Best of Dining 2024

Le Coq 858.427.1500, lecoq.com
Salt & Lime 858.925.7093, saltandlimesd.com

George’s at the Cove 858.454.4244, georgesatthecove.com
Poseidon Restaurant 858.755.9345, poseidonrestaurant.com

Avant Restaurant 844.254.0013, avantrestaurant.com
A.R. Valentien 858.777.6635, lodgetorreypines.com/ar-valentien

Editors’ Pick, A Visual Feast: Leila In the heart of North Park, CH Projects’ Leila pays homage to founder Arsalun Tafazoli’s roots, drawing inspiration from the Middle East. Spending time during his childhood across the region — from Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon to Turkey, Iraq, and Iran — and witnessing ancient beauty, art, history, and conflict, Tafazoli says that the meals and hospitality he experienced gave him a deeper understanding of our shared qualities, showing that our differences, especially around food, transcend the borders drawn by people. “Leila is a small personal tribute honoring the beauty and traditions of a region that helped form me,” he says. Inspired by the souks of Marrakech, the restaurant’s interior design reflects the bustling night markets of Morocco, complete with an 18-foot water feature, intricate millwork, and walls adorned with tapestries and tiles. The ambiance is a dance of light and shadow, cast by a starry ceiling and fixtures sourced from Moroccan bazaars. leilanorthpark.com

Fish Market thefishmarket.com
Casa de Bandini 760.634.3443, casadebandini.com

City Tacos citytacossd.com
Temaki Bar Sushi 760.704.8888, temakibarsushi.com

Pacific Coast Grill 760.479.0721, pacificcoastgrill.com
Lilian’s 858.221.7000, liliansrsf.com

Belly Up Tavern 858.481.8140, bellyup.com
The Pony Room 858.759.6246, ranchovalencia.com

Editors’ Pick, Making Spirits Soar: Snake Oil Cocktail Co. Chances are likely that the sip you recently enjoyed at a gala or special event was crafted by the masterminds behind Snake Oil Cocktail Co. The beverage catering and consulting firm specializes in creating immersive full-service experiences for select bars, fundraising events and festivals, and award-winning restaurants. Led by Co-Owner & Director of Mixology Frankie Thaheld (photographed here at another San Diego classic, The Old Globe), the team’s mixologists look to the kitchen and to the farm for inspiration when building their cocktails, bringing in seasonal produce and fresh ingredients to make unforgettable drinks and experiences. snakeoilcocktail.com