WhipHand

WhipHand is new to the ever-changing Gaslamp District, bringing a full menu of American favorite foods along with a serve-yourself beer tasting bar. We were invited to check out this new development, and we were curious to see what this concept was all about. 

The serve yourself, taste what you want concept has recently taken off, with the explosion of craft beer breweries. Particularly in our beer capitol of San Diego, tasting rooms are just a part of our culture. I feel like every time I walk around my neighborhood, a new place has opened up to offer even more beer choices. 

WhipHand combines the tasting rooms of several breweries, offering a serve yourself experience. Ask for a tasting card from the server, then grab a glass. 

 Pick the brew that you want to try, and insert your card. Pull the lever and fill as much or as little as you like! I always pour just a little, because I like to taste everything. 

The system will only charge you for as much as you pour, and prices per ounce are stated clearly. The system will flash the balance owed at the end of the pour, so it is very easy to see how much beer is purchased. 

Personally, I love this system, because I love tastings, and I love the ability to taste something from Brooklyn Brewery, then change over to a brew made in Portland, OR.

Speaking of drinks, the Happy Hour is 3-6, with loads of great deals on food! A must-get is the short rib fondue fries, with so much beef and oozing cheese. Is it healthy? Nope, but it's delicious, and perfect with the beer. I would honestly say that if you only want a nibble with your beer, and aren't interested in a full meal, get these fries! 

Oysters Rockefeller is always a good idea, and another favorite with a cold beer. The oysters are also part of the happy hour special, and well worth trying. 

If you are not a beer person, WhipHand serves a full menu of mixed drinks, including the pictured Uncle Buck. This cocktail features bourbon, apple cider, lemon, and soda -- kind of a twist on a Kentucky Buck. Cocktails are half off during happy hour as well. 

There is quite a lot of seafood on offer at WhipHand, including a lobster roll (definitely to try next time!), and lobster bisque. I love lobster bisque and order it whenever I see it on a menu. I love the smooth, creamy, salty flavor. 

We had to try the High Stack Pastrami sandwich, and it was a definite winner. The only way to consume pastrami is to thinly slice it and stack it so high that it requires a jaw dislocation to eat. This high stack was covered in Swiss cheese, and served with a side salad (fries are also available) and a Creole slaw. Another menu item that is highly recommended. 

The "beer bank" concept is reason enough to visit this Gaslamp eatery, but a winning happy hour and great food complete the visit. This type of establishment has been missing from the Gaslamp repertoire, and it's good that a tasting restaurant has come along to not only fill that need, but to exceed it. Even if you aren't a beer drinker, there are plenty of pleasing items at WhipHand to make the visit more than enjoyable.