Going to San Diego was a dream for us. For a family it’s an extremely friendly city, but more than all the amenities needed to enjoy a city by foot, you could eat your way through it and never get a bad bite! We stayed at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, which is a beautiful resort near some amazing eateries. Lucky for us these hot-spots were also kid-friendly! (My biggest regret is not getting more food pics… oops!) So… here’s the question: Where to eat in San Diego?
Upon waking on our first day, we were pretty hungry. As a breakfast aficionado, I knew I wanted something good. Not just good. I wanted hot coffee that was roasted so perfectly it didn’t need sugar. I wanted hot, fresh eggs with soft breads, and a homemade vibe. San Diego did not disappoint. As we approached the front desk they pointed us in a few directions… we landed on Café 222. Although it was the furthest from the hotel (a whole 5 minute walk!), the number “222” has meaning for us.
There was a minimal wait when we arrived, but we were able to grab menus AND coffee- delicious coffee!- while we waited. Dave and I already loved the scene, so we were just waiting for the food! As I opened the menu to make a decision- not an easy feat for a pregnant woman- I realized I could eat here everyday and never be bored. Choosing the Benedict was an awesome decision… but I wish we’d gotten back for another dish. Dave (and Addie) thoroughly enjoyed his orange pecan pancakes, with sausage on the side. Our waiter was a delight- showering Addie with attention and clearing and refilling without ever being asked. The tiny establishment filled up quickly, but we were never rushed and I LOVE the servings! It was enough breakfast for Addie to have a bit of each of our plates without needing to order her own dish, and I was full at the end, but not stuffed.
As we walked back to the hotel I wished I’d grabbed one of their shirts! Seriously one of the coolest breakfast joints I’ve ever been to.
San Diego was looking tasting good!
The following day we met up with my parents who had come to San Diego by way of Philadelphia and were still adjusting. We decided to head across the street from Manchester Grand Hyatt to The Headquarters and see what it had in store for us. A beautiful center surrounded by shops and restaurants engulfed us, and as we walked into Pizzeria Mozza, I knew we were in for a treat. Upon ordering our salad, Nancy’s Chopped Salad (as in Nancy Silverton!), I scanned the walls and saw who else comprised the team of Pizzeria Mozza: Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich! I felt like I was in the graces of the food gods! Yum!
With 4 adults and 1 toddler, we ordered (besides Nancy’s delicious Salad), Bruschette of Pane Pomodoro with burrata, speck and pickled ramps, Margherita, and Prosciutto di Parma with rucola, tomato and mozzarella pizzas. It was light but filling, and I loved the location! The menu lends itself to both lunch and dinner, and is the perfect place for group gatherings, too. If you know Joe Bastianich, you know that his wines are nothing but the best. Next time we find ourselves in San Diego, you can be sure that I will not be pregnant and enjoying a few wines from his collection.
San Diego once again wowed us with food!
For dinner we found ourselves back at The Headquarters, but this time at Puesto. Twice.
No joke. We ate dinner there two nights in a row because we couldn’t get enough!
Their award winning tacos, open kitchen and restaurant design, friendly staff, Tuesday night $2 tacos, and their beer selection kept us occupied- and wanting more- ever since we left! The first night (Monday) we were blown away by how good everything was- fresh ingredients were just the beginning. Dave enjoyed Blood Orange Wit by Refuge Brewery so much I tried to have them ship it to him for our anniversary!
We also loved that the location is perfect, and the restaurant is OPEN, literally. There is a huge garage bay door that opens to the outside from the main seating area- where there is more seating! While the establishment is huge, it’s layout is deceivingly cozy and appealing for everyone- from couples to families and large parties.
Puesto is a place where I took a million pictures… mostly because Addie was SO in love with their food, it was hard to not keep snapping away. Of everything we ate besides tacos (which included quite a few starters), I will say the Mexican Street Bowl blew me away. There was spice, sweet, crunch, softness, and it was visually stunning. I wish I had ordered it the first night we were there so I could have gotten it again Tuesday night! All-in-all, Puesto wins our heart for best place we ate in San Diego, no doubt! And on a Tuesday night, you can get two drinks, feed 2 adults and a toddler with tacos and apps, tip well and still spend under $50! That’s one heck of a thing to celebrate… especially in this infamously expensive city!
Where have you been in San Diego that you could rave about?
I have never been to Cali but these pictures make me want to. I love the foodie pic and blogger blurb lol!! I can relate!
Amy D recently posted…The Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor With Flexball Technology #SmoothSummer
Haha. Sometimes I’m just too hungry!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
When we were in SD in April, we ate Mexican 4 out of the 7 nights. The other nights we just let my in-laws take us to some of their favorite local spots.
They just do it right in Cali!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
These restaurants sound awesome. I’l have to visit San Diego just for the food.
Jennifer recently posted…Refreshing Evolution Fresh Juice for Summer #MC
I had forgotten what a foodie city it is!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
My husband travels a lot for works. I shared the link to this post with him and now I’m completely envious of how well he’ll eat on his next trip while I am at home. 😉
Darn him! You need to travel with him!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
It looks like you all had a great time. The food looks great!
Robin recently posted…Coffee Pudding Pie Recipe #IcedDelight
We did and it was!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
The Pesto looks FAB! I visited San Diego once and absolutely loved it. It’s such a beautiful place with so much to offer.
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It really is! I am so glad we got to go!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
YUMMY! I love living just a few hours from San Diego! I’ll have to keep this in mind the next time I visit!
Meagan recently posted…Ice Cream Bar Topping Ideas and Buy 3 Get 1 Free Offer + Giveaway!
JEALOUS!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
Oh my goodness, yummy! That Mexican Street Bowl sounds amazing. I live in San Antonio with a huge Mexican area and have never heard of it. HA! If I ever visit San Diego I will have to check it out.
You have to! I crave it every day- the flavors were just so unique!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
Oh I would love to dine in San diego! I hear there are many places to eat there that are amazing! That Mexican street bowl looks fabulous!
Amber Edwards recently posted…How to use Adwords Keyword Planner Part 1 on how to improve SEO
I would too. I’ve never been.
Marina @ Mommy Snippets recently posted…Putting the fun into learning with School Zone Workbooks
Such a foodie city!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I usually like to travel to a destination for the scenery, but you’re making me want to go to San Diego for the food alone! It sounds incredible!
Liz Mays recently posted…Game On! Denny’s Partners with Atari #DennysDiners
You get the best of both worlds 🙂
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
It looks like you found some fantastic places to eat in San Diego. I’ll have to keep this in mind for my next trip there.
We really did!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
Puesto looks like a great place to eat! I’ll definitely be checking it out if I ever head to San Diego.
I hope you do get to go!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I was in San Diego once and loved it. All of that food looks awesome!!!
kim@theysmell.com recently posted…Healthy Bento lunch ideas for the creatively challenged
I hope we get to go again… just for the food!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
That dessert looks amazing! I think I’d visit San Diego for that alone.
It’s a wonderful city for food!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
Looks like you had a great time! Thanks for the tips.
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Hope you get to go and enjoy some of this wonderful food!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I love checking out new food joints while traveling!! Your food looks great. And agreed the life of a blogger is rough when the food is so amazing you want to dive right into it!
Tammileetips recently posted…Black Cherry Lemonade Boozy Ice Pops
RIGHT?! It’s asking too much, sometimes!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I would love to go to San Diego. I was in California two weeks ago and loved it. I can not wait to go back and explore some more.
I feel the same way!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I have never been to San Diego before. Looks like you had a great time while enjoying delicious food!
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…A Journey You Will Never Forget – The Hundred Foot Journey #100FootJourney
We really did! I hope we get to go back!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I just love San Diego too. I took the kids to the San Diego Zoo a few years ago and stayed in San Diego. I was amazed by all the different places to eat too!
Stefani Tolson recently posted…Mom Voyáge – Globally Inspired For Your New World Of Wonder #MC
Amazing food- AWESOME zoo!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
YUM they all look like great places to eat.
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They really are!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
You found some great places to eat. I love what an amazing time you had there! She is so cute looking at the menu.
Kristin Wheeler (@MamaLuvsBooks) recently posted…Top 5 Things I Loved About Blogger Bash NYC 2014 #BBNYC
She likes to pick things out- I think she chose two beers and a bowl of guacamole. Poor kid wants to eat like her daddy!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
Those tacos do look so good!! I’d probably sneak a bite before pictures, too!
Janel recently posted…3 Ingredient Fruit Leather
I ate a whole taco before I snapped a pic! I blame the pregnancy! 😉
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I have never been to San Diego, but I think I need to go there just for the Mexican Street bowl at Puesto.
Chrishelle Ebner recently posted…NOT SO WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: GUESS WHO TURNED 16?
I would have to agree 😉
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