"Still one of the city’s most coveted reservations, Callie has become an essential contributor to San Diego’s restaurant culture. Chef Travis Swikard’s compelling California-Mediterranean cuisine lets local ingredients shine, making the East Village food scene a whole lot brighter. Be sure to start with the house pita and dips like hummus and avocado labneh. The menu is punctuated by stellar pasta and Greek/Morrocan/Syrian/Middle Eastern dishes like Aleppo chicken and harissa-grilled lamb chops. If you’re looking to dive into a bit of everything, order the five-course feast for $75 with an optional $40 wine pairing or $35 non-alcoholic pairing. Know before you go: For those that fear parallel parking in East Village, an underground parking garage sits in the same building as the restaurant. They’ll even validate your ticket." - Candice Woo