Bikers love to eat. Whether it’s a convenient excuse to pull over, take a break and eat a burger, or a matter of much needed fuel to keep our senses sharp, motorcyclists often find themselves bellying up to the dinner table. And for motorcycling’s hungriest segment, Baby Boomers, dining has become a destination.
It’s puzzling, considering a biker’s biggest road expense next to accommodations, why more editorial attention isn’t paid to where to eat. Not so here, where we know the importance of a tasty meal.
San Diego offers excellent dining diversity, dishing up everything from sumptuous seafood and gourmet steaks to tasty turkey burgers and homemade fries. Go ahead and take a big bite:
The FleetWood
A rousing base camp for Comic Con or pre- and post-San Diego Padre tousles, the FleetWood is a quirky mix of sport bar (quantity discount on HD TVs?) and fine dining. From ping-pong to bottle service, this venue has something for almost anyone.
Executive Chef, Mark Bolton oversees the American cuisine offerings. We experienced elegantly presented and tasty dishes and cocktails. The Chili Brown Sugar Ribeye with House-Made Tater Tots, Peppercorn Sauce, with Green Beans ($29) was a standout; Crème Brulee ($6) the perfect finish.
Their website is worth the visit for the many menus, entertainment, and the photo galleries of San Diego’s beautiful urbanites. Stake your claim on the exterior patio for premium people watching.
www.thefleetwood.com
639 J Street
San Diego, CA
619/702.7700
The Fish Market Restaurant
Whether you consider yourself a grazer or a three-square meals type, you will love this seafood. The menu adjusts daily with seasonality and availability so consult their website for the latest offerings.
The Fish Market serves it up just-caught fresh, courtesy of their own fisheries. Everything from both kinds of chowders to bounties of shellfish and fish filets, sushi and sashimi tempt. Salads, pastas, side dishes, burgers, and steaks round out the fare.
The Del Mar/Solana Beach location, across from the horse track, is ideal for the thoroughbred racing season. The San Diego waterfront venue on Harbor Drive (pop some quarters in your saddlebags for the meters), in the shadow of the retired USS Midway, is the chain’s flagship eatery. Quality service, atmosphere, and cuisine are standard.
www.thefishmarket.com
(multiple locations)
640 Via De La Valle
Solana Beach, CA 92075
858/755.2277
750 N. Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
619/232.3474
Burger Lounge
If this privately held company ever goes public, I’ll be first in line for the I.P.O. Rarely does one see such a winning business model in action. Burgers of all stripes, healthy grass fed beef, luscious turkey, quinoa, and salmon are masterfully prepared and accessorized with farm-fresh fixings, then nestled in fluffy buns.
Chicken tenders, glorious salads, fresh cut fries, and onion rings are all presented in a memorably tasty form. Forever etched on your brain, you’ll pine for these savory flavors like a rock star for a supermodel. The Coronado location is one of those fine Sunday putt spots, near the beach and away from the hustle and bustle of the inner city. Sit outside and watch the upper middle class walk by.
Snazzy digs in multiple San Diego County locations, stylish presentations, amiable staffers, caring philosophy and palate thrilling grub contribute to the undeniable “wow” factor. Consult the web site for a SoCal spot when you visit.
www.burgerlounge.com
La Jolla, Hillcrest, Kensington, Little Italy, Gaslamp/San Diego, Coronado.
Café 1134
This charming Coronado mainstay will give you a sense of the local, relaxed vibe. Friendly faces greet you from behind the bar, serving up coffee, teas, espresso, wine and beer, pastries, and bistro fare. Dine in their interior main floor and loft areas, or al fresco. The café also offers a nice vantage point ideal for eyeing the meandering tourists, usually headed for the historic Hotel del Coronado nearby.
Start your day with tasty, filling tempters, such as egg burritos, scramblers, or omelets, bagels, waffles, muffins, and other such comfort fare. For later in the day, foccacia paninis, wraps, pitas, salads, and sandwiches are served. Reading materials and free internet access can keep you occupied between sips of joe; otherwise, 1134 lends itself to socializing.
www.cafe1134.net
1134 Orange Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118
619/437.1134
Sally’s Seafood on the Water
(at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego)
Chef de Cuisine, Sarah Linkenheil, and Sushi Master “Kaz” Kim have made this one of San Diego’s finest destination restaurants. The waterfront view is ideal for a menu appropriately heavy on seafood. Steak, lamb and chicken are hearty options.
Although quite elegant, this restaurant is clearly family friendly, and offers tantalizing lunch and dinner menus; breakfasts on the weekends. The outstanding cuisine brings in the locals and tourists alike. The resort is fortuitously placed between the San Diego Convention Center (Comic Con central!) and the popular Seaport Village. Sally’s offers three-hour validated parking, a nice little savings of about 25 bucks.
Every bite of sushi & sashimi was the height of freshness and beauty. We were equally pleased with the Half Maine Lobster Paella ($36) and the Chili Crusted Maine Diver Scallops ($31). You’ll be missing out if you don’t try their incredible dessert. The lemon mousse cake was so good I had to duel my partner for it. Who says spoons aren’t lethal weapons?
www.sallyssandiego.com
www.manchestergrand.hyatt.com
One Market Pl.
San Diego, CA 92101
619/232.1234; 619/358.6740
Bice Ristorante
It’s always a good sign when there’s a bunch of bikes parked out front, right? Come to find out, motorcycle enthusiasts not only frequent Bice, but many of the staffers are bikers. Our gregarious server, “Teddy,” was one such Harley rider.
This joint lends itself to impressing a date, with its swanky décor, extensive wine library, and accolades that make the chef’s momma proud. A nod is given to the local and seasonal ingredients, and the bartenders are at the ready, muddler in hand, to make a specialty cocktail.
Elegantly presented pastas and seafood dominate the menu. Scrumptious desserts make this eatery a special spot to pause after strolling the Gaslamp Quarter. Just need a nibble? Check out their Cheese Bar. Vino, please!
www.bicesandiego.com
425 Island Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619/239.2423
JSix Restaurant
(at the Hotel Solamar)
This highly pervasive trend to serve “sustainable” and “sincere” food could make JSix its poster-child. Chef Christian Graves puts his own thoughtful spin on what has also been called, “conscious, coastal cuisine.” The idea is to save the Earth by growing locally, dishing up organically, and adjusting menus to suit.
Edible borage flowers dotted my salad of organics and cheese, a feast more for the eyes than the palate. Various meals are offered, but as the sun sets, this place and its floral relief ceilings glow in ethereal light, creating a romantic ambience well-suited for the dating or wannabe dating crowd.
The restaurant’s distinctive cocktails use basil and other herbs from JSix’s rooftop gardens, and an assortment of palate awakening stimulants. If indulging or getting lucky, the plush Hotel Solamar’s check-in is just steps away, or you can catch the nearby trolley.
Grass-fed meats, sustainable sea offerings, and house-cured charcuterie are high points on the eclectic menu. Reservations are suggested, especially on the peak Comic Con nights. It’s just the spot for eyeing the movers and shakers of the gaming, animation, and entertainment scene.
www.jsixrestaurant.com
www.hotelsolamar.com
616 J St.
San Diego, CA 92101
619/531.8744
House of Blues San Diego
Praise Jesus and pass the biscuits and gravy. If you want some of that good old-fashioned religion served up with your southern fried chicken and shoofly pie, the House of Blues’ popular Gospel Brunch will satisfy your appetite and feed your soul.
Follow the aroma of hot cornbread muffins to the buffet and dish up all you can eat of pecan caramel sticky buns, cheese-filled tortellini salad with smoked salmon, Caesar salad, hickory smoked bacon and sausage links, homemade biscuits and gravy, potatoes with sautéed onions and peppers, homemade waffles, custom-made omelet’s, southern fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, Creole chicken and shrimp jambalaya, carved smoked turkey and prime rib, white chocolate walnut brownies, fruit cobbler and white chocolate banana bread pudding.
The hearty, southern fare gives you the energy for what’s next: a rousing, bible thumping, old-timey dose of singing, dancing and preaching. Even the hardcore biker pagans in the audience were moved to whooping and hollering and praising. The minister almost had even me converted, until he told us how small his earthly problems appeared small while looking at the vast ocean from his multimillion dollar La Jolla beachfront home.
www.houseofblues.com
1055 Fifth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619/299.2583
Brigantine Seafood Restaurant
I’m putting the spotlight on their Coronado and Del Mar locations, due to the Comic Con and Opening Day at the races coverage. I do recommend you peruse the Brig’s website, as under their corporate umbrella they have many noteworthy venues, around San Diego County.
I can’t think of a better place to start the festive Del Mar Racetrack Opening Day pre-racing party than the Brigantine, which overlooks the horse track. Ladies dressed in the sexiest finery, peek from beneath alluring hats, Bloody Marys in hand. The vibe is convivial and offers to share appetizers frequent. Some patrons can’t pull themselves away, and just never make it to the track.
Its sister restaurant in Coronado has a loyal local following. Among our favorites are the Crab-stuffed Shrimp ($24), wrapped in bacon and broiled; the New England Style Clam Chowder ($4.50 a cup); and Classic Fish Tacos ($9.50). There are at least 19 appetizers that are great to mix and match.
www.brigantine.com
(multiple locations)
1333 Orange Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118
619/435.4166
3263 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
858/481.1166
Miguel’s Cocina
After tossing the luggage into my Coronado hotel room, I made my way to Miguel’s. Nothing says a vacation has commenced like a margarita and chips n’ salsa. Tucked away in an alcove within the El Cordova Hotel complex, this haunt is a favorite in the neighborhood, and topping the Mexican-style chow lists for many a concierge.
The ambiance lulls you into thinking you’re actually in Mexico, which is after all just a few more miles to the south. The al fresco dining area is usually the most popular seating option, but the interior is comfortable and colorful, as well.
The establishment is known for their specialty “White Jalapeno Sauce,” soon to come to a store near you, I hear. Both Miguel’s and affiliate, Brigantine, accentuate some of their dishes with the sauce directly, or as a dipping condiment. I order the tacos whenever in town.
www.brigantine.com (for Miguel’s)
1351 Orange Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118
619/437.4237
