Starlite Dining and Cocktails

This place is a star in the San Diego restaurant and bar constellation.

Share this Article

Starlite Dining and Cocktails - (3175 India Street, San Diego, CA 619-358-9766)-

Our list of places to visit gets as long as the special places we have already visited. Nevertheless, we persevere and, if we must, we take in a happy hour from time to time. Somebody has to do it.

We were quite surprised by, and yes, impressed with Starlite, a bar and restaurant on on India Street.

The non-descript building is deceiving. The location? Deceiving. Don't let that stop you. Go ahead and park the car, open the big glass door to the restaurant and you're in a different world. We are impressed that these folks are trying to do their part for the environment while providing good food and good drinks with an accessible, creative ambiance.

Walking in the door sets the tone. Earth tones. The decor was designed with sustainable materials wherever possible including wood and cork. The modern chandelier provides a dramatic effect above the sunken bar.

The outdoor patio is a stargazer's treat when the coastal overcast conditions have given way. The restaurant/bar has a seating capacity of 50, so intimate would be a good description. If you visit throughout the week and don't want to be packed in like sardines, hold off visiting on Fridays and Saturdays.

DJs and musicians keep the music flowing, nightly albeit in a smooth, never jarring, way. For jazz aficionados of local San Diego jazz station, 88.3 FM, Starlite features their style of music and even dishes up their DJs out on the patio on select nights.

We should say that Tim Mays of the Casbah, Turf Club, and Krakatoa is one of the owners. Another well-known owner is Steve Poltz who, by the way, is known for discovering, playing and writing for Jewel, a local and nationally recognized musician.

So, all the above already has the makings of a neat place. But, let's just add in a few more ingredients to the sauce. First, staffing. We had three people serving us and all were attentive, relaxed and gave us the feeling that we could be there all night if we wanted to be. For those of you that like to have a side dish of 'having an experience' with your meal, this is a good place to get it.

And then there's the effort on behalf of the owners to make this restaurant bar stand up for the environment and local farmers. They use fresh, local, natural and organic products however they can. You get the sense that the concept for the restaurant came from an authentic, genuine interest to integrate style and sustainablity rather than seek to gain the spotlight by being trendy.

Stop in and check out the Starlite. Sit at the bar, try some appetizers and you'll get that genial and welcoming feeling.

HOURS:
Open 7 days a week:
MONDAY-SATURDAY
Bar: 5PM-2AM
Happy Hour: 5-7pm
Dinner: 6PM-Midnight
SUNDAY:
Bar 6pm-2am
Dinner: 6pm-Midnight

Something you should know:

Starlite is located a couple of miles north of the Gaslamp, a mile or so from Little Italy. It can be tricky to get to. They are on India which is a one-way street heading north. They are at India and Spruce Streets.

Here are the directions that Starlite provides:

From 5 North:
Exit India St/Sassafrass
Continue down the one-way stretch of India St
Parking is available on the Corner of India & Spruce @ Mission Hills Collision Center. Look for the wood hexagon door.

From 5 South:
Exit Sassafrass/Kettner Blvd
Left on Sassafrass
Take the RIGHT LANE on Sassafrass
Right at the top of the Hill
Cross India St.
Starlite is on the corner of India & Spruce. Look for the wood hexagon door.