In preparation for the upcoming Tiki Oasis, and with the help of The Jab and while under the influence of Mr. Smiley, I'm starting a list of San Diego area Restaurants & Bars. Feel free to add your own favorites:
Imperial House: 505 Kalmia St., SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 234-3525 Website: http://www.imperialhouse.net/
After 3 & a half decades of service this is one of San Diego's last bastions of Traditional Continental Cuisine. They're famous for their Old World service, classic dishes (such as Imperial Pepper Steak, the Fresh Seafood Platter, Mock Turtle Soup a l'Anglaise, and Rack of Lamb), and tableside flambés for classic dishes like Steak Diane & Cherries Jubilee. Or you can sink back in one of their red leather chairs in the Lounge & listen to the piano player.
Bully's East: 2401 Camino Del Rio S., SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 291-2665 Website: http://www.bullyssandiego.com/
From it's beautiful dark wood barback, to it's Prime Rib, to it's Seafood and Surf & Turf combos, this location's been a San Diego institution for about as long as the Imperial House. There's also a Bully's del Mar (1404 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, Ca. Phone: (858) 755-1660), and a Bully's La Jolla (5755 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla, Ca. Phone: (858) 459-0663) with much the same menu if you are in their neighborhoods.
Red Fox Room: 2223 El Cajon Blvd., SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 297-1313
In the Lafayette/Inn Suites Hotel. This is one of The Jabs favorite San Diego Piano Bars, I haven't been there, but I believe the menu's supposed to be of the solid Steak & Baked Potato style, and the drinks are strong & inexpensive.
Albie's Beef Inn: 1201 Hotel Cir S (at the Travelodge), SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 291-1103
More classic dark wood & red leather, and in business for 40+ years! You might come for the Steak, you might come for the double well drink happy hour, heck you might come for the gilt framed nudes on the walls, but do stay for the Piano Bar.
Hernandez Hideaway: 19320 Lake Dr., Escondito, Ca. Phone: (760) 746-1444
There's nothing fancy at this funky old roadhouse on the outer reaches of Escondido, just plenty of filling Mexican home-style cooking at easy-to-swallow prices, and Albert Hernandez' signature Margarita.
Cask 'n Cleaver Steakhouse: 3757 S Mission Road, Fallbrook, Ca. Phone: (760) 728-2818 Website: http://www.caskncleaver.com/index.htm
Mmmm, deep fried Avocado tempura! Add well aged Steaks, strong drinks, music acts on weekends, and an Old West theme... did I mention the deep fried Avocados?
Bali Hai: 2230 Shelter Island Dr, SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 222-1181 Website: http://www.balihairestaurant.com/
"Bali Ha'i may call you/Any night, any day/In your heart, you'll hear it call you:/ 'Come away...Come away.'" 'Nuff said!
Islands Restaurant, and Sushi & PuPu Bar: 2270 Hotel Circle N. (in the Red Lion Hanalei Hotel), SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 297-1101 Website: http://www.islandssushi.com/
Located in the Red Lion Hanalei Hotel, this is the last place in Mission Valley to enjoy a fine meal in a tikified setting. You can either eat in the Islands restaurant or in Islands Sushi and Pupu Bar. The Island's restaurant has kept more of the Mid-Century feel the hotel had in years past, and many of it's tikis came from Steve Crane's Luau in LA! It's not very tiki in the Sushi Bar, but you are right next to the restauran,t and the prices are cheaper. While you're there, please check out the tikis on the grounds of the Hotel.
**Hob Nob Hill **: 2271 First Ave., Sd, Ca. Phone: (619) 239-8176
Homestyle Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner served since 1944. Waitresses in uniforms with aprons freshen your coffee when you need it while serving you Waffles, Omlettes & Pancakes, Chicken & Dumplings, Turkey Croquettes, Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes, and all breads & muffins are baked on the premises. What's not to like?
Chicken Pie Diner: 14727 Pomerado Road, Poway, Ca. Phone: (858) 748-2445 Website: http://www.chickenpiediner.com/
If you remember the classic '50s Diner, or if you want to, this place's menu is swell: Yankee Pot Roast, Hula Burgers, Mac & Cheese (with real cheese!), Meatloaf ("like Mom used to make, but better!"), or regional favorites like Georgia-style Slaw Dogs, Philly Cheese Steaks, & Buffalo Wings, plus real hand dipped shakes & malts, big enough for 2, and flavored Pepsi (chocolate, vanilla & cherry).
Rudford's: 2900 El Cajon Boulevard, SD, Ca. Phone (619) 282-8423
Fries & a Coke, 24 Hours a Day, and it's not Denny's!
Turf Supper Club: 1116 25th St., SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 234-6363
You cook your own Steaks, Chops & Kabobs on the central comunal grill while listening to the piano players (Sundays from 7-Mid.) or playing something nice from the Sinatra stocked juke box. The drinks are strong, the dance floor tiny, and there's open flames in the middle of the room, what's not to like?
Islands Burgers: 8 locations around San Diego, check the Website for locations: http://www.islandsrestaurants.com/
The decor is big on surfboards and tiki touches, the bar has a thatched-hut roof and the atmosphere just screams out for drink made with rum and pineapple juice (not that you want your drinks made with them, that's just the feel of the place). More Parrothead Chic than Tiki, but you'll find a couple in some of the locations.
Pacific Shores: 4927 Newport Ave., SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 223-7549
"Walking into this small, dim bar is like stepping into a giant underwater aquarium -- filled with extremely hip fish." An underwater mural faces a long, curving bar with comfortable swiveling stools and lit by dark blue neon while '40s & '50s standards play on the jukebox. If you tend toward pick-up lines, leave the horoscope ones at home. Here, baby, everyone is a Pisces.
The Lamplighter: 817 W. Washington, SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 298-3624
A classic old style tavern, full of regulars who are full of booze, updated with a Karaoke machine. You can get loaded & sing "Son of a Son of a Sailor." Not that I would, but you could if you like, and I mean thaty in the best possible way. :wink:
Lancer's Cocktail Lounge: 4671 Park Blvd., SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 298-5382
Stop in at this tavern and you can sit at the long padded bar, play pool, or relax in one of it's couchettes. Little has changed in here since it's opened back in the '60s except some of the records have worn out in the jukebox & been replaced and the smokers now have to go outside.
Nunu's Cocktail Lounge: 3537 Fifth Ave., SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 295-2878
Looking like something the Rat Pack dragged in is a good thing here. The barstools could hold up Jackie Gleason at his booziest, the round booths lining the walls are made of button-riveted, industrial-strength naugahyde, and the fireplace looks like it belongs in an Old School Tahoe Snow Bunny lodge.
The Whistle Stop: 2236 Fern St., SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 284-6784
With a good selection of Beer & Cider on tap, a train station theme, an indoor smoking area, and dogs always are welcome, what more do you need? How about Kick the Reverb and his band like to play there? That's good enough for me.
Hong Kong Nite Club:1030 Broadway, SD, Ca. Phone: (619) 239-4798
A classic Dive Bar that is not only not a Night Club, it has nothing to do with Hong Kong! With 2 Pool tables, cheap drinks, and a jukebox that runs the gamut from Led Zeppelin to Patsy Cline, this is a good place to start or finish a night of bar hopping.
Joor Muffler Man:302 E Valley Pkwy, Escondido, Ca. Phone: (760)746-1877
Not that you need a new muffler, but this's a classic piece of roadside Americana.
Rev. Dr. Frederick J. Freelance, Ph.D., D.F.S
[ Edited by: freddiefreelance 2006-01-23 11:57 ]
