7
Reasons to Love Fleming's La Jolla
Having
lived in San Diego for well over a decade I've had
the pleasure of eating at Fleming's La Jolla location on numerous
occasions. With each, the award-winning restaurant exhibited
why it's remained a North County staple for classic steakhouse
fare since opening in 1999. Fleming's La Jolla was, in fact,
the third restaurant this brand launched in the United States,
not far behind the original Newport Beach location that opened
in December of 1998.
Fleming's
La Jolla, conveniently situated in the Aventine Center across
the courtyard from the Hyatt Regency Hotel, is not one to rest
on its laurels or nearly two-decade strong reputation, alone.
For his part, for the past nine years Chef Partner Derek Reshaw
has worked tirelessly to assure each dining experience stands
on its own merits.
With
that in mind, I checked in with Wayne Jarret, Operating Partner
of Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar La Jolla, to find
out what's new and noteworthy on the menu and otherwise. The
interview revealed these seven mouthwatering reasons to make
your way to the revered restaurant this season.
MK:
Steakhouses abound in San Diego. How would
you sum up Fleming's approach to traditional American steakhouse
cuisine?
WJ: Fleming's offers an engaging ambiance and
lively environment, where guests can enjoy great food and a
broad selection of fine wine, which is further complemented
by attentive and knowledgeable service.
We
set ourselves apart by offering a wide selection of dry- and
wet-aged sizes and cuts of USDA Prime beef, and other flavorful
dishes, including daily-featured selections of fresh seafood,
salads, delicious appetizers, innovative steakhouse Small Plates,
family-style sides and tempting desserts made from scratch.
Fleming's recognizes that guests want variety and exploration
when dining out-it's part of the experience.
Fleming's
is also celebrated nationwide for the Fleming's 100, an award-wining
wine program that features a curated list of 100 wines by the
glass. In fact, we are the only national steakhouse company
that offers 100 wines by the glass.
MK:
What other qualities set this restaurant
apart from other steakhouse options, specifically?
WJ: One thing that certainly sets Fleming's
apart from other steakhouse options is the ambiance. The atmosphere
of Fleming's is stylish and lively, with the scene enhanced
by the open setting and background music that sets the tone
for a first-rate dining experience. The ambiance is enhanced
by an open dining room built around an exhibition kitchen and
expansive bar. Warm and inviting, the setting is refined and
casually elegant. Features include lighter woods with rich cherry
accents, high ceilings and leather upholstery. Custom-designed
alabaster chandeliers complement the scene with a warm amber
glow throughout the restaurant.
MK: I've heard about
Fleming's Reserve Pour, the LVE Collection by John Legend. How
would you describe offering?
WJ: The LVE Collection by John Legend translates
true love into the bold flavors and aromas savored in each glass.
Our National Director of Wine, Maeve Pesquera, who selects the
Fleming's 100 each year and curates the list of beverage, is
always looking to identify the best and most unique wine varietals
for our Guests to enjoy at Fleming's. The LVE Collection is
exclusively available at Fleming's for a limited time.
MK:
What menu adaptations do you have for
the spring season?
WJ: Our Taste the Season menu offers bold and
seasonal flavors. Guests can begin their meal with the Spring
Tomato Bisque with artisanal garlic croutons and parmesan frico.
For the main course, Guests can enjoy a Filet "Oscar"
paired with a jumbo lump blue crab cake and béarnaise
sauce starting at $49.95. A featured side of Roasted White Asparagus
with brown butter and toasted breadcrumbs pairs perfectly with
this dish. For dessert, Guests can indulge in a Warm Apple Crisp
with cinnamon crème. Guests can also imbibe with a Spring
Fling made with Hendricks' gin, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
and house made grenadine for $10.95.
MK:
Does Fleming's have a "signature
dish"?
WJ: At Fleming's, steak is our expertise and
we pride ourselves on offering USDA Prime corn-fed beef, aged
to perfection for flavor and texture. Whether it's Petite Filet
Mignon or Prime Bone-In Ribeye, we have the perfect steak option
for our Guests. All of our steaks are either classically prepared
with a kosher salt and pepper seasoning then broiled at 1,600
degrees or iron crusted and finished with butter and fresh parsley.
MK:
What is your personal favorite item on
the menu?
WJ: The Bone in Filet Mignon is my favorite
item to enjoy at Fleming's. It is not printed on our menu, but
it is a nightly feature that is always available. The bone with
marrow gives the meat an unbelievable flavor.
MK:
I know Fleming's La Jolla also attracts
patrons through its robust happy hour program. To what do you
attribute this popularity?
WJ:
Happy hour, with its "FIVE SIX SEVEN" and "EIGHT
NINE TEN" bar menus, features five selections starting
at $6 from 5-7 p.m. and eight selections starting at $9 from
8-10 p.m. Each menu offers premium cocktail, award-winning wines
by the glass and signature appetizers. Fleming's "Bar la
Carte" menu, served exclusively in the bar, offers Fleming's
Guests satisfying dishes available any time, any evening. More
substantial than appetizers or the typical "bar bites"
found at many restaurants, the addition of this Bar la Carte
menu makes Fleming's bar as much a destination for food as it
is for wine and cocktails.
So
storied is Fleming's La Jolla that Hollywood celebs are also
known to saunter in for prime steaks and more. The esteemed
eatery has reportedly hosted a litany of celebrity guests like
Norman Reedus of "The Walking Dead" fame, BD Wong
of Jurassic World and "Law & Order," and JK Simmons
who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for Whiplash in
2015. But, one need not be an entertainment A-lister to enjoy
star treatment as each guest receives the same high level of
hospitality-a truth based on my own personal experiences and
observations.
If
you're in the San Diego North County area and have a hankering
for a perfectly cooked piece of prime beef, an amply portioned
pork chop, a succulent lobster tail, classic steakhouse sides
and other elevated victuals amid an energetic atmosphere, count
on Fleming's La Jolla to make your outing a
resounding success.
Fleming's
La Jolla
8970 University Center Lane,
San Diego, CA 92122
858-535-0078
https://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/locations/ca/la-jolla/
By Merilee Kern, 'The Luxe List' Executive Editor
"The
Luxe List" Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury
marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary
events, and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted
at www.LuxeListReviews.com.
Follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor
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***Some
or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or
service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost to accommodate
this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of
Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***