swoon dessert bar

4.4.13 san diego, ca

I can’t say enough good things about Swoon, a dessert bar that recently opened here in San Diego. Literally a bar…you sit only a few feet away from the chef and sous chef working their magic to create some of the most incredible food I’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying.

They serve a variety of tea, coffee and espresso drinks to enjoy throughout the day and then begin their dessert service at 6pm. Each dessert is meticulously assembled to order by one of the two awesome gents working behind the bar. Ian, the Chef and creator of Swoon is pictured first, and Evan, the sous chef, second. Along with about five or six desserts that Ian seems to be constantly tweaking and perfecting, they also make a couple of savory options. Both of them are pictured below, but the real star of my visits (between both the sweet and the savory) has been the Smoked Salmon Eclair. If I were to choose a food to be romantically involved with…it would be this. Seriously. This is the stuff my inner fat kid’s dreams are made of.

Pictured below are photos of Ian and Evan prepping and plating the food with the utmost care and attention to detail. I had a blast hanging out with and getting to know them while spoiling my taste buds and I couldn’t be happier with how the photos turned out. I’m already looking forward to going back.

They serve their tea with macaroon cookies and their coffee is from local roasters.

​the owner, Ian Smith, creates "glass" using thinly sliced carrots and dehydrating them.

[left] Evan and Ian meticulously plating desserts.

[right] A sprinkle of salt to top off one of their savory dishes.​

​Evan, the sous chef and some cherry balsamic.

​Some of the flavors they feature on their dishes and a trio of sorbets.

​Evan zesting lemons and Ian slicing rhubarb.

​Using tweezers to put finishing touches on their version carrot cake.

​Putting finishing touches on their version of pastrami and rye. [homemade pastrami, gruyere puffs, whole grain mustard, caramelized onions]

My personal favorite, the smoked salmon eclair.​

​strawberry thyme sorbet with sous vide cheesecake.