re: San Diego Restaurant/Bar recs

Fancy dinner - Born and Raised is absolutely incredible. They spent $6M decorating the damn place and wow it shows. The food is wonderful. It’s a very traditional steak restaurant. They make your Caesar salad table side from a cart. Just awesome.

If you like high end Asian, Animae is also fantastic. I’m sure it has come up on your searches.

The people who own Born and Raised own like half the places in the city. Every single one will impress you. The decor is wild. They have one place (Craft and Commerce) with a mountain Lion taxidermed behind the bar.

SD has several speakeasies. Noble Experiment is the famous one, but I actually think False Idol is way cooler. When someone orders a large batch tiki drink, they shut off all the lights and play a thunderstorm recording with lightning and all.

Little Italy is the best part of town IMO. Bencotto is my favorite of the Italian joints. They hand make their pasta and just do an incredible job.

Ironside oyster, Kettner Exchange, the Lion’s Share, Herb and Wood (so good)…

I’ve been to San Diego 11 or 12 times in the past 6 years and it’s my favorite place.

Oh! If you’re not going to a Padres game, at least go to the rooftop bar at the hotel next door. It overlooks the ballpark.