👨‍🍳 PATTY'S PICKS

Official Patty’s Picks Rating: 8️⃣.9️⃣ Ok so instead of me just saying imagine a Michellein version of “X” this time we got on dished up for you. Bet you can’t guess the bill though….Oh yeah I forgot to also add… it’s the best burger in San Diego.

Enter TANNERS PRIME: The long awaited, much needed, best burger in San Diego: Official Patty’s Picks Rating: 8.9 (Link to Patty’s Picks Official Rating Sheet)

Why? Because when a chef like: Brandon Roders leaves the French Laundry to start a burger joint you simply just go. Yes, there will be a line. Yes, it is a far drive… Yes it is worth it.

The Go-To’s: At the price point of basically the price of an entree at a fine dining restaurant you can order the entire menu. So if you’re going with anyone other than just yourself, I recommend just ordering the entire damn thing. Take bites, enjoy, or gorge yourself till tomorrow. You won’t regret it.

Final Verdict

📍 Tanners Prime Burgers | Oceanside, California 🔗 Website

Official Patty’s Picks Rating: 8️⃣.3️⃣ Imagine you are in Palm Springs but right next to the ocean. Wild decor, opulent patrons, and damn good food.

Enter a dominate date spot in the heart of Bird Rock, San Diego: Paradisaea

Why? Nestled in one of San Diego’s most coveted and most difficult to get to neighborhoods (Bird Rock) is the first of the new age modern upleveling vibes delivered to the area. Paradisaea is a modern American gem that is as much vibes as it is originality and quality. Yes, it is not cheap. Yes it is worth going. Yes, it is an Official Patty's Pick.

The Go-To’s: The Pile Of Parmesean Cesar Salad. It should honestly not be called a salad as it is more cheese than leaves but if you are like me and love cheese, this is a must have on the menu to kick off the meal.

The burger is an original twist and is not too big, not too small, it is just right. Centered between an English Muffin, it hits more than you would think for something that sounds like a McMuffin sandwich.

If you want to splurge, the Tomahawk is a wild plating. It is also not TOO big and not TOO small but it is pricey… However it is worth it both for presentation and for taste. Patty Hack: Desert & Wine Hidden at the back on the wine list, Paradisaea is home to one of the most exclusive collection of wines I have ever seen for a restaurant in San Diego. My guess is that they only have 1 bottle of each, but if you are a wine baller and want to throw down for Screaming Eagle or Petrus… They got you covered. Before you leave, take a left at the door. You will find a mini doughnut bar that absolutely slaps and brings you right back to county fair land with a ball of dough that melts in your mouth. Final Verdict Paradisaea is shooting for their Michellein Star which my bet is that they will get. The place is a bit overpriced for my liking in terms of how much food you are getting but no one wants to be full for the afters, after a solid 10/10 date spot like this. 📍 Paradisaea| Bird Rock, San Diego 🔗 Website

Official Patty’s Picks Rating: 8️⃣.9️⃣

When it comes to Italian, every one has an opinion as a hot headed italian guido. So when I have a recommendation for my favorite italian in all of San Diego, I definitely approach it with caution but confidence.

Why? An almost secret little rooftop with a partial ocean view in La Jolla basically makes you feel like you are in the Mediterranean. Their outdoor reso on the west desk is non-negotiable for booking a table here. Catania is one of the few restaurants in all of La Jolla that survived the pandemic and today is still thriving. There is not one bad thing on the menu and that is a big statement considering they change it based on the season. The drink and wine menu is lack luster but play the pro-card and bring a bottle from the cellar that pairs with Mediterranean Italian. Think Tempranillo or Borolo.

Patty’s Go-To: There are few perfect 10’s of dishes in the world and Catania is the owner of one of them. The Charred Octopus is the best I have ever had in the world. I stand by this statement and have yet to be proven wrong. The signature dish: Duck Orchiette…. One that never comes off the menu no matter the season is the second go-to must have. Add on any of the pizzas or arancini as the last dish and you are good to go. Catania is a certified Patty’s Pick.

Patty Hack: Unlock VIP Status Send a drink to the kitchen. They’ll ring a bell (no joke), and suddenly, service magically improves. Try it. Send the drink. Tag me when the bell rings.

Final Verdict Catania is a Michelin-starred gem that actually deserves it. If you want the best Italian in SD with the best ocean views and the best octopus of your life—this is the spot.

📍 Catania | La Jolla, San Diego

🔗 Website

Official Patty’s Picks Rating: 9️⃣.0️⃣

Ever dreamed of a Michelin level dinner at a diner price point? Well, good news. No need to wake up, just head on over to Juan Jasper. One of San Diego’s best kept secrets.

Why?

When I say Michelin level, that's not figurative speech. Mark (Main Chef Chief Of Command) is about as decorated of a chef as you can get in San Diego and somehow continues to fly completely under the radar. By his eccentric personality you would never guess it but when it comes to dining with Mark, you are the celebrity, however, he is definitely center stage. In his small University Heights wine counter on the corner, Mark delivers excellence with a menu that changes EVERY DAY. Mark makes what Mark wants and you will like it. (That’s a Patty Guarantee.) But just when you thought the food was perfect, the wine is it’s twin. Hanging on the wall behind you, you can grab wine from whichever of Mark’s longtime fans have sent him to sell. Wine you cannot simply get at a store, nor will you ever see on a menu. The best part, all of this can be yours for a night out for 2 for under $100. (Depending on how much you end up drinking)

Patty’s Go To:

The only dishes that are a constant are 100% a non-negotiable on the table must haves: The burger. It’s not what you think. Just get it. The spicy caesar and the Steak Tartare. If you have to drop 1 to get something of the daily highlights, drop the tartare.

Patty Hack Mark’s partner in crime owns one of the best butcher shops in San Diego which is actually connected to the wine bar. The hack? Go next door, pick your steak, and Mark will sear it on up for you. However, if you like your steak anything cooked over medium…. Good luck trying to be allowed to order it.

Official Patty's Picks Rating: 9️⃣.1️⃣

Why?

It might be because a good chunk of my childhood was spent in this restaurant. It could be because it is lost in time that only a true family run hole in the wall Mexican restaurant that is cash only can be, perhaps it is the fact that they remember all of the customers names, their lives, and treat you like family everytime….. or it just might be the fact that the food is so damn fucking good.

In a strip mall in Clairemont about ¼ mile from my childhood home, Maritzas is nestled in between a children's dance studio and a laundry mat. It is run by the Mother: Carmen. Her husband & main chef. His brother also chef. Her daughter. And her grand daughter. So when I say it feels like you are having a family dinner prepared by your Mexican relatives, it doesn’t get more accurate than that.

The menu is checker boarded with plastic letters, they only take cash, and their menu has never changed. In my world, if I am having my worst of days or my best of days, this is my go-to EVERY TIME.

Now, I know we are in San Diego, and everyone has their own version of this…But do yourself a favor and go here. Argue with me later.

Patty’s Go To: The C-Special, with an added hard shell chicken taco, a quesadilla, and a side of enchilada sauce. You will be full. Honorable Mentions:

Rolled Tacos: They go way too hard. Be sure to add the pound of guac.

Wednesday Carnitas: Only on Wednesdays

The Churro: I swear they bring these in from Disneyland.

Patty Hack: ☝️ If you go in there and try and order a California Burrito or Carne Asada Fries…. They will simply ask you to leave. Candidly, you just ain’t in the right place and don’t embarrass me and yourself like that.

Official Patty's Picks Rating: 8️⃣.8️⃣

Morning glory is nothing short of chaos, clout, and deliciousness. You will sit down hungry after waiting for 4 hours, and leave hammered from having to try their long list of absolutely insane drinks. Whether it is the wondering LED eyeball, the Moet Champagne vending machine, or the traveling caviar cart, Morning Glory is the only Consortium’s long list of maximalist venues where the environment actually matches the food. Beware, if you plan to try and go here on a weekend, be ready to put your name down and have to wait 3-4hours to sit down. Can I say the wait is worth it? For a first timer…Yes. Just distract yourself at the farmers market for a bit. As a guest of someone who is already waiting for the reso… 100%.

Patty’s Go To: To Eat: Japanese Jiggle Jiggle Souffle Pancakes: “Most Likely To End Up On Instagram” Ginger Fried Rice: “Most Likely To Be Told We Are Sold Out: Steak & Eggs: “Most Likely To End Up In A Comma”

To Drink: Caviar Bump & Ride Mini-Moet out of the vending machine Squeezed In Your Face OJOJ

Patty Hack: Show up early, before 10am. Make a reservation for 11-11:30 and go booze it up or roam around the plaza or farmers market right down the street. A perfect warm-up to a Sunday Funday.

Official Patty's Picks Rating: 7️⃣.3️⃣

The unknown hidden gem in Pacific Beach that somehow has still remained under the radar. Time to end that streak. Oltre Mare is as authentic as it gets. This is not your average fufu italian joint, this is not fake authentic, this is not hype this is the REAL DEAL.Sweetbug and her husband run this literally out of the back of their house and deliver it right to you in what is basically their living room. All fresh, and all Italian natives… Like seriously, their family gets temp visas and works there over the Summer. The pasta is actually handmade unlike many places that claim it to be, and you won't be leaving like shit as you do with most big Italian dinners. Best Part: It is one of the few places in San Diego that is not Koren that is BYOB…. So get your wine fridge ready.

The Go To:

For 2: 1 Pasta 1 Pizza and you are good to go. I love bolognese so when the wild boar bolognese shows up on a menu you know it is coming down on the table. The pizza - If it has prosciutto on it - It is a YES CHEF. The Pizza Crudo e Rucola is the go to.

For 4: 2 pasta’s 1 Pizza and if you are hungry - Get the whole fish. For the additional pasta (Assuming you went with what I recommended above) go for the Pappardelle ai funghi Porcini.

Patty Hack: She’s got specials on the weekend which she will most likely demand you to order and you should just submit and listen because SweetBug is always right.

Tell her I sent yah and she will give yah a big ol hug that only a true Italian mother can give!

Official Patty’s Picks Rating: 8️⃣.7️⃣

Why? Arguably one of the best casual date or good eats spots in San Diego, and definitely the only one you will get away with paying under $100. The food is to die for and hosts some of the most overlooked and underrated drinks in San Diego. There is not one bad item on the menu. (Not kidding) Everything is unique and the best version of it in San Diego. The price point does not do the food justice. Where it lacks occasionally in service temperament, it makes up for with the food, drinks, and vibe. Low key with high key taste. A certified Patty Pick. ✅

The Go To: Burger / Fried Chicken Burger, The Charred Brussell Cesar + Steak Frites. Add on their signature spicy marg and call it a day. Now, they did just add in a whole new list of menu items that I have tried most of and just like everything else on their menu - It hits 100% of the time.

Background: Anderson is a culinary and venue legend. The original GM of Catch LA and now the owner of CommonStock and Books & Records (To be reviewed in an upcoming edition). He keeps the vibe fresh with a modern upscale vibe that you can bring casual fun into. This place is a certified Patty Pick and still one of my favorite spots in the entire city. If you see Anderson out and about running around talking to tables, tell him Patty sent yah! https://www.eatcommonstock.com/