Located on the brink of the San Diego shore, The Marine Room serves contemporary surf'n'turf cuisine in its stately dining hall, with enchanting views of the ocean to keep company. Along with its divinely crafted cuisine, this 1941 culinary stalwart boasts of a well-heeled clientele that includes several celebs and world figures. Award-winning Executive Chef Bernard Guillas along with his stellar team leads the kitchen, whipping up specialties such as the Skuna Bay Salmon, Angus Beef Filet Mignon and Cervena Elk Loin. The elegant confines of this establishment also include an elevated seating area that lets its guests enjoy the azure waves gently crashing against the window.
Sister restaurant to Humphrey's by the Bay in San Diego, the Grill offers fine food perched on top of the Sheraton La Jolla Hotel. Light, open Asian-flavored decor provides a cheerful background for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The signature Prixe Fixe meal offers dramatic dining for two, beginning with a bottle of Chardonnay or Merlot, proceeding with a soup or salad course, a selection from eight entrees and a shared dessert. Entree choices include Halibut Macadamia, Prime Rib, Filet Mignon or the "Taste of San Diego" shrimp.
Fresco Trattoria & Bar at Carlsbad is an upscale Italian restaurant with an extensive menu of pasta, pizza, soup and salads. The restaurant is cozy and charming with its cream and coffee hues, dark wooden furniture, hand painted murals, lovely outdoor patios and its close proximity to the ocean. You can just hear the waves calling out to you if you are dining at the patio. The food is a work of love, deliciously hearty and soul warming such as the Rigatoni Salsiccia alla Siciliana, Veal Milanese, Pizza Rustica and Linguine Mare Mosso. And a delightful end with desserts like chocolate souffle, raspberry sorbet and pastries. Fresco has an amazing wine list, so whether you are a wine aficionado or a newbie, you will have plenty to choose from. The restaurant has got two patios while one is by the sidewalk with a lot of tables laid in front, the other is wonderfully landscaped. Fresco is ideal for a memorable evening of romance.
Visit Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse if you want to indulge yourselves. From magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, to the sublime prime steaks and seafood with the heartiness of Italian cooking, will just make you want for more. Their full bar features an impressive wine list. The Seafood & Steakhouse is a great place for parties and special events with an awe inspiring ocean backdrop or just dine in their grand private dining room for an atmosphere of the classic Italian charm. Godere!
You may not see this restaurant's name plastered on many La Jolla tour guides, but this cozy spot is a favorite among long-time La Jolla residents. In fact, the restaurant is one of those well-kept secrets that locals have known about for years, but tour guides have yet to discover. This adorable restaurant hosts outdoor patio dining, as well as indoor seating by the fireplace. Try the Filet Mignon, served with Prosciutto potatoes and leek fondue. Northern Halibut is another customer favorite, complete with potato croquettes and herb salad. Wine is available by the glass or bottle.
Mustangs and Burros at Estancia La Jolla is a beautiful restaurant designed in the Territorial Ranch way. The restaurant has a warm and inviting dining room with low lighting, casual seating, a large brick fireplace and a wonderful patio similar to a Spanish hacienda for a wonderful romantic night dinner with a fireplace. The menu is packed with enticing small bites infused by the Southwest and the seasons. The full bar has some amazing house crafted cocktails and creative margaritas with great happy hour offers during the weekends. All the ingredients are fresh, local and seasonal, and are used in the menu in the most creative way. If you are craving for beautiful flavors and awesome dining experience, then M & B is the place to be in.
Vine San Clemente is warm, intimate and features wines and a menu inspired by Napa Valley. Following a similar aesthetic, the restaurant and bar offers guests a choice of dining spaces from the chef's pub, dining room to the semi-private dining space and a lovely outdoor patio. The menu features the use seasonal ingredients to prepare fresh, flavorful dishes like the Grilled bone-in ribeye steak, Baby belgian endive & black kale salad and House made pumpkin raviolis. Besides an impressive selection of over 100 wines including 25 by the glass varieties, the bar also offers craft beers on tap and craft cocktails. For reservations, call the restaurant.
Named after an ancient port city on Sicily’s east coast, Catania offers an assortment of coastal Italian delicacies that are sure to delight your palate. Menu offerings include contemporary Italian dishes like Braised Beef Tongue, Crispy Octopus and Wild Boar Pasta. Complement the meals with draft and bottled brews, wines or Italian sodas. Situated atop La Plaza Center, the restaurant also allows you to enjoy sweeping views over La Jolla Cove while you enjoy the creative delicacies and delectable drinks. If you are craving for inventive Italian food, on a clear evening in the middle of summer, it’s hard to think of a better place to be.
Serving infamous homemade bread, this place also offers traditional Italian cuisine and an extensive wine selection, all in an informal setting. Although not frequented by tourists, La Jolla locals are fiercely loyal to this establishment. Pasta is naturally a food of choice here. Try the Rolled Pasta, served with spinach, mushrooms and ricotta. Veal, served with mushrooms, and Homemade Sausage are other local favorites. Regardless of which entree you order, do not forget to taste the homemade bread.
Michele Coulon, the chef of this dessertier, loved baking desserts from a young age as she grew up in a family with generations of chefs. She aims to create desserts that are beautiful and elegant, but that above all you can't wait to bite into. The Dessertier uses local, organic products and Belgian chocolate to create their wedding cakes, desserts by the dozen, and a petit menu of savory luncheon plates. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. every day except Sunday.
This wildly popular SoCal restaurant has been designed to offer views of the magnificent Cardiff Reed and the Pacific, with its glass-walled interiors and heated rooftop dining. The cuisine assumes a Pacific identity as well, with coastal cuisine, a raw oyster bar and a handful of sushi dishes. Start off with the Baked Oysters or West Coast Black Mussels for a taste of California, and then sample the Pacific Paella which is served with saffron Arborio rice. The restaurant enjoys a fairly upbeat vibe during peak hours, as regulars throng to the beachside for breezy weekend dining.
Firenze Trattoria offers a private dining room for up to 50 people that they can shut off from the rest of the restaurant and includes a full bar and full menu. Whether in a larger or smaller party, guests can begin their meals with dishes like Calamari Fritti or bruschetta. After antipasti, Firenze Trattoria offers Italian dishes like Shrimp Bisque, Spinachi al Cesare, Salmon di Firenze—smoked salmon sautéed with brandy, sun dried tomatoes, and asparagus over linguini noodles—Ravioli di Formagio, and much more. The Trattoria also offers an array of wines from around the world, which guests can order by the glass or bottle. They even cater, though their full menu is not available. - Erick Pettersen