August 22nd, 2012 
Tucked away in San Diego’s Historic Old Town lies a restaurant whose classic elegance and quiet charm make it a welcomed beacon in a sea of restaurants offering a more boisterous locale. The brainchild of chef and owner, Mark Pelliccia, 25 Forty Bistro & Bakehouse focuses on the philosophy that food isn’t merely nourishment for the body, but for the soul as well.
(Photo Credit: Alternative Strategies)
To honor this ideology, Chef Mark has developed a menu of simplistic cuisine that transforms raw ingredients into culinary works of art. From the appetizers to desserts, entrees to sides, each of the dishes that emerge from 25 Forty’s kitchen have been prepared with the freshest ingredients, many coming from the restaurant’s own backyard garden which Mark personally tends to daily. From this bounty stem plates like the Kale Salad topped with sugar coated cashews, raisins and soy sauce and the vegetable accompaniments for the restaurant’s vegan-version of fettuccine. If a heartier meal is what you crave, protein-lovers rejoice; the Bistro Fillet with truffle sauce, Mark’s version of the popular English dish of Bangers and Mash, and the Spinach Stuffed Chicken with blueberry reduction are also not to be missed.
(Photo Credit: Shawna Nadelman)
Perhaps the most impressive item to note about 25 Forty is the fact that every item on the menu is made in-house, including the eatery’s delectable breads, pastries and desserts. Best known for their reconstruction of traditional Crepes Suzette (accented with flavors of vanilla in place of customary orange), the restaurant’s entire listing of scrumptious sweet-tooth satisfiers display’s Chef Mark’s fervent love for all things pastry.
In addition to offering the perfect backdrop to sip a glass of wine before dinner on a warm summer evening, the restaurant’s front patio also offers warmth in the late evening hours with the glow of their on-site fire pit. Once inside, the restaurant’s fresh black and white decor and playful chalkboard floors, where patrons’ reservations are etched in front of their table prior to their arrival, bring a sense of comfort and charm almost reminiscent of the architecture found on the East Coast.
(Photo Credit: Shawna Nadelman)
With this minimalistic design, the culinary creations become the star. And shine they do throughout the week amidst the daily specials 25 Forty Bistro & Bakehouse offers–from Happy Hour offered 5-6:30 p.m. daily to their $8 All You Can Eat Lunch Buffet served from 12-2 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and Wednesday’s three-course dinner and wine special for just $20. And if all of this delicious food has you aspiring for a spot in the kitchen yourself, 25 Forty offers cooking classes with Chef Mark as well, just visit the restaurant’s website for more information.
So for a break from the standard fare you might find in the neighborhood of Old Town, just look to the name of 25 Forty Bistro & Bakehouse to lead you to your destination-2540 Congress Street. Once there, you’ll be treated to fresh and contemporary cuisine served in a quaint, laid-back, and romantic atmosphere.
WHERE:
25 Forty Bistro & Bakehouse
2540 Congress Street
San Diego, CA 92110
Ph: 619-294-2540
HOURS:
Lunch: Thursday & Friday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Dinner:
Monday closed
Tuesday -Friday 5 p.m. to close
Saturday & Sunday 4 p.m. to close
Weekend Brunch: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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