“There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we are born and the day we discover why.” ~ William Barclay
Mister A’s
After Sarah and I got glammed up and snapped a few hundred pics, we hopped in an Uber to take us to Mister A’s, which as we found out as our trip went on, ALL the locals recommended. Established in 1965 and located on the twelfth floor of a financial building, it offers not just some of the most decadent food in San Diego, but also some of the best views.
While it is a well known haunt for locals looking to celebrate a special occasion, I had actually heard about it not from Google or Yelp but the lovely Mack. She had also celebrated her birthday there and had written about it on her blog Mack Marie. At the time, I had embarrassingly drooled all over my keyboard at the stunning and hunger inducing pictures she shared. I knew if I ever went to San Diego, I NEEDED to go here. In fact I owe a huge thank you to Mack, because she inspired much of my trip! Thanks beauty!
Drinks
Our reservation was at 7:30 but we arrived early and decided to go to the bar for a birthday drink. It was at the back of the restaurant near the entrance to the wrap around outside patio. It was a classy bar with an extensive cocktail list of the usual boozy libations as well as more creative hand crafted drinks.
I chose a mixed cocktail and unfortunately I fail in food blogging, because I do not remember the name of the drink! It had just the right mix of citrus and tequila, and was not overly sweet. It was topped with egg white which added to the creaminess. I have come to love that touch on cocktails. It had orange bitters and was topped with an orange peel, but was not overly orangey.
Patio Seating
The maitre’D came and got us when it was time for our reservation and we decided to sit outside on the patio.
Oh my lanta the views!
We had planned our reservation well, and as we took our seats outside the sun was beginning to set. We had gorgeous views of the harbor and downtown San Diego.
As the sun set behind mountains, it got chillier and they turned on the heated lamps that instantly warmed us up. The ambience alone was perfect.
The Food
Oh my taste buds. The food did not disappoint. One of the things I was most impressed with, was the fact that they are allergy and dietary friendly and the menu has many gluten free and vegan options available.
Again failing in Food blogging-dom, we began our meal with a delicious palette cleanser of shrimp in a butter sauce. It had a fancy french name, but alas I can not remember. It was light refreshing and incredibly tasty. I could have eaten ten of them!
As an appetizer Sarah and I ordered the Beef Tartare to share and they served it with GF bread.
Side note: The gluten free bread in San Diego is out of this world! I am not sure if it is a local company or more widely distributed, but wherever I went it was SO yummy, that I had a hard time believing it was Gluten free!
The Beef Tartare had shallots, radishes and other spices mixed in. It was topped with an egg yolk that Sarah had me do the honors of breaking and mixing with the beef. It was one of the best things I have ever had. And I could have just eaten that for my main. it was SO yummy.
For Dinner I had the Veal Osso Buco. It was served with zucchini squash, carrots, and an english pea salsa verde. While it was heavier, then what I usually go for, it was delicious and the flavors complimented each other well. The veal was super tender, and the Zucchini squash was out of this world good.
Dessert
Guys you can take the pastry chef out of the girl, but you can not take the sweet tooth out of her. While it seems like a life time ago (it was) I was baking cakes and piping frosting, I still appreciate a delicious dessert. And Mister A’s did not disappoint.
I ordered the Summer Pavlova which was served with fresh berries, a strawberry curd, and vanilla bavarian. I am still having dreams about it! It was light and refreshing after the heaviness of my main course.
Making it a true birthday celebration, they surprised me with a slice of chocolate cake, and “Happy Birthday” scrawled in chocolate, complete with a candle in a wine glass to blow out. It was such a sweet gesture and truly added that extra touch.
Mister A-mazing
Mister’s A’s truly lived up to all the hype and more. The staff was extremely attentive and really went the extra mile with small gestures. It really completed the night. As fine dining goes, Mister A’s has it down to a science from superb service, to drool worthy food fit for even the most picky of palettes.
As a foodie, it was the perfect place to celebrate my birthday. If you are looking for an impeccable fine dining foodie experience, I highly recommend Mister A’s. It did not disappoint and it is perfect for a glamorous birthday out, an anniversary or just to enjoy great food.
We had only been in San Diego for 24 hours and already Sarah and I had not one but THREE delicious meals. San Diego was killing it in the food department. And we went back to our apartment extremely fat and happy!
Are you a foodie? Have you dined at any fine dining restaurants?
First of all! I love that quote you started this post with. Secondly, WOW. You look incredible! Gosh girl, you are slaying! All the heart eyes 😍 so beautiful! And those views from this restaurant? Are they even real? So stunning! It sounds like you had the perfect birthday meal, and its so lovely they surprised you with chocolate cake too! How sweet! Xx
Awe thank you beauty! It is such a greta quote! And awe thank you sweets! It was the perfect evening! And such a greta way to spend my birthday! SO much love to you beauty! <3
A very Happy Birthday 2U!!!
Awe thank you! <3
Heckkk! The food was honestly looking so fab, and I could tell you were feeling full afterwards (hopefully). It seems like everyone has been having themselves a lot of food lately (heard of others and I went to a party the other day o.o)!
But hey…
Food aint bad 🙂
It was an amazing restaurant and a greta way to spend my birthday! <3
Woo!
The first pic of you. Hubba hubba💕 That strawberry pavlova😍 And I love the picture of you with your happy birthday cake xx
Oh my gosh I love you! Thanks beauty for the smiles! The strawberry pavlova was amazing! Thanks sweets! <3
You look so beautiful and it looks like you had the best birthday!! I love that the restuarant has vegan options – that’s such a rarity! The food does look super good, but I am amazed by that view. How stunning to overlook. x
Awe thank you sweets! I really did! The restaurant was incredible! So conscientious of dietary needs! I loved it! It was gorgeous! <3
I’m a huge foodie as I’m sure you already know by now! 😉 but, I’ve actually never tried a drink with an egg white in it nor beef tartare before. I’d love to give em both a shot! They look so yummy! & you used to be a pastry chef?! That’s awesome. The desserts look fantastic & so do you!!!♡♡♡
Wait you are a foodie? ;p Hehe Girl I am right there with you! Oh my gosh you need to on both! Egg white drink are my new favorite thing. It adds this sweet foamy layer, Not quite meringue but almost. and beef tartare is so smooth and flavorful. I did! Thanks beauty! I miss it occasionally, but I at least appreciate other people’s baking! Thanks sweets! <3
Happy birthday to you. Those pictures are lovely.
Thank you so much for the sweet words! <3
You are just so beautiful, inside and out! Happy (belated) birthday! I love that dress!
Awe thank you so much for this sweet comment Allie! It made my day! And thank you or the birthday wishes! Huge hugs! <3
I have been SOOO excited to read this post!!! YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! So stunning. Birthday radiance everywhere! And I am so glad you enjoyed Mr. As. I was a bit nervous because I was afraid if you had a bad experience I would be responsible for it, but SOOO relieved it went that well. You definitely planned it PERFECTLY getting an outdoor seat with views of the sunset. Isn’t that place special?! And your food options looked incredible- probably impossible to go wrong there. XO 🙂
Girl I would never ever blame you, but also you go to the most fabulous places! So really I knew I was going to love it! I have been so excited to go for months and it legit was everything I could have imagined and more! THANK YOU for the most amazing recommendation and helping make my birthday so insanely special!
Awe thank you sweets! I couldn’t NOT get all glammed up! It really is so special! I don’t think you can! Thank you again for the amazing rec! You are the best and sweetest! And just absolutely amazing! <3 <3 <3
I am so so so happy <3 <3 This is seriously putting the biggest smile on my face. I told DJ all about it too. He thought it was really cool that you guys went (and also very jealous- as was I.. haha!). XOXO
I bookmarked this place to take my husband who loves views, but he’s really picky about food so your post helped solidify that the food is good too! Great post! Thanks for sharing and happy belated birthday.
The photos are great and you looks beautiful.
The food is yummy and the dessert.. oh… I think we can not skip dessert:)
Btw, I can bake really mean (delicious) pavlova;)