GIRARD GOURMET

Girard Gourmet

7837 Girard Ave.

La Jolla

(858) 454-3221

Summer this year in San Diego has been unseasonably hot and humid.  When the blast-furnace heat from your oven turns your kitchen into Dante's seventh level of hell, fear not.  Salvation is tucked away amidst downtown La Jolla's fashionable shops and glitzy restaurants.  It is named Girard Gourmet.  This long standing establishment offers made to order sandwiches,

homade soups and quiches, a wide selection of baked goods,

and my favorite, gourmet entrees plated and ready to go.

Beef Burgundy, Vegetarian Lasagna, Turkey Stuffed with Broccoli.

Meatloaf, Chicken Fajitas, Chili Relleno.

Lamb Stew, Roast Duck, Tortellini Marinara.  All of Girard Gourmet's offerings may be enjoyed on their inviting sidewalk cafe

or in the dining area at the back of the space.

My favorite option, however, is having the staff expertly pack my selections to go.  Since my kitchen has felt like an inferno as of late, I have been compelled to make several trips to Girard Gourmet recently.  I reheated all of the following dishes using my ambient temperature friendly microwave oven  (obviously not the gazpacho.)  One evening I started with the mango gazpacho soup. ($4.50)

The bright flavor of the mango married nicely with the red onions, cucumbers and fresh cilantro.  This makes a cool, refreshing start for a hot summer night's dinner.  I next had the roast duck entree with German potato salad and rice. ($7.75)

The potato salad was just average being a little dry and bland.  I prefer my German potato salad with a stronger vinegar and green onion flavor more in line with the moist offering at Tip Top Meats in Carlsbad.

The roast duck on the other hand was a delight.  The meat was falling off the bone tender and moist.  The orange, tamarind flavored sauce had a hint of sweetness and was so good I was glad there was enough to cover my rice.  I highly recommend this offering.  Being the ferocious eater that I am, I followed the duck with the turkey stuffed with broccoli. ($6.50)

The turkey was moist and flavorful and the broccoli was tender.  What made this dish really sing, though, was the dreamy, creamy homade bechamel sauce.  The turkey was another winner.  On a different night I began with a chicken curry soup. ($4.50)

The soup was good but not one of the stronger offerings.  It had peas, rice and a nice amount of shredded chicken.  The flavor was that of a curry that had been thinned out and had lost some of it's intensity in the process.  I followed the soup with the lamb stew. ($7.75)  Dianna, the owner, had recommended this.

Let me tell you folks, this stew is packed with flavor.  The lamb was fork tender, and the sauce with the carrots and onions had a rich intensity with a mild sweetness that I really enjoyed.  The lamb stew is a must try.  I finished up with another of Dianna's recommendations, the mushroom spinach quiche. ($6.95)

This was an excellent selection.  The filling was creamy and studded with mushrooms, the spinach as tender as could be.  The crust was a perfect combination of  crispy sides and a firm but tender bottom.  The whole thing is topped with just the right amount of cheese.  The quiche comes with a refreshing salad of cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, dressed in a light vinaigrette.  If you are a big fan of quiche, Girard Gourmet's rendition alone would make a trip worth wile.

Girard Gourmet delivers on its name, providing high quality products that can be eaten on premises or taken to go.  When the temperatures soar and the idea of turning your kitchen into Dante's inferno makes you grimace, Girard Gourmet is a great option to help beat the heat.

Comments

[Cathy]

Good photos. This review is the best one so far.

[Jack]

Hi Cathy.
Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate you stopping by.

[Alice Q. Foodie]

I had lunch here today - the chicken salad sandwich was great! I love that you were clearly not afraid to try one of everything in order to do a thorough review! Ahh, the sacrifices we make!

[Jack]

Hi Alice,
It's pure torture but we must sacrifice for our craft. Wait until you see how much I had to eat for my review on The Fishery.