The Waverly

On our list of the best special-occasion restaurants in San Diego.

A resident magician works tables at brunch, cutting cards and pulling tricks between orders of funfetti pancakes and avocado toast with salsa verde. Chef Brian Redzikowski, who previously ran the kitchen at Kettner Exchange, built a menu of progressive American cooking with a European lean alongside specialty cocktails, kombucha and non-alcoholic spritzers. Weekends get busy enough that the restaurant advises booking ahead, and the bar keeps pouring after the kitchen's dinner hours end.