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Dining in San Diego
Wherever you are in San Diego, you'll have few problems
finding somewhere to eat good food in a fun atmosphere at
reasonable prices. Everything from crusty coffee shops to
stylish ethnic restaurants is in copious supply, with seafood
at its best around Mission Beach and the Gaslamp District,
and the latter home to the greatest concentration of restaurants,
aimed at both tourists and locals alike.
Anthony's Star of the Sea Room 1360 N Harbor Drive, downtown
tel 619/232-7408. Pricey Franco-California-style preparations
of seafood, justly famed for its freshness and variety,
served on a terrace on the waterfront.
Bella Luna 748 5th Ave, downtown tel 619/239-3222. This
romantic, moon-adorned restaurant serves up wonderful, familiar
Italian dishes to a relaxed artsy crowd.
Berta's 3928 Twiggs St, Old Town tel 619/295-2343. A far
cry from the area's many touristy Mexican restaurants, offering
low-priced, authentic cooking from all over Latin America.
Café 222 222 Island Ave at 2nd Ave, downtown tel
619/236-9902. Industrially decorated café serving
some of the city's best breakfasts and lunches - mainly
fresh twists on staples like sandwiches, burgers and salads
- and at reasonable prices. Open daily 7am-1.45pm.
Chilango's Mexican Grill 142 University Ave, Hillcrest
tel 619/294-8646. Gourmet food for under $8, with solid
emphasis on Mexican-vegetarian cooking. Tiny storefront
locale is popular with locals and packed to the rafters
in the evenings.
Crest Café 425 Robinson Ave, Hillcrest tel 619/295-2510.
Old-fashioned American staples at low prices, with a fair
selection of homemade desserts.
Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar 802 5th Ave, downtown tel
619/233-4355. Devoted to the life and work of folk-rock
troubadour Jim Croce, with a pricey but excellent range
of pastas and salads; the Sunday jazz brunch is renowned
for its tasty mix of music and munchies.
Filippi's Pizza Grotto 1747 India St at Date St, Little
Italy tel 619/232-5094. Great pizzas and a handful of scrumptious
pasta dishes served in a convivial small room at the back
of a Little Italy grocery.
Fio's Cucina Italiana 801 5th Ave at F St, downtown tel
619/234-3467. Stylish, high-priced Italian cuisine aimed
for business clientele and special events.
Ichiban 1449 University Ave, Hillcrest tel 619/299-7203.
A good spot to enjoy quality, reasonably priced Japanese
cuisine, and especially good for combo platters.
Kono's 704 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach tel 858/483-1669.
Crowded, tourist-centric place for breakfast or lunch on
the boardwalk. Serves inexpensive, hefty portions of eggs,
sandwiches, hamburgers and other all-American favorites.
Living Room Coffeehouse 1010 Prospect St, La Jolla tel
858/459-1187. Great sandwiches, soups, quiches and pastries
in a living room-like setting - a bit comfier than its other
three San Diego locations.
Mexican Village Restaurant 120 Orange Ave, Coronado tel
935/435-1822. Good for cheap, south-of-the-border staples
and renowned for its authentic music and mind-numbing margaritas.
Mission Café and Coffeehouse 3795 Mission Blvd,
Mission Beach tel 858/488-9060. Mexican breakfasts and lunch
offerings, plus beer, specialty coffees, shakes and smoothies.
Open late.
Point Loma Seafoods 2805 Emerson St, Ocean Beach tel 619/223-1109.
Fast, inexpensive counter serving San Diego's freshest fish'n'chips
and oversized sandwiches. Often crowded, especially on weekends.
Sammy's 770 4th Ave, just outside of Horton Plaza tel 619/230-8888.
California cuisine in a Mediterranean-style atmosphere.
Pizza, pasta, salads, seafood and chicken are the highlights,
along with local favorites like rich, messy sundaes.
Taste of Thai 527 University Ave, Hillcrest tel 619/291-7525.
Terrific Thai for reasonable prices in the center of Hillcrest;
expect a wait on weekends.
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