I’m in love with Beaumont ” not a guy, an eatery ” opened just months ago by a local gal, Megan Heine. You know how good her Brockton Villa is; well, this one is different but just as good, and folks hereabouts have already discovered that. Megan and her husband David had been looking for space in Bird Rock for some time, and when they were ready to commit to something not quite right, she spotted a “for sale” sign in the window of Galoka and that was it. After months of tearing it apart and putting it back together, the new, casual, comfortable Beaumont’s Neighborhood Eatery was launched, and it was an instant smash.
Their chef, Scott Cathcart, is a culinary school graduate who honed his skills at places like Belle Fleur, Pampelmousse and Kensington Grill, and now is making waves in this family-friendly spot with gourmet flair. Just glance at the menu and you are bound to salivate, as I did.
For starters, there are always two soups on board; one of them the house vegetarian pozole, the other varying by the day. I didn’t bother with the pozole because among the entrees I spotted a pork osso buco served on it, so I could sample two for the price of one. And I will tell you right now, it is a great way to clear the sinuses, made as it is with the thick, spicy roja soup and tomatillo radish salsa. Va-voom! The meat portion was generous and delectable as well.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. First, there was a basket of sliced, crisp, crusty mini-baguette sourdough with a unique dip of ramesco sauce, which combined roasted red pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, a show-stopper that I could have contentedly munched all evening ” so good, in fact, that customers have been asking Megan to bottle it.
Next, I opted for the salad named “Taste of Bird Rock” because it was launched there and was an immediate sensation. I could understand why. Romaine lettuce and radicchio is roasted, transforming it into something exotic with a smoky flavor and a crunch from the sprinkles of pine nuts along with the bits of soft avocado, crumbles of feta, dressed with tzatziki vinaigrette ” it doesn’t get better than that.
Again from the starter side of the menu, I selected a bowl of steamed mussels and clams, prepared in a picante tequila lime broth, topped with fresh cilantro, and I was drunk with happiness as I finished every drop. That one should definitely be bottled.
Duck spring rolls were next, and they were packed with shredded duck, shredded red cabbage and bok choy, served with a dip of the best ” bar none ” sweet and sour sauce I have tasted anywhere.
Still to come was a melt-in-the-mouth saffron risotto with shrimp swimming between the buttery grains and poppin’ fresh, barely cooked green peas studded in the bowl. Outstanding!
There was still one more item to try from among the heavy hitters listed in the “hot off the grill” selections ” fish tacos, hazelnut-crusted sea bass, horseradish-crusted salmon, filet mignon and roasted chicken ” so I settled for one of the most popular and frequently ordered ones, a half-pound Beaumont burger, sided with fries. What makes it unique is its three-meat blend (beef, pork and veal) and the balsamic-glazed onions on it along with a basil aoli, all on an oversized bun sparked with light and dark sesame seeds. What can I say?
Megan convinced me to try one of the in-house pastries and I chose her mom’s apple pie. After I packed it and the other leftovers to take home and feasted on them all again, I heated the pie and must admit that it and my mother’s apple pie are definitely in the same class.
If you haven’t already discovered Beaumont’s Neighborhood Eatery at 5662 La Jolla Blvd., you must go. Open every day except Monday, serving lunch and dinner plus breakfast on Saturday and Sunday only. There’s also a delightful children’s menu
On the bar side, there are sliding shoji screen doors that can divide the restaurant for private parties. Give them a call at (858) 459-0474.