Having spent the last 11 years in San Diego, I grew up quite a bit here, and I watched the city grow up too. Having eaten my way through the city from the Mexican border (and beyond) to Oceanside, I can say that I've been around the block a time or two, digging around for old gems to finally show me what San Diego food was really all about, and seeking out all of the new establishments in hopes of proving that we could play with the big boys. There have been a few great go to places for me for one reason or another, and the list hasn't changed much even with the massive boom of new businesses.The restaurant and beverage scene has evolved ten fold: Comfortable and approachable, yes, but unique and avant garde it is not...and maybe that's not what it's meant to be. One thing I will say though is you can't beat the burritos down there, you just can't. And from where? It doesn't matter. Go to any random drive through and you'll be satisfied. That's what I miss most believe it or not. And in the meanwhile, below are my recommendations for places to check out while indulging San Diego.
EAT N DRINK
Robata ya Oton, 5447 Kearny Villa Rd Set D
website: n/a
Recommended for: Intimate dinner with friends
Price: Average - High
Tips: Go for variety- sample a bunch of small dishes both hot and cold, order 2 orders of sukiyaki or shabu shabu to share between 4 people.
Feel like you've been transported to Tokyo, if only for a few hours. This small robata/izalaya style restaurant seats only 8 at the bar, and around 4-5 parties in their private tatami rooms. Completely Japanese owned and staffed, this Kearny Villa location is the formal version of their sister restaurant Wa Dining Okan on Convoy, also specializing in small plates. Although offering some sushi and sashimi specials, this isn't the place for a sushi fix. Go for their traditional hot dishes and the atmosphere, and you will happily walk away with an experience to remember. They have an extensive sake list from all price points, and offer a handful of japanese beers that pair nicely, And for those of you weary of sitting on your knees, the tatami table drops down underneath with plenty of leg room to spare.
Whisknladle, 1044 Wall St La Jolla, CA 92037
Recommended for: Brunch, Business lunch, Happy Hour, Date night, Intimate dinner with friends, Private Group Dining
Price: Medium - High
Tips: Start with the daily flatbread or the cutting board. And if you decide to order your own entree, you can but know that you will truly be missing out on what this restaurant has to offer. Share and share alike.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego hands down. Its consistent, and as adventurous as San Diego dining may come at times. The ambiance is easy but upscale, service is cool and comfortable but as attentive and knowledgable as fine dining. Happy hour offers housemade sangrias, interesting wines by the glass and heavy discounts by the bottle, and best of all a variety of tasty traditional and modern style tapas on the cheap, which change daily by chef's whim. The menu features farm to table and changes often based on season and market avaiability. Nearly everything is made from scratch in house. And dont forget the dessert, because there is no denying that their pastry chef knows her stuff.
Prepkitchen, Multiple San Diego locations: La Jolla, Del Mar, Little Italy (see below for a bit on each)
Recommended for: Brunch: in particular the Del Mar location on a sunny day, Happy Hour: Little Italy is the best for this, Date night, "Adult" Family Dinner, Group Events, Private Parties, Family Dining
La Jolla location: Mid-afternoon snack, Dinner with Family (Kids included), Exceptional To Go Family Dinner
Price: Med - High
Tips: The Little Italy restaurant is the only location with a full bar, but all locations are stocked with a great versatile and worldly wine list, and of course a mix of fine local and national craft beers (both on tap and bottle)A part of the Whisknladle Hospitality family, you can expect much of the same great quality of ingredients, and fantastic execution of what is local, Regional, Italian, Spanish inspired food, but this time in a more casual and "earth toned" environment. It's casual and it feels like the neighborhood (no matter which location you are at.) There is nothing that doesn't fill the soul here. A totally versatile restaurant for any time of day and any occasion, their menus consist of staple tried and true dishes that their fans love (ahem; Bolognese), mixed with the occasional seasonal- make that as occasional as daily or weekly, menu items to make each visit interesting and worth a come-back-to. The Whisknladle Flatbread makes it's appearance here every day with something new on top, and the cutting board is just as solid here too. The cocktail program is legit (at the Little Italy location only) so try something that the bartender recommends, or even throw out your favorite liquor and have them whip up something custom. Next in the works is their Italian project Catagna which I suspect to be nothing short of amazing.
Carnitas Snack Shack, Multiple San Diego Locations (North Park, new Carmel Valley)
carnitassnackshack.com
Recommended for: Lunch (they are only open for lunch)
Price: Low - Medium
Tips: Get there early-ish near opening to avoid the stampede of an ordering line. Pork Belly App is a MUST order item. Keep an eye open for some of the daily specials.
There is nothing like waking up on a Saturday morning after the bloodbath that was your Friday night and throwing on a ratty tshirt, jeans, flip flops and a pair of dark, dark shades and heading over for some hair of the dog. Maybe I mean hair of the pig. Either way, Carnitas is the place to go to drown all of your woes in meaty, greasy, stick to your gut food. This is literally a shack; stand in line, order your food, find yourself a seat in the back (see my review for the full scope.) Whether you are looking for a quick casual afternoon bite (note it won't be THAT quick given the long line plus the time it takes to prepare a quality burger/sandwich/burrito etc) or perhaps a long boozy lunch basking in the sun, the food here with a couple beers poured from the "pig pen" will get you feeling back to your old self...or feeling like you really are "old" but at least you will be able to take a really good nap after. Either way, it's great. So go. Oh and don't get me wrong, this place is great for families too. Really!
Green Flash Brewing, 6550 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego CA 92121
Recommended for: Afterwork Drinks and a Bite
Price: LowTips: If you are a avid eater; must have food with drink-er like I am, be sure to check their website before you go to see which food truck/vendor is selling the goods that day. That will help decide whether this is your only after work stop, or your pre-dinner destination.
San Diego is overpopulated with craft beer breweries. Period. Every one has a neighbor, friend's brother, some person you knew in college, etc etc that has decided to jump on the wagon and try their hand at the brew-craft. But that's not a bad thing (and it's a critical line line that I miss now that I don't live there) because one thing is for sure, you won't ever go thirsty in this town. After trying what seems to be hundreds if not thousands of different beers in my visits to every tiny industrial shack-to-large warehouse-to-storefront location from La Mesa to Vista, I still stick to my guns with the always consistent and never failing Green Flash. The have the hop-bombs that made San Diego famous, and the mellow smooth varietals like the Summer Saison. My favorite is the Rayon Vert- a bit of barnyard and funk that is associated with the wild yeast strain known as "brett"that is tasty and delicious. Go here on a nice sunny day and enjoy the rays (and a seat) on their back patio, which features a local food truck serving up anything from bbq to vegan to mexican which changes daily.
JRDN, Tower 23, Pacific Beach
Recommended for: Brunch
Price: Reasonable
This place to me is the epitome of what sunny days in San Diego should be. Sitting right along the boardwalk in Pacific Beach, you take in the surf, the sun, the people watching. And the food is always pretty good too, consistentency being what I think I love most about it. Brunch items are great, the sandwiches and burger are great, the mussels are great, and so are the pomme frites. It's the best place to spend a boozy afternoon with friends, and although their beer list is a bit of downer, order something else as their wine and cocktail list is plentiful and the patio will make up for it. And note, although it's PB, the good news is that the clientele isn't all what you'd expect. It's some of it, but typically not much of it. And the ones that are just make you feel good about yourself while you enjoy your late-bloomed maturity and some oysters on the half out in the sunshine. That, and you'll be out of PB before sundown.
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