Restaurants

I worked at Outback Steakhouse for a minute in my twenties. It may sound trite, but it’s the place I learned to really understand meat and how it should be cooked. Growing up I would eat my steak medium well to well done. After working at a chain steakhouse for a little bit I now order it medium. I just can’t go medium rare or rare. It doesn’t please me aesthetically. *shudder*

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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

Pasadena is a great place to live or visit in Southern California: The Norton Simon Museum, the Huntington

Gale's Italian Restaurant and Bar, in Pasadena CA (Patrick Breana)

Library, and the Huntington Gardens add culture to a trip to this part of the San Gabriel Valley. And, of course, no town rings in the New Year like Pasadena. The Rose Bowl Parade is a nationally televised, major event. After a day of museum-going, or parade-watching, a traveler can get hungry. Here are two of Uptake’s recommended best restaurants in Pasadena, California.

Gale’s Italian Restaurant and Bar, 452 S. Fair Oaks Ave – Here’s a great old Italian restaurant that hits all the right notes. All the classic Italian meals at Gale’s are done to a tee; the sauces are authentic-tasting, and just the right amount adorns the entrees. The prices aren’t cheap, but this is a real restaurant, where real attention is paid to food preparation. Now, Gale’s Restaurant and Bar is no secret. It’s very popular, especially on weekends. make reservations and expect the noise and clatter of a full, smallish restaurant (request seating in the back room if you want a quieter dining experience). If you’re too full for dessert but still want to end the meal on a sweet note, no worries; a little fresh-baked biscotti comes with after-dinner coffee. This is the best Italian restaurant in Pasadena.

Arroyo Chop House, 536 S. Arroyo Pkwy – Now, attentive readers probably figured out that Uptake loves steakhouses (at least good ones). The Arroyo Chop House is

Arroyo Chop House in Pasadena, CA

the best steakhouse in Pasadena. It has all the best qualities expected from a steakhouse: Perfectly prepared, mouth-watering steaks and chops, in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Service is nearly always professional yet friendly, the best fit for an American steakhouse. The prices here are high compared to other restaurants in the neighborhood, and only prime grade meat is prepared. However, this is a great “special occasion” restaurant, from start (get the crab leg cocktail) to finish (the chocolate souffle is out of this world). Bit of advice – the entrees don’t come with sides. You’ll have to order the potatoes au gratin separately. More than just one of Uptake’s top recommended restaurants in the area, Arroyo Chop House was named “Best Restaurant in Pasadena” by Pasadena Weekly for several years in a row.

There is a plethora of good restaurants in Pasadena, many more than can be reviewed in one post. These two, however, are the best Italian and the best steakhouse in town. No hungry traveler will be disappointed at Gale’s Italian or Arroyo Chop House.

Sedona is a popular Arizona tourist town. Southwestern spirituality mixes with real cowboys living the Wild West life in the 21st century (i.e. driving topless Jeeps instead of horses) in Sedona, and the amazing formations of red rocks everywhere make the entire region look otherworldly. If you’d think a town like Sedona has some great, authentic Southwestern food, well, you’d think right. My favorite Southwestern style steakhouse restaurant that is also tourist-friendly – not off the beaten track, that is – is the Cowboy Club, right on Hwy 89A.

The Cowboy Club bills itself as serving “High Desert Cuisine,” with over 50 years of “Old West Tradition and Hospitality.” Kids on vacation in Sedona get into the spirit of the area, and even typically picky eaters (at least mine) will try the Cactus Fries, BBQ Bison skewers, and maybe even the Rattlesnake Tamale. I had them all; they’re different than normal travel fare, but that’s part of what makes a vacation memorable. And yes; they are all very, very good!

There are plenty of menu items to please the less adventurous eater, of course; soups, salads, burgers and the like. I enjoyed the Grilled Top Sirloin, and my dining companion polished off those Baby Back Ribs like they were going out of style. My kids were very happy with the items on the Children’s Menu, which was pretty typical kiddie fare. They aren’t exactly high-end gourmands, however. If it comes with fries, they’re happy. The Cowboy Club is one of Sedona’s more popular casual restaurants for tourists, and for good reason. It’s a real crowd pleaser.

The Cowboy Club
241 N. Hwy 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
(928) 282-4200
www.cowboyclub.com
Open every day from 11:00AM to 10:00 PM

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.