The WineSellar & Brasserie Many years ago — well 2011, to be exact — a young and dogged chef, Luke Johnson, helmed a gourmet gem masquerading as a quaint wine bar at the foot of the Segal Building in Little Italy, the pet project of the food- and wine-loving spouse of the building’s namesake. It…
Donovan’s La Jolla Should you receive a request to meet a friend after work for the epic happy hour at Donovan’s in La Jolla, be forewarned, going to the space in UTC that the vaunted steak and chop house occupied for countless years will leave you scratching your head and wondering where it had gone.…
Solana Beach Crush Like most refuges from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Solana Beach Crush could be easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. But many are the regulars who hone in on this recessed respite for its simple-but-posh, mood-lit yet light-hearted atmosphere, blending elegance and comfort to create an ambience…
Madison University Heights is being taken to new heights of late, thanks to bars and restaurants offering unique and stylish environments. First came the adorably dive-y Small Bar, then the expansive, marble-laden Park and Rec, and now — sandwiched between them — Madison. Like the aforementioned hotspots, this venue is high on design and spirited…
Top of the Market After 26 years as a harbor-side dining icon, Top of the Market’s ascension to a higher tier of fine dining is a literal rise from the ashes. In 2015, a fire significantly damaged the second-story, USS Midway-adjacent perch as well as its ground-level sister eatery, The Fish Market. Rather than reconstruct…