Santa Gula arrives to the Gaslamp Quarter (Courtesy photo)
Jazz, Restaurant, Gaslamp

Where More is More, and Less is Less

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

The new Santa Gula in the Gaslamp Quarter is where you can immerse yourself in crafty libations while eating big or little—all to the tune of live jazz presented in a historic 1911 building.

Santa Gula in Spanish translates to St. Gluttony. So if you’re taking that route, there’s no point in passing up the 10-ounce dry-aged New York steak or the hefty Shigoku oysters with Kaluga caviar as a splurge. The menu basically starts with small plates, such as sliced Iberico ham and seasonal cheese plates, and progresses to larger, heartier dishes inspired from countries around the globe.

The plush restaurant/lounge is the latest venture by San Diego-based Karina’s Group, which runs Karina’s Ceviche and More in Mission Hills and Karina’s Cantina downtown. It spans a cozy 3,500 square feet and takes the place of what used to be Dublin Square—and more recently The Patricios Restaurant.

Vintage lighting, cushy seating, and bookshelves filled with eye-grabbing curiosities set the stage for nightly live performances by jazz artists and other musicians. (If you’re looking for us around the holidays, we already foresee this as our upcoming winter hideaway.)