A month of delicious San Diego dining highlights

Not only did I make some fall-ish dinners at home — chili and cornbread, for one — but I also perfected a clean-eating kale and cabbage salad with apple cider vinaigrette, golden raisins, and little butternut squash gems. I also treated myself to some tasty meals out-and-about this month.

While La Jollans have been dining with Chef Giuseppe Ciuffa for years, I recently had my first meal with him at his newest eatery, Candor. I feasted on some gorgeous braised beef short ribs and mashed potatoes, a new addition to the fall menu. I took Chef’s suggestion and paired it with a glass of pinot noir he recommended from his hometown of Cori, Italy, and it was spot-on.

My son, who just started college at UC San Diego, has been lamenting the meal program at his dorm (my fault; he’s got an excellent palate). I offered to assuage his sadness and take him to Steak 48 after midterms. I was reminded how great their Caesar salad is — it’s topped with a poached egg that melts into the greens to augment the already creamy, luscious dressing. The steak tartare is “un-pass-up-able,” and the freshly baked dinner rolls…my goodness, the dinner rolls!

I like to go to Din Tai Fung and order two servings of the garlic green beans for lunch. Green beans and green tea — it’s a virtuous little meal, and it lets me feel good about myself before splurging at dinner when I like to sidle up to the kitchen counter at Juniper & Ivy and order the Double-Double Burger with animal-style fries. It’s not on the menu; just ask for it. It’s indulgent and easily one of my favorite meals when I’m dining solo.

Although the season is sadly over, I can share a couple of my go-to spots for pre-Padres dining (shameless brag: I went to 43 games this year). For the 6:40 games, arrive at 5pm to Lionfish, located in Pendry San Diego, to catch happy hour. They serve delicious little hand rolls for $8 and some mighty good wines by the glass for $8 to $10. Hasta Mañana also has a great happy hour (get the sheet pan nachos). It starts at 4pm, so it’s perfect for the earlier 5:40 games. I’m scouting out some new spots for next season and will keep you posted.

Do you have a favorite dish somewhere I should try? Email me at terryl@ranchandcoast.com, and I’ll check it out and share it with our readers.