Del Mar restaurants

[tracee]

We are heading down to Del Mar for my mom's 65th b-day. Last year we did a big to do in Vegas for my dad's and my mom's has to be somewhat scaled down due to a new baby in the family. I am looking for a suggestion for a good dinner restaurant for a group of 10 people including a new baby. Something with really good food and a nice atmosphere. We have people in the group who do not like fish, so something that is not all fish is good. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Berkelite visiting in August

[wanker]

Flavor Del Mar is also pretty good and should be able to accomidate larger parties.

[Beach Chick]

Blanca
Flavor in Del Mar
Rancho Valencia resort in RSF
Kitchen 1540 at L'Auberge Del Mar
AR Valentien at the Lodge at Torrey Pines
Market

[karaethon]

Have you been to Rancho Valencia recently? Since the Chef de Cuisine left, their food has allegedly gone back to the old tired 80's country club classics foods.

[mcgrath]

Blanca has a nice private room, very high end cuisine and flexible dining options to accommodate vegetarian and non-seafood diners.

[honkman]

Just had another great tasting menu at Blanca at this weekend and also agree that their private dining room in the back might be a good place for such a group with a baby. Together with Kitchen 1540 the best food currently in SD for us.

[Rodzilla]

with a party that big, and especially with a new baby, I would recommend a spot that can set you up in a private room. Market is available for private parties and events. I just visited last night with a vegetarian, and a non-sea food eater, we were all very pleased.

[scottca075]

Are you looking for a foodie experience? Blanca, Addison and Market Restaurant are all great places, I am not sure I would go to any of them with a party of 10 especially not with a new baby, but look them over and see what you think.

I would be more inclined to recommend a middle of the road (cost wise) place like Jake's Del Mar, Prepkitchen, Sbicca Del Mar and Kitchen 1540 at L'Auberge.

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Jake's Del Mar
1660 Coast Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014

[foodiechick]

I would not include Kitchen 1540 in that group. It is a very high-end atmosphere and food experience. Really not middle of the road (cost wise) either. Nevertheless, highly recommended, but not with the baby. Sorry.

[daantaat]

I would skip Sbicca's unless they have dramatically redone their menu. Went too many times and left feeling that I overpaid for so-so food.

Kitchen 1540 has a small private room in their wine cellar. Can't recall if it will fit 10 comfortably.
Blanca's private room will fit 10 comfortably with baby.

[carli]

Kitchen 1540 is wonderful and has private cabanas outside, which would be a great way to go, if available at night and for the size of your party. I don't think the original poster said anything about wanting "middle of the road" which is good because Kitchen 1540 is not, either in price or quality.

[daantaat]

Kitchen 1540
Blanca (in Solana Beach, about 5-10 min north of Del Mar)
Addison
Market

[stevewag23]

Anything new in Del Mar since last summer during the Racetrack?

[FireFlyFiftyFive]

BURLAP of course!

http://www.burlapdelmar.com/ So dreamy!

[stevewag23]

Anyone know the address?

[Island]

It's going to be in the Del Mar Highlands shopping mall. Don't know the address. Only know there is a Chuao Chocolate there for when I need a Mayan gelato fix. Rimel's is opening there too.

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Chuao Chocolate Cafe
1935 Calle Barcelona # 172, Carlsbad, CA

[stevewag23]

Interesting location.

I wonder if you can be "North Counties Hottest New Restaurant" and be located in a shopping mall at the same time.

Thoughts?

[carli]

I believe they're taking the location on the corner of Del Mar Heights Rd and El Camino Real, which is a very large building, and although it's still within the Highlands shopping center, it's way larger and has more of a standalone look than other restaurants there and perhaps can create more of a separate presence.

[daantaat]

I believe The Counter at DM Highlands is "new." Woo-hoo!

[tracee]

Thanks! Market couldn't take us until 8:30, but I got a reservation at Blanca and they were very accomodating. Really appreciate the help and will update on what we thought!