San Diego - XMas Eve

[fishermb]

Hey all, trying to book something through OpenTable to make things simple, in the Downtown/Gas Lamp area which is near our hotel. Can anyone recommend any of these? We're planning on hitting Kaito Sushi the following night, so not Japanese, but other Asian cuisines are welcome. All that said, we will have a car, so if there is a must-hit spot that's definitely open on XMas Eve not too far of a drive from the airport, please let me know, Thanks!

Acqua Al 2 Ristorante
Bertrand at Mister A's
Blue Point Coastal Cuisine
Cafe Sevilla - San Diego
Candelas
Confidential Restaurant & Loft
Cowboy Star
Crescent Heights Kitchen & Lounge
Currant Brasserie
Dakota Grill & Spirits
Donovan's Gaslamp
Dussini Mediterranean Bistro
Grant Grill
JSix Restaurant
Lou & Mickey's
Marble Room
Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge
The Prado at Balboa Park
Quarter Kitchen - Ivy Hotel
Rainwater's on Kettner
Rama - A Fine Thai Restaurant by Celadon
Red Pearl Kitchen - Gaslamp
Rei do Gado
Rice - W San Diego
Roseville
Sally's on the Water
Tom Hams Lighthouse
Trattoria La Strada
Vela at Hilton San Diego Bayfront

[foodiechick]

Beach Chick's suggestion of Oceanaire is brilliant and for that kind of special evening I would rank it above any on your initial list. Also, do call ahead about Kaito Sushi being open on Christmas night (unless one of the KS experts addresses it here before the end of the week). Very few places are open in this town on Christmas night except the big, expensive places catering to families or hotels.

[fishermb]

Just called Oceanaire, unfortunately they close at 8PM XMas Eve (our flight doesn't get in until 7:15PM) and are closed all XMas Day.

[foodiechick]

Unfortunately, this is a pretty sleepy town and I think that will be the outcome of most of your restaurant inquiries for Xmas Eve and Xmas. I live in the heart of La Jolla and it is practically boarded up on those days. Safest bet is to stick to the big hotel restaurants. Grant Grill, JSix, Quarter Kitchen, Rice downtown...and still call ahead for hours. Stay away from Tom Ham's Lighthouse for anything. And really should call ahead to Kaito - I would be very surprised if they are open on Christmas day.

[Beach Chick]

"Stay away from Tom Ham's Lighthouse for anything"..foodiechick is so right...it blows!

Love Whaling Bar at La Valencia Hotel in LJ for Christmas Eve..local LJ tradition.
Merry Christmas!

[foodiechick]

Beach Chick are you, by any chance going to the party at LA V on Tuesday?

[Beach Chick]

probably not with in-laws in town, but if I do, would LOVE to have some cocktails with you!

[Beach Chick]

That's too bad fishermb on Oceanaire..
I would do the Grant Grill at the US Grant Hotel or JSix at Hotel Solamar...

www.grantgrill.com
www.hotelsolamar.com
www.gaslamp.org

[JRSD]

We had the best service of any restaurant we have been to in SD at Grant Grill. The food was very good as well.

[fishermb]

Does anyone have any strong feelings towards Amarin or Rama for thai food? Both will be open on Christmas Night, thai sounds like something good to throw in our mix, but from a few lengthy threads I read, SD doesn't exactly have good thai food.

[littlestevie]

Rama sure is a pretty place. The food is decent and probably too Americanized for most people on this board, but for that reason my s.o. likes it.

[DougOLis]

Sab E Lee has good Thai food but it's not a fancier place if that's what you're looking for.

[fishermb]

I definitely could care less about ambiance, I live in Brooklyn and am all about the authentic-hole-in-the-wall versus the trendy Americanized hotspot.

[Cathy]

Sab-E-Lee is the best Thai.

Unsure how late open on Christmas Eve. You may have to drive straight from airport...There are only 6 tables, no alcohol...but the best food. I'll try to call now and edit this.

[fishermb]

I gave them a call, they will be open on Christmas Night which is when I'll probably wind up going, thanks all!

[Beach Chick]

Bertrand at Mister A's
JSix
Grant Grill

Oceanaire for Seafood that is not on your list and excellent.

[stevewag23]

Wow...what a list (the OP).

I would actually scratch almost all those.

Currant Brasserie is good. Anyone been there recently?

If you want other asian, the Yakatori in Hillcrest is no holds barred legit. Not fancy though.

I agree Mister A's can be good.

Oceanaire of course.