664257 Mon Nov 02 19:04:52 -0800 2009 9 3 California 0 5150909 traveling to San Diego area - staying in the city at The US Grant hotel for 3 nights and then in Carlsbad at the Sheraton for 2 nights - our 2 children will be with us - they are good with a "nice" restaurant, but fine dining wouldn't work what do you all recommend for dinner (i need 3 nights) that would be within walking distance or short cab ride in SD? anything good in Carlsbad, again needs to be walking or short cab ride appreciate any help - mk Mon Nov 02 19:04:52 -0800 2009 203665 mkrtx 1 5151049 The US Grant hotel is within easy walking distance of the biggest cluster of restaurants in San Diego. Even if we strip out those which are too touristy, that still leaves a big chunk. Can you tell us what sort of food you like, and dislike? Mon Nov 02 20:30:04 -0800 2009 5150909 23548 y6y6y6 1 5151103 this is a very common request. for downtown/Gaslamp, do a search for the area and you'll turn up the usual suspects. for Carlsbad, type in "Carlsbad," "La Costa" or "Encinitas," the last being the next town south and a short cab ride. La Costa is the "nicer" section of Carlsbad. Mon Nov 02 21:23:44 -0800 2009 5150909 10853 daantaat 1 5151396 the Boys, of course, really love American, soul, and Italian - the occasional French (traditional and more nouveau) is okay as well - the spanish-influenced cuisines are good as we have lots of those in Dallas they have less exposure to middle-eastern, indian, vietnamese, and thai food, so those might not be good venues appreciate any help - mk Tue Nov 03 05:09:55 -0800 2009 5150909 203665 mkrtx 1 5152104 Cafe Chloe, Cowboy Star, and Oceanaire are all good and "within walking distance or short cab ride" from Grant Hotel. Tue Nov 03 09:34:27 -0800 2009 5150909 155341 stevewag23 2 5152645 I was also coming back to suggest Cafe Chloe, Cowboy Star, and Oceanaire. You'll have to decide for yourself if those are too fine dining for the kids. I think you'd be fine. Tue Nov 03 12:08:22 -0800 2009 5152104 23548 y6y6y6 1 5152234 Love staying at the US Grant hotel and the Grant Grill is excellent. Dobson's across the street is excellent for their mussel bisque en croute..great food and drink...Cafe Chloe in East Village is excellent, Oceanaire or Jsix at Hotel Solamar. Carlsbad..I would do King's Fish House, Norte for decent Mex and one of the best chile relleno's and Vigilucci's.. Tip Tops meats has a pretty good German deli/restaurant..Karl Strauss is ok but not great. Maybe hit up Casa de Bandini that just opened up..kind of touristy and the food is decent but they do make a killer aquarium size margarita! Haven't been to Vivace at the Four Seasons in awhile but it used to be good. www.vigiluccis.com http://bazaardelmundo.com/bandini/ Tue Nov 03 10:07:50 -0800 2009 5150909 97452 Beach Chick 1 5152452 House of Blues is a block away. The food won't knock your socks off and I understand the place has gone downhill a bit (since Live Nation took over), however it might be a fun atmosphere for the kids (depending on age). Up in Carlsbad, you could Try Sammy's Woodfired Pizza. It's a "nice" restaurant but certainly not fine dining ($12-15 a person). it's not a S-M-L-XL type pizza place, more of a personal pizza and great salads type place. (menu: http://www.sammyspizza.com/menu.html). Tue Nov 03 11:11:15 -0800 2009 5150909 1088572 csils 1 5153279 First of all, you are going to love the Grant. I just stayed there and it was fantastic. I'll echo Cafe Chloe and add Acqua Al 2. Exquisite meal, very varied menu, Italian. http://www.acquaal2.com/ Tue Nov 03 15:10:03 -0800 2009 5150909 220091 outshined 1 5153296 For Carlsbad I strongly recommend Paon restaurant. Chef, manager, and staff are from WineSellar and Brasserie and they are just as good, if not better here. Tue Nov 03 15:16:59 -0800 2009 5150909 248052 4wino