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A steal deal
Your tummy and your wallet will smile
Yikes! But if it's on my list, it's worth it

1500 OCEAN
1500 Ocean Avenue
(619) 522-8490 or 800.HOTELDEL
deldining@hoteldel.com

The terrace entrance overlooking the Pacific Ocean begins your journey at 1500 OCEAN restaurant and bar. Whether you dine outside on their one-of-a-kind, intimate terrace or inside in one of the two private dining rooms, you will enjoy Chef de Cuisine Jason Shasffer's menu. Southland Coastal Cuisine is the name of the game here with featured wines from many of the vineyards grown in these areas. Steamed Pacific Halibut, Pan Roasted White Sea Bass, Muscovy Duck Confit, and California Lamb Porterhouse are a few of the entree selections. 1500 OCEAN is open nightly from 5:30-10:00 p.m. for dinner and the bar remains open until 12:00 a.m.

Addison
5200 Grand Del Mar Way (in The Grand Del Mar Hotel)
(858) 314-1900
addisondelmar.com

You will enjoy one of the very best dining experiences in San Diego when you put yourself in the hands of the able chef and staff at Addison. It is easy to see why Chef William Bradley and Addison have won the Mobil Five Star award and the AAA Five Diamond award. From the amuse bouche to dessert, you will be pampered by exceptional seasonal contemporary French cuisine. The prix fixe menu offers 4 courses with 3 choices in each category. First a cart is wheeled to your table that has three iced down champagne bottles. You are asked to chose your favorite. This glass of champagne begins your multi-hour dining experience. Items include Brittany Turbot with Sidre Doux and Golden Chanterelles, Lamb Persille with Savory Cherry Tart and Lemon Sorrel, Parmigiano Reggiano Risotto with Pistachios, Crispy Shallots and Garlic. Addison offers a world-class wine tasting environment, replete with ideal glassware, perfect storage of wines and knowledgeable service. Wines offered are from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America to the most distinctive fine wines from France, Italy and Spain. And did I mention luscious desserts? Think Mille-Feuille "Classique," Chocolate Amer and Praline Tart with Rum-Raisin Gelato or the Artisan Cheese Course. Addison is open Tuesday through Saturday, dinner only. Bar hours are 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm and Dinner is served 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

Athens Market Taverna
109 West F Street
(619) 234-1955

Mary Pappas is smart -- and lucky. She parlayed a winning raffle ticket (at a Greek festival, no less) into her Athens Market Taverna. Formerly a Greek food market belonging to her aunt, Pappas expanded the small restaurant in back over the years, as one would expect from the daughter of a restauranteur. Today she feeds the city's movers and shakers, who crowd into the two simple, functional dining rooms (especially at lunchtime) to trade stories and plates of hearty Greek fare. There may be a judge at the next table, but it's Mary who rules. Begin your meal with several appetizers -- the tiropita (a filo pocket stuffed with three cheeses), spanakopita (add some spinach to the tiropita) and dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves garnished with a heavenly egg-lemon sauce) are all good choices. The fakee (lentil) soup is made from Dad's secret recipe. Hint: it's a touch of red wine vinegar which provides the tanginess. Keep on eating, because you won't want to miss the kotopoulo, a perfectly-baked chicken rubbed with lemon, olive oil and oregano and drizzled with a light tomato sauce, or the moussaka, baked layers of eggplant, zucchini and ground sirloin topped with bechamel sauce and cheese. The moussaka is absolutely addictive. The lamb shish kabob, not to be outdone, is sweet succulence. Your only choice is to get a job down the street so you can have lunch here every day. Dinner served as well.

Azzura Point
Loews Coronado Bay Resort
(619) 424-4000

After completing his "studies" at the Culinary Institute of America, chef James Boyce cut his teeth at Le Cirque in New York. Need I say more? Not really, but I will. At the helm of Azzura Point, a breezily elegant dining room tucked into the Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Boyce is creating what is arguably the best food in San Diego. Looking out over the bay and the Coronado Bridge, the view here would be enough for many. Boyce ups the ante by combining French, Italian and Middle Eastern influences with the bounty of Southern California. "I take a little from the outside and mix it in with San Diego," he notes. And a winning combination it is. Start with the white truffle risotto crowned with a delicate langostino. This creamy delight is the best risotto west of Italy. Continue with a light salad of poached pear, blue cheese, mission figs and arugula bathed in a red wine marinade. The marriage of these varied flavors is made in heaven, or in this case, right on your plate. Your entree can be the pan-sauteed John Dory, a South Seas fish which is topped with an onion marmalade and crispy dill, or a juicy, perfectly-done beef tenderloin topped with meaty chanterelles. Both choices are inspired. Dessert is a must, led by the sinful black Arkansas apple tart. Walk, sail or swim if you have to, but get to the Point. Dinner only, Tuesday--Sunday.

Bubba's Smokehouse BBQ
888 Prospect St
La Jolla
(858) 551-4227

Bubba's Smokehouse BBQ is a Memphis style barbeque restaurant specializing in authentic southern recipes.You'll find Baby Back Ribs, Lazy Smoked B.B.Q. Chicken, Texas Smoked Brisket, Pulled Pork, House Made Hot Links, Salads, and 1/2 lb. Burgers. Many sides are offered including Sweet Potato Fries, Oven Roasted Corn On A Cob, Corn Bread, Baked Yam with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter, Bubba's B.B.Q. Beans, House Made Potato Salad and Mac & Cheese. Open 7 days week for lunch and dinner. If you have any questions, ask for Jeff, the friendly owner.

Burger Lounge

La Jolla
1101 Wall Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
858.456.0196
Monday thru Saturday 11am to 9pm
Sunday 10:30am to 8pm

Kensington
4116 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
619.584.2929
Open Daily 10:30am to 9pm

Coronado
922 Orange Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118
619.435.6835
Open Monday - Saturday, 10:30 to 9, Sunday until 8

Little Italy
1608 India St. (at the corner of Cedar)
San Diego, CA 92101
619.237-7878
Open Sunday - Thursday, 10:30 to 10
Open until Midnight on Friday & Saturday!

http://burgerlounge.com/index.htm

This is not a fast food hamburger joint. But it is a restaurant that sells hamburgers. Starting with all-natural grass fed Tallgrass Beef directly from the grower, French Fries individually cut by hand, fresh-made onion rings, home-baked buns, they have created a fun food experience. Burger Lounge also serves cool crisp salads, a turkey burger with fresh basil and their own vegetarian burger made from organic Quinoa. And if you can't live without dessert, they can help you out with their grown-up snow balls and ding dongs. Did we mention the milkshakes?

California Cuisine
1027 University Avenue
(619) 543-0790

What's in a name? In the case of California Cuisine, everything you need to know. Although this smart restaurant in the Hillcrest neighborhood could just as easily have been called California Chic. You've got sleek black chairs, crisp white linens and rotating, colorful artwork (on a recent visit, the oils were of some very hunky men). One wall is a shock of purple. Take your eyes off the guys (on the walls and otherwise) and get ready for some inventive food courtesy of chef Chris Walsh. Start off with one of the very generous salads, perhaps the wilted organic autumn greens with applewood smoked bacon, leeks and a zesty champagne vinaigrette. Follow it with the cappellini with seafood, crumbled feta, fresh basil and a touch of extra-virgin olive oil, or if you're really hungry, the New Zealand lamb loin with an almond-black pepper crust and a dijon mustard-sherry cream. Think slink and order the sorbet sampler for dessert. Lunch and dinner.

Cafe Pacifica
2414 San Diego Avenue
(619) 291-6666

The first thing I noticed at Cafe Pacifica were the napkin rings. They're large, wooden rings in the shape of a fish, and they're very colorful. Perched on the restaurant's white linens, they're certainly eye-catching. Every table has different napkin rings. There's even a long strand of them hanging at the entrance to the dining room. Then I figured it out: they're for sale. No wonder they're taking over the room. There's a lot of fish on the menu, too. Owners Deacon Brown and Kipp Downing also run Pacifica Del Mar up the road, where the view is of the sea, and maybe of some real fish. What to order at the Old Town locale? I think I've tipped you off. A cup of creamy clam chowder will prime your palate, as will the Atlantic rock crab ravioli in a zesty red bell pepper sauce. More fish can be yours in the way of the sea bass with a Tuscany white bean stew or the bouillabaisse, simmered in a light lobster broth perfumed with anise. Cafe Pacifica also offers a prix fixe pre-theater menu, and while the mostly-white dining room in this old, Spanish-style house is a delight, the real winner is the table on the front patio with a cushy green and purple-striped banquette. Just you and the fish. Lunch and dinner.

Cowboy Star
640 Tenth Ave.
619-450-5880
www.thecowboystar.com
Lunch: Tues-Fri 11:30AM–2:30PM
Dinner: Tue-Thu 5–10PM; Fri and Sat 5–10:30PM
Bar Menu: 4PM–10PM (10:30PM Fri and Sat)
Sunday Dinner: Sun 5PM–9PM
Reservations Recommended

Itchin' to get back in the saddle again? Mosey on over to Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop for some cooking that's nothing like what you've had around the campfire. Cowboy Star has brought together just the right amount of cowboy kitch with modern comforts. Kick back in their roomy leather tufted booths. Order a round of sarsaparilla to get things started or enjoy a tasty concoction from their inventive and extensive cocktail list. But the name of the game here is steak. I only had to sink my teeth into one bite of the thickest cut of meat I've ever had in my life and I was sold. Whether you choose the 35 day dry aged bone in strip, the American bison ribeye or the 40 oz porterhouse for two, you're sure to find your meal a pure delight. Add to this the excellent side dishes, starters and friendly wait staff, and you've wrangled up for yourself a perfect dinner out. It's a 4-star event when you hang your hat at this establishment. And to boot, Cowboy Star is committed to supporting local and regional farmers.

Croce's
corner of Fifth and F Streets
(619) 233-4355
http://www.croces.com/index.html

We all knew that Jim Croce could sing, but how many of us knew that Ingrid Croce could cook? Certainly not me. The late singer's widow opened Croce's a number of years back in memory of her talented husband, whose photos, awards and guitars line the rough-hewn brick walls. Ingrid followed it up with Croce's Top Hat Bar & Grille next door, which features live rhythm and blues nightly. After that, we got Ingrid's Cantina & Sidewalk Cafe, a casual spot offering Southwestern fare which is, you guessed it, next door to the Top Hat. Not only can Ingrid cook, but she's also a shrewd businesswoman who controls some very prime real estate in the bustling restaurant row which is the Gaslamp Quarter's Fifth Avenue. Will you get some good food along with your trip down memory lane? I'd say yes. Croce's has the more interesting menu, so head there and start your meal with the rich French onion soup. Follow it with the California sea bass with caramelized onions and figs or the seared pork tenderloin with garlic mashed sweet potatoes and brandied cherry chutney. Dessert should be tuneful, so cross over to the Top Hat, where you might catch pere A. J. Croce at the mike, but not before you pick up a copy of Ingrid's new cookbook, "Thyme in a Bottle." I told you she was shrewd. Lunch, dinner and late-night revelry.

Davanti Enoteca
1655 India Street in Little Italy
(619) 237-9606
www.davantichicago.com

Their innovative menu boasts dishes that can be shared or enjoyed as an entrée as well. Small plate starters include selections of vasi (jars of spreads) and boards (tableside presentations of dishes such as the mascarpone polenta and ragu of the day). Larger shareables will include pastas such as Uovo in Raviolo ‘San Domenico’ (giant ravioli, ricotta, egg, spinach), pizzas like Pizza della Fattoria (farmed egg, potato, pork belly, scallions, asiago, and béchamel) and entrées such as Spada Davanti (grilled swordfish, brussel spouts, pancetta, Calabrian chili). And don't leave without dessert, such as mango carpaccio and butterscotch pudding with whipping cream on top. Dine indoors, on the open patio or at the bar.

Dobson's
956 Broadway Circle
(619) 231-6771

Dobson's has always been a favored haunt with politicos and newspapermen. So who showed up during the recent Republican National Convention? Owner Paul Dobson was caught mugging for the cameras along with the likes of Walter Cronkite, Ted Koppel, Andy Rooney and David Brinkley. Brinkley was actually smiling. He must have just finished off a bowl of Dobson's legendary mussel bisque, sure to put a smile on even the most curmudgeonly newspaperman. The dining room at Dobson's is a cozy gem, all the better to get that scoop from the person right next to you, who's almost on top of you. The best seats are upstairs, especially near the graceful wrought-iron balcony. Prick up your ears and order the mussel bisque as a starter. It's perfect. Have your dining companion order the whole roasted garlic with herbed goat cheese and fresh pomodoro sauce and insist on a nibble or two. Continue with the veal sweetbreads, which are sauteed crisp and bathed in an oyster mushroom sauce, or the rack of lamb a la Cecilia, cooked with an herbed Nicoise olive crust and a touch of bordelaise. And by the way, who's Cecilia? Maybe Brinkley knows. Lunch and dinner.

El Bizcocho
Rancho Bernardo Inn
17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr.
858-675-8550
http://www.ranchobernardoinn.com/bizcocho/
Open for dinner daily
Sunday brunch
Reservations Recommended


El Bizcocho offers both a la carte dining and Chef's Tasting Menus. Choose from three choices in the latter category: Vegetable (4 courses) , Seafood (4 courses) or Grand (5 courses) . Or enjoy the Chef Collection Menu, where you will put yourself in the hands of the chef. All these menus can be ordered with or without the accompanying wines. El Bizcocho is a French restaurant where the chef knows how to take a well-known French dish and make it new again with just the slightest of changes.  Dishes like the Seared Day Boat Scallops, the Beef Braised Short Ribs, and the "Brandt Farms" Prime Filet Mignon are succulent and intriguing. That's why we'll always be willing to make the drive to the historic Rancho Bernardo Inn for a chance to see what seasonal dishes will delight us next. And if you enjoy Grand Marnier souffles, these are to be ordered with your entree. But the creme brulee is a definite dessert winner.

Though El Bizcocho is a top-notch restaurant, the experienced staff lacks any snobbery.  Instead they focus on you and serving the most impeccable meal they can.  The décor is elegant and the bass/piano duo sets a romantic tone.  If feeling adventurous, let the chefs create a spontaneous menu for your table to enjoy.  And don't worry if you arrive a bit early.  Enjoy pre-dinner drinks in their relaxing lounge adjacent to a large fireplace.

Extraordinary Desserts
2929 Fifth Avenue
(619) 294-7001

Ever have one of those days when the only thing that would work for dinner is a big, thick slab o'chocolate cake? Next time the urge strikes, pray that you're in San Diego and make a beeline for Karen Krasne's Extraordinary Desserts. At this place, the name truly says it all. The spirited Krasne majored in tropical agriculture and bioscience at the University of Hawaii before she realized she was too creative for science and crossed a couple of oceans to get to Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Pastry chef's diploma in hand, she decided to open her own shop (and a taupe beauty it is) in San Diego's Uptown district. The desserts at Extraordinary are more a work of art than a bite to eat, but by all means, eat! The New York Pumpkin Cheesecake sits on a swirl of lemony raspberry sauce and is sublime. The Extraordinary Brownie is an understatement. Krasne's passion for the islands has not faded away, and she considers her Passion Fruit Torte and Passion Fruit Creme Brulee to be among her best creations. So what's this talented chef's take on pastry? "The French manner of baking is not really to our taste. In Paris, they want a beautiful presentation but one level texture. I want more texture in my product, to mix in the crunchy and the smooth. That gives me a more complex end result. I'm trying to combine a number of things and create a whole meal on the plate." Aha! I knew it was okay to come here for dinner. Open morning, noon and night -- you make the call.

Georges California Modern
1250 Prospect
La Jolla
(619) 454-4244
http://www.georgesatthecove.com/fine.php

Why does one go to La Jolla? Well, there's the shopping, and the views, and some beautiful beaches in and around this seaside spot. And then there's the fact that everyone told you you had to go to La Jolla, so here you are. Get the view thing under your belt by going to Georges California Modern. The restaurant's glass wall affords a stunning view of La Jolla Cove and the deep blue sea beyond. Owner George Hauer has renovated his complete operation serving local, seasonal food. You can choose to reserve a table in the Ocean View Room (open for dinner) or find an impromptu spot at our communal dining table or bar. The Ocean Terrace is open daily for lunch and dinner. The casual bistro menu features everything from grilled fresh fish tacos to flat iron steak.

Indigo Grill
1536 India Street
(619) 234-6802
cohnrestaurants.com

Parking: street parking
Payment Accepted: Cash, Credit Cards
Reservations: Recommended for dinner
Open for Lunch Monday - Friday, 11:30 to 2 P.M.,
Open for Dinner Nightly from 5 P.M.



On the edge of Little Italy's main drag is another successful fusion restaurant from San Diego's infallible Chef Deborah Scott and the Cohn Restaurant Group. With a keen sense of presentation and flavor, each dish of Scott's is playful, delicious, and often spicy.  Bringing together the rich tastes of the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Mexico and Native American cuisine, Scott knows how to serve up the heat without taking away from her wonderful blends of flavor. All dishes are extremely large in size. Order less than you think you'll eat and we promise you won't leave hungry!  Indigo Grill's signature cocktails are divine and change with the season. Order the crusted brie, pecan crusted rainbow trout, and/or the bone-in rib eye. You can thank us later. Consider the Native American bread pudding for dessert. Although the artistic décor may have your eyes wandering, we still recommend you bring out-of-town business associates here.  They'll be pleased you shared this jewel of San Diego with them . . . and they'll appreciate the leftovers they're sure to have for their hotel room.

JSix Restaurant and Jbar
Hotel Solamar
616 J Street
(619) 531.8744
http://www.jsixsandiego.com/

Located at the corner of 6th and J Streets between downtown San Diego's Ballpark District and the historic Gaslamp Quarter, Jsix Restaurant and Jbar are sought-after destinations for locals and visitors. Open for breakfast. brunch (Saturday & Sunday), lunch and dinner, this 175-seat spot is a bustling gathering place. Coastal California cuisine is offered, showcasing fresh, innovative, seasonal foods inspired by the region's 2000 miles of Baja coastline and nearby farms.

Kemo Sabe
3958 Fifth Avenue
(619) 220-6802
cohnrestaurants.com

Tonto wouldn't believe this. Chef Deborah Scott has taken Native American cuisine into the 21st century and Kemo Sabe better duck, because the chilies are flying around this modern, ultra-chic dining room. Get past the copper and silver and floor-to-ceiling ironwork and get ready for some hot, hot food. Chef Scott contends that Native American cuisine "is not quite so foo-foo as Southwestern cuisine," but she doesn't want to be pigeonholed, either. "I don't like to label styles, because your food is really a combination of your experience over the years," she adds. "The longer you work, the more layers you can add." And the more chilies. Start with the dim sum and then sum, an assortment of the day's dim sum and other Asian and New Mexican "stuff" along with some kicky dipping sauces. Move on to the Anasazi ravioli, which are stuffed with a rip-roarin' black bean paste and topped with a cascabel cream sauce, and don't miss out on the "skirts on fire," a Vietnamese chili-marinated skirt steak with charred onions, rice sticks, (more) Thai chilies and a mandarin-serrano relish. Put out the fire with one of the many microbrews on tap. The potted brownie with warm caramel filling and a sweet orange cream has no chilies. Hi ho Silver! Dinner only.

McCormick & Schmick's
Seafood Restaurant
675 L Street at the Omni Hotel
(619) 645-6545
1-888-344-6861 toll free
http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/

This national chain of seafood restaurants offers a daily listing, the "Fresh List," of seafood catches from around the globe. From various kinds of oysters to shellfish and fish, they have it all. The restaurant is connected via skybridge to Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, and is perfect for catching a meal before or after the game. They are also conveniently located directly across from the San Diego Convention Center and the historic Gaslamp District. Open for breakfast, lunch or dinner, they also sport a lively bar where you can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails using fresh-squeezed juices or try a selection from the extensive wine and beer list. There is also a bar menu.

MARKET Restaurant + Bar
3702 Via de la Valle
Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 523-0007
www.marketdelmar.com
Open 5:30 pm nightly
Reservations Recommended


If you're looking for top-shelf California modern cuisine, don't miss out on an unforgettable meal at Market.  With an award winning chef at the helm, Market has made an impressive debut in the North County culinary scene. Paired with an upscale "California Cool" decor, your visit will be one to remember.  Each day the menu is updated according to what local ingredients are available, so you can be sure that no meal at Market will ever feel 'tired,' although chef Carl Schroeder has retained a few of his crowd-pleasing favorites such as the braised short ribs.  Complimenting the delicious cuisine is a knowledgeable and cheery staff which will make your meal a pleasant one.

Market is available for private parties and events.  If throwing a small fête consider making a reservation for the "Tasting Table" — a 12' long wooden table used specifically for multi-course dinners.  You and 11 of your friends can relish in a custom-designed menu.  From your appetizers to the after-dinner cheeses, you'll enjoy every moment at Market.

Mille Fleurs
6009 Paseo Delicias
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091
(858) 756-3085
www.millefleurs.com/

Mille Fleurs has been serving the well-healed Rancho Santa Fe clientele for over 25 years. The feeling is calm, clubby and elegant.The food is French Californian Cuisine; the lighter side of French! But be sure and take your credit card with you. All these fineries come at a price. Think foie gras, champagne, lobster, oysters, steak and you are on the right track. Chef Martin Woesle is sure to take care of your every need. There is a piano player in the bar Wednesday through Saturday nights and Host Julien Hug does a fine job of making you feel right at home. This is a perfect setting for a proposal, anniversary or any special occasion. Mille Fleurs is open for lunch Tuesday--Friday and dinner nightly.

Old Town Mexican Cafe
2489 San Diego Avenue
(619) 297-4330

The Old Town Mexican Cafe is smack in the middle of (where else?) Old Town, a slice of downtown San Diego which harkens back to the days of compadres in sombreros. True to form, it's all pretty Mexican here, starting with the tortilla ladies in the front window who are busy flattening corn masa into something we all want to eat. Pit pat pit pat, those hands are hard at work. The rest of the cafe is mexi-mania, from the dark wood booths to the aztec-motif carpet and the clever lamp shades, which are actually inverted clay pots hanging from the ceiling on a wrought-iron curlicue. True to Mexican-restaurant form, the menu is extensive, but you are well advised to zero in on the carnitas, the house specialty. These delicious morsels of pork are brought to you with cilantro, onion, avocado, tomato, peppers, beans and, of course, tortillas. If you want to keep things simple, squeeze a bit of lime juice on your carnitas and roll 'em in a meaty corn tortilla. Works like a charm. Be sure to avoid anything that Pancho Villa couldn't pronounce (like the buttermilk pancakes). Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Ole Madrid
755 Fifth Avenue
(619) 557-0146

Tango fandango! The food, and fun, at Ole Madrid are bound to put you in a dancing mood, and you can even choose the step, be it a little flamenco, the more exotic tango, or some slam-dancing in the basement disco. But have some food first to build up your stamina. The setting is fabuloso, what with bright yellows and oranges splashed on the walls and curving staircases heading to the moon. Uh, make that the mezzanine. It's easy to get carried away here, or maybe it's just the sangria, which packs a mouth-puckering wallop. Go ahead, order a second glass to go with your tapas selection, which should begin with the delectable tortilla espanola, the classic Spanish omelette of thinly-sliced potatoes and sweet caramelized onions. The tortilla at Ole Madrid is among the best I've ever had, and I'm an aficionada. Move on to the gambas al ajillo, perfectly sauteed tiger shrimp in a not-too-garlicky white wine marinade. The champinones al ajillo are almost-buttery button mushrooms in the same savory garlic and wine marinade. New chef Alejandro Alcocer is a proponent of comida feliz, which translates to "happy food." His rationale? "You know that a pig that was fed hazelnuts died happy. Wouldn't you rather eat him?" This guy, and his pig, are going places. Lunch and dinner.

Osteria Panevino
722 Fifth Avenue
(619) 595-7959

Fifth Avenue in San Diego means food in much the same way that Fifth Avenue in New York means shopping. The main drag in the city's revitalized Gaslamp Quarter, Fifth is teeming with hip-hopping restaurants of infinite variety, a surprising number of which are Italian. How to choose? You can be guided by appearance, or aroma, or the number of people in a particular place. Osteria Panevino scores on all three. The Tuscan-inspired setting and menu may bring to mind the small trattorias dotting the Italian hill towns near Florence, buth then that's the idea. Start with the polentina, grilled polenta over a smooth veal reduction which is topped with portobello mushrooms and goat cheese. Follow it with a brick-oven pizza, maybe a simple Margherita (tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil) or a more robust Marchigiana (tomato, smoked mozzarella, spicy shrimp, sundried tomatoes, goat cheese). A strong espresso will bring you back from your sojourn to Italia and brace you for the madding crowds on Fifth. Lunch and dinner.

Palenque
1653 Garnet Avenue
Pacific Beach
(619) 272-7816

"This is the only Mexican restaurant in San Diego!" proclaims owner Leonardo Vilchis, and I have to admit, I'm perplexed. This close to the Mexican border? I know that can't be true. Mr. Vilchis elaborates: "Americans eat this food which is shit! What these guys call Mexican food insults Mexico." Now I'm starting to get the picture, which is the difference between Tex-Mex or Ameri-Mex and real Mex. Palenque, it turns out, is the real thing, and a lucky break that is for San Diego. Vilchis' wife, Maria Luisa, is in the kitchen, and her husband couldn't be prouder. "She's an excellent cook," he says, almost blushing. "She can just taste things and correct what's wrong." What's coming out of her kitchen is a smorgasbord of regional Mexican cooking, focusing on the food-rich heritage of Puebla, Oaxaca and the Yucatan. Start your adventure with the sopa de frijol, a creamy, almost lemony black bean soup. Use the crispy tortilla chips to get every last drop, then ask for an order of the tacos sudados, small steamed tacos which are typically sold out of a basket in the parks of Mexico City. Your taco is a small corn tortilla folded over mole, mushrooms, potatoes or ground beef. You'll lap 'em up like a puppy. Move on to the mole poblano, a chicken breast bathed in a rich mole sauce of spices, nuts, chilies and bitter chocolate. The house specialty is the tinga Poblana, finely shredded pork sauteed with chipotle chilies, tomato, longaniza and potatoes. There are so many good items on the menu you'll just have to keep coming back. What isn't on the menu? "There are no burritos, nachos or chimichangas here!" Vilchis booms. "AND THOSE COMBINATIONS!!" Lunch and dinner.

Piatti Ristorante
2182 Avenida De La Playa
La Jolla
(858) 454-1589
http://piatti.com/index2.html

With their open kitchen and stone pizza hearth, Piatti reflects the warm charm and welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria. And the food is even better! Whether you dine inside or on the inviting patio, you'll surely enjoy a wide assortment of Italian favorites. The restaurant is open throughout the day for lunch and dinner and for weekend brunch both Saturday and Sunday. A few favorites include: large lunch salads such as the Pronti (with salami) and Capricciosa (with chicken), Steamed Mussels, excellent Lasagna, Petto di Pollo (grilled lemon marinated chicken breast with roasted sweet corn and tomatoes), Margherita Pizzas and Tiramisu for dessert. Did I mention the tasty, warm bread?

Prepkitchen
7556 Fay Avenue (across from Vons)
La Jolla
(858) 875-7737 (PREP)
http://www.prepkitchen.com/about.html

The Whisknladle Crew (see below review) welcomes you to Prepkitchen. Prepkitchen was inspired by their never-ending quest to make food from scratch and then driven by physical limitations of Whisknladle’s tiny kitchen. At first it was nothing more than chicken scratch and a logistical nightmare but over time it blossomed into what it is today; our casual quick bite eatery, take out joint and gourmet market offering Soups – Salads – Sandwiches – Antipasti – Entrees – Fresh Pastas – House Cured Meats Artisan Cheeses – Beer - Wine. Limited outside availble. 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Red Marlin
1441 Quivira Road
San Diego
(619) 221-4868
redmarlinrestaurant.com

This Restaurant, Bar & Terrace is located on the grounds of the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay and serves savory breakfasts (with a buffet on the weekends), power and leisure lunches and temping dinners. The scenery is special as Red Marlin is located on beautiful Mission Bay and boasts some of the most amazing bayside dining and views in all of San Diego. The Red Marlin Chef’s Table is situated in the heart of the restaurant with its own built-in fire pit and extensively stocked wine wall. But it is the regionally-inspired dishes that will keep you coming back. Think blue crab cakes, crispy ahi tuna, Kurobuta pork chop, grilled filet mignon, seared sea scallops, and seafood arrabiata. And don't forget that whether you’re looking for an afternoon appetizer, a post-dinner sweet or a sunset cocktail, this restaurant delivers it all.

Roppongi
875 Prospect
La Jolla
(858) 551-5252
http://www.roppongiusa.com/home.html

Watch the beautiful people stroll upscale La Jolla. This restaurant and sushi bar serves unique new Asian cuisine, both inside and out on the patio. Asian tapas offer several imaginative combinations and the sushi bar is a fun place to experience very fresh fish. Menu items include seafood specialties as well as meat and poultry. Sushi catering and sushi to go are also offered.

Sally's
Hyatt Regency San Diego
(619) 687-6080

A room with a view is always a treat for a meal. In the case of Sally's, it's an awfully big room, which may lead you to expect a really grand meal. If you choose carefully, you'll get what you wish for in this modern, luxe setting. The first item on the menu is "Sally's Best Crab Cakes," and nothing could be truer. They're not only Sally's best, they may be THE best. These crab cakes aren't breaded and deep-fried, they're lightly grilled. The crab is incredibly fresh tasting, and the accompanying tartar sauce is inspired. I could make a meal of these cakes. No reason to, though, because the baked arctic char is a phenomenal fish dish. The char, a cross between a salmon and a trout (best I could do) is a pink, tender piece of fish which is resting on a scrumptious chestnut and roasted garlic puree. I could also make a meal out of this fish. There are lots of other tasty items on the menu, but you needn't look past my two choices. Do look at the view, though -- the harbor, day or night, is a delight. Lunch and dinner.

Sbicca
215 15th Street
Del Mar
(858) 481-1001
www.sbiccabistro.com

Organic produce, sustainable seafood, antibiotic, hormone free meat (whenever possible) and modern American cuisine is what you will find at this multi-level restaurant in Del Mar. The top level terrace has an ocean view and there is also a cozy private dining room. Chef Susan Sbicca and host Dan Sbicca offer both lunch, dinner and bar service. Favorite dishes include sesame ahi tuna stack, Louisiana blue crab cakes,Susan's 3 x mac & cheese, seafood paella, maple roasted pork prime rib, and the trio play, which is a prosciutto wrapped sea scallop, pan seared jumbo prawns, mushroom crusted sea bass with pineapple fennel confit, wilted spinach and a saffron sherry sauce. The separate dessert menu showcases Tahitian vanilla creme brulee, blueberry-peach crisp, coconut keylime tart and chocolate peanut butter chunk sundae. Look for the menu to change seasonally, at least 4 times a year.

Tender Greens
Liberty Station Marketplace
2400 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 104
(619) 226-6254
tendergreensfood.com

Tender Greens offers Simple Salads, Small Salads, Hot Stuff, Comfort Soups and Sweet Stuff...all made in house and delicious. Scarborough Farms in Oxnard, California supplies most of their produce and they use organic ingredients whenever possible. Think Grilled Chicken Cobb, Grilled Flank Steak and Happy Vegan Salads. Hot stuff from the Grill can be Rocky Junior Chicken, Herbed Brushed Local Albacore and Temecula Vegetables. Top this fresh, casual meal off with Carrot Top Frosted Cupcakes, Strawberry Almond Cookies, or Aztec Brownies. Walk in, place your order and go down the line where you will see all the salads being made and meats being cooked and cut. Much fun!

The Fish Market
750 N. Harbor Drive
(619) 232-FISH

With six restaurants to date, The Fish Market is becoming a chain of sorts. What started out as a small restaurant in Palo Alto in 1976 has grown to five locations in California and one in seafood-starved Phoenix. The San Diego outpost boasts a stunning view of the harbor and an infinite variety of fish on the menu. Unlike many chains, though, quality control is still tops here, and what you'll get on your plate is fresh, perfectly-cooked seafood. Begin with the fresh bay scallop ceviche or the Westcott Bay oysters, which come from the owners' farm in the San Juan Islands. Most of the fish is mesquite charbroiled, and the monkfish, yellowtail and ling cod are all fresh and wonderfully flavorful. You can opt for uncooked fish in the spacious sushi bar or simply settle for a cocktail and the view in the roomy lounge. Its couches are upholstered in (what else?) a fish print. Then there is the upstairs dining area, which is more upscale than down (no jeans allowed). Reservations are suggested and be sure to ask for a window table. The lights at night are spectacular! Lunch and dinner.

Trattoria Acqua
1298 Prospect
(619) 454-0709

Oops, I forgot one other good reason to go to La Jolla: Trattoria Acqua. It's located right across the street from the Shell Shop, which everyone who is anyone in La Jolla should be able to direct you to. And when you're near the seashells, you must be near the sea. If you sit outside at Acqua, you can see the blue Pacific as you inhale the bracing salt air. Inside, the setting is more French country than Italian trattoria, but maybe that's because the food is a blend of Meditteranean cuisines. One of the many rooms comprising the restaurant is a wine cellar. "I built it for my husband, because we didn't have room for one at home!" beams owner Victoria McGeath. This cozy and romantic corner is an excellent spot in which to enjoy the muscoli gratinati, baked mussels with bread crumbs, ground almonds, garlic and fresh herbs. The portabella alla griglia is also an excellent starter, a marinated and grilled portabella mushroom with baked polenta, balsamic-glazed onions and smoked scamorza cheese. Since you're dining a deux, share the halibut con cippoline fritti, oven-roasted halibut served over mashed potatoes and fizzled onions and the salmone al pepe, roasted Atlantic salmon served over lentils with a sherry vinaigrette. End your meal with a kiss and the Belgian chocolate walnut brownie. Lunch and dinner.

Urban Solace
3823 30th Street
(619) 295-6464
www.urbansolace.net

Created out of a desire to bring a new and exciting neighborhood dining concept to San Diego, Urban Solace’s new American comfort food and “comfort service,” is the creation of experienced restaurateurs, Matt Gordon and Scott Watkins.  Chef Gordon entices patrons with his menu of traditional food served with a modern twist including the New York White Cheddar Mac n’ Cheese with caramelized bacon and charred tomatoes and the Spiced Pork Belly with red beet and sweet corn slaw. Urban Solace’s charming façade in its urban North Park atmosphere offers a setting as cozy as the food. The restaurant’s walls feature work by local artists amid warm mahogany high ceilings and walls, a bar for table waiting and after-work schmoozing, tables for late-night dining, and a patio featuring the restaurant’s now-famed Sunday morning Bluegrass Brunch. Urban Solace has won numerous awards including the coveted “Best New Restaurant” from San Diego Magazine, “Best New American Comfort Food” from ABC’s Channel 10 News, “Best Overall Restaurant” from San Diego Downtown News and a “Silver Fork” award from San Diego Home/Garden. Urban Solace is open for lunch Monday – Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., dinner Monday – Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m., Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m. and for Sunday Bluegrass Brunch, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Menu items range from $6.00 to $15.75 for lunch and $9.95 to $15.75 for dinner.

whisknladle
1044 Wall Street
(858) 551-7575
www.whisknladle.com

Selected by Conde Nast as a Hot Table 2008, this restaurant aims to please. The food is first class, as are the waitstaff and, obviously, the kitchen staff. Think homemade bakery items, breads, ice cream...even house churned butter. Open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, whisknladle has a chef's table that seats up to 14 guests in a private and intimate setting. There is also a bar serving food and drink. Seasonal menu's are tailored to suit every taste and budget. A few highlights of the menu are: Mussels and Fries, Grilled Fish Tacos, Niman Ranch Cheeseburger, Daily (house made) Soup, Flatbreads, Chorizo & Date Fritters, Slow Roasted Pork Rack, Meyer Lemon Creme Brulee, Apple Pie and House Churned Ice Creams & Sorbets. I could go on and on. whisknladle has partnered with local farmers, ranchers and fisherman committed to providing the best possible products.