Greetings,

Usually I try to give advice on San Diego, having lived there for a large portion of my life -and now living in Orange County still going down often.

I am headed there this weekend - Thursday - Sunday. My Mom is in town for a convention and we are going to visit her.

She is staying at the Hyatt Manchester and I am staying at the Westin downtown (points so that is not a choice).

Sat. we would like to go to dinner around 5:30 pm or so - I need to make reservations for a larger party of 9 or 10. The price point is mid-range - about 20.00 pp not including any wine.

Many of the restaurants downtown are small - and can feel crowded for that larger of a party.

We are open to cuisine - but would rather have something fun then stuffy per say.

Open to suggestions - I need to get on the reservations.

I hope you're not already too late!

How about:

Buster's Beach House in Seaport Village

http://www.bustersbeachhouse.com/htm...dframeset.html

or Buca di Beppo on 6th Avenue

or Tom Ham's Lighthouse on Harbor Island?

I have fallen in love with this place over the last few months...the name is misleading so please don't judge a book by it's cover

http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/resta.../gaslampsteak/

It's called the Strip Club and their menu consists of great steaks which you BBQ yourself. It's a great place to bring a big group and have fun! Not stuffy at all, but really nice atmosphere inside.

Just a suggestion

Hill
www.edufire.com

Well you picked the worst day to have a party but maybe with you all eating early will help.
$20 pp in the Gaslamp is almost impossible since most will be a special menu for Valentines but here is some suggestions for you MomDD..keep us posted.

Fillipi's in Little Italy.
Buca de Beppo Gaslamp
Basic (best thin crust pizza)
Pizza Nova
Tender Greens
Brigantine..bar only in Pt Loma

The Better Half..Hillcrest

(they have a 3 course meal for $15 pp everyday 5-7pm called the blue plate special and $5 corkage fee for bringing in your own bottle..this is the best deal in SD!)

www.thebetterhalfbistro.com

I know..I am late. With moving last week time got away from me. I am usually on the ball with this stuff. Mom wants the fishmarket (down stairs) I was able to get us in at 5:00 pm only. Which is fine. My stepson and his date are taking the last train back to Orange County at 8:00 pm.

I might call Buca di Beppo they are good for large parties if my memory serves me correctly.

I know 20.00 is cheap.. I was thinking since two of the 10 are young - my dd is almost 12 and my grandaughter is just 1.5 so it will average out. That is not for desert ect. but just the main course.

have you all eaten at the Fish Market downstairs?
Love this place for the sushi, o-bar, Top of the Market and the outside deck but the downstairs restaurant is just awful..hey, if Mom wants to eat there and you got a 5pm reservation..how great is that!
Tin Fish next to Petco has some great fish tacos and you sit outside and has a lot of fish options..very casual and its across from your hotel..maybe for lunch.
Omni Hotel has the best Happy Hour at the McCormicks & Schmicks..super cheap and good.

www.thetinfish.net

Keep in mind that there's a good chance it will be raining and cold.

Keep in mind that there's a good chance it will be raining and cold.

I love Buca's garlic bread!

Damn, I did it again!

rain? boo-hooo...I was thinking of a trip to the zoo with DIL and Grandbaby...

I do not recall fondly Fishmarket and neither did dh when he and I talked about it. Very blah food...I will call and see if I can get in someplace else...

I am looking forward to the weekend away. It has been a ball of stress here moving and stuff. Thursday night it is just dd and I - she has no school on Friday - and we are going to see a friend in a play in Coranado. Friday is open - dh will take the train down to meet us on Friday. Sat. is wide open. If it rains I will be bummed.

hit the brigantine in Coronado for the seafood happy hour everyday..best fish tacos for $3 and chowder and marg's and the kids are allowed..across from the Del..

Oceanaire in the Gaslamp if you can get the happy hour on Saturday..best seafood!

Google both..
Have fun Dawn!

ksucat - thank you for the information. I will report back on where we end up eating over the weekend.

Ksucat - just wanted to let you know we ended up at the Brig last night. It was very close to the theater we were going to - and the food/drinks were very good.

Had lunch today at Horton Plaza at the Panda Inn (not Panda Express LOL) and it was GREAT. A friend and her son meet dd and I.

Dd said Horton Plaza reminded her of the movie "horton hears a who" cute.

The hotel is okay. Friendly staff - good location - very close to the train station so nice for dh this evening headed down from Orange County on the train.

Will let you know how dinner turns out!

Great Dawn..hope you did the happy hour with the fab fish tacos for $3 and the brig marg's and chowder..
saves a lot of money and the food is good!
Keep me posted on your Fish Market meal downstairs..
Have fun with your family in rainy SD!

I like the Brigantine in Coronado too. MomDDTravel you probably went to the Lamb's Players Theater!

ksucat-
My hubby and I spend a lot of time in Hillcrest but the Better Half is new to me. The web site looks great, we will definately try it out.

Happy Valentines day from Sunny San Diego... Last night had dinner with Mom and Stepdad at Sally's by the Hyatt --- it was okay. Dh took the train down - and we watched a movie in the room - it did rain last night.

This morning we took a nice walk over to 222 Cafe which we have enjoyed in the past.

DIL is on her way down and we are going to walk around Seaport village and then have dinner at 5:00.

Where did you decide to have dinner?

MomDDTravel
You might want to take the passenger ferry from the Embarcadero over to Coronado. You can stoll up Orange Ave or rent (at the little shopping mall on the bay) a 4 person bike with cover and bike up to 10th & Orange to Tent City (one of my favorite places for lunch). Then walk over to the beach.
I grew up in Coronado and it's still my favorite place to spend a great day.
(BTW, when we were kids we thought it was the most boring place in the world to be "stuck." And now I wish I had never left!!)

Happy Valentines day! We ate at Bucca Di beppo - perfect call Barbara. It was wonderful. Thank you so much for your help. I would not have thought of it.

We had a wonderful day. I had actually thought to take the ferry over but we never did.

We went to Seaport Village and took Granddaughter on the merry go round (a few times) Mom treated us to a carriage ride (would not recommend - just went around parking lot but Granddaughter loved it), and then walked over to the Children's muesum. Granddaughter again loved it. Brought back sweet memories.. I brought my children there long ago.

It was not rainy thankfully. We headed back to the hotel - and went over to dinner. Waited just a few minutes and had a fun, lively, good food honestly, and great service. Usually on V day it is not great but all was wonderful. The company was the best Missed my son thought He had to work today. DIL headed out around 6:45 to pick him up after work - and we walked back to the train station for stepson and his girlfriend.

It was a great weekend in San Diego. What a great downtown and city. I always remember why I love it here so much when I come "home" (still feels like coming home 11 years later since moving to Orange County).

The Westin on Broadway is nice. Really friendly service, rooms are nice - we had a cash/points stay so it is 60.00 a night - unfortunately the valet is almost as much - (not really but close at 32.00 a night).

We are watching Twilight and calling it a night .

Thanks again!!!

I'm glad everything worked out well for you Dawn, especially the weather!

Dawn, glad you had a great weekend in San Diego. Sounds like you had some very special times with your family. You deserved a get away. Have a good week.