A.R. Valentien
Californian restaurant · San Diego ·
Farm-to-table dining with seasonal American fare & golf course views
Farm-to-table dining with seasonal American fare & golf course views
"Every element of this setting seems to exude a California-casual meets country-club vibe. Inside, choose from one of the Craftsman post-and-beam dining rooms, warm with amber lanterns and stained-glass light fixtures; or simply head outside to dine on the patio overlooking the pool and 18th hole of Torrey Pines Golf Course. The city's unending growing season means that there is a boundless harvest of local ingredients to inspire this kitchen. Begin with Dungeness crab flan surrounded by watercress, Belgian endive and roasted grapes, drizzled with tangy balsamic dressing. Then, indulge in elevated comfort foods like chicken under a brick, set over Tuscan kale and cannellini beans in tomato sauce. The brûléed lemon sabayon tart is above par and pure joy." - Michelin Inspector
"Grab an outdoor seat at this elegant La Jolla institution and soak in the stellar views—the patio is perched high enough to study the nooks and crannies of Torrey Pines Golf Course and a sliver of the Pacific Ocean. The food could be terrible and we’d still come here for the atmosphere, but the menu is simple, good, and a little bit luxurious. It rotates often, but expect dishes like chicken on a bed of vibrant cavolo nero (that’s fancy talk for Tuscan kale) and spaghetti with chanterelle and black trumpet mushrooms mixed in." - sabrina medora
"The Lodge at Torrey Pines’s signature restaurant transcends hotel dining by a mile. Executive chef Kelli Crosson oversees the restaurant’s impeccably-sourced farm-to-table cooking. Housemade terrines, Liberty Duck breast and leg confit, and beets with pistachio butter are all on the menu, served in a warm and welcoming Craftsman-style dining room." - Candice Woo
"Grab an outdoor seat at this elegant La Jolla institution and soak in the stellar views—the patio is perched high enough to study the nooks and crannies of Torrey Pines Golf Course and a sliver of the Pacific Ocean. The food could be terrible and we’d still come here for the atmosphere, but the menu is simple, good, and a little bit luxurious. It rotates often, but expect dishes like chicken on a bed of vibrant cavolo nero (that’s fancy talk for Tuscan kale) and spaghetti with chanterelle and black trumpet mushrooms mixed in." - Sabrina Medora
"While the inside of A.R. Valentien is decorated with warm woods, it’s the outdoor dining area you’ll want to request for sweeping views of the famous Torrey Pines golf course and the Pacific Ocean. Helmed by chef Kelli Crosson, the farm-to-table restaurant boasts hyperlocal dishes and a robust wine list to enjoy with the view." - Helen I. Hwang, Candice Woo