Top Chef

Watch this season of Top Chef on Bravo to see San Diego's Oceanaire Seafood Room Executive Chef compete to become the top chef. Originally from Oregon, Brian Malarkey took the job here at San Diego's Oceanaire in 2001. He was recently voted San Diego's best chef for 2007 and now sets his sights on winning "Top Chef."

Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge

Walking towards the restaurant you already get the feeling you're in for something different as you're greeted by a giant tiki man. As if the name doesn't already tell you this place is fun, then wait till you visit it. The lights are turned down low and there's tiki decor everywhere. In the heart of downtown, The CohnRestaurant Group, has yet another restaurant to add to their collection. I recently dined here with a group of friends and it is much more than just a place with food, it's an experience. We started the night off right with a "Killa Kilauea." It comes to you as sort of a spectacle with over the top extra long straws and a fire going off in the middle of the drink. The food is a bit different and may surprise you at first. They take ordinary dishes and shake them up a bit which can go both ways in the taste department. If you're an adventurous eater then go for the more bizarre choices but if you're not stick to what you know. A friend of mine had mashed potatoes with a hint of wasabi in them and was turned off after taking one bite. After our meal of mixed feelings, we went straight to desserts and they brought out what looked like a holder for shot glasses but instead of liquor they were filled with tiny desserts in shot glasses. I decided to have key lime pie and felt as if I didn't get enough but settled to just finish the "Killa Kilauea."

Overall I give this restaurant 3 out of 5 Shamu's. The prices are slightly higher than average but the experience of it all is definitely worth it. At the very least go here and just chill with friends getting their interesting twists on favorite drinks such as a Lilikoi Mojito!

Horton Plaza

Horton Plaza is a 5 level shopping mall located in the heart of downtown that is right next to the Gaslamp Quarter. The mall is known for it's vibrant colors and quirky architecture. The mall includes stores such as Nordstrom's, Macy's, Sharper Image, Hot Licks, Steve & Barry's, Abercrombie & Fitch and Loius Vuitton. Park in the mall's parking structure and get your ticket validated in one of the stores by purchasing something. This will give you 3 hours of free parking. The top floor has all the fast food restaurants including a couple fine dining restaurants. Be aware though, it is highly likely that you will get lost as Horton Plaza seem like a maze as it has mezzanine levels and remember what vegetable or fruit level you parked in or else you'll be in the mall forever.

Comic-Con 2007

For all you comic lovers, San Diego Comic-Con is the biggest one of it's kind. It's the mother of all Comic Conventions and it's hosted right here in America's Finest City. Many things happen at the "Con" as many like to call it. Already slated to come is the hit TV show, Heroes, and Masi Oka better known as Hiro Nakamura will be there. Many other TV shows and celebrities also show up to get buzz around their current projects or give the fans a taste of what's to come. Besides that many top companies such as Capcom, Blizzard and Sony are all there to show what's to come. People from all over the US flock to San Diego to come check this once a year event out. It's a great time to visit San Diego as it's one event that many comic lovers and gamers associate San Diego with. If you haven't already decided to go and want to you better get moving. The majority of hotels in the vicinity of the convention center are probably fully booked for that week. I'd suggest finding a hotel deeper into downtown in hopes of finding a vacancy or find a hotel along the trolley line as that will be your best mode of transportation. The trolley drops you off right in front of convention center. If staying deeper in downtown walk a couple blocks or get those guys on bikes to give you a ride. If you're driving to downtown there a couple of parking structures available including the one under the convention center but you have to be really early to snag one of those spots. One structure that seems to always be available is the San Diego transit parking at 12th & Imperial.

For those of you going to Comic-Con, check back often for my suggestions on goods eats in the downtown area.