One of the stated objectives of our roaming is to help our subscribers not only find great places to stay, but to also uncover wonderful places to dine.

We use a variety of sources to uncover these gems, and on this occasion the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau pointed us to San Diego’s El Vitral Restaurant.

Carol w/ Chef Norma Martinez

El Vitral is located adjacent to the J Street entrance of San Diego’s PETCO park, and as we approached the front door we could see a great deal of the park.  In fact, from our table’s vantage point we could see a large brush stroke of the stadium’s bleachers.

Additionally, as we were ushered to our table, we noticed that a group of roughly 25 people were gathered for El Vitral’s twice a month Tequila 101, which is a tasting, parring, and historical perspective on the many varieties of Tequila.

As we got settled in our seats we ordered the house Margarita El Vitral (blanco tequila, house curacao, lime juice, and agave néctor), and an order of their Ceviche De Mahi Mahi (mahi mahi, tomato, acupulco seasoning, cilantro and onion).

The ceviche was delicious, and massive (10 oz.), while the margarita was just what the doctor ordered after a busy day of travel.  However, our waiter Brian instructed me that I needed to try the El Tre-Some Margarita (blanco tequila, house curacao, grapefruit, orange, fresh lime juice, green habanero salsa, and agave nector).  This was perhaps the best margarita that I have ever tasted, but did you notice the habanero?  This baby, after a sip, gave the back of your throat a nice little WhaaaaHooo! to let you know that habanero was in da’ house!  Delicious!

Filete A La Tampiqueña

For our main course, Carol opted for Filete A La Tampiqueña (beef tenderloin, cheese enchilada, guacamole, and red salsa), while I went for El Viral’s most popular dish, Enchiladas De Pato (pulled duck with dry apricots and cashews, mole sauce, and freshly made fettuccini).  Wow!  Carol’s dish was absolutely delicious, but the duck enchiladas were positively out of this world!

By this time our bellies were beginning to strain against our garments, but Carol insisted, with the GM Carlos Mijes encouraging her all the way, that we try the Crema De Elote Con Poblano (a soup of corn cream, and poblano pepper aioli).  Once again, totally outstanding!

By the time we left El Vitral Restaurant, we felt we had made new friends, enjoyed some of the best Mexican cuisine on the planet, and had another amazing experience under our belts.

We highly recommend that you enjoy the Mexican cuisine of Chef Norma Martinez, and if you’re feeling really spunky, give their $300 El Chilango Margarita a try.

If you do try this margarita of all margaritas, make sure you come back here and tell us about it.

Disclosure:  this wonderful dining experience was provided by El Vitral Restaurant.  Thanks!