One of the Best Mexican Restaurants in Mission Valley

From fresh tortillas and house-made guacamole to delicious plates like the tajin-crusted salmon, Polanco Kitchen & Bar combines both Baja flair and casual sophistication at the Hilton San Diego Mission Valley. $5 Ballast Point Sculpin IPA and house margaritas available during happy hour every day from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Meet the Chef

Meet Nicholas Villamil, executive chef at the Hilton San Diego Mission Valley for the past ten years and creator of the delectable items you can taste and experience at the new Polanco Kitchen & Bar. Chef Nick began his culinary career at the Red Lion Hotel Los Angeles Airport, then moved on to join the Hilton family at the Hilton Los Angeles North/Glendale & Executive Meeting Center, improving service standards and consistency at the hotel’s fine dining establishment. As executive sous chef, Chef Nick honed his experience at the Hilton Long Beach & Executive Meeting Center. Here he successfully designed and spearheaded the preparation, transportation and execution of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach off-site catering function for more than 2,500 people in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Chef Nick oversees all culinary operations at the Hilton San Diego Mission Valley, including banquets and catering, and now Polanco Kitchen & Bar. But he's not just passionate about his culinary creations; Chef also enjoys salsa dancing and collecting cars. He owns a 1964 Cadillac named Sofia, a 1969 Chevy truck named Nicole, a 2004 Cadillac named Bianca and a Harley Davidson he calls Roxy. In his free time he enjoys traveling to other states and countries for salsa concerts and for the thrill of a great dance. Someday Chef Nick would like to own a hot rod shop with an attached restaurant and bar, complete with a large dance floor for salsa dancing.