Croce's - With Ingrid Croce herself! - San Diego, CA

Croce's

802 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Website

My family and I stayed in the Gaslamp District in San Diego and almost walked by this place because there are so many food options on Fifth, but we ended up eating here. I'm glad we did because the food was excellent, the waitress and hostess were nice, and Ingrid Croce (Jim Croce's wife) was there! She is there almost every night, which is pretty neat! Here's background on Croce's. I just had to quote part of the background because it's an incredible story:

"In August of 1973, we moved to San Diego. I vividly remember exploring our new hometown with Jim, who had just returned after months on the road promoting his music. We stopped on the corner of Fifth and F in Downtown San Diego, looking for a place to eat and a club where we could listen to live music. We were disappointed to find only tattoo parlors, ladies of the night, and people begging for change.
"We joked that evening about opening a local restaurant and bar that would offer great food and music like we had done in our own home. But less than a week later, after playing a college concert, Jim's plane crashed in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
"Years later, with hopes of keeping Jim's music alive and of building a tribute to his life and music, I was called by a friend who told me she knew of an open store front for rent in the dilapidated Gaslamp district. When I went to look at the space, I realized it was located on the same corner where Jim and I had stopped a dozen years before. It felt like an omen. Building a restaurant and bar there would be the perfect tribute to Jim and a wonderful opportunity to help revitalize downtown San Diego.
"It is here at Croce's Restaurant & Jazz Bar that we continue to pay tribute to Jim Croce and his music by serving delicious contemporary American cuisine and offering live music nightly to friends and visitors from around the world. This is my way of sharing the memory of Jim's warmth and hospitality."

THANK YOU to the people we met at Croce's the other night. I strongly recommend eating here, meeting Ingrid Croche (so sweet and welcoming!), and looking at the hand-written lyrics on the walls, pictures, etc. What a fantastic tribute to the late Jim Croce.

Mom and I shared a Rio Rita - Good & pulpy, which my mom & I love.
Rio Rita = "Leblon Natural Cane Cachaca, Fresh Lime Juice Squeeze, Raw Sugar Cube Topped with Pineapple Juice on the Rocks"

Delicious bread! I really liked both kinds. Mmm

Below: "Wedge Salad with gorgonzola and lardons, heirloom tomatoes, with a creamy blue cheese dressing, topped with crumbled herbed crustini"

Wedge salad - Yum! Dad's was the same but with shrimp on top

Here is dad's "small plate" below. This is description on their website: "Golden Ahi Poke with mango, green onions and ginger, tossed with sesame and soy, served with housemade taro chips. Sambal vinaigrette and sliced avocado"

"Wild Mushroom Potato 'Lasagna'" = "Smoked heirloom tomatoes, lemon ricotta, goat cheese, asparagus and basil mint pesto with a spicy tomato coulis" - Soo delicious! Unique and tasty! This is just half of the lasagna

Half of the "lasagna"

Here's what my brother had: "Greek Spinach Salad  with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette, crumbled feta cheese, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives and toasted pine nut"