Restaurants

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Warm Goat Cheese Salad

After a day of playing at the beach, it’s fun to dress up and head to The Shores Restaurant at the La Jolla Shores Hotel for a sunset supper. That’s exactly what a couple of mother’s and daughter’s did after walking the beach in La Jolla. Fortunately, we were seated at a table over-looking the Pacific Ocean as we watched the sun sink into the horizon. We were in La Jolla visiting colleges during Spring Break with our teenage daughters.

Restaurant Manager Lisa Redwine, (yes, that’s truly her last name) brought the girls non-alcoholic drinks made with Navarro Vineyards grape juice, while one mom ordered a margarita and the other ordered a cosmo.

Paella

Our Dinner Selection

Appetizers included a warm Laura Chenel goat cheese salad, ceviche, a bowl of steaming mussels and skillet roasted forest mushrooms with artichokes, candied shallots and pine nuts with dry sherry.  Both the girls enjoyed the mushrooms, but I preferred to save some to accompany my Gorgonzola crusted filet with oyster mushrooms, arugula and truffle steak fries. My daughter enjoyed her pistachio crusted “natural” salmon, meaning it was farm-raised in  ocean pens. She didn’t even try the avocado butter that accompanied her fish dish, but she said her salmon was tasty. The other teen, an adventurous diner, ordered the Fisherman’s Paella with shrimp, clams, mussels, chicken, mahi mahi and churizo sausage. This was her first time trying paella and will certainly not be her last.

Dessert Selection

Upside Down Cake

We were all pleasantly full, but after reading the dessert menu, we knew we had to try some of Chef De Cusine Augustin “Augie” Saucedo’s creations. Between the four of us, we shared the High Top Cookie Dough Mudd Pie, the Warm Apple Upside Down Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Butterscotch and the Nutella Marshmallow Bread Pudding.  All desserts were offered at $8.00, but the clear winner was the Apple Upside Down Cake, hands down.

The Shores Restaurant at La Jolla Shores Hotel
(858) 456-0600
8110 Camino del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037

(karlstrauss.com)

Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill was San Diego’s first microbrewery, and even though it’s not literally within the famous Gaslamp Quarter, it’s just a block away. It’s an institution in San Diego, so it’s no surprise that the owners branched out and opened a second Karl Strauss in La Jolla (there are now 6 Karl Strauss brewery restaurants in California). Now, La Jolla is an upscale beach community just 8 or so miles north of San Diego. Even luxury travel destinations and fancy ‘burbs deserve a fun, good ol’ bar restaurant, right? I think so.

There are no shortage of upscale restaurants in La Jolla, of course, but the Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill is not one of them. It’s popular, and fun, with decent food and outstanding handcrafted, small-batch beer. During Spring Break and other peak travel seasons, it can get pretty loud inside. There is plenty of quieter outdoor seating, too.

I’m not sure if the food is the same as it is in the other Karl Strauss brewery restaurants; the crab cakes are really good, and the Caesar salad was large and satisfying.  In fact, the main courses are all seem to be large. A couple at the table next to mine was splitting an order of ribs, and that was plenty for the two of them. But remember, this is a microbrewery; it’s the microbrewed ales, lagers and stouts here that really stand out.

(karlstrauss.com)

The Woodie Gold is a wonderful, refreshing beer, but my favorite is the Downtown After Dark Ale. I also recommend the Sampler, which is consistent with the one in San Diego: Keep in mind that quite a few of the most popular brews here are seasonal, and the Sampler can change with the time of year.  After playing in the water or walking on the beaches of La Jolla, it just feels great to come in to Karl Strauss, order lunch and some beer you can’t get anywhere else, and enjoy the afternoon.

In short, Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill has better than average lunch and dinner for a  bar restaurant.  The brews here are by and large winners, although they tend to the golden, lighter end of the beer spectrum. It’s a very pleasant place to eat and drink in La Jolla, California.

The Palm in San Diego (Photo courtesy of ThePalm.com)

The Palm is a family-owned, well-known upscale steakhouse chain with around 25 restaurants scattered across the country. In San Diego CA, The Palm is downtown but basically on the edge of the Gaslamp District, on J Street. Like the other Palm restaurants, this one has a wide variety of menu options available in a classy, old-style restaurant. The decor is reminiscent of the original Palm in New York City – caricatures and old photographs all over the walls, classy settings at tables and booths, and a convivial atmosphere.

Some logistics of The Palm in San Diego: There is a spacious open dining room with seating for approximately 130 guests,
three elegant private dining/function rooms, each with a flat/plasma screen TV, full AV capabilities and data connection for laptops, accommodating a total of 130 guests, and perhaps best of all, a fun bar scene, with seating for 65 guests and adjoining lounge, with two flat/plasma screen TVs.

Classy, festive bar at The Palm, San Diego (photo courtesy of ThePalm.com)

The Palm is referred to as “the place to see and be seen.” This is likely in reference to the various star sightings that occur at all the Palms. Famous people that already have their caricatures, photos, and portraits up on the walls have even, occasionally, autographed them.

The Palm serves very generous portions, and the atmosphere encourages leaning over and sampling from your friends’ or family’s plates. Really; the appetizers and entrees are oversized, and meant for sharing! The large and varied menu includes all the usual steakhouse options, along with fish prepared most ways imaginable, and classic Italian choices as well. The appetizers are all seafood, and really can’t be missed; try the jumbo shrimp cocktail and lobster bisque. Delicious. But why the Italian flair? Easy: The original restaurant was founded in 1926, by two immigrants from northern Italy. The Palm is still owned by their Italian-American descendants, and all the Palm restaurants keep the tradition. It works. Some of the Italian specialties at The Palm are linguini with clam sauce, veal martini, and chicken scallopine. They are all recommended for guests not interested in the fantastic Porterhouse steak or prime rib.

Luckily for San Diego’s leisure and business travelers and locals alike, The Palm on J Street opened strong just a few years ago (2005) and shows no signs of slowing down. It’s not only one of the best steakhouse restaurants around the Gaslamp Quarter, it is one of the best in San Diego, CA as a whole.

There are some seriously high-end restaurants in San Diego, and some seriously…not. One great aspect of a city the size and demographic diversity of San Diego, is the equal diversity of restaurants as well. We can’t eat all our meals out in upscale restaurants without breaking the bank, but aren’t always ready to roll with the atmosphere of the low-end ones. For those mid-range lunches and dinners, one fun restaurant is the Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill. Yes, they have an on-site microbrewery, easily viewed right behind the bar.

Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill (KarlStrauss.com)

This Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill is in downtown San Diego, a few blocks from the more hip Gaslamp Quarter. The beer is on tap here, and comes in sizes ranging from 5 oz samplers to pints and even “schooners.” A basic wine list is available too, but come on – it’s a microbrewery! If you’re up for it, sample a few different brews instead. Downtown After Dark Ale was my favorite, and the bright flagship brew is called Karl Strauss Amber Lager. Our dining party also really liked the Pin Tail Pale Ale, which is only seasonally available.

Karl Strauss Microbrews (C.L.L. via Flickr.com)

As for the food – ya gotta eat, after all – the food here is far better than standard “bar food,” though it still tends towards the greasier, saltier range. Our table split spinach artichoke dip and ahi poke appetizers that both disappeared before I got to my second round; a testament to their tastiness (the ahi poke here is very spicy! You’ve been warned). The sirloin burger and fries were pleasing, and the chicken Caesar salad – with a wedge of Romaine – was surprisingly zesty. What seemed to be the popular favorite with our group, though, were the Drunken Shrimp (cooked with the Woodie Gold pilsener), grilled fish tacos, and the messily satisfying barbeque ribs. The restaurant wasn’t too dark, as can happen with brewpubs, and it was basically family-friendly for lunch and an early dinner. It probably gets too rowdy for kids after 8:00 PM or so.

Karl Strauss San Diego (KarlStrauss.com)

This is the original restaurant location. There are also Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill restaurants in Carlsbad, Costa Mesa, Sorrento Mesa, and nearby La Jolla, as well as one on Universal Citywalk in Los Angeles. I can’t vouch for all of those, but the Karl Strauss in downtown San Diego California was a casual, relaxed place to grab a tasty bite and try a few samples of unique brews.

Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill
1157 Columbia St.
San Diego, CA
(619) 234-2739

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.

Gaslamp Strip Club - what is this, X-rated adult entertainment on Uptake’s restaurant blog? No, in this case “Strip” refers to that cut of steak, and this steakhouse is quite possibly the most fun, festive restaurant of all of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter top steakhouses.

Gaslamp Strip Club is the Most Fun Steakhouse in San Diego

The sirloin, kebobs and New York strip steaks here are fantastic, true, but that’s not what makes the Gaslamp Strip Club the most fun of all San Diego steakhouses. The restaurant is for adults, who literally grill their selected cuts of steak communally. Rest assured, you can’t go wrong with your choice; the chefs here buy only the best selections to start with, and the waiters give helpful cooking tips to those who ask. There’s also a guide with instructions regarding how long to grill whichever cut has been chosen. The free-wheeling atmosphere is enhanced by top-notch bar and wait staff – the open flames and somewhat free-flowing alcohol are why there’s an age limit of 21 at this restaurant.

The Gaslamp Strip Club is more than just a bunch of people standing around grilling their dinner, of course. The sauces are great (my favorite is the house BBQ sauce), the mushrooms and mashed potatoes perfectly complement red meat, and the macaroni-and-cheese sides come with a variety of add-in such as truffle oil and lobster.

This is a steakhouse to be sure, but guests can choose to grill chicken or fish as well. Now, the fun is in the friendly, convivial atmosphere. If you are looking for a romantic, quiet dinner for two, this is not the place to go. However, couples and groups both small and large who are in the mood, will find the social, unstuffy ambience of San Diego’s Gaslamp Strip Club to hit all the right – and somewhat loud – notes.

What with the huge flat screen TVs on ESPN, the loud rock and roll, and the hotsy-totsy waitresses (not to mention the Vargas prints of pin-ups), the guy appeal here is strong. It’s true that there are usually more men than women here, but take it from me – anyone in the mood for a highly social, rocking night out will have a great time at the Gaslamp Strip Club. It’s the most fun steakhouse in San Diego, California.

Grill Your Own Steak at this Restaurant

Donovan's is a Top 10 Best Steakhouse in San Diego

I love downtown San Diego. The vibe is happy and fun in this part of the city, and it’s a great California vacation spot for people of all ages. I especially like the Gaslamp Quarter because it has so many great steakhouses – not that it doesn’t also have terrific sushi restaurants and other dining options, but the happy, festive atmosphere in San Diego’s best steakhouses really sets it apart. I haven’t been to all (or even most) of the great restaurants in San Diego – there aren’t enough vacation days in the year – but I’m more than content whenever I try one of these Top 10 recommended steakhouses down in the Gaslamp Quarter.

The 10 Best Steakhouses in San Diego, California

Donovan’s Steak & Chop House – Donovan’s won the Lamplighter Award 2008 Favorite Steakhouse), and it’s easy to see why. Only prime meat is used, all the time, and the prime rib is among the best I’ve had. This is a high-end steakhouse, somewhat more refined and less convivial than others on this Top 10 list. However, it is worth a reservation for a romantic, special meal. Many awards have been given to Donovan’s for both its wine list and simply being, consistently, the best high-end steakhouse in San Diego.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar – This is a national chain, but very well-regarded. A respectable wine list includes 100-Wines-by-the-Glass, and the steaks here are generously portioned, perfectly prepared, and come with complementary sides. The ambience is fun and informal, hence, many relaxed San Diego residents consider Flemings the best steakhouse in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego.

Gaslamp Strip Club – This fun steakhouse epitomizes the friendly atmosphere of the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego. Great food, not too fancy, and accommodating of large groups, it’s simply terrific. Not the best restaurant for a quiet, romantic dinner, of course, but the open community grill allows for customers (age 21 and up) to grill their own steaks, after choosing their cuts from the waiters. The fun, happy atmosphere has to suite your mood, though – usually, this is easy in the Gaslamp Quarter.

George’s on Fifth – Here’s one hip restaurant for the cool set (I stopped even trying years ago). Popularly referred to as G5, Georges on Fifth is relaxed and fun. The entrees are excellent and the service is just right; the staff lets guests relax and enjoy their meal without hovering. Interestingly, the restaurant is right in Wyatt Earp’s old saloon (though the shoot-outs and Wild West atmosphere have left the building). More affordable than some others on this Top 10 list, G5 has a separate kids’ menu, live entertainment, and banquet rooms for medium to large parties.

Greystone the Steakhouse; a Classy, Formal Restaurant

Greystone the Steakhouse – Wow; Greystone is an amazingly glamorous restaurant in the mostly “regular Joe” Gaslamp Quarter. The elegance of the decor and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence indicate that this is one restaurant you may want to save for special occasions. While there are some child-friendly entrees of the menu, I don’t recommend Greystone for kids. It’s just too formal, and very expensive. The waiters here are trained in wine matching, so guests can relax and be certain that their fillet mignon, lobster, or any other entree will be perfectly suited to their vino.

Lou and Mickey’s – Along with the Gaslamp Strip Club, this is probably the most “manly” of the Top 10 steakhouses list. A lively, convivial atmosphere is pervasive most evenings at Lou & Mickey’s: The restaurant has an ambience closer to that of Italian restaurants than traditional steakhouses. Lou & Mickey’s is right across the street from San Diego’s busy convention center, so there’s nearly always a crowd of hungry executives and business travelers who want to unwind.

Max New York in the Gaslamp Quarter

Max New York – There’s something for everyone (who likes to eat – that narrows it down) at Max New York Restaurant. There are romantic little alcoves for a couples’ dinner, long tables for family and friend groups, and even a corporate events room for business travelers. Be warned: This is an expensive restaurant. The service is professional and the ambience exactly like that of a high-end New York steakhouse.

Mortons the Steakhouse – Check out Morton’s website, as there are often gift card deals found there. Morton’s is a national chain, yes, but it’s very picky regarding high quality steak and other entrees. I’ve been to a few Morton’s across the US. The menu items are consistently great and the work put into ambience (dark wood, white linen tablecloths) gives the feel of an independently owned restaurant.

Palm Restaurant – The Palm has outposts across the country, but is selective enough that it never has that “chain restaurant” feel. It’s a steakhouse in the most classic sense, with history going back over 80 years. The Palm in San Diego is the newest member of the fold, so to speak, and it’s perfectly suited for the Gaslamp Quarter. The festive and relaxed atmosphere makes for a fun dining experience here. Even though it’s just a few years old, the Palm restaurant is very popular: Reservations are strongly recommended for weekends.

Rei do Gado Brazilian Steakhouse – This is a Brazilian Churrasco, or barbeque: Rei do Gado means “The king of the Herd.” The steaks in this restaurant are slow-cooked on skewers, as per the traditional Brazilian style. While a buffet never has the look of a best restaurant, the appeal here is the different type of steaks than the primes and chops we’re used to. A waiter slices just-prepared, sizzling meats off the skewers onto your plates until you signal “that’s enough.” The skewers items range widely from tender loin to lamb, to the most popular churrasco cut, top sirloin cap.

There are a lot of steakhouses to choose from in San Diego. This Top 10 list is exclusive to my favorite part

Morton's the Steakhouse in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter

of town, the Gaslamp Quarter. Now, the qualities that make a great steakhouse go beyond fantastic steak and fresh seafood options. Ambience is key: The best steakhouses in San Diego are either fun and friendly, or elegant and classy. Either way, the best restaurants in San Diego are always well worth a night out.