San Diego Gaslamp/Convention Center recs?

I'm going to be in San Diego for a week for major convention - I'll be car-less, but knowing in advance I will need to get away from the crowds with a few friends on at least a couple of nights.

I'm looking for suggestions in the Convention Center/Gaslamp area that aren't too pricey (we have to submit reasonable expense reports!) but with solid food & a relaxing atmosphere. Its 10 years since I lived in San Diego & my local knowledge is woefully out-of-date. Options a little off the beaten track would be particularly helpful, and any cuisine - there are 15,000 of us descending next week & I'm sure all the usual suspects will be booked unless I hop to now & lock in an early Sunday night dinner location.

I did see this thread here, but any other suggestions would be most welcome.

TIA.

Athena

You'll need to take a short cab ride, but I highly recommend The Linkery for exactly the kind of experience you describe. It's definitely a locals hangout - off the beaten path for tourists for sure. Homemade sausage, great beer, and a farm-to-table menu focus.

You beat me to it, Kennyz. The Linkery is the kind of place I'd spend alot of time at if I lived in SD. Athena, I am supposed to be off-the-hook from that same convention next week, but if I end up having to go, The Linkery will be a requisite visit.

For something easy and convenient in the immediate nabe, but also fine for a biz dinner, I enjoyed Cafe Chloe for some simple bistro fare.

Then there's the standard laundry list of Convention Center places which I usually end up at when in town for a conference. I'll just mention these two which I'm sure you already know about.

Top of the Market
750 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101

Sally's Seafood on the Water
One Market Place
San Diego, CA 92101

tatterdemalion, you & a lot of other people - I just found out that registration is waaay down, only 8,000 people so far, so hopefully that means it won't be such a zoo.

I'm going to Sally's for a dinner someone else is hosting (LOL), so the extravagant seafood night is taken care of. I'll probably do the obligatory ritual at Rubio's, just because it reminds me of my first trips to California (the first burrito I ever ate was there).

Anyone have any recs for Little Italy on the off chance we decide to cab it over there?

I'll be in this area for a convention in a couple of weeks. Any reasonable, less expensive places in walking distance of the Convention Center?

What a strange coincidence, I'll be heading there too in a few weeks. Any chance that any of you are going to the ASCB meeting? I wouldn't mind having some food-loving people to share a meal with.

I'm sorry - I don't know what ASCB is....mine is more housing focused.

Leaving this week for the CVC. Posted a q about dining options on that other food board under california as we'll be staying for ten days. Got some great answers including how to get to places via public tranny. We hope to hit a couple Triple D places as well. Cafe Chloe seems to come recommended from just about everyone. Ditto for the Linkery. Even better, I've found a Hawkeye bar to watch the game Saturday. Go Iowa!

We had a great meal at Sea Rocket Bistro when we visited SD earlier this year. The fresh urchin was really spectacular.

I vow never to return to another San Diego conference without getting a rental car. If you planned it right and did the same, I urge you to take the quick drive down to Chula Vista and pay a visit to Aqui es Texcoco, a small barbacoa shack focused on barbacoa de borrego, as they have been for the past many years. More details located here.

Of course, if you have a car there are a world of other opportunities, but this is but one that just happens to be on my mind at the moment.

Aqui es Texcoco
1043 Broadway Ste 108
Chula Vista, CA 91911
(619) 427-4045

We loved Acqui too. It was a little surprising because it was in a strip mall, but it was definitely delicious.

http://aquiestexcoco.com/

Have car, will travel. What do you recommend? Type of food doesn't matter.

hoppy2468 wrote:Have car, will travel. What do you recommend? Type of food doesn't matter.

Sushi Ota. Easily the best sushi I've had in the US.

If hoppy is a reference to beer, definitely stop by Stone brewery in Escondido. Also try to drink some Alesmith if you can, I absolutely love their barleywines.

jpschust wrote:

hoppy2468 wrote:Have car, will travel. What do you recommend? Type of food doesn't matter.

Sushi Ota. Easily the best sushi I've had in the US.

I was in La Jolla a few months ago and was taken there for dinner one night. It was indeed very tasty. I didn't get a good look at the prices, so I can't say how it compares to Chicago spots in that aspect, but the fish was outstanding. It was also my first time having an entire fish skeleton fried. When I've had it in the past, the bones usually come somewhat broken down, but this was visually quite cool.

San Diego has some great Japanese restaurants. Most are in strip malls - if you want good food in San Diego, you likely will be eating in a strip mall. Try:

Kaito in Encinitas for traditional sushi - fresh and great variety of nigiri and sashimi, not a place for Philadelphia rolls, etc. It is about half an hour from downtown SD, but worth the trip. There is a long wait on Fridays and Saturdays, with reservations being largely useless:

130-A N. El Camino Real
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 634-2746
http://www.sushikaito.com

Izakaya Sakura in Kearny Mesa. An unmarked Japanese restaurant with a huge and varied menu of small plates:

3904 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92184

Wa Dining Okan in Kearny Mesa for homestyle Japanese cooking:

3860 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 279-0941
http://www.okanus.com

Robata-ya Oton in Kearny Mesa (same owner as Okan). Very traditional atmosphere - you will feel like you are in Japan:

5447 Kearny Villa Rd # D
San Diego, CA
(858) 277-3989

Puppy wrote:

jpschust wrote:

hoppy2468 wrote:Have car, will travel. What do you recommend? Type of food doesn't matter.

Sushi Ota. Easily the best sushi I've had in the US.

I was in La Jolla a few months ago and was taken there for dinner one night. It was indeed very tasty. I didn't get a good look at the prices, so I can't say how it compares to Chicago spots in that aspect, but the fish was outstanding. It was also my first time having an entire fish skeleton fried. When I've had it in the past, the bones usually come somewhat broken down, but this was visually quite cool.

It's expensive, but I'm of the opinion it's worth it, and it's not even close to comparing with anything in Chicago. Really high quality raw fish (minus L2O) is one of the only things Chicago is missing in my book.

One of the best Bone in Ribeye I've ever eaten was at a place called Donovan's in south Gaslamp.
Here are a few reviews that might persuade you.

Donovan's Steak & Chop House
570 K Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 237-9700
http://www.donovanssteakhouse.com

~GS

In convention-center San Diego for a week or so with limited time to venture away, I usually resign myself to the fact that mediocre food is as good as it's gonna get. On a walk this morning I reallly lucked out though - finding Bread on Market, a tiny little storefront a scant block away from the hubub, with a French Culinary Institute chef producing some fantastic-looking breads and pastries. For me today, it was just a plain old croissant, which was wonderfully light, flaky and full of fresh butter taste. Really fantastic.

Bread on Market
730 Market Street
619.795.2730

That may end up being my go-to breakfast place the whole time I'm there. Thanks Kenny!

Puppy wrote:That may end up being my go-to breakfast place the whole time I'm there. Thanks Kenny!

No problem. That's exactly what I've done so far, and it has worked out great. The scones are as good and buttery as the croissants, and the baguette is pretty darn good too. Above average, strong coffee, and they make breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, and a few other cooked items I haven't tried yet. One caution: stay away from the blueberry muffins unless you have a serious sweet tooth - they taste like a pound of sugar.

hoppy2468 wrote: Got some great answers including how to get to places via public tranny. !

what was the fedback on the availability/quality of the public transportation system in San Diego? On an upcoming trip Id prefer to use it to suppliment a few cab rides if thats possible.

The Sunday brunch at the Fontainbleu Room at the Westgate hotel.

jimswside wrote:

hoppy2468 wrote: Got some great answers including how to get to places via public tranny. !

what was the fedback on the availability/quality of the public transportation system in San Diego? On an upcoming trip Id prefer to use it to suppliment a few cab rides if thats possible.

It really depends on where you are and where you want to go. Now that I've had a few months to familiarize myself with the city (and it's food ), I can make good recs!

I used this guide from Local Wally when I was there a few years ago and it may help you.

http://localwally.com/restaurants.html