Best Eats San Diego

Soda & Swine
2943 Adams Avenue, University Heights (San Diego,) California  92116

Though predominantly laden with meat choices, Soda & Swine was a lunch destination because, like so many upscale restaurants, it boasts a menu that includes a delicious vegetarian choice - meatballs made with quinoa and pesto to be served over a bun or spaghetti (pasta) with a sauce of choice: marinara, chipotle, mushroom cream or more pesto. It sounds divine to any vacationer who has breakfasted light after hitting the Torrey Pines Trails or other beautiful morning walks.

Costa Brava
1653 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach (San Diego,) California
Even after living in Spain for three years I love this website's explanation of Spanish culture and cuisine: What are tapas, what is tortilla española, paella, and more...  We stopped in to enjoy the last of the World Cup match between France and Switzerland with a caña (a glass of beer - Enrique), a sangría (summer in a glass -my choice- here's a recipe you can enjoy at home),

croquetas,

garlic and lemon shrimp

and gazpacho (cold vegetable soup- another favorite.)

Plumeria
4661 Park Boulevard, University Heights (the best part of San Diego),
"It's not how you begin, but how you end," the Spanish saying goes, and so it was with our restaurant/cafe journey for this SoCal leg of our trip. Lauds to the hands-down best eats spot so far, Plumeria. The tiny and tastefully exquisite restaurant in both design and food selections, showcases delicate crystal chandeliers against purples and greens, almost like an IKEA meets Polly Pockets, and taunts guests with intoxicating aromas wafting from the moment you enter.  Just look at this menu! Appetizers, Chef's Picks, Salads, Main Courses, Noodles and Side Orders, all vegan and vegetarian (can we say I was happy dancing on the table at all of this?!)  before you even get to the desserts and drinks, which were as wonderful as the food. We chose a sublime rose petal herbal tea that was most delicious.

Banana Caramel Cheesecake Egg Roll, Chocolate Lava Cake and Japanese Green Tea Ice Cream