The Desmond

This was our second visit to the Desmond. My husband is celiac, and I am gluten sensitive. They clearly mark gluten-free items on their menu, but they will make nearly anything gluten-free if you ask and they are able. The chef has a wife with serious allergies and he has come out and spoken to us both times we visited the restaurant. It is an expensive restaurant, but the quality is top-notch. On this visit, we started with three different gluten-free appetizers to sample. They were all so good! I loved the grilled carrots and the pork belly with the roasted cauliflower stole the show. I had the fish and my husband had chicken and they were both delicious. Because this restaurant is tucked away within a boutique it does not get the credit it deserves as a superb dining establishment in downtown San Diego but if you want a delicious meal and need to eat gluten-free, this is a place you can feel safe in doing so. If you’re staying at the Kimpton I highly recommend you go down and have a nice meal there!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent