US Grant Hotel in San Diego including the fantastic Grant Grill restaurant are must visits (12/10)

The US Grant Hotel located at the edge of the Gaslamp quarter in beautiful San Diego is very upscale and elegant. The lobby is spectacular with incredible décor, comfortable couches, free WiFi and a baby grand piano for live music many nights. The location couldn’t be better as you are right in the heart of town walking distance to the gaslamp section with many restaurants and other venues. You are only about a seven minute drive to the world famous San Diego Zoo and about twice the distance to Sea World.

One must is to have dinner at the fine dining Grant Grill on the lobby level. The staff/service was excellent as chef de cuisine Chris Kurth is very creative and Manager/Sommelier Jeff Josenhans was incredibly hospitable and personable. Some of the starters we suggest are the Tahitian Squash Soup, which was very tasty, farmers market greens salad and crab risotto. They also offered the hard to find sweet breads (a cow’s pancreas) as this considered a delicacy by the people who enjoy them. One other delicacy is the Hudson valley foie gras with banana walnut bread.

For entrees, any of the seafood items are top notch. Our top choices were the huge Diver Scallops, Sable Fish (Cod) and Shetland Island Salmon. If you are a meat eater, some of their specialties included the angus tenderloin, buffalo loin, pork cheeks and organic chicken. Enjoy a cocktail or some wine from their extensive wine list with your meal. They also have a tasting menu that is changed monthly and daily happy hour. The atmosphere was very trendy and romantic. For dessert, try the chocolate brioche with glazed cherries and/or the pistachio berry tart. More info and reservations at www.grantgrill.com

The rooms vary depending on the price and what you prefer. I highly recommend a room over-looking Horton plaza and book a suite if you can afford it to have more space. High def TVs, modern bathrooms with nice artwork enhance the aesthetics. They have a very nice ballroom for events/weddings downstairs adjacent to the fitness center. Overall, the US Grant is a great place to stay on your next visit to San Diego.

You can find out more info on the hotel at www.usgrant.net