San Diego restaurant suggestions ??

[danacath]

DH and I will be at a convention in San Diego for 5 days in October. Since we won't have a car, I'm trying to either find good places to eat somewhere along the trolley line (Gas Lamp, Seaport, Balboa Park, Coronado), OR within a couple of blocks of the convention center. Nothing too pricey or too fancy--just good food and good surroundings. For one meal, I'd love to find a casual place with a waterfront view, if it won't blow our budget. Got any good suggestions? TIA

 

[ScooterL]

Lots of pretty decent restaurants in Seaport Village, which is close to the Convention Center. I like Buster's Beach House, and it's pretty reasonably priced. Harbor House is on the water...though I don't know how pricey it is these days. Another place you might try is Anthony's Seafood Grotto - that's further north, another 1/2 - 3/4 of a mile from Seaport Village, but it's right on the water and has decent seafood at fairly reasonable prices.

Just about any restaurant you find in the Gaslamp district is going to be good...especially the Italian places. But might be pricey, too.

There's food courts in both Seaport Village and Horton Plaza, and in addition to the "fine" restaurants in the Gaslamp District there's places like Subway - even a Ghirardelli Ice Cream Parlor.

Hope that helps.

 

[Dobie]

I second Anthony's Grotto. Good food, good prices. It is located between the Midway and the Maritime Museum. The Maritime museum is open late (until 8 or 9) so it might be fun to see after dinner. . .

In Gaslamp, I HIGHLY recommend Sammie's Woodfire Pizza. Fabulous food, very reasonable prices--we ate for 10-15 bucks each. You can sit outside on the sidewalk and people watch while you eat.

 

[mott]

Great suggestions, I'm just subscribing...

 

[danacath]

Thanks for your suggestions. I checked out some of the menus and they all looked great! Unfortunately, I did make a mistake when I said that DH and I would be staying near the downtown convention center. We're actually going to be at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center out by Fashion Valley Shopping Center. oops (When DH said we would be at the convention center, I assumed he meant THE Convention Center downtown. Guess I assumed wrong. )

Anyway, we decided to rent a car for a day or two so that we can still so some sightseeing, take the trolley tour, squeeze in a trip to Ghirardelli's and a waterfront restaurant or two , etc. What I'd still like to know, though, is whether anyone out there is familiar with the Fashion Valley Mall area, and could recommend any good restaurants near that shopping center. It's always fun to try new places, so I was kind of hoping to visit some local eateries and avoid going to chain restaurants. Any ideas??

 

[ScooterL]

There's a trolley stop at Fashion Valley, so that makes it pretty easy if you want to get downtown without having to drive (and park!).

Hmm...Fashion Valley is mostly filled with chain restaurants like Cheesecake Factory and Pizzeria Uno, and there's a P.F. Chang's along the edge of the Mall.

There's a local chain in the food court there - it's called Rubio's, and it's known for its fish tacos, though they have carne asada, chicken, and carnitas, too.

A couple of miles from Fashion Valley is a place called Forever Fondue where you can do a three-course fondue dinner - cheese fondue, meat/veggies/seafood cooked in broth, and chocolate fondue. It's pricey (~$40/person) but a lot of fun.

There's a really good breakfast place called Ricky's - it on the other side of the freeway from the Town & Country, and about a mile west.

Over on the edge of the other mall that's across the freeway (Mission Valley) there's a Mimi's Cafe, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Fuddrucker's and a Chevy's.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Take the car and drive to Harbor Island, near the airport. There you can dine at Island Prime or C Level... the awe-inspiring view is exceeded only by the quality of the food. Run by the local Cohen Restaurant group, they offer the best of the menus from their other dining establishments. You won't be disappointed.

 

[M&C]

Great suggestions. If you do manage to go downtown, check out Cafe Sevilla in the gaslamp. It's a spanish tapas restaurant and the food is very reasonable and good.

Since you have a car for severala days, try Charlie's-by-the-sea. The Sunday Brunch is great, cheap, and you can valet park and literally walk to the beach after your mea. It's located on Highway 101, north of Lomas Sante Fe Exit off of the I-5. There may be a closer exit, but that's the only one we know. Acutally other meals there I thought were very cheap considering it is right at the beach.

Have fun in San Diego!

----------------------
M&C

 

[foleyfun]

You can take the trolley one stop to Mission Valley Center. There is a restaurant there called Seau's there. It is owned by the football player Junior Seau. It is a local place, the food is good and the prices are really reasonable.

Enjoy your time in San Diego!

Kim

 

[danacath]

Great ideas, everyone! Thanks a bunch! DH and I are really looking forward to trying out some of these places.