Panda Inn   

Fast, cheerful service and fresh Chinese food compete for the spotlight at Panda Inn. The eatery offers up spicy favorites like orange chicken and lo mein, while surprising diners with fresh seafood offerings. Focusing on cuisine from the Mandarin and Szechwan regions of China, the elegant restaurant is a favorite of tired shoppers and theatergoers (the Lyceum Theater is downstairs, the Civic Center just steps away). Pre-theater dining can be hard to find downtown -- just let your server know that the clock is ticking. Panda Inn remains largely unappreciated by San Diego diners who often focus on waterfront restaurant choices. The outdoor patio -- way up on the top of Horton Plaza -- is a great place to catch the breezes that come in off the harbor.