Duke's La Jolla

Duke's La Jolla at 1216 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037 is an airy, two-story restaurant that offers Hawaiian-inspired cuisine with spectacular, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and La Jolla Cove. It has a lively atmosphere and is known for its genuine hospitality and island spirit.

Key Details

1. Cuisine: Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Seafood, Steak.
2. Atmosphere: Casual yet elegant, lively, and family-friendly, with a "Barefoot Bar" upstairs for a more casual, social vibe.
3. Highlights: Noted for breathtaking ocean views, especially during sunset, and signature dishes/drinks like Kimo's Original Hula Pie, Poke Tacos, and Duke's Mai Tai. Live music is featured on Aloha Fridays.
4. Dining Options: Offers brunch (weekends), lunch, and dinner with indoor and outdoor patio seating available. Takeout and delivery options are also provided.
5. Reservations: Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for patio seating with a view, as the restaurant can be busy. You can make reservations through services like OpenTable.
6. Parking: Street parking is available, but limited. A public valet stand is steps away, and there are numerous paid parking garages nearby.

Hours

1. Monday - Thursday: 11:00 am - 8:30 pm
2. Friday: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
3. Saturday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
4. Sunday: 10:00 am - 8:30 pm

Menu Highlights

Appetizers

1. Poke Tacos Fresh raw ahi tuna, shoyu sauce, Maui onions, and chili flakes in crisp wonton shells, topped with wasabi crème fraîche and black sesame seeds.
2. Crab Wontons Stuffed with crab meat, cream cheese, and macadamia nuts, served with a mustard plum sauce.
3. Crispy Coconut Shrimp Served with a lilikoi chili water dipping sauce.
4. Panko Crusted Calamari Described as the "best ever" by some patrons, served with guava cocktail sauce and Meyer lemon remoulade.

Main Courses

1. Macadamia Nut and Herb Crusted Fish This signature entree features a fresh fish filet (often mahi mahi) with a macadamia nut and herb crust, often served over coconut bamboo rice with a mayo-pesto glaze.
2. Furikake Ahi Steak Ahi steak with a furikake crust, served with a wasabi edamame salad, pickled ginger, and shoyu.
3. Fish Tacos A popular item featuring fresh fish, cabbage, pico de gallo, and chipotle salsa in corn tortillas.
4. Ribs & Chicken Plate Includes Korean sticky ribs with a spicy gochujang glaze.

Dessert

1. Kimo's Original Hula Pie A must-try dessert featuring a stack of macadamia nut ice cream on a chocolate cookie crust, topped with hot fudge, toasted macadamia nuts, and whipped cream. It is portioned for sharing but rarely goes unfinished.
2. Key Lime Pie A classic graham cracker-coconut crust with a creamy filling and whipped cream.

Signature Drinks

1. Duke's Mai Tai A traditional island drink that is consistently good and a popular choice to accompany Hawaiian food.
2. Prospect Margarita A house made margarita with Dobel Diamante Tequila and a black salt rim.