So hard to identify "favorite" because there are a lot of things that go into dining experiences - who you're with, the occasion, obviously the food, the setting, the service.
Probably my favorite dining experiences have been because of the people or occasion. Among them:
Cypress in Charleston, SC
Quay in Sydney
The Four Seasons, Bar Americain, Sardi's, all in NYC
But "favorites?"
Arni's - best pizza in Indiana
Cypress - Charleston, SC - was my go to special occasion place when I lived there, never had a bad time or meal.
Leroy's in Coronado - farm to table with a great local beer list, love the salads, pork chops, good brunch menu on weekends.
Stake in Coronado - our current go-to special occasion place. Some of the best steaks I've ever had, ridiculous sides, and the single greatest dessert ever created: Blueberry Muffin Bread Pudding. I was just there last night for an early birthday dinner. If I have to pick one "favorite", this is it.
Tartine (breakfast and coffee) in Coronado - best coffee on the island. Good euro cafe food.
Cowboy Star in downtown San Diego - another cool steak joint in San Diego
Mr. B's in NOLA because I can not eat for a day in anticipation of their BBQ Shrimp.
Zenbu sushi - formerly in La Jolla, but now only in Cardiff so we very rarely go. The TDF roll is truly "To Die For."
And the obligatory "Favorite Mexican joint" is Don Pancho's Taco Shop in Imperial Beach.
I'll have to try Los Quatros Milpas, rodi. Thanks for the suggestion! I work right over there.