Along the boat-filled waters of Point Loma harbor, a relative newcomer to San Diego’s gastropub scene serves a most interesting brunch. Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern has arrived full-force, focused on “comfort food for foodies,” a classic-meets-contemporary vision that encompasses aspects from food to design.
With ample outdoor seating that takes full advantage of the waterside location, Jimmy’s provides a wonderful experience, especially for Sunday Brunch on a sun-drenched San Diego day. On Sundays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, study the expansive brunch menu while relaxing with “bottomless” glasses of Champagne or Mimosas ($9), and enjoy bottle service for orders of two or more.If you want to kick start the day, order the “J-FAT Famous Bloody Mary,” a spicy favorite blended with a choice of Ketel One vodka or Milagro Silver tequila, garnished with a blue cheese-stuffed olive and pepperoni-wrapped pepper jack cheese. Finished with a seasoned rim, this Mary is joined by an adorable beer chaser. The expansive bar menu also lists a variety of brews as well as specialty cocktails created by famed mixologist Ryan Magarian.
The true star of the show is the food. Executive chef James Nunn brings his punk rock roots (he is the former drummer of Guttermouth) to the kitchen, where he whips up big portions of American comfort food with a fresh twist. Begin with warm house-made potato chips ($6), seasoned perfectly and coupled with creamy blue cheese sauce; these may be the best chips and dip ever served. Arranged like a nest, the jalapeno deviled eggs ($8) are a traditional fave with a kick. The kitchen fries the buttermilk-dark beer-battered onion rings ($9) to perfection, so that the thickly sliced rings maintain a crisp, sturdy consistency that stays put, even when dunked in house-made chipotle ketchup. A must for brunchers with sweet tooths, the warm cinnamon donut holes ($6) arrive with raspberry and chocolate dipping sauces.
The Sunday Champagne Brunch menu, priced at $20 per person, offers the best bang for the buck, since it includes “bottomless” Mimosas or glasses of Champagne and a choice of starter and main course from a specially written, quite sizeable menu (see below).
J-FAT maintains a mindful eye on the environment and eco-sustainability by serving delicious traditional and regional comfort foods made with ingredients that are humanely raised, organic and all-natural, whenever possible. All things being equal, Jimmy’s opts for local products and only offers seafood listed on the industry’s roster of renewable and sustainable species.Jimmy’s interior design combines the rustic warmth of a wood cabin with the spacious efficiency of an industrial loft; the walls, tables and bar tops are comprised of salvaged barn wood. A variety of seating areas includes oval, Corleone-style raised booths, cushioned sofas that look out to the harbor, an outdoor sun deck with a fire pit, and the comfortable bar, which is softly lighted by gas lamps made from recycled glass. Glass-panel garage doors open to the refreshing sea breeze, which flows freely throughout the restaurant.
Whether you're looking for bay breezes and brunch or an evening under the stars, J-FAT' invites you to enjoy some good ole home cookin’ with heart. Do as their sign advises and “Get in here!” Then sit back, relax, unbuckle that belt and enjoy.
JIMMY'S FAMOUS AMERICAN TAVERN
4990 North Harbor Drive
(619) 226-2103
www.j-fat.com
Hours:
Lunch: Mon.-Sat. 11:30AM to 3:00PM
Dinner: Mon-Thurs 3:00PM to 9:00PM
Fri-Sat 3:00PM to 10:00PM
Sun. 2:00PM to 9:00PM
Brunch: Sun. 10:00AM to 2:00PM
