Monday, November 3, 2008

My Town Monday: Tom Ham's Lighthouse

Before I start our regular programming, I'd like to point you over to the Class of 2k8's blog where we're celebrating a week-long launch for middle grade author PJ Hoover and her sci fi The Emerald Tablet.



It's that time of the week again. And today I'm posting about one of my very favorite San Diego restaurants: Tom Ham's Lighthouse.

Built in 1971, it has an actual functioning coast-guard operated lighthouse (Beacon #9) attached to it. From a window or outside seat, you can see the San Diego Bay, San Diego skyline, North Island and the Coronado Bridge. You might also see seals, dolphins, pelicans and, if you're really lucky, a whale. Here's a great tip for you: the best view is from Table #109.

Dress is casual. After all, this IS So Cal. The Queen of England could show up in jeans, and no one would judge. Lunch meals are $10-$15. Dinner meals will run you $31 to $50. There's a Sunday champagne brunch for about $25. And on Wednesdays 1/2 price bottles of wine.

I always get the shrimp diablo which is stuffed jumbo Gulf shrimp, wrapped in bacon. To die for. The service is very good too. There are waiters who have worked at the restaurant for a decade. They know what they're doing.

An additional bit of trivia: Tom Ham's Lighthouse is located on Harbor Island. This island was formed in 1961 of sand and mud (more than 12 million cubic yards of the stuff) when the Navy dredged San Diego Bay to deepen it for military ships.

Here's the link to the restaurant if you want to check it out. Don't be put off by the hunk of steak on their opening page. The food really is terrific.

2150 Harbor Island Dr
San Diego, CA 92101-1084
Phone: (619) 291-9110

The DH and I went to Tom Ham's last night with four friends. Great friends, great food, great vista. Life is good.

Please visit Travis Erwin, our big kahuna boss for My Town Mondays. He'll have a MTM post up himself plus a list of links to other Mondayers.

sources:
http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid=7583http://www.sandiegan.com/restaurants.php?view=id,173
http://www.mytravelguide.com/attractions/profile-77997705-United_States_California_San_Diego_Harbor_Island.html

Shrimp Diablo on Foodista

25 comments:

  1. Barrie, if I ever get over that way, I'll visit that restaurant.

    Hey, congrats on your forthcoming book!!

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  2. Looks like a gorgeous view. Yum.

    Congrats on I SO DON'T DO SPOOKY. ;)

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  3. Looks like a gorgeous view. Yum.

    Congrats on I SO DON'T DO SPOOKY. ;)

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  4. I just had lunch in a floating restaurant in Portland.

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  5. I will definitely add this to my list of places to go!

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  6. These Monday posts really do make me long to visit San Diego. That restaurant is my kinda place.

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  7. You know what I just thought of? I should go to every one of your Monday posts and print them out, then mail them to my son in Prison. When he gets out, he wants to move back to San Diego. He just loved it there.

    Of course, I wouldn't do it without your permission.

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  8. Put off by a hunk of meat. Surely you jest.

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  9. Sounds like a fun place to eat, Barrie. Maybe I'll drag the DH down to San Diego for lunch one day. The shrimp sounds scrumptious.

    Linda

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  10. Hey, as one of the Tom Hamm revelers last night I am slightly miffed that a picture of my feet did not appear in this feature. Really, I even painted my toes and they were ready for their close up! Maybe next time, Santee Babe

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  11. So glad there's more beyond the meat... Sounds like a good place---beautiful sights and good good.

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  12. Santee Babe: Send me a jpeg of your feet and I will gladly feature them on the blog. Either that or phone me and I will arrive promptly at your doorstep with my camera. We both understand, though, that your feet will never be as cute as Child #4's. Right? p.s. That WAS fun last night.

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  13. I'd like to eat there. Looks like great atmosphere.

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  14. This looks like a terrific restaurant with some interesting history. If I ever get to San Diego, I'll have to remember Tom Ham's Lighthouse and table #109.

    I'm glad to see where you've linked to The Yellow Book Road so I can order me a signed copy of your book! I'll also be looking forward to I SO DON'T DO SPOOKY.

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  15. David: You are so wonderful! I'm actually changing the Yellow Book Road link right this minute. They want the email/phone call to go directly to one of the co-owners, not the general site.

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  16. I really should come visit. You know so many good places.

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  17. that restaurant sounds amazing and i'm sure the view is gorgeous!

    so so glad you're going through goofy girl for a template design! she's awesome! :)

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  18. That looks like a great place and I wouldn't have to eat seafood! Yay steak! Boo allergies.

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  19. Barrie- I LOVE Shrimp Diablo. It's like sending a yummy pig out snorkeling. So unnaturally delicious.

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  20. Looks good!! Next time I'm in SF...

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  21. If I ever get back to San Diego again, I MUST go there! Looks amazing.

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  22. Sounds lovely. With every one of these MTM posts, you just make me want to return to San Diego--I missed so much the first and second times!

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Comments are always welcome!