One Night in San Diego

[BabyBao]

I am coming down to San Diego (from LA) for one night (tomorrow night), and I want to have an AMAZING dinner. Do you have any recs? Price is not a concern. I'm leaning toward a white tablecloth-type restaurant, but I would consider a more casual dining restaurant if the food is truly stellar.

Thanks!

[Dallas Alice]

I relied, in part, on the suggestions in this string for choosing restaurants this past weekend on a brief visit to SD, so I thought I'd give you some feedback. Our first evening, we asked the conciege at the hotel (we stayed at the W) for a suggestion; he said Osetra. Average food, overpriced; a disapointment. The next evening, we went to George's. Great view; we loved listening to the seals bark. Not great, but very good. The food was well-executed, although nothing was memorable, and the service was prompt and friendly, even for a busy weekend evening. Our last dinner was at Cafe Chloe, which was easily our best meal. Everything was wonderful, and the real joys were in the details -- the white wine gelee that accompanied the cheese plate, the caramel espresso sauce that went with the pistaccio bread pudding, the little pumpkin appetizer -- everything, including the service, was exceptional. We also loved the fish tacos at El Pescador in La Jolla -- that place is a gem.

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Cafe Chloe
721 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

[Fake Name]

Glad you enjoyed Chloe, sorry about the other. There are a large number of reasons a concierge will recommend a particular place, and some of those reasons are do to a good dining experience.

[Fake Name]

I'd also suggest Cowboy Star.

Friends have mentioned that pigs can fly, but until I see and experience that, I'll have to settle for the cuisine of Berlin.

[SDGourmand]

Blanca or Kitchen 1540 would work but they are in North County.. Cucina Urbana is always a favorite and you could head over to Mister A's after for drinks..

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Mister A's Restaurant
2550 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

[stevewag23]

You would need to eat real early at Cucina Urbana as Mister A's closes really early.

[Fake Name]

It's a bit true- a little like saying;
 
 
 
"I'm from Newcastle and am coming to San DIego in search of some great coal".
 
 

But let me not be a CH snob for a second. Herr Honkman has already asked the critical question about your venue. Tell us more- San Diego's a big place, and your location here would narrow it down a bit. I could trot out the SDCH favorites for you:

Addison
Cowboy Star
Cafe Chloe
Urban Solace
Mariscos German
Dobsons (mussel Bisque *en croute*!)
Farmhouse Cafe
Cucina Urbana
Market
Banker's Hill B & R
Georges
Super Sergios on Convoy (bonus- a drive thru!)
Cheesecake Factory
Prado
 
 
(easy everyone, just kidding about those last two)

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Cafe Chloe
721 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Urban Solace Restaurant
3823 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104

Mariscos German
3515 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104

Super Sergio's
4125 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

The Cheesecake Factory
7067 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

[BabyBao]

Thanks for your suggestions!

To be clear, I'm not coming to San Diego in only seach of a great dinner. I am going to be there for a conference, and it would be awesome if my visit could include a really good meal. So, I gues what I really want to know is: where should I go for a nice, sit-down dinner with good food? Having visited San Diego a number of times, I already know that I can get AMAZING tacos, but that's not really the kind of meal I'm looking for.

I will be staying downtown, but I'll have a car and can travel.

[honkman]

As DiningDiva mentioned compared to LA you will have problems to have an amazing dinner in SD but for a very good dinner in white tablecloth-type restaurant I would pick Georges in La Jolla.
A lot of people often mention Addison as the best in SD and I haven't been to Addison but friends mentioned that it is very overpriced for the quality you get (Providence prices but not even close to the quality)

[DiningDiva]

For the downtown area, your best bets may be...

Cowboy Star - http://www.thecowboystar.com/
Cafe Chloe - http://0044fcb.netsolhost.com/menu/menu_dinner.htm
(Possibly the) Grant Grill - http://www.grantgrill.com/
1500 Ocean - in the Hotel del on Coronado - http://www.dine1500ocean.com/
Mr. A's - 5th & Laurel - http://www.bertrandatmisteras.com/

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Cafe Chloe
721 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

1500 Ocean
1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118

[Josh]

I'd probably opt for Cowboy Star. You'll be able to walk there, and it's good.

[Ewilensky]

Cowboy Star or Chloe would be my picks - they're around the corner from one another so if one doesn't interest you, try the other.

[Indirect Heat]

Give Cowboy Star a try. There aren't many white cloth places that can deliver in San Diego. Cowboy Star can.

[lovesfood11]

You should be kidding about the Prado also!

[Indirect Heat]

Heh, to be sure, should be kidding about George's too.

Nice view from George's. But the food? A travesty.

[Beach Chick]

I think it is totally unfair Indirect Heat to state that George's is a 'travesty'..
We all know you've been there once and didn't have a good experience...we all respect that but you have to be careful on your verbiage..
George's represents San Diego/La Jolla quite well...is it stellar..I would say that the whole overall vibe from either the fine dining or the ocean terrace restaurant is a great place to eat and drink overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

[Indirect Heat]

Three times. Been there twice for food. Gave up on food, returned for cocktails and view. I figure twice is more than enough times to judge them on their food. They won't get any more money from me for anything other than cocktails and the view (more view than cocktails - it is a fabulous view).

[Beach Chick]

Sorry, I thought it was once but I'm curious what you had and what level of restaurant did you dine to use such strong verbiage as travesty?
Thank's!
BC

Did you also have a different poster name?

[honkman]

We called them a few days before and ask for a tasting menu at Georges a few months ago and that was one of the best food I had in SD in along time - Creative and very good execution.

[Fake Name]

Two restaurants about which I was being (unusually) facetious :

Prado
Cheesecake Factory

It's well-known that I find Super Sergio's carne asada burrito one of the most underrated food experience in San Diego- wait- the world. It's true- I've had more meals at Sergios than I have an any of France or Italy's bistros and enotecas.
 
 
Don't be hatin on the Sergios, my homies! <<<<thus proving I's "street".

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Super Sergio's
4125 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

The Cheesecake Factory
7067 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

[foodiechick]

This post has garnered the attention of the husband. Thanks FN.

[Cathy]

Super Sergio's is open 21 hours a day...

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Super Sergio's
4125 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

[Fake Name]

Tell husband we should make it a lunch date!

Remember Sergios is a special occasion place. Only when one can afford a day's calories wrapped in a warm tortilla should one visit this culinary palace. And they don't take reservations.

[foodiechick]

The husband is cool with the no reservations policy, but inquired as to the dress code: business casual?

[Fake Name]

If you weigh more than 500 lbs, you may not wear spandex.

[phee]

Love Super Sergio's carne asada burritos! Thanks to you and DD for the recs - I'm probably up there every other week now, as a result.

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Super Sergio's
4125 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

[Beach Chick]

not 'bread bowl'...
; )

[foodiechick]

And specifically Harvey's Bristol Cream FTW!

[DiningDiva]

You do realize that SD is not exactly a mecca for fine dining? That white table cloth service with AMAZING food is not the norm and notroiously difficult to find?

[honkman]

You have a car and where do you stay ?