Local celebrity chef Lauren Lawless has Michelin star aspirations with the upcoming debut of a brand-new Asian tapas bar with an onsite dragon-inspired speakeasy in the space that last housed Madam Bonnie's in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter.
Lawless, known for her appearances on cooking competitions like Hell's Kitchen and MasterChef, is teaming up with her husband, Joao Duarte, to bring this fresh dining concept to the heart of San Diego. The couple recently signed a lease for the 6,000-square-foot space on Market Street that was previously home to the short-lived Madam Bonnie's.
The new venue, named Tigerlily, will feature an upscale, Asian-inspired menu focusing on fusion tapas with bold flavors drawn from across Asia. The restaurant's decor will create a lush, floral atmosphere, featuring lily flowers suspended from the ceiling and a hot pink bar with matching chairs, accented by hues of blue and purple.
The food menu, crafted by Chefs Lawless and Josh Cinco, includes inventive dishes such as lobster corn dogs with kimchi and caviar, lamb lollipops served on a sizzling rock with crying tiger sauce, crab and pancetta fried rice, and Wagyu tartare on crispy rice, torched tableside. Additional offerings include hamachi crudo with charred pineapple salsa, prawn toast with apricot dipping sauce, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, deviled eggs with pork belly, as well as a variety of sushi and oysters. Guests can also enjoy an array of handcrafted cocktails tailored to complement the diverse menu, as well as beer, wine and other craft alcoholic beverages.
Hidden behind a secret door in Tigerlily will be Nine Sons, a speakeasy inspired by the mythological Nine Sons of the Chinese Dragon King. The décor will take on a more masculine tone, incorporating black and red hues alongside traditional Chinese elements like lanterns and dragon-themed artwork, as well as interactive elements like smoke and animations.
Chef Lauren Lawless, a San Diego resident, has built a reputation as a fierce competitor and culinary expert, with notable appearances on Supermarket Stakeout, where she claimed the title of champion, and Best in Food on the Travel Channel. Beyond her television success, she has also made a mark in the food industry by once running the Flawless Cuisine Food Truck in collaboration with HGTV’s Steve Cederquist and previously operated Flawless Bistro & Bar in Escondido. In addition to her restaurant ventures, Lawless runs her own catering company and published her first cookbook, Flawless Cuisine: Inspiring the World One Plate at a Time.
Tigerlily is slated to open in early 2025 at 411 Market Street in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. For updates, follow Chef Lauren Lawless on Instagram.