Three Historic San Diego Restaurants to Finally Visit During SD Restaurant Week
With so many great new restaurants opening around San Diego every day, it is no wonder that some of the better known restaurants that out-of-towners flock to simply haven't made it on to our agendas. And, let's face it, some of them are pretty expensive. That's why San Diego Restaurant Week is the perfect time to "play tourist" in our own town, and go see what all the fuss is about at these guide-book icons.
Bali Hai Restaurant, Shelter Island
The Attraction: Tom F Ham Jr’s classic Shelter Island tiki destination, was originally called Christian’s Hut when it opened in 1954. It remains family owned and operated and is still one of the largest original tiki "temples" in the world.
The Price: $30
The Dinner Menu
First Course Options
Soup du jour, chef selected seasonal soup
Crispy chicken wings with spicy firecracker sauce, pickled vegetables
Linguica corndogs with napa cabbage sauerkraut, spicy mustard
Thai caesar salad with romaine hearts, parmesean, heirloom tomatoes, anchovies, housemade croutons
Local greens with goat cheese, macadamia nuts, berries, li hing mui vinaigrette
Flash-fried shishito peppers with garlic ponzu, local sea salt
Main Course Options
Rootbeer-braised short rib with brown butter radish, charred pickled onion, braised greens
Huli huli chicken, a spice-rubbed grilled chicken leg with pineapple rice, hibiscus syrup
Pan-seared pork chop with potato hash, pickled asian pears
Korean seafood stew with kimchi broth, clams, mussels, local white fish, scallions,
Crispy-seared albacore with cucumber and bell pepper ceviche, togarashi water
Chicken lo mein with carrots, onions, bok choy, spinach, lo mein noodles
Evil jungle prince with onions, bell peppers, eggplant, celery , spicy red curry sauce
Pan-seared local whitefish with sesame-ginger eggplant puree, black garlic paint, bok choy
Dessert
Taste of the islands trio: caramelized banana miso mousse cake, milk chocolate pistachio parfait, ginger macadamia nut blondie
The Attraction: Originally built in 1916 as the Spindrift Inn, this historic La Jolla haunt still draws crowds thanks to its location directly on the sea, so close that ocean waves crash into the windows.
The Price: $50
The Dinner Menu
First Course Options
Chimichurri Dusted Wild Prawns Tri Color Quinoa, Tomato Papaya Chutney, Aji aioli, Pisco Emulsion
Artisan Red Little Gem Lettuce Compressed Dates, Port Feta, Crabapple Ciabatta, Sage Honey Dressing
Signature Maine Lobster Bisque Enokitake, Yuzu Crème Fraiche, Pistachio Muffin
Main Course Options
Sea Salt Crispy Skin Branzino Pancetta Dust, Celeriac Mousseline, Verbena Pesto, Peppadew Rouille
Red Walnut Zaatar Coated Maine Diver Scallops Carrot Freekeh, Pickled Pear, Upland Cress, Lillet Rouge Infusion
Cacao Porter Braised Kurobuta Pork Cheeks Orange Peel Gremolata, Pecan Jewel Yams, Honshemeji, Cipollini Jus
Main Course Options for an Additional $15
Center Cut Black Angus Filet Mignon Crème Fraiche Potato, Tart Cherry Chutney, Roquefort, Truffle Petite Syrah
Agrume Butter Basted Maine Lobster Tail Beemster Gouda Polenta, Star Fruit, Leek Sprouts, Malahat Ginger Rum
Togarashi Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Black Rice, Mango, Avocado Fritter, Pinot Gris Hibiscus Infusion
Dessert
Three Sweet Tastes Tahitian Vanilla Bean Blanc Manger | Cappuccino Chocolate Tart | Maltese Orange Sorbet
1500 Ocean at Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado Island
The Attraction: Dinner overlooking the sea at the historic old Hotel Del Coronado, which opened in 1888.
The Price: $50 (additional $45 with wine pairings)
The Diner Menu
First Course Options
Be Wise Ranch beet salad with aged goat cheese, watercress, red beet ice cream
Lemongrass-ginger lobster infusion with poached claw, mexican vanilla
Foie gras torchon with crabapple, smoked eel, celery root ( additional $8)
Main Course Options
Garden root vegetables with roasted acorn squash, carrot, turnip, pearl onion
Roasted Mary's chicken with potato mille-feuille, savoy cabbage, diablo sauce
72-hour short rib with green cardamom-chestnut, maitake mushroom, burgundy wine sauce (additional $12)
Dessert Options
Sicilian pistachio buttercream bar with tamarind sorbet
Vanilla creme brulee with caramelized persimmon
