Get Your Eat On

MIDDLE EASTERN

Bandar. 825 4th Ave., Downtown. Despite mixed reviews on the service, the food garners excellent reviews. The Adas Polo is tasty if you are in the mood for chicken; beef lovers should opt for the Soltani. The kebabs are worth trying as well. Open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 619-238-0101. $$$

Khyber Pass. 523 University Ave., Hillcrest. Family owned, this Afghan place is a real treat. They serve up a mean combo plate with lamb, chicken, beef and rice. Also try the chicken tandoori, and the Aushak is good too. Open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 619-294-7579. $$

Mama's Bakery & Lebanese Deli. 4237 Alabama St., San Diego. Tucked away on a quiet residential street, this popular bakery and deli features two unique things: a sajj (picture a large inverted wok) and made-while-you-watch cornmeal-specked flatbread (a mix of whole wheat and white flour) that cooks on the sajj. Menu items include flatbread wraps filled with fried eggplant, turkey and cheese, baba ganoush, spinach pie, stuffed grape leaves and falafels. 619-688-0717. Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $

Phoenicia Cuisine & Bakery. 3381 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Homemade Lebanese food served by the Salame family for the past 30 years. Highlights include the eggplant, tabbouleh and melt-in-your-mouth good baklava, three of their specialties. 619-282-4120.

The Place. 6499 El Cajon Blvd., College Area. Buy salads by the pound or try a baba ganoush, sandwich or some Moroccan eggplant in the small deli of this Kosher market. 619-286-6499. $$

Rannoosh. 3890 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest. With fabric covered walls and hookahs galore, this Lebanese restaurant is not your homespun hole in the wall. Hummus made from scratch, kebabs, pita sandwiches, tabbouleh, and mjadara are a few of the menu's offerings. 619-325-1360. $$

POLYNESIAN

Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge. 801 Fifth Ave., Downtown. The Pacific Island-themed Mister Tiki, located in the heart of the Gaslamp, covers all its island bases with Hawaiian, Japanese, Hong Kong and Thai influences. Fun appetizers, refreshing drinks and exotic flavors are all over the menu, so you can't go wrong. Open 5:30 p.m.-late. 619-233-1183. $$$

SOUTH AMERICAN

Berta's. 3928 Twiggs St., Old Town. Serving dishes from most every Latin American country with a smile, Berta's is just a short walk from the tourist spots. The sauces are freshly made and there's a good beer and wine selection. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Closed Mondays. 619-295-2343. $$

Rei de Gado Churrascaria. 939 Fourth Ave., Downtown. This buffet offers, in addition to every type of meat imaginable, a salad bar and a variety of Western and Brazilian dishes. A bicolor wooden dowel rests at each table, keeping the food coming (green) or giving waiters the sign you've had all you can take (red). Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 619-702-8464. $$$Spanish

SPANISH

Café Sevilla. 555 Fourth Ave., Downtown. With authentic decor and live flamenco guitar, this makes for a nice evening out. There are more than 25 tapas, or appetizers, on the menu. The specialty is their paella. Open 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday; 5-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. 619-233-5979. $$$

Costa Brava. 1653 Garnet Ave. Pacific Beach. Costa Brava is somewhat hidden-a curse for walk-ins, but a blessing for diners seeking a quiet spot on Garnet Avenue. The charming décor insistently announces its Spanish authenticity and the tapas menu is huge and moderately priced. The Sunday flamenco show with live music is a must see. Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. everyday. 858-273-1218. $$$

Tapas Picasso Restaurante. 3923 Fourth St., Hillcrest. With more than 30 tapas (appetizers) to choose from, everyone is sure to find something to enjoy from the "assorted tidbits on toothpicks" to poached artichoke hearts. Open for lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; for dinner 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 619-294-3061. $$

STEAK & SEAFOOD

Albie's Beef Inn. 1201 Hotel Circle South, Mission Valley. Albie's remains a local favorite since the '60s and the décor's not changed over time. Menu items include chicken-fried steak, prime rib and twice-baked potatoes. Drinks remain most popular with guests-double wells are served at happy hour and regular drinks are generously sized. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Dinner is served 5-11 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Weekday happy hour goes from 3:30-7 p.m. 619-291-1103.

Bay Park Fish Co. 4121 Ashton St., San Diego. This comfy and casual neighborhood eatery has a limited selection, but their fish tacos are excellent. Try the fried mahi mahi and halibut double taco order, you won't be disappointed. 619-276-3474. $ 

Blue Point Coastal Cuisine. 565 Fifth Ave., Downtown. Seafood lovers, welcome to heaven. While it might seem they just do seafood here, there are also some fine beef, lamb, pork and duck dishes as well. Also known for its martinis. Open 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 619-233-6623. $$$$

Blue Water Seafood. 3667 India St., Middletown. Restaurant/fish market hybrid with reasonable prices, simple food and a casual setting. The fish is grilled fresh to order and the sandwiches are the highlight. Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 619-497-0914. $$

Bully's. 2401 Camino del Rio South, Mission Valley (other locations in Del Mar and La Jolla). Known for their prime rib, they also serve a variety of other meat dishes. There are combo plates for the indecisive. Save room for their delicious desserts. Open 11 a.m.-12:15 a.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-12:15 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. 619-291-2665. $$$$

The Butcher Shop Steakhouse. 5255 Kearny Villa Road, Kearny Mesa. This Chicago-style steakhouse features timeless favorites, such as select cuts of prime rib, cooked to perfection. Other menu options include Australian lobster tails and linguine with shrimp scampi. Lunch is served from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Dinner is served from 4-11p.m. Friday-Saturday; 4-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. Weekday happy hour goes from 3-6:30 p.m. 858-565-2272.

Café Pacifica. 2414 San Diego Ave., Old Town. This place can get busy on the weekends with its great service and excellent food. They even serve abalone, an item hard to come by. Try the signature dessert, creme brulée-it's to die for. Open 5-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 4:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday 619-291-6666. $$$$

The Fish Market. 750 N. Harbor Drive, Seaport Village (another location in Del Mar). Fantastic chowder and fresh fish, not to mention the waterfront location. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday. 619-232-3474. $$$

Ocean Beach Pier Café. 5091 Niagara Ave., Ocean Beach. This nautical-themed diner provides an unobstructed view of local surfers and the ocean water. Try the pleasantly plump lobster tacos. Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday, Sundays; 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday. 619-226-2262. $

Peohe's. 1201 First St., Coronado. Escape to this tropical paradise and take in picture-perfect dishes such as coconut crunchy shrimp or halibut mai'a. There is also a sushi and sashimi bar and outdoor dining. Lunch is 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; dinner is 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 5-10:30 p.m. Saturday; 4:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday; brunch is 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday. 619-437-4474. $$$$

Point Loma Seafoods. 2805 Emerson St., Point Loma. Arguably the best seafood in the county with a view of the harbor from an outdoor patio. Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sunday. 619-223-1109. $$

Red Tracton's. 550 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach. Located across from the track, it's a favorite for those who enjoy the races. For those who like comfort food, try the Monday meatloaf or Wednesday chicken fried steak specials. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. 858-755-6600. $$$$

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. 1355 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown. Though the items are a la carte, making the meals pricey, the food is worth it. They offer excellent cuts of steak, as well as lamb, chicken, seafood and veal. Open 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5-10:30 p.m. Friday; 4:30-11 p.m. Saturday; 4:30-10:30 p.m. Sunday. 619-233-1422. $$$$

Saska's. 3768 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach. This place brings in a bustling late night bar crowd. They have a sushi bar as well. The steak is the specialty here, so try the T-bone. Also good are the burgers and jalapeno shrimp poppers. Open 11:30 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday. 858-488-7311. $$$

South Beach Bar & Grille. 5059 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach. Featuring some of the best fish tacos in San Diego, this Ocean Beach stop is a hotspot for the beach bum crowd. Check out the fried Baja fish or the pineapple/teriyaki-marinated grilled mahi mahi. 619-226-4577. $

Sportmen's Seafood. 1617 Quivira Road, Mission Bay. This quaint restaurant is a hotspot for local fishermen and never stops short on fresh seafood. Try a large bowl of the light, tasty clam chowder. Open 11 a.m.-7:30p.m. Daily. 619-224-3551. $

The Tin Fish. Pier End, Imperial Beach. Offering an inexpensive, traditional menu, this ocean-side diner specializes in simple comfort foods. Their most popular dish--the fish and chips--is definitely worth a shot. 619-628-1414. $

Tutto Mare. 4365 Executive Drive, Suite 100, La Jolla. This handsome place offers some awesome seafood and delicious salads. Their pastas are also excellent. The kitchen is open so you can watch your food being made. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 5-11 p.m. Saturday; 5-9:30 p.m. Sunday. 858-597-1188. $$$$

The Whaling Bar. 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla. Fine seafood and steaks prepared tableside mean an explosion of fire and flavor, not to mention one impressed date. Be sure to check out the bar area and sip some cocktails with La Jolla locals. Open 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. 800-451-0722. $$$$