Guest Favorites
Ever wonder where the movers and shakers of America’s Finest City spend their free time? Maybe they frequent the same coffee shop as you. Maybe they’re shopping at a boutique you’ve never heard of. One thing’s for sure, they didn’t get where they are by sitting at home. The following list of San Diego favorites was compiled by the people who make the county their business. Enjoy. — Alicia Garcia

Maria Hunt — Food & Wine Writer, Journalist
Hunt might be best known for her popular food reviews that once graced the pages of the San Diego Union Tribune, but her articles on everything from politics to the arts have appeared in many publications including the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune. She’s a founding member of the San Diego chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, and has received numerous accolades for her work. She’s not afraid to travel the globe to find the best in worldly cuisine, and you can bet if she says something good, foodies will soon line up for it

Best Store For Women’s Apparel: Saks Fifth Avenue/Off Fifth. I think that Saks has the best selection of designers I love like Missoni and Nanette Lepore. And you can’t beat the discounts on designer jewelry and casual wear at Off Fifth.

Best Produce Market: Chino Farm in Rancho Santa Fe. I just get excited driving up because I know a stunning array of the season’s best produce will be displayed there like an artist’s still-life.

Best Place To Lunch: Cafe Chloe in the East Village. I love to sit in the sun in the beautiful chocolate and white room and feel like I’m part of San Diego’s artsy cafe société.

Best Cocktails: Arterra at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar. General manager Tom Mastricola is the best mixologist in San Diego.

Best Day Spa: SK Sanctuary. A friend took me here as a treat and it was really surprising how tranquil and soothing the atmosphere was. The massage was one of the best I’ve ever had in San Diego.

Best Kid’s Shopping: Gymboree at Fashion Valley Mall. They have lots of cute outfits so you can run in and grab an amazing gift in about ten minutes.

Brian Malarkey — Executive Chef, The Oceanaire Seafood Room
The only local chef to win over audiences on Bravo’s Top Chef, Malarkey is the reason the Oceanaire is the go-to place for San Diego seafood. (Just check out the Best Seafood category if you don’t believe us.) Trained at the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Portland (and arguably by his grandmother, a good friend of James Beard), Malarkey’s mouth-watering entrees earned him the title of 2007 Chef Of The Year from the San Diego Restaurant Association.

Best Cocktails: Stingaree — I am a huge fan of EnDev and all of their great entertainment venues, James Brennan is a great friend of mine and I think he’s done so much for San Diego.

Best Gallery: Shorelines Gallery in the Gaslamp — really cool glass pieces for your house, they have a collection of ocean waves that’s very San Diego.

Best Radio Talk Show Host: Mikey from The Mikey Show — They have a great team, they are very entertaining and I love that Mikey loves the restaurant.

Best Hotel: Ivy — The best part about the Ivy is that it’s owned by a local San Diego family. The design is stunning and it’s taken San Diego up several notches.

Best Bartender: Ron Steen of the Oceanaire, he’s a handful, but we love him.

Best Store For Women’s Apparel: Donna Marsh in downtown La Jolla — my wife cannot get enough of the new store, especially the gowns.

Best Local Band: Bill Magee Blues Band- Mike Mitchell, my partner at Oceanaire and general manager, tears it up on the guitar one night and the next night is all cool and collected at the restaurant- like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!

Best Pet Store: Lucky Pet Boutique in the Gaslamp — cool, hip, and fun toys and gear for my dog Porter, a Chocolate Lab, and Stella Blue, a Weimaraner puppy.

Tony Hawk — Legendary Skateboarder, Entrepreneur
The first professional skateboarder to land the 900, Tony Hawk has become a living legend among extreme sports fans. Aside from being the most impressive skateboarder of all time, Hawk has his hands in several endeavors, including a video game franchise, clothing line, film company, and his own nonprofit foundation that provides skateparks to underprivileged communities.

Best American Food: Market Del Mar. My wife and I were huge fans of Chef Carl when he was at Arterra and backed him when he broke out on his own. His food is the best, hands down.

Best Breakfast/Brunch/Coffee: Pannikin, Encinitas. I eat there at least twice a week. A super steamer and a mocha starts the day right.

Best Japanese Food: Nobu. My wife and I love Matsuhisa in L.A. and it’s the closest thing we get in S.D.

Best Sommelier: Brian at Market. I don’t know anything about wine, but Brian knows exactly how to pair it with whatever I’m eating. I’m like Miles’ friend in Sideways: "When do we drink it?"

Best Toy Store: Geppetto’s. My boys love it so much that we have to sometimes avoid it when walking around at the Forum because it’s like a kid vortex.

Best Extreme Recreation Experience: Wavehouse. A standing wave that provides as much enjoyment to spectators as it does to participants. Avoid learning to ride it on weekend nights though: the bar is right next to it and the peanut gallery can be harsh.

Best Local Band: Sayvinyl. It’s no wonder they were recently chosen to back Trever Keith (Face To Face) in his new solo project. Serious talent.

Chrissy Russo — Fox6 Weather Anchor
Watching Chrissy Russo give the FOX 6 morning weather and traffic reports is a bit like having a cup of coffee — she’s a funny, witty, bundle of energy. An active member of the community who’s involved in many charitable organizations such as Love On A Leash and the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Russo can also be seen and heard on the lifestyle show San Diego Living on Fox6 and the Padres pre-game show Outta Left Field.

Best Italian Food: Anything Busalacchi. Frank and Joe are just like family. Love them.

Best Breakfast: Shades in Ocean Beach._Everything is good — they have this salmon eggs benedict that I truly fantasize about.

Best Happy Hour: Mc P’s in Coronado. And they’re big on designating drivers and taking cabs if you drink too much.

Best Accessories: So Good Jewelry downtown. It’s like a great big explosion of earrings and necklaces or really anything you’d need for anything. And it’s affordable!

Best Hair: Dearinger. I’d follow my hair cutter Daniel off the Coronado Bridge.

Best Wine List: The Vine in Ocean Beach.

Best Gym/Personal Trainer: Padres strength trainer Jim Malone. And for a big, bald, beefy guy from Buffalo, he’s pretty good. I will say, though, he’s pretty mean to me.

Best Weather Anchor: My mom would say me, but I say Natasha Stenbock. She is the poster child for smart and sexy.

Best Radio DJ: Monique and the Man._Monique is a deeply caring and talented woman — not to mention hilarious. Love her.

Best Veterinarian: Dr. Peter Slusser in Kearny Mesa. He treated my dog Petey for cancer. He was smart and caring._He’s a great human being. His personal attention and sensitivity got us through a pretty tough time.

Dave Rickards — Host of Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw, 101KGB
One third of the morning radio team that comprises the Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw show, Rickards has made a name with morning commuters by providing one of the most irreverent and funny radio shows in the county. When they’re not causing people to shoot coffee out of their noses, Rickards and team are giving back to the community through charitable programs such as The Twelve Days of Christmas, and the Grand A Day Giveaway, which help struggling San Diegans get back on their feet.

Best Pet Adoption Organization: Helen Woodward Animal Center — they are a class organization. They took great care of our mare Dellah when she was ill. Love these folks.

Best Public Golf Course: Rancho Bernardo Inn. It has everything — great course, great people, great food.

Best Recreation Experience: Hitting golf balls out of Qualcomm Stadium. I once mentioned how cool it would be to tee up at home plate and hit it out of the stadium. The president of the stadium called me up and asked if I’d be man enough to try it. I warmed up with a couple of 8 irons into center field, and then my second time with a driver, knocked it out into the parking lot.

Best Executive Chef: Martine Venegas at Donovan’s. Donovan’s is the best.

Best Pet Store: Mary’s Tack & Feed. The preeminent store for horse families.

Best Radio DJ: I don’t listen to the radio.

Best Annual Gala: Toby Wells Golf Tournament — a class family, class event, and good cause.

Best Vacation Destination: Pebble Beach — start to finish, heaven on Earth. All golfers should go.

Maggie Bobileff — Owner, Mister B Boutique
Bobileff has spent a lifetime in the men’s fashion industry in Europe, working alongside internationally acclaimed top designers. Several times a year, she travels to fashion shows overseas to import that which cannot be found elsewhere in the states. Her fashionable suggestions will get you compliments — not only because her apparel sells at Neiman Marcus for more than three times the price, but because it’ll makes you look marvelous.

Best Italian Food: Firenze Trattoria. It is very typical Northern Italian food and the restaurant ambience is comfortable and welcoming.

Best Mexican Food: Fidel’s. Very great food and a real family restaurant, loud and casual.

Best French Food: Mille Fleurs and Mister A’s. Special dining, special ambience, and special food.

Best Catering: Vincent’s. Very personal touches, all ingredients are specially chosen for the event.

Best Real Estate Agent/Company: Barry Estates. They know what they are doing, understand what the client needs, and get what you are looking for.

Best Furniture: McNally Company Antiques. Specialists in the highest quality antiques.

Best Home Accessories/Décor: Bella Castilla. Very different and caters to the high-end with affordable prices.

Best Pet Store: Dexter’s Deli. A small store with high-quality pet food that treats every pet as their customer.

Best Maitre D’: Julien Hug. Friendly, handsome, knows what he is doing.