La Jolla Islands Restaurant Debuts ‘Hot’ New Summer Menu

Islands Restaurant is coming for customers this summer with its new chili-drenched Heat Wave burger, but its new series of summer drinks debuting Monday could help with the fiery taste.

The restaurant, which serves gourmet burgers at its 3351 Nobel Dr. location, recently offered Patch a sneak peek (and taste) of its new summer menu.

Patch Editor Shauntel Lowe and guest taster René Lowe—the designated drink sampler—stopped by the Mira Mesa location to try the menu and here's what they found:

• You can brave the Heat Wave: Even Shauntel, who has only recently come to appreciate the regional obsession with hot sauce, was able to withstand the mild fire of the burger. The taste comes in slowly (some might say like a wave) and hits quick and strong before dissipating. It's a good burger, but those looking for something super hot might be a bit disappointed. The Heat Wave is topped with green chilies, pepper jack cheese, tomato, red onion and a spicy mayo. 
• Must Have: Moonlight Sangria: It was the first drink René tried, which was bad news for everything else. By far, it was the favorite, earning an all-caps "VERY GOOD" review that held up all evening. If you're in the mood for something sweet, not strong tasting and a little tropical, this is the drink for you. The Moonlight Sangria comes with Woodbridge Pinot Grigio, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liquer, sweet and sour, pineapple juice and Sprite, with fresh mint on the top.
• The smooth favorite shake: One of two new shakes on the summertime menu, the Irish Shake received a thumbs up from René for its milky, smooth Baileys Irish Cream taste. The Irish Shake is made of Kahlúa, Jameson Irish Whiskey, vanilla shake and whipped cream.
• I-Energy: The I-Shandy is good but tastes like an energy drink, our reviewer said. So if that's your thing, here you go. What's in it? Islands Golden Ale, lemonade and mango.
• German chocolate cake in a cup: The other new shake is the Coco Colada, and it could pull double-duty as a nice post-dinner dessert. Add a little coconut to the Irish Shake, René said, and this is what you might get. The Coco Colada Shake is a blend of Captain Morgan Rum, fresh pineapple, cream of coconut, vanilla shake and Myers' Rum, with whipped cream and roasted coconut on top.
• Two more drinks in the mix: The Ginger Berry Shandy (ginger beer, Islands Golden Ale, lemonade and wildberry) and the Sunset Sangria (Woodbridge Cabernet, brandy, sweet and sour, cranberry and wildberry juices) were both liked, but not loved, as good summery, fruity drinks.

What else is on the menu? Seasonal beers (Saint Archer Blonde, Firestone-Walker Solace, Sierra Nevada Summerfest) and, for a limited time, Hawaiian Sliders made with fresh grilled pineapple, teriyaki sauce, caramelized onions, swiss cheese, lettuce and mayo.

Will you be trying the new summer menu? What sounds good to you?