Just call me your foodie friend. I absolutely love wining and dining and trying new restaurants. With Valentine's Day coming up, I figured I would share some of my favorite San Diego restaurants in case you want to send a (not so) subtle hint to your significant other, gal pal, or whoever you might be going out with for V day.
Starting strong with Lou & Mickey's. I have to thank our friends Barry & Roxanne for sharing this restaurant with us. We went for New Year's Eve in 2022 and I absolutely loved it! It has a speak easy, 1920's vibe. The food and service was fabulous!
C Level. C Level and Island Prime are "sister companies" if you will, two restaurants connected. I prefer C Level over Island Prime. Sit outside at C Level and please order the lobster Mac & cheese for me.
Brigantine, specifically, the San Diego Bay location. This one is a classic. I go here if I'm not in the mood for something new and I want guaranteed good food and drinks.
Banbu Sushi for an elevated sushi experience. We tried Nobu and didn't love it. We prefer Banbu much more.
Lunch outside at the Mediterranean Room at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla. This is a fun one to catch up with girlfriends over a glass of bubbly and small bites. See more of my videos on TikTok!
In San Diego, you get all the restaurants with water views, I love it! Another little lunch spot that you've probably never thought of is Loews Hotel in Coronado. Another cute little patio situation with fun drinks and great food.
Brunch at the Edgewater Grill in Seaport Village. If you want to grab a glass of wine (or a tasting tower) while you're in the area, another one of my favorites that is just down the boardwalk is San Pasqual Winery.
Two other places I like for brunch are Oceana Coastal Kitchen and Barefoot Bar & Grill. I wouldn't claim that these places have the best food ever, but love the ambiance/location.
We recently went to Morton's and I wasn't all that impressed. My husband calls me a "steak snob" LOL! We also did Fleming's within the last year and I didn't love it. Tough crowd, I know.
More casual options...
If you have not tried Lobster West, you are seriously missing out! This one is very casual, but OH-SO-DELICIOUS. I discovered it because it is in the same alley as the La Jolla salon I work at. I'm obsessed!
Tacos El Gordo. I haven't been here in a loooooooong time, but some of the best, most authentic Mexican food. I need to take William and the girls here!
Rob's Jalapeños in Carmel mountain. Do me a favor and order the shrimp burrito with guacamole, fire!
Thank you to my sister for sharing Nicolosi's with me! My go-to order is the Chef Salad and the Buffalo Chicken Pizza.
On the subject of pizza, we absolutely love Giant Bambino's Hawaiian Pizza!
Restaurants that are on my must try list:
This list has the potential to be HUGE becuase there are so many choice in San Diego, love that for us! If you have a favorite that I need to try, please send it my way.
Born & Raised, I've heard a lot of people talk about this one. Let's see if they are worth the hype.
The Nolen Rooftop Bar, I haven't wanted to try this place for years!
Someone please grab a drink with me at The Layfette bar. This place looks so swanky and weird (in the best way - haha!).
Duke's La Jolla. We tried to go here for my birthday this last year, but Addison ended up getting sick.
I'm looking for the best Chinese food recommendations in San Diego. If you have one, send it my way!
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Happy Wining & Dining,
Jodi Snowden