One Night and one morning downtown

[mwest9]

Coming to SD this weekend for a rock show (Wilco) at Copley Hall. We're staying at Hotel Palomar. After doing a bunch of research, my plan was to have a happy hour meal and cocktails at Grant Grill early on Sunday evening before the show and then breakfast on Monday morning at Cafe Chloe. Is there any other places I should consider downtown or in the Gaslamp? We'd like to drive as little as possible. preferably walk instead. What do you think?

[mwest9]

We only made it to the Grant Grill, no other eating on our extremely short stay.

The cocktails were very good, obviously prepared with care using top notch ingredients. I like how they brought the cocktail shaker to the table and poured it tableside. I enjoyed the Hand of the Budda with the Meyer Lemon. The other flavors were pretty subtle and could've used a bit of a boost, IMO. Food was very good, we had the mussels in broth with chorizo. Taragon flavor was present in just the right amount. and the broth was appropriately salty. Went great with sparkiling wine! I loved the duck confit roasted potatoes and the crab risotto, both served in little copper cooking pots. Lots of hunks of duck and crab with good flavor. Risotto was not that creamy, but definitely was not glue-y or goopy as badly prepared risotto can be. I'd go back again, its a very nice dining room, very elegant.

We hit the road too early for breakfast, so will have to try Chloe on the next trip.

Does anybody like Saltbox at the Palomar Hotel? We didn't eat there, but enjoyed staying at the hotel.

[melee]

Saltbox is great for sharing some appetizers before a show - especially if you're headed next door to House of Blues. They have some pretty good cocktails that I really enjoyed so I can't really remember specifically what I ate, just that I was content. As much as I like the decor I wasn't a fan of the co-ed bathrooms. Definitely worth a try on your next visit.

[stevewag23]

How does Saltbox compare to the restaurant that was there before?

[melee]

I ate at Suite & Tender about three years ago and thought the food was a little overpriced & underwhelming. The menu at Saltbox is definitely more casual. I just pulled up the menu for Saltbox to remind me of what we ate and I recall the lobster corn dogs, short rib grilled cheese, ahi poke and hand cut French fries.They were all pretty tasty. the only thing I can remember about Suite & Tender (other than those coed bathrooms) was the Kobe Beef they were selling & overcooking by the ounce. The new place is much more easygoing and tasty.

[stevewag23]

I got you. Thanks.

Suite & Tender was circa 2007 san diego.

Whereas, Saltbox is circa 2011 san diego.

What a difference an economic crash makes.

Was it crowded? How was the crowd?

[melee]

You got it exactly right.
We were there on a Saturday night, pretty early since we were going to a show next door that started at 8. It wasn't too crowded - only about 1/3 of the tables were taken. Mostlly stylish but casual 30-40-somethings.

[Beach Chick]

Thanks mwest9 for reporting back!
How was Wilco?

[mwest9]

Wilco was awesome, of course, Beach Chick. I have no idea where they went to eat (trying to keep the post on topic! :)

[Beach Chick]

Awesome!
Just got done jamming Steely Dan's.. Any Major Dude and Doctor Wu while making a toasted onion bagel..
; )

I'll be in PHX next month..thinking House of Secret Garden..you likey?

[mwest9]

The House at Secret Garden is way south of where I live in North Scottsdale, so I haven't been. Maybe some folks on the PHX board will know. I know you hang out over there, too, BC, so I'll see ya over there ;) I love me some Steely Dan, too!

[Beach Chick]

Wilco at the Copley will be a great show...acoustics are great.

Love the Grant Grill for happy hour..
Cafe Chloe is great but my main complaint is the chairs..maybe sit up at the small bar area.
Top of the Hyatt for late night drinks..

Searsucker is really good for Sunday brunch..if you come in early.
Cowboy Star for lunch/dinner is a Chow fave.
Westgate hotel has a great breakfast but its been awhile.

Fish Market Downtown next to the USS Midway has a great oyster bar and sushi bar..nothing like some steamers, chowder, cheesy bread overlooking the bay.

Dobson's across from the US Grant Grill for some of the best mussel bisque en croute...good burgers..sit in the bar..

www.searsucker.com
www.gaslamp.org

[mwest9]

Thanks, Beach Chick, I knew you'd come through! Comfy chairs are important to me, too, so I know what you mean. Looking forward to the trip out from Phoenix, even though its short.

[Beach Chick]

A little road trip from PHX to SD will be a perfect..remember you gain an hour coming to SD so leave early to enjoy some cocktails on the bayfront patio at the Fish..it might rain but so what.
Have a great time and report back..

[Rodzilla]

Mission is another option for brunch. Out of those recs I'd go for Cowboy star - not a Malarky fan.

[Beach Chick]

Good call on the Mission..
Cowboy Star really is off the chain good..
Brunch was really good at Searsucker...pains me to say it.. ; )