Romantic downtown restaurant? (condo, prices, food)

[jess534]

I'm new to SD and looking for a romantic restaurant in or near downtown that's not quite as expensive as a place like Morton's. Any cuisine is fine, so long as the food is good! I'll be going for dinner (for two) on a weeknight.

[elchevere]

First, Mortons--besides being expensive--is not good. I was never really a fan and even less of a fan ever since they were acquired by an even bigger chain, Landrys. Also, not sure I would define it as romantic.

Try Salvatore's (Italian).....located at Front & G Street at the base of the Meridian condo complex, downtown.....one of the few Italian places I endorse downtown and it will also meet your romantic requirement--they even have a harp player but I am uncertain as to what days of the week they have it (weekends, yes), call ahead....Dobson's may or may not meet your romantic requirement but is good food and will remind you of a resto from SF or back East......Bertand's at Mister A's (French) is definitely romantic and has a killer view from its location in Bankers Hill (near Balboa Park) BUT it is expensive....even further out in Bay Park (12 minutes from downtown) is another great Italian restaurant, and romantic, called Baci.

http://www.salvatoresdowntown.com/

http://www.dobsonsrestaurant.com/home

http://www.bertrandatmisteras.com/

http://sandiegobaci.com/

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

My vote is Mr. A's, that used to be the whole name of the place. I was taken there on a date over 30 years ago, and I STILL remember how romantic it was!

[bloom]

Bice good but expensive

[oddstray]

Mister A's prices are astronomical! An less costly way to experience Mister A's is to have drinks on the balcony, and look around at shoulder level to see the planes landing at Lindberg Field.

[elchevere]

Agreed.....maybe have drinks, first, at Mister A's and the cross the street and then have dinner at Cucina Urbana.....Bloom--hate to disagree, but not really a fan of Bice which is a 20 something outlet chain. Not bad, mind you, but I think the other 2 Italian restos suggested serve noticeably better food in a city that is great Italian food challenged (don't even get me started on Little Italy--or Little Iowa as I refer to it, from a restaurant perspective).

Originally Posted by oddstray

Mister A's prices are astronomical! An less costly way to experience Mister A's is to have drinks on the balcony, and look around at shoulder level to see the planes landing at Lindberg Field.

[Jenkay]

Cafe Chloe or Cafe 21, really the only two places I'm interested in eating in downtown proper.

Cucina Urbana is one of my all-time faves. Just wonderful, every time.

Mister A's is fun for happy hour at sunset, but other than that it's sort of a waste.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

You get what you pay for.

[jess534]

Thanks everyone! elchevere, great suggestions and I agree Morton's is not romantic! I was just using it as a price point since I don't really know the local places yet. I haven't quite decided on a place but I'm leaning towards Salvatore's or Baci. I drive past Baci everyday and never noticed it!