Best Restaurants 2009 - Readers' Picks


Dig in to the results of our annual readers’ poll and see who does it best——from burgers to brunch. Check out our critic’s and editor’s picks, sample the flavors of local wine bars, and learn where to find the best values for your dollar.


BEST OF THE BEST (MONEY NO OBJECT)

The Oceanaire Seafood Room
Georges at the Cove (Georges California Modern)
Bertrand at Mister A's

 

BEST OF THE BEST (MODERATE)

Urban Solace
Jsix
Bleu Boheme

BEST CHEAP EATS

In-N-Out
Rubio's
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop

 

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Crescent Heights Kitchen & Lounge
Kitchen 1540
Whisknladle

BEST CHEF

Brian Malarkey (Oceanaire Seafood Room)
Deborah Scott (Indigo Grill, Island Prime, Kemo Sabe)
Bernard Guillas (Marine Room)

 

BEST SERVICE

Georges at the Cove (Georges California Modern)
Mille Fleurs
Addison

BEST DINING WITH A VIEW

Georges at the Cove (Georges California Modern)
Bertrand at Mister A's
Island Prime/C Level Lounge

 

BEST LATE-NIGHT DINING

Saska's
Bully's
Maryjane's (Hard Rock Hotel)

MOST EXTENSIVE WINE LIST

Addison
WineSellar & Brasserie
George's at the Cove (Georges California Modern)

 

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD EATERY

Kensington Grill
Urban Solace
Bleu Boheme

BEST DINING WITH KIDS

Corvette Diner
Sammy's Woodfired Pizza
Chuck E. Cheese

 

MOST ROMANTIC

Marine Room
Georges at the Cove (Georges California Modern)
Bertrand at Mister A's

MOST DECADENT DESSERTS

Extraordinary Desserts
Chuao Chocolatier
Heaven Sent Desserts

 

BEST PIZZA

Bronx Pizza
Sammy's Woodfired Pizza
Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria

BEST LOCAL BURGER JOINT

Burger Lounge
Hodad's
Rocky's Crown Pub

 

BEST AMERICAN

Croce's
Urban Solace
Sbicca 

BEST FRENCH

Tapenade
Bleu Boheme
Mille Fleurs

 

BEST ITALIAN

Arrivederci Ristorante
Buon Appetito
Piatti

BEST SPANISH/TAPAS

Cafe Sevilla
Costa Brava
Tapas Picasso

 

BEST INDIAN

Bombay
Royal India
Monsoon

BEST CHINESE

P.F. Chang's
Jasmine
China Max

 

BEST SUSHI BAR/JAPANESE

Sushi Ota
Nobu
Sushi Deli

BEST THAI

Rama
Lotus Thai
Taste of Thai

 

BEST ASIAN FUSION

Roppongi
Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine
Red Pearl Kitchen

BEST MEXICAN

Ortega's, a Mexican Bistro
Old Town Mexican Cafe
Fidel's

 

BEST GREEK

Cafe Athena
Athens Market (tie)
Daphne's (tie)

BEST VIETNAMESE

Le Bambou
Saigon
Phuong Trang

 

BEST VEGETARIAN

Sipz Fusion Cafe
Spread
Veg-N-Out

BEST BARBECUE

Phil's BBQ
Kansas City Barbecue
Bret's BBQ

 

BEST STEAKHOUSE

Donovan's Steak & Chop House
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse

BEST SEAFOOD

The Oceanaire Seafood Room
The Fish Market
Anthony's Fish Grotto

 

BEST BREAKFAST

Hash House a Go Go
The Mission
Broken Yolk Cafe

BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH

Hotel del Coronado
Urban Solace
La Valencia Hotel

 

BEST BUSINESS LUNCH

Dobson's
Rainwater's on Kettner
Harry's Bar & American Grill

BEST DELI

D.Z. Akin's
Milton's
Waters Cafe

 

BEST TAKEOUT

Saffron
Sammy's Woodfired Pizza
Pick Up Stix

BEST OUTDOOR DINING

Georges at the Cove (Ocean Terrace)
Island Prime/C Level
The Prado

 

BEST HOTEL DINING

Nobu (Hard Rock Hotel)
Jsix (Hotel Solamar)
Arterra (Marriott Del Mar)

BEST CATERER

ChileCo Catering
Waters Fine Catering
Festivities

   



Comments posted here do not necessarily reflect the views of the byline author or San Diego Magazine. Keep your comments civil, stay on the topic and your posts will remain online. Comments that use foul language, ethnic slurs or sexually suggestive language will be deleted. Posters who continually harass others or disobey the rules will be banned permanently from commenting on this Web site.

Reader Comments:
Old to new | New to old
Jun 9, 2009 01:29 pm
 Posted by  Anonymous

It is Michelin....not Micheline

Jun 21, 2009 03:47 am
 Posted by  Anonymous

P.F. Chang's is Best Chinese. Tee hee.

Sep 7, 2009 08:59 pm
 Posted by  Anonymous

Why did george's win again.. I have eaten there 8 times in the last 8 years and fail to see how it is better that it was years ago... There are so many new restaurants that blow george's away presently that I am afraid that george's is rewarded for its advertising dollars.. George's was truly a great place in the old days when it was one of a few institutions in San Diego, but now it has become full of Pomp and full of itself... I use to feel special there now it is as if I should pay hommage to the elite... Heh don't bother posting that my sentences are not punctuate properly or if I mis spelled.. I at one time ate at Georges 3 or 4 times a week for 12 years.. Now I eat there 1 time a month just to see if George goes back to his roots... Joel N.

Oct 24, 2009 11:09 pm
 Posted by  Anonymous

Arrivederci best Italian restaurant in SD???
Terrible food, filthy place, reeks inside of rotten food.
The minestrone soup was water + celery + carrots.
The lasagna had a sour flavor from the sauce that started fermenting. Wasted $80 for a dinner for 2.
Bad, Bad, Bad!!!
Shame on the SD Magazine - the owners must have bribed them to get the recognition the the place doesn't even come close to deserve.

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