3 Stars

Since opening in 2004, Tea-Upon-Chatsworth has provided guests with a lace-trimmed sanctuary for proper tea party revelry. This relaxed yet sophisticated tea room and shop hosts groups of friends and families rejoicing in the leisurely enjoyment of quality tea and decadent morsels. Children have the unique opportunity to hone their act of playing grown-up among fine china and elegant treats, while adult visitors can revisit happy memories of childhood tea parties past. Owner Joy Walsh has spent years perfecting the art of tea service and cuisine, and takes great care to ensure each cup poured and bite offered represents this …

Kitchen 4140 owner Chef Kurt Metzger is a trail blazer in San Diego’s organic dining scene, purchasing products from local farms and using ingredients from his onsite garden. He uses this plentiful bounty to provide diners with a fusion of Italian, Mexican, and French cuisine. Taste these truly fresh ingredients in signature dishes such as Steak Hash with wild mushrooms, red onion, fire roasted peppers, two poached eggs, chive-chervil crème fraiche or the Kitchen Pasta-- linguini with tomatoes from the garden, basil garlic and shrimp. Dine here for a satisfying meal made with good old fashioned TLC-- tender love and …

Downtown and thirsty for something a little stronger than water? Look no further than Taste & Thirst, a late night hub of wallet-friendly eats and drinks including a hearty array of appetizers, burgers, soups, sandwiches and salads. Enjoy the Truffle Fries made with truffle oil, tossed in parmesan cheese, chopped garlic, and parsley flakes, or the Marinated Sirloin Tips made with a half pound of their charbroiled signature sirloin tips served over rice pilaf and mixed veggies. With 14 High Definition television screens for your sports-viewing pleasure, spend game night at Taste & Thirst where there is plenty to entertain …

Sushi Yaro, literally translating to, “Let’s do sushi,” is an appropriate name for this local gem tucked away in the backstreets of Kearny Mesa. Chef and owner Sam Cha discovered his culinary passion for sushi while stationed in Japan. In a traditional style sushi bar, Sushi Yaro boasts the expected large sushi bar where patrons can sit back and marvel at Chef Cha’s distinctive style and see his personality come alive through his edible artwork. Accents of Japanese culture subtlety show themselves through artwork and details along the bar. This menu is home to conventional Japanese cuisine of fresh hand …

Shogun is located in Kearny Mesa and offers both teppanyaki and sushi dining options. Natural wood tables match the simple décor, creating an environment that suits almost any occasion. Shogun offers an extensive menu of traditional Japanese fare with lunch and dinner specials. There are nearly thirty sushi and sashimi options and a large variety of combinations for their bento boxes. The sushi is presented without the flourishes that the restaurant’s teppanyaki counterpart is known for, but the skilled chefs coax the most out of the simple dishes. The specialty rolls are garnished with the traditional accoutrements and nothing more, …

Just minutes from Moonlight Beach (off of S. Coast Highway) is Leucadia Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant, a North County local destination for classic Italian food in a relaxed setting. Bottomless baskets of freshly baked garlic bread are served complimentary to further satisfy your Italian cravings of gourmet pizzas, pastas, and submarine sandwiches. As the original location for this pizzeria establishment in Encinitas, Leucadia has been serving delectable Italian entrees for 25 years. Chef A.J. Mortazavi’s culinary talent is showcased weekly as he offers test menu items which are sold throughout the week. Don’t forget dessert—especially when Pastry Chef Nikki Schaeffer …

Having won the hearts of two other North County neighborhoods, Leucadia Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant is spreading its roots south to La Jolla. Conveniently located in the UTC district of La Jolla, Leucadia Pizzeria’s expansive outdoor patio attracts those interested in pairing their pizza, pasta, and sub with a healthy sprinkling of parmesan and sunshine. The menu caters to parties of all sizes (feed up to seven with the 16” Sub Tray) and specializes in personalizing your meal to fit your taste. The Build Your Own Pizza combinations are seemingly limitless, and the entrée options satisfy that nostalgic Italian cuisine …

SD Tap Room sits on Garnet Avenue amongst an array of restaurants, bars and shops in the heart of Pacific Beach. SD Tap Room is well known for its wide selection of beers from local breweries including Stone, Lost Abbey, Green Flash and Karl Strauss. Offering the perfect solution to cleanse the palate between beers, munch on Beer Soakers-- fresh pizza dough topped with parmesan, oregano, fresh mozzarella and garlic served with marinara or ranch. With so much beer to choose from, any beer enthusiast will be content to sample Tap Room's satisfying brews.

George’s Ocean Terrace reminds us all that there’s a big difference between eating outside and dining seaside. Occupying prime rooftop real estate upstairs from George’s California Modern, Ocean Terrace invites guests to settle in for a casual yet inspired experience of breathtaking views, invigorating libations, off-the-docks fresh seafood, and from the farm tantalizing entrees. Executive Chef and partner Trey Foshee handles his menu with care and discretion, emphasizing fresh and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring that each ingredient complements the overall flavor profile of the dish. Given that La Jolla boasts practically picture-perfect weather all year long, it makes sense that …

Florencias delivers a satisfying taste of home-cooked Italian goodness to every diner no matter where he or she may be. A popular dine-in, take-out, and delivery restaurant, Florencias is happy to say it is family owned and operated—a fact that translates well into flavor and quality. Pizzas and subs come piping hot to the table and encourage a hands-on eating style, while classic pasta and baked dishes are a natural fit with a fine glass of wine. Since one’s need for true Italian fare knows no bounds, Florencias keeps its doors—and arms—open late into the night to ensure none of …

Solana Beach CRUSH is equally urban and inviting, marrying a chic and contemporary aesthetic with a welcoming menu of Italian-inspired specialties. The outdoor patio features a table-top fire pit that encourages guests to cozy up with a glass from CRUSH’s collection of more than 160 bottles of international wines, and their plush lounge provides an ideal backdrop for dining while mingling. Your night on the town will pair brilliantly with the restaurant’s Late Night Happy Hour and weekly live entertainment events. In addition to a simple and hearty selection of warm sandwiches and pastas, the CRUSH Lunch Menu also presents …

A contemporary, uber-cool interior and décor mirror a chic California-coastal inspired kitchen in Point Loma at the Restaurant at The Pearl. Chef Todd Bencivenni combines his passion for local ingredients with an diverse culinary background to create flavorful, memorable dishes. Eclectic dishes come from a variety of regions across the U.S including a magnificent Mac & Cheese appetizer made with Spring Hill Cheddar and a Grilled Pork Chop with potatoes, apple chutney and fresh farmers market veggies for a solid main course. Whether you’re dining inside or by the pool, in a cabana or beach chair, weekly movies from The …

Luc’s Bistro offers guests an authentic taste of down-home Southern cuisine. Try dishes like Crispy Crab Cakes with Avocado Cilantro, which take Southern flare and meld it with a California twist. Ongoing specials pop up daily to switch the mood for returning visitors while allowing newcomers to sample unique creations from Luc’s talented chefs. Cozy and casual, the “bistro-esque” dining room invites guests to dine with friends, family, or their significant other. Who says that a bistro has to serve only French cuisine? Luc’s Bistro shows patrons that a restaurant can create its own flare by taking different styles and …

In a contemporary, cozy, and calming atmosphere, Robata Ya Oton offers patrons traditional Japanese fare that some Japanese restaurants have strayed away from. Located in Kearny Mesa, Robata Ya Oton specializes in the art of “Robatayaki”: the original Japanese barbecue, cooked in front of customers and served direct, similar to the style of sushi. The chef sits in plain view of the customers and surrounds himself with selected ingredients he has on display for all. This offers a lively setting and one-on-one interaction with the chef to help him create the quintessential dish for each guest. Delve into traditional Yakimono …

Located in the Gaslamp District, Cremolose is the newest European cafe and specialty dessert restaurant offering exquisite Italian fare and delectable Italian desserts to hungry guests. The 5,000 square-foot establishment fuses the aspects of a European cafe and the historic flavor of the Gaslamp Quarter. Cremolose offers seating for up to 260 guests beneath the tin decal decor in the original 20th century dancehall. The dining room is decorated with furniture which provides a modern aesthetic and showcases a eclectic color palette capable of awaking a tired soul. Cremolose showcases a fully equipped bar and lounge where bartenders offer handcrafted …

Located in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, just a stone’s throw from Petco Park, Mezè Mediterranean Grill offers a wide breadth of Mediterranean cuisine for diners in search of southern European flavors. From Greek Hummus and Falafel to the Grilled Asparagus salad inspired by southern Italian fare, dinner service runs until 11 p.m. throughout the week, and on Friday and Saturday until 12:00pm, Weekend brunch features bottomless mimosas and bloody marys with the purchase of an entree. All throughout the week, the full bar keeps things lively with signature cocktails such as the refreshing Tuscan Gimlet, the savory Dirty …

Located in the newly renovated Paseo de Mission Hills is Olivetto Ristorante & Wine Bar. Specializing in modern Italian fare and utilizing only the freshest seasonal ingredients, guests can revel in Olivetto’s cozy ambiance of exposed brick, dark wood, and rustic toned décor. Serving both lunch and dinner seven days a week, patrons can experience a complete Italian meal day and night, or just stop in to enjoy a glass of wine after a long day. The inviting atmosphere is the perfect setting to enjoy a meal, whether as a night out on the town with friends, or a romantic …

Tucked in a strip mall on Convoy Street between a kickboxing studio and a bakery sits a vacation to a foreign land. This escape is in the form of Phuong Trang, offering a selection of Pho, as well as traditional delights. Inspired by the Vietnamese home cooking style of Com Thang, meaning “month of meals” catering to family and friends, this establishment serves appetizing Vietnamese cuisine to Kearny Mesa locals. Besides appetizers, and Pho, diners can choose between Rice Paper Wraps, Stir Fried Noodles, Salads, Broken Rice Dishes, Seafood Specials, and Vegetarian dishes. The setting is tranquil, with tan wallpaper …

From the rustic stone exterior to the expansive and colorful interior, Little Italy’s hidden treasure, La Villa Restaurant & Bar, blends urban and rural life together seamlessly. Seated at wooden tables, reminiscent of the farmers’ tables in years past, diners enjoy fresh, sustainable Italian delights. La Villa’s seasonal menu emphasizes the “farm to table” concept by incorporating neighborhood farmers’ products and locally caught seafood in every dish. From the handmade mozzarella found on the Naples inspired pizzas, to the oysters, so fresh that the remnant flavors of the ocean are still present, La Villa pleases the palate time after time. …

Sammy's of Carlsbad sits minutes from the ocean, just across the way from the Carlsbad By The Sea Resort and Carlsbad Premium Outlets. Whether returning from a day at the beach or searching for lunch during a busy day of shopping, Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill is available to fulfill your needs. Pizza is the obvious specialty here, with unique favorites like the Organic Arugula & Pear topped with prosciutto, gorgonzola cheese, and organic arugula salad tossed in balsamic basil dressing or the savory LaDou’s BBQ Chicken featuring smoked gouda, BBQ sauce, red onion and cilantro with premium chunks of …