ability to ‘Leverage the finest ingredients offered by Southern California in communal dishes that boast the vivid, warm flavors of the Mediterranean.”
Chef Travis embarked on his culinary voyage alongside the renowned Daniel Boulud at the Michelin-starred Cafe’ Boulud. After establishing Boulud Sud successfully as the Executive Chef, he returned to San Diego to inaugurate Callie in 2019. Subsequently, he clinched accolades such as San Diego Magazine’s Best New Restaurant and Best Chef in 2021, while being honored as the 2022 Chef Of The Year by Eater. He received recognition from the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand and Plate.
Must-try dishes at Callie include the Mediterranean Feast priced at $75 for a diverse assortment of delectable offerings. Enhance the experience with some exquisite wines for an additional $40 per individual. Chef Travis crafts stuffed Chino Farms vegetables with porcini mushrooms and summer herb pistou. His marinated Mediterranean anchovy is accentuated with fennel and espelette on a socca chip.
In addition to Callie, San Diego boasts four other eateries that have secured Michelin’s prestigious global accolades, alongside Michelin’s ‘Bib Gourmand’ distinctions for excellence and value. Here are some other recommended spots to explore while in San Diego.
MARISI La Jolla
Chef Cameron Ingle is curating exceptional cuisine at Marisi in La Jolla. Crowned as San Diego’s Best Restaurant for 2023 by San Diego Magazine, Critic’s Choice, the menu is anchored in authentic dishes from Italy. Marisi is a favored destination for locals and tourists alike, seeking Chef Cameron’s handmade pasta and Italian hearth-cooked meats and seafood.
The establishment boasts an eclectic cocktail repertoire featuring classic cocktails, Italian aperitivos, homemade limoncello, rare spirits, fine wines, and an Italian pilsner exclusively crafted for Marisi.
Hailing from just outside Detroit, Chef Cameron commenced his journey with Thomas Keller at his renowned Bouchon Bistro. He later transitioned to Bavel in Los Angeles when it received the 2019 Restaurant of the Year recognition from the Los Angeles Times.
Chef Cameron showcases his fine dining expertise at Marisi in La Jolla. Indulge in the Nightshade Pizza, along with a round of focaccia and fresh ricotta to spread atop. Other delights include a house-made charcuterie board, chicken liver mousse, pastas, salads, and grilled chicken. Savor the Pan con Tomate crafted with Chino Farms tomatoes, California olive oil, and pickled shallots.
ODDISH WINES
San Diego boasts a captivating beverage scene encompassing spirits, cider, craft beer, and natural wines. Oddish Wine, spearheaded by Billy and Suzanna Bletz alongside winemaker Brandon Cardwell, specializes in organic and vibrant cider, coferments, vermouth, and amari.
Their minimal intervention, small-batch production in the cellar, and conservation-based vineyards in San Diego County allow their bottles to shine with vibrancy and flavor.
Operating a wine club and biergarten-style tasting locale within The Gärten, a multi-vendor social hotspot in San Diego. Visitors can relish a glass of wine or local craft beer alongside a wood-fired pizza. Live musical performances grace the venue on at least 150 evenings annually.
Proprietor Lara Worm and Cidermaker Jordan Christie founded Bivouac Ciderworks in 2017, establishing it as a pioneering cidery in San Diego. Situated in North Park, the women-led urban cidery garnered acclaim from USA Today 10 Best readers as one of the ’10 Best Cideries in the United States.’
Infusing a distinctive West Coast flair, the team melds premium classic cider profiles with unexpected additives.
One of their standout ciders is the San Diego Jam, a mixed berry cider that strikes a balance between tartness, jamminess, and crispness. The ABV varies from 6% to 6.9% across their cider range.
Visitors can embark on a tour of the Bivouac Ciderworks Adventure Lodge, featuring the Tasting Bar, General Store, Salon D’Eau De Vie, Cider Production Room, Annie’s Canyon Restrooms, and Cafe.
To uncover more about the culinary and beverage hubs in San Diego radiating happiness and delight, explore San Diego.
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