Sandpiper restaurant interior with a blue-tiled bar, illuminated liquor shelves, and pendant lights.

July Restaurant Feature: Sandpiper

Raquel Benguiat
July 3, 2023

Sandpiper

Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oyster Bar opened in June 2022, located just three blocks from the beach in La Jolla on Avenida De La Playa. This relaxed upscale restaurant has a welcoming environment, impeccable service, and highlights fresh oysters along with wood-grilled seafood dishes and shareable steakhouse style plates.

Co-Owners of the famous Georges at the Cove restaurant have brought Sandpiper to life and created a hidden gem at the La Jolla Shores perfect for locals and visitors who are looking to unwind over delicious cuisine.

Enjoy a leisurely evening in the cozy indoor dining area and bar or on the outdoor patio by the fireplace. The menu revolves around fire grilling, which influences almost every aspect of the dishes. You can indulge in shared plates like blistered shishito peppers and cast-iron focaccia, as well as a Niman-Ranch pork chop. On Fridays and Saturdays, they offer a $65 slow grilled prime rib with skillet potatoes.

A don’t miss dish is the grilled octopus served with avocado, heirloom tomatoes, lime vinaigrette and a burnt habanero salsa. The crispy shrimp are also a local favorite tossed in a szechuan chili aioli, scallions and sesame seeds. Oysters on crushed ice with lemon wedges, sauces, and sparkling wine on a wooden table.

The beverage menu at Sandpiper features classic and strong drinks, along with delightful tropical favorites such as Mojitos and Coconut Pineapple Daiquiris. In addition to delicious cocktails, Sandpiper also offers an enticing wine selection curated by resident advanced sommelier Evan Vallee who is one of just 10 advanced sommeliers in San Diego. His list includes wines from France and Italy along with some select Australian, Spanish and New Zealand varietals among others. Vallee suggests the grilled trout with a Spanish wine as a perfect pairing.

Sandpiper also offers Happy Hour Wednesday through Sunday from 4pm - 5:30pm, if you purchase a bottle of champagne you will be treated to a dozen oysters. A perfect way to top off a day spent at the beach.

You are sure to have an unforgettable dining experience at Sandpiper that will have you returning again and again.

To learn more about dining, travel, local events, and trends in luxury lifestyles, visit my blog. And don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for updates on luxury real estate and San Diego's best-kept secrets! Talk soon.

Restaurant dishes on a wooden table in front of a stacked-firewood wall

Sliced grilled meat with char marks and fresh greens on a black plate.

Green salad topped with sliced apples, crumbled cheese, and nuts in a dark bowl.

Restaurant dining room with burgundy booths, wooden tables, and a wood-paneled feature wall.

Grilled meat with green herb sauce, green vegetables, and large white beans

Restaurant wine display with bottles on wooden shelves and hanging wine glasses.

Fish taco with cabbage, creamy sauce, pico de gallo, cilantro, and a lime wedge.

Raquel Benguiat posing with her hands beneath her chin against a teal background.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

RAQUEL BENGUIAT IS A LUXURY REAL ESTATE AGENT IN RANCHO SANTA FE WITH DOUGLAS ELLIMAN AND A LONGTIME COVENANT RESIDENT WHO MEETS CLIENTS AT HER PRIVATE OFFICE IN THE VILLAGE. IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 2004, SHE REPRESENTS BUYERS AND SELLERS OF HIGH VALUE ESTATES ABOVE $5M ACROSS ALL 24 RANCHO SANTA FE COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE COVENANT, FAIRBANKS RANCH, AND THE BRIDGES, AS WELL AS DEL MAR AND THE SURROUNDING COASTAL AREAS. HER WORK COVERS EQUESTRIAN PROPERTIES, GOLF COMMUNITIES, AND LAND SALES.

REALTRENDS VERIFIED RANKS HER IN THE TOP 1% OF AGENTS NATIONWIDE. SHE TAKES ON A LIMITED NUMBER OF CLIENTS EACH YEAR, SO EVERY SHOWING, NEGOTIATION, AND CONVERSATION IS HANDLED BY HER PERSONALLY, AND SHE IS KNOWN FOR HER DISCRETION, OFF-MARKET ACCESS, EXTENSIVE GLOBAL NETWORK, AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT CONTINUE WELL BEYOND THE TRANSACTION.

DRE #02011666

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