Croce’s
Last Friday July 27th, we left for San Diego. We left at 10:30 am or so after stopping to get gas. Our hotel was actually in Carlsbad, just 20 miles from San Diego but an hour drive! The traffic is terrible out there!
We had a date night planned which consisted of a 7:00 reservation at Croce’s and then walking around the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego where Croce’s is located.
We had some trouble finding a parking garage but finally found one about 4 blocks away from the restaurant. It was a nice night for a walk but wasn’t the best part of town. We passed a lot of homeless people near the parking garage at Broadway and 2nd. The closer we got to Croce’s the better it got.
The Jazz Bar
We arrived 30 minutes early but because it was only 6:30, we got seated immediately in the jazz bar per our request. To our delight, we were seated very close to where the band would be. The Jazz Bar had black and white checkered flooring and the walls were decorated with pictures of Jim and awards he had received after his death. At the end of the bar was a large painting of Jim Croce and you can’t help but smile when you see it. He had such a friendly smile. It was almost as if he was there. It was really special to have a nice night out and hear Jim Croce while dining.
Baked Brie Starter
Our server was the sweetest girl named Amanda. When we are at a new place, I like to try everything new so I got everything she suggested. For our starter we had Baked Brie and honey roasted garlic, with toasted baguette, spring greens & Grand Marnier-berry compote. In a word…yummy!
Our Salad
Our salads were Spring Greens tossed with white balsamic-strawberry vinaigrette, crisp apples, grapes, strawberries, celery, toasted walnuts & gorgonzola cheese. We loved it! We are so ‘vanilla’ that we always get a dinner salad with Italian or Ranch or a Caesar salad. The thought of fruit and nuts on a salad just never would have appealed to me or Robert. I couldn’t wait to get home and look for a recipe for balsamic-strawberry vinaigrette! In fact, when we got home I had to buy groceries and ended up buying walnuts and garganzola cheese!
Our Main Course
Robert had the Charbroiled Prime Filet Mignon with passion fruit demi, Yukon roasted garlic mash & seasonal vegetables. He was going on and on about how good it was so of course, I had to try a bite. I am not a big steak eater but this was the most tender, juicy steak I had every eaten. But not quite as good as my Baked Alaskan Halibut in a cilantro lime vinaigrette, pan roasted fingerling potatoes, sauteéd asparagus and red peppers, with chipotle pesto and citrus cream. The presentation was beautiful.
The Desert
We usually don’t have desert but honestly, it was all so good that we couldn’t stop eating!! I had Fondant Au Chocolat-melted warm chocolate cake with fresh raspberries that was just heavenly! Warm chocolate cake with melted chocolate and raspberries in the center. Robert had Seasonal Crisp with fresh fruit and berries topped with creamy vanilla housemade Ice Cream. It was so good, he didn’t even offer me a bite. If you are ever in San Diego or anywhere even near San Diego, you absolutely have to go to Croce’s!!
A bit of Croce’s history
On the Croce’s website, Ingrid writes about the history of Croce’s. It is the sweetest yet saddest story and I can’t read it without getting teary eyed.
In August of 1973, we moved to San Diego. I vividly remember exploring our new home town with Jim, who had just returned after months on the road promoting his music. We stopped on the corner of Fifth and F in Downtown San Diego, looking for a place to eat and a club where we could listen to live music. We were disappointed to find only tattoo parlors, ladies of the night, and people begging for change.
We joked that evening about opening a local restaurant and bar that would offer great food and music like we had done in our own home. But less than a week later, after playing a college concert, Jim’s plane crashed in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Years later, with hopes of keeping Jim’s music alive and of building a tribute to his life and music, I was called by a friend who told me she knew of an open storefront for rent in the dilapidated Gaslamp district. When I went to look at the space, I realized it was located on the same corner where Jim and I had stopped a dozen years before. It felt like an omen. Building a restaurant and bar there would be the perfect tribute to Jim and a wonderful opportunity to help revitalize downtown San Diego.
We couldn’t leave empty handed
They do sell merchandise, you have to ask the server and she/he will unlock the cabinet for you. We purchased a CD for Robert’s dad and I got an autoghraphed copy of Ingrid Croce’s Thyme In A Bottle cookbook/ autobiography. After reading thru it, I wish I had bought more for family. In fact, I plan to do that trough their online store. She writes about her life with Jim, without Jim and raising their son AJ who is a decent musician in his own rite! She tells about how they would have to go to a thrift store to buy Jim Levi’s before his tour. It is sad that he didn’t get to see any of the financial rewards of his talent. I grew up listening to his music and have always loved it. There are several recipes that I want to try from the cookbook. I highly recommend buying this book for reading and recipes, you won’t be sorry.
The Jazz Band
The jazz band Yavez started at 8:30 and they were fantastic! I will add a link to their site when I can find it. They were all very talented and entertaining. We listened to a few songs, dropped money in the tip jar and headed out. I hated to leave and can’t wait to go back. Ingrid, if you are reading this, how about opening a Croce’s in Vegas?? Just think about it! : )
After diner
We walked around the Gaslamp Quarter a little which is loaded with shops, restaurants and bars. Lots of people walking and having a good time, it was a fun place to be.
You can view our vacation pics here
