Del Mar Dining:

Del Mar doesn’t need an introduction into fine dining.  Del Mar is one of the tourist attractions and has the fine restaurants to accommodate different tastes.  Let’s not forget downtown Encinitas either.  I like to park downtown (Hy 101) and walk the street selecting whatever fits my mood.  Shops, Food are all within one block of the beach.  Can you ask for more?  I have walked from Moonlight Beach all the way to Torrey Pines State Park in Del Mar on the path above the ocean…WOW!   No I didn’t eat my way from Encinitas to Del Mar, not a bad idea though.

Carmel Valley Dining:

Eating terrific food is the universal denominator that makes all people happy. In the heart of Carmel Valley and its surrounding communities, residents enjoy 180+ restaurants to tantalize their palates. Here are just a few of our favorites:

Rimel’s Bar & Grill

At Rimel’s, the finest quality of seafood, meats, poultry and game are served. Rimel’s Bar & Grill roasts everything to perfection over their oak, wood-fired grill and rotisserie. Rimel’s Bar & Grill buys only the freshest seafood from local San Diego fishermen daily and Rimel’s also catches their own local seasonal fish. This yummy north county San Diego restaurant makes all their side dishes fresh everyday with only the finest ingredients. Learn more about this delicious restaurant at: www.rimelsrestaurants.com.

Taverna Blu

Taverna Blu is a social neighborhood eatery that features delicious, affordable Mediterranean cuisine and a great selection of wine and beers. This local 92130 restaurant offers a warm and casual atmosphere located conveniently in the Del Mar Highlands Town Center, a few doors down from the luxury movie theater. Taverna Blu is a modern, upscale version of a Greek taverna, much like a French bistro or English pub. Enjoy the beautiful patio or sit inside the chicly decorated interior. For more information, visit Taverna Blu’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TavernaBlu.

Burlap

Burlap offers a hybrid of meat, seafood and bold sides with Asian influences. Described as the “Asian Cowboy”, North County’s newest edition, Burlap, is where the “West Eats Meat”! Chef Brian Malarky embraces the relaxed Carmel Valley vibe and enjoys being playful and creative with the food and ambiance. The Caesar salad comes with airy rice crackers in place of croutons and fish sauce instead of anchovies. Enjoy an “Eye of the Martini” at Burlap’s raw bar.  This dish is known as the “natural Viagra”, and is made with oyster, uni, caviar and quail’s egg. The servers at Burlap wear gun belts and the menu offers fresh seafood caught locally in San Diego and responsibly raised meat and poultry from local San Diego farms. Visit Burlap’s website for more information: www.burlapdelmar.com.

Urban Plates

This unique restaurant located in the 92130 zip code uses freshly delivered ingredients from local San Diego farms and producers to make one-of-a-kind flavors and affordable dishes. Urban Plates has a system that’s conveniently designed to feed one person or an entire group. Urban Plates is open for lunch, dinner or late evening. Two patios are available if you prefer to dine outside and a fire pit will warm you up on a cool evening. Urban Plates offers an open kitchen so you can watch everything being made. You simply order as you walk through and the chefs will prepare your meal as you watch. Natural and organic ingredients are used whenever possible. Click on www.urbanplates.com for more information.

San Diego Restaurant Week

North County homeowners can also experience cuisine that defines the art of living in San Diego by attending “San Diego Restaurant Week”. This event is held two times a year and features discounted prix fixe menus including some of San Diego’s best restaurants. Visit www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com for all the info.