59th and Lex Cafe (The Restaurant inside Bloomingdales)

mmm-yoso!!! is the food blog you are reading.  Kirk writes here most of the time, but he's way busy right now, flying to another leg of his vacation.  Ed(from Yuma) happens to be way busy driving to a leg of his vacation.  Cathy is writing about another stop in San Diego, legging it around town for her staycation.

 A drive to Fashion Valley Mall, where The Mister and I haven't been at all this year, was our destination the other afternoon. After walking around and noting the changes in stores since our last visit, we stepped into Bloomingdales, an anchor store at the East end of the mall.  Taking the escalator to the third floor and looking up, there were Alexander Calder-esque mobiles hanging from the ceiling.
 

You can see them looking up from this view from the top of the escalator.  Now look straight ahead.  That's the destination- 59th and Lex, the small in store restaurant with the black and white striped walls. 

 

We were seated and asked for water, which was brought out quickly.  The tables had the usual condiments, cloth napkins and nicer placemats on the sky blue tables  

After we ordered, some fresh, warm sourdough bread with whipped unsalted butter was brought out.  (You can see the mobiles hanging from the ceiling over the escalators).  

The Mister couldn't decide and ordered the Trio Platter ($13.10). Good sized servings of excellent egg salad, tuna salad and chicken salad on top of a bed of greens, carrots, cucumber and tomatoes which had a pleasant, fresh (whipped so it looked creamy) lemon vinaigrette salad dressing. The three scoops of salads were each unique and excellent.  So many times I've not been able to tell the difference betweent a tuna salad and a chicken salad.  That's not true here; each was made with a very minimal amount of mayonnaise and the chicken was very definitely chicken and the tuna was definitely tuna and the egg salad...oh my, the egg salad.  Really, three fresh, perfect salads, all on top of the really nice mixed vegetable salad.  

Of course, I couldn't decide what I wanted, either so decided on the soup and half sandwich($9.75). The (fresh made) Soups of the Day were cream of zucchini and split pea.  I love split pea soup, so thought I'd try it.  It was, again, so very fresh, so very well made, did not need added seasonings.  I'm thinking the cream of zucchini was equally wonderful. I chose the sliced turkey on wheat bread for my half sandwich. The bread was fresh and moist and the simple turkey with lettuce and tomato was just a perfect blend of flavors.  The sandwich was made without mustard or mayonnaise and I was asked if I wanted either and those were brought out on the side.

This is another really good sit down in the (non-grocery) store restaurant, as nice as the one inside Nieman Marcus and similar to Nordstrom, The Bass Pro Shop and Ikea.   

59th and Lex Cafe 7007 Friars Road San Diego 92108 (inside Bloomingdales at Fashion Valley Mall) (619) 610-6558

Comments

[Faye]

I've wanted so badly to try this place but was afraid it was too pricey . But sis recently went there with friend and said lunch was amazing . Expensive, yes, but probably not much more than Nordstrom cafe . And she said the complimentary pop overs were sooo good! Your soup looked incredible :)

[caninecologne]

The prices are not that bad. Steeper than usual but the service is oh-so-good! Have only been here once (Dec 2008). In fact, in a rare self-serving moment, here's the link (haha):
http://www.pinkcandlesatridgemonthigh.blogspot.com/2008/12/59th-lex.html

i'll have to go here again. i'd like to try that trio salad that your husband tried. I like the idea of having three different things in one dish.

[Cathy]

Bloomies is a bit less expensive than Nieman Marcus (which is the one with popovers) Faye. Both are a bit 'higher end' than Nordstroms as far as dining experience and cost goes (you are seated and order at the first two; Nordies is cafeteria style). I think all three have exceptional food.
Sorry I missed your visit in 2008, cc (also sorry it wasn't that good). The one thing Bloomingdales is known for is frozen yogurt-which they have been serving for decades. That's going to be a separate post...

[nhbilly]

I've tried lunch at Nordstroms in SATX and was surprise by the freshness but you do pay a little bit more worth it, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it though. Next on the visit is Nieman Marcus.

[Cathy]

If there's ever a rainy day in San Antonio, go back to Nordstroms and get the tomato soup, billy...or if you are inside the store and the air conditioning is unusually cranked up, try the soup then. It is unusually wonderful. Definitely NM in Texas...definitely.

[kirbie]

Oh I've always been curious about this one. Haven't had a chance to check it out, but now I want to next time I'm at Fashion Valley.

[Cathy]

You'll like it, kirbie. I miss the civilized, 'luncheons' we used to have at all the 'nicer' Department Stores. I think that's why Ikea has the cafeteria inside their stores; a similar idea.