We hadn't been to Harbor Island in quite a while...
Bert suggested our lunch destination at the end of this man made peninsula...
Tom Ham's Lighthouse...The last time we were here was for KD's wedding 16 years ago. Prior to that, we used to go here for their brunch, back when it was only $10 a person. No longer. Unbeknownst to us, the restaurant underwent a major overhaul (remodeled the exterior as well as the interior) adding an outdoor wedding area, and adding a second floor patio deck. The better to take in the million dollar views of San Diego Bay.
As you walk in, you can either take the stair or the elevator (on your right).
The stairwell has huge vintage maps of San Diego Harbor, some of them pre-WWII which did NOT include present day Harbor Island and Shelter Island (both of which are man-made). It was really fascinating comparing the differences between some of the maps.
More info here on the restaurant's namesake, Tom Ham Jr.
Upstairs, the spacious dining area...
The bar, which I read, was moved closer to the windows. Look at this amazing view!
The view as you walk out on the patio.
My free taster, the Strawberry Hibiscus Fruitlands by Modern Times. I liked that they had $2 beers for their 4 oz pours. I decided to get two (knowing that Bert would help me).
Lunch menu:
Drinks menu:
TC had a ginger ale; since I liked my taster, so I got a glass of that, plus the Nitro stout while Bert had the Piloncillo Brown by Groundswell Brewing (a local brewery in Grantville). Our server also offered me another free taste, so I chose the Meyer Lemon Lager by Anchor Brewing (San Francisco based).
Our lunch:
Spring vegetable salad with spring mix, pea tendrils, fresh peas, radish (the menu description listed watermelon radish, but these were regular red ones), pepper slivers and kumquat peels. I asked for the cheese (goat, ugh) and the dressing (Thai chili vinaigrette) to be on the side. The dressing wasn't as spicy as I thought it would be. I used it sparingly. I wasn't thrilled that the greens they used for this sald were on the "older side". You can't see it, but when I lifted a few forkfuls of the salad, I saw the older leaves sticking together, the kind that are almost black and kind of slimy. Sad face.
Fried calamari with a spicy chili dip.
caesar
Bert wanted to try their lobster roll (choice of side was fries). We didn't realize it would come as a pair. The bread was like an egg based roll and toasted lightly. The lobster was finely minced and not as "meaty" as the versions we've had at other places. Live and learn.
I didn't really eat too much of the bread. The filling reminded me of Krab in looks only and had more mayo that covered up the taste of the lobster. This we all shared, along with the Caesar salad with anchovies and thin parmesan topped crisps on the side.
Below, the view of the restaurant along the island's walkway...
Views of the bay, the skyline and Coronado naval base.
Articles about the renovation:
"Tom Ham's Lighthouse to get renovation" The Log, August 2012
"Tom Ham's Lighthouse reopens after major design, menu overhaul" SDNews, 2013
"Exec Chef named for Tom Ham's Lighthouse revamp" SD Eater, April 2013
"Tom Ham's Lighhouse remodels and debuts new menu" SD Reader Sept. 2013
+ articles about the architect Graham Downes who tragically died in April 2013 from a fight:
"Architect Graham Downes dies after Bankers Hill fight" NBC San Diego, April 2013
+ "Killer of architect Graham Downes gets 15 years to life in prison" Times of San Diego, July 2014
Here's a cool video showing the scenic wedding area:
plus a drone footage video:
Tom Ham's Lighthouse
2150 Harbor Island Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 291-9110
www.tomhamslighthouse.com; their fb page + reviews from that four lettered site and tripadvisor
More info on Harbor Island:
www.portofsandiego.org/harbor-island-park
harborislandwest.com
Discover Point Loma, Harbor Island and Shelter Island"(source SanDiego.org)
I wish I had taken photos of their new outdoor wedding area. There is a concrete area big enough to hold a small wedding ceremony. Towards the end of the area are two columns made of interlocked steel circles. It forms a cool looking modern arch and the backdrop is the San Diego skyline. It's so pretty and the perfect way to frame wedding couples.
Our 21st Anniversary (in order):
The Village Kitchen, Ocean Beach
The Coffee Method
Return to the OB Pier + Sunset Cliffs
+ this last post!
It was such a great day with good weather spent taking in the (free) sights of San Diego. Now it was time to head one home. No dessert, sadly but we had lots of sweets at home already to cap off our 21st anniversary.
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