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    Nature Forward Socal Bistro

    4.0 (489 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

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    NATURE FORWARD SOCAL BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Quiet
    Dogs allowed

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    Breakfast burrito with rosemary potatoes
    David F.

    This is the most freshest meal I have had in a while from a dining location. Everything is made to order and everything inside it is fresh. I got it to go, on pick up the staff was super nice and accommodating. [[HIGHLIGHT]]When I went to pick up the vibe was real clean and wonderful at glance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Next time I'll take the time to sit in and enjoy it the ambience rather than get to go.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Bacon and egg croissant
    Ed M.

    Small bistro but good eats. I enjoyed my bacon and egg croissant that came either rosemary potatoes. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior design was cool.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They have coffee roast bags on the ceiling.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Some outdoor seating available.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Pastry
    Dan M.

    What a wonderful addition to the neighborhood! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nature Forward Bistro has a warm, relaxing atmosphere with fresh, delicious food and outstanding service.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Everything was beautifully presented and made with high-quality ingredients. The staff was welcoming, attentive, and made us feel right at home. Whether you're stopping in for coffee, breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this is a place you'll want to visit again. Highly recommend the pesto pasta, fresh pastries, and great selection of wine. Looking forward to coming back soon!

    Nutella Crepe
    Jess C.

    Food was awesome! Owner was super sweet and made our visit memorable! Will be back when we are in the area

    The OZ Shakshuka Skillet Fraise Crepe Crepe Madame
    Jamie L.

    Went to find a cute, GF friendly brunch place to catch up with a friend around UTC and we hit the spot! The waiter was hilarious with his deadpan delivery and the interior of this place is absolutely gorgeous. I ordered the OZ Shakshuka-- super yum, I added the potatoes into my dish to give it a perfect combination of texture and balance to the savory flavors. Unfortunately they were out of bananas for the Fraise Crepe that we ordered (GF), so the chef added extra strawberries instead. The filling was strawberry jam instead of dulce de leche, but for a gluten free crepe my roommate said it was adequate! The fries that came with the Crepe Madam were delicious-- be sure to ask the waiter for a side of ketchup to go with it. Overall we spent around $70 including tip for 3 people. I'd definitely come again for the ambiance and to try out their drinks next time!

    Inside the Classic Benedict
    Juliana C.

    The first time we attempted to visit here we couldn't find it. Called and they were renovating with an opening date in a couple of weeks. We were in the area again and decided to come back for a visit. Small little tiny bistro, absolutely love the theme and decor, nature leaves (my fav!) The menu is a bit overwhelming, but that leaves plenty of options for everyone. Our first time dining here we wanted a quick bite and ordered the Classic Benedict to share with oven baked house potatoes with a side of bacon. I ordered a fresh squeezed orange juice and hubs got a lemonade. Our second visit for drinks we ordered fresh squeezed orange juice and a strawberry lemonade. For brunch I ordered a half sandwich and soup combo - Croque Monsieur with French onion soup and a side of fries. Hubs got the Short rib Benedict. We have loved everything we have ordered each time we visited. I can drink endless fresh squeezed orange juice! The Benedict's are always a good choice. The half sandwich and soup was perfect! The Croque Monsieur was delish and perfectly paired with a cup of French onion soup with a side of salty shoestring fries. Tried the hubs short rib Benedict and it was rich and hearty. He loved it with his extra avocado and bacon. They use fresh ingredients. The restaurant is clean. Staff are friendly. It can get warm inside with the warmer months with that you can sometimes be dining with pesky flies. Very annoying. It can get busy and the tiny two tops are very small to be able to order multiple items. I do like that they have pastries right up front and also hand made pops! I will have to try a pop on my next visit. Enjoy! 2025: 17

    Linguini alla Diavolvo

    Sad this place relented to new management/owner. I used to really enjoy it! [[HIGHLIGHT]]I was only one of two customers (the other one only had a drink).[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The lone waitress did not know what kind of wine they had. Neither did she know the Seafood of the Day. I wound up w/an anonymous red & ordered off the menu. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The party of 10, who came 10 minutes later, jostled my table as if I wasn't even there.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] No one came to provide me an out of the way table, just a glass of their putrid $5 wine (which I refused). Half hour later, no dinner, no checking on me. Everyone made me feel invisible as The Lone Diner. Never again!!!

    Gratin Lobster Toast
    Andy P.

    This place is wonderful! I was looking for something European to take my mother out for brunch. When we searched, I found this place which seems like its tucked away in La Jolla. When we arrived, this plaza has a small town feel. Upon walking in, we were greated by the friendly staff. While we waited for our table, we reviewed the menu and saw some eye catching items. You can view the picture and description on what was ordered. Food here is delicious. Simply put. We shared several dishes, two entree and a dessert, which was more than enough. Upon finishing our meal, all three of us were in agreement that this is a place we need to revisit and try other items on the menu. Love the friendly staff btw. Made the expirience so much more enjoyable. I would love to visit here next time for a cup of their delicious coffee and pastry sometimes. Great job team! You have something special here. :)

    Menu
    Annie D.

    We wanted to try a brunch place with healthy options and dog friendly. It wasn't too crowded for a Sunday when we arrive but they were short handed that day so the service was extremely slow. They apologized for the wait and even gave us a 20% discount. The food is actually very good but portions are on the smaller size especially for the price point.

    Yogurt desert
    Katarina M.

    Great food amazing atmosphere, new ownership! Our local spot where we go every Friday!

    Almond croissant and espresso.

    What a great bistro ! The owners Dan and Myrna welcomed us in. Received great service . Their espresso, banana bread and almond croissant was delicious!

    I have been coming to this location for many years and I've seen owners come in and out, and yet I always find myself coming back. The food has always been good, the chef from the previous owner works here as well so the quality is amazing. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Soft jazz/lofi music along with a warm cup of Mexican mocha is a great way to start the morning.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

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    Review Insights

    2 months ago

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    27 days ago

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    3 days ago

    I ordered a crepe. It doesn't worth the price. Taste was OK. The waitress/waiter was doing all the work by him/herself and was super busy.

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    2 months ago

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    1 month ago

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    3 months ago

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Excelente servicio y ambiente muy agradable[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], la comida una delicia. Los platillos son orgánicos.

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    Page 1 of 13

    Nature Forward Socal Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nature Forward Socal Bistro

    Are the croissant baked in house?

    YES!

    Please offer the best place to park closest to restaurant once I arrive at UTC? Thank you

    Hi! We have plenty of parking. it's in Renaissance Towne Center Dr. we are happy to serve you and do recommend especially on weekends that you book a reservation through… 

    Is there wifi?

    Yes, we have wifi.

    Can I order eggs benedict fot lunch. 😊😊?

    Yes

    View All 5 Questions

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    I visited Outcast Grill in UTC with a friend after hearing good things about it, especially the…read morehummus and pita. Overall, I'd personally rate my experience about 3 1/2, the overall meal was solid and my friend really enjoyed her entrée! We started with the hummus and pita, and I can absolutely see why it's so highly rated. The hummus was smooth, flavorful, and well-seasoned, but the real standout was the pita bread. It was incredibly fluffy, warm, garlicky, and easily my favorite thing we ordered. I'd happily come back just for that appetizer. For my entrée, I ordered the fish and chips after seeing several people recommend it. The fish itself was cooked well with a nice crispy coating, and the fries were perfectly fine--nothing wrong with them, but nothing particularly memorable either. My only real complaint was the tartar sauce, which I found much sweeter than I prefer. It just wasn't the flavor profile I was expecting. Overall, it was a decent fish and chips plate, but it didn't really wow me. My friend ordered the lamb dinner (not pictured) and thought it was excellent. I trust her judgment, and it definitely seemed like one of the stronger dishes on the menu. We finished by sharing the chocolate dessert since the only other option was a lemon dessert, which neither of us was in the mood for. It was interesting because it was much more mousse-like than traditional cake. Honestly, I'm still not sure whether to call it a cake or a cheesecake, but either way it was rich, smooth, and delicious. My favorite part was the chocolate graham cracker crust, which really brought the whole dessert together. The restaurant itself had a relaxed atmosphere, and service was friendly throughout our visit. While my entrée wasn't a standout, the appetizer, dessert, and my friend's excellent meal made for an enjoyable lunch overall. I'd definitely come back, though next time I'd be more inclined to try one of the other entrées instead of the fish and chips.

    I've lived and worked in this location, for 4 decades. many businesses, have changed hands here…read more I've tried to support them, as I felt invested in the community. in fact, I just moved back, after a few years on the Central Coast. my buddy is the same. he has brought many people into the fold, to this location. He is the quintessential local you want to keep, a generous, gregarious tipper, who makes your establishment shine, who makes an establishment feel larger, feel welcoming, the place you want to come back to. on this dark, gray day, it turned black. ownership has changed. He was guilty of proffering a gift card, for the simple crime of a few happy hour beers.... Current ownership, former employees, would not except it. He was distraught. VERY large gift card. A VERY loyal customer. I sat, I watchec, the gentlemanly manner, in which he expressed his dissatisfaction. I have previously had to use California law, in similar situations. General California Gift Card Rules No Expiration: Most gift cards sold in California cannot have an expiration date and remain valid until they are redeemed or replaced. Cash Redemption: If the balance on a gift card is less than $10, California law requires the merchant to redeem it for cash upon request. (Note: This threshold is set to increase to $15 on April 1, 2026). Liability of Previous Owner: If a new owner is not legally obligated to honor your card, your legal claim is technically against the previous owner who originally took your money. Next Steps for Consumers Ask the New Owner: Many new owners will honor old gift cards as a gesture of goodwill to retain local customers and protect the brand's reputation. Verify the Business Entity: You can check the California Secretary of State's business search to see if the legal entity behind the restaurant name has changed. Contact the Previous Owner: If the current management refuses the card, you may need to seek a refund from the individual or company that originally sold it to you. Would you like help looking up the current business registration for a specific restaurant to see if the legal entity has changed? Big mistake, new owner. This is sport, for me. We will be back, but you wont be our first choice, anymore. We are pillars of the community. This will cost you a lot more, than your black and white interpretation, which, I will be looking into you transfer, don't think I it was chapter 7. I commend you on your bravery, on sticking to your soulless business acumen, and knowledge of what it takes, to provide customer service, rewarding loyalty, in these times of diminishing returns. I certainly will be back rarely. Wow. Seriously, that's how you run this business? Maybe, a business manager, an etiquette course? I did customer relations for a bank, a chain of appliance stores, USPS, just take my fee, out of the gift card. Update Asset vs. Stock Sale: If it is an "asset purchase" (buying equipment/name, not the corporate entity), the buyer typically inherits no liabilities unless agreed upon. Gift Cards: The new owner is not legally required to honor old gift cards unless they agreed to, or they are deemed a "continuation" of the old business, according to a discussion on Facebook. Successor Liability: California courts might impose liability if the new company is just a sham to avoid debt. Best Practice: The buyer should request a list of outstanding gift cards and demand the seller transfer cash to cover them to prevent loss of goodwill. If a new owner refuses to honor a gift card, consumers can complain to the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Sir, did you practice best practice? I'll let you know what the Department says

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    Hazy IPA + water

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    Hazy IPA + water

    Nature Forward Socal Bistro - french - Updated August 2026

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