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San Diego, California RESTAURANTS WE LIKE www.TrustedTours.com |
Dining in San Diego is a sensory experience - as much ambience as taste. The taste comes from the freshest seafood and bountiful fresh produce, main ingredients in the California cuisine, Asian fusion, Italian dishes and authentic Mexican fare found on San Diego menus. The atmosphere comes from glorious weather, a dramatic landscape and a historic downtown, wonderfully restored.
The ideal weather lends itself to al fresco dining - on a pier, along the beach, overlooking dramatic coves; with views of the ocean, active bayfront, or glittering skyline. Dine in courtyards and patios; along city sidewalks; in parks and gardens.
The largest concentration of dining options is in the Gaslamp Quarter. Sleek, glossy, warmly comfortable or intimate, all are cosmopolitan, housed in restored historic structures creatively adapted to urban dining and have inventive names and menus. Try Tuscan cuisine at Acqua Al 2, Asti Ristorante and Osteria Panevino. Chive boasts “cuisine moderne;” Aubergine’s menu is Asian inspired. There’s always live music at Croce’s; enjoy Flamenco dancing and tasty tapas at Café Sevilla. Nearby, smooth and savory Thai cuisine and works of art go hand in hand at Saffron, while Hash House a Go Go serves huge portions of ordinary food with extraordinary twists.
Views, views, views - Downtown, enjoy cocktails and a spectacular view at the Top of the Hyatt. Bertrand’s at Mr. A’s serves French and California cuisine along with sweeping views of Balboa Park and San Diego Harbor. Along the Embarcadero, views of the busy bay and seafood reign at casual Fish Market, the dramatic Star of the Sea or Anthony’s Fish Grotto. Island Prime on Harbor Island near the airport also has a harbor views. In La Jolla, George’s at the Cove and Trattoria Acqua have grand Pacific views and great food; in the Marine Room sit beside special windows made to withstand the Pacific waves crashing against it. Coronado offers elegance and views in the Sky Room in the “La V” and the Top of the Cove and a beachfront cabana atmosphere in the new 1500 Ocean at the Del.
For something tasty on the run, line up at Kansas City BBQ, of Top Gun fame, just across from the Convention Center. Find casual, beachy fare at Mission Café in Mission Beach, near the boardwalk, or grab a fish taco at Rubios. Savor authentic regional Mexican flavors at El Agave Tequileria in Old Town, Mexican fare and strolling Mariachis in Casa Guadalajara or the best carne asada burritos at La Posta #8. In Balboa Park, El Prado Restaurant’s hacienda décor is a fitting backdrop for its Mexican and California cuisine. Save enough room for Extraordinary Desserts at the edge of Balboa Park, or pick up something chocolate-y from Chi Chocolate in Little Italy.
Wrap up the evening in one of Gaslamp Quarter’s sophisticated clubs and hot nightspots. Futuristic in chrome slashed with neon colors or in stark black and white, with cushy leather couches, spectacular dance floors, and bars, long, sleek, or roof-top with fire pits and incredible views, they are the places to be seen. Hip places - Stingaree, Deco’s, Confidential, Altitude, JBar, Thin, Red Circle, Beach - are but a few.
Trust us, we've been there!
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