Love this place. Great food and friendly staff with a solid tap list. Bring back the vegetarian pot pie!!! read more

Wow. Simply wow. Can't say enough goodness about the counterpoint restaurant establishment of which we partake. For one, the staff. Don't get me started on Johnny, Jude, Mimi or Tyler. Quick to make you smile and We simply feel we could live here forever. The owner really knew what they were doing hiring these four incredible people. Make you feel right at home read more

Love Counterpoint. Great cocktail list, eclectic wines by the glass and solid draft beer selection. Small neighborhood spot in Golden Hill with great service and a nice bustling street for people watching. Every time we visit, we get the Al Pastor Tacos. They're dog friendly and one of our staples for food and drinks in San Diego. read more

Counterpoint - Al Pastor Tacos... - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

My friends and I come here multiple times a week. Literally everything is awesome. The food is 5/5, drinks 5/5 and service is 10/5! Everyone working here is always super nice and fast. Love their cocktails and they always have good wine and beer options. Highly recommend. Great date spot too! read more

Great little place to come and hang out at.The server is so attentive and not to mention he looks like a young Al Pachino/Andy Garcia major kudos to him. . read more

Counterpoint - Our favorite bartender - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Come get a great bit and drink at this little-watering hole! Ben, Johnny, Matt, McKenzie and the crew have exceptional customer service and know how to not cut me off when I'm having a good time! Cheers! read more

Counterpoint - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

We drew Counterpoint from our restaurant jar and so glad we did. Amazing burger, brew and staff! Would highly recommend.

Tried Counterpoint yesterday for the first time and it was excellent! Really great cocktails and the charcuterie board was so tasty! Customer service was amazing as well! read more

Counterpoint - Charcuterie Board - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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amazing food and great bar tender / server!! Matt recommended great beers and was great! Definitely coming again!! amazing jam on the charcuterie board!!! read more

Counterpoint - Charcuterie board - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Man Counterpoint I wish I could give you more stars, especially since on paper you're perfect. This is a open and cozy restaurant+bar right off the 94 freeway, just minutes away from downtown SD. What this spot does right is their drinks & service. They constantly have a rotating selection of craft beer and bartenders know how to make a mean cocktail. Plus the servers are always very attentive & always willing to give you various slight tasters to ensure you get a beer you like. The only thing that sadly disappoints me is the food. I've been here a number of times (because I always want to give a bar more than one tries before a rewiew) but their food is always just meh. I've tried the chicken sandwich, steak frites, mac & cheese but the flavor isnt quite there. Every time I read the menu, my mouth starts watering but by the time I start eating that my brain & stomach are disappoint. So I would recommend eating somewhere else & getting drinks here. read more

Phenomenal food and staff! We tried the cheese curds (wow!), chicken wings, cheeseburger, cheesesteak and the churro dessert. Everything was delicious! Will make this a regular stop when we are in town. read more

Counterpoint - Cheese curds and chicken wings. Delicious!! - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Very impressed! I live down the street from this place and the storefront and aesthetic had always made me want to go in and try the food. Awesome classic and house cocktail list, several wines to choose from, and the best beer on tap list in Golden Hill! We got a cocktail with absinthe in it Highly recommend starting with the prosciutto pasta plate. AMAZING! Meatball sandwich wasn't anything extraordinary, but it's a meatball sandwich so what'd I expect? My boyfriend got the steak frites which was really good. All in all-Great aesthetic and vibes, incredible drinks, good food (starters/snacks are where this place really shines), and reasonable prices. read more

We showed up with a group of 10, on a Friday night without reservations, so the restaurant had no advantage. The excellent service started right away. A full round of cocktails hit the bar. It was handed without issue. Orders were placed, and we drank, ate and shared for quite some time. In the end, we were all well served, well watered, and well fed! I'd recommend going. read more

Bomb.com fries and drinks!!! So glad my sister and I stopped in here after getting our hair done! Perfect end to a perfect afternoon!!

Okay...I am just going to come out and say it: I have missed you. I miss our time together. I miss the smiles you have given me. I miss the random talks and food for thoughts. It has been about, what? Three weeks months years we have been playing this little cat and mouse. Yet, some things stay the same. I like ya even through the bumps. When you went all 2011 and tried to do flatbreads... those were lean days. I mean it was probably during 2011...ok, they were just plain bad. But you still had good bottles of wines for a fair price. You are complicated and I still ain't a fan of stairs in a bar. But Jesus, your new (sort of new-few months old new) brunch menu is hells good. Fried Chicken Waffle Benedict? Come on! Who does that? It is the little things that keeps me interested. I mean it isn't the only the little things. It is the whole thing. The whole package. Sure there will be rough spots in the road, what friendly relationship doesn't have those? But you know what? I don't care. Count me in. I won't run away but will look forward to the day that I get to sit by the window with you, read a book, have a glass of wine, while rain pours outside. I await those days and nights. Anyways... Thanks for all the laughs and smiles then and now and tomorrow. read more

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If you crave craft beer and neighborly cheer, you should skip Hamilton's and wander on up to 25th Street in Golden Hill. Walk east until you come upon the boxy white building between E and F. There you'll find Counterpoint, and henceforth all other San Diego bars will piss you off. By the time you notice the subtle architectural kick-assery of the building (a real gem in its own right) your mouth will be too full of farm-to-table grub to say a damn thing to your date, which is fine because she is by now ogling the bartenders and ignoring you anyway. Simply sit tight and allow these exceedingly polite and knowledgeable fellows to bring you snifter after goblet of beer you'll remember. I recommend the Stone Double Dry Hopped Sublimely Self Righteous Ale Black IPA. At 8.7% this is a beer best appreciated in moderation and/or with a cab service on speed dial. If you are feeling hungry and carnivorous I suggest the turkey and brie sandwich, with is layered with port-poached cranberries and served on ciabatta from Bread & Cie. Your best bet is to stop by on weeknights when regulars and seating are plentiful. If you look unfamiliar you will likely get a personal introduction from Cam, the owner. A word about Cam: After one of my early visits to Counterpoint I managed to lose track of my brand new tortoise classic Wayfarers with polarized lenses [This is where you release a judgmental groan. I'll wait.] I called in and left a distressed voicemail after hours because, after all, I spent $200 on them like a genuine idiot. The next day Cam called me directly and explained that he had personally searched the entire bar, including behind a bench that required unbolting, and was regretfully unable to find my lost sunglasses. I know places that wouldn't roll an eyeball to find your lost child, much less sunglasses. Hats off to these guys for getting it right. Perks: Top-notch beer selection, phenomenal staff, no bullshit read more

Counterpoint - Turkey & brie on ciabatta. - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

The chicken sandwich is a must here!! They have about 5 tables I think so the wait can be long to be seated but it's worth it!! The staff is super friendly and even offered water as we waiting on the sidewalk int he heat. The food came out quickly and the burssles were out of this world! read more

Want to go to the greatest neighborhood bar in San Diego? Look no further than Counterpoint in Golden Hill. This place is a warm, friendly establishment with personality that doesn't match up to its uber-modern decor with the cold metal countertops. I basically liked everything about this place, from the friendliest bar tender I've ever met to the vast array of beers on tap. Also, despite not having a fryer, the food here was good and great. Grood. If I lived closer, I'd probably just give this place my paycheck directly and call it a day. But for now I'll save it for a special treat, when I want to go to a bar where I feel at home. read more

The first thing I am doing upon coming home from Counterpoint is writing this review, not (only) because I am strange and particular but because I wanted to prolong the memory of my happy hour here. Brussels sprouts: yes, they are saucy and saltyish but I found them to be a perfect, meaty complement to my wine. Kimchi was not overwhelming in the slightest. Probably one of the best executions of this dish. Yes, that sounded pretentious. Pain frites: the mix of glorious cheese sauce and hint of honey was indescribable. I wanted a spoon so that I could eat it straight. Bacon wrapped dates: on par with Craft and Commerce in taste but portions were small. Yucca fries: amazing, crispy-yet-mealy fries topped with carnitas. Swoon. Mac and cheese: cheesy with a lovely crust. Appetizer-wise, everything was tasty but very heavy. My face swelled a bit from the sodium because I'm not used to eating it that much. Also my fault for eating dairy when I'm lactose-intolerant (couldn't help myself). I would opt to order only the yucca fries again. Great HH specials: $3 wine and select drinks. Service was impeccable: attentive, friendly, I really felt the sense of community and care. Can't wait to return and try some entrees. The brunch sounds fantastic, too! read more

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This is a cool place. Very chill, but the servers are nice the atmosphere is different and artsy, but clean and yet not sterile. I sat alone at the top at night and I didn't feel totally out of place. I had a view of the downstairs dining room, the church across the street and all the free water I can drink. I was able to find something filling and tasty and satisfying for under $10 - aka the Mac and Cheese. Although I wish they gave out free tasty bread or something because I needed something to cut the cheese... well you know what I mean... I wanted a cool new place to try and I needed to feel satisfied late at night. This worked. I'd like to come back and try it during the day time. I'm going to guess that parking is usually tough to find since they don't seem to have a private lot for their place. See pictures. read more

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This place is a hidden gem of a restaurant. I came here last night with a friend at his suggestion and was blown away. Its a bit on the small side, but its cozy and clean which I appreciated. The staff was friendly and helpful, but a tad surprised by the large crowd they attracted so they rushed around a LOT. I didn't mind the small delays, we weren't in a rush. I had Julian Apple Cider, and my buddy had a beer. We ordered the Brussel sprouts to share and I had their cheeseburger while my dining companion had the beef tongue pastrami sandwich. Those Brussels sprouts were killer! Tender and flavorful but a TAD on the spicy side. My cheeseburger was THE BUSINESS. They KNOW what medium rare means, and they delivered the perfect burger. Seasoned and perfect, the aioli was on point, and the cheese. Oh man THE CHEESE. The half pound burger had a lot of heft to it and I could only eat half. The fries were a delicious blend of awesome. I have no idea what they do but it was not typical french fries. I want to say there was some olive oil and rosemary involved, but I can't be certain. I stole a bite of the pastrami and was really pleased at how rich and savory it was, and not too salty. Overall this was an awesome experience and I'm so glad we came by. I just wish the staff had one extra person to help them out, the service was kind and welcoming but those poor gents were definitely overworked. read more

Stopped by on a whim and had a delicious brunch! I had the French toast selection and I definitely cleaned my plate. Great service, great location, and great food! read more

Counterpoint - Brown Sugar French Toast - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I would never have discovered this little restaurant/bar located in Golden Hill if it hadn't been for my book club. But as a suggestion from someone who lives in the neighborhood, the spot worked out fantastically. We had a semi-private area by being able to be seated upstairs, which made it easier for us. Our servers were on top of things: friendly, helpful, split our tabs quickly and correctly, and we were served our food in a timely manner. With a group sometimes you get checked on once or twice. They made sure we were well taken care of throughout the couple hours we were there. The food was really delicious. My friend ordered the bacon wrapped dates. You can't really go wrong there but the spicy, chocolate sauce they were in topped it off right. The mac and cheese was light and yummy. I wanted to order the short ribs, but I wanted the sides that came with the chicken breast plate. I ended up ordering the chicken and it was juicy, tender and flavorful. Flavorful actually is a dull understatement to how good this chicken was. It's served with butternut squash and brussel sprouts (which I could've eaten a whole plate of) and it was the perfect portion. Sangria is $6 a glass and comes in a big, bulbous glass. It had a unique flavor of honey and cinnamon. My friend and I wanted a gallon (each!) to take home with us. Maybe someday our dream will come true. The place is small, but warm and buzzing with laughing and conversation. I can anticipate on a weekend that parking might be a challenge. But for a Wednesday night, it was perfect. read more

Walking in was like walking into an art gallery. It was very contemporary and the seating is super limited. And most of all its a pretty weird layout for a restaurant. We sat upstairs and it was nice up there, a great getaway from the noise below. Most reviews stated great Draft Selection, that's the reason why we came, but quite frankly the selection was actually very limited. Since the selection was geared towards IPA. What we ordered: Frites : bread with cheese, Brussels sprouts: with kimchi, pork belly w/ carnitas, yucca fries with carnitas, seafood stew: shrimp, ghnocci: potato balls I like it all, it was quite interesting overall. When I think of Frites I usually think of fries but in this case it was cheese and bread. Have you ever had Brussel Sprouts with Kimchi? It's definitely different and a good way for someone to start liking Brussels Sprouts. Just the way they made it the bitter taste was almost non existing. The pork belly dish with carnitas is one big Greasy Delicious Dish! Who doesn't love Ooowwey Gooey fatty food? Great place to definitely hang out and relax. read more

Stumbled upon this wonderful neighborhood bar in the Golden Hills area... We're so glad we did as its one of the best kept hidden secrets in town. Wonderful owners & staff! The ambiance and feel is very friendly and open for a neighborhood hang-out! Customers have their pets out on the outdoor patio area. Nice beer selections which are rotated as they get new microbrew kegs of local beers which they have until they run out... This will become a place we regularly visit often. Give Counterpoint a try if you're looking to try something new! You won't be disappointed... read more

Decided to go here last minute for dinner on Saturday night. Everything was a solid 5 stars! Food was delicious and high quality! Service was friendly, attentive and welcoming. Ambience was perfect. And drink menu was solid! Highly recommend this gem in Golden Hill! read more

I am quickly becoming a regular of this electric and high energy establishment. The Inn-keeper, Cam is as personal and earnest as can be. He has this personality that is infectious and increases the energy in the room from the time you arrive. I cannot imagine anyone but him running this place. - artisan sandwhichs, a bargain as most are $8 come with a delicious mixed green salad with a robust vinergerette and the bread is top-notch made local and always fresh. - I especially loved the turkey and marinaded cranberries in port! My mouth waters thinking about it right now! Excellent. - I have little beer knowledge, but Cam, after asking what I liked and giving me a couple samples, hooked me up with Mamas lil pil, a delicious light bodied beer with subtle and delicious tastes. I loved it. - Dessert is in the form of small cup-cakes-rich and decadent, with carrot and cream cheese frosting, Chocolate, and a spice cake flavor. Living in Golden Hill, my new neighborhood bar has arrived. I hope to see many of you there. Lets support this fine establishment. You too will be loving Cam and his lovely wife Marla within minutes of meeting them. They truly put their personality into this place and the results are second to none! Enjoy Their Head Chef, Rosy the gorgeous bartender, and eye-candy Ben are also sterling- the entire crew works very hard to take care of all customers, treating everyone like family and typically going above and beyond to make it a memorable experience. Check it out soon! Come early on weekends, the place gets lively!! read more

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This was one of those wonderful surprises of 2014. I absolutely loved Counterpoint! little neighborhood gem with some of the best fare you'll find. Almost everything is made in-house and I was truly impressed by that for such a small restaurant. Pickles, sausages, pate, I believe everything is made in house except for the bread which they get from Bread & Cie, one of my favorite bakeries in San Diego. You'll recognize most of the menu items, but it'll arrive in a unique way. For instance, the pastrami sandwich is created with tongue, and Brussels sprouts are paired with kimchi. Order a cocktail or two -- they make the gingerbeer in-house as well. It is just an incredible feeling when I know a restaurant went to all that trouble to make everything and not be lazy and cut corners. If you've never been, you're definitely missing out. read more

Great drinks, amazing delicious food, awesome service. Definitely a nice spot to grab a couple drinks from. It's cozy and a place to catch up with friends. The food menu is simple and straightforward. We had Brussel sprouts to share with everyone and the flavorings were really good. The burger was simple but juicy. read more

First trip to Counterpoint. Went with my wife for her birthday, wanting to try out somewhere new and potentially find our new neighborhood hangout. We're moving into the neighborhood from La Mesa, and wanted to make some connections in Golden Hill. 1st - Great service. Chill and attentive at the same time. 2nd - Excellent food. We tried several different bites to get a feel for the place rather than just ordering a single meal each. So glad we did. Everything was great. 3rd - They helped celebrate my wife's birthday w a complementary drink & dessert. That was super cool. 4th - The people hanging out were friendly and we loved hanging out with their dogs, too. Loads of fun to be had...and this was on a Sunday night. We will definitely head back once we get moved in a few weeks. read more

One of my favorite restaurants! Quality ingredients, taste and service... what more can you ask for? This is definitely "a place for people" to eat great food while hanging out with good company. Each time I've eaten here the service is amazing, the staff makes you feel welcome as soon as you arrive. They've got wine, beer and cocktails to pair with their delicious plates made with the freshest ingredients. I definitely recommend this place to hang out with a group of friends or for a nice date night! read more

Counterpoint - Market Fish - Yellowtail Plate - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Disappointed. We ordered the pain perdue, beer soup, albacore salad, quinoa, hot rocks lager, and a coffee flavored beer. The pain was interesting but not transcendent, the albacore tuna seemed freshly defrosted and the salad was bland. And, The beer soup was bitter.The best part was the beer and the quinoa. I don't understand why this place Yelps so well. After spending $80+, I didn't feel the overall culinary experience was worth it. Sorry. Granted the place is industrial-chic with it's it's steel I-beams, 8-inch unfinished wooden planks adorning the walls, and colored glass chandelier. But, for me the food should come first. It didn't. It came-in fourth after the beer, the decor, and the friendly server. read more

Counterpoint - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

AMBIANCE - Low key restaurant on 25th and Broadway when we came from brunch. Cement floors, industrial barstools, draft beers on chalkboard pillars, and classics playing from the speakers. FOOD - Ordered the House Cured Salmon Toast for $9. The mascarpone rendered the traditional lox dish lighter than usual, both in taste and texture. Loved the dill, capers, and thinly sliced red onions. Wish there was another piece of toast or sides that went with the dish. Would be interested to see the space and ambiance during at night/during their weekly candlelight cocktail. read more

Counterpoint - House cured salmon toast - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Went here for brunch and it was delicious and there was no wait- perfect! Decor and space is very unique and clean, staff was incredibly friendly and helpful and the flavors were on point. Portion size was excellent- not too much but just enough. Egg scramble was delectable as were the pancakes, which were light and refreshing as opposed to heavy (and leaving you feeling so the rest of the day). read more

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This place was just ok. I gave this place 3 stars because 1. The atmosphere was great and I really felt comfortable 2. The beer was reasonably priced 3. The food wasn't amazing, but I'd like to try other things on the menu. (I had the chicken sandwich and I was tired of the taste by 3/4 of the meal. The fries were cooked perfectly though.) I took off two stars because waiting for a table took about 50 years, and after we were actually seated our waiter took a while and forgot things we asked for. Maybe it was a bad first impression, but it wasn't horrible. I'd go back just to give it one more try. My friends recommend the cheese burger. read more

Counterpoint - Out door eats. - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Stopped for brunch on a Saturday morning, place was not crowded. We ordered the Steak and Eggs and the Pork Hash Carnitas, both were very good. The steak was excellently cooked. The carnitas were crunchy and flavorful. The service was very good and have a decent selection of beers and mixed cocktails. read more

Counterpoint - Steak and Eggs - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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What a hidden gem! Counterpoint San Diego is a small, cozy and well designed restaurant led by fun chef peyron. When I came Wednesday night around 7pm, it was packed! Obviously that's a good sign especially when we see chef peyron walking up to the restaurant with bags full of tortillas (they ran out). I guess their Mexican food is something to try! Jose the bartender was so nice, he waved at us like we were friends when I walked thru the door. Now for the food, had the smoked beef cheek rillettes $8 (UGHH so good! Like a fancy bbq!), kimchi Brussels sprouts $7, burrata salad $12 (seems simple but you have to try it. They make leek bread pudding croutons... WHAT), and smoked duck sausage pasta $15 (pappardelle noodles were the bessssst). Totally would order everything again. Next time, I need to try the beef tongue pastrami sandwich. The table next to me ordered it and it looked huge. Also want to try the bone marrow and duck fat huaraches... Just gotta come back! Oh and brunch too. Highly recommend :) thanks counterpoint read more

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Adorable space in Golden Hill with yummy food and friendly service compelling us to return to try the dinner menu another time! Coffee is delicious even if it is $4. read more

We stopped here to grab a few drinks while waiting for reservations somewhere. It looked like a good place on Yelp and it was just as good as we thought. We took a seat at the bar and were greeted by the friendly staff. They helped us pick some delicious beers and even let us borrow their phone charger while we sipped away. I am looking forward to our next visit to the area to grab food and drinks here. There was a large group that showed up for some type of party and everything they brought out to them looked awesome! read more

Great little spot for a casual Sunday brunch! Ordered the breakfast sandwich with the fried chicken. Best biscuit and breakfast potatoes I've had in a while! Patio is super dog friendly. Service was a bit slow but still the food definitely made up for it. read more