East Coast Gastropub and Nightclub Emerges in the Gaslamp

Recently transplanted from the East Coast, where its flagship restaurant in Stamford, Connecticut has been operating since 2014, is Sign of the Whale, which takes over the two-level, 8,000-foot-space that formerly housed Florent Restaurant & Lounge and then Old City Hall. As its name suggests, the New American restaurant and bar is now serving a menu that leans heavily on seafood, from lobster and shrimp ravioli to oyster po’ boys and seafood saffron risotto. It signature Whale Burger, with bacon, gruyere, a fried egg, and truffle spread on an English muffin, is featured on the San Diego menu along with a new Gaslamp Burger topped with smoked tomato aioli, onion jam, herb goat cheese, gruyere, and baby arugula. The restaurant and bar is open daily for lunch and dinner as well as weekend brunch.

The historic Fifth Avenue building’s basement, which functioned as a jailhouse in the 19th century, was transformed by prior operators into a nightclub space. Now dubbed The Brig, it’s party central Thursday through Saturday until 2 a.m., offering DJ-fueled entertainment and bottle service.

Courtesy photo