San Diego restaurants

Tim, Thee Bungalow in Point Loma is our favorite place in Souhtern California. Go for the quennelles de brochet appetizer.

Number two for us is Wineseller and Brasserie. Fine French food upstairs with an excellent wine list. Wines on the list are available at retail downstairs when you leave.

Rainwater's on Kendrick is also excellent. Great steaks and a wine list to match.

PS Don't waste your time and considerable money at Top of the Cove in La Jolla.

Board-0, do you know of any good Mexican restaurants that have a decent (acceptable?) wine list? That's a tall order I know. I sort of feel like I have to get a good taco if I'm going to San Diego.

quote:

Board-0, do you know of any good Mexican restaurants that have a decent (acceptable?) wine list? That's a tall order I know. I sort of feel like I have to get a good taco if I'm going to San Diego.

No. LOL.
The Bungalow used to have a more liberal corkage policy. Bring as much as you like at $15 per bottle as long as it wasn't on the list. Last time I spoke to the owner, he had instiuted a two bottle maximum per table. He may have changed that, but you should check first. He does have the wine list online though.Thee Bungalow A fairly good selection at somewhat reasonable prices.

Other wine friendly restaurants, although a little outside of downtown are Pamplemousse in Del Mar, Cuvee in La Jolla, El Bizcocco in the Rancho Bernardo Inn, Vincent's Sirinos in Escondido and the Winesellar and Brasserie in Sorrento Valley. You can purchase wine in the store at Winesellar and they will open it for a smaller markup than most corkage fees.

For downtown, Laurel is fairly wine friendly as well. Corkage fees run $15-20 at all the locations.

Mr Fish,
This may be your best bet, Candelas.

I also like Terra. Tuesday night is 1/2 price wine night, every bottle in the resteraunt.

Candelas is great. Love that place! The other place that comes to mind is El Tesoro on 5th ave in downtown. Great place too, make sure you sit upstairs.

GA, when was the last time you talked with Thee Bungalow's owner? I understand it fairly recently changed hands to the Cohn Group. This is a restaurant that I've been looking forward to trying - just haven't gotten off my butt to actually do it - so I was hoping you could vouch for them staying the course.

Tim, I can add a third vote for The Winesellar and Brasserie. The food is good and it's a fun excuse to arrive early and browse the wine shop. The wine shop tends to be a little pricey, but the low markup for dinner makes it a great deal overall.

quote:

GA, when was the last time you talked with Thee Bungalow's owner?

It was probably last september. Ed was the owner then and had been since the place opened. I wasn't aware of an ownership change.

There was an article in the local paper last February (I happened to save it, and amazingly was able to find it) that mentioned Ed was in the process of selling. And since Thee Bungalow's website now links to The Cohn Group's gift certificate program, it seems safe to assume that the sale went through. I'll have to get my rear down there before they change things too much.

As an aside, the article also mentioned that Ed "will concentrate instead on The 3rd Corner, a combination wine shop and casual restaurant just across the street", in case you wish to reach him.

Just got back from San Diego having gotten recomendations from the eBob board before going.

Bertrands and Mr. A's I'd recommend.
Oceanaire wasn't bad.
The Top of the Market / Fish Market I'd avoid.
Osteria Pannevino (small Italian place) I'd also recommend.

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Fish:
Board-0, do you know of any good Mexican restaurants that have a decent (acceptable?) wine list? That's a tall order I know. I sort of feel like I have to get a good taco if I'm going to San Diego.

Tim, if you were coming to LA i'd be able to help you out with that!

i went to a place called Cuvee in Del Mar, just north of Torrey Pines that i'd recommend (i think it may be different then the one that Gigond rec'd).

quote:

Originally posted by kumazam: i went to a place called Cuvee in Del Mar, just north of Torrey Pines that i'd recommend (i think it may be different then the one that Gigond rec'd).

Same ownership. The one I've been to is in birdrock.

I've never been to a Mexican restaurant in San Diego. One word of advice that I wish I had heeded: Don't waste your time going down to Tijuanna.

Board-O,
When were you in San Diego?

Last time was about 5 years ago.

I've tried most of the aforementioned restaurants. My favorite is Mille Fleur in Rancho Santa Fe. Everything is excellent, but pricey.

No wine list, so far as I know, but is the Old Town Mexican Cafe still there? Haven't been to SD in 15 yrs.

Yes Irwin, its still there.

Tim,

I live in San Diego and my favorite restaurant is NINE-TEN in La Jolla -- great evolving California cuisine with emphasis on fresh local produce. NINE-TEN also haS an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator and a corkage fee of $20. I also agree with the Board about WineCellar & Brasserie. If you buy wine at their store, the corkage fee is only 20% of the purchase price. I recently bought a WS94 2000 Barberesco for $45 and happily paid a $9 corkage fee. My favorite Italian restaurant is Primavera in Coronado.

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Fish:
Board-0, do you know of any good Mexican restaurants that have a decent (acceptable?) wine list? That's a tall order I know. I sort of feel like I have to get a good taco if I'm going to San Diego.

I don't think there are any really good Mexican restaurants in San Diego--there aren't really that many good restaurants either--but the number is improving.

A problem at some of the good restaurants is the service. Since SD doesn't have a history of quality restaurants it lacks a basis for the training of good waiters.

quote:

Originally posted by spo:
Mr Fish,
This may be your best bet, Candelas.

In their website under "Philosophy" it says that they want to blend food, wine, music, etc. I hope that horrible music that autoplays when you go to their website isn't an example.

They do seem to have an interesting menu however. Of the Rick Bayless school.

quote:

In their website under "Philosophy" it says that they want to blend food, wine, music, etc. I hope that horrible music that autoplays when you go to their website isn't an example.

They usually play that same 30 second sound loop the entire evening. Either that or Run DMC's "You be Illin".

How was you trip to San Diego Mr. Fish? Where did you go?

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Fish:
Board-0, do you know of any good Mexican restaurants that have a decent (acceptable?) wine list? That's a tall order I know. I sort of feel like I have to get a good taco if I'm going to San Diego.

Go to Rubio's and get yourself a fish taco, but best eaten with a Pacifico, not wine.

quote:

Originally posted by louzarius:

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Fish:
Board-0, do you know of any good Mexican restaurants that have a decent (acceptable?) wine list? That's a tall order I know. I sort of feel like I have to get a good taco if I'm going to San Diego.

Go to Rubio's and get yourself a fish taco, but best eaten with a Pacifico, not wine.

This would normally be the answer, but I feel that Rubio's went downhill when they went public. Many concessions were made to appeal to the most people. Quality and quantity were sacrificed to reduce costs, etc.

I arrive in San Diego next Tuesday and I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for all of your comments and advice, although from personal experience I know there are some great Mexican restaurants there, although I doubt few if any have a decent wine list.

Here are a few more excellent restaurants in San Diego that have not been mentioned: Tapenade, Cavaillon, AR Valentien.

Have fun,
Otto

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Fish:
...from personal experience I know there are some great Mexican restaurants there...

Please name one, I'd love to go there.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr Cabernet:
Please name one, I'd love to go there.

Roberto's and Alphonso's taco stands. Mmmmmm, I love those roadkill burritos.

Too bad about Rubio's. I remember when there was only two or three of them.

Do you know if Pizza Port is still in Carlsbad?

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Fish:
I arrive in San Diego next Tuesday and I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for all of your comments and advice, although from personal experience I know there are some great Mexican restaurants there, although I doubt few if any have a decent wine list.

I think Candelas wine list is decent.

RED WINES FROM SPAIN
1001 Baron de Ona 1996 Rioja 29
1003 Bodegas Montecillo, "Vina Monty" 1995 Rioja 48
1004 Bodegas y Vinedos, "Alion" 1998 Ribera del Duero 84
1005 Clos Monello 1998 Priorat 141
1006 J. M. Fuentes, "Gran Clos" 1999 Priorat 86
1007 La Rioja Alta, "Vina Ardanza Reserva" 1995 Rioja 50
1008 La Rioja Alta, "Gran Reserva 904" 1992 Rioja 78
1009 Marques de Murrieta 1998 Rioja 43
1010 Mauro 1998 Tudela del Duero 60
1011 Tinto Pesquera 1999 Ribera del Duero 62
1012 Tinto Pesquera, "Reserva" 1997 Ribera del Duero* NA 82
1013 Torres, "Black Label" 1997 Penedes 74
1014 Vega Sicilia 1997 Ribera del Duero 176
1015 Vina Alverdi 1996 Rioja 34

RED WINES FROM FRANCE
1306 Rhône Blend - Corbières du Boncaillou 1999 Corbières 60
1307 Château Bon Pasteur 1999 Pomerol 115
1308 Château Clerc Milon 1998 Paulliac 88
1309 Château Clos D'Estournel 1999 St. Estephe 125
1310 Château Duhart Milon 1998 Pauillac 74
1311 Château Lafite Rothschild 1994 Pauillac 265
1312 Château Lynch-Bages 1997 Pauillac 120
1313 Château Monbousquet 1999 St. Emilion 145
1314 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron 1997 Pauillac 90
1315 Château Margaux 1998 Margaux 142

RED WINES LATIN AMERICA
1201 Cabernet-Merlot - Monte Xanic Valle de Guadalupe-Mexico 38
1202 Meritage - Alma Viva 1999 Chile 150
1203 Meritage - Château Camou, "Vino Tinto" 1998 66
1204 Meritage - Santa Ema, "Catalina" 1998 Chile 54
1205 Merlot - Casa Lapostolle 2002 Rapell Valle-Chile 41
1206 Malbec - Terrazas 1999 Mendoza-Argentina 33
1207 Rothschild, Escudo Rojo 2001 Chile 38
1208 Santa Thomas, "Duetto" 1997 Valle de Guadalupe 95
1209 Sena, Valle del Aconcagua 1999 Chile 137

RED WINES OF AMERICA

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
400 Gallo-Sonoma, "Barelli Creek Vineyard" 1999 Sonoma 60
401 Beringer, "Knights Valley" 1999 Napa Valley 74
402 Caymus 2000 Napa 137
403 Chimney Rock 2000 Napa 90
404 Far Niente 1999 Napa 215
406 Justin Estate 2000 Paso Robles 48
407 Martin Ray 2000 Napa 56
408 Mount Veeder 2000 Napa 110
409 Spring Mountain Vineyard 1999 Napa 115
410 Staglin Family 1998 Napa 124
411 Stag's Leap Winery 1998 Napa 80
413 ZD 1999 Napa 105
414 Freemark 1999 Napa 83
415 Heitz Cellars 1999 Napa 64

MERITAGE & PRIOPRIETARY BLENDS
501 Andrew Murray Vineyards, "Esperance" 2000 Santa Ynez 63
502 Beringer, "Alluvium" 1998 Napa 81
503 Dominus, "Napanook" 1999 Napa 82
504 Franciscan, "Magnificat" 1999 86
505 Opus One 1999 Napa 253

MERLOT
602 Château Ste. Michelle, Washington '00 41
603 Markham, Napa Valley '00 44
604 Nickel & Nickel by Far Niente, "Suscol Vineyard" 2000 Napa 132
605 Peachy Canyon 1998 Paso Robles 47
606 Raymond, "RVS" 1999 Napa 44
607 Rutherford Hill '00 48

PINOT NOIR
700 Mac Murray Ranch Pinot Noir 2000 Russian River 66
701 Acacia Carneros 2000 62
702 Keller Estate 2000 Petaluna 68
703 La Crema 2000 Sonoma 38
704 Rochioli 2000 Russian River 66
705 Saintsbury 2001 Carneros 54
706 Sanford 2001 50

OTHER REDS
800 Zinfandel - Rancho Zabaco, "Dry Creek" 2000 Sonoma 53
801 Zinfandel - Ballentine Estate 1998 Napa 32
802 Zinfandel - Renwood, "Grandpère" 2000 63
803 Syrah - Bonny Doon Vineyards 2000 Santa Cruz 42
804 Syrah - Justin Estate 2000 Paso Robles 46

WINE BY THE GLASS
Merlot - Candelas Private Selection Fallbrook 6.50
Cabernet Sauvignon - Candelas Private Selection Fallbrook 6.50
Cabernet Sauvignon - Terra Rosa 2000 Chile 8.50
Cabernet Sauvignon - Mt. Veeder 1999 Napa 14.00
Cabernet-Merlot - Monte Xanic 1998 Mexico 8.50
Meritage - Escudo Rojo 2001 Chile 8.50
Merlot - Calina 2001 Chile 7.50

WHITE WINES OF NORTH AMERICA

CHARDONNAY
201 Acacia, Carneros 51
202 Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara 42
203 Chalk Hill Estate 1999 Sonoma 71
204 Chalone Vineyard Chalone 56
205 Ferrari-Carano 2001 Sonoma 48
208 Far Niente Napa 98
209 Hartford Court 2000 Sonoma 44
210 Keller Sonoma 60
211 Martin Ray 2000 Russian River 45
212 Matanzas Creek 2000 Sonoma 64
213 Raymond "Generations," 2000 Napa 54
214 Justin, Paso Robles 2001 71
215 Brothers Frei, "Reserve" 2001 Russian River 36
216 Errazuriz 1999 48

OTHER DOMESTIC WHITES
301 Gewürztraminer - Gundlach-Bundschu 2002 Sonoma 46
305 Viognier - Mc Dowell 1999 Mendocino 30

WHITE WINES FROM SPAIN
901 Belondrade y Lurton Rueda 41
902 Chardonnay - Torres, "Gran Vina Sol" 34

WHITE WINES FROM FRANCE
1301 Chardonnay - Domaine Chevalier Vin de Pays 39
1302 Pinot Blanc - Josmeyer Alsace 36
1303 Pouilly Fumé - Pascal Jolivet Loire 40
1304 Pouilly Fuissé - Château Fuissé, "Vieilles Vignes" Burgundy 65
1305 Puligny - Montrachet- Olivier Leflaive Burgundy 80

WHITE WINES OF LATIN AMERICA
1101 Blanc de Blancs - Château Camou Flor de Guadalupe 26
1102 Chardonnay - Château Camou Valle de Guadalupe-Mexico 29
1103 Chardonnay - Errazuriz Chile 40
1104 Fumé Blanc - Château Camou Valle de Guadalupe-Mexico 27
1105 Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon - Monte Xanic Vina Kriste Mexico 24

WHITE WINE BY THE GLASS
Chardonnay - Bogle California 8.00
Chardonnay - Candelas Private Selection Fallbrook 6.50
Chardonnay - Hartford Sonoma 11.00
Chardonnay - Raymond Monterey 7.50
Montevina Nebbiolo Rosato, Amador County '01 6.50

quote:

Do you know if Pizza Port is still in Carlsbad?

Yes. Also in Solana Beach.

Spo, the wine list off their website, does not match what's at Candelas. I was there a week or so ago and was looking for that Margaux, but the price was not $142, but quite a bit more.

And I have to say that food is good, but nothing special.

Otto

quote:

Originally posted by louzarius:
Do you know if Pizza Port is still in Carlsbad?

Yes it's there, but being from Chicago I'm a pizza snob and get my pizza overnighted from there.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr Cabernet:

quote:

Originally posted by louzarius:
Do you know if Pizza Port is still in Carlsbad?

Yes it's there, but being from Chicago I'm a pizza snob and get my pizza overnighted from there.

Actually I meant Solana Beach, it's been a few years since I lived in San Diego. A buddy of mine from college started Pizza Port.

Also, there used to be a place in Del Mar that had an awesome giant Australian lobster tail. I cannot remember their name. And a Cajun place out in Bonita that was great.

I mostly enjoy the little hole in the walls around town. I could drive you to them but don't know the names. Some killer stuff, in my view.

Mexican is subjective, isn't it? First of all, there are so many different regional styles in Mexico, so it's a little like American BBQ: one man's classic is another man's dreck.

Julia Child long raved about La Super-Rica Taqueria in Santa Barbara, calling it "probably the most authentic Mexican home cooking you'll find anywhere." A taco was a homemade tortilla with lightly seasoned beef. Nothing more. No trimmings. Nada. While I saw the appeal, it was just a little TOO authentic for my tastes.

http://www.oldtownmexcafe.com/

Have a good trip. The first time we went to San Diego I asked some friends in Baltimore who had just moved here where to eat. They recommended the OTMC. We get to San Diego. Dinner time. I ask the cab driver where to eat. He recommends this same place---OTMC.
We were in San Diego 3 days and must have eaten there 12 times.

Another good inexpensive Mexican place is in Solana Beach called Fidel's. Whatever you order make sure you get a side order of Mexican cabbage salad. Everything freshly made and the place is inexpensive.

Otto

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Fish:
Mexican is subjective, isn't it? First of all, there are so many different regional styles in Mexico, so it's a little like American BBQ: one man's classic is another man's dreck.

This is true. After growing up in southern Colorado, I didn't care much for CA Mexican food, too dry and bland. There was a decent hole in the wall in Chula Vista about 15 years ago, but not a very comfortable part of town to take the family to.

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Fish:
I mostly enjoy the little hole in the walls around town. I could drive you to them but don't know the names. Some killer stuff, in my view.

Mexican is subjective, isn't it? First of all, there are so many different regional styles in Mexico, so it's a little like American BBQ: one man's classic is another man's dreck.

Julia Child long raved about La Super-Rica Taqueria in Santa Barbara, calling it "probably the most authentic Mexican home cooking you'll find anywhere." A taco was a homemade tortilla with lightly seasoned beef. Nothing more. No trimmings. Nada. While I saw the appeal, it was just a little TOO authentic for my tastes.

I love La Super Rica.

quote:

Originally posted by louzarius:

quote:

Originally posted by Mr Cabernet:

quote:

Originally posted by louzarius:
Do you know if Pizza Port is still in Carlsbad?

Yes it's there, but being from Chicago I'm a pizza snob and get my pizza overnighted from there.

Actually I meant Solana Beach, it's been a few years since I lived in San Diego. A buddy of mine from college started Pizza Port.

Also, there used to be a place in Del Mar that had an awesome giant Australian lobster tail. I cannot remember their name. And a Cajun place out in Bonita that was great.

Jakes Del Mar, or the Posiden (sp)?