“This off the radar place was a refreshing find one Saturday afternoon. Despite being a 90 degree day, it was very comfortable inside even with the windows and doors open. I was able to peek behind the scene where they were in the midst of crushing a recent grape harvest. As an amateur winemaker myself, it was great to talk shop with the staff who was friendly and knowledgeable (not just a pourer). Wines are diverse from traditional varietals to fusions and slushies. Food truck was getting set up when I was there but didn't try the food since this was a layover for another stop afterwards. Parking is scarce.“
“Second visit - glad we went back! Just as great as the first visit. Had a wonderful time last night during restaurant week. Excellent option!s! We chose the restaurant week menu - one veal, and upgraded one meal to try the seafood special - sea bass. Delicious. Rice ball appetizers and meatballs. The almond tort for dessert was amazing. Service was excellent even though restaurant was full. Food timing perfect and servers were friendly and fun.“
“I been all over Italy and have experienced lots of Italian food. This place feels like I was in Italy. The owner talks to you, like your family. The servers nonstop ask if you need anything. The service is premium and the food is amazing. So happy to have found this gem.“
“I travel a lot and stop by local mom and pop coffee shops often to enjoy some caffeine of course and get work done while one the road. I stopped by this location passing through San Diego. What a pleasant surprise. Greeted by the owner Victoria and her wonderful personality and smile I ordered a delicious coffee of sorts along with one pastry, and one more to follow. The I was entertained by a gentlemen playing an accordion while the owner sang along with an amazing voice. This food, environment, drinks all 5 star. Must stop by and enjoy the experience. Cheers“
“Whether you are popping in for a glass of wine before shopping at Sepulveda next door or having dinner of their wonderful specials that change daily (check Instagram), you will enjoy your experience at Juan Jasper. Lots of lively conversations between the staff and patrons (while still being attentive), varied and upbeat music playing just loud enough in the background, and a direct view of the kitchen makes for a wonderful atmosphere. A small act of consideration and respect by a customer is rewarded by the generous proprietor. This is what service and dining should be. You can see why folks happily wait to get a seat at this local gem. Cannot recommend enough: great for lunch and dinner.“
“Our party of 4 went on a Thursday night and we were seated right away. There were seats at the bar and 2-4 person high and low tables. Because it’s in Hillcrest, we had a rough time looking for street parking- ended up finding a spot a couple blocks down.We ordered from the Specialty Tacos list: Steak and Bones, Bad to the Bone, and El Presidente. The tacos were surprisingly large!*Steak and Bones: full sized grilled rib eye tender steak slabbed on a corn tortilla— definitely can’t eat it like a normal taco*Bad to the Bone: fall-off-the-bone beef rib on a corn tortilla*El Presidente: 3 large pieces of garlic shrimp on a corn tortilla— so good!We also ordered the *Steak and Bone Fries and the *Steak and Bone Nachos. These 2 were just okay for us. The nachos were crunchy but these were smaller portions served on big plates which made it look underwhelming.Our server was attentive and service was pretty quick, considering how large the meats were.I’d come back for their Specialty tacos!Parking: Paid street parking only (free after a certain time). Difficult to find a spot especially during night time.“
French • $$
“Amazing little restaurant tucked away in the Horton Plaza. There isn’t anything negative to say! Everything from the atmosphere, food menu and most importantly, the service was amazing!! Highly recommended as a must visit if you are vacationing or simply passing through the area to a must if you live or frequent the area. Menu had simple selections and everything from the appetizers to entrees were perfectly timed. My only wish is to be able to bring it to the East coast! We will be back ❤️.“
“Great place with extensive wine options at reasonable price point, and amazing staff. Cute place with great food! Love the staff, everyone is attentive, friendly, and even when busy they are so accomodating. Food is great and they have specials from 4-5pm every day! Wine list is so long, and they offer a great deal if you want to try a flight. Sommelier is excellent at recommending things. Only one restroom, unisex/shared so don't wait till the last second! Parking in back, two spots in front and on street.“
“Nice fancy place! Surprisingly very fast service, only took a few minutes to get our food. The entire interior has a faint smell of truffles because truffle is an ingredient in some of the dishes, which makes the experience unique. Truffle can be added to ur dishes too. I also completely recommend the polenta“
“This place is really cool, I popped in today to check it out. I ended up purchasing a couple bottles of wine and chocolates. I really enjoyed the knowledge of Margo, who was running the place. She knew exactly what I needed. They have a nice patio and heaters to enjoy the bottle of wine on site. They have some olives, canned fish, chocolates, etc available as well. I would have liked to seen some fresh cheeses or fruits available. I would have purchased to enjoy with my wine. All in all, satisfied and will be coming back for all my wine purchases. Cheers !“
“This place is one of the best kept secrets in Lakeside. I've lived here for over 15 years and never even knew about this place so when I ate here for the first time, I was floored. The food is amazing and feels so fresh. The service is really nice, plus our waiters and waitresses had really good recommendations. The atmosphere is so nice, feels very comfy yet fancy. Highly recommend eating here.“
“Whiskers & Wine is a must visit San Diego Destination. They partner with Whiskers without borders and always have a good amount of cats in the lounge, all of which are adoptable. Split up between the front bar entrance, the lounge and the upstairs Catio, there is plenty of space to hangout and play with cats. The cats are all friendly. The food and drink is great as well. They offer flatbreads, kitten tots, sweet potato fries and more. All are great to have to pair with a wine or a cocktail. My favorite cocktails are the perfect Meowtini and the Margarita Fresca (watermelon and mint margarita). Best flatbread is the Turkey pesto hands down. They do monthly events as well, yoga on the weekends, bingo and singles night. Just check their website and reserve your lounge experience today. I will definitely be back“
“I've been seeing this place on tiktok so I finally decided to try with a friend. We had a bit of trouble finding this place, and circled around the building a few times before realizing which store it was. The worker later said that the place was made to be more lowkey/discreet. The vibes inside are 10/10. This would be a nice place for drinks with a friend. The inside is pretty small, so I don't think it would be a group setting type of place. Also, this is definitely more of a place to go for drinks, not food, as the few food items they have are all small appetizers. The service was great! The server who helped us was very friendly and constantly checked up on us. I would definitely come back for drinks. Also, they have a film drop off box at the front of the store which I thought was pretty cool! And the film developing rates were cheaper than other places that I usually go to!“
“Me and my hubby have been driving by this place for a while and kept saying, we need to go there. We finally did it tonight and it was awesome! Angela was super friendly and made us feel welcomed. The food was amazing! We will definitely go back. It is a good place to unwind after a long day at work. We are happy it's close to our place. Please support local businesses, especially places like this one that care about the community“
“still here at the moment. this place is a cozy, hole in the wall establishment. the smash burger they have here is intoxicating all on it's own, it literally melts in your mouth. I added some fries on the side and my drink of choice was the natural red wine. I paired these fantastic options with the outdoor seating that is located in the back. I chose this place because it's within walking distance of where I live. I'm glad it's nearby, because I'll be coming back again. It's my first time here by the way. 5 out of 5 ! Also, let me add that the music playlist they have in rotation is curated perfectly well. Good vibes to say the least.“
“Came here the other night for dinner, and the overall experience and food was good.(+) Ambience - cute restaurant.(+) Service - very friendly, attentive.( ) Focaccia - I thought it was okay, but I think the outside could have been a bit more crispy.(+) Porcini and sausage - My favorite pasta of the night, really good flavor. The only issue I had is I think they need to cook the pasta a bit more overall. All of the pastas tasted gummy and still quite doughy.( ) Roman carbonara - It was really interesting eating carbonara with rigatoni pasta. Not necessarily complaining, just an interesting observation. Flavor was good, it was very eggy, but again, the pasta was so doughy and I think needed more time.(+) Short rib ravioli - This was delicious. No notes! Great flavor, short rib was tender, pasta was actually cooked enough.( ) Tiramsu - Tiramisu was just okay, it came in a roll not in a slice, and it was fine. Nothing too standout.Would definitely come here again and try out some other stuff.“
“Indulge in the best and most delicious Creole cuisine in town, offering a wide variety of choices at seasonal prices compared to other Creole restaurants in San Diego. Located in a safe area with plenty of parking space, the service has been consistently attentive during all three of our visits, even during peak times. It's the perfect spot to enjoy an exceptional meal with friends after a long workweek.Don't miss their 'caviar'—it's a satisfying meal on its own. Their creamy and flavorful crayfish étouffée never disappoints, and the blackened catfish is fresh and perfectly balanced in flavor, making it a highly recommended option for a healthier yet comforting meal. The pasta jambalaya offers a unique twist on the classic dish. Overall, it's a truly great place to savor the mouthwatering flavors of Creole cuisine.“
“Celebrated my birthday on Saturday and truly enjoyed everything about the experience. I ordered a special pasta from Italy with prawns which I hadn't seen on the menu before and was wonderful. The dish was messy because I got into those prawn shells to get every last bite and waiter provided fresh hot towels to clean me up. Love the eggplant appetizer and bread which I get every time. The restaurant gave me an exquisite dessert as a birthday surprise. A lovely meal and my companions enjoyed their meals as well.“
“Surprised my best friend here tonight for her birthday and it was a wonderful experience! She loved it! We all loved it! Customer service was great and the ambiance was wonderful! Next time, I want to sit inside and definitely browse their wine selection. I had the Tempranillo alongside my spicy ground beef empanada and beef & pork chori dinner. The Brussels sprouts were to die for!!!! It's a great girls night out spot and date night for sure! Wonderful to sit outside and enjoy dinner on a brisk San Diego evening! A!“
“We visited on the 22nd 23rd and 25th of September in 2023 (Jim and Priya) I've been in a lot of cigar lounges and this is by far the most awesome experience I've ever had. The decor is like a movie set and the crowd is young and fun and eclectic. You will not find better ambiance anywhere. The host Christine took fabulous care of us and even let me borrow her torch - not something every lounge will do. They serve a nice selection of beer/wine and are open till Midnight. When we find ourselves in town again we're sure to come back.“
“*amazing* food, superfun vibe, and a really great selection of guest taps (the BLAH house beers are, well, exactly as advertised - BLAH. ??♀️)I especially like the Highland Park Brewing beers (the pb stout Meryl) and the beers from Living Haus - standouts amid a week of standout beers! ?I had the Harvest pizza today - sweet potatoes, broccolini, really delish sauce “
“My friend and I came here looking for a quiet little wine bar and this place did not disappoint! They had a fun wine list and we tried wines from different countries like Georgia. The food was delicious and unique. It had a cozy home cooked vibe. The staff was so nice and sincere. We’ll definitely be back next time we visit San Diego. Thank you!“
“Delightful, informative, fun, funky little wine bar in San Diego's East Village. I love the dealer's choice wine flight, which include 4 tastes of interesting wines including information about the varietal, winery, terroir, and tasting notes. I learn something every time and greatly enjoy the experience!“
“Over the years I have dined at The Godfather Restaurant with friends and family. This time I invited 21 family members there to celebrate my milestone birthday. The staff was so friendly when I'd call to ask about or change something. We had our own private room and the waiters were excellent. They didn't mind that we were not in our seats right away or that we wanted separate checks by family. The tables were set up where everyone could see everything, we all loved the food, waiters cut the birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday with us....it was so much fun. The staff worked hard but they looked like they enjoyed celebrating with us. They are a class act. Everybody had a wonderful experience dining at The Godfather.“
“Pros: baristas are very friendly and the latte and breakfast burrito I had was pretty good. I also appreciate how many tables / seating they have.Cons: the music is very loud and gave me a headache. Not good for people with noise sensitivities. This also made it impossible to hear the person across the table from me because everyone around us was trying to talk over the noise of the music.“
“I gave the food 5 stars but did not eat here. I believe that it isn't fair to give negative reviews on it if you haven't tried it. Overall, loved the vibe. Around the corner behind the fireplace there was the video selfie station which was fun. I loved the atmosphere. It wasn't busy when we went, but there was a DJ which I appreciated. It is underground so if you don't know it is there then you may not find it which I appreciate. There were no servers so that was a bit annoying. We were sitting in the four chairs by the fireplace and one of our party members had to go and get drinks and miss out on the conversation. Overall though I would definately go back.“
“Visiting San diego and looking for Italian tonight.Ended up here Parma Cucina Italiana.Large choice of pastas with decent prices.They had Squid Ink pasta for tonight special which is hard to find at other places.Three of us ordered Squid ink pasta, Bolognese, and famous Lasagna. All foods were very good, excellent taste but not too heavy. Pasta was homemade and prepared as al dente.For dolce, Tiramisu, and lemon sorbet were both very good, probably also homemade and espresso and cappuccino were even served with warmed cups.Service was prompt, very friendly and cheerful.We had completely satisfied with full stomachs.Highly recommend Italian restaurant in San Diego.“
“The neighborood spot I never knew I needed. We will definitely come back. We ordered the CHIPS AND DIP*: Potato Chips, Sea Salt, Caviar, Crème Fraiche, Chives, this was chef’s kiss. We also ordered,- “THE DANDY”: Red Sauce, Oiled Cured Tomatoes, Cheese Blend, Calabresse, Crispy Prosciutto and it was delicious.Bl Be sure to leave room for dessert- GOOEY BROWNIE*: Chocolate Chip Brownie, Crème Fraiche Gelato, Butterscotch Sauce,Candied Pecans is to die for!! Enjoy!!“
“Admittedly, I have not yet had the opportunity to dine here, though I hope to on my next visit to SD. Why I am writing is because I am a huge fan of Elliott Townsend. I had the pleasure of working with him years ago in North Park. To say that he is a culinary visionary is an understatement. The man has more creativity than any other chef I have worked with in my 15 years of restaurant management. I may not have dined here, but I have tasted his food (lots of it). It is worth it, 100%. Proud of you, Bubba.“
“This is my favorite neighborhood deli! Love coming here for sandwiches. I've ordered several different sandwiches and they never disappoint. The two ladies who take your order and make your sandwiches are so sweet! They make the best sandwiches and they do not skimp on ingredients. Definitely come here and give them your support!“
“Best Italian restaurant we’ve eaten anywhere!! It sets the standard for all other Italian food and service and we can’t go anywhere else now. I’ve tried a lot (and I mean a lot) of filets and this was cooked to perfection and the flavor outstanding. It came with fettuccine with mushroom that was like none I’ve ever tasted. The fettuccine with marinara and meatballs were phenomenal. You can’t go wrong with any food here!! It was romantic and the staff friendly and prompt. We enjoyed meeting the owner. We will be back next time we are in SD.“
“Decided to drop by after dinner down the road and so glad we did! Arturo was behind the bar and was so welcoming, charming and kind. The inside was quaint and gave off a homey vibe. My bf and I both had wine and appreciated the ambiance of the place. I can def see myself coming here to work, have a date night (like tonight) or even as a girls night. It was mentioned that Tuesdays are trivia nights ! I 'll definitely be back!“
“Two things. Finding a good restaurant around 1 pm that's open in Gaslamp is challenge. This restaurant was open and my wife and I gave it a chance. The lobster fettuccine actually surpassed my expectations. My wife ordered the Salmone mare Chiaro and it was amazing. They managed to make the top of salmon crunchy and the inside was a perfect soft, moist texture. In my fettuccine the lobster had this nice seared ridges that gave it a crunch that I didn't think was possible. In short, they care therefore I cared to leave a review. It was amazing ?. Also Saini, our server, was attentive and kind. Love this place.“
“Really love this place! Coffee, alcohol and cigars?! Also M-F happy hour! The barista’s are so nice and helpful. I’ve had the frosty & ube cold brew so far and both were delightful. Also the banana bread is some of the best I’ve ever had.“
“Comfortable and pleasant dining area, courteous staff. Pizza is delicious! It has a tasty crust, fresh ingredients.They do not offer pizza by the slice, so I ordered the Rolling Hills as a 12” thinking I would eat some there and take the rest home. I ended up eating the whole pie, it was great!“
“After dining at Buona Forchetta, I can't imagine enjoying pizza and pasta anywhere else in San Diego. From the moment you step in, the warm and friendly staff make you feel like you're family. They're sociable, upbeat, and ready to make your meal a memorable one. Our dinner began with two different wines. I'm a wine enthusiast, and I didn't snap any photos or recall their names, but rest assured, their wine recommendations are spot-on. The Regina Margherita pizza was a revelation. With its incredibly flavorful thin crust and the heavenly sauce, it was a pizza-lover's dream come true. The Spaghetti in Due Pomodori was, hands down, the best pasta dish I've tasted in California. With a simple yet tantalizing blend of organic tomatoes, garlic, and basil, it was sheer perfection. The nightly special, Pollo Milanese, was another hit. The chicken was tender, brimming with flavor, and cooked to perfection. And then came the desserts. We indulged in every option on the menu, and each one was a delight. We didn't leave a crumb behind. I highly encourage you to channel your inner foodie and savor each one, just like we did!“
“Mysecond visit!! Walked right in and was seated right away. The placed smelled so good couldn't wait to sink my teeth into a yummy turkey sub with hot fries. Sangria OH so delicious! Did I mention the service.. Excellent!!Monique makes the meal complete!! The dinning experience is made so much better when you have such a lovely server as Monique. I truly enjoy the atmosphere.... the friendliness and cleanliness of the restaurant. PLENTY OF PARKING. For those disabled like myself the restaurant is disabled friendly. You'll enjoy thehanging empty wine bottles and the intimate atmosphere. Bring a dateRelax with a glass of sangria the warm friendlyatmosphere.I give thisrestaurant the highest rating I could possibly give. OH DON'T FORGET THE SPAMONI DESERTYUMMY!!“
“The breakfast was excellent, especially the avocado toast! One thing that surprised me for an Omni, was that the atmosphere was plain and uninspiring. Also, I wasn’t sure if the service was over-the-counter or waiter service. It all turned out fine in the end, and it was an enjoyable breakfast with good service!“
“Great service, never felt ignored or rushed. We were with a large group for a fundraiser. People were able to mingle with each other, taking pictures with each other, catching up - again the staff were absolutely amazing. Food was delicious. Lots of parking, easy to find location.Vegetarian options: Pizza, salads, some pasta dishesParking: Plenty of parking, located in a large spacious strip mall complexKid-friendliness: Plenty of highchairs, staff very kind and patient with children.“
Fine Dining
“The server was really nice. The table bread and spreads are really good. I appreciate that they have a vegetarian option given that it's known for meat. I like the Mac and cheese side and the scallop potatoes, but didn't care much for the portabella plate much, but everything else was good.Vegetarian options: They have a menu for vegetarians but some of the options say bacon on it, so just make sure the server knows you want it without meat.“
“Great spot in Chula!!! Drop by to see their beer menu which does not disappoint, with lots of IPA and Hazys to pick from. They also have a pretty good michelada mix if you're in the mood for one. Plenty of high stools seating inside, with a couple of tables. Service is always great as well!!“
“We rarely visit the Del Cerro area so I was pleasantly surprised to stumble across the KNB Bistro. I was apprehensive because some recent reviews had been spotty, but my wife and I had a wonderful time and look forward to coming back soon! We arrived a little after six on a Friday, and while they were busy, we were seated immediately. The bartender served us at our table and was prompt and on top of it all evening. We felt like the inside ambience was really cool with all the bottles on the wall and the retail selections...including some very special bottles. You could spend $15 or $1500 on a bottle here--whatever you're looking for. The wine list was good and fairly priced. Many choices in both red and white. I ordered the wings appetizer and it was really good. For dinner, I had the lamb lollipops and my wife had a chicken Caesar. I was pretty impressed with the lamb; I've paid considerably more for similar meals around the city. My wife's salad was good. I really have to emphasize how friendly and on top of things the staff was. We had a good number of check-ins and never la led for anything. I don't remember anybody's name but they were all great. So I probably give the food four stars, but the service and the ambience made it a five star experience. We will certainly be back here any time we are in the area.“
“Food is outstanding with choices of different sauces, pasta, and a wide variety of wines to choose from. Staff very friendly and polite. The restaurant is very nice environment with some of the original Italian rat pack playing in the background.“
“We were brought out complimentary chips and salsa when we sat down. The green salsa was spicy and limey! The ostiones were pretty fresh! Our drinks came out shortly and were so colorful and refreshing! He got the Serrano cucumber margarita and I got the oaky hibiscus sour. The queso fundido was nice and cheesy! The tuna tartare was beautiful as well as light and citrusy. The mole plate was a little burnt though. For dessert, we ordered flan and it had a nice and thick texture. They forgot to bring our esquites, but brought it out after we got dessert LOL.It was a great appetizer! They asked for my opinions, so I am glad that they want to take our feedback into consideration. Would love to come back and try their other menu items!“
“Caffe Tazza has one of THE BEST vanilla chai lattes you will ever have!!! If you like a sweeter chai as opposed to a spiced one this is the place to go. The service here is amazing the employees are incredibly kind and the environment is always so warm and welcoming. I especially love when they play old reruns of classic tv shows. I come here almost every morning and it's my go to place! Much love to everyone there“
“It was our first time having lunch at Butcher's cut for Easter. My family and I enjoyed the food. Our server, Alek, was very attentive. Their portions are the right amount for the price even with their Easter menu. My husband and son shared their bone in rib eye and it was just cooked perfectly. My family and I left a very satisfied customer. Will definitely go back again. Thank you Butcher's cut for our first time experience.“
“Traveling from out of state and found this lovely small owned restaurant. Wonderful customer service, good is all cooked fresh and it’s such a welcoming environment! Definitely recommendParking: Lots of parking spots!Kid-friendliness: Has a highchair, very interactive with them“