With downtown’s dining scene continually on the rise, there's surely no shortage of standout  establishments. Here's just a dozen of the many worth feasting in.    MIA STEFANKO

1  Located two blocks from Petco Park, the Gaslamp Strip Club offers “Baseball Tailgate” specials from 5-7:05pm for all home games. Enjoy a 10-ounce skirt steak, baseball cut top sirloin, or a double chicken breast, along with salad and grill-ready garlic bread for $10. (619/231-3140, www.gaslampsteak.com)

2  Head to Searsucker for a big city brunch complete with DJs, speciality cocktails including the  Bacon & Egg Bloody (yum!), and, of course, Brian Malarkey’s playful menu that features favorites such as Green Eggs and Ham. Reserve the newly unveiled private dining room (so private you literally go into the kitchen and up the service elevator decked with comfy lounge seating). (619/233-7327, www.searsucker.com)

3  Acqua Al 2 first opened its doors in the historic theater district Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy in 1978. Several years later, traveler-turned-chef Martin Gonzalez had to share what he found. After extensive training in traditional Italian cooking techniques by executive chef Stefano Innocenti, Gonzalez opened Acqua Al 2 in the Gaslamp in 2000. Today, the restaurant offers iPad wine lists and monthly wine pairings called Uncorked. (619/230-0382, www.acquaal2.com)

4  Launched in 1989, Top of the Market features the finest and freshest seafood available. On top of The Fish Market, next to the USS Midway, the restaurant is renowned for its panoramic bayfront views, exquisite service, and now, for having the Chef of the Year notoriety from the CRA (see page 57 for details). (619/232-3474, www.thefishmarket.com)

5  Tuesday through Saturday from 6-7:30pm, Mistral presents a celebration of Prohibition-era cocktails by chef Patrick Ponsaty. Classics including The Sidecar, Old Fashioned, and Bee’s Knees are spiced up with Ponsaty’s handcrafted mixers featuring herbs and flowers from Loews’ onsite garden. Cocktails are $6 each and include truffled popcorn. (619/424-4000, www.loewshotels.com)

6  Nobu San Diego presents chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s legendary dishes, such as Black Cod with Miso and Yellowtail Jalapeno. In the Hard Rock Hotel, the restaurant also features creations by chefs David Meade and Noriyoshi Teruya, who honed their skills in Nobu Miami, Milan, and New York. (619/814-4124, www.noburestaurants.com)

7  The sultry and romantic Masala restaurant offers delectable Indian cuisine. Opt to dine on the second floor for a panoramic view of the restaurant. Consider the Pudini Lamb with fresh mint cooked in an exotic curry sauce. (619/232-5050, www.masalarestaurant.com)

8  Don your favorite costume for the 2nd annual adults-only “Hallo-wine and Spirits” Party at the Hotel Del. Enjoy grown-up trick-or-treating as you savor a variety of wine, cheese, and chocolate tastings. Then, head to the Crown Room for heavy hors d’oeuvres, a fabulous costume contest, and dancing. (800/468-3533, www.hoteldel.com)

9  Daniel Barron, the James Beard-nominated executive chef of Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, presents his all-new Chefs Charity Dinner Series this fall. Enjoy three exquisite four-course menus with meaning. Proceeds from October’s “Ode to Lobster” menu will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. (619/233-6623, www.bluepointsd.com)

10  As the name implies, Analog blends a sleek downtown lounge with design elements of a wood-clad 1970s recording studio and an eclectic New York City dive. The duo behind Firehouse and Vin De Syrah, Matthew Spencer and Tyler Charman, teamed up with designer Michael Soriano to create this classic American neighborhood bar. (619/233-1183, www.analogbar.com)

11  The Merk Bistro Italiano in the Keating Hotel offers fine Italian dishes prepared daily from scratch. Owner and entrepreneur Edward Kaen set out to capture the potential of San Diego as a world-class metropolitan destination. In 2005, Kaen joined forces with Paolo Pininfarina, of Ferrari and Maserati fame, who helped to establish the Keating and source premier Italian boutique vineyards. (619/814-6375, www.themerk.com)

12  Saltbox just debuted as a New American gastro-lounge under the helm of executive chef Simon Dolinky. Located in the spot previously occupied by Suite & Tender, the restaurant’s décor is the same for now, while Dolinsky’s new menu offers ingredient-driven “social plates.” Master mixologist Erin Williams hails from the renowned Pegu Club in NYC. (619/515-3003, www.saltboxrestaurant.com)

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