How I’ve never been to Greystone Steakhouse in the San Diego Gaslamp before escapes me. I’ve lived in San Diego almost my entire life and Greystone has been here since 1999. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to visit last night as Greystone Prime Steakhouse & Seafood and Forumula Marketing hosted an evening of appetizers and cocktails for our San Diego Travel Massive group.
Greystone Steak occupies a gorgeous four-story Florentine-Italianate building that was the former police department in the heart of the Gaslamp District on 5th Avenue in downtown San Diego. If you’re visiting San Diego or on a staycation, the Andaz San Diego is two blocks away, an easy, short 4-minute walk.
Onyx Craft Cocktail Bar
I arrived in time to enjoy Happy Hour half-priced cocktails at the Onxy Craft Cocktail Bar. With drinks like It’s Bourbon Honey and Butterfly choosing one was a struggle. I finally settled on a Midway. Named after the aircraft carrier, how could I go wrong.A delightful combination of coconut rum, Godiva white chocolate liqueur, and pineapple juice with a lime garnish. Yum. Yum. Yum. Friendly, fast, efficient, and excellent service. Rob, the bartender, commands the bar. He’s also not hard on the eyes. You can satisfy your thirst in more ways than one. 😉
Pro-tip: Greystone Prime offers a daily Happy Hour from 4 pm to 6:30 pm daily.
Not into cocktails? You can enjoy a $6 glass of wine during Happy Hour.
While indulging in the mouthwatering appetizers, I enjoyed a The Real Espressotini: Vanilla vodka, Espresso, and Godiva chocolate. Move over Midway, the Real Espressotini is a contender for the Greystone Prime Steakhouse yummy cocktail award.
Steak Kabobs
We started the evening with steak kabobs. Deliciously tender and oh so delicious chunks of flavorful meat on a stick/skewer. It’s like being at the San Diego County Fair but so much better! If these tasty little slices of heavenly steak are an indication of the quality of the steak at Greystone Steakhouse, I can not wait to come back for a full meal.
Pro-tip: Greystone serves several varieties of Wagyu beef including Australian, Japanese, and American Wagyu.
Wild Cured Meats & Cheeses: Charcuterie
Our next course was the Wild Cured Meats & Cheeses. I confess cheese, sliced meats, and bread are among my weaknesses. I’m all over a charcuterie. This combination of seasonal hand-crafted artisanal cheese, cured meats, and blueberry jam is a must. I could have happily eaten the entire board myself. But alas, I had to share…
Potsticker
Despite being a steakhouse, Greystone Prime Steakhouse & Seafood serves up an enjoyable soft yet firm Chicken Potsticker.
Crispy Calamari & Shishito Peppers
Greystone knows how to do calamari right. Tender squid rings and tentacles make up their Crispy Calamari & Shishito Peppers. Not too firm, not too soft, and with a hint of breading. Goldilocks would be pleased.
Asparagus & Goat Cheese Bundles
Our next course was the Asparagus & Goat Cheese Bundles. There’s probably a proper name for this dish but it’s not on the regular dining menu. Asparagus is one of those tricky vegetables. You either like it or you don’t. If you’re in the “I hate asparagus” club, these filo dough-wrapped asparagus and goat cheese bundles will change your mind. Great combination of textures and flavors.
Conclusion
Yummy nibbles and cocktails with an attitude. Just two reasons why you want to eat at Greystone Steakhouse in the San Diego Gaslamp District. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available. The majority of the appetizers we sampled are from their catering menu. So if you’re planning an event, consider allowing Greystone to provide the food. My mouth is watering just thinking about those steak skewers. I’m looking forward to returning for a full meal.