JD B.

Senor Fish Inc

When I'm craving Mexican food and seafood, I always go to Senior Fish. The seafood is always fresh and everything is hand made while you wait. They have amazing grilled fish taco specials and (I know this sounds wierd, but you have to try it) potatoe tacos. The prices are great and you always get a lot of food.

PROS: Fresh seafood. Inexpensive
CONS: You'll have to wait while your food is hand made

Westgate Hotel

This is a beatiful hotel in a convenient location in the heart of downtown San Deigo. Directly across the street from Horton Plaza where there is shopping and about a 1-1/2 - 2 mile walk from the baseball stadium. The service in the hotel and restaurants was exceptional. We were slightly disappointed that our main course dinner selection at the very upscale resturant was not more enjoyable. Dessert was fabulous however.

PROS: Exceptional Service, convenient location
CONS: Upscale restaurant food could be better

Akbar Cuisine Of India

Fresh and delicious Indian food. Try the vegetable samosas they're plump and perfectly cooked. The basmati rice and vegetable biriyani are also a great combination. The service here is a little slow during the lunch hour.

PROS: Fresh ingredients
CONS: Slow service

Restaurant-Hotel Bel Air

I took my husband to this restaurant as a birthday suprise on the recommendation of a friend. We were not disappointed. The food was great, the atmosphere was incredible (even to the swans in the little lakes on the grounds). We sat in a semi private heated booth on the terrace, which has a more casual atmosphere than the main restaurant. We both loved our main course, drinks and the dessert (try the chocolate fondant or the chocolate mousse, mmm!). The wait staff made us feel like royalty. They were attentive but discreet. Even when they caught us in the middle of a little birthday smooching! We took a lovely after dinner walk around the grounds and came back to the terrace for a drink and to warm our hands by a crackling outdoor fireplace. Again the staff was attentive and accomodating. It's a bit of a splurge but we may have to start making up reasons to visit the restaurant at Hotel Bel Air as often as possible.

PROS: Great food. Great atmosphere. First class wait staff
CONS: Expensive

A A Auto Corp

Cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Nbc Seafood Restaurant Inc

Awesome dimsum

Grassroots Natural Market

I go to Grassroots at least once or twice a week. They have these awesome fresh baked cranberry walnut and apple walnut muffins that I swear by. They fill you up with fiber and are a great meal substitute if you are on the go. They have a lunch counter with fresh natural chicken and vegan entrees.
They make a vegetarian burrito for me with brown rice and pinto beans and lots of green chilis (yum!). They have all natural farm raised turkeys for the holidays and home made tamales.
This place is a South Pasadena must visit.

PROS: Local, fresh, friendly
CONS:

Inn Of The Seventh Ray

I haven't been to Inn of the Seventh Ray in nine years but my husband suggested we go for a spontaneous romantic moonlit evening dinner last Saturday. Twinkling white lights in the trees, a cool crisp creek and a small enclosed room with a roaring fire greeted us as we walked down the brick stairs into this splendid utopia. Aditionally, there is expansive outside seating with heating lamps in the winter and small tables nestled in semi-private gazebos. And if the ambiance isn't enough, the amazing food definitely seals the deal. Food are all-natural made without refined sugar or bleached flour, organic wines without tannins, farm raised, sans hormones chicken or beef (the waitress wasn't even shocked when I mentioned I couldn't have fermented foods or drinks. She deftly offered a tasty non-alcoholic sparkling fruit drink and the signature made on the premises yeast-free corn bread), fresh fish and even a raw menu. The Ahi tuna tartare was the best I've ever had!
Defintely have dessert. My husband raved about the chocloate cake with vanilla lavender ice-cream.
It's wasn't an inexpensive evening but well worth every penny.

PROS: Great food, romantic ambiance, great views
CONS: Isolated location

Beauty On The Go

Cute little store with make-up and skin products geared toward an ethnically diverse clientele. Quality hand-made soaps, purses and gifts for the Diva on the go.

PROS: Make up products that actually match you skin color!
CONS: none

Bazar

Very cool, funky, Venice furniture and antique store. They specialize in French Moderne 30's and 40's style furniture. Authentic, imported antiques. Not inexpensive but everything is top quality.