Thought I’d start a new SD thread, focused just around Little Italy/Coronado. The fam and I are headed there next month, staying by Little Italy, looking for 5 nights of dinners. Want good food/wine, more casual not necessarily Michelin, nice atmosphere, views a plus, not loud and bar-ish. I’m not a researcher, I like to wing it, but the wife wants some resies in place. So far, I’m looking at these:
Water Views - Coasterra and Brigantine(Coronado)
Heard good things - Herb&Wood, Juniper & Ivy
Love me some Italian - Bencotta Italian Kitchen, Barbusa
Also, we have a car, is driving and parking an issue? Or look to Uber?
If you’re going with the family and like Mexican, then Miguel’s in Coronado has a nice outdoor area and the food was very good. At least it was when I was there 7-8 years ago.
Yes on Juniper/Ivy…also look at Ironside (India St) for lunch; decent wine program. I drive in Little Italy, but if you are staying downtown Uber/Lyft is easy and close. Parking is a bit of a hassle, but doable. Check out the Pali Wine Co tasting room in Little Italy; nice venue and a good selection of their wines.
Bump. Getting ready to make resis. Need 5 nights of dinners…wife wasn’t to thrilled with Brigantine so far on the list? Wanted a good water view and seafood rest?
Callie is arguably the hottest restaurant in SD right now. It’s in the East Village, not far from Little Italy and parking is a breeze as they sit atop a parking garage.
If you go, request a table in the main dining area near the display kitchen. It has a high ceiling and is much quieter than the low-ceiling area by the front window. That area is loud!
For ocean views and seafood check out:
C Level/Island Prime
Fish Market/Top of the Market
For both of those it’s like two restaurant concepts in one where C Level and Fish Market are the “Toyota” and Island Prime and Top of the Market are “Lexus.”
If you’re okay a little bit more of a drive check out Peohe’s on Coronado Island. It’s on the east side so your view is the bay and the downtown skyline.
Tom Ham’s as Otto mention as well.
Also check out Mister A’s. Not specifically seafood or on the water but they are on the 12th floor of the building they’re in and have great views.
Brigantine is a tourist place, OK food, great views. We go there as now out of town tourists and enjoy it for what it is.
Coasterra is actually not bad, fantastic views, food is pretty decent. Cocktails are excellent. Also has sentimental value for us, as we were married on the Reuben E. Lee faux river boat that used to be on that exact spot, until it sank into the mud and had to be dismantled lol.
FYI Solare in Liberty Station has Biondi Santi dinner on Tuesday with someone from the family. The owner Randy is a great guy that has hosted many a great wine dinners for my group over the years. Im thinking of going myself
Tribute is excellent, hopping place, food is good.
We ate at Callie last year. Very good service, really interesting wine list, good cocktails. Enjoyed the meal, mainly because it was with wife and daughter, but it didn’t make me feel like I’d gotten my (considerable) money’s worth.
Ate At Juniper and Ivy over christmas. Good meal. Frankly, I’d probably just sit at the bar there.
Some comments about Cesarina above. Met some local family there a couple weeks ago. Perfectly decent food, enjoyable, and I’d go back. Has a nice, casual Ocean Beach vibe.
Talking to a british expat while there, he told me to go to Shakespeare’s Pub on India for the best Fish & Chips. Not quite walking distance from your conference, but not that far.
For Mexican I’d suggest El Agave in Old Town. Very good tacos, and specializes in mole. Kind of a weird location, above Old Town Tequila shop, but once you’re up the stairs it’s nice.
I haven’t been to tribute, but I can’t see coming to San Diego being here for a short time and wasting a meal on pizza instead of Mexican food. The best Mexican food is at the inexpensive street food places. There’s a Tacos El Gordo downtown now.
I like mexican as much as anyone, but don’t eat it every day lol. Tribute is an outstanding pizza place, excellent salads, very good pizza, even by the NY standards Thomas will judge by.
El Gordo downtown is a lunch spot, and pretty crusty even as taco places go
Went to Jolie in Coronado. Basic decor but the food was good. Paid corkage.
Little Frenchie and Chez Loma were decent, more corkage. Went a few times to Serea at the Del, nice setting and pretty good food; more expensive to state the obvious. Probably our last visit, I’d expect The Del to be too expensive for an academic conference given it sold and is being thoroughly renovated.
Thank you for all the suggestions.
One of my kids is in San Diego with her partner - they have a few Mexican street places lined up for me. I will add El Gordo and El Agave to the list.
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