Erik S.
Yelp
I first went to Sbicca 20 years ago, and a couple more times over the years. Then I moved to Del Mar about 3 years ago and found out what a really, truly enjoyable restaurant and bar that is, so I'm there at least weekly.
The food -- consistently excellent. Steaks have the perfect high-temperature-sear crust on them. The crab cake is not the regular hockey puck you find everywhere else: it's more like a crab muffin. The chicken buns: who would have thought that something as simple as soft tacos made by wrapping fried chicken, cilantro, and Sriracha in the loving embrace of a bao bun would be so addictingly delicious. The poke is excellent with big'ol hearty chunks of tuna. I enjoy everything there that doesn't have blue cheese in it. My only kitchen suggestion is to let the bluefin stand more on its own instead of drizzling it with ponzu; hopefully its predecessor, the seared bluefin, will return soon.
The place -- there's usually a choice between indoors, outdoors, and open wall indoor available. It's in a prime spot that's perfect for sunset views. There's only one TV in the bar.
And more about that bar -- this is the ideal bar setup. Not too loud, usually fun tunes instead of TV blaring, and a cool place to catch up with the neighborhood and meet the visitors. Like the horsies? You'll find jockeys and other horsemen here during the track meets, who will volunteer tips on how to make or lose a lot of money quickly. This bar's actually a place for intelligent conversation most of the time, and you're more likely to be discussing discoveries from UCSD than the status of Aaron Rodger's pinky toe.
And drinks -- the wine list is excellent. Tues & Thurs are half-price night, when some high-end bottles end up priced lower than retail, and I hope nobody working there is reading this. Margaritas are a citrusy delight and stiff, and were a lifesaver during Pandemia, when Sbicca had a window to serve them to-go. The bartenders and staff are wonderful.
And more about those employees -- they're kind, warm, and super-professional, whether dealing with me or an extreme drunk, which are never the same person, obviously. I couldn't believe how patient they were (at least on camera) when the Real Housewives From Somewhere shrieked their way through the restaurant a couple years ago. I've never seen staff look down on a customer or radiate a locals-only vibe. And, most importantly, they're very, very loving to my Wee Baby Ava, who often is found there, standing guard by me, in expectation of a free-range french fry, with her tail going non-stop.
If I want to impress someone, I take them to Sbicca. I take my out-of-town visitors there and they're always impressed and still talk to me when they leave. I see my neighbors there and some of them still talk to me.
Whatever Sbicca has been doing over the past 20 years is great. Keep it up!
