This restaurant was very well rated on multiple online sites. It offered a grandiose view of the Pacific, promised best seafood dining in San Diego and a good evening out. Then why would not we choose it as a dinner option on our recent visit to Del Mar. It helped that it was located just across the street from our hotel. We made reservations a few days in advance. This proved necessary since the wait time without reservations was more than forty minutes ...

The restaurant was completely packed. All tables were full of patrons. It was sunset time and everyone wanted to enjoy the evening watching the sun set into the ocean. The restaurant has a hip bar area, relatively small inside dining room and quite large terrace with grand views. We were greeted by the host and escorted to probably one of the best tables in the restaurant, directly facing the ocean. (Pacifica Del Mar is not directly on the water. It is up in the hills perhaps four to five hundred yards from the water.) Our server was very good the entire evening. His suggestions on choice of entree was right on the spot. At many restaurants I have learned to ask what their most popular dish is and is very often pays off with great suggestions. For starters we chose some oyster shooters, steamed mussels and ahi tuna tower with mango and avocado. The oyster shooters were literally shots of vodka with oyster and tomatoes. The oyster was great but just too much alcohol for me. Mussels were steaming when they arrived and tasted very fresh and oh so good. The tuna was also excellent with quite the presentation. Wonderful. Our main entrees included salmon and opah prepared in the restaurant's own style. The salmon was the best I have ever had. How do they make it so tender and tasty. Unbelievable. Opah was also amazingly good. Throughout the meal we just kept looking at each other amazed at how good the fish here was. Pure culinary delight also with beautiful presentation. I did not want it to stop. Need I mention that the sun was setting during our meal and provided a wonderful backdrop. Because it was a special occasion we were treated to a very tasty chocolate cake. It was moist, not too sweet and overall excellent.

Needless to say we were very impressed with the Pacifica Del Mar Restaurant. It was a most enjoyable evening. The food was ranked amongst the best we have ever had. We are not easy to please so this should say something about it. Entrees are in the mid twenties so price wise it can add up. For special occasions it is great, just make sure to make reservations and bring sunglasses. Most recommended.

Pacifica Del Mar
1555 Camino del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 792-0476