Dining SPOTLIGHT
American THE 3RD CORNER WINE SHOP & BISTRO Combining a casual French-American bistro with a retail wine shop, these popular spots give foodies a wealth of pairing options at any budget. L, D (daily till 2 a.m.; closed M in O.B.). 2265 Bacon St., Ocean Beach, 619.223.2700, Map J8; 897 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 760.942.2104. $$ Map W22 AMAYA LA JOLLA Enjoy Southern-tinged, contemporary dishes like buttermilk-fried quail and smoked mac ‘n’ cheese appetizers, slow-roasted pork chop or braised veal osso buco cannelloni. Plus nearly 300 wines on offer. L, D (daily). 1205 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.750.3695. $$$ Map W19 BANKERS HILL BAR AND RESTAURANT Mismatched antique chairs decorate this casual spot with an urbanindustrial vibe. A seasonal menu includes pork tacos and an excellent burger. D (nightly). 2202 Fourth Ave., Bankers Hill, 619.231.0222. $$$ Map O16
Pizza by Design It’s artisanal pizza designed and eaten by you. Project Pie is the trendy, mod Hillcrest eatery where the customer literally is always right. Its fun, build-your-own pizza menu makes you the artist, offering around 30 toppings that include everything from traditional pepperoni to less-common items such as crumbled meatballs, Canadian bacon and sea salt. A menu of seven standard pies serves as a backup for patrons not feeling especially creative; we love the White Pizza with prosciutto and caramelized onions. And don’t miss the Nutella-and-banana pizza for dessert. A custom pie with unlimited toppings comes with a price tag of about $10 bucks. Not bad for a work of art. 3805 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest, 619.756.6677
BARLEYMASH This spacious brick-walled sports bar serves burgers, spicy beer-boiled prawns and hearty “Barley pie”; find martinis galore at Ginger’s cocktail lounge downstairs. L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 600 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.255.7373. $$ Map Q16 BERTRAND AT MISTER A’S Incredible 12th-floor views and romantic ambiance complemented by fresh, seasonal ingredients. Appetizers range from mac ‘n’ cheese to panseared scallops, plus an outstanding wine list. The new brunch menu features creative Bloody Marys. L (M–F), D (nightly), Br (Sa-Su). 2550 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill, 619.239.1377. $$$$ Map O16 BROCKTON VILLA An 1894 cottage with a spectacular ocean view. Try the Coast Toast, a French toast soufflé from the breakfast menu. B, L, D (daily). 1235 Coast Blvd., La Jolla, 858.454.7393. $$ Map W19 BROOKLYN GIRL EATERY This trendy neighborhood joint is known for its complimentary daily popcorn and urban Brooklyn pantry vibe. Grab a casual lunch of matzo ball soup, or dress up—and carb up—for dinner with the addictive gnocchi and short rib entrée. 4033 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills, 619.296.4600. $$$ Map M15 CHAPLOS Downtown’s 1920s-inspired restaurant serves up American dishes with gourmet twists, such as the slowly braised apple-ale pork ribs. L (M-F), D (Tu-Sa), Br (Su). 925 B St., downtown, 619.798.3888. $$$ Map P16 CHART HOUSE Seafood and steakhouse has picturesque coastline location with floor-to-ceiling windows. Indulge in hot chocolate lava cake for dessert. L, D (daily); Br (Su). 2588 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, 760.436.4044. $$$ Map W22 CRAFT + COMMERCE Gastropub-inspired food such as roasted bone marrow, fried pickles and bacon Cracker Jacks, plus handcrafted cocktails by the city’s top bartenders, local beers and a lively, social bar atmosphere. L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 675 W. Beech St., Little Italy, 619.269.2202. $$$ Map P15 CRAFTSMAN NEW AMERICAN TAVERN The duckfat fries are sinfully tasty at this stylish Encinitas watering hole. Other favorites on its American comfort food menu include the Devil’s Free Range Chicken, deep-fried Brussels sprouts and Root Beer Cake. 267 El Camino Real, Encinitas, 760.452.2000. $$ Map V22 DICK’S LAST RESORT Buckets of ribs, catfish and crab legs served by a purposefully irreverent waitstaff, plus 66 beers and live music (Th-Sa). A fun, casual hangout in the Gaslamp. L, D (daily). 345 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.231.9100. $$ Map Q16
Guidelines
Restaurants are listed by city on page 63. Map locators at the end of each listing (Map A3; Map H10, etc.) refer to maps on pages 76-79. Compendium includes editors’ recommendations and advertisers.
Index American...............................48 Breakfast................................ 49 California Cuisine............... 50 Chinese................................... 50 Desserts................................. 50 Eclectic/Fusion......................51 French.......................................51 International..........................52
Italian........................................53 Japanese................................ 54 Mexican/Southwestern...55 Seafood................................56 Steak......................................57 Thai........................................58 Wine Bars............................59
FIREFLY Modern cuisine and indoor plus patio dining with views of Mission Bay; choose from 40-plus wines by the glass, as well as wine and microbrew tasting flights. Happy hour daily. The Dana on Mission Bay, 1710 W. Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay, 619.225.2125. $$ Map I8 HERRINGBONE Expect farm-to-sea American dishes with global influences, handcrafted cocktails and 100-year-old olive trees enhancing the décor at this upscale hotspot by Brian Malarkey. 7837 Herschel Ave., La Jolla, 858.459.0221. $$$ Map W19 HORNBLOWER Celebrate a special occasion or surprise your sweetheart with a three-hour dinner cruise aboard a luxury yacht along San Diego’s stunning waterfront. Enjoy a three-course meal, chilled champagne and dancing. D (nightly). 1800 N. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.686.8715. $$ Map Q14 JIMMY’S FAMOUS AMERICAN TAVERN Spicy California cheeseburgers and specialty cocktails served in a fun, casual bayside venue; outdoor patio offers great marina views. L, D (daily); Br (Su). 4990 N. Harbor Drive, Point Loma, 619.226.2103. $$ Map K9 THE MED La Valencia’s charming, Mediterranean-villastyle eatery features locally sourced, sustainable dishes such as fried poussin and an ocean-view terrace. B, L, D (daily); Br (Su). 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.551.3741. $$ Map W19 NEIGHBORHOOD This gastropub is a bit snobbish about its condiments (you’ll find no ketchup here), but makes up for it with tasty gourmet burgers, hand-cut sweet potato fries with blue cheese crumbles and around 30 craft brews. L, D (daily). 777 G St., East Village, 619.446.0002. $$ Map Q16 SEA & SMOKE Wood-fired meat, seafood and veggies are the menu stars at this North County spot where sharing plates family-style is encouraged. Inventive side dishes include duck-fat-roasted potatoes, braised-bacon kale and yellow-beet gratin. B, L, D (daily). 2690 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, 858.925.8212. $$ Map X22 SEARSUCKER At this always-hopping hotspot, Top Chef finalist Brian Malarkey crafts a bold, flavorful menu that ranges from a mammoth 32-oz. rib eye to mini appetizer bites. L (M-F), D (nightly), Br (Su). 611 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.233.7327, Map Q16; 12995 El Camino Real, Del Mar, 858.369.5700. $$$ Map X22 SLATER’S 50/50 Design your own gourmet burger, or choose from one of 10 specialty burgers, including the Peanut Butter & Jellousy burger with peanut butter, strawberry jelly and bacon. Signature patty is the 50/50 with ground beef and bacon. L, D (daily); B (Su). 2750 Dewey Road, #193, Point Loma, 619.398.2600. $$ Map J9
Looking to have your canine family member join you for a nice meal out? Pets are more than welcome at The Patio on Lamont Street, listed on p. 50.
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