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The Prado
The Top List of Great Restaurants - San Diego, CA
San Diego offers some of the best dining.
by Jennifer Bengen & Chris Faust
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, puff pastry stuffed with shrimp, scallops, mussels, sea snail, clams and fresh fish chunks flambé with three tequilas then drizzled with guajillo chile sauce. Ternero huichol is a 12-oz. veal chop grille marked, served over white rice with dark mole and rosemary sauce.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
JACK's LA JOLLA
Jack’s La Jolla
7863 Girard Avenue
San Diego, CA 92037
(858) 456-8111
Hours: (Tues-Wed) 5:30pm-9:00pm; (Thurs-Sat) 5:30pm-10:00pm; (Sun) 5:30pm-9:00pm; closed Monday
This beautiful, formal restaurant in the heart of downtown La Jolla has a well-deserved reputation for excellence. Opened in 2006, Jack’s is a collection of classy bars and dining areas. A loungy piano bar on the lower level is filled most nights with sophisticated singles or couples sipping enjoying drinks and appetizers, and the upstairs level takes on a nightclub feel after 10:30. In the dining room area upstairs, a beautiful, airy atrium sets the stage for a dining experience which is difficult to match in San Diego. There are actually three dining areas, all of which offer a view of the bar areas or courtyard down below. The menu a fusion of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, with offerings such as fresh goat cheese, foie gras and Jidori Chicken and Poached Lobster.
Cuisine Type: Mediterranean and Asian Fusion
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45- $55
MARKET Restaurant + Bar
3702 Via de la Valle
Del Mar, CA 92014
P: (858) 523-0007
Hours: (Sun-Thurs) 5:30pm – 9:30pm; (Fri & Sat) 5:30pm – 10:00pm; Bar open nightly from 5:00pm
Taking the place of the Blackhorse Grill in July of 2006, Market Restaurant & Bar has quickly developed into an always hopping North County hot spot. The interior has been redesigned to reflect a warmer, more cozy ambience, and seating now extends into the bar area. The menu is full of wonderfully fresh produce, seafood and meat collected at local farmers markets and businesses, and the menu changes daily. While award-winning chef Carl Schroeder still offers his famous short ribs, other tempting offerings include the scallops with sweet-pea pasta and a cipollini onion–and-mushroom ragout. The Oyster Cobb Salad is also reported to be a menu standout.
Cuisine Type: Californian, New American
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
NINE-TEN
910 Prospect St, La Jolla, 92037
(858) 964-5400
Hours: (Mon-Sun) 6:30am-11am, 11:30am-2:30pm, 6:00-10:30pm
Situated between Fay and Girard in downtown La Jolla next to the Grande Colonial Hotel, Nine-Ten offers patrons some of the best and classiest sidewalk dining in San Diego. Beautiful views of the ocean can be viewed from the indoor Grand Terrace.
The restaurant is known for its fresh menu selections, many of which use produce from local farms or international locales, including the sizeable and impressive wine menu. If you’re feeling adventurous or simply can’t decide, go for the “Mercy of the Chef” option, which is $70 or $110 with paired wine selections. Nine-Ten offers intriguing selections such as the Harissa Marinated Shrimp.
Cuisine Type: Californian, Asian
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45-$55
THE PRADO
1549 El Prado (Balboa Park), San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 557-9441
Hours: (Mon-Sun) 11 am-3 pm/5 pm-10 pm
The Prado Restaurant is located in the 'House of Hospitality' in Balboa Park. Balboa Park is the site of the 1935 Worlds Exposition. The 1400 acre park and its spectacular Spanish Colonial Architecture houses 14 museums, 4 theaters, and the world famous San Diego Zoo. The family can spend the whole day at the park with its many cultural and entertainment venues. And when it comes time to eat just look for the House of Hospitality and there you will find The Prado Restaurant. This fabulously appointed restaurant was named Best New Restaurant 2000 by San Diego Magazine and received the Gold Medallion Award for Best New Restaurant 2000. The cuisine is Latin Italian fusion. High on my list of dishes created by Executive Chef Jeff Thurston are the beef and chicken empanadas fried in a pastry shell with avocado-serrano chile salsa, chipolte cream, corn and black bean jicama slaw or the saffron streamed Manila clams in a garlic, tomato and herb broth. After a cool drink and appetizer in the bar you can make your way to the patio overlooking the park's 11-acre Japanese Friendship Gardens. There you can satisfy your culinary urge with a honey-chipotle marinated rib eye steak served with caramelized onions and a blue cheese quesidilla in a toasted cumin seed bordelaise sauce. The Prado has a cooking and wine school and is a great place for weddings and special events.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
YOSHI JAPANESE SUSHI RESTAURANT
6715 Mira Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 587-4755
Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11 am-2 pm/5 pm-10 pm
Sushi is sushi is sushi, right? Nope, not in the case of Yoshi Japanese Sushi Restaurant. Mana Nogami is a 3rd generation sushi Chef from Kuchu Island in southern Japan. The sushi tradition practiced on Kuchu Island is unique and very special. Have you ever noticed that sushi bars are often located in weird spots like industrial parks? It seems the Japanese don't understand the American concept of "location, location, location". Yoshi is no exception, located in a retail area full of car dealerships, paint stores and lumber yards. However, everyone seems to have discovered Yoshi. It is for good reason that Yoshi is so popular and that reason is, rrrrrrrrrrrr! drum roll please, the food. Yoshi is known for their aphrodisiac specials, fresh eel maki and the monkey eyeballs. The eel maki is made with seaweed, sticky rice, stuffed crab, cucumber and avocado topped with a healthy piece if fresh water eel. The monkey eyeball is made with an ahi tuna and crab stuffed mushroom with a secret spiced sauce lightly fried in a delicate tempura batter. Yoshi boasts 10 different regional sakes including the famous Kubota sake. Kubota sake is made using only the "crystal" part of the rice. This is the interior 40% of the rice kernel and has a translucent crystalline appearance. I think they must extract it by hand because a bottle of Kubota Sake (1.6 liter) is $250.00. Yoshi also features Sapporo, Kirin and Asahi Japanese beers.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Estimated cost per person for dinner is based upon one entrée, one beverage, and 20% gratuity.
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