Best Steakhouse:
Donovan’s
(Runner-Up: Ruth’s Chris)
Indulge in that perfect cut of beef at Donovan’s Steak and Chop House, with locations locally in La Jolla and downtown. "From the marbling content to the color and quality, our steaks are USDA Prime not just some of the time, but 100 percent of the time," says general manager of the La Jolla location Steve Josefski. "Plus, since we are a local company, we can keep our finger on the pulse of what’s going on in San Diego." Steaks are always prepared to order to the desired temperature and include choice of potato, fresh vegetable, and hot fresh-baked bread. In addition, the valet parking in La Jolla is free of charge. (858/450-6666, www.donovanssteakhouse.com) — Maria Desiderata Montana


Best Tapas:
Café Sevilla
(Runner-Up: Roppongi)
Downtown’s Café Sevilla is a favored nightlife hotspot, where guests enjoy authentic Spanish and seafood cuisine created by executive chef Christian Vignes. The Tapas Bar offers tasty little dishes and weekly half-price drink specials all night, as well as nightly live flamenco/rumba guitar music. Signature tapas include Paella Valenciana, Lamb Chops Madrilenas, Ceviche, and much more. To kick it up a notch, consider a dinner show, which includes an authentic three-course meal, flamenco show, and dancing in Club Sevilla. (619/233-5979, www.cafesvilla.com) — Jane Shiomi


Best Bakery:
Thyme In The Ranch
(Runner-Up: VG Donuts & Bakery)
Husband and wife owners Dawn and Shane Pursell believe that good, down-home country baking is the secret to their success. "Everything is made from scratch here on the premises," says Shane. "It’s all comfort-style foods that you would envision on your grandmother’s table." Favorites include delicious pies, bread pudding, lemon bars, triple chocolate brownies, cookies, muffins, scones, and specialty cakes topped with butter cream or whipped cream frosting. "The recipes, created by my husband, not only look good, they taste good," says Dawn. "However, the credit goes to our wonderful baker Dominique Demaria, A.K.A. "Bunny" — she goes by that name because when she was a little girl she used to sniff all of her food to get the aroma." (858/759-0747) — Maria Desiderata Montana


Best Breakfast/Brunch/Coffee:
Hash House A Go Go
(Runner-Up: Brockton Villa)
Nostalgic diners rejoice — big breakfast foods made from scratch are back! Your hungry appetite will be truly satisfied in an atmosphere that is a little homey, a little retro, and a lot of good. New fangled all-American breakfast fare includes Griddled Meatloaf and two eggs served with mashed potatoes or Andy’s Sage Fried Chicken with maple reduction, two eggs, bacon mashed potatoes, and biscuit. If you prefer something sugary and decadent, you will love the Granola, Snickers, or Butterscotch Flapjacks or Griddled French Toast dipped in banana cinnamon cream with pecan maple syrup. Quick service is a staple, but even so, the weekend has been known to generate a wait due to this eatery’s popularity. Reservations are recommended. (619/298-4646, www.hashhouseagogo.com) — Maria Desiderata Montana


Best Mexican Food:
Fidel’s
(Runner-Up: Las Olas)
Fidel’s, a winner for the third year in a row with locations in Solana Beach’s Eden Gardens and coastal Carlsbad (Fidel’s Norte), is always bustling with families, surfers, and tourists who crave the Montanez family’s Mexican comfort food. Hearty plates of traditional cuisine, healing bowls of albóndigas soup, piping hot chips, and fantastic margaritas make Fidel’s a surefire winner. (858/755-5292) — Jane Shiomi


Best American:
Nine-Ten
(Runner-Up: Pacific Coast Grill)
Enjoy the perfect combination of sophistication and casual elegance at the romantic and intimate Nine-Ten Restaurant in La Jolla. Executive chef Jason Knibb offers superb ingredients in his evolving California cuisine by selecting the best harvest daily from local artisan farmers with local fish selections arriving daily from Hawaii and the North Pacific and Atlantic regions. "I think the fact that we’re a smaller restaurant allows us to focus on details and simplicity," says Knibb. "I really like to venture out and have a lot of fun by getting creative with new and old ideas, yet staying with the times." (858/964-5400, www.nine-ten.com)
— Maria Desiderata Montana


Best Italian:
Trattoria Acqua
(Runners-Up: Piatti, Firenze, & Trattoria I Trulli)
From the food and wine to the service and ambiance, it’s not a big surprise that Trattoria Acqua steals the show for its superbly crafted Italian fare. "I know this may sound a little corny, but it all has to do with the love and care that chef Damaso Lee puts into his dishes," says manager Richard Smith. "From fresh and organic ingredients to simple and elegant flavors that explode in your mouth, he is the heart and soul of our restaurant." Choose from an extensive selection of homemade pastas, grilled fresh fish, fowl and meats, pizzas, salads, and decadent desserts. (858/454-0709, www.trattoriaacqua.com)
— Maria Desiderata Montana


Most Romantic & Best View:
Bertrand At Mister A’s
(Runner-Up For Most Romantic: The Marine Room, Runner-Up For Best View: Georges)
Choose an evening, grab a special friend, and venture forth to Bertrand at Mister A’s just minutes from downtown. The Modern American cuisine with French and Mediterranean influences is authentic, mannered, and rich, complemented by stunning panoramic views of San Diego Bay, Balboa Park, Coronado, Point Loma, and the world famous San Diego Zoo. An outdoor wraparound balcony with heat lamps is the perfect place for you to toast Champagne with your special someone in front of a beautiful sunset. "From the twinkling lights of our beautiful little city to the planes gliding by overhead, nothing can beat this view," says owner/host Bertrand Hug. "Plus, I think it’s the view that brings the romance!" (619/239-1377, www.bertrandatmisteras.com) — Maria Desiderata Montana


Best Wine List (Tie):
Pamplemousse Grille and The WineSellar & Brasserie
(Runner-Up: Addison)
The wine list at the beautiful Pamplemousse Grille is an accumulation of 11 years in the making with retail wines available for special occasions or just a night at home. "I’m the sickest person out there with the biggest illness for buying wine," says owner and executive chef Jeffrey Strauss. "Our restaurant has over 2,000 different bottles of wine to choose from." (858/792-9090, www.pgrille.com)

\Wine is also serious business at the WineSellar & Brasserie. "With 2,500 different labels for retail, we’re probably as open to the entire world of wine as anyone," says wine director Michael Rohner."We’re always interested in the history of the wines we provide as well as newcomers that are great to work with." (858/450-9557, www.winesellar.com) — Maria Desiderata Montana


Best Seafood:
The Oceanaire Seafood Room
(Runner-Up: Pacifica Del Mar)
"Our ultimate goal at the Oceanaire is to provide guests with absolute excellence in the total dining experience each and every visit, each and every day," says executive chef Brian Malarkey. "I think this consistency is what keeps guests coming back. It’s a great feeling to know before you step into a restaurant that you will have a great experience. I think this, combined with Oceanaire’s commitment to serving ultra-fresh seafood of the highest quality, creative preparations on a menu that changes nightly, and the energy of the restaurant and each staff member’s enthusiasm for providing guests the best-dining experience possible, is the reason readers gave us the honor of being chosen Best Seafood." (619/858-2277, www.theoceanaire.com) — Maria Desiderata Montana

Best Mediterranean:
Aladdin Restaurant
(Runner-Up: Athens Market)
Enjoy an array of fresh, vibrant, and century-old recipes at the Aladdin Restaurant, a Lebanese-owned restaurant in Hillcrest. "Because we are a family-owned restaurant, all our dishes are authentic," says owner Camille Bsaibes. "We prepare everything by hand." Hommos, tabbouleh, and kebah are all dishes that were invented in Lebanon, and here they are recreated using the same ingredients and spices. To fully explore these flavors, order a Meza Platter for the table. Meza is a collection of sauces, spreads, and small dishes meant to be shared. Don’t miss The Wood-Fired Pizza Pies that seem half Italian and half Lebanese. (619/574-1111, www.aladdinsd.com) — Maria Desiderata Montana, photo by Vincent Knakal

Best Asian Food:
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
(Runner-Up: Roppongi)
Sweeping this category for the third year in a row, P.F. Chang’s, with locations locally in La Jolla and Fashion Valley, takes pride in providing guests with consistently outstanding Chinese cuisine, attentive and personal service, and an inviting dining environment at a great value. They recently introduced a new Chinese Grill Menu, which features several new dishes including a Grilled Sichuan Chicken Flatbread, Citrus Soy Wild Salmon, and an Asian Marinated New York Strip Steak. In addition, eight new tempting Mini Desserts include a mini version of their signature Great Wall of Chocolate so guests can indulge in something sweet without the guilt. (www.pfchangs.com) — Jane Shiomi

Best Sushi:
Sushi On The Rock
(Runner-Up: Cafe Japengo)
Metro-style music in a high-energy atmosphere matched with wild and crazy renditions of fresh quality sushi is what you’ll get at Sushi on the Rock, with locations in both La Jolla and The Forum at Carlsbad. "We have a very creative chef staff and we like to communicate with each other," says general manager John Palomo. "The more creative we can get with our presentations, the happier we are." According to Palomo, the most popular item on the menu is the Don Roll with grilled shrimp, asparagus, and crab layered with seared albacore. "The best part of this dish is that it comes with our special Tijuana Sauce; a garlic and cilantro ponzu-based sauce with serrano chiles," he says. (858/456-1138, www.sushiontherock.com) — Maria Desiderata Montana, photo by Vincent Knakal

Best Cocktails:
Ivy Hotel’s Eden and Envy
(Runner-Up: Stingaree)
Eden is Ivy’s expansive rooftop space boasting a sexy and sultry lounge, pool, and sundeck complete with a romantic skyline view of downtown San Diego. Indulge in Eden’s exclusive bottle service complete with your own dedicated cocktail server and savor specialty drinks of your choice including a Stolen Kiss with Ketel One vodka, Cointreau, white cranberry juice, and lime squeeze, or the Ivy Mojito with Montecristo Silver Rum, fresh mint leaves, lime squeeze, Grand Marnier, and a splash of soda. "We only use high-end liquor and fresh ingredients for all of our specialty cocktails," says Quarter Kitchen’s general manager Chris Kasteler. "However, I believe our service and ambiance also plays a major role in our being voted for best cocktails." Don’t leave without stopping by Envy, a multilevel club that will swallow you up in its hidden corners where beds become tables and tables become dance floors. (619/814-2000, www.ivyhotel.com)
— Maria Desiderata Montana

Best Happy Hour:
Roppongi Restaurant And Sushi Bar
(Runner-Up: The Yard House)
Ranch & Coast readers know where to go for happy hour — the Zagat Survey 2008 recently noted that at Roppongi, "best bets are the half-price (yes, half-price) tapas and sushi 4-6pm daily, so order up a storm and share with friends." Try the Rock Shrimp and Fennel Tempura,the Polynesian Crab Stack — or really anything on the menu — you are sure to be pleased. (858/551-5252,
www.roppongiusa.com) — Mia Stefanko

Best Dive Bar:
The Kraken
(Runner-Up: The Spot)
The Kraken in Cardiff has been a regular watering hole for the locals for 32 years. Patrons will tell you the "Krake" is as well known as "the little shack," a kind of drinking man’s bar where everybody knows your name. "From the bands to the stiff drinks and people smoking and playing pool on the patio, this is a great meeting place," says bartender Kelsie Bernstein. "We only serve beer, wine, and cocktails during the week and food is served on the weekends." The clientele varies from businessmen stopping in during the day, bikers on the weekends, heavy-metal fans midweek, blues crooners on Sundays, and local alternative bands throughout the week.
(760/436-6483) — Maria Desiderata Montana

Best Vegetarian Menu:
Ki’s Restaurant
(Runner-Up: Swami’s Café)
It’s no surprise that Ki’s is a repeat winner in this category. You can’t beat the breathtaking ocean view from the upstairs dining room and patio on South Coast Highway 101 in Cardiff. Ki’s offers more than just tasty vegetarian cuisine, though — heath-conscious locals are drawn in by an array of offerings made from high-quality organic fruits, vegetables, grains, eggs, dairy, fresh fish, poultry, and beef. And let’s not forget about that heavenly homemade salad dressing. In addition, Ki’s Catering is available for offsite parties or corporate luncheons. (760/436-5236, www.kisrestaurant.com) — Mia Stefanko

Best French Food:
Mille Fleurs
(Runner-Up: Tapenade)
Chef Martin Woesle dazzles guests with sumptuous French cuisine at the beautiful Mille Fleurs in Rancho Santa Fe. "Our daily changing menu focuses on an International cuisine with a European flair," says Woesle. "Highlighted with local and seasonal ingredients, everything is fresh and the food is consistent day in and day out." Traditional French favorites include Duck Breast, Foie Gras, and Braised Chicken Coq Au Vin with steamed basmati rice, green spring garlic, and red wine sauce. Born in Germany, Woesle brings his heritage to the table with the popular Grain-Fed Veal made wiener schnitzel style with caperberries, lemon, and parsley, as well as a homemade Apple Strudel that alone is worth the trip. (858/756-3085, www.millefleurs.com)
— Maria Desiderata Montana

Best Dessert:
Extraordinary Desserts
(Runner-Up: Heaven Sent Desserts)
Taking the cake for the third year, Extraordinary Desserts, under the direction of Cordon Bleu-trained Karen Krasne, offers an irresistible array of artistic and delicious cakes, pastries, and cookies, in addition to collectibles and gifts. At her Banker’s Hill location, Krasne delights with delectable desserts and unique beverages, and in Little Italy guests can also indulge in various panini, salads, artisan cheeses, and house favorites including the Gianduia and the Passion Fruit Ricotta Torte. (619/294-7001, www.extraordinarydesserts.com)
— Jane Shiomi
Best Catering:
Waters Fine Catering
(Runner-Up: Mosaic)
For 20 years, San Diegans have looked to Mary Kay Waters, Andrew Spurgin, and their team of seasoned professionals for their culinary and event design needs. Waters Fine Catering is there every step of the way — from menu design to unique ingredient sourcing and preparation to presentation. Waters offers the newest trends as well as timeless classics, with dishes like Brandt Beef Hanger Steak with crisped buttermilk shallots, and Wild Striped Seabass with preserved lemon accompanied by watercress risotto with fava beans. To top it off, Waters also offers comprehensive event design, keeping clients at the cutting edge of entertainment trends. Helping with unique linens and rentals, lighting, entertainment, floral services, AV/production, staging and communication, and valet and bar services, Waters is truly a one-stop event planning service. (619/276-8803, www.waterscatering.com)
— Jane Shiomi

 


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