Here’s the Deal: Anthology
Wednesday, May 19, 2010 12:54
By Chad Deal | San Diego Reader
Anthology is a three-level restaurant and club just south of Little Italy on India. Inspired by CEO Howard Berkson’s roots in Chicago nightlife, the 13,000-square-foot establishment pairs New American fine dining with live music in a sophisticated environment of 30-foot high ceilings, a wall of drapes illuminated by soft blue lighting, natural wood finishes, and concrete interior walls. The club hosts jazz, blues, classic rock, R&B, world, and Latin music and has seen performances from Chick Corea, Earl Thomas, and the Count Basie Orchestra. Reservations are encouraged.
Haylie and I are seated a few tables back from the stage, where a Tina Turner video projects on the wall. Our server, Tabitha, brings us a wine list of 250+ selections and the Fresh Vibe Tuesday menu featuring appetizers and entrées for under $20. We order an appetizer of buttery Calamari al Ajillo ($7), which is garnished with Yukon gold potatoes and organic olives.
The house band opens with a jazz number sung by the sultry Rebecca Jade. Members of the well-versed group have performed with Stevie Wonder, Jason Mraz, and Stanley Turrentine. The digital sound quality is immaculate as the group covers a Grover Washington Jr. tune. Tabitha returns with an entrée of Red Snapper Veracruz ($17) and a plate of Roasted Spring Vegetable & Manchego Cheese Tamales ($14) served with sweet corn purée and a citrus-y tomatillo & avocado salsa.
The band goes on to play tunes from Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, Christina Aguilera, and the Jobim classic “Corcovado” as patrons converse softly over the music. Jade sings an a cappella “Happy Birthday” to a woman in the audience, which, Haylie conjectures, secretly makes us all wish it were our birthdays.
The mezzanine, empty on this night, hosts dining and a chic bar/lounge with an aerial view of the stage. The second level offers informal dining with a view, a Taylor Guitars private dining room, a balcony over India Street, and a lounge with an 18-foot-long fireplace. The restrooms (the true measure, Haylie tells me) maintain the upscale ambiance with mouthwash, marble sinks, and automatic everything.
Attire: Upscale casual
Prices: $15-$45 (up to $100). Value and VIP tickets available.
Happy Hour: Tuesday-Friday, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Capacity: 300 seats
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 5:30-9:00 p.m., Friday & Saturday: 5:30pm-12:30 a.m.
Best deal: Fresh Vibe Tuesdays. $5 entry. No food/drink minimum ($15 per person most nights).
–
Via San Diego Reader
The Anthology Gift Card - the perfect gift for Birthdays, Celebrations, Thank You’s and Congratulations!
Infusing spirits with flavor is a great way to experiment with your own personal tastes. The basic concept is to marry a variety of choice flavors into a base liquor to create a custom-flavored spirit. 
As Fall nears, it’s time for the harvest of new vintages. To get an enticing preview into what a new vintage will offer try a Nouveau. Most commonly associated with the Beaujolais region in France and made from the Gamay Noir grape. This traditionally red grape of the region is a cousin of Pinot Noir, capable of producing complex wines worthy of cellaring, as well as light-bodied Nouveau and rosé.
There’s been a lot of “hot buzz” about the newly rediscovered Rosé wines. We have some incredible offerings worth the hype! Sometimes mistaken for a sweeter wine such as a “white zinfandel,” Rosés are more frequently off-dry to dry in nature and displays appropriate fresh fruit flavors that lean toward the strawberry and raspberry side of the fruit spectrum. Long acquainted with the warm, balmy days of summer, a fine Rosé is the perfect versatile accompaniment to many of the season’s delectable grilling fare from savory meats to hearty fish.
Rundown: Just look for the blue neon script above 
