I lost a bet to my boyfriend a couple of months ago — I can’t remember what it was about, but the loser was supposed to take the winner to dinner. Weekends came and went and we forgot about it for a while, but last weekend I randomly remembered.

We were trying to figure out what to do for date night, so I asked him what dish he had been craving lately. It didn’t take him long to name drop the elk flank he had had at Lion’s Share, so we decided to go there. He talks about this place super often and I had only been there once for appetizers, so I was excited to try a main dish!

Established in downtown San Diego in 2011, the restaurant prides itself on “offer[ing] food and cocktails with only the best ingredients, prepared meticulously for your enjoyment,” per the website. It’s a vision they absolutely live up to; dining here is a thrill for the senses from start to finish. They specialize in exotic meats, so you’re guaranteed to see something on the menu that will stir your curiosity.

The Lion’s Share is open Tuesday through Sunday from 4PM to 2AM, with Happy Hour from 4PM to 6PM. The full menu is only available until 11PM. After hours, you can still order their “late night food” until 1AM. It’s the perfect place to sober up on gourmet finger food after a night of clubbing downtown.

Plan ahead and make reservations on The Lion’s Share website to save a little wait time!

When I started reading the menu I realized there were a lot of ingredients I had never seen before. I had no way of predicting what anything was going to taste like, but everyone’s plates looked delicious. I was torn until the very last second between the lamb chops and the duck breast. Luckily, choosing the appetizer was easier. Read on to see what we ordered!

Salt & Pepper Frog Legs

There were a lot of tasty looking items on the appetizer list. I was trying to take risks with every dish this night, so my boyfriend suggested I try frog legs. Considering how the animal looks I couldn’t imagine how those would taste good, but I decided to trust the process.

When the appetizer came, I was shocked by how great it tasted. The meat melted in the mouth and the breading was paper thin, light and well-seasoned. Salty, but not so much as to take away from the meat’s natural juices. The frog legs were prepared tempura style, tossed with fried garlic and scallions, and accompanied with a mild chili sauce.

With or without the sauce, the appetizer provided a wave of flavor that served as the perfect introduction for what the restaurant had to offer.

Sumac Rubbed Elk Flank

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the dish we came for: elk flank served with eggplant & chile puree, crispy potatoes, and shishito relish. I almost ordered this but I figured my boyfriend would let me have a bite of his, which he did.

I hate to be dramatic but my immediate thoughts were that I could taste the woods in this dish. Like, I tasted the elk’s entire experience in one bite. Does that even make sense? Well that’s how it felt. I had never tasted anything like it before.

The meat was smoky and so so tender, and the garnishing added the extra pop of flavor it needed to take it over the edge. Not to mention the plating was gorgeous. I was in love, will definitely be ordering this one next time!

Seared Duck Breast

Finally, the dish I decided on: seared duck breast served atop Sichuan eggplant, haricot vert, beech mushrooms, duck jus and scallions. It smelled phenomenal. It looked like it was about to fill me up and take my senses for a ride.

In my first bite, I made sure to get a forkful of everything the plate had to offer — the duck, the mushrooms, the eggplant and that rich glaze pooling at the bottom of the dish. The texture and flavors were different from anything I had ever had before and totally different from the elk. The duck was more of a fatty meat, not as tender. Almost uncomfortably so, until I figured out the correct way to eat the dish.

After the first few bites, I started eating the things on my plate separately. I was confused because the duck was suddenly a little hard to chew, something I hadn’t dealt with in the first few minutes. I almost started to regret my choice, then it clicked. The glaze (I’m assuming this is the duck jus?) was pretty acidic. When I ate the duck dipped in glaze and paired with the other ingredients on the plate, it suddenly melted in the mouth.

This is why I say that the plate was a ride. It was a carefully curated experience and honestly one of the best dishes I’ve ever had.

I don’t know if I would have ever randomly decided to try duck or elk; I like to stick to the classics and play it safe. Dining here ignited a fire to step out of my comfort zone and try new foods. Although on the pricier side, The Lion’s Share is worth every penny. From the fascinating art to the one-of-a-kind food and drinks, you’re guaranteed a unique experience from the moment you walk through the door.