Revolver: Voyeur's New Restaurant

Very few San Diego establishments can pull off a successful restaurant and club in one. There is just something unsettling about fine dining and fist pumping in such close quarters which typically leaves one side lacking substance.

Our local nightlife obsession, goth-glam Voyeur is adored for renegade nightclub entertainment amid L.E.D. glow. But with the New Year comes the new identity of Voyeur’s restaurant. Formerly intermixed with the club scene, Voyeur’s inner foodie is stepping out and closing a crimson curtain on nightlife … well, at least until 10pm. 

Recognizing that there needs to be a distinction between dining and nightlife, the industry pros at Voyeur sacrificed the all-mighty life-sized black stallion lamp to make room for the all new restaurant: Revolver.

Revolver is a café-style restaurant that offers a casual and affordable option for small plates dining on Fifth Avenue. Positioned as the separate sister restaurant of Voyeur, Revolver boasts the same edgy and seductive ambiance but with a refreshing new welcoming disposition, now appealing to pre-partying club-goers as well as wandering tourists.

Enter Revolver: the mesmerizing L.E.D. haze and pounding house beats are nowhere to be found. A floor-to-ceiling crimson red curtain divides the venue, creating a new restaurant-centric atmosphere. Black walls are covered with revolver gun imagery custom designed by Jason Feather of Art Kills Artists, who is also responsible for the inventive murals throughout Voyeur. Gold framed chalkboards also line the wall to showcase seasonal beers and happy hour specials. Diners can choose to sit inside the intimate black and red café or outside on the revamped patio under lights and heat lamps and dig in to a small plates-style menu that is perfect for group dinners or just a light meal before a night on the town. While the patio offers prime people watching, the dining room will have a front row seat for old western movies circling behind the bar.

Executive Chef Keri Rich has created a flavor-packed small plates menu that proudly boasts 80% local, sustainable ingredients. Highlights range from Grapefruit Salad with romaine, avocado, parmesan, honey and olive oil; to Kale, Carrots, and Pear Salad with sherry vinegar and candied pecans; Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese with pickled jalapenos and apricot spread; Festival Winning Poke with Ahi tuna, micro basil and pickled onion-ginger-jalapeno; Filet Sliders with tomato relish, garlic aioli, fried onions and green beans; Bison & Feta Sliders with honey-chipotle paste and smoked bacon; Ginger Chicken Taco with winter greens, black-eyed peas and flatbread; and Bangers with spicy pork sausages, rustic mashed potatoes and honey mustard drizzle.

Save room for delish dessert plates, including Pumpkin Bread Pudding with pecans, dried fruit and caramel; Banana Fritters with dark chocolate and cinnamon whipped cream; and Passion Fruit Mousse with toasted coconut and shortbread. For just a taste of the sweet life, order the Mini Gelato Cone for just a buck. Too cute! But don’t get too comfortable with these items; Chef Kari keeps a close eye on local produce, and the menu will revolve every two weeks based on what is available in the San Diego market.

Grand Opening: The new Revolver restaurant will officially open doors to the public on Thursday, January 20, 2011. Revolver will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 – 10pm. Revolver will not take dinner reservations. Depending on the talent booked at Voyeur that night, dinner guests may receive free or discount cover for the nightclub. For more details and VIP reservations at Voyeur please call 866.376.3128.

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Want to party at Voyeur? Check out our San Diego events calendar for details on upcoming shows.