El Vitral

Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Lounge

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We Now Offer Gluten-free Options!

For people who maintain a Gluten-free lifestyle, finding tasty options can be tricky. We have created several amazing dishes specifically catered towards individuals with these preferences. Our new, expanded menu allows those with a Gluten-free diet to enjoy their dining experience with El Vitral’s Gluten-free friendly choices! Chef Norma Martinez has some delicious options like the Mahi Mahi Ceviche made with tomato, Acapulco seasoning, cilantro, onion and fresh mahi mahi. Or try our famous Tortilla Soup consisting of tomato broth, tortilla strips, cream fresco, sliced avocado, cotjia cheese and pasilla chile. They are packed with great flavor and spice and will keep you coming back for more!

Our new menus are in so make sure to watch out for those and the Gluten-free items!

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Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that is celebrated nationally in the United States, but only regionally in Mexico, mainly in the state of Puebla. Puebla celebrates this date in commemoration of the Mexican victory over France in the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This battle holds significance for Mexico’s army because at the time of battle, the Mexican army was outnumbered by the French army 8,000 soldiers to 4,000.  It is also significant because since the battle of Puebla, no other country in the America’s has been invaded by a European military force. For Americans, this date is a celebration of great Mexican food, Mexican beer, and Mexican culture. People living along the border states such as Texas, Arizona and especially California, take the holiday in stride, making it a point to dine at their favorite Mexican restaurant, and crack open one, or 6 bottles of Mexican beer, all the while singing their favorite Mexican tune.

Happy Cinco de Mayo, or as some like to call it, Cinco de Drinko!

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New Menus Arriving Soon!

We are featuring new menus soon! Until that time arrives, here’s a taste of what we have in store for you.

The Salmon al Pastor was featured in the Mexico Moving Forward menu this past February. Chef Norma grills up the delicious annatto marinated salmon and serves it on a bed of cilantro rice. Topped with pickled onions, this dish is full of flavor and texture.

Look forward to it on our new menus!

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This week is your last chance to vote for EL VITRAL in the Best Restaurant Poll! Thanks for supporting us!!

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@DiningOutSD joined us at the @Casa_Noble Skinny Mixology competition and took some great photos of the event.

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Harrison won BEST PRESENTATION at yesterday's Skinny Mixology event! He won it with his orchid-inspired drink. Delicious and beautiful.

Click photo for the photo album.

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Never be afraid to try new things in a drink, you never know what is going to work and what wont.

-- Harrison, on his beverage philosophy

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Harrison Elkins, our Beverage Director and Mixologist will be competing in today's Casa Noble Skinny Mixology Competition!

Harrison Elkins, a Lake Tahoe, Nevada native moved to San Diego in 2003, where he took his first job in the restaurant industry as a busser, and moving up quickly in the ranks to a lead server. Harrison has worked in a wide spectrum of food industry jobs and environments, including serving at a fine dining restaurant, bartending at a Brazilian steakhouse and providing bottle service at night clubs. While bartending, Harrison traveled to Mexico and visited a tequila distillery in the town of Tequila, Jalisco, where he sampled some of Mexico’s best. Inspired by his travels and his love for tequila, Harrison continued to pursue a career in bartending. El Vitral initially hired Harrison as a server, but he quickly excelled to lead bartender, and now holds the title of Beverage Director and Mixologist because of his talents and flare. Visit El Vitral to sample one of Harrison’s fabulous drinks!

Check him out.

Good luck Harrison!!

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El Vitral in the News!

Laura Grouch from the North County Times features our green menu this past weekend, including a green bloody mary recipe. You should bookmark this page *hint hint*

Words have never painted a better picture of what our menu has to offer. Michelle Poveda, the San Diego Restaurant Bars Examiner, gives us a delicious review of our restaurant!

We can’t believe we just opened our doors last year! It’s been a great year and we’re glad we’re located right next to Petco Park. Can’t wait for opening day! Go Padres!

You’re right, San Diego CityBeat, we wouldn’t be the first place to think of when thinking “St. Patty’s Day,” but we had a blast celebrating it with our special menu.

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Vote for Chef Norma Martinez as well for Best Chef!

Thank you!

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Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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St. Patrick’s Day is coming up in a week! Here’s the green menu we promised:

Green Bloody Mary

Green Margaritas

Green Shrimp Ceviche

Green Mole

And the obviously green Guacamole!

The drinks will be served all throughout St. Patrick’s Day weekend all day (March 17 to 20th). Start the celebration early by trying any of the food items today. They can be found on the menu every day!

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Part of our set-up for the San Diego Business Journal event celebrating Randy Frisch's appointment as President and Publisher. Gorgeous, eh?

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We've been coming up with some fun dishes and drinks for St. Patrick's Day. This is just a teaser...

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It's National Margarita Day! Why not celebrate it with a tasty marg with a kick? Order the El Tre-Some today and you won't want to try any other margarita. It has blanco tequila, curacao, grapefruit, orange, fresh lime juice, green habanero salsa, and agave nectar. Yes, habanero in a drink. You'll be ordering a second round. And third. And fourth. 

And why not order a taco as well. After all, it's Taco Tuesday!

[Click the image to see the full drink menu]

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Featuring Chef Norma's Green Halibut Ceviche recipe.

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Tequila Sunrise

Ever tried one of our MANY types of tequila at the bar? Why not try asking your favorite El Vitral bartender for a classic tequila sunrise? Make sure to ask for a blanco tequila, or the 1800® Tequila if you want to be specific.

Want to impress your friends with your own bartending skills? Here’s a recipe for a good delicious tequila sunrise.

Orange Pomegranate Tequila Sunrise

Ingredients:

2 oz tequila anejo 4 oz freshly squeezed orange juice 1 oz pomegranate juice 1/2 oz grenadine 1 maraschino cherry 1 orange wedge Ice

Directions:

Fill a tall glass to the top with ice

Add grenadine and pomegranate juice to glass

Add tequila

Top off with orange juice

Garnish with cherry in the glass and orange wedge on the rim

Enjoy San Diego! And make sure to visit El Vitral and try out our massive tequila selection!