San Diego Restaurant Week for a multitude of tastes

Now in its 13th year of culinary delights, San Diego Restaurant Week kicks off Sept. 24 and runs through Oct. 1 with a myriad of gastronomic pleasures for foodies around the county. How to know where to go and what to eat? For those looking for the latest trends in dining or looking to satisfy their meat, seafood, or vegetarian cravings, PACIFIC has a few must-visit spots for this year’s Restaurant Week.

Seafood lovers

Pacifica Del Mar: Grab lunch or dinner (or both) at the classic Del Mar locale. Enjoy the $20, two-course lunch featuring Chef David Burke’s Cajun Clam Chowder and Sugar-Spiced Salmon. The three-course, $40 dinner starts with Hamachi Crudo or Thai Red Curry Mussels and is followed by the Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi or Black Cod with Soba Noodles for the second course. Top off the coastal meal with Burnt Cream or Mocha Semifreddo.

1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, 858.792.0476, pacificadelmar.com

Bellamy’s Restaurant: For $40, the restaurant offers a three-course menu including Spicy Shrimp - with chorizo and lemon sauce - for the first course, and Scottish Salmon - with saffron risotto and piquillo pepper - for the second course. Finish off the evening with a decadent Bourbon Vanilla Crème Brulee, Dark Chocolate Cake or Apple Tart. For $20 more, guests can splurge on a sommelier wine pairing for each course.

417 W. Grand Ave, Escondido, 760.747-5000, bellamysdining.com

Meat lovers

Farmer’s Bottega: Head to Mission Hills for a carnivorous delight, including a first course of Bison Tartare - with avocado, hoisin sauce, garlic, capers, mango-pomegranate salsa and quail egg - followed by the Wild Boar Sausage Risotto - with cherry tomatoes, wild mushrooms and crispy brussels sprouts.

860 W. Washington St., Mission Hills 619.458.9929, farmersbottega.com

Nick & G’s: The new spot in Rancho Santa Fe, is launching its first San Diego Restaurant Week with a carnivorous three-course meal for $40, along with an optional wine pairing for an additional $18. Try the Toscana Soup - fennel sausage, Tuscan kale and pearl potatoes - for the first course, followed by a Grilled New York Strip, Roasted Natural Pork Chop or Pappardelle Bolognese - with beef, veal, pork and shaved parmigiana - for the second course. The third course finale choices are Butterscotch Bread Pudding or Chocolate Cake.

6106 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.771.1871, nickandgs.com

Vegetarians

Café Gratitude: Go healthy this San Diego Restaurant Week with $20 lunch or $30 dinner deals. Choices include the Bountiful, made with quinoa shell pasta, braised cherry tomatoes, eggplant caponata, green olives, raisins, Brazil nut parmesan and arugula. Or feel Liberated, with raw pesto kelp noodles and heirloom cherry tomatoes, basil hempseed pesto, olives, arugula, cashew ricotta and Brazil nut parmesan.

1980 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, 619.736.5077, cafegratitude.com

Farmer’s Table: Known for farm-fresh dishes, this La Mesa gem offers veggie folks a delicious selection of goodies for Restaurant Week. Start with the Burnt Carrots, with local avocado, red onion, fresh cilantro, feta and a citrus thyme vinaigrette drizzle. Then follow with the comforting Ratatouille Risotto, a mix of seasonal vegetables, herbs de Provence, Arborio rice and white wine.

8141 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, 619.724.6465, farmerstablelamesa.com

Trend spotters

Curadero: A relative newcomer to the downtown restaurant scene, this hotspot is serving a three-course, $30 menu. Under the direction of Executive Chef Brad Kraten, the menu features starter choices of Ceviche De Pescado, Tacos Dorados, or Tostada de Aguachile Verde along with a larger plate of Pescado Veracruzano. Finish the evening with the classic Mexican dessert, Flan de Cajeta.

1047 Fifth Ave., downtown, 619.515.3003, curadero.com

Maretalia Ristorante: Also a first-timer on the Restaurant Week scene, this coastal Italian restaurant is offering a three-course dinner at a cool $30. Start with the refreshing Diver Scallop Carpaccio, and keep the seafood vibe going with Bucatini & Clams. Must-try dessert selections include Olive Oil Cake with stone fruit, basil cream, and saba, along with a complimentary Lemon Creamsicle dessert cocktail for all Restaurant Week goers.

1300 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.522.0946, bluebridgehospitality.com/maretalia

The casual eater

The Deck at Moonshine Flats: No one said Restaurant Week had to be fancy. Keep it casual downtown with an affordable $20 three-course dinner alongside 24 craft beer options and moonshine-based cocktails. First course selections include Smoked Wings and Tri-Tip Caesar Salad, followed by a second course of either Portobello Sandwich or their specialty Two Meat Combo. Wrap up the evening with a friendly brownie sundae for the ultimate evening of comfort food.

335 Sixth Ave., downtown, 619.255.7625, thedeckatmsf.com

Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria in Encinitas: Loved for its locally-sourced and hand-crafted ingredients, this Encinitas farm-to-table locale offers a $20 three-course dinner menu. Relax with Organic Zucchini Fries for a starter, followed by a choice of one of their individual wood fired pizzas, including the House Pie, with fresh daily mozzarella, tomato sauce, spinach, applewood smoked bacon and melted onions. Wrap up the evening with the famous Blue Ribbon Butterscotch Pudding, with sea-salted caramel and fresh whipped cream.

897 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 760.634.7671, blueribbonpizzeria.com