Beachside Bar & Grill Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

Pricing:  

Most of your selections will range from $8-12 per plate.  As most of the entrees are essentially "finger foods" (panini, pizza, etc...), this is actually not a bad place to go during happy hour and just ordering a bunch of appetizers as your meal.

Distance:  

An Encinitas restaurant.  On the highway 101.  Close to Encinitas Blvd.  Takes about 5-10 minutes to get there.

Thoughts:  

Very much a laid back bar type environment.  While many of the restaurants on the 101 are more "date night," this place is definitely more "game night."  With a TV easily viewed from most angles in the restaurant and a nice open air feel, it's not a bad way to go.

This place is a bar.  So it has more than five beers to choose from which is nice.  As I mentioned in the pricing section, going during happy hour is a really good deal.  Order some nachos, soup and chicken tenders (all on their appetizer menu) and you'll have a pretty substantial meal in front of you that is easily shared.

Beachside Bar & Grill is a fun place to go with friends and just hang out for a few hours.  But definitely don't take the friends that are on some sort of health food/no soy/gluten free kind of diet.  They won't find much to eat here.

Rico's Taco Shop Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

Pricing:

Hole-in-the-wall Mexican dining experience.  $4-6 burritos.  The combinations range from $5-9.

Distance:

An Encinitas restaurant.  Right by the El Camino Real/Encinitas Blvd. intersection.  In the LA Fittness (the old Target if you've lived here for as long as I have) shopping area.

Thoughts:

If you live in Encinitas, dive Mexican food is probably a staple part of your diet.  Life really can't get much better than eating a California burrito on the beach.  And, if you've lived in Encinitas for more than a year, you've probably been to Rico's.  More than once.  If you haven't: go now.

There are a multitude of burrito places to choose from around here, but I think Rico's is one of the best.  It's fantastic Mexican food run by Greeks.  How can you go wrong?  They have just about every combination of beans, rice, cheese and meat you can possibly think of.  And if they don't have it, you're welcome to ask for your own custom order.  Rico's also does breakfast starting at 7am.  They serve a pretty mean breakfast burrito.

In my years of going to Rico's I have seen people walk in wearing swimsuits and I have seen homecoming parties exit a limo to dine at this fine establishment.  A landmark to Encinitas cuisine, this restaurant is packed with both flavor and charm.   

Naked Cafe Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

Pricing:

It's no Denny's.  Naked Cafe runs about $10 per entree.  The food portions are generous, so you don't go away feeling hungry.  Buy a nice glass of Naked OJ or a mimosa and it's going to be more like $12-15 a person.

Distance:

An Encinitas restaurant.  In the shopping center at El Camino Real and Via Montoro.  If you want a landmark, it's in the shopping center with the Wells Fargo, Home Goods, See's Candy and Radio Shack.  About a 5-10 minute drive for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

I like this place though it's definitely not for everyone.  With a slew of healthy/organic/vegetarian/gluten-free type options, Naked Cafe is largely populated by women who want to have their breakfast with a mimosa and a side of gossip.  But there are plenty of dishes that also appeal to men here as well.  I go here all the time with my boyfriend (he will even suggest it) and he never feels like he just had to graze.

Naked Cafe is only open for breakfast and lunch.  I believe they close at 2:30 or 3 in the afternoon.  It is a little pricey but a nice place to go for a change of pace.  It can get crowded but I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a table.

Cheesecake Factory Review (San Diego Restaurants)

Pricing:

Most of their dishes range from $10-25.  They have an enormous selection of food.  Everything from burgers to pasta to steak and seafood.  Be warned: where they nail you is in the drinks and dessert.  They don't list prices for any of their mixed alcoholic beverages but each one costs about $10.  Plus you have to get cheesecake for dessert which is another $5-7 a slice.

Distance:

There are a few located around San Diego.  But the closest one to Encinitas folk is the restaurant located in the Fashion Valley mall in the city of San Diego area.  It's right off Friar's Rd.  Takes about 20 minutes to drive there.

Thoughts:

Much like Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, this place is an event.  On any given night you're looking at at least a 20 minute wait.  Fortunately, the location I mentioned is right by a mall, so it's easy to kill time while you're waiting.

Once finally seated, you are presented with a short novel they like to call their "menu."  It's overwhelming how many food choices they have.  This does make it nice for large parties as there is sure to be something for everyone.  The actual entrees are quite good.  I've been to this place several times and I've yet to have a meal I didn't like.  Don't expect to win any weight loss points though.  

Which brings us to the highlight of the evening: the cheesecake.  Keeping with the theme, the cheesecake menu is just as overwhelming as everything else.  You look over the mouth-watering list and find yourself thinking "Oh god, I am not going to fit in my pants after this."  You can order an entire cheesecake or individual slices.  Due to the sheer number of flavor selections, I find it's fun to order several slices and everyone can sample.

The Cheesecake Factory is not a quick and easy dinner.  It's a "let's do something!" dinner.  The atmosphere is fun.  Since the one in San Diego is by a mall, the dress code is pretty laid back as most of the people are eating after a day of shopping.

Las Olas Review (Cardiff By Sea Restaurants)

Pricing:

You'll be looking at $9-15 per entree.  By entree I mean one of those rice and beans plus food type combinations.  And then of course you'll have to get margaritas.  While the margaritas don't come in a large fishbowl, they do pack a punch.  When I go here with three or more people, I usually order a pitcher of margarita which is about $30.  Saves you a few dollars if you want to drink.

Distance:

A Cardiff restaurant.  Located on the 101.  5-10 minute drive if you're located in Encinitas.  50-60 minute walk back after too many margaritas.

Thoughts:

The epitome of a Southern California Mexican food dining experience.  It's by the beach, the hygiene of the bathrooms is questionable and they serve large quantities of good food.  When it's lobster season, they serve super cheap, really fresh lobster (I think they walk across the street to the ocean and catch them).  Las Olas is great for just about any occasion.  It's a fun date night, it's family friendly and it's a good place to take out-of-town guests.

The food is not too unlike your typical sit-down Mexican restaurant.  But, in my opinion, it tastes a little better than, say, Casa de Bandini or El Torito.  It's also more laid back than other said establishments.  The environment is one that encourages conversation rather than getting in and out as quickly as possible.  There's also a nice selection on the menu.  There's the standard entrees for the hungry.  But I also will sometimes just order their chicken tortilla soup (which is excellent) for a light but filling meal.

On a Friday and Saturday night it can get a little crowded.  But I've never had to wait longer than 45 minutes for a table.  And 45 minutes is unusual.  Most of the time it's about a 20 minute wait.  If you get antsy, it's fun to go and talk a walk on the beach.

Ki's Review (Cardiff By Sea Restaurants)

Pricing:

Ki's offers breakfast through dinner.  So the prices vary depending on which meal you're on.  Breakfast and lunch is about $6-12 per entree.  Dinner is in the $10-25 range.

Distance:

A Cardiff restaurant.  On the highway 101 so very close to most Encinitas residents.  Right next to Las Olas and Yogi's bar.

Thoughts:

The picture does not do Ki's justice.  One of the major selling points is that right across the street is the ocean.  So if you want breakfast with a view, this is your place.

Ki's is unusual in that it does offer all three meals over the course of the day.  There are set hours for each type of meal, so don't expect to be eating breakfast for dinner here.  During the day, it's a laid back beach place.  They pride themselves on serving fresh, organic food.  So you can get humongous omelettes that actually feel somewhat healthy.  They're not swimming in grease.

At night, this restaurant completely changes.  It's not at all uncommon for live music to be present on the weekends.  The dinner menu is a little bit more refined.  Expect to see your standard steak or fish served with some interesting sauces or sides.  For example, one of my favorite appetizers there is a quesadilla that has brie, avocados and mangoes.  Sounds like a strange combination, right?  But it's really tasty.  So you do have to be willing to try new things in order to get the most out of this place.

Their wine list is also impressive.  It's not more or less extensive than any other restaurant.  They just have some really nice ones to choose from.  One nice little feature on the dinner menu is they offer food and wine pairings.

I only really have one complaint about Ki's.  90% of the time, the food and service is fantastic.  But every once in awhile, it seems like they have their "B team" running the entire establishment.  Incorrect orders will arrive or the food will be cold... things like that.  It doesn't happen often enough to turn me away from this place.  I still frequent it on a regular basis.  But when everyone at your table has something wrong with their meal, you know something is up.