We were in the area looking for a brunch spot and striking out, and everyone was getting to the "we…read moreneed food NOW" stage, so we ended up at Common Stock. When we sat down, we were a little surprised that the brunch menu was pretty limited compared to the photos that originally caught our attention. I'm guessing those were from the dinner menu. Our server was actually so great about it--he told us to take our time looking it over and that if we weren't excited about anything, we were welcome to leave and he wouldn't take it personally. That honestly won us over. Even our kids were impressed by how straightforward and nice he was and decided we should stay. And I'm glad we did. The Crispy Brussels were delicious--seriously, one of the highlights. My daughter loved the Strawberry Shortcake French Toast. My son liked the Japanese Potato Hash, although he wished there was another way to add more protein besides bacon. I had the Hot Chicken + Waffle and really enjoyed it, and my husband had the Nashville Crispy Chicken Sandwich. The food took a little longer than expected, but the service more than made up for it. Our server was genuinely kind, honest, and attentive, which can make such a difference. We came in mostly because we were hungry and running out of options, but left really happy we gave Common Stock a chance. Great food and, more importantly, really great service.

the best steak and frites!! the ambience was nice, nothing too fancy but their service was great…read more I got the steak medium rare and it was perfectly made. The fries you can never go wrong with-- and their truffle dip was superb The location is great too, good amount of street parking definitely one of my favorites in SD!

Had brunch at Kindred, I had the pancakes and they were really good. We sat under the wolfs head,…read moreand brought no vegan friends. Kindred never disappoints. The server could have been more attentive, considering we were the first ones seated at opening. Love the aesthetic, and the heavy metal music they play.

What a cool spot in South Park. I had been wanting to come here for a hot minute and with my sister…read moreand her husband in town, who are both vegan, this was the perfect opportunity. We were told the wait for food on a Saturday night was gonna be 45 mins but the vibes, the drinks, and the company made that time only seem like 20 mins! Everyone was so great and the food was incredible. As a meat eater, I love finding a good vegan restaurant and this is a great one! We loved the Viking ambiance and theme- it gave the experience an extra touch! I want to come back and try everything on the menu

The food is delicious here and the place is cute, however, they are consistently understaffed and…read moreit's a problem. If you need a job waiting tables maybe hit them up. If this were the first time, we might understand, things happen and sometimes you have to work shorthanded, but this wasn't the first time, more like 4th or 5th time over a period of several months and every time we come they are clearly understaffed and this place gets packed so it's not like they don't need more people. An entire restaurant is run by 2 servers, seems like maybe the owner and her son, and we could only see 2 kitchen staff working their asses off behind the glassed in kitchen, which likely means no breaks for any staff and everything takes forever. If you don't mind sitting and waiting for your food and drinks, by all means go here. The first time we were almost late for a show because dinner for 4 of us took almost 2 hours. We hope this review might inspire them to expand their staff because the food is delish and we want to keep coming back!

This is probably the longest overdue review I have ever written, but at this point, not writing it…read morealmost feels selfish because I would very much like to always be able to get a table here. But alas, Carbon Angela's Kitchen deserves every flower, every reservation, every "you have to try this place" text thread, and every bit of love. This place has become one of my absolute favorite hidden gems in San Diego. Easily top five for me, and as someone who dines out a lot for a living, that is not a casual statement. There are places you like, places you recommend, and then there are places that start to feel woven into your actual life. Carbon Angela's Kitchen is that for me. Angela is truly the heart of this place. She has this way of making you feel like you are not just coming in for dinner, but being welcomed into something she deeply cares about. And Emanuele is absolutely part of that magic too. Together, they have built something that feels warm, generous, soulful, and so special. They feel like long-lost friends and family now, and I am honestly just so proud of them and all they are creating. The food is the kind that makes you want to order with the whole table in mind. The griglia mista is hands down one of the best investments you can make if you are dining with a group. It is the meat platter, it is the moment, and it is absolutely worth ordering. Four to five people can split it, especially if you are also doing appetizers, salad, wine, and a few extra things for the table. It is such a perfect nod to what Carbon was before Angela took over, when the space leaned more BBQ, but now it feels beautifully married with Angela's warmth, Italian influence, and the kind of hospitality that makes the whole meal feel like an experience. And please do not sleep on the rest of the menu. The short rib is fire. The arancino trio is always a yes. The eggplant croquette? Obsessed. The crespelle? So good. The Everything Salad is my favorite salad on the menu, and the street corn should never, under any circumstances, be skipped. I said what I said. The wine selection is top tier, the appetizers are memorable, and the whole place has that rare magic of feeling cozy, intentional, and completely unpretentious. You can come for a low-key dinner, a girls' night, a celebration, or one of those "we just need a really good meal and a really good glass of wine" kind of evenings. And the back patio? Perfect for an evening under twinkling lights. It is one of those spaces that just begs for a long table, good conversation, clinking glasses, and the kind of night that accidentally turns into a core memory. They also have catering menus available, which is very important information to keep in your back pocket if you are hosting anything soon. What Angela has built is honestly something to behold. One of the hardest-working restaurateurs doing the dang thing in a city like San Diego, and now opening Bedda across the way too? I am in awe and wonder watching it all unfold. It takes so much courage, grit, taste, excellence, and heart to build what they are building, and you can feel all of it in the room. Carbon Angela's Kitchen is a true labor of love, a hidden gem, and one of those places I will keep cheering for again and again. Go hungry. Order the griglia mista. Get the Everything Salad. Do not skip the street corn. Share Share Share, so you can try a little bit of everything and do a tried and true family style meal, you won't regret it.

The Smoking Goat is a French inspired bistro located in the North Park area of San Diego…read more Reservations can be made on OpenTable. We Ubered everywhere on this evening so I can't comment on the parking situation, but it looked like street parking only. Seating options include the bar half of the restaurant with seats at the bar and cushy looking booths against the wall, or the main dining room. We sat in the main dining room which is quaint, and not necessarily upscale, but it does have a classy feel. The wall is brick, and the space is lit slightly dim. The kitchen is open and can be seen from the dining room. There was a nice mix of music playing in the background. I asked if they offered bread and butter, and they do not. But you can order an off-menu half French baguette for $5, served hot from the oven, with butter. We started by splitting the poached pear salad ($16). This was a delicious salad with local greens, blue cheese, fresh poached pears, and a champagne vinaigrette dressing. It was a pretty big salad, perfect to share between the two of us. For my entrée, I had the pasta seafood special with shrimp, salmon, and mussels in a lemon crème sauce ($42). Everything on the plate was delicious, and it had a generous amount of seafood. The lemon crème sauce had the perfect amount of flavor without overpowering the dish. She had the Scottish Salmon ($39). The salmon is topped with a lemon beurre blanc sauce, and is served on a bed of spinach and lentils, sitting on top of a parsnip puree. She loved it. Our server Ryan was very polite and professional and provided excellent service. We really enjoyed our meal here, and would definitely return.

Came out for San Diego Restaurant Week and had such a wonderful time trying out the menu. Making a…read morereservation was easy enough through the OpenTable app, and the restaurant itself was cozy and inviting. The escargot and pâté were delicious, but the tartare was definitely something to write home about. I loved the balance of bright flavors with the tender filet mignon. The entrées were all great, and we finished things off with a decadent flourless chocolate cake. Overall, such a lovely meal and a great Restaurant Week experience!

We had planned to eat at a French restaurant across the street, but its menu didn't appeal to us…read more My husband spotted Encontro and suggested we try it instead. What an excellent surprise! The hostess welcomed us with a big smile and even handed us a "Pup Menu" for our dog, Benzi. She showed us to the bar, where Katie gave us another warm welcome. We had a few questions about the dishes, and she knew the menu well. I ordered the bottomless mimosas, which came with several juice choices. My husband had an Almanac Hefeweizen and said it was one of the best beers he'd ever had--cold and delicious. We shared avocado toast and a plate-sized banana waffle with homemade whipped cream and a side of crisp bacon. The toast came with a generous amount of avocado, and my soft-scrambled eggs were cooked exactly as I'd asked. The waffle was warm and crispy. Encontro has a bright, relaxed atmosphere, with wood accents, green plants, and an open layout. The manager, Kanya (I hope I've spelled that correctly), checked on us several times and made sure we were happy with our meal. Katie and Kanya made our visit especially enjoyable. We highly recommend Encontro, especially if you're bringing your dog. Thanks, ladies, AWESOME Service!!!!

Encontro is a busy gastropub sitting right on the corner of 30th & University in North Park. I love…read morecoming here specifically for their happy hour specials -- the plates are the perfect size, the drink deals are solid, and it's an easy spot to pop into after walking around the neighborhood. The entrée menu is decent -- nothing too out of the ordinary -- and pricing runs a little high in my opinion. But the atmosphere is lively, they're dog‑friendly, and the patio area is a nice place to sit if you want something casual and comfortable. Overall, a decent option if you're looking for a sit‑down American restaurant in North Park with good happy hour bites and a fun, busy vibe.

Best little wine bar with the most delicious bread to chat with the girlies…read more I love sitting on the patio and watching the sunset. The service is great!

We came to the Rose for an evening bite to eat and some drinks after hanging out at Mothership down…read morethe street for a bit. It was a comfortable evening, so we sat outside. Our waitress was a total superstar and took great care of us with service and answering questions. We even joked about Star Trek a bit. I ordered the Rose salad and some roasted potatoes (Bravas Rosas). The potatoes were really delicious and well-seasoned with crunchy and soft parts and a nice spicy dipping sauce. I wanted to love the salad because it was large and well-dressed, BUT the lettuce was gritty and could've used a more thorough rinse. I ended up not eating much of it because the texture wasn't good. One of my friends got the Rose Salad Pie which she really enjoyed (basically a pizza with Rose Salad on top) and my other friend got the gazpacho which really liked. I would definitely come back and try some other dishes. If I do, I'll update the review!

We had an amazing experience at Trust for a birthday brunch! We made a reservation for 10:45 and…read morewere seated very prompted. All of the staff including the host, our server, and the food runners were incredibly kind. The sticky bun was deliciousssss -- definitely a must have! We enjoyed a few cocktails and order the skillet, rolled tacos, and chilaquiles. We all enjoyed our dishes! I will definitely be coming back to enjoy a brunch and likely to try out the dinner menu as well.

Our waiter learned it was our first visit to the eatery, and recommended we try their…read more"off-the-menu" tasting menu. "2 dishes per person," he promised--we were game. He mentioned they'd course the dishes out, 2 at a time, ensuring each of the dishes were paired intentionally. Beet Salad From someone who's not easily impressed with vegetable-led dishes, this was delicious. This dish was visually vibrant, and the flavor mirrored that vibrancy. The beets themselves were stunningly soft, even juicy I'd say. It's root-y flavor was ever-present, but it never became unwelcome on the dish. "Fragrant" is another word we all used to describe the plate, with the fresh mint and succulent citrus fruit widening each our eyes. Sweet, savory, fresh and...creamy. This salad sat on top of a delightful carrot labneh, which provided a creamy element further elevating the dish. It brought a bit of tang to the salad that I appreciated. Finally, there was a crunchy detail (which we know I love) from intelligently included pieces of pastelli--a Greek treat made from sesame seeds and honey, and that sweet crunch fostered the table's excitement. Trust was firing on cylinders early, strong start. Hamachi Crudo Insane. I'm a big fan of the amount of flavor that's packed in such a delicate dish. Off rip, you're met with a visually exciting dish. Red, green, and purple from the thinly sliced pepper, cucumber, and radish pop right off the dish. Bright colors and exquisite execution, placed in a circle to match the shape of the dish, had each of us salivating. With the first taste, the crisp bite of fresh cucumber catches your senses immediately, and then subtly spicy, cream sauce. It was aguachile blanco--my first time having the blanco variant. The flavor was stupid, I struggled to describe it's uniqueness. The Mexican flavor profile was proliferated by fresh cilantro and thinly sliced radish, followed with a textured salsa seca. The light nature of the dish paired pristinely with the beet salad. Now, these next two dishes were an exciting 1-2 punch in showing you exactly what Chef is all about--that signature wood fire Wood Grilled Cauliflower I always eat my vegetables, but I rarely enjoy them. They're two for two in accomplishing that feat. In a bowl lined with curry, they served up a healthy helping of cauliflower that showcases its smokiness first. With that first bite, you taste the fire quickly, but what surprised me most was how soft each piece of the veg was. The curry and smoky flavor from the wood fire paired deliciously. Though, my favorite aspect of this delivery was the inclusion of raisins and fresh mint. This was a new combo for me, and it delivered. The sourness from the raisins and the cool, herbaceous qualities of the mint cut right through the charred flavor. A beautiful contrast. As we continued to dismantle the plate, there was a familiar flavor that we all recognized but couldn't identify. Maybe it was the serrano aioli or the black lentils. Either way, we all enjoyed this one. Wood Grilled Octopus This was a favorite of mine, but I was alone in that regard. While nobody disliked the dish, the table had mixed reviews. For me, this was perfectly cooked. The texture of the octopus was ridiculous with a cooking technique that created a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender bite. The smokiness didn't shy away here either. I mean damn. Most weren't a fan of the pepperoni, but fresh, ground meat added a rustic flavor pop that satiated my palate. It held that beloved pepperoni flavor, but this style allowed for it's flavor to spread across each bite. What made this dish unique from any other octopus I've had was the addition of castelvetrano olives and legumes. They both brought an interesting flavor and texture element that surprised me. Lastly, the salsa verde served as a perfect sauce, providing an element of moisture that complimented the charred features. Well done. After round two is when shit got real. Crab Fried Rice OH SHIT. WTF. One of the best rice dishes I've ever had. This is one we all wished was much much bigger. Despite the name, this dish includes chunks of incredibly juicy, wood-roasted lobster that there was never going to be enough of. The crab was shredded and could be found in each bite of plump rice, providing a pleasing flavor. Both a lemongrass emulsion and Thai chili were included, offering a wonderful duality of zest and spice. I thoroughly enjoyed the basil and cashew elements as they created some extra variety in flavor and texture. Not much else is needed for me to say, it's a must order. Char Sui Glazed Brisket OH SHIT. Back to back hitters, and they paired... There's sadly a character limit, but tap in and read the rest of my review for free on my Substack: Still Chewing https://stillchewing.substack.com/p/herb-and-sea

My girlfriend and I decided to give Juan Jasper a try, and we had a great time. We really enjoyed…read morethe wine, and the food was just as good. Most of the dishes were perfect for sharing, which made it fun to try a little bit of everything together. The standouts for us were definitely the pear and blue cheese cabbage salad and the Spanish-style ham and cheese sandwich. Both were packed with flavor and ended up being our favorite dishes of the night. The service was very friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed, and everything just came together for a really enjoyable afternoon. We sat outside and it was perfect. We'll definitely be coming back soon to work our way through more of the menu.

No reservations needed, just patience. We arrived and…read moreenjoyed a bottle of red wine while we waited for a seat. Ordered a seasonal salad and deviled eggs. Not a fan of chorizo, in the devil eggs. But still a table favorite. Then we picked some steaks from the butcher next door and they grilled them perfectly along with a side. You can't wrong with carrot and fries! But don't forget the Mac n cheese. Along with another reasonably priced bottle of red wine. And you just have to order the burger, it's the best! Staff were great! Cozy place for two, a little crowded for more. Cash is always best, but you can't Zelle or Venmo.

Sometimes you find the best places because you're actually looking for somewhere else…read more Neighborhood is right in front of Young Blood, and after our cocktail experience, the bartender was so damn nice that we ended up stopping back in with her for French fries and another cocktail. Honestly, this is how a night out should work. No rigid itinerary. Just good people, fries, cocktails and one more stop because nobody was ready to go home yet.

Super spot for a swanky date night or friends dinner. Intimate space, but the high ceilings keep it…read morefrom feeling claustrophobic. Excellent bar staff and cocktails. Steak frites are top notch, as is the bone marrow with capers. Laid back swank vibe aided by the reel to reel Mac system

Here for LASHCON 2026…read more Hash & Nash Hilton San Diego Bayfront Server - David, he was so quick and great service. H & M Bloddy Mary Coffee Avocado Toast Egg - Soft Scramble Wow, the food was amazing and the design of the Avo Toast look too good to eat. Your outside seating has the best view. It is a must visit. #supportsmallbusiness #breakfast #sandiego #lashcon

Stopped here for breakfast before checking out of the Hilton. We had no reservation so it was about…read morea 20 minute wait. By the time we checked in and got seated, the place had gotten very busy with guests from the hotel. We ordered our drinks and waited a quite a while before we were able to place our food order. My husband ordered the two eggs under the Fresh Start menu and I got the H&N Hash with scrambled eggs and a side order of sourdough toast. I was a bit disappointed with the hash because it had way more potatoes than corned beef which I had to search for between all the potatoes. The description mentions pepper and onions, but I wasn't expecting a sauce. It wasn't bad, just wasn't what I pictured. At the end of our meal, someone, who I believe was the manager, stopped by our table to check on us. She apologized for the wait and explained how busy they were, which we appreciated, but unfortunately, the food just didn't make up for it.