2 days in SD - staying gaslamp qtr

[neuman101]

I get into San diego on thursday nite on the later side, and want some very close to my hotel (Se San Diego, 5th and C sts) for dinner...Friday I have three meals to plan, preferably breakfast in our neighborhood and then we will be off to the zoo. Lunch can be anywhere between our hotel and the zoo, and dinner can be pretty much anywhere in the city. For dinner, i would like to explore something californian or mexican. We are from new york , and would like to try something that we cant really get in NYC. Does anyone have any recs?

Saturday we will be driving up to Laguna. I know La Jolla, Del Mar and some other nice towns are along the way. Does anyone have a lunch rec for this drive or a must stop spot? Thanks for the help.

[Beach Chick]

First night, I would dine at Jsix at the Hotel Solamar..
Lunch next to the SD Zoo is Prado that is good.
Dinner...I would dine at George's in La Jolla on the ocean terrace or Eddie V's that just opened.
Start off with drinks at the Marine Room down the road..make reservations early!
Searsucker in the Gaslamp for Sunday brunch.

Laguna Beach...Surf and Sand resort has Splashes that is excellent and oceanfront.

www.marineroom.com
www.georgesatthecove.com
www.surfandsandresort.com
www.hotelsolamar.com

[globocity]

Beach Chick made great recommendations. I agree with all though never considered drinks at the Marine Room. The view of the ocean can't be beat, the drinks may be pricey (not by NYC standards) and the interior is....dank.

For drinks, and La Jolla is a great place for pre-dinner ones, I'd look into Nine-Ten.

Cheers.

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Marine Room Restaurant
2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037

[scottca075]

On the first night you might look at the Quarter Kitchen, Grant Grill or Candelas for upscale Mexican.

For breakfast I'd consider Cafe Chloe, The Mission in East Village or La Dona Nuevo Mexico Cafe in Barrio Logan.

Near the Zoo for lunch you might look at Hexagone, Cucina Urbana near the Park or Ortega's or Mama Testa's for Mexican in Hillcrest. If sushi is okay, consider Azuki Sushi.

For dinner I'd look at Urban Solace, Kitchen 1540 or Market Restaurant and save George's (Ocean Terrace) for the drive up to Orange County. Jake's Del Mar is another thought a bit further up the coast, but it is more about the view and setting than great food (except for the Hula Pie that makes Jake's tolerable).

In Laguna Beach look at both the Loft and Studio at the Montage, 230 Forest Ave and Clae's in the Hotel Laguna for dining. Look at both the Beach House and Beachcomber for breakfast in Laguna.

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Mama Testa
1417 University Ave Ste A, San Diego, CA 92103

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

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

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

Beach House
2530 S Coast Highway 101, Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92007

Hexagone
495 Laurel Street, San Diego, CA 92101

[neuman101]

For a lunch taco run, what do people recommend? It seems the 3 i come across most frequently are Las Cuatro Milpas, La Fachas and Aqui es Texcoco. Also, its the immediate vicinity of my hotel, Dobson's seems very well reviewed.

[gna]

Las Cuatros Milpas has some delicious tacos as well as chorizo with beans and rice. Not sure what Las Fachas is-maybe you mean La Fachada? I've never eaten there but I know some people rave. As for Aqui es Texacoco that is in Chula Vista so about ~15 or so miles south from where you will be staying. Also delicious potato rolled tacos but their only protein is lamb so just be aware of that.

I'd also recommend Mama Testa and I think Super Cocina also has tacos as well as some of the more authentic Mexican food in SD. If your willing to venture south I would highly recommend TJ Oyster Bar in Bonita for some fish tacos. They have an assortment of different fish dishes/tacos/burritos etc. So good but tiny little place.

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Mama Testa
1417 University Ave Ste A, San Diego, CA 92103

Super Cocina
3627 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104

La Fachada
20 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102

Las Cuatros Milpas
1857 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA

[scottca075]

Dobson's is a nice, local chop house and a good value.

I'd look at the Marisco's German Taco Truck in South Park for a taco fix. Las Cuatro Milpas, but the lines can be daunting. La Fachada is solid and so is Tacos El Gordo or Aqui es Texcoco, but the last two are pretty far south in Chula Vista. La Fachada is probably the easiest to get to as you can ride the trolley (Orange Line, 25th & Commercial stop) and the neighborhood is interesting.

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La Fachada
20 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102

[Josh]

If you're looking for mariscos, I'd suggest the Mariscos Beyer truck at Imperial and 22nd. It's very close to downtown, and has really good stuff.

Tacos El Paisa is also in that neighborhood, and I liked it better than La Fachada, though La Fachada is very good.

If you're after tacos, I'd stick with one of those two vs. a place like Super Cocina. Super Cocina is great, but it's not really a taqueria.

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Super Cocina
3627 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104

La Fachada
20 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102

Tacos El Paisa
840 S 47th St, San Diego, CA 92113

[Beach Chick]

Dobson's has the best mussel bisque en croute...great San Francisco style place.
I like Las Cuatro Milpas and they are known for their carnitas..they always get me a guac taco..line moves quick and there is La Fachada too.
Most taco shops in SD are pretty good..

[neuman101]

Thanks guys, im zeroing in on either Nine Ten or Georges for dinner Friday nite, both seem similar and like great choices. And then La Fachada or Cautros Milpas for lunch that day.

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La Fachada
20 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102

Nine Ten
910 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

[Josh]

I'd go for Tacos El Paisa over La Fachada. The tacos are better.

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La Fachada
20 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102

Tacos El Paisa
840 S 47th St, San Diego, CA 92113

[foodiechick]

Georges over Nine Ten. I find the latter a bit cramped and tired and the kitchens seems to have cooled a bit.

[h0ldf4st]

for tacos i would check out Cantina Mayahuel on Adams. Not too far from the zoo. A hidden jem in San Diego w an excellent Mexicali cantina feel to it, a friendly staff, too many 'good' tequilas to choose from, great street tacos and excellent mole!

[scottca075]

It should stay hidden.

There was nothing creative or innovative in their taco offerings. If you want great tequilas, sure, go for it, otherwise there have been a half dozen other places or more mentioned so far that blow it away.