Lunch of the Month: Vela
Open in the Hilton San Diego Bayfront since December 2008, Vela (meaning “sail” in Latin) has quickly established itself as a culinary jewel along San Diego’s bay. The large, airy dining room provides patrons with an unparalleled view of San Diego’s bayfront - complete with a picturesque Dole ship, depending what day of the week you visit. Vela gives global coastal cuisine a fresh take with its “farm to fork” concept, which showcases ingredients from local farmers in each offering.
 Vela’s lunch menu offers a selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and entrees, all moderately priced. On my most recent visit, my dining companions and I tried the Vela Tasting Board appetizer, a collection of artisanal cheeses, meats, olives, hummus and a rustic olive bread with honey dip. We were tempted to pair this with a wine from the extensive list, but instead chose from of the “innocent” drinks (those visiting Vela for happy hour have the option of “spirited” cocktails in addition to wines). We recommend the Venus, a virgin blend of strawberries, mint, line, ginger syrup and soda. We also loved the Frito Misto starter, crispy fried and exceptionally tender calamari strips, jumbo shrimp and lobster with a trio of sauces for dipping - pesto aioli, Myer lemon aioli and Harissa sauce.
 For lunch entrees, I recommend Vela’s all natural beef burger, served with grilled onions, manchego cheese and roasted garlic aioli on a toasted brioche bun. This burger was extra juicy, and perfect paired with Vela’s signature seasoned kettle chips or crispy fries. We also tried the oven roasted turkey club panini, piled high with applewood smoked bacon, avocado, tomato and gruyere cheese; and the delicious marinated flank steak salad, with romaine, avocado, radish, pesto and a tangy dressing.
 Vela has their own pastry chef on location, who impressed us with the chai tea panna cotta and bittersweet chocolate cake and banana bar with caramel rum bananas. We also recommend the strawberry gelato with a Gran Marnier center over chocolate ganache for those with a sweet tooth, or the lemon and goat cheese tart for a more savory approach to dessert. We liked that the extensive wine list offered “flights and journeys,” of wines from around the world, for those who want to expand their wine palate.
Vela has a private room available for parties or events, with room for up to 30 people. Don’t miss their Epicurean Exploration, themed four-course meals for 50$ per person exploring cuisines from around the world (the “Italian Odyssey” ends Sunday, but you can sign up for the ”Rivers of France,” from July 1-7). For upcoming events or more information, contact Crissandra Riddle at (619) 321-4443.
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