The Cafe at Kimpton Alma San Diego PHOTO COURTESY OF KIMPTON ALMA SAN DIEGO
The former Hotel Palomar has been revived to the tune of $25 million, making way for Kimpton Alma San Diego. Here’s why the new downtown destination is making a splash this season.
stop by The Desmond for dinner Wednesdays through Sundays PHOTO COURTESY OF KIMPTON ALMA SAN DIEGO
In the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter at Fifth Avenue and Broadway lies a self-described “ego-less beacon of Southern California cool”— welcome to the new Kimpton Alma San Diego (stayalma.com). The 211-room property, which boasts four two-story penthouses, bowed in the fall of 2022 and brought three new dining concepts with it. The Desmond (thedesmondsandiego.com), chef Jason Neroni’s love letter to San Diego that’s open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday; The Cafe, a lobby hot spot offering daily breakfast, brunch, bar and dinner options; and the brand-new Leave of Absence. Debuted in late April, the poolside rooftop eatery allows sunbathers to enjoy tropical-inspired cocktails, handcrafted flatbreads from a woodfired oven and delicious finger foods under the summer sun.
Kimpton Alma partnered with Indidesign to create the property’s sleek interior design. PHOTO COURTESY OF KIMPTON ALMA SAN DIEGO
Located on the hotel’s rooftop, Leave of Absence is sure to be one of the Gaslamp Quarter’s most coveted dining destinations this summer PHOTO COURTESY OF KIMPTON ALMA SAN DIEGO
Part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio, the four-star Kimpton Alma was brought to life in collaboration with Los Angeles’ award-winning Indidesign. Suites range in size from an intimate 455-square-foot one-bedroom suite to the two-story, top-floor Skyline penthouse that boasts two bedrooms and a spacious 1,510-square-foot layout. Art Deco furniture and marble bathrooms have been teamed with tattoo-inspired artwork and woven tapestries, reminding guests that Kimpton Alma is committed to both its luxury outlook and California-cool approach. Yoga mats are found in every room, no matter the size, and custom Kimpton PUBLIC bikes are available for exploring the neighborhood.
chef Jason Neroni’s koji-marinated hanger steak is paired with yukon gold potato and Tomme cheese puree, plus barbecue romanesco broccoli with an Armagnac reduction. PHOTO COURTESY OF KIMPTON ALMA SAN DIEGO
The Desmond’s well-appointed bar PHOTO COURTESY OF KIMPTON ALMA SAN DIEGO
While the property’s nearby restaurants and attractions offer plenty of excitement off-property, its on-site signature restaurant The Desmond deserves a night of your undivided attention. Chef Neroni has honed his skills in the kitchens of Disneyland’s Club 33, Chez Panisse, Spago Beverly Hills, Le Cirque, Blue Hill and Essex House, among others, and has since opened beloved concepts including The Rose Venice and Best Bet in Los Angeles.
The Desmond’s barbecue oysters are doused in miso and yuzu butter PHOTO COURTESY OF KIMPTON ALMA SAN DIEGO
At The Desmond, Neroni is bringing his passion for California’s local bounty and ingredients to his curated dinner menu. Kick the night off with bread service that’s prepared with two different dip options—English pea green Thai curry hummus or nettle and ricotta saag—before exploring the raw bar. Bluefin tartare, bay scallops on the half shell and uni panna cotta all pay homage to San Diego’s fishmongers while the seasonal appetizer menu is blooming with local berries and burrata, lardo-wrapped white asparagus and more. For the main event, it’s all about pasta, seafood, and meat-laden dishes that satiate with unique flavor combinations and time-honored techniques. Think uovo raviolo with duck egg, herbed sheep cheese, fava beans, peas, ham and truffle butter; koji-marinated hanger steak; and grilled bluefin tuna steak with a persillade of pickled garlic scapes, lovage, dill seed and Weiser peewee potatoes. Yes, at The Desmond—and Kimpton Alma—there is certainly something for everyone.
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