Sips & snacks: A modern taste of nostalgia at Ponyboy
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The shareable Fisherman's Catch Ceviche at Ponyboy at The Pearl Hotel. Photo: Kate Murphy/Axios
House-made Wonder Bread, TV dinners, tuna casserole, fondue and ambrosia salad — the menu at Ponyboy puts a modern, upscale twist on staples of the 1950s and 60s.
Dig in: Alums of Addison (San Diego's three-Michelin star restaurant) opened the new poolside restaurant and cocktail bar this month at The Pearl Hotel, a midcentury, modern gem of an inn in Point Loma.
Best bite: The shareable Fisherman's Catch Ceviche surrounds a clamato aspic (tomato-clam juice gelatin) and is served with fennel tortilla chips. ($21)
- The cool fish, shrimp and cucumber medley was topped with crisp pickled onions, dollops of avocado aioli and bright, edible flowers.
What to try: The House-made Wonder Bread with popcorn butter caught our attention — and held it as we devoured it.
- We also ordered the Juicy Lucy burger with an American cheese-stuffed wagyu patty and vinegar-dusted fries ($19).
- And the ratatouille kebabs al pastor with grilled veggies and pineapple, served over vegan creamed corn ($15).
What to sip: The Mexican Firing Squad is a refreshing strawberry tequila cocktail with mole bitters.
- A red, 1964 World's Fair Sangria that's crushable and fruity, but not too sweet.
- The tropical Singapore Sling with gin and pineapple.
- A tart gin sour with saffron, chai and a foamy finish.
Fun facts: The restaurant is named after the protagonist of S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders."
- The Broadway adaptation of the book, which premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse, won best musical at the Tony Awards this year.
The intrigue: Check out the dollar menu during golden hour (4-5pm daily), which features oysters, deviled eggs, tuna-melt tartlettes and mini chili dogs.
- Classic cocktails, beer and wine are also discounted.
- The hotel also hosts dine-in movie nights with films projected on a big screen above the pool.
If you go: Ponyboy is open Wednesday-Sunday, 5-10pm.
- The bar stays open until 11pm.
