5 to Try: Savory Popcorn

by Erin Chambers - Citysearch Editor - 9,287 Reviews - 164 Lists

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Updated: May 10, 2009

Gone are the days of microwave bags, movie-theater butter and day-glow cheese paste. Popcorn is back in a gourmet way these days, and some of San Diego's best restaurants are working it into their latest menus. Here are five of our favorite savory popcorn treats.

5 Savory Popcorn Treats in San Diego

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended Currant Restaurant
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    140 West Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

    We all look for a brasserie's soup of the day or sandwich of the day printed on a chalkboard or paper menu. But popcorn of the day? "Popcorn of the moment" is actually how it appears on the menu at Currant, and you never know what you're gonna get when you order it. We had a blue cheese version once, it was the perfect pairing with a few cocktails before dinner. Wonder what chef Michael Rubino will come up with next?

  2. 2 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Decanter Wine Lounge -- CLOSED
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    18025 Calle Ambiente, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091 (map)

    Owner Jayson (previously of the Wine Lover in Hillcrest) and chef Jeffrey Yahn (previously of Currant downtown) have put together a serious wine list and a serious menu up in RSF ... but with a few light-hearted surprises, too. Each night they feature a popcorn (either as an amuse bouche or a bar snack) infused with different savory touches. We love the rosemary, sea-salt combo best (so far) but have also heard good things about a more spicy version with chili.

  3. 3 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Neighborhood
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    777 G St, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

    Neighborhood's savory truffled popcorn is air-popped, laced with pungent truffle oil, then tossed with good parmesan cheese and parsley. It comes in an old-fashioned paper sack, too, so it's a perfect grab-n-go snack on your way to a Padre game.

  4. 4 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Waterfront Bar & Grill
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    2044 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

    OK, so this is the least gourmet pick of this list, but we couldn't resist a shout-out to the spicy popcorn served up free at the Waterfront in Little Italy. Sure, it's just sitting out there for all the barflies' hands to grab (who knows when the last batch was popped) but the spicy bite of it is just irresistible when you're throwing back a few Yellowtails. Do they soak the seeds in Tobasco, perhaps, then add to the oil? We think so ... but we don't know so. And we certainly don't care much. It's just plain good.

  5. 5 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Blanca Restaurant
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    437 S Hwy 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (map)

    When it comes to food and booze, we're all about balance, and nothing balances out a sweet, tart, $12 cocktail like a fun-filled bowl of salty, puffy popcorn. Blanca was one of the first lounges in town to give truffled popcorn a regular spot on its lounge menu, and we're so glad they've kept the tradition alive. Their latest incarnation? Heirloom Wisconsin Black Popcorn with Parmigiano Reggiano--only $4 during happy from 5:30 to 7pm Tuesdays-Sundays.