Immediately fell in love with this quaint and chicly decorated speakeasy lounge. The staff was…read moreincredibly personable and helpful. The vibe was relaxed and unassuming. When I made the reservation, it was noted that there is a 1.5 hour limit on the table. Thankfully, Botanica isn't incredibly stringent about this rule as it gave us more time to eat, drink and be merry. My friend and I split the bill and I paid $87.49 with tip included. Here's what we had: Blistered shishito peppers - mild spice but flavorful New York strip yakitori - ordered two of these because they were that good! The steak was tender and the sauce rendered an umami flavor Botanika roll - tasted fine, but it ate one note. You can taste the citrusy parts but not much else. Mochi dessert - you can only get dessert if you order the pre fixe chef menu, but since our waitress didn't know this, she put the order in and gave it to us! We were incredibly grateful because it was the perfect end to a good meal For cocktails we ordered Spirited Away, Dragon of the West, Kyoko Sakura & Heads will Roll. All of the cocktails were beautifully presented and quite tasty.

This place is calm, creative, and has the right low lighting without feeling too dark to see. The…read moredrinks are pricy, but very unique, and they have a special emphasis on aesthetic. The bartenders are nice and give good recommendations. It is attached to an art gallery and is supposed to have art displays in the bar area, but unfortunately they were all turned off when we were there.

Needed some adventure and I've been missing Spain, so I leashed up my pup and headed to Little…read moreItaly. It's about as close to Madrid (other than Balboa Park) as you're going to get in the county of San Diego...especially if you sit down at Barra Oliba. I literally felt like I was in a café in Madrid or Barcelona and enjoyed not only the familiar salty flavors that I've missed from Spain, but also the pure, rich, olive oil, and quiet ambiance as this is one block from the busiest part of Little Italy. My server, German, (his name) enjoyed helping me create the ideal light supper and allowed me to try a few Spanish wines (they have so many!). I settled on a Verdejo from Rueda. It was the right balance of fruit, acid, and slight floral to perfectly pair to my meal. I had the seasonal fish meuniere - white fish delicious and crispy on top (my favorite), garnished with capers and roe. It was accompanied with a tender lettuce and heirloom tomato salad with saffron dressing. The leftover dressing for the salad was the most amazing vinegar dip for a couple tater tots when I got home. The dressing was something I will go back for! Thank you, Barra Oliba for the perfect Spanish "girl dinner!" Can't wait to come back and try the Paella!

Went here for the first time with my date this past weekend 4/25. We had a reservation but chose to…read moresit at the bar since there were two great seats available. The night started off really well. The gentleman at the front greeted us, and we instantly connected since we're both from Guadalajara. It felt like the experience was going in a great direction. At the bar, things changed. The bartender was friendly toward me but not toward my Middle Eastern date, which made things uncomfortable. When taking our order, he stayed in the middle of the bar while opening a wine bottle instead of coming over, so we could hear him. When my date asked him to come closer, he seemed visibly annoyed. The food, though, was amazing--delicious and great quality. We'll give it another try, but next time we won't sit at the bar.

Such a cute hole‑in‑the‑wall spot on the tail end of Kensington! I had no idea this place existed…read morefor years, but I'm so glad I finally found it. Located in a small shopping center with a few parking spaces, Tanuki is a great tapas and standard sushi spot. It leans more toward Asian‑fusion tapas with some sushi rolls and a limited selection of nigiri and sashimi. If you're looking for specialty fish, a huge roll list, or omakase, this isn't that kind of sushi place. But if you want a wide selection of sake, fun fusion tapas, and some classic sushi options, this is your spot. I love that they have a small bar and that cozy, true hole‑in‑the‑wall feel. The staff is friendly, the vibe is relaxed, and it's the perfect place to come alone, with a friend, or for a casual date night. The quality is solid, and the service is fast and welcoming. They also have some great sake and green‑tea‑based drinks. I love it here -- definitely a go‑to spot for us.

I came here with a group of friends in town for the weekend and we had a pretty bad experience…read more We ordered miso soups, edamame and a ton of rolls. I am a vegetarian so I usually opt for the avo / cucumber rolls. First thing that came out was the edamame. The edamame tasted old and the beans were soft, definitely did not taste fresh at all. We left most of it on the table. My avocado rolls then came out with black/brown spots on the avocado which looked rancid. I asked for a replacement, which was then sent to me with salmon eggs on the avocado. I am a vegetarian so I could not eat this, but at this point, I did not want to be fussy again. My friend's rolls came out with fish that looked pretty grey and unappetizing. She did not really eat this either and got a pretty bad stomach ache afterward. At this point, our miso soup had to be the hero, but we were told the soups were accidentally given to another table. We didn't want to wait around for the soup, so we paid and left. All of us were hungry after. I definitely would not return to this spot. 2 stars for the servers that were trying their best.

Very good food and drinks, and the atmosphere was electric and authentic Spanish! Great service…read morewith nightclub type energy! Live latin music made the evening vibe even more electric! A nice, cozy spot to enjoy tapas, music, and dancing. A definite redo my next time I visit San Diego!

Sevilla Valentine's Day Edition:…read more Pardon the delay, amigos! It's been a lengthy week! But I digress! You're here for the deets! Like every boyfriend who wants to show his adoration for his gorgeous girlfriend, I planned this event a few weeks ago. Commitment & dedication are key. Flamenco Show, 3 course dinner for two, AND dancing after?! Yeah, your amigo has it covered! This package is available on their website, and not only on Valentine's. But this day does make it more romantic! A minor 5-10 minute wait as we stepped out of our Uber to the front entrance of the club adjacent to the restaurant. Our lovely hostess greeted us & escorted us downstairs to pick our table. There were no specific table reservations, but all seats are good, as it's a small venue. The Love Gods smiled upon us and granted a table close to the front with an awesome view of the stage. Perfect table for the perfect date! Starters set the tone. What's this? A Welcome Charcuterie Platter?! It appears out of nowhere as our server takes our drink orders. The service here is impeccable! Impressive spread of cheesy, meaty goodness! The Shaved Jamón Serrano Ensalada Sevillana has a wonderfully zesty citrus vinaigrette that makes you clack your castanets! Ole!! Cocktails for the cute couple! A Oaxacan Flower for my Monterrey Mami! My gal loves her some mezcal! I opted for El Matador Margarita, because I know what I want...tequila! Plus the cucumber counts as healthy! I will die on this hill! The Main Course is the star of the show. And in full diva fashion, the Lobster Paella Valenciana stole the spotlight! A masterfully, monstrous mix of meat & seafood, all on top of some bomb-a** Saffron Bomba Rice! There's even a lobster tail in case you're still hungry! Queue the Flamenco show. The two dancers were elegant, the music was powerful, the singer sublime! Enjoy your dinner to a phenomenal 2 part show put on by very talented artists! We got to meet them after the show, as they personally thanked practically every guest! Elegant as their artform! Lest we forget the dessert! The Flourless Chocolate Cake was just the right amount of sweetness to cap off the dinner & show, as we shared our own sweet nothings. Love & Chocolate, a perfect combo, just like my beloved beauty & her humble narrator. As the performers were packing up & saying their final goodbyes, the staff was clearing the space for the last part of our adventure...dancing! A brief 15ish minute wait back outside & back inside we went! Got a great spot up front by the stage, but be aware the only sitting will be done by the VIP section. I believe it's bottle service only, but you can ask. We didn't, as we did not intend to sit at all! We boogied down, baby! The DJ did a great job keeping the vibe alive. Perfect ending to a perfect night. *Caveat - The dinner menu has other options & several a la carte items, if you so choose. Check their website for specific package info. You cannot go wrong. TL:DR - Never give up on love!

We love Mabel's Gone Fishing for grabbing a drink and a few oysters. It's become one of our…read morefavorite spots to stop into, especially during happy hour. The bartenders are always friendly, welcoming, and seem genuinely happy to be there. The Spanish G&T is a must-order. I'm not normally much of a gin girl, but this drink is so refreshing, especially on a warm San Diego day. It's one of those cocktails that keeps me coming back. The atmosphere is one of my favorite things about Mabel's. It feels like a true neighborhood spot--warm, relaxed, and never pretentious. Between the great food, solid drinks, and friendly service, it's the kind of place that's easy to become a regular at. Thanks!

My kids took me the Mabel's for my 60th birthday. We had the best time. We chose the menu option…read morelike a tasting menu. I can't remember what it's called but the chef chooses the dishes. There were six of us and they took our allergies in mind and separated out things for some of us. Our wait person was awesome. They explained everything to us and did not rush us. We had several cocktails upon recommendation from our server. Nothing was a disappointment. Not going to lie, we spent $900. Parking is on the street if you're lucky or in the structure a block over.

Beautiful Place. Very Cozy. Food was amazing. The coffees and desserts we're awesome. Crepes…read moreSuzette, yum! The chefs and servers we're all on point. One of the best dinner out we've ever had. Everyone had a great time.

Great food, great service. Because of its location, parking can be tough. I met a guy for a…read morebusiness mtg and brought my son. Why -2 star has been a debate in my head ever since that day. Everything started great, they even had my favorite beer Schmidtwick's. The food was delish and presented well. Our server was attentive and kind. The place was neat and clean, great for a mtg... The general manager came over and chitchatted with our table. I was the one who called the meeting, I chose the place via Yelp reviews. However, when the GM found out it was all three of our first time he proceeded to hand out his card. The guy that met me there was handed one, then my son who lives in Irvine was handed one. However, when I reached my hand out, he hesitated. I told him we don't live together (speaking of my son who was sitting next to me) and he started to hand it to me, but then pulled it back. He informed me it's in case we come back... funny, our topic of conversation that day was how hard it was for women growing up in my era and working their way up the ladder... how times have changed. Upon leaving, my guest laughed and said his wife would've gone ballistic at how the only woman at the table was treated. The GM appeared to look like we were the same age. I was quite insulted by his behavior. I hope something can be learned for my honest review. I did get a card, but I don't think I'll be back.

We've been planning to go to dinner here for a long time but finally managed to get there last…read morenight! One amazing restaurant with superb and very attentive service and great food in a café like urban setting. We ordered a variety of dishes and each was presented well, and flavorful. We loved the welcoming staff who seemed attentive at every table they served. We found the food a bit salty, so if you are watching your salt intake then stay off the soupy dishes. Parking anywhere in the area is tough, but we were lucky to find a vacated spot a few yards up the road.

I've had this place bookmarked for a hot minute and was finally able to check it out this past…read moreweekend. Pros: - Sunday at 11AM, we were seated right away in the patio area (PET FRIENDLY = huge plus in my book). That is HUGE considering brunch in the area always get packed fast. - Server was pretty attentive. The hostess was so adorable; her smile was very infectious. - I'm not sure if it was because I was hungry, but the pancake was DIVINE. The amount of food definitely was a lot for the price. Cons: - Parking can be tricky but this area is known for that. - Steak in my steak and eggs are on the chewier side. We both ordered medium rare and mine came less pink than my friend's. I will definitely come back! I want to check out their other food menu items and they have this limited quantity sticky buns that I was eyeing.

I was in the mood for a new spot that had a casual, but unique vibe. My husband and I really enjoy…read morethe hunt, and I'm so glad I found Finca on Yelp! I made a reservation (just in case) because on a weekend you never know. Luckily, though, we arrived and there was plenty of available seating. My husband and I had our 10 and 5 year old with us and they easily accommodated us. It's a straightforward, but lovely menu that has a little bit for everyone. We enjoyed sharing a few plates and fresh oysters on the half shell. They do not have a kids menu, which was alright with us. Our daughter, who loves a good steak at 5 years old, enjoyed their pub steak and fries and shared a Mexican Coke with her brother. For my husband and I, we enjoyed sharing their beef tartare and to finish it off, a banana split. What we found so whimsical about Finca is their presentation. My husband and I really enjoyed exploring their menu and leaving room for a return visit soon. I couldn't recommend Finca more for anyone looking for a fun and casual dining experience with a lovely staff and unique take on traditional favorites.

Had dinner celebrating my brother-in-law's retirement, and it was nothing short of magical. The…read morefood, the atmosphere, and the incredible staff made for a truly perfect evening. I think we ordered just about everything on the left side of the menu, but the standouts were the beef tartare, the lamb osso buco, and the hamachi. Honestly, there wasn't a single bad bite all night. The wine list is thoughtfully curated, with some unique Spanish selections that were a pleasant surprise. This may have just become my new regular haunt. It's a fantastic neighborhood gem that deserves a place on any foodie's must-visit list. Absolutely love this place!