Writers Sum Up the 2013 Food Scene in One Word

As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, food writers, reviewers and bloggers. This year, we asked the group eight questions, from Meal of the Year to Best Dining Neighborhood; so far, we've looked at top restaurant standbys and top newcomers of the year. All will be answered by the time we pop open the bubbly on New Year's Eve. Readers, please do add your own answers in the comments.

Q: Sum up San Diego food/restaurants of 2013 in one word.

Michele Parente, features editor, U-T San Diego: Fishy. The openings of Sea & Smoke, Lobster West, The Hake and Fish Public signaled that San Diego is swimming in a new direction.

Kirk K, mmm-yoso blogger: Beerish-Cronuttiness (I know, it's two words....)

Caron Golden, San Diego Foodstuff blogger: Bueno! Loving the resurgence of the Baja influence.

Michael Gardiner, restaurant reviewer, San Diego CityBeat: Transitional. It was a year of retrenchment that I believe points to a year of renewal.

Troy Johnson, dining critic, San Diego Magazine: Nonchalant.

Ian Pike, food writer, San Diego Reader: "Slick." It felt like every new restaurant had a big bankroll--and a saccharine PR campaign--behind it.

Amy T. Granite, freelance writer, @saysgranite: Underwhelming.

Marcie Rothman, FoodbuzzSD: Evolving.

Kristin Díaz de Sandi, Life & Food blog: Wholehearted.

Erin Jackson, San Diego city editor, DiningOut Magazine: Zzzzz. With a few exceptions, 2013 was the year the food scene chugged along a familiar route, like a commuter train through Snoozeville.