Fresh Air and Fresh-er Food at Whisknladle in La Jolla

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When you're having a serious cuisine craving, you don't want just a mediocre meal from your standard go-to restaurant. You desire something new that arouses and satiates your palate from the first savory aperitif to the last sweet morsel on your dessert plate.

You want a cozy restaurant where you feel comfortable and don't have to get dressed up to enjoy a welcoming atmosphere radiating with class. There might be a charming group of soccer moms sitting in the lounge drinking an assortment of martinis in summer shades of pink and green. You then spot a young couple sitting at the bar sipping tantalizing purple concoctions paired with appetizers, garnished with good laughs. And to the adjacent south, there might also be middle-aged couples drinking fine wine and finishing up an early dinner.

You're probably picturing a hipster spot in Hillcrest or new urban venue in North Park, but think again. Welcome to Whisknladle, a five-month-old eatery established in honor of comfort food, located in downtown La Jolla.

At the Fresh-er-er Whisknladle in La Jolla, everything is created, cut, chopped, cured, and infused in-house with the utmost TLC and attention you've seen since the last time your dad waxed his '67 classic hot rod. And this fresh restaurant features only the finest quality food; every last piece of meat, scallop, potato, grain, and garnish is organic and biodynamic, delivered from pesticide free farms and producers. The food isn't the only comforting thing about Whisknladle, however - the ambiance is also hand-crafted with quality care in the name of authenticity.

The Whisknladle mantra is, "You get out of the pot what you put into the pot," and the proud slogan is boldly aligned along the canopy entrance. The sparkling lights circled around palm tree trunks are a reminder of the So Cal beach location, setting a relaxing tone for the evening ahead.

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The coastal design of the outdoor features plush black booths, wicker and iron chairs and lush plants. Iron chairs seat guests dining al fresco, and matching iron lines the glass door and overhang ceiling. Despite the ocean breeze, Whisknladle will keep you warm with soft hues and soothing décor, not to mention the warming aromas from the sizzling kitchen. In addition to the varied seating options inside and out, Whisknladle features a chef's bar, where guests can glance inside for a behind-the-scenes peek.

Speaking of peering in, to the right of the chef's bar is an open counter where guests are welcome to sit and enjoy a cocktail and appetizer while facing the inside bar. Through the bar sits the indoor lounge area; a black and white clad industrial space with modern white posh chairs, block white cube tables and hanging wire lights. A tall wall-wide iron piece adorns the lounge walkway, horizontally displaying a unique variety of wine bottles. The artistic array houses everything from new school Napa Valley Cabs to vintage Italian Chiantis.

Gray marble countertops span the central bar while black booths line the white walls of the dining room. A modern style private room is available for private parties, and an after-hours lounge provides a casual atmosphere for live music with a late-night menu served until 1:30am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Executive Chef Ryan Johnston is the man behind the menu. Chef Ryan has inspired kitchens in New York, San Francisco, and Napa, not to mention the former Fresh - where he was also head chef. Owner and proprietor Arturo Kassel is the creator behind all this whisking and ladling. Kassel came up with this unique name from a supper club he used to attend; a club where the workers had no professional relationship with the restaurant industry, only the sheer passion of food. Kassel is definitely no stranger to this industry, but still shares the passion of food nevertheless.

According to Kassel, he and his entourage are just getting their feet wet with the opening of Whisknladle in La Jolla. He commits to working with the best possible products and cares not only about what is on the plate, but also how it got there and where it came from. Kassel takes pride that Whisknladle has established a relationship with farms and producers that provide him with only the finest ingredients. And as a result, the Whisknladle menu is designed to take one foot out of your comfort zone; signature menu items include sweetbreads, tripe, and octopus.

And, we can't forget about the cocktails. East Coast native Ian is the Whisknladle mixologist, and the creator of the handcrafted specialty cocktail list. All of the flavored liquors are infused and created in-house, specially brewed for their own recipes. Bourbon lovers will finish every last drop of the Guns 'n' Roses medley, and champagne enthusiasts will ever crave the crisp cucumber mimosa.

Whisknladle is a classy new restaurant in La Jolla that intertwines heart and soul into every authentic dish. From a long dinner with friends to happy hour cocktails before a night out in downtown La Jolla or just an appetizer and a glass of wine at the bar with your better half - Whisknladle provides a chic atmosphere for all. Discover a new La Jolla dining scene at Whisknladle.