Night Life and Trendy Dining at Whiskey Girl

Whiskey Girl in the historic Gaslamp District is a trendy restaurant bar combination that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner combinations. With 20 HD television sets and an open to street design it is a favorite for those who watch sports. Restaurant by day and dancing at night it draws a youthful crowd on the weekends. 

Whiskey grill hosts a full bar with domestic and craft beers. Beverage selections are discounted during happy hours as much as $3 with more exotic mixed drinks available at a higher price. Pricing is under $15 and includes appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, salads and pizza. 

Their signature dish is the Whiskey Burger. It is a serious burger for someone with a big appetite. Stacked with cheddar cheese, apple wood smoked bacon, Philly sirloin steak with sautéed onions and mozzarella cheese you won’t need anything to eat for at least a couple of days. 

Nearly every night of the week they offer a special on food/drinks and some form of entertainment. DJs, karaoke, and dancing are hosted to draw in the crowds and get them excited.  Lines can wrap around the entrance so you might want to come early before it gets busy. 

Whiskey Girl

702 5th Ave,

San Diego, CA 92101

http://www.whiskeygirl.com/

The Authentic Northern Italian Cuisine of Operacaffe

If you are looking for authentic Italian food in a historic environment that reflects the small shop life of Italy you may want to frequent Operacaffe. Located in the busy Gaslamp district of San Diego it attracts fine dining enthusiasts that seek a unique dining experience. Seafood, steak and pasta are only part of their main offerings. You can sit on the street side terrace or inside. 

The lights are low and the décor is traditional European. Antique pictures, cabinets and tapestry line the walls while traditional table cloths only add to the experience. As a fine dining establishment they have taken impeccable care to ensure that the atmosphere is both inviting to guests and providing a romantic ambiance. 

There are many restaurants but only one Operacaffe. If you are a pasta lover try the Ravioli Bascaiola made with mushrooms, sage and butter sauce. If you are seeking to avoid pasta you can try one of their salads, meat, or fish offerings. Appetizers and wine are also offered at a reasonable price. Food is labeled with Italian titles and English ingredients making it convenient for most customers. 

The restaurant hosts authentic northern Italian cuisine. Southern cuisine is known for its fish, shrimp, and Mediterranean styles while the northern cuisine is oriented toward cattle, cheese, and butter based sauces (1). The owners are from northern Italy and try and bring their northern style to San Diego.

They have done well bringing into alignment the style, furniture, price, servicescape, and menu to ensure that there is consistency in their theme. This is important in helping their core demographic customers experience authentic Italy and ensure that they want to return. It is a place that just beacons you to order a glass a wine with your food. 

http://www.operacaffe.com/#Home

The Romantic Old World Charm of Asti Ristoranti

Asti Ristoranti is a historic Italian restaurant with old world charm. From the elegant tablecloths, brick walls, and murals one can feel like they are dining in style. Located on a busy street in the Gaslamp district there is plenty of foot traffic. One can dine either on the patio or inside allowing for two different environments.  It may be just a touch loud on the patio during weekend evenings. 

Dinner menus include items such as crab cakes for $16 all the way to higher end items such as Gamberoni e Capesante (Grilled jumbo shrimp and large scallops with fresh herbs, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon juice) for $30. Lunch ranges from pizza for $12 to Zuppa di Pesce del Golfo (Cioppino style Mediterranean seafood, tiger shrimp, fresh fish, jumbo scallops, mussels and clams in a tomato broth) for $26. The menu has a wide selection. 

This is a fine dining restaurant and one should expect the quality of service that comes with the price. Particularly nice are the tables located near the windows. With wood trim, pictures of visitors on the wall, and the old style window panes it is a nice place to sit. They offer a bar with a large selection of beverages. Eat during the week, weekends, or for special occasions. Parking is limited in the area but valet is available. 

728 5th Ave | San Diego, CA 92101

http://www.astisandiego.com/

TOAST Enoteca & Cucina-Wine Bar and Italian Eatery

TOAST Enoteca & Cucina is a wine bar and eatery that offers over 400 different wines and an assortment of menu items. Both dinner and lunch menus are available. There are a number of appetizers and antipasti items that go well with the variety of different wines. If you are unsure you can ask the waitress about pairings and she seems quite knowledgeable. 

Of particular interest to wine lovers may be the Assaggio di Formagg which is an assorted cheese platter.  In general heavy tasting cheese should go with desert wines such as port. Lighter tasting cheese is more likely to pair with lighter wines like merlot. While many yellow type cheeses taste better with white wines. Each cheese has their own pairings so the advice is in general terms. 

Seating is available both inside and outside. Even though J Street has foot traffic it is light compared to other streets in the area. There is a popular dance club across the street so you may have your fine dining experience influenced by some thumping sounds until around 10:00 pm when they close the open street doors. Nothing overpowering so there should be no fear.  A conversational tone is all this is needed to rise above it.

Located on J Street within the Gaslamp District there is plenty of street activity and other things to do. If one is not seeking to bar hop or go dancing they still may enjoy walking around the neighborhood. Parking is a touch of a problem so don’t bother driving around in circles hoping for that one open spot. Simply just find a lot and turn in. 

927 J St  San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 269-4207

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