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.
Matthew Eisenman
First time in Mexico City and was told by a friend to come here. It was fantastic. Cocktails were perfectly balanced. The food was so good. Definitely get the sliders. Will come back here before I return home.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ramin Yahyapour
After several years at the Vino Carta Wine bar in Solana Beach, the minds behind Long Story Short decided to open their own restaurant at North Park. The courses are meant to be shared. We enjoyed every single dish. All are nicely done, tasted great and had some twist to it. We had a wonderful evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carene Marie
I could eat here weekly! From the frisee salad, roasted carrots, the pasta dishes, freshness of the fish and meats, down to the purees- ALL OF IT- is unique and carefully crafted deliciousness.I highly recommend Long Story Short for a date night- any night- it has a casual, but refined ambiance, a great staff, and amazing flavors!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jen N.
Went a Saturday, and we had made a reservation. The man who greeted us was not overly welcoming. Our table was ready for us, but it did take awhile for a server to greet us. She was friendly, but seemed very nervous. They only have wine and beer, but it's a really interesting selection of wines. I ordered one of the orange wines, and I enjoyed it. We ordered 4 things for the two of us for food. We started with the frisée salad, which surpassed my expectations. It had that comfort food feeling of a ranch or blue cheese dressing, but way better. Flavorful and not heavy. Next was the crudo, which was good. The uni french toast I was very excited to try, but was just ok for us and a small portion for the price. The gnocchetti pasta was last. I enjoyed the different textures and the brightness of the lemon. So for me the food was a little hit or miss, and the timing of the dishes was odd - either a really long in between or two dishes that got brought pretty much together. I want to like this spot. We both just felt like something was missing with service, as well as consistency with the different dishes. I would give it another chance as they get more experience though.
Kannica C.
Came here with a friend last minute, and although we didn't get a dinner table, we managed to snag a window seat. We still received great service from our server, and she recommended me an amazingggg chardonnay. We also ordered their persimmon dish, and it was so shockingly delicious! I couldn't believe how well persimmon could be when paired with mushrooms! 10/10. The atmosphere of the place was very North-Park(y) and is honestly a great fit and addition to the area. I am definitely going to be making a reservation and dining here again in the future.
Christopher T.
My story is one where it's a long night on the eve of nothing but I'm searching for good food to take my mind off of things, fortunate I wandered into Long Story Short. Beyond an interesting name, this night I found that as the second guess to their table, I was welcomed by the host and waitress. The inside decor is fine dinning but with a relaxed atmosphere, almost Bo-Ho which I try to emulate in my own place. After coffering with the waitress, I start my dinning experience with Roasted Winter Squash followed by the local catch of Meuniere. Presentation wise, beautifully! In the hand-made earthenware, both dishes were a joy to look at. The taste, texture, and flavor of both dishes was superb. I had to follow-up on dessert which was the Seasonal Pear Tart Tatine.
Cody Bingham
food was delicious. service was not good for the price of the
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 1
Sean Dougherty
We came here for our anniversary dinner and it was fantastic start to finish. We had our minds set on a certain pasta dish but Bethany, our guide on this journey, described another dish that wasn’t listed on the menu SO WELL we couldn’t help but order and it was divine, to say the least.The atmosphere was subtle yet orderly and inviting. The team made sure we were well taken care of - we even received a signed letter from the team congratulating us on our anniversary!The price was lower than what we expected for this level of service and the food we tasted - can you even ask for more?I’ll take any opportunity I can to recommend Long Story Short - and can’t wait for the next time I get the pleasure of dining here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Keri W.
My husband and I ate here last night and we were excited to try it! The host was very nice and we got to choose our seat outside. Weather was perfect. The tables were super cute though I will say they were a bit small. We ordered a bottle of wine that was very good and reasonably priced. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly and had a fun overall personality. She gave us the fish of the day and answered some of my questions about a few menu items. The menu has a good array of options, different flavors and interesting ingredients. Everything we ordered was shareable and appetizer sized. Bread and butter - bread was warm and had a crusty outside but was so nice and soft on the inside. The butter was like Mexican corn - so delicious and a bit sweet.Seasonal Crudo - fresh fish (I think it was albacore) and the habanero salsa was light and tangy, not spicy. T try he fish slices were thick and good sized.Local catch a La meunière - very good. The fried capers were the best and the butter sauce was decadent. Corn and ricotta agnolotti - my favorite dish of the evening. Little pouches of heavenly soft cheese and the sauce was so good and though creamy, not heavy.I can't remember the name of the other pasta dish we ordered as it was not on the menu. It had mussels in it and the pasta was the size of oreccette but it was curled a bit and had grooves. This one was a bit too salty for my taste but my husband liked it. Everything came out one by one which was nice. Our server timed everything great except for the last item came out a bit later (a good 15/20 min after the previous dish) and we were pretty full. Not sure if it was the server or the kitchen but it was a pretty long wait. I would say the food here is top notch and the ingredients they use are fresh and unusual (at least to me). Nice addition to the neighborhood!
Today was my first time eating at long story short and it will not be my last. The entire restaurant is thoughtfully designed and the staff were kind and helpful. The food was absolutely incredible...we finished every bite! We started with the beet/avo salad and then the uni French toast...both were outstanding! We had a citrus gnocchi pasta dish and fresh white fish cooked in brown butter for our entrees....which went well together! For dessert we had a tasty passion fruit merengue pie. If you're looking for a restaurant with beautiful atmosphere and food that is truly unique and delicious I highly recommend long story short for your next night out!
Mark B.
Long Story Short is what North Park has always needed and finally now has. Comfortable, tasteful and honest. The menu ranged from smaller bites to large shareable entrees. All the flavors were balanced and playful. Not too heavy but still leaving you fulfilled. The ingredients were sourced from premium suppliers, like Chino Farms, and the chefs didn't get in the way of natures hard work. I would absolutely recommend this restaurant for anyone wanting to just sit at the bar to enjoy a salad with a glass of natural wine, for a special date night or for a small group birthday-celebration outing. The staff was attentive and welcoming. I can't wait to go again!
Taylor S.
Totally delicious!! Had a great glass of wine on special and an amazing meal. Our server was very friendly and gave us a great run down of the menu. My friend and I split everything ( not pictured was the bread and catch of the day,both amazing, I ate before I could snap) and it was perfect! Definitely have to come back since I'm sure the menu will have something new for the season. All in all so glad this place opened up in north park
Mafalda C.
Cute little restaurant in North Park. Smallest menu ever. Few delicious dishes. Small portions. Extremely expensive. Our sever was friendly. I loved the pistacchio figs ice cream they have on the menu. The lobster was tasty paired nicely with the lemony scarole. The restaurant story is lovely.
Sophia M.
My husband and I have been following the chef couple of Long story short for two years. They never disappoint. No matter how many times we have been dining with them, they always have new dishes to impress. They know how to put all kinds of ingredients together and create something incredible. And they always use high quality material. Let's talk about their food in this new location. We went there twice since they open. Everything was delicious. The top three dish I highly recommend is as follows. I normally is not a big fan of pork chop. But I highly recommend their charcoal grilled pork chop. Charcoal brought it a unique taste. The meat was tender and juicy. It came with Burnt Eggplant Mustard. It was a perfect sauce for the pork chop. Uni Risotto was also a hit. Risotto by itself was quiet outstanding. I can't describe the flavor. Please try it yourself. Chino Farms Corn and Ricotta Agnolotti was impressive. It looked like a simple pasta dish. But the flavor combination was amazing!We also had crudo, beets, Local Catch a la Meuniere, summer melon and Tagliolini Alla Puttanesca. We liked them all. My husband and I are committed to go back and try the rest of the dish on the menu. I am sure that they will keep us interested by bringing new dishes to the menu.
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.
First time in Mexico City and was told by a friend to come here. It was fantastic. Cocktails were perfectly balanced. The food was so good. Definitely get the sliders. Will come back here before I return home.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
After several years at the Vino Carta Wine bar in Solana Beach, the minds behind Long Story Short decided to open their own restaurant at North Park. The courses are meant to be shared. We enjoyed every single dish. All are nicely done, tasted great and had some twist to it. We had a wonderful evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I could eat here weekly! From the frisee salad, roasted carrots, the pasta dishes, freshness of the fish and meats, down to the purees- ALL OF IT- is unique and carefully crafted deliciousness.I highly recommend Long Story Short for a date night- any night- it has a casual, but refined ambiance, a great staff, and amazing flavors!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went a Saturday, and we had made a reservation. The man who greeted us was not overly welcoming. Our table was ready for us, but it did take awhile for a server to greet us. She was friendly, but seemed very nervous. They only have wine and beer, but it's a really interesting selection of wines. I ordered one of the orange wines, and I enjoyed it. We ordered 4 things for the two of us for food. We started with the frisée salad, which surpassed my expectations. It had that comfort food feeling of a ranch or blue cheese dressing, but way better. Flavorful and not heavy. Next was the crudo, which was good. The uni french toast I was very excited to try, but was just ok for us and a small portion for the price. The gnocchetti pasta was last. I enjoyed the different textures and the brightness of the lemon. So for me the food was a little hit or miss, and the timing of the dishes was odd - either a really long in between or two dishes that got brought pretty much together. I want to like this spot. We both just felt like something was missing with service, as well as consistency with the different dishes. I would give it another chance as they get more experience though.
Came here with a friend last minute, and although we didn't get a dinner table, we managed to snag a window seat. We still received great service from our server, and she recommended me an amazingggg chardonnay. We also ordered their persimmon dish, and it was so shockingly delicious! I couldn't believe how well persimmon could be when paired with mushrooms! 10/10. The atmosphere of the place was very North-Park(y) and is honestly a great fit and addition to the area. I am definitely going to be making a reservation and dining here again in the future.
My story is one where it's a long night on the eve of nothing but I'm searching for good food to take my mind off of things, fortunate I wandered into Long Story Short. Beyond an interesting name, this night I found that as the second guess to their table, I was welcomed by the host and waitress. The inside decor is fine dinning but with a relaxed atmosphere, almost Bo-Ho which I try to emulate in my own place. After coffering with the waitress, I start my dinning experience with Roasted Winter Squash followed by the local catch of Meuniere. Presentation wise, beautifully! In the hand-made earthenware, both dishes were a joy to look at. The taste, texture, and flavor of both dishes was superb. I had to follow-up on dessert which was the Seasonal Pear Tart Tatine.
food was delicious. service was not good for the price of the
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 1
We came here for our anniversary dinner and it was fantastic start to finish. We had our minds set on a certain pasta dish but Bethany, our guide on this journey, described another dish that wasn’t listed on the menu SO WELL we couldn’t help but order and it was divine, to say the least.The atmosphere was subtle yet orderly and inviting. The team made sure we were well taken care of - we even received a signed letter from the team congratulating us on our anniversary!The price was lower than what we expected for this level of service and the food we tasted - can you even ask for more?I’ll take any opportunity I can to recommend Long Story Short - and can’t wait for the next time I get the pleasure of dining here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I ate here last night and we were excited to try it! The host was very nice and we got to choose our seat outside. Weather was perfect. The tables were super cute though I will say they were a bit small. We ordered a bottle of wine that was very good and reasonably priced. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly and had a fun overall personality. She gave us the fish of the day and answered some of my questions about a few menu items. The menu has a good array of options, different flavors and interesting ingredients. Everything we ordered was shareable and appetizer sized. Bread and butter - bread was warm and had a crusty outside but was so nice and soft on the inside. The butter was like Mexican corn - so delicious and a bit sweet.Seasonal Crudo - fresh fish (I think it was albacore) and the habanero salsa was light and tangy, not spicy. T try he fish slices were thick and good sized.Local catch a La meunière - very good. The fried capers were the best and the butter sauce was decadent. Corn and ricotta agnolotti - my favorite dish of the evening. Little pouches of heavenly soft cheese and the sauce was so good and though creamy, not heavy.I can't remember the name of the other pasta dish we ordered as it was not on the menu. It had mussels in it and the pasta was the size of oreccette but it was curled a bit and had grooves. This one was a bit too salty for my taste but my husband liked it. Everything came out one by one which was nice. Our server timed everything great except for the last item came out a bit later (a good 15/20 min after the previous dish) and we were pretty full. Not sure if it was the server or the kitchen but it was a pretty long wait. I would say the food here is top notch and the ingredients they use are fresh and unusual (at least to me). Nice addition to the neighborhood!
Restaurantji Recommends
Today was my first time eating at long story short and it will not be my last. The entire restaurant is thoughtfully designed and the staff were kind and helpful. The food was absolutely incredible...we finished every bite! We started with the beet/avo salad and then the uni French toast...both were outstanding! We had a citrus gnocchi pasta dish and fresh white fish cooked in brown butter for our entrees....which went well together! For dessert we had a tasty passion fruit merengue pie. If you're looking for a restaurant with beautiful atmosphere and food that is truly unique and delicious I highly recommend long story short for your next night out!
Long Story Short is what North Park has always needed and finally now has. Comfortable, tasteful and honest. The menu ranged from smaller bites to large shareable entrees. All the flavors were balanced and playful. Not too heavy but still leaving you fulfilled. The ingredients were sourced from premium suppliers, like Chino Farms, and the chefs didn't get in the way of natures hard work. I would absolutely recommend this restaurant for anyone wanting to just sit at the bar to enjoy a salad with a glass of natural wine, for a special date night or for a small group birthday-celebration outing. The staff was attentive and welcoming. I can't wait to go again!
Totally delicious!! Had a great glass of wine on special and an amazing meal. Our server was very friendly and gave us a great run down of the menu. My friend and I split everything ( not pictured was the bread and catch of the day,both amazing, I ate before I could snap) and it was perfect! Definitely have to come back since I'm sure the menu will have something new for the season. All in all so glad this place opened up in north park
Cute little restaurant in North Park. Smallest menu ever. Few delicious dishes. Small portions. Extremely expensive. Our sever was friendly. I loved the pistacchio figs ice cream they have on the menu. The lobster was tasty paired nicely with the lemony scarole. The restaurant story is lovely.
My husband and I have been following the chef couple of Long story short for two years. They never disappoint. No matter how many times we have been dining with them, they always have new dishes to impress. They know how to put all kinds of ingredients together and create something incredible. And they always use high quality material. Let's talk about their food in this new location. We went there twice since they open. Everything was delicious. The top three dish I highly recommend is as follows. I normally is not a big fan of pork chop. But I highly recommend their charcoal grilled pork chop. Charcoal brought it a unique taste. The meat was tender and juicy. It came with Burnt Eggplant Mustard. It was a perfect sauce for the pork chop. Uni Risotto was also a hit. Risotto by itself was quiet outstanding. I can't describe the flavor. Please try it yourself. Chino Farms Corn and Ricotta Agnolotti was impressive. It looked like a simple pasta dish. But the flavor combination was amazing!We also had crudo, beets, Local Catch a la Meuniere, summer melon and Tagliolini Alla Puttanesca. We liked them all. My husband and I are committed to go back and try the rest of the dish on the menu. I am sure that they will keep us interested by bringing new dishes to the menu.