From My Recent January Trip:
3843 Richmond Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619-296-6056
Located in Hillcrest, this quaint Thai restaurant serves up classic fare in comfortable surrounds. While the menu is quite extensive and a bit creative, the core dishes ring true. I would suggest trying the Pad Thai, Summer Rolls and various curries as they are all excellent. In addition, they have a reasonable selection of wines and beers. If you’re looking for authentic, Thai cuisine, venture forth to Hillcrest!
1106 1st Street
Coronado, CA 92118
619-435-4323
Located on the bay-side of Coronado Island, Tartine offers French-European fare in a relaxed cafe environment. The restaurant offers pastries and coffees for breakfast. For lunch, the menu expands to include several excellent paninis - try the turkey (with marinated artichokes and gruyère) or the simple ham and brie - as well as salads and other small dishes such as quiche. Dinner includes a range of entrees from mussels to duckling. Altogether, Tartine is an excellent, light dining experience that hits the right note on Coronado’s main drag.
2929 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
619-294-2132
Apparently there are two locations of this divine dessert locale. I went to the one situated in the little white house on near Balboa Park. There was a line snaking out onto the sidewalk when we arrived one Saturday night around 8PM, however, the waitstaff moved quickly to manage the volume and we did not end up standing around too long. The brainchild of pastry whiz Karen Krasne, this dessert shop offers amazingly sized cakes, pastries, etc. that are delicious and elegant. I had the passion fruit pavlova - meringue, passion fruit creme, fresh fruit - while my dining companions sampled some of the chocolate cakes - raspberry and dark chocolate, chocolate and praline. The whole aesthetic is traditional french-style desserts with global flavors and exotic panache. The average size of the desserts is enormous, so don’t be afraid to ask for a to go bag. If you can’t make it out to Balboa Park, there is another location in Little Italy. Enjoy!
3175 India Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619-358-9766
I ventured to Starlight with my sister and her husband for an after-diner drink on a chilly Saturday night. My sister had heard that it was an intriguing and well-designed spot in an odd part of town, right off of the San Diego Freeway. It was indeed interesting. You enter through a hexagonal opening of wooden slats and immediately come upon the large central bar under a high ceiling with dangling star lights. There are tables pushed to the edges around the bar that are for dining. If the interior bar is full, make your way to the back, where there is a second, out door bar and seating area. We had a glass of sparkling rose vin du table out there and enjoyed the atmosphere. They have a large list of specialty cocktails as well. I understand their dinner menu to be locally, and seasonally focused Americana-fusion fare. Check it out.
11480 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-453-4420
Nestled into the ocean-side cliffs north of La Jolla, The Lodge at Torrey Pines is an architecturally stunning resort, golf course, and great place to grab a cocktail before dinner! I’ve hung out in the bar at Torrey Pines several times. It’s very relaxing to sit either outside on the porch or inside next to the roaring fire while sipping a California Pinot or Chard. Designed in the Craftsman-style, it is all warm woods, stained glass and delicate wrought-iron details. If you have the time, wander about the property - it is gorgeous! I highly recommend stopping by at some point, if you are in the area.
From Past Visits:
721 9th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
619-232-3242
Cafe Chloé is a cute little french eatery located in downtown San Diego. It offers lovely pastries and breakfast items in the morning followed by more traditional french bistro fare for lunch and in the evenings (think duck confit and steak-frites). The café is well-appointed emulating “Parisian-chic” with little tables inside and out, as well as a central dark wood bar. They have a decent wine list, heavily tilted towards france, as well as an informed selection of local and international beers. Overall, well worth a stop for a quick café au lait or a light meal if you’re in the area.
4529 Mission Bay Dr
San Diego, CA 92109
858-270-5670
This little sushi spot is regularly touted as one of the best in San Diego, if not the best. It’s location would belie all such aspirations as it is situated next to a 7 Eleven in a back corner of a little strip mall. You can make reservations, but they often don’t seem to mean much, as I’ve had to wait a good while to eat there every time I’ve gone. People just don’t want to leave! This is a classic sushi-joint. They do amazing pieces - luscious tuna, salmon, yellowtail, etc. They also have rolls and other japanese fare (like tempura and gyoza, e.g.) however, I wouldn’t waste my time on these creations. I would go straight for the good, old-fashioned sushi. It can’t be beat!
628 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103-4220
619-298-4646
This mainly breakfast joint is constantly packed (though they serve lunch and dinner as well). You could go at 3 PM on any day and still probably encounter a wait. Known for their huge flapjacks and amazing hashes, this place is worth the wait. You will be so full, you won’t nbeed to eat anything for the rest of the day anyhow! I recommend the veggie HH Eggs Benedict, the House Smoked Salmon Hash and any of the Flapjacks (though particularly the Blueberry Pecan or the Brown Sugar Banana). Get one to share with your table!
3687 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103-4218
619-543-1007
The sister restaurant of the Hash House, it is actually located right down the street! I went here one morning after being turned away from Hash House. It was a lucky chance, as I like the Tractor Room even more than Hash House. It has the same over-sized approach to breakfast/brunch as the Hash House, but it is a little more refined. They serve up amazing rosemary corn bread to start while you sit and peruse the concise but broad menu. I highly recommend the Fresh Ground Lamb Scramble, the Elk Sausage Hash, and the Free Range Boar Hash. They are all delicious. Of course, they also have Flapjacks much like Hash House. They are huge, so again, get one for the table to share. Finally, they are whizzes with Bloody Mary’s. Sit outside on their porch, order yourself a cocktail, and while your Sunday afternoon away.
