San Diego IS that sun-drenched bastion of casual dress and friendly people. The phrase "have a nice day" takes the place of 'good bye' and the people mean it. Yes, endlessly friendly and always smiling the people of San Diego have the best weather in the world. And they have some of the best food. And why shouldn't they? Can you think of another place in the U S of A where you can enjoy patio dining in December? Among the best and the newest is,
HASH HOUSE A GO-GO 3628 5th Avenue (Hillcrest), San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 298-4646 Hours: (Mon-Sun) from 7:30 am; (Tues-Sun) from 5:30 pm This endlessly hip yet unpretentious little gem, the co-creation of Johnny Rivera and Chef Craig 'Andy' Beardsley, opened to rave reviews on August 1, 2000. Johnny and Andy assembled a team of the best and the brightest cooks, waiters and bartenders in the area with the promise of a casual friendly place to work. And it really shows. The service is friendly and fun. The ambiance is tasteful yet casual right down to the eclectic selections of music. Everything from great jazz to classical will tantalize your ears while the smells emanating from the kitchen have you hypnotized before you see a menu. The most often repeated phase in the dining room "WHAT WAS THAT"?, is uttered regularly as the dishes being delivered to the next table blow you away with their aroma and presentation. And that is presentation with a capital P. The Hash House meatloaf stuffed with spinach, red peppers and smoked mozzarella served with mashed potato, is to die for. Perfect with a glass of Evolution, an interesting little white wine made with 9 different varitals. How about the venerable Chicken breast done Hash House style, pan seared with fried polenta, asparagus and a light mushroom Madeira cream sauce, mmmm. The chicken would be proud to be served in this fine sauce. Vegetarians are not left with the leftovers. Chef Andy has given them some wonderful choices including grilled corn on the cob. That is 4 ears of corn with the husks peeled back then char-grilled and served with Brie mashed potato and honey butter. The wine list is young and refreshing, the food is delicious and creative, the staff if cheerful and friendly, the ambiance is casual and hip. Hash House a go-go, if you are in San Diego you must, a go-go.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $20 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
WINESELLAR & BRASSERIE 9550 Waples Street, San Diego, CA 92121 (858) 450-9557 Hours: (Tues-Fri) from 5:30 pm; (Sat & Sun) from 11:30 am Gary Parker, wine enthusiast extraordinaire started a wine storage facility in a warehouse and light industrial area in San Diego. Gary soon noticed that his customers were often coming to collect their wines before going out to dinner that evening somewhere in San Diego. Click, the light went off in his head. Why not have a restaurant right here. With a good quality restaurant his wine storage customers could just stay and consume their wines with his food. Boom!, the Brasserie was born. Gary knew that the clientele for his wine storage business were a very sophisticated bunch, so he partnered with Doug Organ the "enfant terrible" of the San Diego dining scene and the puzzle was complete. This is fine dining, starters like goat cheese and artichoke ravioli with tomato confit, Nicoise olives and pistou, will wake the palate and get you set for the next course. With a compact and well thought out seafood selection the menu offers exquisite dishes like seared Maine diver scallops with saffron, leeks and fennel. Meats and poultry are not forgotten, try a delicious pan roasted duck breast & seared foie gras with figs, cipollini onions and lavender honey. Desserts are made on the premises with care and creativity. Unique combinations like strawberries in balsamic vinegar syrup and vanilla bean ice cream and cracked black pepper, will leave you with that slightly full yet very full-filled feeling. If you don't have any wine stored at the Wine Sellar, then you can choose from Gary's 2500 bottle selection, Wine Spectators Grand Award winner 11 years running.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45 - $55
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
OLD TOWN MEXICAN CAFÉ 2489 San Diego Avenue (Old Town), San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 297-4330 Hours: (Mon-Sun) from 7 am A 45-minute wait on Monday night????? Why not wait at one of the best bars in the city of San Diego? Old Town Mex, as it is called, has several dining areas including a large outdoor patio. The bar wraps all the way around from the patio to the interior. What makes Old Town Mex so good? The tortillas of course. The whole front of this fine restaurant is a large flat griddle where several "mamacitas" (little mothers) prepare the tortillas by hand. Watch them grind the corn then add water to form a paste then hand form and grill the tortillas that will come with your dinner. How about fresh grilled camerones (Shrimp) served with refried beans and Mexican spiced rice with corn or flour tortillas of course. Chase that down with one of Old Towns famous margaritas or a cold Dos Equis (Mexican beer) and Mexican music will fill your dreams that night.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
GULF COAST GRILL 4130 Park Boulevard (Hillcrest), San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 295-2244 Hours: (Mon-Sat)11 am-2 pm/from 5 pm; (Sun) from 10 am Sassy Southern and Southwestern cuisine, the Gulf Coast Grill will tantalize while making you a friend. Comfortable, friendly this locals' favorite is sure to please your palate. Go easy at first as the Gulf Coast Grill has some of the largest portions on the face of the earth. Start with baked stuffed oysters, Darrell's crab cakes or the shrimp and goat cheese relleno. Remember, take it easy and take it slow so you can enjoy more of the best. Entrees like the Mississippi mustard catfish, five peppercorn crusted Ahi or corn batter crusted fish and shrimp will blow you away. Desserts are in the finest southern tradition. Offerings include Georgia peach cobbler, old-fashioned bread pudding and chocolate peanut butter pecan torte. There is nothing small at the Gulf Coast Grill. Just flavorful food and lots of it. Be prepared to have leftovers for lunch. A great value and a great venue.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
CANDELAS 416 3rd Avenue (Gaslamp District), San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 702 4455 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11 am-2 pm/5 pm-11:30 pm Ahh! Candelas, this is not a "Mexican restaurant", no Candelas is a delightful fusion of Nouvelle (new) French and Mexican haute (high) cuisine as practiced by Eduardo Baeza formerly Executive Chef at Maxim's in Mexico City. Candelas is intimate with an understated yet sophisticated interior, friendly service and Ohhh! the food. Pairing an appropriate Spanish, Chilean, South American or French wine with your meal should be left to Alberto. Alberto Mestre is the co-owner and maitre' d. Trust Alberto to select the right wine for amazing dishes like the mejillones estilo jalisco appetizer, fresh mussels flambé' with aged tequila, red onion, leek, potato and sour cream. Main courses include gems like timbal de mariscos,
The Top List of Great Restaurants - San Diego, CA