
Gambling and casual dining go hand in hand at Striders, which opened downtown in November. The 8,200-square-foot space is found on the base of the Harbor Club, boasting two floors of dining and wagering on horse racing. The restaurant houses state-of-the-art technology with more than 150 HD TV screens positioned throughout the space. The decor includes large windows overlooking the San Diego Convention Center and an open kitchen with multiple chef’s tables. Standing capacity tops off at 500 people.

Courtyard San Diego Gaslamp/Convention Center is home to one of downtown’s newest rooftop bars, the Nolen. Open since November, the 2,500-square-foot venue showcases the city skyline and contemporary design. It features lounge seating, a wraparound bar, several separate tables, plus a communal fire pit. It seats 90 or holds 120 for receptions.

Open since January, the University Heights restaurant Madison brings refined dining to the neighborhood. The menu features upscale Mediterranean and Southern California-inspired cuisine. Soaring 30-foot ceilings lead to an open design that encompasses 3,000 square feet of dining space with room for 60 seated guests and an adjacent bar that seats 42.

Oyster bar Brigg's Oyster Company opened at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino in November. An exhibition kitchen serves as the restaurant's centerpiece, offering everything from lobster rolls and shrimp cocktails to a variety of oyster and ahi tuna dishes. The interior sports black and white artwork, red banquettes, and convex mirrors. The 1,250-square-foot space seats 125.

The Vig opened in Old Town in October and hosts private craft-beer dinners and bourbon tastings. Billed as a "kitchen and sports parlor," the venue occupies a bow-truss building and has decor inspired by the 1950s. A semiprivate dining space and bar area seats 30 or holds 45 for receptions. There are 12 flat-screen TVs on site; menu offerings include burgers, sandwiches, and salads.