LA JOLLA, CALIF.

A long-dormant prime location is reinvigorated
Duke’s La Jolla—named for the Olympic champion and Hawaiian surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku—has pride of place in San Diego’s restaurant scene. Overlooking La Jolla Cove, the space sat empty for eight years after a previous restaurant closed before TS Restaurants of Hawaii and California opened Duke’s in October 2015. The views and outdoor seating are reasons enough for the area’s biotech, university, theater and real estate leaders to stop in for lunch. But Duke’s menu, with its Hawaiian and Californian notes, is worth exploring—especially the coconut shrimp croquettes with pickled mango and lilikoi-chili water, a kaffir-crusted ahi bowl and a kalua pork sandwich. And Duke’s burger, made with a half-pound of mixed chuck, brisket and hanger, white cheddar and yellow mustard aioli, is rich enough to turn your gaze from the Pacific—at least for a moment.
Contact: 1216 Prospect St., 858.454.5888, dukeslajolla.com
Cost: $15 for main courses; $18 for three-course lunch special
The Classics: the Monocle, the Oval Room, the Palm