Books & Records Delivers Live Jazz, Standout Cocktails, and Exceptional Happy Hour Bites…read moreAs a fan of Common Stock, expectations were high for its Bankers Hill sister spot, Books & Records--and it easily delivered. The moment you step inside, the bi-level space makes a striking impression with its mid-century accents, exposed brick, and warm, moody lighting. It manages to balance a lively, energetic atmosphere with an effortless chicness that feels tailored for a memorable night out. The happy hour here is an absolute standout, featuring an expansive array of creative food options and crafted drinks. The menu brings an inventive Asian fusion twist to bar bites, offering flavor-forward small plates that pair seamlessly with the beverage program. The drinks deserve equal applause: the craft cocktails are meticulously balanced, and the signature ube-inspired cocktails are as vibrant and distinct as they are delicious. Adding to the venue's overall charm is the live music program. Catching live jazz, soul, and blues sets elevates the entire experience from a simple dinner run into a full sensory event. The music creates a vibrant, soulful backdrop without overpowering table conversation, striking just the right rhythm for intimate catch-ups or energetic group gatherings. Whether you are dropping in for a quick drink, indulging in a multi-dish happy hour spread, or lingering late for the live tunes and exceptional cocktails, Books & Records captures everything that makes CS Hospitality's concepts so special. It is a stylish, fun, and flavorful addition to San Diego's dining scene.

I heard nothing, but great things about this spot so I had to check it out with my friends!…read more First let's start with the decor, this place is very chic and elegant looking. I like the different variety of table seating to the different rooms of where you can dine. It was inviting and very spacious. Everyone that we encountered was super friendly and outgoing. It was very great hospitality. Our waiter was very helpful and check in on us quite often. The service was Superb. Now the food, we went on a Wednesday which they have Happy Hour all day. We ordered The Record Room Burger which came with Fries. This was very tasty. The fries were excellent. I tried one of my friend's dishes which was the Lamb Meatballs and that was amazing. Sadly, the B&R Mac n Cheese did not do it for me. It was missing seasoning and the flakes tasted stale. The staff did give us salt & pepper to jazz it up which did help. Regardless of the mac n cheese, I really enjoyed this place. The red wine was perfection. Overall it was a great experience and I gotta go back to check out other food items.

We came to Cocina 35 at Liberty Station for the first time to celebrate my husband's birthday and…read morehad such a lovely experience. Dennise seated us and was so kind, she even shared a few of her favorite menu items since it was our first visit. Our server Anelle was great as well. She was friendly, attentive, and helped us pick some really good dishes. We tried the Tacos Dorados de Papa, El Sampler de la Abuela, and La Bomba, and for appetizers the Burrito de Machaca con Frijoles Puercos and the sweet corn tamal (which ended up being my favorite). The food and ambiance were great, but the service from Dennise and Anelle really stood out. They made our birthday brunch feel special.

My wife has been wanting to take me here ever since we were married 7 years ago. She often ate at…read morethe location in Otay while working at the border, and I was informed they provided all the food for her wedding shower. SO, we attended an event downtown and walked over from the Marriott . . . And what a treat for me! Walked in a little after 8am on a Wednesday and plenty of tables available. Within 15-20 minutes the place was packed. First of all do t miss the Café De La Olla House, and sweeten it up with that decadent Piloncllo in the jar. I could maybe live on this beveridge! I ordered the del Mercado topped with carnitas and I opted for an over medium egg on top which was perfect. The chilaquiles were the perfect balance of soggy/crunchy. Can't wait to go back and try more options and desserts!!!! Service was good and they were very engaging; however as it got busier the attention was understandably less. Would definitely go back!!

This dining establishment is in a word outstanding. Our server gave us the best recommendations and…read moreextremely attentive, especially after being served to make sure all our orders were correct. Great personality and superb service. The food is incredible and with so many choices you really can't go wrong. Can't wait to go back again.

Wow! Everything about this place was phenomenal. The atmosphere, the food, and the service…read more The inside gives western diner in the absolute best way possible! It's got the decor, chairs, and art to match. Jessica was our server and she was amazing! She gave us lots of suggestions on what to try and what is on the menu since it was my first time here. She recommended the bloody Mary flight so did grab that to try! We also ordered the biscuits and gravy to share and orange juice. The portions are so large! So I am glad we decided to share the biscuits and gravy but let me run down each thing. Bloody Mary Flight: Honestly every single one was amazing. My favorite was definitely the pickle Mary! Everything tasted so delicious and was garnished beautifully. Well worth the 22 dollars. Biscuits and Gravy: Absolute perfection of comfort food. The biscuits were so fluffy and well seasoned. The gravy was also soooo good, just like my mom makes. The sausage in it was also cooked so well and juicy. I've never tried mashed potatoes with the biscuits and gravy but it worked very well! Orange Juice: Not a fan really, not pulpy enough and I wasn't a fan of the flavor. Overall this is definitely a must visit! I will definitely be back.

We've been going to San Diego Comic-Con for many years and finding a good place for breakfast has…read morebeen a challenge. Then we discovered Gaslamp Breakfast Company! It is literally our first, second and third choice before considering anything else. The food is fantastic! We have tried multiple items from the menu and have found nothing that we don't like! (Clearly, we need to take more pictures of our food) The atmosphere is fun. They have tables that can accommodate bigger groups. And the staff! Many of them have become like family to us. GBC is our happy place, our power up place, before Comic-Con begins that day. I can't speak to the wait times during other parts of the year, but during Comic-Con, we're usually sitting down within 15-20 minutes. A big shout-out to Tracy, Alexis (Oh, my god! Alexis?!), Hugo, Natalie, Scott and the rest of the team!!

Visiting SD for a couple of days, and made sure to have breakfast here again…read more No wait to seat 8 of us! Wait staff was excellent, with timely service and regular attention to keeping waters and coffees filled! Serving sizes were plentiful, and the food, as always, was tasty and made to our order! Especially like their crispy potatoes. Try it. You won't be disappointed!

The restaurant was really busy but Sherwin made sure me and my family were taken care of the entire…read morenight. He was super nice, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu, which made everything easy for us. It was a really cool place to watch the Padres game, and has a great atmosphere even on a packed night. We ordered the poke bowl and Philly egg rolls and both were so delicious. Everything was fresh and full of flavor. We definitely will be coming back soon!

The Drafthouse has always been one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants. However, my visit after…read morework yesterday was disappointing. I felt rushed throughout my meal. The server repeatedly asked how I was doing, but the interactions didn't come across as warm or caring. Instead, they felt rushed, matter-of-fact, and as though she was trying to wrap up my visit. She took my plate while I was still eating and offered me the check before I had asked for it. I left with the impression that the table was needed for something else, and I didn't feel welcome to relax and enjoy my meal. I hope this was just an isolated experience because it was not the level of service I've come to expect. 3 stars because I really love couple of items on the menu.

This place completely beat ALL my expectations! The food had massive portions. We got the apple…read morepancake, omelettes, french toast and a dutch baby to share amongst a family of 5. It was still SO much food. The service was great, they were fast, very organized and incredibly nice. The owner still helped the staff and was very involved with seating customers. I will definitely be back!

We had a large party of 11, and I appreciate how the restaurant treats large parties…read more Everyone lines up on the sidewalk. There's a little patio area to the right, and if you have a large group, they ask you to move to the side. They take your order. Then, when you go sit down, the food comes out about five or so minutes later! WOW! I ordered buttermilk pancakes and requested a half order (3) because I thought the pancakes would be massive. They weren't! I was surprised by that. I recommend a full order (6) for anyone who has a big American appetite. I thought the pancakes would be the star of the show, but you know what surprised me? THE BACON AND SAUSAGE! The sausage links were sooooooo good. The bacon was thick and absolutely delicious. Our five-year-old got the strawberry patch waffle and that was super tasty! My husband's apple pancake was yummy. It's enough for two (or even three people)! Overall, this was a great breakfast restaurant and perfect for families. I'd come back!

Great vibes and service. Drinks are always so yummy. Leo was especially nice and very helpful!read more

Great brunch, service and ambiance, everything tastes fresh keeping concept farm to tableread more

Would highly recommend!! Was a great atmosphere. Our drinks were absolutely delicious and the food…read morewas outstanding. Our server was incredibly kind and attentive. Our food came out very quick. This was our whole groups favorite place we dined at on our whole trip to Dan Diego.

We came here for a celebratory post-race dinner and first sat outside around a fire pit, but when…read morewe heard happy hour was in the bar-area only, we quickly pivoted. Thank goodness there was room too, because wow oh wow. It has been three weeks and we keep talking about that happy hour. LOL I appreciated that their happy hour menu wasn't all snackable appetizers; there were smaller-sized dishes for those less hungry, too! I ordered the Kiwilango slider + fries, my mom got the HH fish & chips, and my dad got the wagyu smash slider. Plus $10 beers, of course. Everything came out quickly and beautifully portioned, which made getting dessert (magpie ice cream cake) a no brainer. Delicious!!! I didn't stray into their full Kiwi-based dinner menu, but I can fully vouch for their happy hour, the cozy, charming vibes, kind and attentive servers, and flavorful dishes. Would absolutely recommend and will be coming back next time I'm in town!