The Prado Restaurant: An Unforgettable Restaurant in Balboa Park
One of the most beautiful locations in our modern world is parks in the middle of big cities. More and more metropolises are incorporating parks and other 'green spaces' into asphalt jungles, as medical experts realize just how important it is for human beings to spend time in nature.
I love to discover parks which are historical and cultural havens as well as nature areas. New York City is perhaps the most famous with its Central Park, offering a sanctuary of verdure in the urban sprawl. On the West Coast, we have our share of beautiful natural attractions. One Californian example of a park in a big city, which is a historical and cultural gem as well as an oasis of flora and fauna, is Balboa Park in San Diego.
In addition to many beautiful gardens, Balboa Park contains lovely European-style architecture. Originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, these historic buildings house an assortment of museums, theaters, cultural centers, and restaurants. Of these, The Prado stands out as a culinary gem in the middle of the charming park.
A Refined Atmosphere
Like all the buildings in Balboa Park, The Prado has a quality of timeless refinement and Old-World charm. The location is conveniently situated adjacent to the San Diego Museum of Art and across the walkway from the newly reopened Botanical Building. It's nestled in the House of Hospitality building, which showcases exquisite Moorish Rococo architecture. That building also houses convenient features like the park's visitors center. Outside, a charming courtyard has a fountain with a lady pouring water, encircled by ornate balconies, where one could imagine a troubadour serenading a fair senorita.
This leads to a charming dining room, where the decor is warm, inviting, and still reflecting the Iberian theme. There are comfortable booths in earth tones and continental paintings on the walls. The most memorable decoration in the motif is the colored glass. All around the dining room, you can see orbs of blown glass in vivid colors, artistically arrayed like beach balls, saucers, and balloons.
The lower section of the dining room is a sunroom, with a mesh roof that allows light while maintaining a controlled temperature. This leads to a beautiful patio with tables covered by a sea of brightly colored umbrellas. This terrace overlooks the Casa del Rey Moro Garden, which houses a placid fountain and a magical wishing well, reminiscent of European fairytale castles. San Diego's famously temperate climate makes the terrace a delightful spot to overlook the park while dining most days of the year.
One of the buildings along El Prado at Balboa Park in San Diego on Aug. 2, 2008.Delicious Cuisine
The Prado describes its culinary offerings as 'diverse and innovative cuisine with Spanish influences.' You can see that influence in many dishes, such as their famous Prado Paella, a staple of Spanish cuisine. There are Latin touches in many standard dishes, including chipotle dressing on the Caesar salad. The menu also features influences from other Mediterranean countries, like the popular Greek appetizer, hummus with pita chips.
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The menu is not very large, but all the selections are delicious. It offers a varied enough fare to please a wide variety of palates. For seafood lovers, there are spicy calamari fries and pan-roasted sea bass. For meat-eaters, there are the succulent red wine short ribs and mustard-crusted pork prime rib. For less exotic tastes, there is a juicy hamburger. In the way of greens, there are many delectable salads, including the exotic pressed arugula salad or the more traditional farmer's mixed greens salad with fresh berries.
The Prado has a variety of popular wines and cocktails, but I appreciate that they also offer some creative non-alcoholic beverages, including flavorful iced teas and an assortment of fruity lemonades. The dessert menu has so many unusual treats, like the pina colada crème brulée, that you'll have to come back several times to try them all. At lunchtime, they supplement the elegant entrees with some delicious sandwiches, including my favorite, the filet steak sandwich.
The Prado has a variety of popular wines and cocktails.
il21/Shutterstock
Enjoying an Experience
As you probably can tell from this description, The Prado is not a budget diner. It's not the place where you grab a quick bite while checking texts and pounding out notes on your laptop. Dining there is an elegant experience. These days, refined, relaxing experiences are becoming increasingly rare, so they are worth taking when you have the opportunity. It's not an inexpensive restaurant, to be sure, but with the ever-rising costs of food, it's not costlier than your average nice restaurant. It certainly isn't overpriced when you consider the quality.
The Prado is open every day of the week except Monday. They open at 11:30 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. every evening except Sunday, when they close at 7:30. If you're concerned about the prices, try going before 5 p.m., since their lunch prices are more reasonable. In the restaurant's bar and lounge area, a limited menu of shareable appetizers is available all day, including many selections from the regular menu. Enjoy reduced prices on select beverages and six 'bites' during Happy Hour, which is from 4 p.m. until closing on Wednesday and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every other weekday.
The Prado is a place to visit for a special meal. It's a wonderful place to celebrate a special event. It's also a good place for a little reunion with family or friends. The romantic atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for a date, whether it's your first or your hundredth. If you're visiting San Diego for the day, Balboa Park is a necessary destination on your itinerary, and this restaurant should be part of that visit. It's also a great place to take out-of-towners if you're showing them around San Diego. If you want to enjoy a pleasant outing but aren't sure what to do, start by going to Balboa Park and dining at The Prado. Once you're there, you'll find something to excite any interest with the park's wide variety of museums, gardens, cultural centers, musical offerings, and seasonal activities.
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