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Tips 1 - 10 of 26 San Diego Restaurants
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Restaurant Name: San Diego Pier Cafe
This restaurant is one of my favorites and a treat to all my visitors. The pier sits on stilts in the Bay of San Diego and from almost every table there is a view of some part of the bay. My preference is sitting outside. The decor is nautical with simple blues and grays. The food is good, the service is good and the view accompanied by the fresh ocean breeze is wonderful.
Favorite Dish: Grilled Seafood Mix; Clam Chowder; Oysters on the half shell; the Stuffed Mushroom and a nice California Wine!
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Theme: Seafood
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20
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Phone: (619) 239-3968
Address: 885 West Harbor Drive
Directions: n Seaport Village (at Kettner Blvd.)
Website: http://www.piercafe.com/
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%cb%bBay Beach Cafe%c*%b: A Magnificent View of SD Skyline!
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Tip Rating:    Satisfaction:  
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Restaurant Name: Bay Beach Cafe
Located on the northeast shore of Coronado Island, on the San Diego Bay side, this casual restaurant, has a wonderful view of the San Diego skyline and is just off the Ferry Boat Landing Pier. Which means that you can take the Ferry from downtown over to the Island for a nice breakfast, lunch, dinner or just have a drink and enjoy the view. (Have a look at my Coronado Page to see what else there is to do while on the Island.) The food is okay, prices moderate to high, service is good. The big selling point here is the casual atmosphere and awesome views. During the summer a 'Beach Bar' is set up on the sand, complete with cafe tables and chairs.
Favorite Dish: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served here and there is a full service bar.
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Theme: American
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20
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Phone: (619) 435-4900
Address: 1201 First St, Coronado CA.
Directions: Coronado Ferry Landing
Website: http://baybeachcafe.com
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%cb%bTHE LIVING ROOM COFFEEHOUSE%c*%b: A Favorite Of The College Crowd
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Tip Rating: Satisfaction:
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Restaurant Name: THE LIVING ROOM COFFEEHOUSE
My first visit to the Living Room Coffeehouse won me over. Located on El Cajon Boulevard, near San Diego State University, the place was full of people reading text books, holding study groups and in general, seeming to be in pursuit of answers to great questions, as well as just having a meal or a gourmet coffee.
There are five locations,
****College--The original store and my favorite.
***Hillcrest--I used to go there once a month to meet with my book club members, but this location has changed owners. The food is no longer delicious, the service is less than adequate and we decided not to come here any longer. Update: It seems that this location has been sold again and I have it on good authority--one of the original creaters of The Livingroom Coffee House--that the newest owners are restoring the quality to meet the standards originally set.
***Point Loma--located in an historical building overlooking the SD Bay.
***La Jolla--have seen it, haven't stopped there.
****Old Town--the newest location where our Book Club meets now and the best of these location, second to the the College store on El Cajon Boulevard.
There is outside seating, computers for web surfing, various styles of dining room tables and chairs and of course an array of living room furniture to sit comfortably in while conversing with friends, reading or studying. If you detect a European feel to the Living Room, it may be because the German owners have intended you should.
This is not a touristy place, so if you want to mix with the locals, you can do it here. Of course the newest, Old Town location my be full of tourists often.
Favorite Dish: Chicken Puff Pastry--delicious and available only at the College location. Update: the Chicken Puff Pastry has been taken off the menu due to higher costs. However there are other tasty choices and for me they are the Baked Brie with fruit plate, the Lemon Chiffon salad dressing--my favorite. Their soups are homemade and delicious. Beautiful, rich and succulent pastries, and an espresso or cafe mocha will complete your meal.
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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10
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Phone: (619) 325-4445
Address: 5900 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA.
Directions: Other locations:(Old Town) 2541 San Diego Ave. (La Jolla) 1010 Prospect Street. (Point Loma)1018 Rosecrans St. and (Hillcrest)--only for coffee or using the Internet--1417 University Avenue.
Website: http://www.livingroomcafe.com/
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Restaurant Name: CROCE'S
Croce's was opened in the earliest days of the Gaslamp Quarter's renovation, by Ingrid Croce, widow of Jim Croce. Some of you may be too young to remember Jim Croce, he died in 1973. You may have heard one of his loveliest songs, "Thyme in a Bottle?" Have you heard that?
There have been a few expansions located at various spots near the three story brick, "Cole Building," built in 1889-1890, which houses the original Croce's.
The restaurant is a bit pricey but the food is good. What makes this a must is the Jazz bar nextdoor--also Croce's--and from your seat in the dining room the strains of great jazz drifts through, adding to the mood.
Favorite Dish: The portions are small by USA standards and the prices are high, but the food is good. Giving a specific suggestion would not be useful as the menu changes ocassionally. However the flavors are always good.
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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30
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Phone: (619) 232-4338
Address: 802 Fifth Avenue
Directions: Gaslamp Quarter
Website: http://www.croces.com/rest.shtml
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Casa de Pico: Viva Mexico and it's Food!
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Tip Rating: Satisfaction:
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Restaurant Name: Casa De Pico
Here you'll find an extended menu, good food, good service, lively crowd and a colorful, festive atmosphere.
The brightly colored umbrellas covering tables in the patio may give you the idea that this is a "touist" favorite and it is, however this is a favorite of the locals as well. Usually there is a bit of a wait, so arrive early. While waiting, it is possible to order fresh handmade tortillas form the tortilla lady, who will pat out and cook tortillas as you watch, remember to give her a tip for the effort.
As of 18 May 2005 Casa De Pico will no longer be found in Old Town! However, two new locations are planned. Summer 2005 it will open up in the Grossmont Shopping Center along Grossmont Drive and in the summer of 2006 Casa De Pico will open in the New location of Bazaar Del Mondo which will be at the Old Police Station near Seaport Village!
Favorite Dish: The biggest Margaritas in town!Tacos al Pastor, Chicken Fajitas, Carne Asada, and Carnitas are my favorites, but everything else is just as good.
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Theme: Mexican
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20
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Phone: (619) 296-3267
Address: Grossmont Center Drive
Directions: Grossmont Center
Website: http://www.casadepico.com
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Restaurant Name: CHEESE CAKE FACTORY
A full service restaurant in Fashion Valley Mall, for all SHOPPERS, who want a great place to take a break and give your feet a rest.
There is also a food court in this mall offering, as I remember, Mexican, Chinese, Greek and surely American as well as other fast foods, but I like the Cheese Cake Factory much more. The BLUE LINE Trolley has a stop here too!
Favorite Dish: The menu is extensive and to be as brief as possible I'll list a few items I particularly like.
Appetizers: Thai Lettuce Wraps, the Bruschetta or the Mixed Baby Lettuce Salad.
Lunch Pizza, pepperoni, and Salad.
Specialties: Chicken Madeira
Pastas: Bistro Shrimp Pasta
Seafood & Fish: Shrimp Scampi
Steaks & Chops: Grilled Pork Chops or the Petite Filet
Salads: Cobb Salad
Desserts: Fabulous Chocolate Mousse Cake
Cheesecakes: Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. Plus, there are 34 more to choose from.
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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20
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Phone: (619) 683-2800
Address: 7067 Friars Road
Directions: Fashion Valley Mall. Just off the "Blue" Trolley Line.
Website: http://www.cheesecake-factory.net/default.asp
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Restaurant Name: Rubios Baja Grill
Rubios is a chain restaurant, not really "my" favorite, but very popular. Here you'll see a sign offering lobster tacos on sale, for $1.99! If your budget prohibits a lavish meal at some of the nicest restaurants in town, there are plenty of healthy "fast food" places to choose from such as Rubios.
While trying to find out the exact address of this location, the closest I could find was at the Hall Of Justice. This might mean that the Hillcrest location has closed. Until I check it out I will include the downtown address for you and will ammend this page when I get the facts.
Yes, the Hillcrest location has closed. However, the downtown location is still open.
HALL OF JUSTICE
330 W. Broadway
1st FLR. West Wing Food Court
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone 619-338-8081, 8082
The Hall of Justice is downtown on Broadway and might be a more interesting option, as you could explore one of our official buildings while looking for a fish taco.
Favorite Dish: Fish Tacos are the speciality here, though they have a pretty good selection of other items to choose from, including beef and chicken.
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Theme: Mexican
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10
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Address: University Ave.
Directions: Hillcrest
and many other locations throughout San Diego
Website: http://www.bajagrill.com/
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Restaurant Name: Royal Thai Cuisine
A small restaurant on the corner of Fifth Avenue and J Street. We stopped here to have lunch before going to the Hilton Gallery to see the San Diego exhibition of "here is new york: a democracy of photographs" The inside dining room seemed cozy and spacious at the same time. Of course we ate outside in the narrow gated area, as that is always my choice.
They also have a location in La Jolla:
737 Pearl Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 551-THAI
On their website they generously offer a few delicious recipes.
Favorite Dish: The lunch menu offered seventeen items starting at $6.95 for Vegetarian, chicken, pork or beef added. $7.95 for Shrimp, calamari or roast duck added, and $8.95 for Scallops or mixed seafood added.
My aunt had the Phat Thai Noodles, not very spicy and I had Rama, triple spicey. The delicious flavor pleased us both. The cook will make your meal as spicy as you like and the service was very friendly accommodating, which I always like.
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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10
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Phone: (619) 230-THAI
Address: 467 Fifth Avenue
Directions: Gaslamp Quarter
Website: http://www.royalthaicuisine.com/
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Restaurant Name: Rock Bottom Brewery
Rock Bottom is a comfortable gathering place for family and friends. Their "Top of the Rock" pool room, offers free games of pool with a 50´s themed decor.
One of my favorite features of Rock Bottom is their Starlite Loft, a roof top patio that is great for those warm summer evenings and heated when the evenings are cool. Smoking is permitted on the Starlight Loft.
This is a pretty popular night spot in the Gaslamp Quarter, every time I've been there or driven by, the entrance is packed with people coming and going. There is live music and dancing every weekend and they have a cover charge at this time.
Favorite Dish: The menu offers what most Americans think of as "real" food, steaks, burgers, pizza, sanwiches, which goes well with a glass or two of beer. Of course the menu includes lighter fare such as salads and pastas.
Their handcrafted beers range from Lite to stout and I'd say my favorite would be the Coronado Nut Brown Ale. Monday -Friday from 4:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m. is Happy Hour and a great time to try out their beers at a reduced price.
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Theme: American
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20
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Phone: (619) 231-7000
Address: 401 “G” Street
Directions: At the south-east corner of Fifth Avenue & G Street.
Website: http://www.rockbottom.com/
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