I've found a nice little neighborhood restaurant that seems a perfect place to take my own wine because they are a pub, and focus more on beer than wine. They have a modest wine list. The food is good, as is the service. I took a $80 Trefethen Cabernet, offered some to our waiter and to the owners (a very nice young couple). They didn't put the corkage fee on the bill, though the friend who took me to dinner said he would have happily paid one.

I recommend a visit to Ritual Tavern, 4095 30th St (at Polk Ave) www.RitualTavern.com. Food offerings are described as eclectic pub fare, including a tasty sheppards pie. and vegetarian and gluten free options. As appetizer, we had a yummy fig and cheese tart. For dessert, chocolate creme brulee, one of the best I've ever tasted.

Do you know of San Diego restaurants that allow you to take your own wine, with reasonable corkage fee?

I don't like beer so never been to Ritual, but I'll give it a try.

Avenue 5 in Bankers Hill has no corkage fee on Sundays, and live jazz as well. Other nights the corkage is $20, but that's not bad for the quality of the food, stemware, service etc. Had dinner there a while back and it was very good. See the winelist at www.avenue5restaurant.com/winelist.

Haven't tried Sambuca Bistro in Hillcrest yet, but am told they only charge $12 corkage fee. Interesting menu, Italian, as are many of the wines on their winelist. sambucabistro.com.

According to its website, Terra (in Hillcrest near Trader Joes and Raphs in Uptown center) charges $15 per bottle, limit 2 bottles, with no corkage on Wednesday. But they have a lengthy wine list and expect you to bring only "older wine (not already on our list)..." I'd probably call first to make sure what I was taking was not on it.

Thank you for the tips, I'll check those places out soon. :)