Crudo

Mike Viscuzo, owner of Deco’s and On Broadway, knows San Diego nightlife, and Joe Busalacchi, owner of Po Pazzo and his namesake Ristorante, knows San Diego dining. Together, they concentrated their formidable clout on Crudo, a Japanese restaurant and nightclub on India Street. Crudo is a tasty treat for those who adore Gaslamp’s glam, but not its exhausting commotion. The name means "raw" in Italian, and true to its title, the restaurant’s raw bar twirls up expert rolls, mean enough to rival those in established sushi bars. Yet the venue’s main draw is its energetic nightlife. A broadly lit dance floor holds a good-sized crowd, and numerous booths hold lazier voyeurs. As is the trend in the metro’s more fashionable clubs, VIP bottle service is available to those who can afford it.