Restaurants

Georges on Fifth is one of the best steakhouses in San Diego, hands down. Because the setting is little more

Elegant Dining at the Best Formal Steakhouse in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter (Jennifer Miner)

swanky than not, a meal here adds a touch of luxury to a vacation in Southern California. We were in San Diego with relatives who mostly appreciate high-end, classy dinners out, so we knew that reservations here would make for a positive experience. And – best of all – it was New Year’s Eve.

A sophisticated ambience and quiet bustle (yes, it’s possible) create an atmosphere that the “fancy” relatives appreciated. A pianist tinkled unobtrusively in the background, sometimes accompanied by a vocalist (she specialized in jazz classics). Depending on the night, the live music can range from classical to classic rock – if this is important to you, please check when making your reservations. The restaurant decor is an odd mix of formal styling and Wyatt Earp-era memorabilia (this building used to be Wyatt Earp’s Gambling Hall and Saloon). There are caricatures of famous people hailing from San Diego on the walls – I was amused to see Orville Redenbacher among the drawings.

Two Best Appetizers at G5 are the Dungeness Crabcakes and this Shrimp Cocktail Jennifer Miner)

We started with the Dungeness Crab Cakes and the Shrimp Cocktail, both of which were outstanding (only four jumbo shrimp, but that’s typical at a restaurant like this). The Beefsteak Tomato and Maui Onion Salad was surprisingly delicate, for such a savory salad. But the real stars here are the steak and seafood.

The steaks here are, of course, outstanding. Only Prime cuts are used, and the seafood is fresh off the boat that morning. Prime Filet Mignon, Prime New York Strip,the sushi-grade Ahi and Jumbo Sea Scallops were impeccable. Rave reviews all around, and we had some demanding customers at our table! This restaurant was voted “The Best of the Best” Steakhouses in San Diego, and I’d have to agree.

Since we were there for New Year’s Eve, there were some noisemakers and party hats at our table. This touch went a long way with the children in our party, considering that George’s on Fifth (G5, to locals) is about as far from a crayons-and-paper-at-the-table type of restaurant as there is. The waitstaff was professional and courteous, and a bit removed (rather than over-friendly) as befits a restaurant of this type. Remember, this is a formal restaurant. It’s recommended for a romantic night out, an anniversary, or family gatherings with demanding, sophisticated companions – and most of all, for a fun yet classy New Year’s Eve.

Georges on Fifth
835 5th Ave (Gaslamp Quarter)
San Diego, CA
(619) 702-0444

Great, Budget-friendly Food at the Stout Public House in San Diego CA

A vacation in San Diego, California can’t be missed. There are some fun activities for children, of course (like SeaWorld), the weather is nearly always warm and sunny, and the Gaslamp Quarter is makes for a lively, travel-friendly town center. But these are difficult economic times, and trip planners are keeping sharp eyes on their travel budgets. Thankfully, there are some inexpensive, easily affordable restaurants in San Diego. These are not the dives (and yes, San Diego has its share of those): Instead, these are the best restaurants that manage to serve decent food at a great price.

Best Cheap Restaurants in San Diego

Kono’s Surf Club - Who here loves all-day breakfasts? I sure do. Nothing like coming up to this boardwalk-located restaurant after an afternoon of surf and sun, and ordering a big stack of french toast. There are plenty of cheap lunch items on the menu too. Kono’s in Pacific Beach is Hawaiian-themed, and most menu items are $5 and under. No website: Kono’s is at 704 Garnet Ave, across from the ocean. (858)

Ocean Views and Cheap All-Day Breakfasts at Kono's, San Diego

483-1669

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza isn’t just pizza – although its oven-baked pie really is a local legend. There are also salads, pasta, and over 20 different types of tapas. Sammy’s was voted the #1 pizza in San Diego a few years ago, and is among this year’s Most Popular Restaurants in Zagats.. Check out the children’s menu – kids ages 10 and under eat for just $5.95. Gaslamp: (619)230-8888 La Jolla: (858) 456-5222 Mission Valley (619) 298-8222

Stout Public House is a terrific Irish pub – not necessarily child-friendly, but it’s got everything an old fashioned Irish pub needs. The atmosphere is jovial, the location in downtown, and Happy Hour is all the way from 4PM to 8PM every day. Inexpensive pub food like fish and chips and chicken pot pie are here, needless to say, along with burgers, tuna melts, grilled pork chops, and much more. Most menu items are $10 or less. (619) 702-7933

101 Cafe is the oldest restaurant in Oceanside (in San Diego’s North County). Named for historic US Highway 101, Cafe 101 faces the original location of the highway. It’s a 1950’s style diner – although it has been renovated since it originally opened! – and, like most diners, has all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Come get a photo taken of your car with the ’50’s style waitresses, and the photo might show up on the restaurant’s website! Most menu items are under $10. (760) 722-5220

El Pescador is in high-end La Jolla, but manages to serve great, fresh seafood at low-end prices. It’s popular because it’s a relatively cheap restaurant for the area, hence is usually bustling. There are really affordable seafood salads and sandwiches for lunch, and it won’t bust a vacation budget to get the grilled yellowtail sandwich or Scottish salmon salad. (858) 456-2526

Point Loma Seafoods is located right in the middle of Point Luma’s fishing docks. This ultra-casual setting lends itself well to the full-service fish market restaurant. It doesn’t get much fresher than this: Cheap eats right on the dock include sandwiches, fried seafood, soups and chowders, and shrimp cocktails. (619) 223-1109

Bay Park Fish Company is a Best Cheap Restaurant in San Diego

Bay Park Fish Company, like Point Luma Seafoods, is a full-service market and restaurant. It overlooks Mission Bay, a lovely view. Tourists likely aren’t interested in buying seafood retail, but the menu is extensive and the dining area has been recently expanded. Most entrees are $10 or less yet come in large portions, unusual for a fresh seafood restaurant. (619) 276-3474

San Diego CA has a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from high-end, formal dining experiences to the lowliest of greasy spoons. These restaurants are the best cheap restaurants in the area – good food in casual settings – and you’ll leave without having busted your vacation budget.

Lou & Mickey's is a Best Steakhouse in the Gaslamp Quarter

Lou & Mickey’s Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge is one of the Top 10 steakhouses in The Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. The Gaslamp Association awarded it with both “Best Wine List” and “Best Service in a Restaurant,” and San Diego Magazine also named it as the area’s “Best American Restaurant.” This is, clearly, a restaurant worth trying out.

Right across from the San Diego Convention Center, Lou & Mickey’s gets a lot of business travelers looking to unwind. You’ll see them with their loosened ties and stiff drinks, maybe watching ESPN on game nights. The ambience is exactly what makes American steakhouses fun; a little loud, a lot friendly, and very relaxed. I was impressed by the top-notch service as well as the salad and rib-eye I ordered here; the staff had to deal with a couple of groups near us, and did so with aplomb. My date had the surf and turf: This meant Alaskan king crab legs and a nice piece of filet mignon. It must’ve been great – I’m assuming this because it disappeared before I had a chance to taste it myself. The best restaurant dinners have a way of

Great Surf and Turf in San Diego

doing that.

We ate inside, and I recommend this. Lou & Mickey’s is one of the best steakhouses in San Diego, but it’s also right across from a railroad crossing. I overheard someone complaining about the train noise. However, it’s hard to imagine the noise being that distracting; the boisterous atmosphere – at least when a game’s on television – is already not for someone seeking a quiet night out. Lou & Mickey’s Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge is unpretentious, fun and relaxed, which along with a great menu, is exactly what how an American restaurant in Southern California should be. No wonder it’s one of the best steakhouses in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.