Frugal foodies, rejoice – San Diego Restaurant Week is back! Kicking off on Jan. 15 and running through Jan. 20, Restaurant Week offers visitors and locals alike the chance to enjoy a full three-course dinner or two-course lunch at a super discounted price. More than 180 restaurants around San Diego County participate in Restaurant Week, so choosing which spots to visit can be daunting. If dining amongst the hustle and bustle of downtown excites your palate, here are three Gaslamp Quarter venues sure to offer a can’t-miss meal:
Nobu
Nobu is known nationally for its Japanese fusion cuisine, but the high-end dining experience can quickly add up to a high-end bill on a normal night. During Restaurant Week, you can enjoy fresh yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno, yuzu soy, cilantro, and serrano chili followed by their steamed Chilean sea bass in black bean sauce with julienned ginger, chives and baby bok choy and still only pay $40 per person for the meal.
Bice
Bice’s elegant dining room and sophisticated Italian dishes make it the perfect date-night restaurant. Their Restaurant Week menu includes a creative soft asparagus flan appetizer with cheese Fondue and wild mushrooms, plus offers diners the option to add on additional sides, like their delectable potato gnocchi in a creamy crab and corn sauce, as well as wine and cocktail pairings.
Saltbox
One of downtown’s newest additions, Saltbox lept onto the dining scene as the signature restaurant of the Hotel Palomar. Their beef cheek tacos have been the talk of the town since the hotspot opened up this fall. During Restaurant Week, their many offerings include flash-fried shishito peppers and beef short ribs slow cooked in a coconut porter. Splurge by adding one of their fresh cocktail concoctions – mixologist Erin Williams doesn’t disappoint.