eating for one...suggestions for an upbeat, friendly meal
Coming to San Diego for the first time in November for a conference. Will be staying at US Grant hotel (Gaslamp area) - no car and limited travel budget (damn health care employment - no money for extras when travelling!). Looking forward to some "alone time" to experience a few tasty restaurants. I prefer to eat at a nice bar vs a table when travelling alone. I love the chance to chat with locals or other tourists. Seafood would be great but I will eat absolutely anything. A good beer selection would be a plus and/or a variety of wines by the glass. More than anything, I would like to find a place where I can dine by myself and not stick out like a sore thumb (although good food would be another important criterion!). Smaller plates would also be great, as I could try a few different items this way. I have read that the gaslamp area may not be the best for good restaurants, but given my limited ability to travel, this area would be preferred (though a short taxi ride is do-able).
Thanks!
-
scottca075
Sep 29, 2011 05:34 PM
Dobson's would be my top pick for eating at the bar. Cafe Chole is good, but not great.
La Puerta has a good Happy Hour and a nice bar to sit at.
Here is an okay website for Happy Hours and the website for the SD Reader.
http://kingofhappyhour.com/sandiego/neighborhoods/Downtown
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/specials/-----
La Puerta
560 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101›6 Replies-
-
re: honkman
scottca075
Sep 30, 2011 08:59 AM
And I found Cafe Chloe underwhelming despite the fact that I really wanted to like it a lot. It is cute, local and the staff was just terrific, but the food was very average I thought. It was no where near the quality of the Farm House Cafe, but I'll try Cafe Chloe again because I never judge a place cpmpletely by one or two experiences.
-----
Cafe Chloe
721 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101Farm House Cafe
2121 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
-
-
-
I would do Cowboy Star for sure. They have a nice bar and they also have a "chef's counter" (it's an open kitchen) where you can talk with the sous chef while you eat. Take your pick of the two. As a warning it is a steakhouse for dinner, so expect to pay modest steakhouse prices (but it's exceptional in taste and quality).
I did do Cafe Chloe as well (and alone that day), but the bar scene was very meh. Everyone kinda ignored me and I didn't get any of the conversation that you mention. The food was good though and they did have a nice selection of wines by the glass.
For beer, I would agree with Neighborhood as they have an extensive selection of beers, but I was seriously underwhelmed (we actually sent it back) by the food, although we only ordered 1 item for sharing. I did really enjoy the beer and I liked that they had flights of various craft and imported beers.
-----
Cafe Chloe
721 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101›1 Reply-
re: karaethon
honkman
Sep 26, 2011 06:37 PM
I think the meat quality at Cowboy Star is great but their appetizers (foie gras and steak tartare were recently average at best) and sides are just OK. I wish they would up their game a bit on everything else on their menu beside the meat to be on a similar level as some of the best restaurants (Cafe Chloe, JSix) in this area - but still definitely a good option downtown.
-
-
+1 for Cafe Chloe.
The Neighborhood might fit your beer bill - awesome selection and a bar to eat at.
Not food worthy (but with excellent beers) is Downtown Johnny Browns.
The sushi bar at The Fish Market has some of the better sushi in town. Lots of solo diners. Not a fan of the main restaurant however...
-----
Cafe Chloe
721 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101Downtown Johnny Brown's
1220 3rd Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 -
foodiechick
Sep 24, 2011 10:37 PM
+1 Cafe Chloe, J-Six and Cowboy Star. Cowboy Star bartenders are very friendly and knowledgeable about food, and the restaurant also has bar type seating looking into the open kitchen. Don't be put off that they specialize in steak, they also serve very good seafood. I think you will also find excellent food at the bar in your own hotel at The Grant Grill. Another great dining bar is practically across the street at Dobson's. A certain member of this board would really recommend the Mussel Bisque en Croute (that comes with a generous splash of Harvey's Bristol Cream).
-----
Cafe Chloe
721 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101›1 Reply-
re: foodiechick
Beach Chick
Sep 25, 2011 08:26 AM
I wonder whom that would be...hee hee
Mussel Bisque en croute is fab at Dobson's across from the US Grant hotel..sit in the bar area and sling back a couple glasses of wine or beer and enjoy the great ambience of it all.
Love the Grant Grill, Jsix, Oyster Bar/Sushi bar at the Fish Market Downtown, Cafe Chloe and Cowboy Star.
-
-
-
