Jayne’s Gastropub in Normal Heights is a Culinary Renaissance

No Reason to go to Normal Heights? Think Again. Jayne's Gastropub will keep you coming back.

While parts of Europe may be hard-pressed to find a pub with decent food, Normal Heights' newest inhabitants are San Diego's golden ticket to gourmet. Just a few doors down from Adams on 30th, Jayne's Gastropub brings a breath of fresh air -- and a whiff of something delectable -- to the fringes of Normal Heights, San Diego's most up-and-coming neighborhood.

Gastro What?

So what is a gastropub, exactly? In short, it's a culinary dream come true -- part bar, part restaurant, part European, all San Diegan.

Jayne's Gastropub co-owner and chef, Jayne Battle, has seamlessly merged epicure with elegance -- and people are noticing. Even on a weeknight, passersby can hear a dull roar coming from the narrow dining room, black and white paned windows and topiary aglow with flickering white lights out front.

Black and white honeycomb tile begins at the door, ushering you past the beautifully lit bar and two dozen tables abuzz with chatter, overflowing with striking dishes. Despite the din, it's obvious that Jayne's Gastropub could easily make you a regular. Jayne has mastered a casual ambiance where it's easy to dress up or down.

The atmosphere softens near the back door, where the noise spills out onto the outdoor patio. Here, it seems hipster culture has had a happy run-in with Ole Paree. Crisp white table cloths and raging heat lamps huddle in groups around the terrace, lit only by small strung bulbs suspended overhead and a few bundles of candles placed strategically across the courtyard. If there is any way to savor the last few mild evenings of San Diego summer, Jayne's outdoor patio is the place to try it.

Drink Up

The bar at Jayne's Gastropub stocks an extensive list of champagnes and wines (sparkling, white, red, and dessert) by the glass and bottle, ranging in price from $8 to $88. Sample a pint off their growing list of draft beers, or try one of the more eccentric bottled beers. Our favorite was the Hitachino Nest White Ale, a tropical, adventurous choice that proved worthy of rave reviews.

Feel free to bring your own wine, but do note there is a $15 corkage/bottle fee for doing so. Besides, if you've made the excellent choice to dine at Jayne's Gastropub, you're going to want to try something specially selected -- perhaps from Argentina, New Zealand, or Oregon vineyards.

Unforgettable Fodder

In all honesty, the food at Jayne's Gastropub needs its own feature in itself. The Caesar Salad ($10.50) features levain croutons and the most delicious freshly grated aged parmesan you've ever tasted, nestled in a bed of whole leaf hearts of romaine. Accompany it with the French Onion Soup ($7) -- a perfectly caramelized bowl loaded with onions and crostini -- and you're off to a great start, or satisfied by a light meal.

But I guarantee you won't want to stop there. The Sea Bass Fish & Chips ($17.50), a staple at the Gastropub according to the staff, is a London classic with an American twist: thick, firm sticks of sea bass heavily battered and cradled by thin frites -- think shoestring fries, not traditional steak chips -- and sweet garlic snap peas.

Another staff favorite is the Braised Short Ribs ($23.50), a stunning plate that proves faultless in execution. Tucked between portions of garlic mashed potatoes, baby carrots and pearl onions, the port wine reduction on these ribs makes them literally melt in your mouth.

The Alaskan Halibut ($23) is another Jayne's no-brainer: even though the fillet is squarely pan-seared and beautifully arranged on the plate, this dish still has a bit of bite left in it. Sweet escabeche sauce with delightfully bitter pear tomatoes and fresh corn provide for soft, colorful mouthfuls that leave your tastebuds satisfied in the best of ways.

For the vegetarians, Jayne's provides the Grilled Polenta with Organic Vegetables ($16.50), a richly hued tumble of Japanese eggplant, yellow squash, sweet red onion, and smoked pepper vegetable puree.

The Perfect Ending

While you may find yourself hoping to relish the taste of your entrée for eternity, Jayne's Gastropub has something else in mind for your long-lasting impression: dessert.

The Jayne's Gastropub staff suggests the ever-irresistible Butterscotch Crème Brulee, a sweet, creamy version of blow-torch-crusted heaven.

Our suggestion? One of everything. The Lemon Tart with Almond Crust rivals that of many San Diego pastry bakeries, with a sweetly sour aftertaste, an unbelievable almond crust, and an adorable dollop of hand-whipped cream and raspberries on top. The Bittersweet Chocolate Brownie Con Gelato is worth fighting over with forks, and the surprisingly light Affagato (vanilla gelato drenched in espresso) should also do nicely. At Jayne's Gastropub, you really can't go wrong.

Dining Tips: Make a reservation! Jayne's serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Be sure to arrive early to find parking, especially on the weekend.