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Sure, you’d expect a restaurant called “Croce’s” to feature great music and funky atmosphere. But would you expect food that was phenomenal? With an outstanding wine list? Bravo!
A fixture in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter for more than 20 years, Croce’s is really a legacy of love from Ingrid Croce to her late husband, singer and songwriter Jim Croce of “Big, Bad Leroy Brown” and “Time in a Bottle.” The place is filled with family photos, lyric sheets, guitars and memorabilia, while the music of Jim and his son A.J. Croce plays in the background.
Croce’s is a unique collaboration of fine dining and nightclub ambiance with live music nightly. But wait - don’t just come for the atmosphere - the food is phenomenal! The baked brie with honey-roasted garlic and Grand Marnier-berry compote delighted us with a blend of tastes. Goat-cheese salad with poached red onion and pear tomatoes wrapped in a seedless cucumber was as beautiful to look at it as it was to eat. For the main course, I opted for the maple glazed pistachio dusted spiral rack of lamb with sweet potato twist and French green beans. Our server recommended the Seghesio Zinfandel as the perfect complement. Fondant Au Chocolat, melted warm chocolate cake with fresh raspberries was the grand finale; a triumphant end to an exquisite meal.
Now happily remarried to business partner Jim Rock, Ingrid has been named one of the 10 top female businesswomen in San Diego for her efforts in pioneering the rejuvenated Gaslamp District. I had a chance to chat with Ingrid who showed me her two cookbooks, “Thyme in a Bottle” and “The San Diego Restaurant Cookbook.” They’re both more than cookbooks; they’re memoirs of courage and inspiration as well. Ingrid said, “Serving delicious cuisine and live music to visitors around the world is my way of sharing Jim’s warmth and hospitality.”
Then the music started... throngs of people entered the restaurant and it became a whole other place with lively rockin’ and rollin.’ Jim would have felt right at home!
Reservations, call 619.232.2891 or Croce's
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Fifty and Furthermore |
Dr. Dorree Lynn | All Rights Reserved.