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The advent of fall means the triumphant end of summer diets and, more importantly, the official commencement of comfort food.

As soon as the extra-dry Santa Ana winds arrive (local autumn leaves equivalent), famed chefs at the best restaurants in San Diego unveil new seasonally inspired cuisine creations. From comfort food to sizzling lobster and even politically-themed happy hours, discover the top ten new fall menus at San Diego restaurants.

Sip back an Obamatini at Grant Grill, go bold with seared beef tongue from Arterra, and hope 2008 never sees the fire tragedies of 2007.

Quarter Kitchen

Chef Damon Gordon's Quarter Kitchen at the Ivy Hotel launches a new Wednesday night dining special this fall: Supper Club. Every Wednesday starting at 8:30pm, enjoy the perfect mix of great food and grooves with such new autumn eats as Lobster and Vegetable Samosas and Kobe Carpaccio to start, followed by Grilled Lamb Chops and Chicken Casserole. Supper Club starts October 15. Quarter Kitchen hosts an Oktoberfest wine dinner on October 14. (pictured)

Thee Bungalow
Chef Paul Niles presents a Fall Classic Menu for the month of October at Thee Bungalow. For $32.95 per person, enjoy autumn inspired dishes such as the Lobster Bisque to start, the Bouillabaisse Provencal with salmon, sea bass, shrimp, clams, Maine diver scallops and more, with the Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brulee for dessert.

Arterra
Chef Jason Maitland is taking some big risks for fall with a menu not for the faint of heart. New risqué entrees available for fall are the Seared Beef Tongue and Roasted Bone Marrow. Also new is a three-course prix fixe dinner menu featuring such favorites as Stuffed Rainbow Trout and Braised Prime Beef Short Ribs, the dinner package comes with a bottle of Arterra Private Label wine. (Rainbow Trout pictured left)

Blue Point
Chef Jonathan Hale of Blue Point Grill introduces a new four-course tasting menu for fall, showcasing the best of Blue Point from October through December. Tasting menus are offered Monday through Thursday for $55 per person; additional cost for wine parings. The "Oktoberfest" menu celebrates ravioli with the Shiitake Ginger Ravioli and Lobster Mascarpone Ravioli, followed by Deconstructed Duck Confit Ravioli and Chocolate Ravioli for dessert.

Urban Solace
Chef Matt Gordon entices autumn diners with the return of the fan-favorite Duckaroni and the Braised Beef Cheek entrée. More fall menu additions include the Winter Seafood Stew and Dungeness Crab "Pop Tart." Also new, in honor of Urban Solace's one year anniversary, is the October Solace cucumber, apple and mint celebratory martini, to pair with the popular, and discounted, Skillet Shrimp.

Grant Grill
The US Grant Hotel is going political this fall, keeping local focus on the important 2008 Presidential Election. Now through November 20th, enjoy an Obamatini or Palin Stinger cocktail, along with Power of the Veto Prawns, Cabinet Level Calamari, Air Force One Wings, or the Swing Vote Slider Combo. Get more details here.

Stingaree
The Restaurant at Stingaree is rocking the vote with a series of events and a campaign inspired menu, just in time for the last 2008 debates. On October 7th and October 15th, enjoy menu items such as the "I Can See Russia from my Backyard" Sliders and "They Hate Us for our Freedom" Fries, paired with a "Bridge to Nowhere" cocktail ($7) or a "Don't Get Drafted" Beer ($4). Get more details here.

Avenue 5
Chef Colin MacLaggan is known for American cuisine with a French flair, and now features new seasonally inspired menu items for fall. Enjoy the Salmon "Mignon," London Sirloin, and Pecan Crusted Loin of Lamb for dinner this autumn.

Whisknladle
Chef Ryan Johnston announces a new fall menu featuring fresh produce of the season, including mushrooms, beets, squash and more. Also new to Whisknladle this fall is extended happy hour until last call on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as new wine tasting classes, reduced corkage fees, and Monday Night Football specials.

Lobster Craze
San Diego restaurants have gone mad for lobster this season. When looking for lobster by the beach, head to Zenbu or George's in La Jolla; when looking for old world charm, check out Café Coyote in Old Town; for the best of downtown cuisine and personality, visit Chef Brian Malarkey at Oceanaire Seafood Room. All four restaurants feature new lobster tasting specials all season long.

Fall Baby Alert: Also new to the Oceanaire Seafood Room is the newest member of the Malarkey clan: a healthy baby boy named Huntington O'Neil "Cowboy Boots" Malarkey, Hunter for short, born 5 pounds, 11 ounces, 19 inches on September 15, 2008.

Insider Tip 2: JSix Restaurant at Hotel Solamar is offering a 20% discount off lunch or dinner, seven days a week, to San Diego residents with local business cards, now through November.