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    Born & Raised

    4.1 (3.5k reviews)
    Open • 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Born & Raised Photos

    Business Info

    BORN & RAISED ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Intimate
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - Born & Raised

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    Reviews With Photos

    Straight Outta San Diego!
    BigShit F.

    First time here and it was a great experience. Right in the heart of Little Italy as well! I did ask for the rooftop but they could not fit me in even though I requested via Open Table. I probably reserved too late maybe. Regardless, the atmosphere was excellent and LOVED the 80s/90s urban music aesthetic especially since I grew up on all the artists associated with the restaurant! The service and staff were EXCELLENT and went above and beyond! My child had a nosebleed and since they didnt have paper napkins they went to get me a toilet paper roll. Lol. They saved the day!! My only criticism is that the steak had no flavor at all. I got the NY Strip and a Filet and really didnt wow me since it didnt have taste. However I liked the parmesan Mac n cheese that paired with it which made everything enjoyable with each bite.

    Randall B.

    Ten stars out of five. We came to Born & Raised for our fourth anniversary, and I had over the top expectations... and they exceed even those. I genuinely cannot think of a single thing I would change about the evening. Daniel, our server, was phenomenal beyond compare. His knowledge of the menu was extraordinary, but what really impressed me was his knowledge of the spirits. Ask a question and he didn't simply have an answer--he understood what he was talking about. Throughout the evening, we felt less like patrons of a restaurant and more like honored guests. The beef tartare was possibly the best I've had since an extraordinary version at Le Cirque in Las Vegas years ago. The filet arrived a perfect medium rare and was so tender you practically could have cut it with a fork. And then there was the Steak Diane. I learned to make Steak Diane from a professional French chef, and it has been one of my specialties for years, so I'm probably more critical of it than most people. This was incomparable. Absolutely over-the-top phenomenal. But what ultimately made the evening wasn't any single dish. It was the way the entire experience felt as though it was about us. We were there celebrating four years together, and Born & Raised somehow made an already important night feel even more special. The room, the food, the cocktails, the service, the attention to detail--everything. There are simply no nits to pick. Five stars because Yelp won't let me give them ten.

    Aaron V.

    When it comes to ambiance and drinks, this is one of the toughest places to battle with in Little Italy. They did a great job putting this restaurant together. The service is typically solid. Nothing over the top but it is good. The food here is also good. There are dishes that you will really enjoy on this menu. Always a good time when you go into Born and Raised. Cheers!

    New York Strip
    Sam P.

    Came here as our celebratory dinner before college starts and it did not disappoint! Beautiful classic old school steakhouse interior with classic booths, dark lighting and stunning decor! We were seated quickly and our service was impeccable all evening! Began with some cocktails and their bread and butter service which was perhaps the best anywhere! Warm, soft Parker house roll that was simply perfect, served with garlic butter. For appetizers we had the best crudo we have ever had! It was absolutely perfect with the freshest fish and perfect dressing, we also enjoyed the Uni spaghetti which I loved and I am not the biggest pasta fan and the farmers market fruit salad. I don't eat meat which was fine as they had a pretty spectacular sea bass topped with caviar and served with mint and peas. My husband and daughter enjoyed their steaks with sides of broccolini and a caviar topped hash brown! Though I love dessert, we were simply too full to move. We walked off our dinner having had a spectacular meal! This, so far, is my best meal of 2026!!

    Steak
    Virna L.

    Love using the reservation app and arrived on time but had to wait a good seven minutes before we were seated. I have old eyes, and it was pretty dark in there. My daughter had to read the menu and receipt for me, because I'm too embarrassed to turn on my cellphone light just to read. LOL! Other than that, the interior was entertaining, the food was as expected, we got our steak about five minutes before we got the side dishes, so, I preferred to wait for that. It would have been more ideal to have the side dishes before the steak so, the dining experience could be more pleasant. That's a personal preference, my daughter didn't mind it al all. Overall a very good experience. Warnings about parking was stressed well enough. There was a line of customers after we dined. It looks like a very popular dining spot. Four stars for me.

    Entrance
    Keabreone B.

    I cannot even explain how EXCITED I was to finally try Born and Raised. I had heard so much about this place, seen all the pictures, and everything leading up to our reservation made me feel like we were about to have a top-tier steakhouse experience. Unfortunately, the build-up ended up being better than the actual dinner. Save yourself the stress and rideshare. Now, this is where I have mixed feelings because the service before we even arrived was absolutely brilliant. We were celebrating my friend's birthday, and I had a cake delivered through Instacart ahead of our reservation. The restaurant was SO on top of their communication. They even messaged me personally to let me know the cake had been delivered and was there waiting for us. When we arrived, my friend had a personalized birthday menu with their name on it, which I thought was such a thoughtful touch. Between that and the communication about the cake, I was thinking, "Oh yeah, they are ON IT. Tonight is going to be amazing." Unfortunately, that level of service did not continue throughout dinner. Our waitress was nice, but we had to remind her about things multiple times. We waited quite a while for our bread and had to remind her about it. The bread ended up being comped because of the wait, which I appreciated, but later she also completely forgot my margarita. For an upscale steakhouse, the service just wasn't as attentive as I expected it to be. Now let's talk about that bread because PLEASE, please, please get the bread. It came out warm and fluffy, and the butter complemented it perfectly. I had seen pictures of it beforehand, and it absolutely lived up to them. Honestly, it was one of my favorite things we ate. I believe it was around $9, and while I personally think bread should be complimentary at a steakhouse at this price point, I would still order it again because it was THAT good. We skipped appetizers because nothing really jumped out at us and went straight into our steaks. My friend and I split the 20 oz Bone-In Ribeye, and my other friend ordered the 14 oz New York Strip. We asked for both steaks to be sliced, but only the ribeye came sliced. I was also surprised by the size of the 20 oz ribeye. I've ordered 20 oz bone-in steaks at other steakhouses, and this one looked noticeably smaller than what I was expecting. Between the two of us, I think we each got around three slices. For a 20 oz steak that we were sharing, it just didn't feel very substantial. When it came to the sides, though, WE CLEANED UP. We ordered the Mushroom Fricassée with wild mushrooms, garlic and thyme; Dirty Hash Browns with trout roe and crème fraîche; Mac & Cheese with fontina and herbed breadcrumbs; Grilled Asparagus with sauce vert, lemon and amaranth; and the Potato Purée with butter and chives. And this is what makes the entire experience so frustrating: the food was actually delicious! The flavors were there. The sides were good. The steak tasted good. We genuinely enjoyed the taste of what we were eating. But almost everything was COLD. And I don't mean, "Oh, I wish this was a little warmer." I mean our food was cold. We spent around $350 on dinner, and somehow our meal came to the table cold. When they brought our steak out, we were specifically warned, "Be careful, the plate is hot." I remembered the warning at first, but later I went to move the plate with my bare hands and realized...the damn plate wasn't even hot. A manager came over and asked how everything was, and we told her exactly that: the food tasted delicious, but it was cold. She asked if we wanted anything reheated. Reheated?! That response really threw me off. At an upscale steakhouse, after ordering steaks and five different sides, I don't want my dinner reheated. I want it to come out hot the first time. And that really sums up my experience at Born and Raised. I think it was so disappointing because I was SO excited about going. I want to be fair and say this was NOT bad food. The bread was fantastic. The sides had great flavor. The steaks tasted good. The personalized birthday menu was adorable. Their communication before our reservation was excellent, and the way they handled my friend's cake genuinely made me feel like they cared about making the birthday special. That's why I'm so conflicted. Everything leading up to dinner screamed top-tier experience, but once we actually sat down and started eating, everything became very lackluster. Having to repeatedly remind our waitress about things, having my margarita completely forgotten, one of the steaks not being sliced as requested, and then having an expensive spread arrive cold just did not match the level of restaurant Born and Raised presents itself to be. For a roughly $350 dinner at an upscale steakhouse, I don't think expecting attentive service and hot food is asking for too much. I really, REALLY wanted to love Born and Raised. Unfortunately, for me, it just did not live up to the hype.

    Rosario G.

    Born and Raised in San Diego was such a great experience! The food was fabulous, everything we ordered was flavorful and beautifully prepared. The drinks were excellent too, and the atmosphere has such a fun, elegant vibe. A special thank you to Fiona, our host, who was amazing! We had an 8:00 PM reservation but arrived much earlier, and she was so friendly and accommodating. She was able to find us a spot at the bar, and we ended up having a wonderful time. Great food, great drinks, beautiful ambiance, and excellent hospitality. Definitely a place I would recommend and visit again!

    Danny D.

    I had such a special time here. You definitely need a reservation to dine here. The inside is beautiful, dim lighting. I've never been waited on like I have here for fine dining. Out servers were very attentive. We got oysters, some greens, hashbrowns (with an amazing sauce and roe on top), and a steak sampler. I loved that we got to try four different cuts. For desert, the tiramisu cheesecake was heavenly. Parking can be hard since it's Little Italy.

    Savannah H.

    We had a lovely time dinning at Born & Raised. We sat upstairs in the outdoor lounge and had beautiful views. We started with the Caesar Salad and they were very accommodating to any allergies we had! We got various dishes and they were all so delicious. We came here for our anniversary and they made it so special by writing us a card, giving us a Polaroid picture, and free espresso martini shots with our name on them! Put this on your list becuase you won't want to miss it.

    Happy hour menu
    Tammy L.

    Our bartender Charlie is amazing. He made the best marguerites for happy hour. We enjoyed a couple happy hour appetizers: shitty chef driven sliders and new york skewers which were absolutely delicious. The ambiance is beautiful. I love this venue.

    Bread service
    Marisa M.

    Beautiful place! We sat upstairs on the roof. Omg the views are amazing and I love the decor. The food was great, our server was very sweet and helpful, overall we had a great time. We will be back for date night!

    Hanafi M.

    I simply had to return, had no choice, this excellent restaurant is absolutely wonderful. See the photo of the vegetable Risotto ($35). And Tasty. I always choose Lemonade as my go to beverage of choice, here they do it right, very lemony. (Free refills) Making a reservation is so easy call after 3pm. Done.

    Sammy B.

    Went to Born and Raised for post-dinner drinks and had the best espresso martini I've ever had. I got it with tequila and it came with cold foam on top SO GOOD!! Our bartender was super sweet and helped guide me through the drink menu.

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    Born & Raised Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Born & Raised

    Do they have high chairs?

    Born and Raised has a mixture of comfortable seating options inside the restaurant and on the rooftop patio, including high chair bar seating, platform bar seating, comfortable regular padded chair table seating, and chair/bench regular table… 

    Is it ok to wear a baseball cap for dinner in the patio?

    I would say yes. The place is dress casual but as long as it all looks nice I don't think there's a problem.

    Do they have vegan options?

    They do have some great Salads!

    Can you eat dinner at the bar?

    Yes, you can absolutely enjoy dinner at the bar. We offer Happy Hour on our rooftop bar… 

    Is any of your meat from Creekstone Farms still?

    They don't specify. But recently I've had Creekstone Farms steak at the steakhouse at Sycuan Casino (Bull and Bourbon steakhouse) and it was DELICIOUS. Liked the steak there over Born & Raised.

    Is there a kids menu?

    No they don't have a kids menu

    Do they serve baked potatoes?

    No but they have incredible house made potato chips

    Is this small dog friendly?

    no. it is not dog friendly period

    Is this under 21 friendly?

    They are under 21 friendly. Took my daughter here for her 19th birthday. Nice upscale restaurant. Probably not a restaurant for infants.

    Is this restaurant baby friendly?

    They do allow babies in the restaurant however I wouldn't say baby friendly . They do not have changing tables or changing stations in the restroom and also do not have booster seats or high chairs . but if you have a highchair that can connect to a… 

    Is there an elevator?

    Yes there is a Lyft inside . Call when you make reservation and let them know that you ( your party ) will need this accommodation. Hope this helps.

    What is the dinner for two at born and raised all it says on menu is dinner for 2?

    I'd say Average about $150 before tax . But really depends on what you gonna to order

    Where do you do reservations?

    Online through the Disney website.

    How much is an espresso martini here?

    I don't know the price of an espresso martini. But drink are normally $18-$22 drink .

    Are we able to only go to the bar or must we order food?

    Yes you are able to go to the bar for only drinks.

    Is there a charge to share or split meat?

    We split multiple dishes all of the time with no charge.

    Can you walk in for dessert.. or is it reservations only?

    Reservations only unfortunately

    Do they have Gluten free options?

    Yeah as it's a steak house they have a ton of things that are gluten free. They don't have gluten free bread however

    How are the steak portions as well as sides? Do they run small or larger size? Thank you in advance

    Depends on steak you order, but they are good sized. The sides are enough for 2-3 people to share.

    Is the champagne cart available? If so, how much is it?

    For me it was! The price depends on what champagne/rosé you get! I got a rosé and believe it was $17, my boyfriend picked a champagne and it was $20.

    View All 107 Questions

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    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    10.5 mi•University City
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    RAISED BY WOLVES @ UTC LA JOLLA…read more Raised by Wolves is located inside UTC La Jolla, tucked away in the very back of the mall near the Din Tai Fung area. I would definitely recommend parking around Corner Bakery or near 24 Hour Fitness for the closest way in. This was my very first time going to Raised by Wolves. I made a reservation on OpenTable, and if you are reading this right now, I highly recommend booking one. When we got there, the wait was two hours for people without a reservation. I booked for 9 PM on a Saturday night with my friends after dinner. We actually arrived at UTC earlier than expected, so we let the host know and they let us in about 20 minutes early. As for parking, they do not validate here. Parking is free for the first hour and then two dollars per hour after that, so just be aware that you may end up paying for parking when you visit this bar. It is set up like a speakeasy, which is really cool. You get to see where the actual bar is hidden. We ended up ordering a bunch of cocktails and the drinks were super great. I really loved the vibe overall. It was lively and chatty, and the staff was super friendly. The ambiance is very dark and classy. Keep in mind they do not serve food here. It is purely drinks only. Overall, I would definitely recommend stopping by.

    LOVE THIS SPEAKEASY…read more Shoutout Taylor and Lexi for the incredible service. The ambiance and drinks are unmatched.

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    False Idol - Reserve Mai Tai

    False Idol

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
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    False Idol is a tiki bar and speakeasy hidden away at the back of Craft & Commerce. Although…read moreindistinguishable from the outside, the entrance to the speakeasy is clear once you enter Craft & Commerce. Our hostess was really nice and let us sit although a couple of our party members were running late. On that note - reservations for a table are quite hard to get here. My friend just happened to see one pop up on OpenTable and immediately grabbed it. If you don't have a reservation, it's standing room only.  After walking through a cavern of glowing skulls, you emerge into a lively Tiki atmosphere. Colorful glass baubles hang from the ceiling suspended by a rope netting while Tiki effigies stare at you from the walls. There's even a small waterfall in the back corner. The atmosphere inside is lively and busy. The floor is packed with standing patrons chatting about. Lucky for us, we got to sit at one of the few tables they had available. Every once few minutes, the ceiling thunders because one of the groups orders a punch bowl, complete with sound effects and pyrotechnics. My favorite drink of the night was the Mac Nut Chi Chi. It was sweet and creamy, which contrasted very nicely with the salted macadamia nut. I liked it so much, I even asked for the recipe. Another drink I enjoyed was the Saturn, which is a classic Tiki drink. In comparison to the other drinks of the night, this one felt a bit more posh. It was served up and simple and elegant in its presentation. On the nose, it was very refreshing and citrusy, and on the palate, it was light and refreshing with floral notes. I also enjoyed the Reserve Mai Tai, which was quite strong. I can definitely see why it's so hard to get a table at False Idol. I had an amazing time and would totally come back.

    We ate at Craft and Commerce and decided to jump in line for False Idol as walk-ins. Luckily we…read morelined up near opening because there were quite a few reservationists that showed up on a Friday night. We were led into a dimly lit speakeasy soon after lining up. Fortunately we got bar seating. The bar then quickly filled up with many standing as the bar got crowded. As far as drinks, their menu had many listed drinks. Wifey and I started with Rum Old Fashioneds and they were delicious. Our second drink was a King Kong Old Fashioned and it too was yummy. The bartenders were very friendly and attentive. The place was hopping and packed. We will definitely return.

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    Starlite delivers that quintessential sleek, mid-century modern lounge atmosphere right along India…read moreStreet. The iconic geometric wood ceiling, dramatic chandelier, and moody lighting make the space feel effortlessly cool. The craft cocktail program is legendary, and the elevated gastropub menu is just as impressive, the grilled octopus was tender with a wonderful smoky char, the Jidori chicken was remarkably juicy with perfectly crispy skin, and the sea bass was delicate and flaky. Taking off one star because street parking along India Street can require quite a bit of circling during peak evening hours, and the dining room gets rather loud and dim once the crowd settles in. Still, an absolute San Diego staple and a top choice for a stylish date night, late-night craft drinks, or dinner with friends.

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    My husband and I recently spent some days in San Diego. He found this speak easy and we decided we…read moreneeded to try it out. This was definitely the highlight of our trip. From the spooky, dark, skulls old school ambiance and decor, to the experience of not ordering from a menu, everything about it made it feel unique and curated making it feel like a true individualized experience. As mentioned, there are no menus. We sat at the bar, the bartender makes casual conversation with you regarding the types of drinks you enjoy. He curated something for both my husband and I based on what we shared we enjoyed. The drinks were delicious. The entry was very cool! It felt as if you were entering a hidden spot - which you do. When you enter the restaurant, you let the hostess know you're there for the Noble Experience. She let us know to head to the wall with the kegs (which is actually a door). You enter and there's a small waiting area where you're greeted by another hostess. This place is a 20/10. We can't wait to return on our next visit to SD.

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    Family-owned & operated
    Women-owned & operated

    Kamon is a craft cocktail bar inspired by the Taisho era of 1920's Japan. It's also a speakeasy…read morehidden inside a Japanese bakery on a corner of San Diego's East Village. Reservations can be made on OpenTable if you are fast enough. We weren't... on our last trip to San Diego. So when I found availability for 2, I made a special trip down to San Diego just for this speakeasy. After 2 and a half hours of driving, I reached San Diego. I miraculously found street parking on the same block as the bar and made my way inside Asa Bakery. My friend was already waiting for me at a table. He, a San Diego local, told me that he took the bus to avoid the parking situation entirely. Smart man. We were still quite early for our reservation, so I had a latte from Asa Bakery while we waited. During this time, we were trying to figure out where the speakeasy was located. Then we saw a couple enter Asa and press a handicap assistance button near the door to the bakery. A big section of the wall opened up and revealed a swanky looking bar behind it, complete with hosts wearing sleek black vests, button ups, and bow ties - a complete vibe change from the modern bakery we were sitting in. Once it was our seating time, we also made our way over to the secret entrance. Kamon itself felt like a rift in time, as if we were stepping straight into the 1920's. The room was heavily inspired by the Taisho Roman era, the period when Japan was influenced by European romanticism. Decor featured visual harmony between traditional Japanese motifs, such as screen doors and woodblock prints, and influences of the Western Roaring 20's, such as glamorous Art Deco chandeliers, red carpet, and lounge chairs. We were seated next to a beautiful zen garden. The concept of the menu is "omiyage" or souvenirs from different regions of Japan. My friend started with the Tokyo Banana, inspired by the iconic Tokyo Banana cream pastry found all over souvenir shops in Tokyo and Haneda Airport. The spirits in this cocktail were Suntory Toki and rum. I started with the Yame Matcha, inspired by the city of Yame in Fukuoka prefecture, which is reveled among matcha snobs for producing matcha with nutty flavor. The matcha was prepared as a cream top, a nod to matcha lattes, and sat on top of a spirit base of mezcal, Mizu green tea shochu. This drink was so fun and creative. I would've never thought about pairing matcha with mezcal, but surprisingly, it worked very well. The smokiness of the mezcal paired well with the creamy, nutty matcha top and roasted genmaicha flavor.  Because of the amazing theme of the menu, we couldn't resist ordering a second round. My friend got the Ao Ichigo, featuring strawberries from the Tochigi prefecture. The spirit for this was a reposado tequila and vodka. This is good if you want a light, refreshing, sweet drink. My second drink was the White Lover, inspired by Hokkaido and its dairy and pastry culture. The spirit for this drink was Sotol, which was also quite smoky. The body of this cocktail was composed of kefir and Calpico, with notes of yuzu and croissant as well. This drink also comes with a "surprise," and to maintain the integrity of said "surprise," I won't tell you what it is! This was probably my favorite drink of the night. As an alum of Asian American college party culture, I have had many drinks mixed with Calpico, so this was my favorite drink of the night because of how close to home it felt. You could almost call it an "omiyage" of USC ahaha... However, I was not the biggest fan of the food here. We both weren't that hungry, so we just got some appetizers, but honestly, I don't remember the food menu being that big anyways. We got the tuna tartare cannolis and the karaage. The tuna tartare was a bit weird for me. I kinda expected it to be fresh and light and silky, as a tartare should be, but I would describe this as more of a... tuna salad? Heavier than I expected... and creamy. And strange. I think it's the mayo. I just didn't like it very much. And the cannoli presentation was fun, but I don't think it's needed. I think just a classic tuna tartare would have been more enjoyable. And the karaage was fine. Not good, not bad. I wouldn't get food here again though.The drinks at Kamon, however, are phenomenal. I love the theme of 1920's Taisho Japan. The ambiance is impeccable. The theme is even integrated into the menu's concept. There's a story behind each of the signature drinks, giving you a glimpse into what makes each featured region of Japan unique. I definitely want to return to Kamon one day.

    Such a fun speakeasy and the perfect way to end our date night!…read more Bar Kamon is hidden inside Asa Bakery in East Village. The space is inspired by 1920s Taisho-era Japan, so the whole concept carries into the decor, Japanese ingredients and cocktails. Their menu gets pretty creative with Japanese whisky, shochu, sake, highballs, clarified cocktails and small bites. After bakery hours, finding the entrance wasn't difficult. Just enter through Asa Bakery and you'll see where to go. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. We were able to grab one the night before for a Friday without any trouble. We had already eaten dinner, so we came for drinks with a small appetizer to share. We ordered the Karaage, Tokyo Banana and Yame Matcha. Service was incredible throughout the night. It took a little bit to get seated since nobody was standing at the host area when we walked in. Someone eventually spotted us through the curtain then quickly came over to help. From there, everyone was attentive. The Karaage came out first. I wish the outside was just a little crispier, but it was still really good. The slaw was actually my favorite part because the acidity paired perfectly with fried chicken, especially while sipping on cocktails. The Yame Matcha was so decadent. It had this beautiful matcha cloud on top with a deeper roasted flavor underneath, almost smokey, that lingered after each sip. Definitely not your typical sweet matcha cocktail. The Tokyo Banana was my favorite. The presentation alone was gorgeous. You get that banana flavor right away, but it still tastes like a proper cocktail rather than a banana dessert. It was definitely strong, so this was one I slowly sipped throughout the night. The hojicha mixed with the banana worked SO well.

    Photos
    Bar Kamon
    Bar Kamon - Hibiki old Fashioned

    Hibiki old Fashioned

    Bar Kamon - Daikon Kombu Martini

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    Daikon Kombu Martini

    Convoy Music Bar - Lychee Martini

    Convoy Music Bar

    4.5(432 reviews)
    7.0 mi•Kearny Mesa
    •$$

    Such a great speakeasy-style music bar! The drinks are strong, delicious, and really well made. The…read morebartenders are also incredibly friendly and go above and beyond to make sure you get something you'll enjoy. They're happy to suggest unique drinks or even create something specifically tailored to your taste, which made the experience feel really personal. Getting to the front door is probably the only slightly questionable part because you have to walk down an alley, but once you get inside, it's completely worth it. The place is beautiful, clean, and has a really great atmosphere. Even the bathrooms were spotless! I also loved the little personal touches. If you're celebrating a birthday or anniversary, the staff gives you a personalized card, which I thought was such a thoughtful touch. One of my friends and I were sitting at the bar, and the bartender noticed how much I loved their cheese-stuffed olives and brought me a few extra. It's those little details that really stand out and make you feel welcomed. Overall, such a fun and unique place with great drinks, great service, and an amazing atmosphere. Definitely a place I'd come back to!

    We had RSVP Walk past the dumpster alley…read moreDo not knock they will see you on camera Dark moody vibes 4 stars cute little space Drinks delicious 4 stars Service 4 stars Not too ridiculously expensive either

    Photos
    Convoy Music Bar - Corner table view:  large JBL speakers with Macintosh amps

    Corner table view: large JBL speakers with Macintosh amps

    Convoy Music Bar - Interior

    Interior

    Convoy Music Bar - Interior

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    Interior

    Polite Provisions - Uncle Jalapeño

    Polite Provisions

    4.3(2k reviews)
    3.4 mi•University Heights, North Park
    •$$

    Always a 5 Star experience when gathering for drinks here…read more Over the years, the names have changed for the provider of Polite Provision's delicious orderable food to go along with their polite provisions. Items such as scrupulously prepared meatballs, fried polenta, spaghetti with mushroom sauce, etc., from the prior next-door, connected purveyor "Soda and Swine"...but those days are done ...I digress. And where is Soda and Swine's Yelp page? I know I did a review, but now the page appears gone completely in search? Nah, it's just hidden, presumably to accommodate Fortunate Sons, which opened about a year ago after re-construction of both establishments. I'm too lazy to see if still owned by Consortium Group. I did search my reviews and found my updated Soda & Swine review dated 8 & 10 years ago. O_o !! Now, food is still served, however, there's a new name in town called "Fortunate Son" (next door, connected). Apparently, food now served is Asian-inspired. I've not visited recently to taste. The North Park area is a great neighborhood with many different types of food close by. While you're there, don't forget to stop by "An's Dry Cleaners", where the most inventive gelato's, ice creams and sorbets come from.

    You can order from the bar or your table. Lots of different seating options indoors and outdoors…read more Very extensive drink menu almost too many options. The drinks we ordered were good and service didn't take too long. Right next to Fortunate Son so you can order food from them and enjoy in their bar.

    Photos
    Polite Provisions - Want. Make. Disco.

    Want. Make. Disco.

    Polite Provisions - Real oil lamps!

    Real oil lamps!

    Polite Provisions - Art deco

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    Art deco

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Clouds over Thailand

    Realm of the 52 Remedies

    4.4(897 reviews)
    7.3 mi•Kearny Mesa
    •$$

    Best bar I've been to in SD in terms of quality bartending. The ambiance is fun and unique, with…read morethe bright apothecary exterior tucked into a corner of Common Theory giving way to an alluring, intimate golden interior. Both times I've visited, have sat at the bar which affords an excellent view of both the bartenders crafting the interesting, complex house cocktails and the old school anime projected on the side wall. The bartenders themselves, as well as their managers are highly skilled - this is the place to request lesser known, complex and high quality classics and expect the bartenders to not only know immediately what you're talking about but also prepare one of the best versions of that cocktail that you've ever had. This time, Tania served us, and despite being Realm's self-proclaimed newbie, she whipped up the best grasshopper I've ever tasted as well as a delightful Earl Grey Sazerac that was perfectly balanced and suited my fiancee's flavor profile faves to a T. The excitement and intimate ambiance of a speakeasy can be found in numerous spots around town, but Realm stands out for its high caliber bartenders who are more than capable of going off menu and concocting custom creations that will keep you coming back for more.

    Easy to get to and find. Entrance to the speakeasy was mehh, but the inside looks really cool! Very…read moreloungey feeling and they were playing Studio Ghibli films on the big screen, which is a huge plus for me! Their drink menu fits the speakeasy vibe where there's a lot of ingredients most people wouldn't know, so my friend and I did have to ask a few questions. I ended up settling on the Seoul City Hipster, which was the best drink for both of us. Very refreshing and flavorful! My friend got the Mountain Turtle (it was okay overall. The celery foam was different and definitely tasted like celery) to try before switching to my drink for her second. Foodwise, we split the 52 Burger and 12oz Bone-In Pork Loin. The burger was just okay - cooked well, but a bit dry. The pork loin was the real star! While it didn't look quite like the picture, the pork was cooked and seasoned very well. The only downside for the dish was that the egg was overcooked and wasn't runny. My friend enjoyed the cheesecake she ordered as well. I didn't try it since I don't like cheesecake. Would love to come back here again and see what new seasonal menu items they've come up with!

    Photos
    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Sitting area

    Sitting area

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Entryway

    Entryway

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Main dining area

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    Main dining area

    Born & Raised - steak - Updated September 2026

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