Explore the NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar menu in La Jolla, CA
Nestled in the stylish Grande Colonial Hotel, NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar offers a remarkable dining experience where Chef Jason Knibb's passion for seasonal, globally inspired cuisine shines. The menu celebrates fresh, locally sourced ingredients from Chino Farms and sustainable fish from the Pacific and Atlantic, artfully transformed into inventive dishes perfect for discerning food lovers. Whether you're starting your meal or indulging in dessert, each plate offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures that reflect the coastal California vibe.
Starters that awaken the palate
Begin your culinary journey with a selection of refined starters that marry fresh produce with bold accents. The Little Gems "Caesar" Salad dazzles with crisp leaves, shaved parmesan, croutons, and a distinctive white anchovy dressing that elevates this classic. For a bright and refreshing option, the Beet & Citrus Salad combines tangerine, cara cara orange, yuzu, marinated kumquats, creamy brie, and red endive tossed in a lemon sherry vinaigrette.
For those seeking complex textures and flavors, the Chicory Salad features a sophisticated mix of radicchio, treviso, castelfranco, pickled persimmon, hazelnut-brown butter crumb, passionfruit-sherry vinaigrette, pecorino, and chives. Meat lovers will be tempted by the Jamaican Jerk Pork Belly, served with baby carrots, Swiss chard, plantains, black-eyed peas, spicy jellies, and sweet potato purée — a dish bursting with Caribbean-inspired spice and comfort.
Vegetarian options like the Potato Gnocchi with basil pistachio pesto, roasted caulini, pecorino cheese, and fresh herbs, as well as the Cacio e Pepe featuring porcini mushroom spaghettini, cured egg yolk, parmesan, cracked black pepper, and shaved mushrooms, offer rich, earthy flavors. Seafood enthusiasts can savor the Maine Sea Scallop Aguachile, accented with Asian pear, avocado, pomegranate seeds, mushroom furikake, and a pomegranate aguachile sauce, or the Hamachi Sashimi accompanied by marinated baby shiitake mushrooms, watercress, and scallion vinaigrette.
Mains that satisfy and impress
The main courses at NINE-TEN promise an array of sophisticated and memorable options. The Roasted Cauliflower Steak is a vegetarian marvel with curry squash puree, delicata squash, cippolini onion, caramelized pecan & dried apricot relish, pickled butternut squash, and a refreshing hint of mint. For poultry lovers, the Grilled Half Jerk Chicken is a standout, paired beautifully with confit Japanese sweet potato, broccolini, pickled green onion, and Fresno chili sofrito.
Seafood selections such as the Pan Seared Verlasso Salmon boast a brunoise of celery root, potato & carrot, parsley, vinegar fingerling potato chips, preserved Meyer lemon beurre blanc, trout roe, and herb oil for an elegant presentation bursting with flavor. The Pan Seared Maine Sea Scallops are complemented by bone marrow, salsify, matsutake mushroom, radish, mussel-bone marrow froth, and delicate borage flowers to create a sophisticated dish. Rich and hearty offerings include the Smoked Liberty Farms Duck Breast with Swiss chard, roasted honeynut squash, coconut-squash purée, maitake mushroom, huckleberry gastrique, puffed wild rice, and pickled Swiss chard stems.
For those craving red meat, the Pan-Roasted Colorado Lamb Loin is a must-try, served with roasted baby beets, espelette roasted carrots, citrus & pistachio relish, celery root purée, fresh herbs, and a rich lamb jus. The Grilled Prime Ribeye is another carnivore favorite, presented with roasted cauliflower mushrooms, broccolini, crispy shallots, nori, and a savory mushroom demi-glace. For a more casual yet elevated option, the NINE-TEN Burger features half-pound Angus beef, house-made pickles, butter lettuce, tomato, and mustard seed aioli, accompanied by your choice of mixed greens or fries.
Desserts that delight the senses
Cap off your meal with an exquisite dessert selection that balances decadence and freshness. The Meyer Lemon Semifreddo combines cereal milk ice cream, almond crumb, almond cake, mixed citrus, and a sprig of mint for a bright finish. The Vanilla Cream & Blueberry Filled Donut tempts with a caramel glaze, luscious vanilla cream, buttermilk ice cream, and a medley of mixed berries.
The S'Mores dessert is an indulgent treat featuring smoked chocolate cream, brown butter ice cream, speculoos cookie crumbs, and whipped meringue, evoking nostalgic campfire flavors with a gourmet twist. For chocolate lovers, the Half Baked Chocolate Cake comes drizzled with caramel sauce and your choice of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. If you prefer something lighter, the Seasonal Sorbet offers three scoops of refreshing house-made sorbet, perfect for cleansing the palate.
Signature drinks and specials
Complement your dining experience with expertly crafted cocktails from the skilled hands of bartender Jacob, who is renowned for creating personalized memories in a glass. NINE-TEN also serves an impressive array of wine and beer selections to pair perfectly with any dish, enhancing the vibrant flavors of the menu. Whether enjoying brunch, lunch, or dinner, the welcoming ambiance and attentive service set the stage for a memorable meal in La Jolla.
- Starters – Little Gems "Caesar" Salad, Beet & Citrus Salad, Chicory Salad, Jamaican Jerk Pork Belly, Potato Gnocchi, Cacio e Pepe, Maine Sea Scallop Aguachile, Hamachi Sashimi.
- Mains – Roasted Cauliflower Steak, Grilled Half Jerk Chicken, Pan Seared Verlasso Salmon, Pan Seared Maine Sea Scallops, Smoked Liberty Farms Duck Breast, Pan-Roasted Colorado Lamb Loin, Grilled Prime Ribeye, NINE-TEN Burger.
- Desserts – Meyer Lemon Semifreddo, Vanilla Cream & Blueberry Filled Donut, S'Mores, Half Baked Chocolate Cake, Seasonal Sorbet.
