Mister A’s has undergone a modern makeover and an easing of the starched formalities
Banner image above: The Australian Bondi bellows g’day with a big, bold design

Heating Up
Downtown’s Newest Hot Spots Have San Diegans Fired Up
It’s hard to believe that just two-and-a-half decades ago, downtown San Diego was languishing from neglect. The streets of the Gaslamp Quarter — in the 1880s made of packed dirt and infamously lined with saloons, gambling halls, and bordellos — didn’t exactly holler, "Welcome!" Downtown was rich with history and intrigue, but there was no heart to pump life into the city’s many nooks and crannies.

Horton Plaza changed all that. The six-block shopping center, built on the site of the historic town plaza, opened in 1985 — an event more than ten years and $140 million in the making. The city began to perk up all around it. Twenty years later, the construction of Petco Park pushed San Diego’s urban yearnings into overdrive, both downtown and in nearby neighborhoods. Now there are high-rises and big-city dining and nightlife options in every direction. While a couple of classics still make the must-visit map, some of the most beguiling hot spots are much newer on the scene.

Old-School Style
Mister A’s, just minutes from the heart of downtown, has been San Diego’s go-to special occasion spot for more than three decades, praised for its rich epicurean offerings and unparalleled views of the city and the bay. Now called Bertrand at Mister A’s after new-ish owner Bertrand Hug, the 12th-floor restaurant has undergone a modern makeover and an easing of the starched formalities of yesteryear. A younger timeless classic is a sure spot to rub shoulders with local notables. The Palm, part of a small and exclusive New York-based chain, opened in 2005 and does crisp white tablecloths and prime-aged steak and lobster with flair — check out the trademark caricatures on the walls.

Seafood Savvy
A popular catch is Osetra the Fish House, which features an extensive selection of seafood as well as a fresh oyster and caviar bar (hence the name). Osetra also boasts a three-story wine tower, with "wine angels" — girls who are hoisted into the air on cables to retrieve your bottle. Angling for a place with a little celebrity cachet? The Oceanaire Seafood Room has the grand feel of a 1930s cruise ship. Perch at the bustling bar or slip into a high-backed horseshoe booth — either way, you’ll be in the capable hands of executive chef Brian Malarkey, Bravo’s Top Chef finalist, interviewed on page 128.

Table For Two
Locals adore Café Chloe for its casual, romantic ambience, as well as its elegant bistro fare. The San Francisco-inspired eatery is perfect any time of day for a culinary pas de deux — ask for the table for two on the tiny, secluded garden patio. A recent makeover transformed uptown’s stodgy Laurel into a tastemaker’s place to wine and dine. From the oversized baroque-print wallpaper and roses suspended underwater in tall vases to the chartreuse banquettes and houndstooth armchairs, Laurel has a posh and whimsical feel that matches up to its witty, outstanding menu. Couples will also find love (and chocolate) at San Diego’s favorite sweet-tooth stop. Little Italy’s Extraordinary Desserts showcases divine desserts and bubblies in a chic, airy setting.

Room With A View
As San Diego’s skyline continues to grow, so do its vantage points. A longtime contender for best view is at Top of the Hyatt — an impressive 40 stories above the city. The bar is a top-notch place to swill a martini while gazing at the sunset, though you may have to edge out a few tourists to get near a window. The ultra-chic Altitude Skybar takes the Gaslamp Marriott to great new heights — 22 stories to be exact. The outdoor garden features cozy couches and fire pits, and a view straight into Petco Park. Nearby, the boutique Hotel Solamar offers a more modest vista from its fourth-floor JBar, but this beautifully landscaped rooftop bar is an ideal spot to soak up a little sun or hide out in a private cabana. And finally, because even downtown’s denizens need a little sand between their toes, the W Hotel offers the rooftop bar Beach. Just take off those Manolos before digging in.

Listen Up
A checkerboard design and American menu provide the perfect backdrop for the real draw at Croce’s Restaurant and Jazz Bar: excellent live jazz and R&B. Temporarily closed for renovations, Dizzy’s is another popular stop for music aficionados; there are no drinks or dining in this warehouse dating to 1913, just sweet strains of jazz and troubadour music. A spanking-new player on the entertainment scene is Little Italy’s Anthology, a three-level live-music supper club. The sophisticated venue offers fine dining, but you’ll stick around for the big-name acts, from jazz ensembles to singer-songwriters. Since opening a couple of years back, the House of Blues, a music hall decked out with vibrant folk art, has hosted every musical genre conceivable. On stage in coming months: comedian Gallagher (October 11), the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue Tour featuring The Tommy Castro Band (October 20), Dave Mason (November 11), and KC & the Sunshine Band (December 29), among many others.

Hotel Heavy-Hitters
The city’s been crawling with talk of The Ivy, an urban resort $65 million in the making. The boutique hotel caters to the jet set with luxury-in-excess suites that embody the old adage: if you have to ask how much, you probably can’t afford it. You don’t have to check in to enjoy The Ivy, however: try the hotel’s Quarter Kitchen, or party the night away at its Envy nightclub or Eden rooftop bar. The more understated and recently opened Sofia Hotel (formerly the Pickwick), which belongs to the National Trust Historic Hotels of America, extends a welcome to locals with Currant, a charming brasserie. And finally, the most-anticipated new arrival downtown — set to open mid-October — is the Gaslamp’s Hard Rock Hotel. This sexy and stylish 40,000-square-foot velvet-rope destination will feature two nightlife offerings by Rande Gerber (aka Mr. Cindy Crawford): Sweetwater, a hotel lobby bar with rock and roll touches like tables designed for individual kegs, as well as Moonstone, a cutting-edge poolside lounge. Hard Rock will also house a San Diego outpost of Nobu Matsuhisa’s world-famous Nobu sushi restaurant.

Bespoke Interiors
The Australian Bondi bellows g’day with a big, bold design: lava-rock partitions, birdcage booths suspended from the ceiling, and sculptures that resemble oversized sea creatures. The traditional Aussie cuisine is hearty, and the sparkling Shiraz an unusual bubbly treat. Over in Barrio Logan, a tiny restaurant promises to breathe new life into the rundown neighborhood. At The Guild, a large window peers into the artist-owner’s metal workshop, where the restaurant’s metal-wood-and-glass interior was custom built. The menu also takes an artisanal approach, deconstructing classic dishes with clever postmodern twists. Midway between Little Italy and Mission Hills, Starlite dazzles with its mid-century-inspired interior. Organic textures such as rock walls, staghorn ferns, and walnut and cork paneling complement the stark white sunken bar and stunning stainless steel chandelier. Upscale bar food — fritto misto, flat-iron steak, ice-cream sandwiches — and a selection of couture cocktails make the lounge a trendy late-night destination. Over in Hillcrest, The Tractor Room celebrates hunting-lodge chic with blood-red walls and antler light fixtures. Delicious game-focused cuisine goes along for the ride.

Exclusively Yours
Among the downtown restaurants offering private dining rooms or chef’s tables, Red Pearl Kitchen is a fresh favorite. Part of a small chain, the Asian-fusion restaurant has an exotic and surprisingly glamorous feel to it. 30-Two, a members-only lounge with concierge perks attached to the gorgeous Thai restaurant Rama, can be yours to enjoy for the fee of $1,500 (single annual) or $200 a month. For private events, The Witherby is an unforgettable new possibility. A once-Classical Revival building is now a fabulous event space for you and up to 450 of your closest friends. — AnnaMaria Stephens