My daughter and I are spending 3 days there and I have received the following dinner suggestions : George's , Piatti, barbarella, and a seafood restaurant with fish market in the name . Any thoughts?

Definitely George's at the Cove
http://www.georgesatthecove.com/

George's; upstairs, outside on the deck.

Yep, I agree...George's is great!

The Fish Market is probably....the Fish Market! It's a small chain - there are outposts in San Diego, San Mateo, Palo Alto and a couple of others. It's quite good.

The only fish market in La Jolla is called El Pescador (translated to the fisherman). It is not a chain, but actually a small, locally owned fish market and has wonderful food. I highly recommend it.

http://www.elpescadorfishmarket.com/menu.php

I also recommend the following restauants:
1. Casual: The Burger Lounge (kinda an upscale burger fast food - but healthy)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/burger-lounge-la-jolla-2

2. Expensive but excellent food Tapenade (French)
http://www.tapenaderestaurant.com/
It upscale but you don't need to be overly dressed up.

3. Pannikin Cafe for breakfast (a local favorite)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pannikin-cof...d-tea-la-jolla

4. The best coffee in the US (seriously they were just awarded the best micro brewers in the USA!)
http://birdrockcoffeeroasters.com/

sf7307, There is a place called The Fish Market which is a chain and is very good but it is located about 30 minutes south of La Jolla in downtown San Diego on the Embarcadero.

Oh a really fun and nice place for breakfast is The Cottage in La Jolla

http://www.cottagelajolla.com/
It's my favorite but it is always packed and the wait is long so get their early! They do not take reservations.

For B/L/D with a fantastic view of the La Jolla Cove (food is good but not exceptional)
I can recommend
Brockton Villa

http://www.brocktonvilla.com/

Nanabee, I was thinking San Diego, not La Jolla!

Well, not to worry. La Jolla is in the city of San Diego,

There's also a Fish Market outpost on Via de la Valle-I'm never sure if it's Del Mar or Solana Beach.

We like George's (you can also dine at the outdoor level - same kitchen - great view - less expensive) and LOVE Tapenade (check out the cocktail menu - if you want to get bargain) - and also like Whisk'N'ladle.

For Mexican food - two good choices - Alphonsos? and Jose's, both on the main drag/Girard - and go into the Whaler Bar at the La Valencia for some history - and they also have great brunches there - not cheap though. Also - NineTen is it now? - at the other storied hotel is very good. (Geesh - had an office in the village for years but can't remember all of the great places/names).

And for a fun - easy lunch/sandwich - the Girard Gourmet is a treat (love their chicken salad sandwich - and they have great French pastries, and is it The Spot? - the longtime burger/french fry place - also on Girard.

And the top of the La Valancia also has a very nice restaurant - with a great view. Be sure to walk down to the Cove also to check out the small - med style beach.

Also - The Cottage is a locals favorite for Brunch - and Sammy's Pizza is it - if you are up for that. There is also a brewpub down that way.

BTW - La Jolla is about 15 minutes north of downtown SD.

Hey - the village area is pretty compact - so just walk around and pick and choose. Also forgot to mention the great Asian fusion place - Roppongi's, and Manhattan's has a certain charm too. Of course, if it's still there - your daughter might like the Hard Rock Cafe.

And the Fish Markets are a favorite - and downtown - if you want the more upscale/gourmet option - go upstairs to the Top of the Market. And if you go there - you can see the famous Carrier/Museum - Midway - right next to it and the big statute of the famous pic of from San Francico - of the WWII Sailor kissing the Nurse - celebrating the end of the war.. It's also a great view of the bay and across to Coronado (worth a drive over the bridge if you have time) and walking along the SD Embarcadero is fun - and having fish and chips at Anthony's fishette is a blast - sitting outside on the deck appreciating the great view. They also have a very good - more upscale Star of the Sea room next door, and Ruth Chris is across the street.

This page will give you a little better idea about the Embarcadero - and it's Anthony's Grotto - not Fishette (The Fishette was another outlet of the Fish Market I believe).

For a little history - take a tour of the Star of India - one of the famous tea-clipper sailing ships. They were fast.

http://www.foodieview.com/restaurant...go/65080/84648

Tomsd, I also second all your recommendations!!

We love Tapenade - but have never done the cocktail menu. Will have to try that out. The prices are steep but the food is SO good!

We have eaten at the second level at George's but I don't recommend it. The service was very poor. I prefer the upstairs top deck -- for some reason the service is better there. I don't know why.

We live in La Jolla so we love going out to eat - lots of places to chose from.

Down in Bird Rock area of La Jolla, we love Lupi's Italian and Beaumont's both on La Jolla Blvd in the 5500 and 5600 block.

Don't forget to check out Windansea Beach at the end of Nautilus Street. It is beautiful and fun to watch the surfers.

I also recommend as you have mentioned tom, taking the pedestrian ferry on the Embarcadaro over to Coronado. I would then rent a bicycle and tootle around town (the entire island is about a mile wide by a mile - give or take). Or if you have a rental car you can get directions and drive over the Coronado Bridge. The world famous Hotel Del Coronado is worth going downstairs to their museum to see the history of this wonderful hotel.

oh just noticed wordsmith, you mentioned Piatti's. I love that restaurant as well. It is in La Jolla Shores which is about a 5 minute car drive east of the downtown area of La Jolla. The La Jolla Shores is a small little sub community of La Jolla - very cute, beachy area. There are lots and lots of surf, dive, kayak, bike shops where you can sign up for tours of the La Jolla Cove, and do snorkeling trips as well. The La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores are part of a preserve area. The famous Scripps Institute of Oceanography (run in conjunction with Univ of Calif at San Diego) has tours as well.

Anyway, Piatti's is excellent for Italian food.

I should say Scripps has tours of their facility.