What is it? Celebrity chef Richard Blais was a founding chef of this contemporary restaurant serving whimsical dishes. Blais has since parted ways, but he’s left the kitchen in capable hands with similar minds.
Why we love it: This lively, upscale restaurant is a standout among San Diego’s food and drink-obsessed Little Italy neighborhood. The airy dining room continues to be packed out by locals, thanks to cxecutive chef Jonathan Kinsella and his continually shifting, inventive menu: We’re talking delicious small plates, creative entrees and culinary-inspired cocktails. Recent standouts include a miso black cod, whole roasted duck and a strawberry sake cocktail. The deviled eggs are a bestselling starter, though menu offerings change daily based on what’s hauled in by farmers and fishermen.
Time Out tip: End your meal with the yodel dessert, a longtime menu staple that involves a cylinder cake log. Flavors and toppings change seasonally.
Address: 2228 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 5–10pm
Expect to pay: Larger entrees are upwards of $40, so plan to spend around $100 per person if you’re going to share some small plates and have drinks.