Date Night San Diego: Craft & Commerce and False Idol
Coming up with an inspiring date night idea is tough work! When you’re a busy person living in San Diego, whether you are single, dating or in a relationship, finding the perfect spot for a date night out can be a challenge.
Well, lucky for us, we were able to enlist the help of San Diego food and wine blogger Frances of ‘Food with Frances‘ to do some investigative reporting into hot San Diego date night options (rough job!) to make it easy for you to make your plans!
Her pick: Craft & Commerce and False Idol in Little Italy!
Photos taken by James Tran
We’ll let Frances take it from here…
There are so many great things to do in San Diego. Let’s skip the mundane dinner-and-a-movie and give you some serious props in the first date department as well as also impressing your long-term partner. These spots are perfect for a romantic and fun rendezvous.
Photos taken by James Tran
Located along Kettner Boulevard at the heart of Little Italy, lies the newly revamped Craft & Commerce. The space is filled with beautiful industrial décor, here your eye turns to everything from vintage taxidermy to shelves and shelves of books; this is prime territory for those in need of first date ideas. It’s a place that is bustling and yet allows you privacy. And that’s before we get to the food and drinks.
Executive Chef Ted Smith’s menu is filled with gastronomic delights and there is also a list of beautifully conceived cocktails to choose from. The cocktails are inspired by the show “Seinfeld” and some of the highlights include “The Ass Man” and “Powernap.”
“The Ass Man” cocktail photo by James Tran
Start by sharing the wood-fired grilled oysters flavored with Ethiopian red curry, garlic, and scallions: the oysters are an aphrodisiac simply by virtue of taste and freshness.
Wood-fired grilled oysters photo by James Tran
Warm up with their potato and leek soup during those chilly winter nights, while also tasting the gold-spotted sea bass in the soup. This creamy delight will have your loved one swooning.
Potato and leek soup photo by James Tran
The “Cabernet Braised Leg of Lamb” is cooked to a succulent and juicy texture and the rich rosemary lamb jus with the garlic potato puree, contrast incredibly well. Be warned, conversation may stop when devouring this dish.
Cabernet Braised Leg of Lamb photo by James Tran
Transport into another world after you’re done with dinner when you slip through the secret door that takes you to the speakeasy False Idol, located only a few steps away.
Head inside to uncover a world of exotic drinks, colorful glass bulbs spread across the walls and beautiful Polynesian carved art decorated along the walls. Decide from 26 exotic drinks while absorbing the island oasis you just stepped into. Favorite cocktails include the “Mai Tai” (a classic), and the “Alkala’s Rum Barrell.”
Inside False Idol photo by James Tran
The “Alkala’s Rum Barrell” cocktail photo by James Tran
The “Mai Tai” cocktail photo by James Tran
With the lively atmosphere, the beautiful décor, the crafted drinks and the incredible food–a date night at Craft & Commerce and False Idol will be a sure-fire success.
Reservations are recommended!
See you there!
About Food with Frances
Frances is a half Japanese, half English food and wine lover. She was born in Tokyo and has lived internationally (Hong Kong, London, Vancouver) most of her life. She moved to LA when she was 17 years old, but now calls San Diego home. She went to UC San Diego and Kings College London. She currently works at a media company and gets to hob nob with some amazing food and wine people. She’s a certified wine specialist and has collaborated with experts in the restaurant industry for over nine years. She’s happy to chat about food, wine, and your favorite spots! Fun fact: she can also respond in Japanese :). Visit her site to learn more.
