Lindbergh Field, more commonly referred to as the San Diego International Airport, sits around 3.5 miles west of downtown San Diego along North Harbor Drive, overlooking the San Diego Bay. The airport covers 661 acres of ground and served 16.9 million passengers in 2009, making it the busiest single-runway commercial service airport in the United States, according to the airport's official website. In addition to the approximately 30 restaurants located inside of Lindbergh Field, numerous restaurants are within five miles of the airport, including steakhouses, seafood restaurants and upscale cafes.
Boathouse Restaurant is on Harbor Island Drive around 1.5 miles from Lindbergh Field (approximately four minutes by automobile). The restaurant held "Zagat" ratings of "very good to excellent" for its decor and "good to very good" for its food and service as of September 2010.
The restaurant is known for its seafood, such as the salmon stuffed with crab, spinach and cheese topped with sun-dried tomatoes and red peppers. Each week, the restaurant offers discount deals at dinnertime on whole crabs or crab legs, prime rib and lobster. Call ahead to check the schedule. The wine list features more than 25 selections, primarily from California. A corkage fee applies for each bottle purchased, the price of which was $15 as of September 2010.
As of 2010, Boathouse Restaurant serves brunch on weekends, lunch Mondays through Fridays and dinner nightly. Reservations are suggested and accepted by phone. For views of the San Diego Bay and the harbor by day or the lights of the airport by night, ask for seating on the restaurant's outdoor terrace or by the windows in the dining room. Casual attire is acceptable. A children's menu is available for young diners.
Boathouse Restaurant
2040 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
619-291-8011
boathouserestaurant.com
Island Prime opened in January 2005 at its location on Harbor Island Drive, less than two miles from Lindbergh Filed (around four minutes by automobile). The restaurant held "Zagat" ratings of "extraordinary to perfection" for its decor and "very good to excellent" for its food and service as of September 2010.
Steaks are the specialty of the house, and all of the beef serves is USDA certified prime, Midwestern and corn-fed. The signature preparation is the Island Prime filet trio, three small steaks each topped in one of three sauces: Gorgonzola, wild mushroom and blue crab. The bar serves 13 beers and specializes in martinis, such as the black bramble, made with pineapple vodka and blackberry puree.
Island Prime serves dinner nightly. Reservations are highly recommended and taken both online and by phone. The windows of the restaurant look out over the airport and the water. Time your visit around sunset to get the most of the view. Business casual attire is appropriate. Live music is featured regularly.
Upstairs from Island Prime is the C-Level Bistro, which is a casual establishment with a smaller menu. The restaurant has a heated, outdoor patio, however, which makes it an appropriate option for a laid-back meal with a view.
Island Prime
880 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
619-298-6802
cohnrestaurants.com
Karen Krasne's Little Italy is on Union Street in the Little Italy neighborhood of west San Diego, less than three miles from Lindbergh Field (about eight minutes by automobile). The restaurant held ratings of "extraordinary to perfection for its food," "very good to excellent" for its decor and "good to very good" for its service as of September 2010.
The menu features small plate appetizers like humus with house-baked bread, salads, bruschetta and sandwiches like the Italian fontina and roasted poblano grilled cheese. A selection of more than 20 domestic and imported artisan cheeses is available to accompany the restaurants international wine list. Make sure to serve room for desserts, for which the restaurant is especially known. Selections vary daily and are enjoyable with one of the more than 40 teas from around the world.
Karen Krasne's Little Italy serves breakfast, lunch and dinner nightly. Reservations are not taken, and a wait is possible at peak dining times. Outdoor seating is available on the restaurant's patio, and the restaurant features a children's menu.
Karen Krasne's Little Italy
1430 Union Street
San Diego, CA 92101
619-294-7001
extraordinarydesserts.com
