La Jolla Pre-show dinner

[policerule]

[quote="conroy"]I've been way too busy to have time to even sit down and look at the prospects. I'm a fan of going someplace close by for starters and drinks and a nice view before the show and eating a relaxing dinner after the show without being rushed to get somewhere else except to crash in our hotel rooms.[/quote]


I like this idea! Somewhere for a lite bite before the show and then drinks and chow after. Somewhere that won't kick us out at 11pm.

[nancyrose]

[quote="TOWOS"]I have been to George's. While the setting is wonderful, the food is meh IMHO and VERY expensive. But the view is worth the price.[/quote]

Hey, E, I don't know if you were at the main restaurant or the Ocean Terrace, but it's the Terrace that I had in mind, and their prices seem pretty much as moderate as we're likely to find on Prospect Street. The food also receives quite good reviews in places like Zagat's, Gourmet magazine, and Michelin's guide. While it's true there are some entrees on the pricey side, there are also some that are not so high, so people could choose accordingly. And the view does seem like it would give us tourists a chance to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

[nancyrose]

[quote="njperry"]I would vote for Roppongiusa, http://www.roppongiusa.com/home.html

Interesting mix of Asian food and prices seems reasonable with a great location.

Of course, I will be happy to go wherever.

I do think it would be best if we could try to eat within walking distance of the theatre since no everyone will be staying at the Hilton.[/quote]


Nick, I agree their menu looks great, but keep in mind that cost can add up when you're ordering "small plates" and sushi, since people generally order more than one item.

Also, all of the restaurants I linked (besides Piaggi's, which I assume we've ruled out) are on Prospect Street, so any of them will have easy proximity to the theatre.

[nancyrose]

Me again. Just want to throw out another idea...

Since some people (Conroy, Betsy) have said they don't care so much to have a full dinner prior to the show, we could opt to meet beforehand at George's Bar, which has both balcony and indoor seating. They also serve the same menu as the Ocean Terrace, so anyone who does want to eat can do so. (If we book space on the Terrace, everyone needs to order a minimum of $12.50 in food.) Don't know about actually getting a reservation for the bar area...it's likely to be first come, first serve, and it's doubtful we would be able to all sit together.

If we do that, we could then theoretically go somewhere else after the show, although we should keep in mind that we could be talking about needing something like a 10 p.m. reservation...and as we've seen in Savannah and elsewhere that is not always as easy as it sounds, especially for a group of approximately 25.

The more I weigh our choices, the more I'm leaning toward the Ocean Terrace. I'll also look for some after-show bar options and report back!

[nancyrose]

There are two bars on Prospect Street. Check 'em out:

http://thespotonline.com/

http://www.prospectbar.com/site/

Both offer a good selection of burgers, pastas, tacos, and typical bar food. Prospect Bar is open 'til 2 a.m.; The Spot says "after midnight." Either looks like a good place post show.

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Thanks, Nancy.

I really don't much care, either. I've been boozeless for the past six or eight months, but I love bar food and they'll have Cokes wherever.

Just let me know if you need help with any logistics, including hauling people around the night of the show. I've only got a "midsize" vehicle reserved, but I seem to recall seven or eight people crammed into similar on the way to Jones Beach 1

[nancyrose]

Hey, Dive, sounds like you, Lynne, and I will all have cars leaving from the Hilton, so between the three of us we should be in pretty good shape.

[Lynne]

Ocean Terrace sounds great to me. Thanks, Nancy, for doing all the legwork!

Right now I don't have a car reserved; in fact, since I'm flying into SAN and out of LAX, renting a car seems to involve a $150 drop fee at LAX . Still working on the logistics around that ...

[nancyrose]

Hey, Lynne, if you shop around you should be able to avoid that extra fee. I remember running into the same situation with last year's California to Denver road trip. I do recall that it's virtually unavoidable if you try to use Priceline or something like that, and I believe it was Budget that finally came through for me (and at the lowest rate, too).

Good luck!

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Email incoming - got a decent rate at Hertz using a code I found on Southwest.com. The drop fee is "only" $115 - nearly more than the rental itself!! I'm pretty sure Budget is also charging the $150 - my guess is because lots of people try this run, SAN to LAX.

Oh, and - rates'll be pretty high right now since we're about a month out. Here's a trick to try - reserve something expensive now, but then check back about two days before you leave and the prices will have dropped back down.

[63falcon]

Whatever y'all end up deciding, i hope y'all have a great time, get a little StewartHimself time after, and 'Represent' for all the rest of the Nutters!! Can't wait for the Posts after, and am a teeny envious (no time/ extra $$) to have attended), but I know how good the reports will be....

[TOWOS]

As long as we meet (and yes, after the show might be a good option, no haste and relax...) I'm fine with every place...
(Slight preference for places that DO NOT serve tequila...Chickening out again!):=)

[empty]

Little T, I won't be drinking as I will be training for another triathlon- so we can hang and chill with no tequila

[AGroovie1]

I'm in for whatever, whenever ... inside, outside, tequilaless or not. (Tequila makes me wake up in strange places and forget what I did to get there ... probably should avoid it at all costs!) I'll just follow the crowd.

[Larissa]

I'm easy. (:

*resists urge to make awful joke at own expense*