Must Stops in San Diego, LA, SF, Portland, Seattle?
As you've probably guessed by now I'm taking a trip up the West Coast this May. I have no specific plans for places to stop, so any and all suggestions are welcome, and appreciated. Trying to find some tasty places in each of the aforementioned cities, whether local favorites, or national best-of's.
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16 Comments:
I'm a student in San Diego and I've tried a variety of restaurants here...and sadly, I have to say that the food quality down here is a cut below the restaurants you will find up in LA or SF. Therefore, when you do visit San Diego, for a better eating experience it may be a good idea to slightly lower your standards. That being said, I am a very picky eater so it really depends on how picky you are! =D
Here are some recommendations I have for San Diego:
Breakfast: Hash House (www.hashhouseagogo.com) has HUGE breakfast plates but the quality of food matches up with the size. The pancakes are biggg but filled with fun ingredients and the hashes themselves are filled with crispy home-style potatoes and meats.
Fancy restaurants:
- George's California Modern (http://www.georgesatthecove.com/california-modern/) recently remodeled, and is one of the most famous upscale restaurants in SD.
- Cavaillon (www.cavaillonrestaurant.com) offers great french food
Bread/Sandwiches:
- Bread & Cie (www.breadandciecatering.com) has a variety of yummy breads to choose from, and sandwiches as well.
Dessert:
- Extraordinary Desserts (www.extraordinarydesserts.com) is by far the most popular dessert place in SD. There are two locations - one more modern and fits larger crowds (in Banker's Hill) while the other smaller and homey location (in Little Italy).
I hope this helped you and have a great trip!
avocadoboba at 1:02PM on 01/23/09
Some for Portland...
I had a GREAT meal at the bar at Higgins in Portland. Since we ate at the bar and off the bistro menu, the prices were very reasonable. House-cured charcuterie, Mussels in chorizo-polenta broth and a LOT of local beers. One of the best nights we spent on our vacation!
Also, Mother's for brunch!
Oh, and Pine State Biscuits for the best fried chicken on a homemade biscuit you'll ever have. We had the one with honey, grainy mustard and a pickle. I dream of it still...
And finally, drink as many different local brews as possible and always ask the bartender or waitress for recommendations. Enjoy :)
bitchincamero at 1:27PM on 01/23/09
Mmm, Portland...
Desert: Papa Haydn's (The dinner is good, but if you don't have time for real food, make reservations for desert only, it's ridiculously worth it), Cupcake Jones (better than St. cupcake by far).
Dinner: 1001, Blue Hour, Isabels, Oba, Higgins, Everett Street Bistro and oooooh: Lucy's Table.
In fact, make it an amazing food night: stop by Cupcake Jones, grab a 6 pack of minis to go, go to Blue Hour for cheese and dinner, Papa Haydn's for desert, coffee and conversation, then wander around Powells with your cupcakes for a late night snack.
In fact, that might be my itinerary for my birthday...
froggo at 1:32PM on 01/23/09
Oh man, I'm super jealous of this trip! It's on my to-do list in life to take this trip. I've been to 3 of those 5 cities but unfortunately haven't gotten to experience much. San Diego has a few nice restaurants in the Gas Lamp Quarter though I went to an unimpressive place called Dakota's. Los Angeles has tons of places, naturally but I'm no expert so I'm sure someone else can you help you there. And in terms of Seattle, one of my favorite food blogger's Orangette is opening a restaurant with her husband and it should be open by May! I'm going to Seattle so I plan to check it out. It's called Delancey. Enjoy your awesome trip!
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 2:02PM on 01/23/09
These are great, thanks for the wonderful advice guys & gals, keep 'em comin!
phishie at 2:59PM on 01/23/09
Great burgers in Pacific Beach, San Diego at Rocky's Crown Pub
billrein at 3:39PM on 01/23/09
Arizmendi Bakery in the Inner Sunset of San Francisco has AMAZING scones and organic pizzas that change daily. It's a co-op bakery, so it's super chill. If you're in the touristy Embarcadero area, you can take the N-Judah to 9th Ave to get there.
runnereater at 6:30PM on 01/23/09
I'm a big fan of the starlite lounge on india st in Midtown San Diego, delicious local food and insane cocktails!
You cant beat the view at the C level lounge just near the airport, the food is pretty good too.
We really like wine steals for a cheap glass of wine or tasting and a nice cheese plate (choose the artisan), they have various locations all over san diego.
My pick for brekkie would be La Jolla. Pannikins if you're up for a veggie breakfast, Harrys for old school, Brockton Villa for Coast Toast and Azul for a delicious brunch.
See chowhound for some more eclectic ideas!
jennywenny at 6:31PM on 01/23/09
El Puerco Lloron on he Pike Place Steps at Pike Place Market in Seattle. Fresh made tortillas an the machaca is mouth-watering.
MaresyDotes at 6:32PM on 01/23/09
for SF
Gary Danko and Pacific Catch are my absolute favs!
iheartsf at 8:08PM on 01/23/09
When you are in Seattle, Maximilien in the Market is a great place to go, its a nice french restaurant in the hidden behind where they throw the fish at Pike Place Market, I have only been there for dinner but heard that they have a fantastic happy hour. The Pink Door is also good, and they have a burlesque show there on Friday and Saturday nights. And if you are looking for fresh oysters I really recommend Elliott's Oyster House on Pier 56.
When you are in Portland, I think you should try the happy hour at Portland City Grill, it has the best view in the city, and the food is great. There are also lots of McMenamins around that area. They are a restaurant company that buys old buildings and turns them into restaurants. My favorite place of theirs is just outside of Portland and it is called McMenamins Edgefield. They have a couple bars, a casual restaurant, a formal restaurant and a little place called the "Little Red Shed" where you can get wine, beer and peanuts. It is a pretty cool place to go. They are a brewery too so they've got pretty good beer.
Have fun it sounds like a blast!
Deseree at 8:59PM on 01/23/09
Seattle: on a budget. These are just a few of the great spots doing the best food for your buck.
Breakfast
Café Presse on Capitol Hill does authentic french fare, so authentic even that no one will look at you funny if you order wine with your croque madame.
Pike Place Market is full of stalls and stands of fresh local food; a perfect morning stop. You can even go to the very first Starbucks if you want to scream "tourist". (and then stand around watching the fish-throwing guys)
Lunch
Paseo in Fremont. Awesome Cuban sandwiches, served out of a glorifed shack. It's a huge local favorite. Be ready to stand in line.
Skillet Street Food in various locations depending on the day. These guys gutted an Airstream trailer and turned it into a high-end lunch truck. Not every menu item is a winner but the concept alone is worth it.
Dinner
Thai Tom in the University District. A tiny hole in the wall doing the best thai in the city. And Seattle has at least two thai places on every block so this is saying a lot.
Quinn's, a relatively new spot on Capitol Hill that calls itself a "gastropub". A beautiful, dark, warm atmosphere and food to match.
These a just a few of the great eats here in Seattle. I haven't even touched on Belltown, where many of the "hip" restaurants are, or the International District, home to everything Asian and awesome. I'm sure some other Seattlites will chime in!
sailordave at 9:11PM on 01/23/09
In Los Angeles
Pizzeria Mozza
La Brea Bakery
Ethiopian food in Little Ethiopia, unless you are from Washington, D.C
Korean food in Koreatown
Zankou Chicken, be sure to dip the chicken in the garlic emulsion
Armenian food, hard to find in other cities
one of the 100,000 tart yogurt places
what do you like? We have yet to find a good Malaysian restaurant.
San Francisco
Tadich Grill, fish restaurant with a Peter Lugar Brooklyn ambiance
Berkeley
Chez Panisse or Chez Panisse Cafe
Sausalito
Avatar serves Indo-Mexican food.
LearP at 3:07AM on 01/24/09
When I went to Seattle last August for a friend's wedding, I ate at Flowers in the University district. I went while they were having a buffet featuring vegetarian Indian and Middle Eastern food, two of my most favourite cuisines. It was heavenly, the atmosphere was very cute, and it's right on University, so it's in walking distance from various shops, cafes and bars.
Mmm... Indian/Middle Eastern food!
tastyfever at 3:40PM on 01/24/09
In Portland I totally second Higgins as the place to go for a splurge or a meal at the bar, it is amazing. Don't miss Toro Bravo for the best tapas I've had in the US. Pok Pok is a really authentic and unique Thai place, and make sure to sample some of our many locally brewed beers.
alexb at 7:01PM on 01/24/09
Open 24/7 in LA since 1924, the Original Pantry Cafe is my favorite go-to place there. They serve between 2,500 and 3,000 customers each day, and when you sit down you get not bread and rolls but a nice-sized serving of an extremely good handmade cole slaw. Check out their fax-in menu for a list of all the good stuff.
LunaPierCook at 7:40PM on 01/24/09