http://sandiego.citysearch.com/roundup/42615 A large part of my job as Editor of Citysearch is to check out all the new restaurants, bars and spas as soon as they open. And in a place like San Diego, where a new hot spot seems to pop up on every corner, every weekend, I rarely have the chance to go out “off the clock,” i.e. to revisit my old favorites—the places I’ve been hanging out at for years where the bartenders and service staff have no clue I write about bars and restaurants for living. Here’s a peak inside my go-to spots for everything from coffee to cocktails, written up not as the Editor, but rather as regular ol’ Citysearch user <a href="http://sandiego.citysearch.com/saved/userprofile/notasurfer">”notasurfer”</a>. Why does everyone think everyone in San Diego surfs, anyway? en Copyright 2007 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://images.citysearch.com/roundup/59/10/42615r1.jpg http://sandiego.citysearch.com/roundup/42615 Citysearch Editors, Los Angeles "My family and I frequented their old trattoria in La Mesa, and we were so glad to see cinzia and crew back in town. Parking is difficult at this location, and you usually have to wait, but that only makes it more like Italy. All the pastas are usually under $10 and the guy at the door seems genuinely excited to greet everyone that walks through the door. Good food, good company, no-frills. It's places like this, and cafe one three, lei lounge, cafe chloe, ken grill, etc. that are slowly but surely turning sd into a foodie-friendly place to live." San Diego, CA http://sandiego.citysearch.com/profile/45692141/san_diego_ca/mamma_mia.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com/roundup/39231 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 Citysearch Editors, Los Angeles "So the wait for a table is longer than ever here but the tortillas and the fresh margs are absolutely worth the wait. Last time we were here was a cousin's birthday: We had eight people, 4 pitchers of margaritas, never ending guacamole and ended up making friends with all the people at neighboring tables by the end of our dinner." San Diego, CA http://sandiego.citysearch.com/profile/466258/san_diego_ca/old_town_mexican_cafe.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com/bestof/winners/Mexican Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 Citysearch Editors, Los Angeles "Have you noticed the two sisters who open the shop every morning have matching vespas? it's so cool! this is the best downtown coffee shop!" San Diego, CA http://sandiego.citysearch.com/profile/444932/san_diego_ca/pannikin_coffee_tea.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 Citysearch Editors, Los Angeles "This is another of my fave local spots to hang out. It's crowded on weekends, but it's all locals and everyone is usually friendly around the grill. Great place to meet others in the neighborhood, great martinis, and just an all-around chill place to hangout." San Diego, CA http://sandiego.citysearch.com/profile/451647/san_diego_ca/turf_supper_club.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com/bestof/winners/steak Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 Citysearch Editors, Los Angeles "...the real deal. They're just like the street meat tacos you get in Mexico....it's a little sketchy driving/walking up to this place, but once you get there, you realize that it's all worth it." Chula Vista, CA http://sandiego.citysearch.com/profile/32664828/chula_vista_ca/tacos_el_gordo_de_tijuana.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com/roundup/41799 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 Citysearch Editors, Los Angeles "You'll definitely pay a pretty penny for the cheeses here, but that's probably because the gal that operates this place is so nice and so knowledgeable about her products. She has cheeses from every country, and always a good tip or two about what to serve them with and how to store them." San Diego, CA http://sandiego.citysearch.com/profile/41928324/san_diego_ca/venissimo_cheese.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com/bestof/winners/gifts_stationary Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com/roundup/40584 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 Citysearch Editors, Los Angeles "...perfect date place in point loma. I'm hesitant to even write a good review of it, b/c I don't want it to become too popular and crowded. just a simple, casually elegant spot for a nice italian meal or glass of wine. love it!" San Diego, CA http://sandiego.citysearch.com/profile/457996/san_diego_ca/old_venice_italian_restaurant.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com/bestof/winners/romantic_dining Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 Citysearch Editors, Los Angeles "...I love the chips and salsa. We go just at happy hour and just get margaritas and chips and salsa. Rolled tacos appetizer is good too. It's not the most authentic, but it's a chill vibe and easy place to hang out with friends or for happy hour." San Diego, CA http://sandiego.citysearch.com/profile/42652981/san_diego_ca/fred_s_mexican_cafe.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com/saved/userprofile/notasurfer Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com/browse_roundups Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 Citysearch Editors, Los Angeles "...always run into someone I've known in the past, and they have a kitchen that serves food until late." San Diego, CA http://sandiego.citysearch.com/profile/452726/san_diego_ca/nunu_s_cocktail_lounge.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com/roundup/39831 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800 http://sandiego.citysearch.com Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:41:00 -0800