San Diego

By Sebastien Robillard @fashionbpm fashionbpm@gmail.com

A few discoveries from my last trip to San Diego, It was not my first time visiting this beautiful city but it had been some time I had not step foot there. My schedule was pretty hectic but I still found some time to explore and discover some restaurants and activities to do around it. Been use to travel and having also some flair or luck to discover nice eating spots, here are a few of the places I got to try.

Gaslamp District

Toscana Cafe

238 5th Ave.

I love Italian food, so when I spotted this nice little café with terrasse I had to check out the menu. There was a lot of interesting things reasonably priced but the blackened tuna wrap definitely got my attention. Food was great but I did have to ask why they were playing French music in an Italian restaurant, manager told me I was only the second person since the place open to ask and that they thought the French music was more soothing to the ambiance.

Union Kitchen & Tap

333 5th Ave.

I was just looking for a place to have a beer before diner when I saw this place. I like good beer and seeing their motto ” Devoted to the Craft” I figure I was gonna get more than the regular commercial beers. After trying a couple of their brews, I asked for the menu and I was pleasantly surprised by the choices. The confit of duck served on a bed of mushrooms was to die for and the fried calamari was also excellent.

Harbor

Kansas City barbecue

600 W Harbor Dr.

A friend seeing a couple of my pictures suggested I tried this place. For those of you old enough or who have seen the movie Top Gun this is the restaurant where some of the scenes take place. Bringing some taste of the south to the west coast their ribs were decent but the decor was just a throwback for me which made it kinda cool.

USS Midway

910 N. Harbor Dr.

Now this is not a restaurant, although they do have a café on the back deck of this aircraft carrier. USS Midway is a retired aircraft carrier turned into a museum, you can visit the entire boat including the bridge and pilot house. Over 25 restored aircraft are also on deck and audio and tour guides will explain to you the in and out of this ship.

Ruths Chris Steak House

1355 N. Harbor Dr.

This is one of my favorite steak house, when ever I travel to the US I always try to make a stop there. They have locations all over the states and one in Toronto at the Hilton. I never have to look at the menu since I’ve been taking the same thing for more than 10 years, boring you might think but why change something that is close to perfect. My favorite is the seared ahi tuna for appetizer and the Filet Mignon (extra butter please). They cook their steak in the oven and if you’ve never been there before make sure to protect yourself with your napkin when they will bring you the plate as it’s cooked at 280F and still sizzling in your plate when it reaches your table. My tip order your steak cook one down from what you normally take cause it will still cook in the plate.

Little Italy

Buon Appetito

1609 India St.

As I mentioned before, I LOVE ITALIAN FOOD, there was no way I was not gonna stop in little italy for a meal. Saturday night and packed but I still manage to get a spot at the bar. To my delight the staff were speaking perfect Italian to one another which is always a good sign of what to expect as far as real Italian food. I started with the Carpaccio and I have to honestly says I had not had one this good in a while. I’m not a food genius but I always like to test an Italian restaurant with one dish, the Gnocchi, if they do it right I’m never worried about the rest of the menu. Luckily for me Gnocchi quatrro formaggi is on the menu. I have to admit I was not surprised to absolutely love it, it was just perfect.