Experience San Diego through modern design and culinary innovation at Marina Kitchen

Marina Kitchen is the newest addition to the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, and offers a tremendous variety of dining options and event spaces fit for the needs of anyone from the discerning weekend traveler, to business travelers and even locals.

The wide ranging appeal of Marina Kitchen alone is unique, but what makes the restaurant so special is the modern California design and the fabulous food and beverages coming from the kitchen, bar and wine cellar.

Taking its inspiration from the hotel’s beautiful location on the San Diego bay, Marina Kitchen is a beautifully designed modern space fit for the coastal setting. There are no bad seats in the house. Anywhere you sit or stand you can relish in the panoramic view of the bay; it’s the perfect place to enjoy the Southern California sunset over dinner and drinks.

The newly renovated 19,000 square foot meeting and dining space includes the signature outdoor terrace, media lounge, buffet station and reception space, and hi-tech private dining rooms in addition to a beautiful 2,000 bottle wine cellar. The Marina Cellar is sexy and sleek.  The glass front doors allow a peek at some of the world’s finest wines set atop dark wood wine racks and lit to put the wine on full display. The area also serves as a functional space for private wine tastings.

Executive Chef Aron Schwartz was born and raised in San Diego, and has returned to his home town after a successful culinary career as sous chef and chef at restaurants from Conneticut to Las Vegas. He was Executive Sous Chef of the hotel for the past five years, and now serves as the Executive Chef at Marina Kitchen, the new dining concept at the hotel. He has crafted a menu sourcing local ingredients and ingredients grown on-site. The result is a uniquely fresh twist on modern comfort foods. Dining selections present familiar favorites in a contemporary way using fresh ingredients in harmony with seasonal availability.

Selections include cheese and charcuterie plates, black bean chili and daily roast selections from turkey to prime rib. At the bar, enjoy fresh pizza, grilled cheese, or short rib sliders. All are delicious. For dessert, the Makers Mark Milkshake is a must-try. The flavors of whisky enhance the sweetness of the ice cream for a grown up treat that will mark the perfect end to an amazing meal. Or try one of the house made pies, made fresh daily. (The banana cream was incredible.)

At the bar, you’ll find cocktails made with Marina Kitchen’s notorious “ice ball” machine, a device that creates perfectly sphere-shaped ice cubes that won’t water down your drinks.  The full beverage menu showcases some of San Diego’s best locally crafted beers and updated classic cocktails revived with artisan American spirits like Ballast Point’s Old Grove Gin, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Bulleit Bourbon.

The restaurant is one of the proponents of a “from wine to table” concept which featuring wines on tap. The unique keg wine system enables the restaurant to showcase a revolving list of interesting “barrel sample” wines without the risk of losing freshness like one might by opening single bottles. There are regularly four wines on tap, 25 wines by the glass and 250 wines by the bottle.

If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, Marina Kitchen is a restaurant you should put on your list. They are taking comfort food to a new level, bringing back signature cocktails and spirits, supporting local farmers and suppliers, and doing so in a beautiful environment that will make you happy to be from this beautiful city. And if you are visiting, you may never want to leave.