san diego restaurant week

We're always checking out new places for San Diego Restaurant Week and were invited to preview the SDRW menu at The Marine Room in La Jolla. This fine dining restaurant has huge windows facing the ocean, which is especially mesmorizing when it is HIGH TIDE. I never knew there existed a restaurant where you could watch the waves splashing at the heavy duty windows while dining (view depends on season/time of the year).

The restaurant itself is located in a residential looking area so you go through a little bit of windy streets to reach it. Once there, you can valet your car or find street parking nearby. We were seated by the hostess and were ready to eat.

The San Diego Restaurant Menu is attached at the end of the post and contains 3 appetizers, 6 entrees, and a dessert to choose from.

Our Appetizers:

Pistachio Panch Phoron Wild Prawns at the Marine Room in La Jolla

Pistachio Panch Phoron Wild Prawns / Tuxedo Barley, Eggplant chutney, Penny Royale, Pink Grapefruit Dressing

Pistachio Panch Phoron Wild Prawns at the Marine Room in La Jolla

Back view of the shrimp with the fantastic seasoning!

The biannual San Diego Restaurant Week is a promotion we look forward to due to our ever growing "to do" list of restaurants. This year we were invited to preview the SDRW menu at Sbicca in beautiful Del Mar. This restaurant has been around for almost 18 years so they are doing something right!

Sbicca restaurant in Del Mar

Sbicca is only a stone's throw away from the ocean. There's two main seating areas on the lower level plus an additional upstairs patio that provides a better view of the ocean.

Sbicca restaurant dining in Del Mar

There was still some natural light outside so we chose to sit in this cozy side area. We were welcomed by Danny, the bar manager/assistant floor manager, and Amanda, the managing partner of Sbicca.

strawberry basil lemonade at Sbicca restaurant in Del Mar

We started the night right with the Strawberry Basil Lemonade cocktail, a drink special created for SDRW by Danny and Amanda.

It's about that time again. San Diego Restaurant Week for the fall starts on September 20 through September 27, 2015.  Over 180 restaurants are participating! Check out your favorite restaurants or try something new! The prix fixe lunches are either $10, $15, or $20 and the prix fixe dinners are either $20, $30, $40 or $50!

The theme of Restaurant Week is "Celebrate Local" and I was able to check out a few samples ahead of time at the SDRW Launch Party at Go Green Acres. Browse the tasty creations below and something may inspire you to check out a new or old restaurant favorite!

Blue Point Coastal Cuisine

Get a kick out of the tomato gazpacho with olive tapenade on a caper crostini from Blue Point Coastal Cuisine.

Bali Hai - Crispy Calamari appetizer

We went to Bali Hai for restaurant week and there were options galore on their pre-fixe dinner menu! Due to our group size, we were also able to try out many of the items on the menu! There were 6 appetizers, 8 entrees, and 3 desserts to choose from (compared to most places with about half the selection)! The cost is $35/person for dinner.

I thought the decor was very beautiful inside and I liked the candles on the table. There was also a lovely view outside the windows of the restaurant since it was right by the ocean.