Small plates in San Diego

[Leahsift]

I just got back from my beloved Chicago and experienced some wonderful meals. It seems like the newest food trend is small plates. Chefs from Publican, Bristol, and Volo have done a wonderful job of creating small plates that highlight local, organic, and seasonal tasting menus. In addition, places like Flo and Lula offer an inviting and casual atmosphere where friends can lounge, chat, drink, and eat local delicacies for hours at a time.

I'm fairly new to San Diego and our friends are visiting us this weekend. Does anyone have any suggestions in San Diego like the aforementioned? Thanks in advance.

[honkman]

Parallel 33 also started to have small plates. I liked their concept but haven't visited them for a few years. Did anybody eat there recently ?

[stevuchan]

3rd Corner, The Turquoise, Costa Brava and Whisk 'n Ladle are all on my current small plate rotation.

[rotie77]

You can't go wrong with Wine Vault and Bistro, either their Friday Bistro menu or their Saturday 5 courses for $25. The food is excellent, well-priced, and a nice wine selection to boot.

[stevewag23]

"It seems like the newest food trend is small plates."

Since like 2002 in San Francisco.

For San Diego, Jayne's Gastropub, Starlight lounge and Modus (although I havent been there in a while.)

[chris2269]

I'll throw in my vote for Bite as well.

Monday is half price bottles of wine (doesn't help with your weekend guests but good to know)

We have had about 10 of the dishes there

Hits were The Lamb meatballs, Pot roast, Crab carbonara(sp?), Stuffed figs, and the smoked chicken Pizza.

Misses - Pizza bianca, Chicken skewers.

[Leahsift]

I just looked at all the websites--these suggestions are GREAT! Bite looks particularly yummy. Thank you! This is just what I wanted...

[DougOLis]

Bite would probably be my first choice
Confidential - the chef there just got the boot last week on Top Chef
Apertivo - more veggie friendly and Italian oriented

[notjustastomach]

Apertivo might be more veggie friendly than the other restaurants mentioned. But the food is under-flavored and, given the portion sizes, overpriced.

Though I eat mostly veggie, it definitely is NOT a go-to restaurant.

[honkman]

Apertivo was once quite good but the last two visits were big disappointments - really lousy, overprice food.

[DougOLis]

ahh, good to know. I haven't been in a long time (at least a year I guess) so I was making a rec off an old perception.

[jmtreg]

That sucks. . .I really liked that place.

[mimosa]

Bite in Hillcrest
I also like Starlite Lounge's appetizers but I don't know if they count as small plate

[Leahsift]

Thanks for the response!