The Duck Dive is a Must When Visiting San Diego

We dined as a guest of Duck Dive

My husband and I packed up the kids and traveled South to San Diego for a long weekend for some much needed relaxation.  Besides lounging poolside, I always look forward to a few amazing dinners out and I was thrilled to have been invited to Duck Dive in Pacific Beach.

Upon arrival, I was excited to see the restaurant had a typical beachy feel with huge wide open windows and a casual appearance.  We had reserved a large table to accommodate our family, we were seated right away next to one of those huge windows I mentioned that over looked the bustling street.  The service was amazing! Everyone was helpful, friendly and prompt in menu suggestions and delivery.  I’ll admit, I’m new to the Moscow Mule craze, and I giggled with delight over the expansive “Mule” menu.  I ordered the Jameson Mule and was hooked after the first sip!

We eased into our evening with a starter, Scallop Ceviche.  This appetizer is new to the menu, and we hope it becomes a staple because it was amazingly fresh tasting with tender scallops, fresh ingredients and a hint of lime to help the flavors pop.  Our Duck Dive experience was off to a great start!

The kids were anxious to order, especially our hamburger loving son Griffin, he’s a bit of a hamburger connoisseur.  He had his eye on the hamburger topped with bacon, I was impressed this was a Kids Menu selection, not an adult menu item.  The other two kids ordered chicken quesadillas, they didn’t choose anything quite as spectacular as the hamburger with bacon, but I was pleased they chose something with protein.

My husband and I had a difficult time finalizing our dinner entrée, everything was tempting.  My husband, Eric, went with our servers recommendation of the Meatloaf Patty Melt Sandwich.  This sandwich is a house-made angus beef meatloaf, served with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese presented on a toasted garlic crusted sourdough.  Honestly, he must have mentioned this sandwich being the best sandwich he has ever had at least five times during dinner, I’m pretty sure he liked it!

What I really wanted was to order another round of the Scallop Ceviche to have all to myself for dinner, but decided on the Blackened Mahi Tacos. The three “street” style tacos were perfectly sized and served with a freshing house-made mango salsa.  The tacos were light, the moist Mahi topped with cabbage and a little kick added with the mango salsa.  Delightful.

When we travel and dine with our three kids, we take into consideration the menu, atmosphere and the dessert menu.  What had attracted us to the Duck Dive restaurant was their famous Table-Side S’mores, and the kids could hardly contain themselves any longer.  The kids were excited to roast their own marshmallows just like they do over a campfire at the beach, yet this was safer and without the smell of campfire smoke in your hair.

We all made fast work in setting up our marshmallows and roasting them to a gooey perfection.   The Table-Side S’mores were a fun, interactive way to share dessert with the kids.  They begged to return the following night for dinner and more s’mores!

Our family truly enjoyed our visit to the Duck Dive and believe it’s a must when traveling to San Diego.  Don’t be afraid of the casual, bar-like atmosphere upon arrival, this restaurant is a gem.  The Duck Dive offers Gastropub inspired / Contemporary American Cuisine in a casual beach lounge atmosphere.  The bar is in the center and dining tables on the perimeter taking full advantage of the views of people returning from the beach and making their way about town.  The food that is created at the Duck Dive is not what you would expect when passing by without any knowledge or recommendation of this establishment.  We can’t wait to return and try the lunch menu and another Mule creation! 

Be sure to visit the Duck Dive at 4650 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA. 92109. For a reservation, call 858-273-DUCK. Visit Duck Dive at www.theduckdive.com, follow at Facebook.com/the Duck Dive, Isntagram @theduckdive and Twitter @theduckdive.

Wendy is a wife and mom of three that lives in Ladera Ranch. She enjoys experiencing life through the eyes of her kids, party planning, exercising, and cooking.