I am really, really thankful that I am getting back on the road this Thursday – it is really helping me to avoid the post-trip blues (the mid-seventies weather today in Santa Barbara is certainly helping, too).

We had such a fantastic time in San Diego this weekend – reliving all the joy as I sit here and write my coverage is bittersweet, for sure – and it is sometimes hard for me to accept that it’s very difficult to live that sort of life 24/7/365. (You can find all the coverage now archived in the Travel Stories drag-down.)

I’m working on it, though – it is these good times that show me how much potential there is in life, how many great things there are to experience when you turn off the television and step out (after coffee, of course).

And man, did coffee and a stroll through the Gaslamp do the trick Sunday morning after a terrific time at Searsucker Saturday night, located at the corner of Market and Fifth in the Gaslamp.

It’s the restaurant of Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey (Top Chef).  I am far from a “celebrity chaser,” but it was highly recommended to me and a peek in the window showed a wide-open, classy dining atmosphere and a modern, festive bar crowd (I didn’t necessarily feel under-dressed in nice jeans and a collared shirt, but khakis would have probably been more appropriate).

We didn’t sit down to eat until almost ten o’clock and the place was still packed – it might as well have been seven or eight o’clock with all the energy floating throughout the restaurant.  We were seated at a large square high-top off to the side of the bar.  It was a great spot for people watching and a cocktail (all $12) as we perused the menu.  We were all smiles when our four glasses touched in the center of the table and we took the first sip.

I tried the Honeybadger – a Bulleit Rye whiskey-based cocktail with lemon and honey syrup.  I liked it as a first-drink sipper – good smooth flavor and easy drinking.  I am not a fan of sweet drink after sweet drink, though, so I switched to Crown Royal on the rocks for my second.

My friends stayed with the cocktails and I sampled them – the Indian Summer (Grey Goose, apple juice, Leopold Apple whiskey) was great (stemming from my obsession with Grey Goose), but the Best Served Cold wins the creativity category (watermelon, gin, serrano chile).  Serrano chile pieces sit on the bottom of the glass, creating a spicey bite to go with the refreshing watermelon juice and gin.  I don’t usually like spice in drinks (not a fan of the Bloody Mary, for example), but the spice in this drink did not dominate.

I mentioned the $2 habanero and coriander pickle earlier – talk about a unique creation.  It seems Mr. Malarkey is very good with his spices. Habanero can easily torch a dish, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a cold pickle with this much flavor. Can’t really beat a fresh veggie/spice combo, especially as something to snack on as you look over the menu and get involved in your first drink (it was served cut up in bite-size pieces).

To really appreciate the range of things offered at Searsucker, I recommend you check out the menu.  After the pickle, we ordered two appetizers: bone marrow with sea salt and onion jam ($12) and a plate of mushrooms with burrata, an Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream ($11).

The girls – who I must add looked very beautiful dressed up for a night out – raved over the mushrooms, both claiming it as their favorite dish at the end of the meal. My friend and I enjoyed the mushrooms with them, yet they would not budge on the bone marrow. Good thing, since the serving size was small, and the boys scooped it from the bone and chowed down.  It was the first time I’d ever had it – which was an experience – and it had a very mild flavor. The onion jam was delicious and my friend and I piled that and the marrow on the toasted bread and gladly wiped the plate clean.  You should try the next version of bone marrow you come across – I’m glad I did.

Now on to the main course, where we see a touch of Italian culture: family-style sides.  I love this concept – it gets everyone involved in the meal, and I enjoy the conversations that come up when everyone is eating the same thing.  Break down those barriers, I say. Choices: jalapeno-chorizo “corn off the cobb” ($7),  fried brussels and walnuts ($7), heirloom tomato, ricotta, and white balsamic ($8), among others.

You order your own main entree in addition to the sides, and I went with the Costa Rican swordfish with drunken cherries and smoky almonds ($30) at the recommendation of the waitress.  Sometimes swordfish can come out a little dry for my tastes, but the cherries kept it moist and the almonds added texture to the mild, white fish.

Other entrees I sampled (my friends are meat lovers): Tongue and Cheek with agave and cactus ($24), Filet Mignon with lobster butter and cognac ($35), and the Hanger Steak with watercress, smoked tomato, and bleu cheese.  Not one complaint – and I maybe have enjoyed the Filet even more than my own dish (which says a lot considering I did not eat red meat for five years of my life and rarely cook it for myself).

When you visit San Diego and find yourself in the Gaslamp, wander over and stop in for a drink at the very least – it’s a nice spot.  I’d be interested in trying their brunch next time I’m in town (the menu looks good).  When we walked by Sunday morning with our coffee and saw the people reviving with colorful drinks on the sidewalk patio, we were tempted to pop in, but we had a beer fest to attend.