[ Azzura Point | Bertrand
at Mister A's | Blue Point Coastal Cuisine
| Café Japengo | Café Lulu ]
[ Candelas | Casa de Bandini | Chive | George's
at the Cove | Osteria Panevino ]
[ Parallel 33 | Roppongi | Star of the Sea ]
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for meetings in San Diego
Azzura Point
Few venture to San Diego without at least one visit to Coronado
Island. If you go in the evening stop by Azzura Point at the Loews
Coronado Bay Resort for one of San Diego's finest dining experiences.
The restaurant features cuisine with a Californian-Mediterranean
vision, which includes dishes like braised turbot with pearl onions
and ginger marinated oysters, plus an award-winning wine list. The
room is lovely with Venetian chandeliers, ornate gold leaf carvings
and leopard-patterned tabletops. Best of all may be the romantic
views of the Coronado Bay Bridge and the San Diego Bay.
Azzura Point
4000 Coronado Bay Rd.
(619) 424-4000
Bertrand at Mister A's
One of San Diego's star restauranteurs has turned his attentions
to updating a city landmark and with fabulous results. Bertrand
Hug has done wonders for Mr. A's, now officially called Bertrand
at Mr A's, updating the cuisine, decor and service. The new
menu is a combo of American and French with entrees like miso-glazed
sea bass, a lobster "fish and chips," and tuna carpaccio and sweet
crab. Though black-tie has been replaced with casual elegance, fans
of the old Mr. A's will appreciate that what was best about the
restaurant remains intact: its prime location on the 12th floor
of a financial building in downtown San Diego serving up beautiful
panoramas of Balboa Park and San Diego Bay.
Bertrand at Mister A's
2550 Fifth Ave.
(619) 239-1377
www.bertrandatmisteras.com
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Blue Point Coastal Cuisine
If you'd like to sample the talents of San Diego's popular restaurant duo David and Leslie Cohn, visit the Blue Point Coastal Cuisine in the Gaslamp District. Seafood comes Pacific Rim-style with Asian accents for entrees like peppered ahi on toasted brioche, crab cakes with white bean chipotle relish and spicy Thai calamari, trendy but very good. The ambience is strictly supper club with plush banquettes, though the martini bar keeps things packed nearly every night.
Blue Point Coastal Cuisine
565 Fifth Ave.
(619) 233-6623
www.cohnrestaurants.com
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Café Japengo
Café Japengo offers a sushi and Pacific Rim menu
that is cutting edge and wide ranging. Shrimp and scallops with
rice noodles, a whole striped bass Japonaise and roasted duck with
tortillas will have your mouth watering in no time. The room is
also one of the city's most stylish with marbled walls, bamboo trees
and a sleek bar that screams for PIBs (people in black).
Café Japengo
8960 University Center Ln.
(858) 450-3355
www.cafejapengo.com
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Café Lulu
For inexpensive, casual dining near the convention center shoot
for Café Lulu in the Gaslamp Quarter. A hip, Bohemian
atmosphere comes with a health conscious menu comprised of organic
ingredients and no meat. Veggie lasagna, cheese melts, soups, and
salads for lunch, eggs and waffles for breakfast come with some
very inventive coffee drinks. Nab a table outside to watch the sidewalk
action.
Café Lulu
419 F St.
(619) 238-0114
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Candelas
Taking its name from the candles that burn brightly in votives placed in tiny lanterns, romantic Candelas has served sophisticated Mexican fare for several years now. Expect fine cuisine with a good mixture of fish, beef and a vegetarian offering called Torre de Berengena, which is eggplant stuffed with cactus, tomatoes and bell peppers with a basil Dijon mustard sauce. Or try the beef strips served with jicama and pear slices, feta cheese and dressed with a chile piquin tamarindo y caramel sauce. A hearty choice would be the white bass encrusted with basil and mozzarella cheese served over mashed potatoes and vegetables dressed with a piloncillo sauce. A hot lounge next door offers the chance to unwind with dancing and listening music.
Candelas
416 3rd Avenue
(619) 702-4455
www.candelas-sd.com
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Casa de Bandini
There's no need to go south of the border to sample authentic
Mexican food. San Diego is known for spicy cuisine and a perpetual
favorite is Casa de Bandini in the Old Town Historic Park.
Situated in one of the oldest and most historic buildings in the
state (a restored 1829 adobe hacienda), Casa de Bandini serves soup
bowl-sized margaritas, baskets of salty chips, traditional enchiladas,
and other Mexican favorites. Elegant dining rooms feature strolling
mariachi bands, or if the weather is warm, request a table on the
patio amid lush trees, flowers and fountains.
Casa de Bandini
2754 Calhoun St., Old Town
San Diego State Historic Park
(619) 297-8211
www.casadebandini.com
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Chive
Located in the Gaslamp District, Chive is
a recent award-winning addition to the newly trendy 4th Avenue.
Contemporary yet bold, and designed to capture the urban moods of
large international cities, the place buzzes with the energy of
20-somethings dressed in black. But even 40- or 50-somethings will
appreciate the sophisticated menu that begins with soybeans instead
of bread. Move right along to the grilled calamari salad, beet stacks,
Muscovy duck confit and stuffed chile rellenos. Fresh chives decorate
every plate, including the desserts. It’s distinctive fare served
with dramatic flair.
Chive
558 4th Ave.
(619) 232-4483
www.chiverestaurant.com
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George's at the Cove
If La Jolla's George's at the Cove isn't the best restaurant
in San Diego county, it's hard to say what beats it. Seared Maine
scallops, warm mushroom salad, striped bass and beef tenderloin
all come with organic produce from the famed Chino Farm in Rancho
Santa Fe. Who knew peas could taste so good? If you're very hungry
try the tasting menu, a bargain at $62, where you can sample a little
of many things. Add a variety of wines to the mix for another $25.
Book far in advance to snag a table with
an ocean view and add romance to an unforgettable dinner.
George's at the Cove
1250 Prospect St.
La Jolla
(858) 454-4244
www.georgesatthecove.com
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Osteria Panevino
Sometimes nothing will do but Italian and for some of the best
pasta dishes in the entire city head to the Gaslamp's Osteria
Panevino. The space screams New York with bare brick walls and
tables set closely together. The food, authentic Tuscan cuisine,
features everything from antipasti to homemade pastas in a variety
of sauces, to meat and fish entrees, is terrific. If you can't decide
on a wine try the themed trios of 2-ounce tasting glasses.
Osteria Panevino
722 Fifth Ave.
(619) 595-7959
www.osteriapanevino.com
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Parallel 33
A funky collection of strategically placed bamboo sticks, oil
lamps and round cushions to act as sound absorbers belie the really
terrific food you'll find at Amiko Gubbins' Parallel 33.
Here the focus is on cuisine from countries lying along the 33rd
parallel - Morocco, China, Lebanon, India, Japan, and of course,
the U.S. Try out the shrimp and potato samosa with banana-ginger
chutney spiced just so or the braised boneless short ribs with shiitake
mushrooms, onion, sticky rice and a soy-mirin glaze. Gubbins has
a palate that is always on the lookout for the next great flavor.
Don't miss the shiso and pepper crusted ahi seared rare with cha
soba and seasonal vegetables.
Parallel 33
741 West Washington St.
(619) 260-0033
www.parallel33sd.com
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Roppongi
Tapas are the rage at Roppongi, an Asian-fusion style cafe
that combines the flavors of Japan, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Korea,
and India in a very tasteful way. Towering Polynesian dungeness
crab stacks, chicken and porcini mushroom dumplings and Mongolian
duck quesadillas are some of what's in store for the adventurous
diner. If you are very hungry not to worry. There are also many
traditionally-sized main courses from sea bass to duck confit. Don't
miss the Chocolate Something for dessert. Lively, sophisticated
and exciting... and the environment's not bad either.
Roppongi
875 Prospect St.
La Jolla
(858) 551-5252
www.roppongiusa.com
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Star of the Sea
Star of the Sea features shiny metallic decor on the outside,
and on the inside, a sophisticated seafood menu that changes seasonally.
Contemporary preparation of fresh seafood might include roasted
salmon with spinach, champagne and sorrel sauce or seared scallops
with herbs de Provence. An accompanying wine list is both extensive
and surprisingly affordable. The real star, though, is the view
of the harbor, absolutely unbeatable.
Star of the Sea
1360 North Harbor Dr.
(619) 232-7408
www.starofthesea.com
*Coming Soon as Ghio's Seafood & Steaks
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