Dae Jang Keum

+1 on DJK. Didn't really like the others...

I think volvo99 means Chin's on Miramar, but my opinion is Chef Chin on Convoy is far superior. (i.e. - Chin's on miramar barely edible, Chef Chin - generally edible with a few dishes really nice)

Chef Chin on Convoy is probably the most acceptable of generally bad options

Not sure what qualifies as unusual for you, but most unusual places are holes in the wall, which is not suitable for an Anniversary.

The only place I can think of that can probably be a special atmosphere while still serving "unique food" is Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

I don't think the problem was so much the concept as the taste in relation to the price.

The few times I ate there, the food seemed expensive and horrible in taste. I actually drove over to Super Cocina afterwards.

I think the point here is not that the OP will never eat again, it's just a temporary thing. With that in mind, I don't think it's necessary to go to Addison or or TBL3 (although those are great places to go if you can afford it).

I think Cafe Chloe is fine (or even Cowboy Star)

Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but import Gavin Schmidt back? :)

+2

glad you enjoyed the trip!

I think we can be self regulating, but I would assume at first that all forms of pie are acceptable

So it looks like PIE won by a landslide in the voting.

Go forth and explore all the different forms of PIE within SD. Remember to post about it in real time if possible.

same person voting multiple times with the same account

Voting irregularities where several new accounts seemed to have been created for just voting

Based on the Nominations, we will be voting for PIE, LAMB, and STRAWBERRIES

Vote with all capital letters, vote for up to TWO different choices. Winner will be the one with the most votes and at least a majority. I reserve the right to disallow any votes that are fishy. Voting will conclude on the morning of 4/1.

So far, it looks like PIE and LAMB are in the lead. I'll also take ASPARGUS or STRAWBERRIES for the vote if people want to support those a little more.

Dining Diva nominates ASPARAGUS

It's that time again to get your nominations in. Dining Diva is in Mexico so she asked me to run the nominations and voting.

As usual, please list your nominations in all CAPITAL letters to be considered. Nominations can be either for an entire dish (such as Carne Asada Burrito) or an ingredient (such as Carne Asada). Once there are some popular items, we will move to the voting phase.

Let's take nominations until noon 3/27

yes? haha :)

In all seriousness you can go to Wich Addiction in Mira Mesa. They have a great corned beef sandwich and this week they have a corned beef burger special.

It's definitely not a traditional corned beef, but the beef itself is very tasty.

TBL3 is probably the only thing a New Yorker would like.

If that doesn't work, I think you could also consider Addison and AR Valentien.

While we had a few other options that were noteworthy, they have closed over the last 2 years, so those are really the only noteworthy ones.

I would still say you should get sushi from one of the "top" places here. This would be Kaito, Shirahama, or Ota (price arranged low to high and quality/taste arranged high to low).

This will probably not be too much different from what you can get in NYC, but the price should be much less compared to what you normally expect. With that said, I suspect the local San Diego uni is something you cannot get in NYC and is usually exceptional.

Another food place to consider is Whisknladle...

For the place you listed for drinks, try to leave some room for dessert as well.

Claire's on Cedros is a "brunch place" that is open on weekdays so you have all the bases covered there :)
http://clairesoncedros.com/

You can check out Slater's 50/50 at Point Loma with just a short cab ride. They have over 100 beers on tap including many local favorites.

I really like Rudy's also, but the CA they use in the burrito is "worse" quality than the one from the CA plate. Next time, I recommend the plate and then "make your own" burrito.

it's close enough to my work that I can probably stop by for lunch one day...

When I took a quick glance at the blurry burrito photo, I actually thought it was an albino wolf jumping out to try and eat me.

Generally, it will be very difficult to get to La Jolla unless you have a car or call a cab. Most of the public transportation is centered around downtown and Mission Valley.

San Diego is really unlike New York in 2 respects:
a) the public transportation is severely lacking
b) everything is really spread out

I think of the places I listed, the only places you can get to easily (assuming you're staying downtown) with public transportation are Cafe Chloe, Starlite, Craft and Commerce, Knotty Barrel, Noble Experiment

Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong.

If you use public transportation, your options will probably be severely limited. With that said, if you are relying on public transportation, where are you staying?

As far as what is unique and local to SD, there are probably two things - mexican seafood tacos and craft beer

Here's a list of places you can probably check out in general

brunch/breakfast:
- Cafe Chloe
- Claire's on Cedros

fine dining:
- TBL3 @ George's California Modern (also La Jolla with a great view)
- Addison
- Kaito Sushi (not fine dining persay, but the best sushi experience you'll find)

Nice "Bistro-style" places to eat
- Cafe Chloe
- Starlite
- Alchemy

Nice Hangout/bars/cocktails
- Craft and Commerce
- Knotty Barrel
- Noble Experiment (needs reservation)

More "unique" to SD places
- Blind Lady Ale House (craft beer)
- Mariscos German Taco Trucks
- Oscar's Mexican Seafood

Here's also a list of places to avoid
- Cohn group restaurants
- Malarkey "fabric empire" restaurants
- Places in Old Town

I'd say Blue Ribbon counts as "San Diego" since we also count Kaito as San Diego. Both are off the Encinitas Blvd exit and Blue Ribbon is actually South of Encinitas Blvd while Kaito is North of Encinitas Blvd...

Hopefully we can actually find some decent places until the february fail....

haha yes, the place I have in mind "corns in house"