Good call re: Stout House....forgot about that place.

Hearing great things about this place, though from newspaper articles not Chowhounders....has anybody been?....I've been to Mision 19 and wondering how this place compares from a food and cost perspective. Any dishes not to miss--their pork chop looks amazing. Thanks.

Most importantly, you need to tell us where you are staying and if you will have a car.

If you are staying downtown, you could probably get a steakhouse such as Mortons (though not a fan--especially since they are now owned by Landry's) or Donovans.....you might also be able to persuade the bartender at The Grant Grill--though they only have one large TV and I you did not specify whether volume was important to you.

in Coronado, I would highly recommend Leroy's Kitchen and Lounge. In La Jolla, I would highly recommend Amaya (bar area--not the fancy, shmancy dining room) ahd their large TV's.

Again, would help if we knew where you were staying

Couldn't be happier Sora failed.....this same restaurant group owns Greystone (they claim to use prime meat), Osetra, and Panevino (once ordered a $30 veal dish, only to receive 2 veal patties I would expect to find for $5 at Subway--I kid you not).

The bone-in filet at Mision 19 in Tijuana is outstanding

I prefer the location in Williamsburgh (though the one on Long Island does serve lobster, making for the ulitmate surf and turf)....if you do not feel like making the schlep to Brooklyn, Wolfgang's is very, very close second. They actually have a location in Beverly Hills, which I have yet to visit.

Besides Cowboy Star, I have always had a decent steak at JRDN at Tower 23

actually no problem at Eddie V's....I could smell it at George's (on the rooftop and even the middle level bar/restaurant area had a musty smell) but not at Eddie V's....from what I understand, location of the smell can vary depending upon the wind and weather conditions.

Very few, if any, places in downtown...sorry.

JFAT (Jimmy's Famous) in Shelter Island not bad....agree with JRDN at Tower 23 in PB...had a very good meal last night on the deck at Eddie V's in La Jolla overlooking the ocean.

Yet another lease dispute caused by the greedy Gaslamp landlords. Frankly, I'd love to see more restaurants pack it up in the Gaslamp and move elsewhere but i suppose there will be others waiting to step in only to take it out on the consumer by offering mediocre, at best, product at inflated prices....I do wish Ingrid farewell and continued success with her new venture.

Ok... I am a fan of Brooklyn Girl, BTW.

No worries. Was trying to provide what I believe to be better alternatives in nearby neighborhoods. One time in Chicago I had my heart set on Chicago Chop House or Gene & Georgettis but was told their quality had gone down and was referred to an alternative in a different part of town and was not disappointed. I appreciated the honesty and recommendation on the Chicago Board.

It contributes by telling the OP not to waste his time or, if he has low expectations, they will be met. Only in SD-or So Cal for that matter--if you do not say how everything and everyone is wonderful 100% of the time one's feelings get hurt. T-1 hour before the patented, "if you don't like it here, why don't you move" response which I liken to a youngster taking his ball and saying he doesn't want to play this game anymore.

Those are 2 places I have been greatly disappointed with....Na Pizza can be good but the service and attitude is spotty.

I think they do pizza better at Cucina Urbana and Pizzicato better than any place in Little Italy...Boun Forchetta was not bad and I am always a fan of Luigi's--especially when Lugii is working.

Mision 19 and Caesar's are the same owners....the one thing you will NOT get at Mision 19 is the famed caesar salad that was invented at Caesar's. Both have great wines that are ridiculously affordable (i.e. as low as $25/bottle for a good wine). Caesar's is more mainstream and more conveniently located (right on Revolucion at 4ta Avenida) whereas Mision 19 is more of a dining experience....I have a couple of very good friends from Baja who have told me if I love Mision 19, there are a couple of other places in Guadalupe Valley that are even better--Corazon de Tierra and La Contra....if you go to Mision 19 be sure to check out the building it is located in--very nice coffee shop, great wine store, and small art gallery on the same level.

Just got back from Amaya in La Jolla and am fairly confident this would meet your criteria....same people that manage a similar restaurant at the Grand del Mar Hotel.

Two additional places not mentioned (either that or I missed it) in Ensenada (Guadalupe Valley) include Corazon de Tierra and La Contra.

Just got back and like it very much.....very classy, though as a 50 something with my 30 year old friend, I felt young....very nice, classy ambiance and I hope they make it. I had dinner in the Club M section where they had a nice jazz trio performing. They have specials every night of the week--tonight it was baby back ribs (though they were more like short ribs), served with excellent home baked bread, a separate plate of jalapeno cornbread, and green brean casserole. At $24 for the plate not a bad price, though the wine by the glass can be a bit steep with prices ranging in the $15 and higher. I would definitely return and hope they do well.

Looks like there is a sister restaurant to The Grand del Mar that opened on Prospect Street across from George's....fine dining room and bar in the back that could become a favorite hot spot...will try and check it out before I head out of town this weekend....anybody been yet??

http://www.amayalajolla.com

If you go during the week and come back 7:30PM or later (following dinner) you should get back across the border in 20 minutes or less...the later you return, the quicker you get across...I would avoid the weekends unless you plan on coming back after 9PM.

Mision 19 or Caesar's is a must. if you go to Mision 19, go to their website and print out the directions for the taxi driver--it is in the general vicinity of the Hotel Lucerna.

In TJ, definitely recommend Mision 19 (a must), followed by their sister restaurant, Caesar's, El Mazateno (tacos), and La Querencia.

bowling alley?...since when?

forgot, never had a bad meal at nearby Athens Market--best Greek food I have found in SD.

Grant Grill inside the hotel has some very good food in a very classy atmosphere with live jazz Thursday-Saturday nights.

just walked past the building at 1st Ave and Broadway (opposite corner from Coffee Bean). Says it will be open this summer.

I would go where Mexicans go....in the Bonita section of Chula Vista you have 3 good ones -- Romesco's Baja Med Bistro (the best); Los Arcos (great fish tacos) and TJ Oyster House (also great fish tacos.....you could also check out Karina's--couple of locations.

Bencotto is decent ( good by San Diego standards)... I was underwhelmed at Monello.

Prep Kitchen, not Italian, is good.

I would try something new and Romesco's Baja Med Bistro in the Bonita section of Chula Vista is amazing (same family that owns Mision 19 in Tijuana). They offer small bites (gobernadores tacos, ahi tostada to die for) not to mention the original caesar salad recipe made tableside.

With a date, as opposed to going out with my buddies, I'll have a chance to sample one or both of the above wine bars this weekend....does one stand out from the other?...are they relatively close to one another--i.e. within walking distance?

agreed....not every place on there is a gem, but a decent list.