It's a very unassuming place. The ambiance in this bistro is suitable for a nice lunch or dinner date--no loud music. The staff and their service are very superb. I've been looking everywhere for a good mentaiko pasta similar to what I had in Japan - and I found the place! They're very affordable as well. I highly recommend it.
Curtis C.
Came here with a few friends for lunch, and we all got the lunch specials. I got the Crab and Scallop Pepperoncino Pasta, which I think was good/okay. If I came back, I would try the doria instead. A friend got the pate dish, and it wasn't very good. Overall, I think the place is okay, but no strong reason to go back.
Jeffrey Z.
What a gem! Bistro Kaz is tucked away in a cozy yet elegant little space in San Diego's Convoy St. but has easily become one of my favorite spots. The food is so memorable as well, serving a wide selection of Japanese Italian dishes, from pastas to pizzas to dorias. They have lunch specials for a great price as well. They also have excellent teas and wines. The servers are always attentive and kind. It's the perfect place for an intimate quiet meal or a dressed up dinner. 14/10
Joyce L.
I absolutely love Bistro Kaz! They are the epitome of Asian (Japanese) comfort food. They're one of the few handful of places that my husband (who's Japanese, so he can speak to the authenticity) and I will frequent on a regular... and we'll sneak it in separately too. I write this post as I enjoy my go-to meal (meatloaf with demi-glaze sauce) on a date brunch with me, myself & I... smooth jazz playing in the background, immersed in a calm ambiance. Their food never disappoints. I find their lunch combos (includes soup, salad, and a drink) to be a good deal. I'm always full by the end, always content! :) 10/10, would recommend!
Sophia M.
This is a Japanese-Italian restaurant. We don't get this kind everywhere. I love the concept. Our favorite was eel pizza. For people who love eel, this is a must have! The sprouts and seaweeds on the top were great touch. Sea urchin spread was surprisingly delicious! It was so creamy. Mix Ajillo Octopus and Oysters was a bomb! It gave me Spanish tapas taste. The octopus was tender and juicy. The mushrooms were perfectly cooked and full of flavor!It came with toasted bread. But I think it's better with pasta. Later on I put some pasta in this Mix Ajillo sauce. It was so good! They should put Ajillo Octopus pasta on their pasta menu! The only thing I didn't care for from this dish was cooked oyster. I was never a fan of cooked oyster. But I thought about giving it a try. So I ordered Mix Ajillo Octopus and Oysters. Next time I will order Ajillo octopus only. Fried soft shell crab was good. We also ordered chicken liver plate. The taste of chicken liver was too strong for me. Not my cup of tea. But I like the spread came with it. I am not sure what it was. Maybe artichoke dip? Anyways it was delicious. The only disappointment I had was Creamy Sea Urchin with Salmon Roe. I had the same dish several years ago in Asia. And I liked it. So I had high expectation for it. But it was not appealing or delicious. It was not creamy at all. At first I thought they forgot to add the creamy sauce. Then my husband told me to look at the bottom of the plate. It was watery and scare sitting at the bottom. The whole dish was lack of flavor. (That's why I ended up putting the pasta in the Mix Ajillo Octopus and Oysters dish i mentioned earlier). Maybe two pieces of cooked sea urchin was sitting on the bottom of the dish. It got dry, hard and not creamy. The dish came with two pieces of bread. It seemed unnecessary. First of all, it was a pasta dish. It didn't need extra starch. Second, the whole dish has no flavor, it really didn't need the bread to neutralize the flavor. They have a large menu. I will come back to have the dish I liked and try some other new dish.
Hazel S.
Had the seafood doria and cold pasta cod combos today with my family. They had a booster seat available and outdoor seating, which was nice to have eating with a noisy 1 year old. Our waitress was nice and attentive and the food was delicious. Prices are about $20 for a combo. Would eat here again.
Jun Huh
When we entered, the restaurant was about full, and there was another group ahead of us in line to get in. We and the group in front of us were left unnoticed for nearly 20 minutes, until we were finally seated.The food took a while to come out, and my dish came out last. My dad ordered a barley tea but it never came out until we requested it once more. I also asked for no dressing in my salad but I was given my salad with dressing. However, the food was incredible as always. It was very fresh, which was probably the reason it took so long to come out. I ordered the tomato and garlic shrimp pasta, which was very fresh, hot, and delicious. They also offered very substantial and filling portions.Although the food was great, I cannot give this place more than four stars as the service simply lacked a bit. I will likely be coming back. The amount of customers is quite inconsistent, however there are much less people if you come a bit later, around 1:00. Note: the quality and wait time of food will vary based on the amount of people dining.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Corn Soup
Demi N.
This restaurant is like if you were looking for Italian food in Japan, which actually is something you could find in Japan (I've been to Japan 3 times). What I mean is that they take classic Italian dishes such as pasta and pizza, and then they use Japanese flavors such as mentaiko, uni, roe, nori, etc. Since I love Italian food and carbs and I love Japanese food, this is the perfect blend for me! A hidden gem in SD, believe when I say this is authentic Japanese food, because it's quite close to a restaurant you'd find in Japan. An unassuming restaurant that focuses on the quality of flavors and textures. I love ordering the mentaiko pasta and often come here when I'm craving those flavors. Eventually I'd like to branch out and try other dishes such as their pizza, but I'm the type of person who always orders the same thing once I've found a dish that I enjoy. Food: 8:5/10 Atmosphere: 7/10 I give this rating because the inside is very simple.
Om Mahida
This is definitely one of the most interesting Japanese Italian fusion restaurants I've seen and been at. It has potential but I feel like it falls short. The cheese plate was incredibly disappointing, I would skip it. The pizza and other food was good. The lack of effort on the cheese plate really brought down the overall experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Nelson P.
The atmosphere of the restaurant was nice. The seafood doria was delicious and the salmon cream pasta was good as well. The service was great and the workers were all nice. I would highly recommend this place for a lunch dine in. I hope to try out their dinner menu soon.
Super unfriendly service. Would not come again due to this fact. The lady server was very rude, and demeaning. I felt like I couldn't even ask for dishes or utensils as this was such a big deal to her! It wasn't even busy at the time either. The food is what brings the 0-star service to a 3-star. Food was great and fresh. Especially loved the rich truffle pizza, and hamburger steak. Could do without the squid ink pasta. I love supporting small businesses, but service is important. The server made such an unpleasant experience for my friends and I.
Sarah S.
Such a cute little bistro! The music was low and smooth and the lighting was perfect for an intimate date. We were welcomed and seated right away when we walked in. Our server was so nice and very professional. We ordered our drinks and they came out right away. We ordered their crab cakes, ceviche, cioppino, and the hamburger steak plate. Reminded me of my childhood in Japan! The authenticity of the food was phenomenal! Crab croquette: 100/10 - that creamy crab filling...oh man...I have no words. Simply the best! Ceviche: 8/10 - it was good as in the ingredients were fresh but I have definitely had better ceviches. Cioppino: 9/10 - the broth was so good and the ingredients were fresh. Hamburger steak: 100/10 - the demi was just right! Not too salty not too sweet, the meat was cooked well and and seasoned well, the vegetables were cooked properly, the side of rice was pipping hot and sticky. We will definitely be coming back! Thank you Bistro Kaz for a wonderful date!
Julie L.
Greeting guests the right way as they arrive at your restaurant is no small detail. It's their first impression of what their dining experience will be like, and we all know how important first impressions are. Hosts and hostesses have a big responsibility on their shoulders. Unfortunately, though, the sole woman hostess at Bistro Kaz on the evening of November 10, 2023 FAILED. You might not realize it, but a wrong greeting takes down the entire guest experience. greeting is the first human aspect that forms a guest's first impression of the restaurant. It builds the base, sets the guests' expectations, and can make or break their entire visit. Your total demeanor needs a revamp. Oh. The food? It was good. I always tip well. I don't especially like the practice of tipping, but I understand that service industry pay structure is built on it, and I'm not willing to stiff someone on pay, even if they didn't do a great job. however, tipping is for service. I'm insulted to have it already included. Will I return? No. Zero star for the "never crack a smile"server.
Deszra S.
Bistro Kaz just may well be my new favorite restaurant in Convoy. The decor and ambiance is really cute, also taking inspiration from japanese and italian restaurants. It's small so probably best to make a reservation beforehand but service and food quality is impeccable for very reasonable prices. Do not leave before trying the unagi pizza!!
Alex C.
This place is amazing! I can promise you've never had Japanese/Italian fusion cuisine like this! Please don't be hesitant, the food is amazing! The restaurant ambiance is really cozy and home-y.
It's a very unassuming place. The ambiance in this bistro is suitable for a nice lunch or dinner date--no loud music. The staff and their service are very superb. I've been looking everywhere for a good mentaiko pasta similar to what I had in Japan - and I found the place! They're very affordable as well. I highly recommend it.
Came here with a few friends for lunch, and we all got the lunch specials. I got the Crab and Scallop Pepperoncino Pasta, which I think was good/okay. If I came back, I would try the doria instead. A friend got the pate dish, and it wasn't very good. Overall, I think the place is okay, but no strong reason to go back.
What a gem! Bistro Kaz is tucked away in a cozy yet elegant little space in San Diego's Convoy St. but has easily become one of my favorite spots. The food is so memorable as well, serving a wide selection of Japanese Italian dishes, from pastas to pizzas to dorias. They have lunch specials for a great price as well. They also have excellent teas and wines. The servers are always attentive and kind. It's the perfect place for an intimate quiet meal or a dressed up dinner. 14/10
I absolutely love Bistro Kaz! They are the epitome of Asian (Japanese) comfort food. They're one of the few handful of places that my husband (who's Japanese, so he can speak to the authenticity) and I will frequent on a regular... and we'll sneak it in separately too. I write this post as I enjoy my go-to meal (meatloaf with demi-glaze sauce) on a date brunch with me, myself & I... smooth jazz playing in the background, immersed in a calm ambiance. Their food never disappoints. I find their lunch combos (includes soup, salad, and a drink) to be a good deal. I'm always full by the end, always content! :) 10/10, would recommend!
This is a Japanese-Italian restaurant. We don't get this kind everywhere. I love the concept. Our favorite was eel pizza. For people who love eel, this is a must have! The sprouts and seaweeds on the top were great touch. Sea urchin spread was surprisingly delicious! It was so creamy. Mix Ajillo Octopus and Oysters was a bomb! It gave me Spanish tapas taste. The octopus was tender and juicy. The mushrooms were perfectly cooked and full of flavor!It came with toasted bread. But I think it's better with pasta. Later on I put some pasta in this Mix Ajillo sauce. It was so good! They should put Ajillo Octopus pasta on their pasta menu! The only thing I didn't care for from this dish was cooked oyster. I was never a fan of cooked oyster. But I thought about giving it a try. So I ordered Mix Ajillo Octopus and Oysters. Next time I will order Ajillo octopus only. Fried soft shell crab was good. We also ordered chicken liver plate. The taste of chicken liver was too strong for me. Not my cup of tea. But I like the spread came with it. I am not sure what it was. Maybe artichoke dip? Anyways it was delicious. The only disappointment I had was Creamy Sea Urchin with Salmon Roe. I had the same dish several years ago in Asia. And I liked it. So I had high expectation for it. But it was not appealing or delicious. It was not creamy at all. At first I thought they forgot to add the creamy sauce. Then my husband told me to look at the bottom of the plate. It was watery and scare sitting at the bottom. The whole dish was lack of flavor. (That's why I ended up putting the pasta in the Mix Ajillo Octopus and Oysters dish i mentioned earlier). Maybe two pieces of cooked sea urchin was sitting on the bottom of the dish. It got dry, hard and not creamy. The dish came with two pieces of bread. It seemed unnecessary. First of all, it was a pasta dish. It didn't need extra starch. Second, the whole dish has no flavor, it really didn't need the bread to neutralize the flavor. They have a large menu. I will come back to have the dish I liked and try some other new dish.
Had the seafood doria and cold pasta cod combos today with my family. They had a booster seat available and outdoor seating, which was nice to have eating with a noisy 1 year old. Our waitress was nice and attentive and the food was delicious. Prices are about $20 for a combo. Would eat here again.
When we entered, the restaurant was about full, and there was another group ahead of us in line to get in. We and the group in front of us were left unnoticed for nearly 20 minutes, until we were finally seated.The food took a while to come out, and my dish came out last. My dad ordered a barley tea but it never came out until we requested it once more. I also asked for no dressing in my salad but I was given my salad with dressing. However, the food was incredible as always. It was very fresh, which was probably the reason it took so long to come out. I ordered the tomato and garlic shrimp pasta, which was very fresh, hot, and delicious. They also offered very substantial and filling portions.Although the food was great, I cannot give this place more than four stars as the service simply lacked a bit. I will likely be coming back. The amount of customers is quite inconsistent, however there are much less people if you come a bit later, around 1:00. Note: the quality and wait time of food will vary based on the amount of people dining.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Corn Soup
This restaurant is like if you were looking for Italian food in Japan, which actually is something you could find in Japan (I've been to Japan 3 times). What I mean is that they take classic Italian dishes such as pasta and pizza, and then they use Japanese flavors such as mentaiko, uni, roe, nori, etc. Since I love Italian food and carbs and I love Japanese food, this is the perfect blend for me! A hidden gem in SD, believe when I say this is authentic Japanese food, because it's quite close to a restaurant you'd find in Japan. An unassuming restaurant that focuses on the quality of flavors and textures. I love ordering the mentaiko pasta and often come here when I'm craving those flavors. Eventually I'd like to branch out and try other dishes such as their pizza, but I'm the type of person who always orders the same thing once I've found a dish that I enjoy. Food: 8:5/10 Atmosphere: 7/10 I give this rating because the inside is very simple.
This is definitely one of the most interesting Japanese Italian fusion restaurants I've seen and been at. It has potential but I feel like it falls short. The cheese plate was incredibly disappointing, I would skip it. The pizza and other food was good. The lack of effort on the cheese plate really brought down the overall experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
The atmosphere of the restaurant was nice. The seafood doria was delicious and the salmon cream pasta was good as well. The service was great and the workers were all nice. I would highly recommend this place for a lunch dine in. I hope to try out their dinner menu soon.
Restaurantji Recommends
Super unfriendly service. Would not come again due to this fact. The lady server was very rude, and demeaning. I felt like I couldn't even ask for dishes or utensils as this was such a big deal to her! It wasn't even busy at the time either. The food is what brings the 0-star service to a 3-star. Food was great and fresh. Especially loved the rich truffle pizza, and hamburger steak. Could do without the squid ink pasta. I love supporting small businesses, but service is important. The server made such an unpleasant experience for my friends and I.
Such a cute little bistro! The music was low and smooth and the lighting was perfect for an intimate date. We were welcomed and seated right away when we walked in. Our server was so nice and very professional. We ordered our drinks and they came out right away. We ordered their crab cakes, ceviche, cioppino, and the hamburger steak plate. Reminded me of my childhood in Japan! The authenticity of the food was phenomenal! Crab croquette: 100/10 - that creamy crab filling...oh man...I have no words. Simply the best! Ceviche: 8/10 - it was good as in the ingredients were fresh but I have definitely had better ceviches. Cioppino: 9/10 - the broth was so good and the ingredients were fresh. Hamburger steak: 100/10 - the demi was just right! Not too salty not too sweet, the meat was cooked well and and seasoned well, the vegetables were cooked properly, the side of rice was pipping hot and sticky. We will definitely be coming back! Thank you Bistro Kaz for a wonderful date!
Greeting guests the right way as they arrive at your restaurant is no small detail. It's their first impression of what their dining experience will be like, and we all know how important first impressions are. Hosts and hostesses have a big responsibility on their shoulders. Unfortunately, though, the sole woman hostess at Bistro Kaz on the evening of November 10, 2023 FAILED. You might not realize it, but a wrong greeting takes down the entire guest experience. greeting is the first human aspect that forms a guest's first impression of the restaurant. It builds the base, sets the guests' expectations, and can make or break their entire visit. Your total demeanor needs a revamp. Oh. The food? It was good. I always tip well. I don't especially like the practice of tipping, but I understand that service industry pay structure is built on it, and I'm not willing to stiff someone on pay, even if they didn't do a great job. however, tipping is for service. I'm insulted to have it already included. Will I return? No. Zero star for the "never crack a smile"server.
Bistro Kaz just may well be my new favorite restaurant in Convoy. The decor and ambiance is really cute, also taking inspiration from japanese and italian restaurants. It's small so probably best to make a reservation beforehand but service and food quality is impeccable for very reasonable prices. Do not leave before trying the unagi pizza!!
This place is amazing! I can promise you've never had Japanese/Italian fusion cuisine like this! Please don't be hesitant, the food is amazing! The restaurant ambiance is really cozy and home-y.