By Miriam Raftery
April 11, 2017 (San Carlos) – As a Navy chef, Geoff Cole traveled the world preparing feasts for admirals and other VIPs. Now he’s opened a salute-worthy restaurant in San Diego's San Carlos neighborood. At Admiral's Experience, he serves up what he calls “world class cuisine” from around the globe—as well as a catering service.
“I cooked for all the admirals, senators and dignitaries on their private jet,” Chef Cole told East County Magazine. Of Jamaican descent, he’s lived in exotic locales such as Hawaii and collected favorite dishes in his travels to Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean and other places.
Seated at a corner table with bench seats, comfy cushions, flowers and brightly-hued contemporary artwork, I started my feast with a “Rose Cheeks” cocktail of vodka, mint, strawberry and lemon juices—light and refreshing.
Next up, I sampled an array of internationally-themed appetizer samples with flavors from the Philippines, New Orleans, Jamaica and Sicily, plus some original twists. A buffalo chicken lollipop with zesty citrus habañero sauce complemented a pomegranate pulled pork bruschetta, lumpia, bacon-wrapped Jerk chicken and mustard dill crab cake.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken with coconut rice and beans proved a tasty and satisfying entree. “My mother actually comes and makes it,” Chef Cole says of the spicy jerk sauce complete with ginger, peppercorns, onions, and habañeros.
If you love the sauces, which I highly recommend, you can take a bottle home. You can also order up a bottle of Admiral’s chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon, all California wines.
Other chef-inspired entrees include Thai style curry, French-inspired ratatouille, Sicilian shrimp with Parmesan pasta, New Orleans Creole shrimp and grits, Jamaican-style salmon, Po Boy sandwiches, grilled marmalade pork chops, Shepherd’s pie, chicken or shrimp pesto, chicken mushroom Marsala and more.
The restaurant has excellent service, making sure every guest feels as special as an admiral. You can also enjoy live music every Friday night. The restaurant also gives back to active duty military, veterans and spouses with a 20% discounts on “military Mondays.”
Thankfully, you won’t have to sail the seven seas to savor the flavors from the farthest reaches of the globe. Just stop by Admiral’s Experience, open seven nights a week, to launch your culinary voyage.
Admiral’s Experience is located at 7407 Jackson Drive in San Diego, at the corner of Jackson Drive and Navajo Road. The website is http://www.admiralsexperience.com/restaurant.html