There are some little places like you've mentioned at Seaport Village.

For the best Mussel bisque in a puff pastry is at Dobson's across the street..one of the best ever!
I like the Fish Market oyster bar for great fresh fish/chowder/steamers/fish tacos..bayfront next to Seaport Village.
Bertrand's is great and what a view..
Love creme brulee and its usually everywhere in SD..
Take the water taxi to Coronado..
Have drinks at the Del and some of the best fish tacos at the Brigantine for the Seafood Happy Hour, across from the Del..
Have fun!

thefishmarket.com
gaslamp.org
brigantine.com
sdhe.com

Totally agree about Dobson's. It's very small, but it's where averybody who's anybody in San Diego goes at some time or another.

Dobson's looks great. Also have noted Salvatores, Cafe Chloe, and Athen's Market--any thoughts on those?

It's definitely not a bistro/cafe place, but the Chicken Pie Shop is a San Diego institution and it's "good food, not fancy." It's an old-school diner with (relatively) old-school prices. The meal you order (you gotta get the chicken pie dinner!) comes with everything, including pie for dessert, and you'll pay about $8 for it.
2633 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA • 92104 (619) 295-0156
A few things to know before you go: 1. They are cash-only. 2. You're better off going for lunch; they close early.
Here's a synopsis, but this post is from 2005. http://sandiegoeats.blogspot.com/2005/05/san-diego-chicken-pie-shop.html
I think their hours have changed, and their prices have gone up from $5.25. But not much.

I was going to recommend Cafe Chloe as fitting the bill for your request. The place is small, the tables are close togeather, and it is becoming a "people watching" place, but my husband and I like it for the type of experience you have described.

A person who is very knowledgeable about San Diego's food scene especially downtown is Terryl Gavre. First she writes a food column in San Diego Metropolitan Magazine. The website is sandiegometro.com. She reviews a lot of San Diego restaurants so i would check her monthly columns.

She also is a great cook and has a downtown place called Cafe 222 (see www.cafe222.com) that I highly recommend for breakfast. She also has a new place called Market that is a knockout for food. However it is in DelMar.

Another place for breakfast downtown is JSix in the solemar hotel at J and 6th Ave. There is also a place at Island and 13th street which I think is called Island Cafe. I really enjoy the breakfasts theree.

Here are some more suggestions:

Currant-new restaurant at Sofia Hotel downtown. check out their menu at www.currantrestaurant.com You will see the creme brulee. My friend really liked it.

Red Pearl Kitchen
Cheese Shop for lunch on 4th avenue.
Bread on Market-get the BLT to die for.
Opera Patisserie-love the sandwiches
PappaLecco at State and Cedar
Saladstyle in the East Village

Bite by Chris Walsh-always loved his California Cuisine
The Extraordinarry Desserts located downtown-larger menu than Hillcrest and more food offered.

Urban Kitchen downtown also known as Basic Bar.

The Guild is getting fabulous reviews. It is in Barrio Logan about 15 minutes from downtown.
Another place that people are enjoying is Jaynes Gastropub in Normal Hieghts (about 10-15 drive from downtown). Website is jaynesgastropub.com

The places around Coronado ferry are not the best San Diego has to offer. I enjoy Peohe's especially the view, but I don't think you can get out for under $50. Il Fornaio is part of a chain and my last time there was not great. If you go a few more blocks down Orange, you will run into Coronado Brewing Company. I like the burgers there. I agree the Brigatine further down Orange Ave near the Del has great fish tacos. They also have a sister restaurant across the street called "Miguel's Cocina" which I highly recommend. They have this cheese sauce that is to die for.


Finally and for the rest of the San Diego foodies, I came across two websites which I highly recommend:

1.alicqfoodie.blogspot.com-fabulous San Diego food blog and she knows her stuff

2. foodieview.com-run by Howie from my Cooking light supper club-lots of info and very dedicated guy.

Well I hope I didn't overwhelm you with all the info. Last week my kids wanted to try some new places so we wondered around downtown and had a little bit of everything at many of these places
You will enjoy Betrands at Mister A's. If you are at the Westgate on a friday night, check out the seafood buffet. I highly recommend it.

Thanks itsv! I love to have choices! Glad Ex. Desserts is downtown now--I had looked wistfully at the menu from the other location, wishing it was closer. If we miss Happy Hour at the Brigantine, should we eat there anyway, or go to Miguel's or somewhere else?