This small corner restaurant in the heart of Normal Heights is anything but normal – it's extraordinary. A mainstay for locals for years, under its airy high blue-painted ceiling it offers delicious vegetarian and vegan cuisine prepared and served by followers of Sri Chinmoy, a prolific spiritual poet and teacher who runs marathons in his spare time. The chili, when available, is fantastic and is a great choice for any non-vegetarian in the group – they won't miss the meat. A Saturday buffet is offered several times a month – call for this month's schedule. -de Traci Regula
Bread & Cie is a great place to go to if you are in the mood for a coffee break. The service is prompt so you don't waste too much time. Backed up by the fact that their pastries and sandwiches are one of the best around, it keeps the people coming back for more. You can grab a seat inside on the few chairs available or do what most people do...takeaway. The parking outside is usually full of people grabbing a quick bite in their cars.
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.
At Cucina Urbana, Italian cuisine is elevated to a whole new level with a California fresh flair to traditional dishes. The "Vasi" appetizers, served in little jars with bread, are hard to resist and the homemade desserts are divine. This modern Italian eatery also features an outstanding cocktail menu, with many fresh fruit and herb concoctions dominating the list. Cucina Urbana is also known for their selection of wine, which can be enjoyed with your meal or taken home. Not to be missed, their happy hour specials are some of the best in the area!
Two strong names in San Diego dining—owner Ric Libiran and chef Brian Johnston—partnered up to create this casual but elegant restaurant which also caters to local families. The extensive wine list is offered both by the glass and half-glass, allowing for plenty of pleasant experimentation without going overboard on cost. Most entrées are neo-comfort food such as turkey meatloaf and a signature gourmet take on short ribs. Desserts include a selection of fruity delights accompanied by ice cream or cookies, or both; if you're feeling more adult, they also have a selection of after-dinner ports to choose from. - deTraci Regula
Antonino Mastellone and Fabio Speziali have united to quietly extend the Mastellone restaurant empire to a new location in San Diego: Point Loma. Banking on relatively low-priced, traditional-with-a-mild-twist Italian cuisine, the Pomodoro looks to hold its own alongside its sibling restaurants which include Arrivederci and Buon Appetito, other Mastellone inventions and protegées. But there's more than pasta—the steaks and veal dishes are generally very good. The tiramisu is not venturing into any new territory, but is excellent and large enough to share. Maybe. - deTraci Regula