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Dining in La Jolla
La Jolla's dining scene, once a culinary backwater, has come into its own during the past decade. The spark for this new spirit of experimentation and style has been an explosion in the transplant population and cultural diversification. But other factors are at play. A bustling economy helps, motivating folks to step out and exercise their palates. These new foodies have been taught to respect the seasonality of vegetables, allowing chefs to revel in the bounteous agriculture of San Diego County by focusing on produce when flavors are at their peak at specialized North County growers like Chino Farms and Be Wise Ranch.
Top young cooks are increasingly lured by La Jolla's agreeable lifestyle and the chance to make a fast impression in the region's dining scene. I've met more than one chef seduced by the idea that you can surf in the ocean each morning, then in the afternoon hand-select fresh produce at the farm where it was grown to serve guests that night. And although we import chefs from around the world, we've even started exporting them -- Marine Room wizard Bernard Guillas represents America at illustrious events like the Masters of Food and Wine, and Michael Stebner of Region cooks at the James Beard House.
As you can imagine, La Jolla offers terrific seafood: Whether at unembellished market-style restaurants that let the fresh catch take center stage or at upscale restaurants that feature extravagant presentations, the ocean's bounty is everywhere. Those traditional mainstays, American and Continental cuisine, still carry their share of the weight in La Jolla. But, with increasing regularity, they're mating with lighter, more contemporary, often ethnic styles. The movement is akin to the eclectic fusion cuisine that burst onto the scene in the early 1990s. That's not to say traditionalists will be disappointed: La Jolla still has plenty of clubby steak-and-potatoes stalwarts, and we're loaded with the chain restaurants you'll probably recognize from home.
But number one on most every visitor's list of priorities is Mexican food -- a logical choice given the city's history and location. You'll find lots of highly Americanized, often satisfying interpretations of Mexican fare (that is, combo plates heaped with melted cheddar cheese) along with a few hidden gems, like El Agave and Escondido's Hacienda de Vega, which serve true south-of-the-border cuisine. And don't miss our humble fish taco, perhaps the city's favorite fast food.
San Diego's multicultural fabric ensures that ethnic foods are a good option when you want something more exotic than Mexican or Italian fare. While Chinese restaurants have long had a place at the table, Asian cuisine today also means Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Cambodian restaurants. A drive through the heart of Kearny Mesa reveals a panoply of Asian eateries at all prices, along with vast grocery stores brimming with quirky delicacies. But also note that many intrepid "mainstream" chefs fuse Asian ingredients and preparations with more familiar Mediterranean or French menus.
George's At The Cove
1250 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-4244
Hard Rock Cafe
909 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-5101
Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill
1044 Wall Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 551-2739
Shabu Shabu Jinsang
(In English, Korean & Japanese)
7614 Fay Avenue,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 456-4545
Roppongi
875 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 551-5252
Sante Restorante
7811 Herschel Ave
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone#: 858-454-1315
Top 'O the Cove
1216 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone#: (858)454-7779
Lila's Urban Tapas
Asian, Southwest
1250 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-5218
Paitti
Italian, Fine Dining
2182 Avenida de la Playa
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-1589
Tapenade
French, Fine Dining
7612 Fay Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 551-7500
Acme Bar & Grill
1250 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-5218
Alfonso's of La Jolla
1251 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-2232
Avanti
875 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-4288
Bahia Mexican Restaurant
5504 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-8940
Bali
7660 Fay Avenue,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-4540
Bird Rock Cafe
5656 La Jolla Boulevard,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 551-4090
Chart House Restaurant
1270 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-8201
Cindy Black's Restaurant
5721 La Jolla Boulevard,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 456-6299
Cyber Cafes Inc
8657 Villa La Jolla Drive # 209,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 452-1600
La Dolce Vida
1237 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-2524
La Fonda
5752 La Jolla Boulevard,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 456-7171
La Jolla Brewing Company
7536 Fay Avenue,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 456-2739
Manhattan of La Jolla
7766 Fay Avenue,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-0700
Marine Room Restaurant
2000 Spindrift Drive,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-7222
Marrakesh
634 Pearl Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-2500
Mediterranean Room Restaurant
1132 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-0771
Porkyland Restaurant
1030 Torrey Pines Road,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-1708
Quo-Vadis
828 Prospect Street # C,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 551-4343
Roberto's At The Cove
8008 Girard Avenue, Suite 220,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-2222
Rubio's Restaurant
8855 Villa La Jolla Drive,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 546-9377
Sammy's California Woodfired
702 Pearl Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 456-5222
T Bird Restaurant
1250 Prospect Street # 305,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 456-2703
Whaling Bar & Grill
1132 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-0771
ZAO Sushi
1025 Prospect Street,
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-0566
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