The Lion's Share is another one of those places where the starters and apps had always seem to outshine the entrees. Though I've only posted on the place once, I'd eaten there a couple of times since. The Missus had never been to the Lion's Share, so I thought it would be a nice place for an early happy hour. The place can be fairly pricey, but with $2 off draft beer and 20% off appetizers, I thought we could have an interesting meal. A wild cad in the whole situation was that this "gastro-lounge" had changed chefs a while back and I hadn't visited since.
Since there was no one else in the place, we sat in the well lit front area. The bar can be rather dark. There had been an art show during the previous weekend and the work of that artist, somewhat bizarre and dark was still up on the walls. I'm pretty sure it made for some interesting conversation......
We started with the Deviled Eggs ($8 - I'm listing all regular prices, I'm sure you can do 20% off, right?).
These seemed a bit dried out and the first one, with the piment d'Espelette was on the bitter side, like not so great smoked paprika. But it got better as we went down the line. The second is black tobiko caviar, briney, but not too salty, the truffle and prosciutto, the third deviled egg was ok. It was the Quail Confit devlied egg, the fourth one, that was the best.
I was glad that the Antelope Sliders ($14) were still on the menu.
Cooked to a perfect past medium, these are still my favorite here, though on this visit it was a bit on the salty side.
We both enjoyed the mild gamey flavors, which melded well with the sweet caramelized red onions. Having cooked with antelope has given me a better appreciation for how they manage to keep this moist and fairly tender.
The Duck Meatballs ($14) were our least favorite dish of the evening.
First, the brown on brown, on brown color really didn't look appetizing. Second, though the meatballs were very tender and moist, it was very finely ground, which made it kind of mushy. Third, and the main reason we didn't enjoy this was the over-powering sweetness of the dish. We couldn't get past that.
Much like the deviled eggs, the Exotic Sausage board ($16), got better as you went down the line.
We both enjoyed the charred bread and the rather mellow whole grain mustard. The pheasant sausage (left) was our least favorite. It was very cumin heavy; this coming from someone who loves cumin! It smelled like armpit and sort of tasted like what I think armpit would taste like. The duck sausage (middle) was nice, mild sweetness, and I enjoyed the spices they used in it. The elk sausage was our favorite, slightly gamey, with an enjoyable savory-sweetness. I was told that a port wine reduction is used in making the sausage. Two out of three ain't bad.
Even at happy hour prices, a night of starts and apps at the Lion's Share ain't cheap. The food is on the rich side and on this occasion hit and miss. I'd still return for those antelope sliders and perhaps some kangaroo tartar, or maybe Lamb Tacos de Lengua. Our Server was mellow, friendly, though not overly so, and efficient, though we were the only people in the place.
The Lion's Share
629 Kettner Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92101
Hours:
Open daily 4 pm - 2 am
kinda mixed bag...
Posted by: kat | Thursday, 18 April 2013 at 01:12 AM
Totally Kat.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 18 April 2013 at 06:17 AM
have heard good thing about this place before! will avoid the armpit sausages if i ever go hahahah
Posted by: J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats | Thursday, 18 April 2013 at 09:21 AM
Those antelope sliders look pretty good! So you get 3 for $14? Are 3 sliders about the same size as a single hamburger at Hodads?
Posted by: Soo | Thursday, 18 April 2013 at 10:35 AM
Hi JS - Maybe you should try it....you might like it! ;o)
Hi Soo - Well, if you minus the whole head of lettuce you get on a burger from Hodad's it's actually more....
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 18 April 2013 at 06:50 PM
Going to get me some armpit sausage. It looked promising.
Posted by: nhbilly | Friday, 19 April 2013 at 12:55 PM
Go for it Billy! ;o)
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 20 April 2013 at 07:22 PM
I agree 100% and only have ordered appetizers at the lion's share. besides, the entrees are just to expensive considering how uninteresting they are. I haven't been in a while and didn't know they changed chefs. Thanks for keeping us all informed, Kirk =)
Posted by: Lynnea | Tuesday, 23 April 2013 at 08:20 PM
Hi Lynnea - Agree about the entrees, I haven't been too impressed. They have changed chefs, but those antelope sliders are still on the menu. I hope you have a chance to visit soon!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 23 April 2013 at 08:53 PM