San Diego – September kicks off theater season in town. Between the Civic Center and Balboa Theater, San Diegans can enjoy Shrek The Musical, West Side Story, Hair, Burn The Floor, The Wizard Of Oz, Disney's Beauty And The Beast, Next To Normal, The Color Purple, Mamma Mia! and Stomp. Throughout the year there are specials and discounts available for seniors, students, educators and military. For ticket information and show schedules, go to www.sandiegotheatres.org or call 1-619-570-1100. A new musical, Limelight, the Story of Charlie Chaplin, begins September 7th. at the La Jolla Playhouse. Its run will be followed by Notes from Underground and Ruined. For their entire 2010/2011 schedule, logon to www.lajollaplayhouse.org or call 1-858-550-5100. There are special savings for series subscriptions.
San Diego Restaurant Week is returning September 19 – 24. One can choose from over 180 of San Diego's best eating spots featuring extraordinary three course price-fixe dinners at a considerable discount. The restaurant categories are $20, $30 and $40 per person, not including tax, gratuities and beverages. Earlier in the year, at the winter promotion, over 100,000 people took advantage of this culinary extravaganza. My suggestion is to make reservations. For a complete list of participants, visit www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com or call 1-619-233-5008. Please note that approximately 140 of the restaurants will extend their offer for an extra week. I highly recommend the following in the $30 category:
The La Jolla Strip Club – This hot spot is well worth a visit. Our first course was the Strip Club house salad served family style with grilled garlic bread. We picked steaks from a platter and cooked them on an indoor professional grade grill. Our entrée choices were the 12 oz. bone-in ribeye and the 8 oz. baseball cut filet mignon. A choice of nine spices and rubs makes for “steak personalization” that’s quite unique. Don’t miss the three layer chocolate mousse cake for dessert. Special note: This is an adults only (21 and up) establishment with a lively bar scene (over 100 vodkas!). They also have a location in the Gaslamp Quarter. Logon to www.cohnrestaurants.com or call 1-858-450-1400 for reservations. You can’t get better quality steaks at these prices. Try it! The Prado at Balboa Park - The Prado, another of the Cohn Group Restaurants, presents classic dining in the House of Hospitality, located in the middle of San Diego’s crown jewel, Balboa Park.
We started by sharing a baby iceberg wedge with Maytag blue cheese dressing and seared Kobe beef carpaccio. Our second course was grilled pork flat iron and an oven roasted boneless half chicken. Dessert was a steamed blackberry cake and a duo of Belgian chocolate. It’s a long time San Diego favorite and perfect for pre-theater dining at the Old Globe Theater. Call 1-619-557-9441 or go to www.pradobalboa.com for information.
Avenue 5 Restaurant & Bar – Another outstanding $30 choice. I had a sneak preview of their prixe-fixe menu at this terrific bistro located in Bankers Hill. It features American cuisine with a French influence. Our starters that evening were a vodka cured beef tenderloin carpaccio and salmon tartar; both innovative and delicious. The main course was vegetarian herb gnocchi with porcini mushrooms and rosemary white prawns with lemon risotto. We enjoyed desserts of honey flower gelato and pistachio profiteroles. This place offers great ambience, an extensive wine list, picture perfect presentations and quality service. A steal at $30. For reservations call 1-619-542-0394.
While in the food and bargain mode, there are two happy hour menus in town that are outstanding; one classy and the other a joint (meant as high praise). Manhattan, in La Jolla, has recently remodeled as well as gaining a new owner. Although there are lots of choices, don’t miss the cannelloni or steak sandwich served in their bar area during happy hour. Crazee Burger, on 30th. Street off El Cajon Boulevard in North Park, is a great burger and beer bar. Lots to choose from but I’d recommend their smoked sausage sandwich and any of the beers on tap during their extensive happy hour. Check both places out at www.manhattanoflajolla.com and www.crazeeburger.com. Each is worth a special trip.
Become a Sponsor! 
