March 2026 Dining Diary: San Diego dining favorites from our Food Editor-at-Large

I’m pretty sure my headstone will say something like: “She never met a burger she didn’t like.” That’s true, but to be honest, I do like some burgers more than others, and those beauties will always wind up here in my column. 

Until recently, I was convinced that I would never find a burger here in San Diego to rival my all-time favorite, the Big Mec at Petit Trois in Los Angeles. I am unbelievably happy to report that, at the urging of my friend Michael, I joined him to try the Burger Parisienne at Saint James French Diner. Located adjacent to the lobby of the Pali Hotel on 6th Avenue downtown, this 50-seat spot offers a small menu of classic French bistro fare. The space is well-designed, cute, and comfortable. Although there are three burgers on the menu, I will never order anything other than the Parisienne — I loved it that much. They griddle a brioche bun bottom, add a smash burger, top it with grilled onions and American cheese, and finish it with sauce bordelaise (a red wine demi-glace) before crowning it with the brioche bun lid. It’s a heavenly way to inch closer to the well-earned headstone, but worth it.

I also loved a lunch I had recently at Temaki Bar Sushi in Encinitas. You know the concept: You order a variety of sushi hand rolls in sets of three, four, or five, and the chefs make your rolls to order as you eat them. They ask that you eat them quickly so the seaweed stays crunchy and warm. In addition to the set lists, there are appetizers like Bang Bang Shrimp, Cucumber Salad, and my favorite: Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice. There is also a complete menu of larger cut rolls and hand rolls, as well as sashimi and nigiri. The bar-style seating makes the experience interactive with the sushi chefs, as well as the attractive diners across the bar from you. 

A cute new spot, Prendi E Vai (Italy in a hurry), recently opened in Little Italy. It’s the newest concept by the same people who brought us Mimmo’s and Grab & Go, two longtime downtown staples. The shop offers Italian subs and sandwiches on house-baked bread with fresh ingredients imported from Italy. The subs are delicious, but what really shines here are the focaccia sandwiches, generously filled with ingredients like burrata, prosciutto, mortadella, roasted tomatoes, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, and pesto. The star of the show is the focaccia — crackly and chewy, but soft and pillowy on the inside — perfect for soaking up all the olive oil and marinated vegetables the bread is stuffed with. 

I recently learned that one of my longtime favorites, Joe Paulden, is now Executive Sous Chef at Estancia La Jolla Resort & Spa. Joe has an impressive résumé, from line cook jobs at Café Chloe and Market Restaurant + Bar to sous chef at Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant and later executive chef at Coasterra Restaurant. I stopped in at the lobby bar to say hi and catch up with him, and I tried a few dishes. They offer a great guacamole with house-fried chips, and I also like the big bowl of hummus that comes with lots of veggies, flatbread, and house-made crackers. I did see a Lobby Bar Burger go out, but I’ll have to try that on another occasion. I’ll keep you posted on that one.