San Diego‘s vibrant food scene keeps me well-fed. I love the continuous hunt for great restaurants and reporting back to my readers. Even more enjoyable, is receiving your comments and reading that you have embarked on foodie adventures with me. The good news is that my list of where to dine continues to grow; there is no shortage of discoveries to be made in this wonderful city. This month, I really hit the jackpot with great meals. Join me as I continue to eat my way through San Diego.
It’s no surprise Food & Wine named this meat-heavy bar “best bar food in America”. The front dining area is draped with velvet and leather and taxidermy is proudly displayed on the walls; the decor is masculine and rich with the right touches to get you in the mood for a carnivorous meal. The back area boasts a well-dimmed bar with pumping music and ample space to snatch a seat. The menu offers the best happy hour in all of San Diego. $8 gets you perfectly crafted cocktails, the mixologists behind the bar do not fool around. For $15 you can load up on a delicious, massive burger with a beer or four outstanding Wagyu cheeks tacos. Run, don’t walk, to this best-kept secret in San Diego.
pros: unique decor with thoughtful details, tantalizing menu for carnivores, great service
cons: not suitable for vegetarians
must order: the wagyu blended burger, baby gem salad, grilled baja oysters and wagyu cheeks tacos
The kitchen focuses on Patagonian and Italian cuisine inspirations cooked over an open fire to create flavorful dishes in a modern farmhouse setting. You’ll find many enticing options on the menu, tempting you to return for another great meal. I definitely want to go back to try their pizzas!
pros: unpretentious, yet elegant vibe; lots of great options
cons: it’s a bit on the pricey side
must order: the truffle tagliatelle is dreamy, the short rib empanadas, and the hamachi crudo
The menu here is focused on wood-fired cooking using the freshest ingredients to deliver creative masterpieces on small plates meant to be shared. I have dined at Trust twice and have had a superb experience on both visits. The key is to go with friends who like to eat a lot and order as much as possible off the menu. The culinary journey experienced is quite epic in its sophisticated simplicity. This American-fare eatery makes my top-ten list in San Diego.
pros: next-level menu, high-quality ingredients, plates designed to share
must order: wood-grilled cauliflower with raisins, mint, serrano aioli, black lentils, cilantro, curry vinaigrette; ricotta agnolotti with black garlic streusel, black truffle, sunchoke, panna, basil; oak-fired potatoes with pickled carrots, chimichurri, frijoles con veneno, mizuna, and cheddar foam; braised oxtail raviolini with pine nuts, oxtail jus, horseradish, whipped ricotta
La Jolla’s new Mexican-Japanese restaurant run by the group behind the Taco Stand and Himitsu is a welcomed addition to the breakfast and lunch scene. I’ve dined here twice since they recently opened and have declared their chilaquiles the best in San Diego.
pros: minimalistic decor, open and spotless kitchen
cons: there are too many staff members on the small floor, the bathroom is right in the main dining space
must order: the chilaquiles, obviously, and ask for their homemade hot sauce – be forewarned, it is fire
The food here isn’t necessarily the best Mexican cuisine however Verdes El Ranchero is fun and inexpensive, and margaritas are only $8.50 during happy hour. If you’re in the La Jolla area, this is a great spot for standard Mexican food on a budget. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that you make the drive over if you’re not in the neighborhood.
pros: vibrant, local mexican restaurant with a great happy hour and delicious margaritas
cons: don’t set the bar too high, they serve standard mexican fare
must order: i especially appreciated that they let me order DIY tacos – a side of beans, a side of rice, a side of tortillas, a side of sour cream, and a side of cheese
A Day at a Not-So-Typical Mall:
Drive over to Irvine Spectrum Center, just an hour from San Diego to spend an entire day here shopping (152 stores!), riding the Ferris wheel, catching a movie, eating at one of the 59 food hubs, and enjoying a VR experience like no other at Odyssey VR. This mall is a playground for all ages!
We’ve lived in San Diego for three years and two months and thanks to the abundance of things to do and places to eat we have nowhere near gotten bored, even for a moment, living here. I look forward to the adventures that October will bring. Stay tuned!
