The San Diego area has a multitude of romantic restaurants. Some of the best include: George’s at the Cove, the Star of the Sea, Le Fontainebleau, Bertrand’s at Mr. A’s, and Mille Fleurs.
George’s at the Cove
One of the most romantic spots for a dinner date in San Diego is George’s at the Cove in La Jolla which offers a breathtaking view of the Pacific. The restaurant overlooks La Jolla cove – one of the most beautiful spots in the San Diego area. George’s has garnered praise from Gourmet Magazine, Food & Wine Magazine, Bon Appetit, GQ Magazine, and the New York Times.
You’ll enjoy an elegant dining experience and exemplery service at George’s. The restaurant’s wine list has received the award of excellence by Wine Spectator. The food and drinks are pricey – dinner, drinks and desert for two in the main dining room will likely cost you more than $150 – but, it’s well worth it. It’s difficult to find a parking space on the street in La Jolla, so valet parking offered by George’s may be your best option. George’s is open seven days a week. Dinner is served from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
When you’re finished eating, you and your date might enjoy a romantic walk around La Jolla. There are a multitude of shops and art galleries in the quaint business district of the “village” where George’s is located. Most of the shops in the village stay open until 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. An after dinner drink at the historic La Valencia Hotel, about a block north of George’s on Prospect Street, would also top off the evening, or you could take your date to a theatrical performance at the La Jolla Playhouse. Phone (858) 550-1010 for ticket information. The La Jolla Playhouse is located a short drive away from George’s at the Cove on the campus of the University of California, San Diego.
George’s at the Cove is located at 1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037. Call (858) 454-4244 to make a reservation. The San Diego community of La Jolla is located about 15 minutes north of downtown San Diego, east of Interstate 5.
The upscale Star of the Sea restaurant is another romantic place to take your date to dinner in San Diego. The restaurant, located on the wharf overlooking San Diego Bay in the downtown area, offers a romantic view of the sunset over the ocean. Star of the Sea is legendary for great seafood and an impressive wine list – albeit expensive. The average priced entrée at the Star of the Sea runs $40 and up. Valet parking is available, as well as street parking which is in short supply.
The Star of the Sea opened in San Diego in 1966 at 1360 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 and remains at the same location. It was once an “Old Guard” holdout, but the jacket-and-tie requirement for men was dropped in 1994. However, although the dress code may have loosened up a bit, most patrons still dress up for the occasion. Call (619) 232-7408 for reservations. The Star of the Sea is open for dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. The restaurant is closed on major holidays
If you’d like something fun to do with your special someone after a dinner date at the Star of the Sea restaurant, Seaport Village is just a short drive away at Kettner Boulevard and West Harbor Drive. Seaport Village has nearly 60 one-of-a-kind shops and galleries located at 849 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. The main phone number for Seaport Village is (619) 235-4014. Seaport Village is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Le Fontainebleau
If money is no object, the elegant, romantic Le Fontainebleau restaurant located in the Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego will really impress your date. Le Fontainebleau offers intimate, exquisite dining featuring award-winning nouveau continental cuisine and legendary service. A before dinner drink in the “parlor” -a cozy room with French furnishings next to the formal dining room – is a great way to start off the evening. They serve a great vodka martini in the “parlor.
In addition to the cuisine at Le Fontainebleau, you’ll doubly enjoy the surroundings. The gilded lobby of the 19-story hotel is fashioned after one of the anterooms at the Palace of Versailles in France. The lobby showcases a sweeping staircase, French tapestries, Persian rugs, European antiques, crystal chandeliers, and paintings by Gainsborough and Boucher. A seven-foot-long, 18th-century desk is used by the concierge.
After dinner at Le Fontainebleau, you can take your date on a stroll through San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter or attend a performance at the Civic Theatre, both of which are within walking distance. The Horton Plaza shopping center is also just around the corner.
Le Fontainebleau is located in the Westgate Hotel at 1055 Second Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. Call (619) 557-3655 for reservations. Valet parking service is available. Dinner is served from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Bertrand’s at Mr. A’s
Bertrand’s at Mr. A’s will delight your date with a sweeping, 12th floor panoramic view of the entire city of San Diego. The romantic restaurant, located at 2550 Fifth Avenue at Laurel Street, occupies the top floor of the Banker’s Hill area building. The vantage point gives an eye level view of planes descending for a landing at the nearby Lindbergh Field airport. You can also see all the way across San Diego Bay to Point Loma, as well as north to La Jolla and east to Del Cerro.
Bertrand’s at Mr. A’s serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served beginning at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and beginning at 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Entrees run from $21 to $39. The parking entrance is on 4th Avenue. Call 619-239-1377 for reservations.
Mille Fleurs
If you’d like to treat your date to some eclectic delicacies and entrees, Mille Fleurs is the answer. The elegant French restaurant, located in the charming, historic, upscale village of Rancho Santa Fe, is rated as one of the best restaurants in San Diego County. Accolades include “Top 25 in America” from Food & Wine Magazine. The Mille Fleurs wine list offers more than 700 choices from around the world.
Entrees are priced between $30 and $36. You can also order a special seven-course Chef-selected menu with sorbet, cheese and dessert for $85 per person.
Mille Fleurs is located at 6009 Paseo Delicias in Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067. Phone 858-756-3085 for reservations. Mille Fleurs serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The dinner hour begins nightly at 6:00 p.m., except Saturday when dinner is served beginning at 5:30 p.m. Parking is on the street.
