We’re always touting the deliciousness of our restaurants atDel Mar Plaza. There are so many award-winning restaurants, you really can’t go wrong wherever you dine. But with so many mouthwatering options, how do you decide what dish to try?
Read our guide below to find out which signature dish we can’t pass up when we’re dining at each of our restaurants.
Del Mar Rendezvous
Named one of the 50 best Chinese restaurants in the U.S. by CNN Traveler, Del Mar Rendezvous serves up traditional, as well as vegetarian and gluten-free, plates. Our go-to pick is the Five Spice Braised Beef entrée. The meat is top tier, grain-fed Black Angus that’s been aged for at least 21 days. It’s sourced from the North American Great Plains and free of all artificial additives. Starting with a good foundation makes the dish so much better. The beef is braised for five hours in a soy sauce, five spice, star anise, and cinnamon bark marinade, which makes it super tender. It’s then served over sautéed bok choy, and steamed white or brown rice.
Il Fornaio Del Mar
It’s hard to visit an authentic Italian restaurant and pass up on a pasta dish. Il Fornaio makes their pasta fresh, on-site. They even have gluten-free options available. Our favorite is the Linguine Mare Chiaro, which is thin, flat pasta topped with a treasure trove of fresh seafood—clams, mussels, prawns, and scallops. It’s seasoned with tomatoes, crushed red pepper, garlic, and Trebbiano wine, and pairs perfectly with dozens of wines on the restaurant’s list.
Shimbashi Izakaya
When we snag a table at Shimbashi Izakaya, we leave our selection up to the chef by choosing the Omakase Course. With this option, the meal is totally up to the chef. They’ll pick the best dishes from the kitchen and sushi bar based on the freshest or most unique seasonal ingredients, and even help you pair the perfect sake to go along with your meal.
Pacifica Del Mar
Any time we visit Pacifica Del Mar, we like to start off with an order of fresh oysters—either raw or baked—since the restaurant is known for its amazing California-inspired seafood dishes. When it comes down to choosing an entrée though, the Pan Roasted Seabass is our favorite. It has a soy glaze and is served in a green curry-coconut sauce along with bok choy and sticky rice.
Pacifica Breeze Café
The Breeze Breakfast Sando is not just our favorite plate at Pacifica Breeze, it’s a Del Mar favorite too. It’s a delicious way to start the day. The sandwich is composed of an organic fried egg, tomato-bacon jam, avocado, and Oaxaca cheese on a potato bun. Like the other egg dishes, the Sando is served with your choice of Breeze BreakfastPotatoes (red potatoes, cilantro, green onions, and feta—and so good!), fresh fruit, or steamed broccoli.
What is your can’t-miss dish at the Plaza? Follow us then tag us in your Instagram photos and let us know!