5 Star Restaurants, Affordable Prices

There are so many special deals being offered by restaurants, from chain restaurants to mama papa eateries, that I could write about them everyday and not run out of material. I often drive Highway 101 from Carlsbad to Del Mar, and it never fails to amaze me that everyday there is a new special or another Happy Hour. So today I'll tell you about a few of the very finest restaurants (if price means anything) in the area that are reaching out to attract new customers in a variety of ways.

Millefleurs (http://www.millefleurs.com/) in Rancho Santa Fe has long been recognized for it's fine food and European ambience. New changes have made it more user friendly. First, in accordance with the casual California lifestyle, Millefleurs now offers a casual bistro menu, which also means NO TIE. I might actually get my husband to go there now. They offer a prix fixe menu from Sunday-Tuesday. It is 3 courses with several options in each course for $40. This is a far cry from the price of dining there a few years ago. They also have a bar menu, very moderately priced, but only a few choices are offered. For those that want an elegant dining experience and exquisite food at prices most can afford, Millefleurs is definitely the place to try.

New to the dining scene is 333Pacific (http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/). It is located in Oceanside, and has killer views of the Oceanside Pier at night. They focus on both steaks and seafood. The restaurant is trendy and noisy, but the food is good. 333Pacific offers several specials that attracted my attention. First, how about prime rib Sundays for $33? Sounds like a great deal to me. They also have wine Wednesdays, where selected bottles of wine are 50% off. Happy hour is on from 3-7 daily and 10-11 daily. In the lounge during happy hour diners can choose from seven drinks and seven appetizers for $7 each. Appetizers include such dishes as calamari, poke tacos, tempura vegetable basket, caesar salad, and tuna roll. Two appetizers and a glass of good wine makes a wonderful dinner.

Finally, a very expensive restaurant in Solana Beach, Blanca (http://www.dineblanca.com) has also gotten with the program. When they first opened a few years ago my friend dined there and said the meal was over $100 per person. Now they are offering a three course meal for $46. You can add three wine pairings to this meal for $29. Not cheap, but a lot less than it was just last year. I have not personally eaten there, but have friends who have and rave about it. It may be something to consider for a special occasion.

So here are three fine restaurants that are trying to attract new customers and keep old customers. It's interesting that the fixe prix meal, which has been around as long as I can remember in Europe, has finally found it's way to America. And I thought we were the trend setters!