TahitiTams

What I don't understand is for a few days this person is going to be running all around SD county with a few days and no time for cooking.

Pt Loma has great fish but the prices are very pricey..us locals eat there but rarely buy our fish there.

Heavens

TT, where do you buy your fish for the best prices. It can't be Whole Foods.

I like Point Loma because it is so fresh and the guys behind the counter are very helpful. They'll wrap it up for us on ice to make the two hour drive home and we eat that night. Can't beat it.

But if I can get that quality and selection of fish for cheaper would love to know about it...

Not sure why Whole Foods would not be considered "gourmet" when it has a huge selection of very fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and already prepared foods. We love their prepared foods counter and the samples. And their sushi is wonderful. Maybe "gourmet" has a different meaning for me...

1JAR

..speaking for myself..this local buys ALL of her fish at Pt Loma Seafoods.
I'd rather pay more and know everytime I get quality for the money...
BTW, the local Chefs recommend we locals buy at PT Loma Seafoods too...

TahitiTams

Hi Heavens..
I buy my fish at a variety of different places..love Costco for the stuffed salmon, sockeye, ahi and the seafood road show..
El Pescador in LJ has wonderful fresh fish along with some of the best fish sandwiches anywhere in SD..
If in Del Mar, I do like the Fish Market.. and sometimes, I go to Point Loma Seafoods..don't get me wrong, I do love their fish and have known the Christianson's for many years and big supporters of them but you know how it can be trying to get in and out of there in a timely manner..
Love their smoked fish which they do an incredible job on smoking the fish.

elpescadorfishmarket.com

L84SKY

There's a Jimbos in Del Mar, right off the 5 on Del Mar Heights Rd, towards the east. If you want to get something on the way down. Great organic produce, all natural meat.

O.B People's is a SD institution for organic and natural foods.

Siesel's is still very good and not far away from downtown.

"Your standards are very high if Whole Foods is not good enough"
Too much of the produce at Whole Foods isn't organic but they charge organic prices for commercial produce.

Heavens

TT, thanks for the link. Will have to check that one out.

I get you about the traffic at PL seafoods. And yes, their smoked fish is the best. And I don't even like it that much, but I like theirs. They have an attendant at the parking lot at busy times to help you find a place. Takes a while, but so worth it. Man, I would love a crab salad sandwich on sour dough right now...

nanabee

Yes, many restaurants by directly from Pt.Loma Seafood. But many of the better restaurants, such as Zenbu's in La Jolla which has the best sushi, buy directly from El Pescador too.
I would perfer to buy seafood from Pt. Loma seafood or El Pescador rather than Whole Foods which probably buys from them as well.

nanabee

one quick questions - does anyone know about a market that sells to wholesalers and retail too. i think it is in the Morena district?

TahitiTams

There is Bay Park Fish Co. off morena..
I have not been but friends say its really good, for food and to buy fresh fish.
I know a lot of restaurants in SD buy from Chesapeake Fish Co. next to Seaport Village..

Heavens

nanabee, we ate at Zenbu's last week. It is the best sushi. Their poki is awesome...

nanabee

thanks tahiti - i think that must be the one i was trying to remember.

heaven - zenbu is yummy! also love their seaweed salad, & calamari.

1JAR

nanbe do you mean a wholesale produce market? That would be

Speciality Produce.

They deliver to restaurants, cruise ships etc locally from Morena (San Diego areas) warehouse (you will see their deliery trucks on the road..bright & colorful with produce pictures and name and website on it...

After 1o afternoon they will sell

IN BULK to locals but only for cash and they ask you not to come to the warehouse before 1:00pm so they can servcie their commercial customers..their main purpose.

Check out their website..tells you sale items, what is in stock..and tells you about teh produce item, which restaurants are using teh item..how to prepare it.

I buy wholesale peaches and chantrelle mushrooms. Or buy for big parties...

nanabee

thanks 1JAR i will give them a call.

i hope the OP gets lots of good advice... I know I have and i live here!

1JAR

nanabee..come to the Macy's (Mission Valley Home Store) cooking classes and you will learn alot about San Diego's local purveyors, and nooks and crannies to find "gourmet" good quality food. Secrets the guest chefs share with us locals..

Macy's.com
Click store events

nanabee

thanks 1Jar: will definately check out!
will be busy in Sept. with my job but will get the schedule and look forward to meeting you!

Heavens

And don't forget Great News kitchen shop on Garnet? in Pacific Beach. They have many classes...

http://www.great-news.com/

nanabee

we took a sushi making (beginners) class at great news in pb.
it was a lot of fun, and the teacher was excellent. she owns that wonderful restaurant on india street.

aliced

Henry's, and another gourmet supermarket in Cardiff (north of DelMar & Solana) on the tracks of the PCH 101. But these are north of the city.

itsv

Heavens, thanks for the compliment. Your post is so funny because two nights ago it was too hot in my house to cook so I ran over to Point Loma Seafoods after picking up my son from football practice. Well my son starts saying how much he needs a crab sandwich on sourdough-since he is my plain kid, I didn't event know he liked them. We barely get to the car (we were taking it home since my daughter wasn't with us) and the kid inhales the sandwich. I just sat in awe.

I totally agree about Bread on Market's BLT. I always get the special-half a BLT (to me its the same size as a regular sandwich) and half a field greens salad-field greens, cranberries, goat cheese coated in walnuts and candied walnuts with a balsamic dressing-all for $7.25. I take that tothe Padre game and I am a happy camper.

TahitTams, thanks for the seafood source. Daughter starts back to school today at the top of Mt. Soledad so I can go there when I pick her up.

Nanbee-the food scene in San Diego is improving a lot with the small specialty markets. I would drive a little around downtown, Little Italy and Hillcrest. North Park and Golden Hill are getting some good places too, I just can't recall their names right now.

There is another cheese store on University-I think it is Artisan cheeses that my friends like. Plus I saw today at Vennissimo that they are opening up a new store in Del Mar.

If you are going to Point Loma Seafoods, on Rosecrans (around Talbot street) is a bread place my point loma friends love.

Specialty Produce is a great place. Lots of unusual stuff and the guys who own it are great.

When I worked at Waters Fine Foods to Go, we bought our produce at either Specialty or Chinos, we got our meats on Hamiliton Meats on morena blvd. I know Phil's BBQ gets his meats there, I just don't know if Mick Hamiliton sells to the public. I'll check and report back. By the way, LA90004, if you don't want to cook, but want to eat at home, go to Waters. They have great take-out entrees and side dishes.

Heavens

Itsy, I have to split those sandwiches too. At both Pt. Loma and Bread on Market. They are huge. I love the tarter sauce they put on the crab salad one.

Where is Waters Fine Foods togo? I have never heard of this place.

WOW, looks like we have a good San Diego posse on the board. Since my OD just moved there, might be posting a few other questions to you all, if you don't mind.

Thanks. Great info here, thanks, LA90004 for posting...