Iberico Spanish Bistro and Gin Club, La Jolla 92037, Restaurant/cafe

Iberico Spanish Bistro and Gin Club

Restaurant/cafe

909 Prospect Street
92037 La Jolla
United States

Phone: 858 454 1958

Website: http://ibericobistro.com/

Opening times:
Sun 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Mon 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Tue 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Wed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Thu 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Fri 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sat 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Iberico Spanish Bistro and Gin Club brings Spanish flavor to La Jolla with authentic ingredients, incredible tapas and a spot-on gin menu.

New neighborhood hotspot Iberico Spanish Bistro and Gin Club brings Spanish flavor to La Jolla. The upscale family-style restaurant is backed by award-winning restaurateur Juan Carlos Gomez, who brought El Agave to Old Town. Iberico is as trendy as it is flavorful, boasting authentic ingredients, chic art and a spot-on gin menu.

El Agave owner Juan Carlos Gomez sought to pay homage to his parent’s homeland with a classic Spanish tapas restaurant featuring a contemporary twist. His 10-year-in-the-making culinary dream opened in early July. Cow skin booths flank the corners of the 5,900-square-foot venue which features a private dining area and an outdoor patio. Between brick walls carved with scenes from Madrid and the central bar ideal for cocktails and tapas there’s no shortage of real Spanish flavor.

Tapas are definitely a menu focus with a variety that includes steamed clams, red wine braised Ox Tail, and three types of calamari. Despite the thrill of this Spanish tradition, you’d be wrong to discount dinner. From baked pork loin with Cabrales cheese sauce to Spanish rice for two, variety permeates Iberico’s entire menu. Name a meat, they probably have it; lamb, beef, ox tail, prime T-bone steak, chicken and game hen. If La Jolla’s ocean proximity has you craving sea food you won’t be disappointed. Fresh fish range from sea bass and hake to tiger shrimp and prawns.

It wouldn’t be a Spanish eatery without sangria and Iberico’s extensive wine list is tucked between a selection of champagne’s and Sherry’s, but the real cocktail focus is gin. Spain gets some of the credit for the recent gin revival, so pairing the two only makes sense. Although it’s a Spanish mainstay, Iberico’s selection goes well beyond a G&T. The menu boasts 14 types of gin, each prepared as a signature cocktail with ingredients that range from elder flower to licorice. Popular favorite Beefeater gets a new twist with rosemary, cumin, cardamom, and cinnamon. Meanwhile, former monastery The Black Friars Distillery puts Plymouth gin on the list, served with lavender, coriander and citrus finishes.

Iberico’s Spanish flavor isn’t only to be found in the food. The low lit retro green chandeliers illuminate grand painted murals of a Spanish dancer and a bull. The depiction of a lion etched into the brick wall is impressive, and a display of Matador hats and blue glass lends some whimsical charm. The highlight of the space, however; is the unique wall dividers featuring several hundred illuminated wine glasses.