At the northeastern tip of San Diego’s Shelter Island is a landmark restaurant that practically transports guests to the South Pacific islands. Bali Hai Restaurant – named for a famous show tune – opened in 1955 and was the first building in a newly constructed neighborhood that had previously been a mere sandbank in San Diego Bay.
Casa Sol y Mar is the newest hot spot in the Del Mar Highlands Town Center. The restaurant — whose name means “house of sun and sea” — is the latest endeavor from Diane Powers, owner of the Bazaar del Mundo Restaurant Group. Her quartet of dining establishments, which serve traditional Mexican cuisine, also includes Casa Guadalajara in Old Town, Casa de Bandini in Carlsbad and Casa de Pico in La Mesa.
Rocky’s Crown Pub may be a small neighborhood tavern in Pacific Beach, but it’s largely known throughout San Diego for its burgers.
Feted in various regional publications, the bar/restaurant, owned by Patricia “Rocky” Rockwood, is a favorite hangout. Catering to the 21-and-older crowd, the employees know quite a few of the customers on a first-name basis, creating an almost Cheers-like atmosphere.
Forever Fondue brings together a blend of people — from couples on dates to families — who are there for a collective cause: to indulge in rich cheeses and chocolates.
Roy’s in La Jolla has said aloha to its Hawaiian image. To broaden its horizons, it has rebranded itself as Roy Yamaguchi’s Pacific Rim Cuisine. While the interior has undergone some renovations, the majority of the classic dishes remain.
Across the street from Fletcher Cove is the original Naked Cafe, where the fare is au naturel and the tables are rarely bare.
This popular-yet-laid-back eatery focuses on sustainability in everything from its cuisine to its décor. It’s very casual, with dark wood floors and bamboo walls, artwork created from scrap metal, and picturesque photos snapped by local residents.
Tender Greens brings the outside inside. From the recycled woods in the decor to organic products from area farms, the restaurant takes an environmentally friendly approach to dining. The emphasis is on fresh ingredients, much of them obtained locally and around Southern California.
Open just four months at the Albertsons shopping center on Via de la Valle, Del Mar’s super-food vitality bar is already drawing customers seeking a super-healthy lifestyle.
From the ocean floor and straight to its door, Sally’s Seafood on the Water serves fresh catch from the local docks.
Located on the Manchester Grand Hyatt property with one of the largest downtown waterfront patios, the restaurant is conveniently just around the bend from the Chesapeake Fish Co., which has access to 90 vessels and processes seafood daily.
With a reputation for providing stellar scenery, it’s no wonder people navigate their way to the Chart House for dining. All 18 locations nationwide offer picturesque panoramas, but the Cardiff site is unique in that it has one of the few sea-level ocean views, protected only by a bolder formation. “During the day, our breathtaking views pan the coastline in both directions for miles,” General Manager Patrick Fortner said. “At night, our romantic setting with spotlights that illuminate the crashing waves is unparalleled.”
North Coastal News
