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    Counterpoint

    4.3 (629 reviews)
    ModerateBars, New American
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Counterpoint Photos

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    COUNTERPOINT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Counterpoint

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    Reviews With Photos

    Ronnie F.

    If you know, you know. Our favorite haunt for comfort food in SD. Good vibes, good food, great people. Mandatory: pour one for Dave. #LLTB

    Brussel Sprouts
    Angela F.

    Amazeballs! Love this spot. The service is fantastic. The drinks are tasty. And the cheese curds are the best I've had this side of Wisconsin. One of my new favorite places to hang with friends. We will definitely be back.

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    Stacy J.

    Great neighborhood bar with unique crafted cocktails - each one I've tried has been spot on. The service is great, special shout out to Adele cause I usually sit at the bar. I've eaten brunch a few times and everything has been great but my favorite so far is the chicken fried steak - the gravy is as good as my late mother in law's. It's also dog friendly!

    Outside
    Christine S.

    Counterpoint in Golden Hill has a warm and soulful vibe that feels inviting due to the openness of the restaurant and friendly staff. Highly recommend the cheese curds as an appetizer. They are golden, crispy outside, and oozy gooey inside. The Brined Chicken & Waffle Benedict has a delicious highly brined juicy chicken, smoky/sweet bourbon waffles. It is topped with smooth, spicy hollandaise, drizzled with honey, and every bite is rich, savory, and a little sweet, topped by two poached eggs. The home fries are golden crispy and seasoned perfectly. Overall it is a comforting and satisfying dish. The Carnitas Pork Hash is served on cast iron plate with flavorful carnitas piled on top of home fries, bell peppers and caramelized onions. The two eggs, cooked any way you like, bring a richness and creaminess to the dish. Hearty and bold, it's a flavorful option when you're after something filling and delicious. I highly recommend this meal if you are sure what to order on their brunch menu.

    Bloody Mary + Irish Coffees
    Savannah B.

    One of my favorite breakfast spots in San Diego. I was introduced to Counterpoint a little over a year ago and have been here 10+ times since. A staple for a Saturday brunch with my partner or friends! Tonight we came for dinner and was also (surprised but not) with how good dinner was! It was a Monday night so we ordered a BBQ Smash Burger (a special that came w/ fries), Ahi Tuna Tacos, and the Shrimp Scampi all to share. They graciously split the burger and shrimp scampi into 2 servings, which was such a bonus and not asked for at all. All the staff does a little bit of everything and is lighthearted and funny. The owner, Cam, takes pride in his restaurant as well as his staff and quality of food and it SHOWS. Will forever be a regular here. 10/10.

    Steak

    I've been here numerous throughout the years and today was kind of disappointed because I ordered a medium steak and a piece of my steak was raw and because the fries were too salty. They changed the menu yesterday so if you go just know it might be different.The service is always great though and the ambiance is okay because sometimes the music is too loud and when you are in a date it might make it a little weird especially if it's your first with them, totally not talking with experience. Anyways I'm going to keep going but I just hope they see this review so that they can try to do a little bit better. If you pay 30 bucks for a steak and fries you expect to enjoy it, not be thrown off, cause it prob was better to go to Alberto's and spend half of the money and enjoy your dinner.

    Chilaquiles
    Melissa S.

    counterpoint is such a hidden gem! I live in the area and had been wanting to check it out forever. Went on a Saturday during brunch time and it was super chill, got sat right away. The chilaquiles were good! Also feel like they were served different compared to other spots but I enjoyed them. The service was great, our server was friendly and knowledgeable! Can't wait to come back and try different items on the menu.

    Pizza flatbread
    Christopher L.

    Great bar with good food and drinks! The bartenders and servers are cool and nice to talk to. Prices are good, lots of options from Russian river brewery if you like Pliny. The drinks are great here as well, got the Brooklyn music cocktail. The pizza flatbread is a good choice to share!

    Shrimp scampi
    Jose

    Really good food and service will definitely be back, bartenders were really attentive and handled everywith care. The upstairs is a good place if you want a quiet setting

    Allyn P.

    My wife and I absolutely loved this place. Stumbles in late night and we're kindly greeted by the friendly staff.food and drinks were amazing and affordable. Loveeeed the

    Outside
    Tristan D.

    Ambiance: The place is very spacious and beautiful. Its reminds me of a beach house with there also being an upstairs for more busier hours. Theres a lot of room and theres even tables outsides for people to sit at! Theres even a bar for customers there as well! Food: French Bacon w/ Bacon [4/5] [$17] The french toast was delicious! I didn't know jelly would've been slathered on it though the menu didn't say that and it looks slightly sloppy to be honest but the taste was definitely there! Service: The service was fast and efficient, the workers are very kind and welcoming as well. This is a neat little gem in Golden hill, the food and service is wonderful and I'd highly suggest coming here for some delicious french toast or drinks! I'd love to come back next time I visit California!

    Blackened ahi sandwich
    Neikan M.

    Okay, here's the thing. I took a bite of my ahi tuna steak sandwich, and it was good! Nice tuna, good aioli and crunchy slaw. But... I then took a bite of my girlfriend's Chicken and Cheese Tortellini and it was soooo much better. Another friend ordered the Cheesesteak sandwich and it was much better than my order. So, overall, I know the food here is great but I ordered the wrong thing unfortunately. I would definitely come back.

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    2 years ago

    Love their fries!!! Service is always great, fast and friendly! Would recommend to anyone I know who's visiting the area.

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    2 years ago

    Amazing spot with amazing drinks! Customer service and quality is unmatched! Conor is the best bartender in San Diego!

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    Super cute spot! Drinks were great, service was on point! Food was amazing. Had a great time!

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    Kindred

    Kindred

    4.4
    (2k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    The three of us came here on a Saturday afternoon and had a great time. The bar is beautifully…read moredecorated, with both indoor and patio seating. The drinks were fresh and expertly made. We tried the Palace of Certainty, Bees Knees, Camino Muerto, and King Friday. Since the menu rotates, it felt fun to try a few different options. One funny detail was that the main bar had some goth-themed music playing, while both the men's and women's restrooms had death metal. It added to the character of the place. Great drinks and a really cool atmosphere.

    I want to start by saying I appreciate KINDRED as a place for people to get dietary restrictions…read moremet and not feel bad about it. I've gone over the past decade with friends/family alike and 60% of the time it's been solid. As I've looked around before posing, it seems the restaurant is in a steady spiral downward over the years. I've had great service here and it sucks to say this evening was such a poor experience. I hope everyone working can be on the same page moving forward to avoid this happening again to others. I decided to come by for birthday dinner and figured 8pm was a decent time to still get great food and service. We made a reservation in advance and got to a table in 5 minutes. That's wonderful, always love that for anyone. The non-alcoholic drinks are always a favorite as someone who's been sober for years. However, it all got much more complicated after that. After not hearing or getting any updates from the server for 50 mins on our appetizer, we asked if everything was ok and if they had potentially forgot about our order. It's happened before no worries. The server said no and it just takes a while. That's fine and fair, it's to be expected on a skeleton crew for a Wednesday night shift. It was odd to see at least 4 tables and groups who had been seated after us get their food before us. When we got our Doom Bloom, around 8:55pm, over 50% of it was burnt to a crisp, the smaller mushrooms had been completely blackened to a point where you could just taste charred. Something tells me this is not the best way to serve food to others but what do I know as someone who's been coming here for years. When we got our Mind Melt and BBQ Jackfruit, which was another 50 minutes later now around 9:40pm, these entrees had met the same fate. The BBQ Jackfruit sourdough was so dry and burnt it tasted like a saltine cracker left in a campfire as a joke. The fries were overcooked, super dry, and stale all at the same time. It's like it was left in the heat lamp for 30 minutes or far too long to be enjoyed for what would be great food. My partners food thankfully wasn't to the same degree as mine but still not great. We were checking with ourselves quietly to make sure the other wasn't loosing it or if we were missing out on something. People will be people and that will never change. I hope some else won't have to spend over $100 with tip included to get the same service we got. I cannot imagine how bad things are behind the scenes for this to be a standard the staff are okay with and that they perpetuate based off other recent reviews in this matter. It was embarrassing and a waste of money. I do not recommend coming here given how this situation has transpired. My stomach still hurts while typing this review on my sofa at home.

    Photos
    Bar area. Ig @mel_foodie_ventures.
    Bar area. Ig @mel_foodie_ventures.
    Torched carrots
    Torched carrots
    Camino Muerto (Mezcal Drink)

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    Camino Muerto (Mezcal Drink)
    The Smoking Goat

    The Smoking Goat

    4.1
    (1.9k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$

    I was thoroughly impressed with The Smoking Goat, and I can't wait to go back and dine-in. What…read moreimpressed me most was that we ordered this delightful meal for takeout after my surgery. Ordering promptly at 5pm, our dinner arrived promptly and hot. I wanted to make sure we tried it all, so without further ado: The Poached Pear salad was delightfully refreshing, with the pistachio pesto adding so much pizazz. We also ordered the cheese plate because Humboldt Fog was on the menu, a fast favorite. Steak Frites were cooked to perfect medium rare, and the Duroc Pork Chop literally melted in our mouths, with the red pepper really standing out on the dish. Even the market veggies were perfectly seasoned and duck fat truffle fries were loved by Dad. After a life changing event, this meal was like a welcome hug home for our family and it really set us up for a nice evening. For being takeout, it was def 5-stars and I see why this is a beloved gem in the heart of North Park.

    Food is good. Different from other French restaurants I have visited. Service is nice . Ambience is…read morea quiet environment. Dark dinner vibe. Comforting and warm feeling. We got the duck all around $40. With potato gratin with cheddar and leeks, sautéed spinach, a few carrots, Cippolini onion. We also got French onion soup and Brie, it was all pretty good.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Wild Mushroom Linguine
    Wild Mushroom Linguine
    Duroc Pork Chop Tasso ham & red pepper Basquaise

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    Duroc Pork Chop Tasso ham & red pepper Basquaise
    The Rose

    The Rose

    4.2
    (483 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    It has been a while, but honestly, every time I've driven pass, it's been really busy! But when of…read moremy old, and I can say this now, college friends said "it's been too long, let's meet up..." I suggested here. Warm friendly greeting when we walked in. I told the hostess we didn't have a reservation and was just coming in for a drink. She gave us a nice table inside. We ordered a bottle of prosecco. "Let's celebrate the end of the school year!" We also ordered a chicken empanada and a mushroom empanada...both very good! The pickled vegetables were delicious too! Service was wonderful as always! Again, I would be here more often but it's always busy. Although, coming back is always special!

    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!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Quiche with goat cheese and seasonal veggies. Crust and top were burnt. Not slightly toasted, burnt.
    Quiche with goat cheese and seasonal veggies. Crust and top were burnt. Not slightly toasted, burnt.
    Storefront

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    Storefront
    Trust

    Trust

    4.3
    (1.6k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Bacon chop
    Bacon chop
    Roasted Carrots

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    Roasted Carrots
    Juan Jasper kitchen & Wine

    Juan Jasper kitchen & Wine

    4.7
    (144 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Driving home, this little bistro caught my eye and immediately reminded me of a place I used to…read morefrequent years ago in St. Louis -- the kind of understated neighborhood gem you almost want to keep to yourself. So I turned around and stopped in. What I found was a quaint, tucked-away, almost inconspicuous spot delivering food and hospitality at a level that honestly borders on absurd for how unassuming it appears from the outside. The service was warm, polished, and intuitive without ever feeling pretentious. Hats off to both chefs, Christi and Mark for making me feel welcome. The wine pairings? Thoughtful, balanced, and exactly what you hope for from a restaurant that actually respects food. And then there's the burger. This thing reads like poetry: Ribeye and NY strip trim blend, cooked like a proper steak (medium rare, the only correct answer here), melted gouda, a soft house potato roll, all resting in a luxurious bordelaise sauce that would make a French chef nod in approval. Seriously. This is not a "burger joint burger." This is a chef-driven, butcher-minded expression of beef. Every bite tastes intentional. The bordelaise underneath ties the entire thing together with this deep, glossy richness that elevates it from comfort food into something bordering on fine dining. Places like this are why I still love discovering restaurants organically. No hype machine. No gimmicks. Just confidence, technique, restraint, and execution. This very unassuming little spot has Michelin written all over it.

    Alright. Enough with the nonsense Juan Jaspar…read more The staff is not friendly, unless you're a regular. The staff enjoys chatting with customers more than doing their actual JOB. The staff is entitled, upright and annoying. They don't have a proper waiting list system. You can't pay with your cc, only zelle and or venmo. Juan Jaspar is VERY dog friendly, like over the top. There's literally more dogs than people. They have sketchy chairs outside for you to wait until their heart desires. One tip for this desperate little place: time your tables to 90 mins max. You don't have the square footage nor the grit to keep it up. I do not recommend this place to myself nor anyone else. I am banning myself indefinitely from Juan Jaspar. Trust your gut people. I said I wouldn't go back and I did. That was mi mal.

    Photos
    Wall of wine
    Wall of wine
    Scallops specials with a glass of wine and Pellegrino.
    Scallops specials with a glass of wine and Pellegrino.
    A great kitchen staff

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    A great kitchen staff

    Counterpoint - bars - Updated July 2026

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