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2005 Critic's Picks |
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State of the Plate
GRIPES AND COMMENTS? The usual stuff: Wish we had better-trained service staffs, since it ruins the restaurant experience when you can’t enjoy dinner while it’s hot because the server can’t hustle a fork to the table. Otherwise, I’m grateful the quality of our local cuisine seems to improve annually. I’ve had some opportunity to taste this progress, since July 3 marked my 25th anniversary as a professional journalist in San Diego. I’ve contributed to San Diego Magazine during most of this time, and I have to say it’s been fun, if fattening (though I have beaten back my waistline). So many have kept my career interesting. Some skipped town a while ago, including Doug Organ, who now teases Boston taste buds, and Bill Magnuson and Ulf Strandberg, whose Gustaf Anders revolutionized San Diego dining in 1981. They now reside in a tiny village in the south of France, where their circle includes a trio of llamas. And the world changed when Don and Arlene Coulon closed The Belgian Lion.
On the other hand, our local talent is starting to seem an embarrassment of riches. It’s a long list, of which the short version includes Jeffrey Strauss, Deborah McDonald Schneider, Jean-Michel Diot, Fabrice Poigin, Joe Busalacchi, Bernard Guillas, Amiko Gubbins, Trey Foshee, Paul McHabe, Deborah Scott, Gavin Kaysen and Vincent Grumel—nice company to keep for a guy who likes to eat.
| Best of the Best (Money No Object) Best Cheap Eats Best Service Best Late-Night Dining Most Extensive Wine List Best Neighborhood Eatery Most Romantic Most Decadent Desserts Best Pizza Best American Best Spanish/Tapas Best Indian Best Sushi Bar/Japanese Best Asian Fusion Best Greek Best German Best Vegetarian Best Steakhouse Best Breakfast Best Business Lunch Best Takeout |
Best of the Best (Moderate) Best New Restaurant Best Dining with a View Best Hotel Dining Best Chef Best Dining with Kids Best Microbrewery Best Local Burger Joint Best French Best Italian Best Chinese Best Thai Best Mexican Best Middle Eastern Best Vietnamese Best Barbecue Best Seafood Best Sunday Brunch Best Deli Best Outdoor Dining Best Caterer |
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50 People to Watch Party 2012This year's event held at the Saltbox at the Hotel Palomar on January 20 honoring San Diego's best and brightest. |
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47th annual Presentation TeaPhotos of the 47th annual Presentation Tea at a private estate in Rancho Santa Fe |
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Air Supply: Filling Lungs with LovePhotos of an event to raise money for Sharlie Kaltenbach at a private estate in Olivenhain |
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Super Stars... Let it Shine!Photos from an evening to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad held at La Costa Resort |
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