Looking for San Diego Restaurant Recommendations

[Veronica]

Hi Everyone,

We're going to be in San Diego at the end of this month, and I was wondering if you would be so kind as to recommend some good restaurants. I've pored over Fodors, Frommers and other recommendations and am now thoroughly overwhelmed. We like all types of food but for this trip would prefer seafood, Mexican, American, and Italian. All price ranges are fine since we'll be mixing it up with "cheap eats" and special dinners. Also, we'll have a car, so location isn't a major factor.

Thanks so much for your help!

Veronica

[Gail]

This new search mechanism has a quirk-- it doesn't cope with words which are three letters or shorter. You run a search on San Diego, it brings up only your query. Run a search on Diego and you get all sorts of goodies. Among them:

http://www.cookinglight.com/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=3336&highlight=Diego

and

http://www.cookinglight.com/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=5060&highlight=Diego

PS Just in case you're interested, I was at Athens Market and the Fish Market two weeks ago and they're both still wonderful!

[doggerham]

and here's another one...

http://www.cookinglight.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6303

Amy

[Veronica]

Thanks for the links, ya'll! I thought it was strange that I didn't find anything on San Diego restaurants in the search feature. Hmmm, never occurred to me to try DIEGO!!

Thanks again!

[56grapeape]

http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/6242/food.html

[DIANE T]

Hi everyone!

I've been lurking for a while, but had to reply, as San Diego food is close to my heart (and stomach!). I think the best mexican food is a place called Old Town Mexican Cafe. It is very authentic and reasonable. Also, while you are in old town, check out the Old Town Trolley Tours. It is something I do everytime we have guests. It is a fabulous tour and history of San Diego. As for Italian, in the Little Italy section there are several that are OK. The Old Spaghetti factory in downtown is where we usually end up for Italian. Now for Seafood, OMG! If you want fancy and pricey, try El Crab Catcher in La Jolla, The Marine Room, or George's Top of the Cove. For mid-priced there's Anthony's or Brigantine. Hope this info helps. Anthony's also has a "Fishette" on the harbor that is very inexpensive, it's a walk up window. It is ALWAYS busy, but usually goes fairly quickly. Have a great trip! San Diego is a wonderful place!

[KValley]

Originally posted by 56grapeape
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/6242/food.html

rachelle,

Thank you for this great site! I will be in San Diego on business in October and I have a free weekend to kick around on my own. It will be my third visit to SD and I was looking for something new to do! Found it!

THanks again,

Julie

[browneye]

While visiting a friend in San Diego, we went to Kemo Sabe. It was fabulous!!!!! If you are in for something very eclectic, spicy, unusual, delicious...try it. The Duck Salad was unbelievable. We shared a few appetizers and an entree.
Here is the web site for you to check out:http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/kemosabe.html

[caregiver50]

What a wonderful place to go. There are so many great places to eat in La Jolla - George's and George's at the Cove. If you get to Pacifica, Del Mar is absolutely fantastic. Have a great trip.

[Veronica]

Thank you SO MUCH for these suggestions!! We're going to have a tough time narrowing down the choices. So many of the restaurants sound fabulous. I can't wait to get out there. Now all I have to do is pack! Guess I better get on it; we're leaving in just a few days! Thanks again, everyone. Ya'll are great!

[Wendy w]

Hi Veronica,

I'm just wishing you a great time since everyone cornered the market on great suggestions but I would like to recommend shopping in the kitchen shop in the Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town. San Diego is a fun and wonderful city. BF and I were there this weekend for the night zoo and it is a great get away being a 2 hr. drive from my house. Have fun!

[Carol M]

I was just in San Diego in May with a group. We went to a Brazilian restaurant in downtown right across the street from the big mall. It was a lot of fun and great food. They kept coming to your table with meat courses until you couldn't eat anymore. There was a varied buffet with other courses. Hope you have fun.

[DanaSD]

Originally posted by DIANE T
Hi everyone!

I've been lurking for a while, but had to reply, as San Diego food is close to my heart (and stomach!). I think the best mexican food is a place called Old Town Mexican Cafe. It is very authentic and reasonable. Also, while you are in old town, check out the Old Town Trolley Tours. It is something I do everytime we have guests. It is a fabulous tour and history of San Diego. As for Italian, in the Little Italy section there are several that are OK. The Old Spaghetti factory in downtown is where we usually end up for Italian. Now for Seafood, OMG! If you want fancy and pricey, try El Crab Catcher in La Jolla, The Marine Room, or George's Top of the Cove. For mid-priced there's Anthony's or Brigantine. Hope this info helps. Anthony's also has a "Fishette" on the harbor that is very inexpensive, it's a walk up window. It is ALWAYS busy, but usually goes fairly quickly. Have a great trip! San Diego is a wonderful place!

I don't care for the Spaghetti factory - cool location and decor but bland food. The Gaslamp has many excellent Italian restuarants that are on the higher price range. Just start at 5th and F streets and you'll pass blocks of excellent restaurants.

Our favorite is Croce's (wife of Jim Croce) - excellent Ahi! but pricey. Great jazz and blues music.

Epazotes in the Del Mar Plaza - excellent view of the ocean. Had some very yumy Lobster Chimichungas there last week. They're known for their Margaritas.

Jake's of Del Mar - excellent fish and view!

Chart House in Cardiff - even better view!

Kansas City BBQ - foods good (not the best) but its the where the 'sleezy bar scene' in Top Gun was filmed.

The Fish Market - downtown or Del Mar

For lower priced restaurants that are more casual try:

Lorna's Kitchen (Italian) - its in a strip mall on Genesse and Govener in University City. Excellent traditional Italian. Its popular among locals.

Spices Thai Cafe - 2 locations - Del Mar Heigths and Rancho Bernardo

Saffron Chicken and Saffron Noodles - run the by the chef who just wrote Cracking the Coconut

you must try Fish tacos if you've never had them - Rubio's is a great cheap chain

Karl Strauss Breweries - the KS Gardens in Sorrento Valley is surrounded by a beutiful Japnese garden. But it is closed on Saturdays for weddings. Try it on a weeknight. They also have 3 other locations. higher priced than many breweries.

Lots of Pasta in Pacific Beach (Lamont and Garnet) - you pick past shape, pasta flavor, and pasta sauce. Great if you're a fan of fresh pasta. And they have a very yummy broccoli salad

Breakfast - Harry's in downtown La Jolla, Kono's cafe in Pacific Beach, The Broken Yolk in Pacific Beach - get their before 10 unless you want to wait an hour+