One option besides this is the Lodge at Torrey Pines- I dig the grill and they're open at least early if not late- might check for the late part though. Probably just about equidistant to go to Piatti as the Lodge.

Also check out Fixtures- I believe they have folks in house to help you out.

Just looking from Via de la Valle it looks like they're doing a TON of work on the space, so my guess is that it will be a much better space. Couldn't get much worse :)

This is an aside, but have you noticed that Morton's quality seems to be taking a major nose dive since the new ownership?

Bird Rock, though while not independent I simply love the staff at Peets in RP. Love their coffee as well.

What about Prepkitchen? For finer dining I believe Market is open on Sundays as well for finer dining.

And generally the restaurants at the Plaza haven't ever been particularly good (including Flavor) for their price point.

Go to Super Cocina and go north and west. :)

Bevmo has some of it, Holiday wine certainly has it. Better bets at the bigger Bevmo stores (Encinitas usually has it)

So the hibiki is quite light in body for a scotch with flavors of toffee, carmel, honey and elderflower (this is what I get from it). I've actually never had even a blend quite this light before.

If I was looking for a gift for someone who liked this I'd look in a few spots:

1) Yamazaki 18 year (quite expensive at around 130 a bottle if you can find it)

2) Compass Box Hedonism (still expensive at about 100 a bottle but a beautifully light blend)

3) Compass Box Eluthyria (sp?) (more like 70 a bottle)

If you're looking to spend less let me know I can find a few other whiskeys for you that I think might hit that flavor profile. I'm trying to stay away from bourbons as I think that might be too much for their taste profile.

funny because BevMo regularly carries Hibiki.

The closest thing to Hibiki are the Yamazaki's- the 18 is stellar (though about 130 bucks if you can find it) and the 12 is just ok.

Other than that the Suntory whiskeys are difficult to find in CA.

An alternate, semi-odd whiskey is the Compass Box Hedonism- similar body though different profiles to be sure.

Honestly, it's hotel banquet food done in a nicer setting- put in any other major city there's no way this would survive. I'm being taken there in a few weeks so I'm sure I'll post again, but for the kind of money Addison costs it makes far more sense to go to LA to the any number of places that really know fine dining. Unfortunately, fine dining is just one of those things San Diego has never done very well.

I'd agree with all of this- though personally I'd lean towards TBL3

Honestly, we thought Addison was a giant waste of money- elevated banquet food would be the mean way of saying it, but it wasn't particularly impressive in either service or food. It was good, but it's trying to be a type of fine dining that it just doesn't achieve.

My top 5 for this year:

1) Every meal we had at Whisknladle, especially those at the bar- the cocktail service so nicely matches the dinner service. I know some folks say this place is getting tired, but I really dig it still.

2) Finally made it to Kaito this year- among the best sushi I've ever had in an unassuming environment.

3) Bull Taco on new years- yah the food was just ok, kinda good, but really new years on a nice day and getting to walk down to the beach with my wife- that's awesome

4) Tabl3 at George's- nuff said.

5) Sea Rocket Bistro- really just for one item- the sea urchin. Holy hell this was good.

Bottom 3 for this year:

1) Burlap- hands down the worst meal I've had in a long time at this price point

2) Addison- ugh. San Diego deserves better if they're going to do fine dining. This place couldn't compete in any other major city

3) El Take It Easy - El take It The Heck Out Of Here

Wine Cellar is a solid choice- very large french portions. Also Whisknladle with appetizers may work.

You might check out the Cowboy Star wine list- I dont know it well.

I'm not sure- that was part of our bill last time we were there.

Just a question- do you want to stay out late? If not, I'd stay in La Jolla and hit george's and then be in walking distance of tons of places to get drinks. (This is all presuming money isn't an issue for any of it)

I'd agree with that, plus you've generally got similar food by the same owners at Bankers Hill Bar & Grill. The problem is, get a bit north and there's really nowhere at the high end to go outside of Flavor (very meh), Addison (again, meh), and so on- the selection is pretty light once you get north of la jolla.

Here's my thing about Market- everything is great, and the service is great and on and on and on, but every dish I have from them my immediate reaction is "could you have done at least one LESS thing on this plate?"

Out of your choices, George's and NineTen are the best kitchens in the area (for fine dining). Addison is a waste of money IMHO based on my last tasting menu there. George's is my go to when I need to entertain a foodie who is also a client, though for some reason I'm not in love with Nine Ten's tasting menu offerings. Can't quite put my finger on it- I'm sure part of it is that I hate that dining room (the layout of it).

I pretty much agree with this- ts a place my grand parents like, so we go there from time to time. A small step up from Olive Garden, though not fantastic, totally serviceable.

What would you put ahead of it?

Surely you jest- from the guy who used his own restaurant list to spam customers into voting for a candidate the UT also endorsed for mayor? With ethics like these...

During lunch time (the only times I've been there) there's TONS of street parking (metered)

Can't recall if it's on the menu or not, but they do it at Piatti- pretty solid.

Not the main dining room, but was thinking whisknladle might work nicely.

La Jolla is surprisingly kid friendly- I know I've taken my kids everywhere except George's pretty much in La Jolla. One question- what does your son like to eat?

Because it's a chain. I don't need to go to every Cheesecake factory to tell you what it's like. Roy's is very meh across the board from the original location to all the outposts. You could do a LOT better for your money even at chain seafood restaurants.

Glad I read this today, I'll find somewhere else other than Delicias to eat tonight.