The atmosphere was really cute. Loved the rooftop tables and floral decorations. Perfect brunch vibes. The drinks were really good. Our food did take a little while. I had the pot roast hash and the flavor was good, but a little too saucy. The potatoes at the bottom ended up really soggy. I actually preferred the potatoes that came with the Benedict's. My sister had the chicken sandwich which was REALLY good. We got French toast sticks and biscuits for the table. The French toast sticks were so pillowy soft and very flavorful - definitely recommend. We ended up getting the biscuits after we all finished our meals and ended up taking them home. We did all share one and they were the perfect mix of heavy and light and soooo good. Took them home and warmed them up for 20 seconds and they were still delightful! Don't sleep on the jam it comes with. ;) The waiter was nice and checked in on us every now and then. Overall 4.5, wait time and if I picked a different item it would have been a 5 read more

Used to love this place and have been to both this location and the Solana Beach location many times. We came for happy hour on a Tuesday around 5:45 p.m. and were excited to find out that Tuesday happy hour runs all day. We headed upstairs and sat at the bar. Even though the restaurant was only about a quarter full, we were told the high-top bar seats were reserved, which felt a bit odd given how empty it was. My favorite item has always been the Rustic Smash Burger ($12.95), and it was just as amazing as I remembered. It's consistently delicious and definitely the reason I'll keep coming back. Unfortunately, the Tuesday Girl Dinner special ($29) was a huge disappointment. The concept is fun, but the execution completely missed the mark. The drink was underwhelming, and the pasta was served cold and tasted like it had been tossed with watered-down jarred pasta sauce. The only highlights were the Caesar salad and the fries. Both were good, but nothing I couldn't have gotten just about anywhere else. I'll definitely return because I love the atmosphere, but next time I'll stick with the menu items I know and love instead of venturing into the newer specials. I had checked Yelp beforehand, and no one had reviewed the Girl Dinner yet, so hopefully this helps someone who is considering ordering it. On a positive note, our server, who was also tending bar, I believe her name was Jane was an absolute gem. She was friendly, attentive, and made the experience much more enjoyable. read more

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We stopped by with no reservations and didn't have any issues getting a seat which was great. However when ascending to the second floor, The hostess to wait at the bar while a table was secured and she said make sure your tab is closed out before I come to get you. It was a weird thing to say and very off-putting we ended up not getting drinks because I didn't want to deal with having to close out a tab. They had mentioned that one of their servers was running late and that we would be helped by someone else. Our server was nice enough but very obviously busy and flustered and had no time to devote to our table. My husband got the boar bolognese which was very delicious. I got the pot pie which was served lukewarm at best. I didn't want to fuss so I started to eat but it was severely under seasoned. Which was a shame because the base flavor was pretty good had it been seasoned correctly. I asked for salt and pepper, got these weird copper salt and pepper shakers that were barely functional. I couldn't save my food so I didn't eat it. The server asked I told her she said okay took the dish and then brought us our check and charged us for both meals. I don't have a problem paying for something I eat or even something that I don't but it was very frustrating to have something so obviously unpalatable not even be addressed. We ended up leaving here and going to werewolf and getting something that I could actually eat. Highly recommend werewolf but can't really recommend this place. read more

We started off with drinks. I enjoyed the Side Porch Shrub for a light refreshing mocktail, and my friend liked her Prairie Breeze which had prickly pear in it. The appetizers unfortunately were quite small for the prices charged. The firecracker shrimp appetizer was $17.25, and came with 5 shrimps. The crispy brussels sprouts ($15.25) was even smaller. You can see the water cup (about the size of a soda can) below in the picture for reference. This app was definitely not worth the price. Out of the two entrees we got, my favorite was the lobster pappardelle ($37.95) which included tomatoes, spinach, corn, chili flake, sherry cream. This was my favorite dish of the meal, and I'd recommend it if you come to this restaurant. The roasted salmon ($32.50) dish came with creamy yam, kale and squash. It was a good dish, but not remarkable. In terms of service, it took almost 50 minutes before we received our entrees. This caused us to have to rush to our next event. Overall even though I enjoyed the lobster pappardelle, due to the pricey appetizers and slow service, I left feeling that Rustic Root didn't live up to my expectations. read more

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Rustic Root definitely wins on ambience. The rooftop setting and beautiful views made for such a fun experience and it's a great spot for pictures and brunch vibes. As far as the food, it was just okay overall. I had the breakfast sliders and they were good enough, nothing amazing but still enjoyable. The breakfast potatoes were well seasoned but somehow still bland at the same time; a little salt would've gone a long way. Hubby had the chicken and waffles, which were also just okay. My favorite part was probably the drink. I got the Cocoa Bonito. It reminded me of sherbet ice cream with a 7-Up float on top, which I actually really liked. Overall, I'd come back more for the atmosphere and drinks than the food. read more

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We came here before the Padres game and had a spicy margarita and Caesars salad both on HH and they were both delicious. Love the atmosphere and the staff was friendly. I didn't have a chance to check out the rooftop since we were on a time crunch but will check it out next time. read more

Rustic Root - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

My sister is visiting from Virginia. So I had to take her to one of my fav spots!! Gaslamp is a vibe! We ordered the wagyu meatballs, fried chicken, and jambalaya. My hubby and I ordered chardonnay and ipa. Good service good vibes and the rooftop is absolutely stunning BUT the food needed more seasoning. I'm also meal prepping and enjoy lots of spices so keep that in mind. We will be back. Thank ya & enjoy! read more

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Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 We were walking around downtown SD looking for a spot to grab a bite. We serendipitously were in front of Rustic Root as they were opening their doors at 10am. The gorgeous interior and the enticing menu drew us in. We scored a table on the second floor (rooftop bar) which offered a nice view of the nearby buildings of downtown. To eat, we got the Avocado Toast, Maple Cloud cakes and kimchi fried rice with 2 fried eggs. Everything was delicious, but the cloud cakes were amazing. They were pillowy, tender, and drenched in the maple glaze - so, so good. The kimchi fried rice was also flavorful with little bits of pork belly. Service was quick and attentive, but not overly fussy. We will definitely be back! read more

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Was here Saturday night. Nice looking place...especially the 2nd story patio/bar scene where you have a great view of 5th Ave below. I savoured a couple tap beers on the patio. Me really likes thus place. read more

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Heard this place has a great happy hour, so we did a date night check in... Promptly seated for our reservation at a high bar overlooking the street, great people watching! Good local draft selection so I had a few brews! Started out with the burger, truffle fries, and firecracker shrimp... all was good, but had a higher expectation for the burger...wouldn't get it again. Finished up with the flatbread which was really good... crisp crust and nice toppings. Ambiance is rooftop industrial, service was friendly and prompt, and prices are in line with the area... cool little spot! read more

Rustic Root - Flatbread - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I'm normally one to praise this place because the rooftop vibe, drinks, food, and service have usually been great. That's why this review is disappointing for me to write. But today? There were just too many misses to ignore. There were three of us dining, and it took quite awhile for the food to come out. Eventually the plates arrived, and I ordered the chicken and waffles -- one of their signature brunch dishes. I cut into the chicken and immediately realized it was raw. Not "a little pink." Raw. I showed the server, and to her credit, she quickly took it back to the kitchen. At that point, my two table mates finished their meals while I still sat there waiting with no food. Eventually I had to flag down the manager myself to figure out what was going on. His response? "Well done... let me go get it." Well done? This isn't a steak. Chicken is either cooked or it's raw. There's no such thing as chicken tartare. That response alone was honestly alarming. Then he comes back out with completely different chicken -- chicken cutlets instead of the original bone-in fried chicken. I asked, "What's this?" and he explained that because I said I wanted it "well done," they prepared it differently in a way they thought I would like. I was genuinely blown away by that explanation. So the solution to undercooked bone-in fried chicken is... to stop serving bone-in chicken altogether? We're talking about a restaurant that serves this as a featured brunch item. Frying bone-in chicken correctly shouldn't be a mystery. At that point I was frustrated, still hungry, and honestly ready to leave, so I asked him to adjust the bill. His solution was to only remove the two chicken plates I didn't eat. That was his idea -- not mine. I actually had to go back and explain to him that this entire experience had been mishandled from beginning to end. I told him directly: "Jessie, this wasn't cool at all." There's no such thing as "well done" chicken. That should have been caught immediately. The correct response should have been acknowledging the mistake, correcting the kitchen, and making sure the dish was properly remade -- not improvising an entirely different version of the meal. Eventually he adjusted the entire bill, which I appreciated, but I shouldn't have had to push for basic hospitality after sitting through all of that. I also found it surprising that nobody ever offered an alternative dish, appetizer, or anything at all while I sat there hungry waiting for a resolution. Again, this review is disappointing for me because I've genuinely enjoyed this place before. But raw chicken combined with the way the situation was handled simply can't be overlooked. read more

First time here was a brunch date with two friends. I booked about 3 weeks in advance on Open Table. Reservation was for 11a and I requested in the comments a rooftop table. I arrived at 10:52a and the rest of my party had not arrived yet. The hostesses recommended that I go upstairs to the bar to wait. I was a bit perplexed that there is no seating area near the hostess station to wait. Up at the bar, the bartender was very customer service oriented. He offered a bar menu and I checked out the good stuff. They have a very nice mocktails menu. One mocktail featured a non-alcoholic whiskey. It was like a whiskey sour, but apple flavor, I ordered this yummy drink. The bartender allowed me to taste the 0% alcohol whiskey, while he made my mocktail. It was DELICIOUS! Our server was a nice young lady. She took our orders and also answered any questions that wr had. We ordered: 2 Chicken & Waffles (1 requested as well done extra crispy chicken), 1 Biscuits Breakfast, 2 sides of bacon, 1 side of scrambled eggs, 1 side medium over easy eggs, and 1 side of house potatoes. My friend also ordered the Lavender lemonade. While we waited on our food, the staff started making loud noises and moving partitions, furnishings, lamps, and all types of equipment (sign easel) around...loudly. The noises were loud, and with the music being also loud, we could barely hear each other talk. Also, the peace of enjoying a rooftop terrace brunch was stolen amid this chaos. The chaos was a corporate lunch reception, yes a WHOLE RECEPTION with about 40-50 people talking, drinking, and mingling loudly with tray passed apps, drinks, and business. This reception was ARRANGED RIGHT NEXT TO OUR TABLE. It was the first strike in ruining our brunch experience. Our food came out and it looked well prepared. The potatoes were a bit too charred and not as flavorful as they were described on the menu. The issue with the food was that the special extra crispy well done order of chicken and waffles was pink inside. When we told the server this, she clapped back with, "This is an organic chicken so it is pink but it is cooked all the way..so I will send it back but it will be pink again if they cook it again..." the problem was that my order of chicken and waffles was not pink inside. Also, we cook organic chicken at home all the time, and it is not pink when we cook it well done. We asked for a manager. Strike 2 of the brunch experience. The manager came out and he said that he would ask the kitchen cook the entree again well done. By the time the entree came, we were done eating. My friend asked for a to go container for the late entree. Strike 3 for the brunch experience as the arguing about the pink organic chicken could have been mitigated had the order been placed immediately when it was brought to the attention of the server. We will probably not come here again, and Im sure that they would appreciate this as well. We are foodies and we enjoy a wonderful brunch experience. The loud music, pop-up business reception, and undercooked chicken is not our type of enjoyment. You don't respect your diners here, and you are willing to interrupt customer dining experiences for a "SOZO Private Wealth" company reception. No thanks. The bar mocktail is great, and the bartender was wonderful. read more

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We did a reservation for the rooftop at 5p. Ambiance was nice. They opened the overhead shutters closer to 6p, which brighten up the space so much. I wish it would have been like that at the start since it was an overcast day. If you have a reservation for the rooftop, you first go to the downstairs host, and she mentioned she would let us know when it ready. I ended up getting a text saying that our table was ready, but waited for the main host, since she said she'd let us know (we were standing right in front of her so didn't think she would forget). After some time, we ended up going back to her and let her know we got a text. She checked and said "oh ya, you can go upstairs". I guess there is a second host on the second story. The food was overall good. We were going to order drinks, but based on the reviews of the drinks, we decided against it. Not worth the money it looked it (each are priced in the $17+). For food, we ordered firecracker shrimp to start, then the salmon and friend chicken. The two stars of the show were the firecracker shrimp and fried chicken. The salmon had good sauce. Giving 3 of 5 purely since it's what I expected. There wasn't anything that was above and beyond. Service was just ok. Food is why it got a higher rating. I do appreciate that you can book rooftop specifically when doing a reservation. read more

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Apps here were delicious !! Brussel sprouts and Mac& cheese were a definite must order. Lobster pappardelle was a little overpriced for the flavor. Chicken pot pie was a little heavy but decent flavor. Was here for a birthday and they had a cute free dessert! Good vibes overall and good for a bigger party. read more

Rustic Root - LOBSTER PAPPARDELLE Chicken pot pie - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Went here for a birthday party and left happy! There were 10 of us, we made the reservation about a couple weeks in advance. We ordered nearly one of every appetizer. Food was good but beware it's a little on the pricey side. Rooftop ambiance was really pretty! Also a DJ upstairs. Lots of people here, sort of a tight squeeze on the rooftop. [this review was made in connection with a Toast promotion] read more

Reallllly good! The views from the 2nd floor is what brought us in, but man the food was outstanding! We split the fluffy pancakes and I got the kimchi rice. Both were so good, the pancakes were perfectly cooked and the kimchi rice was packed with flavor and little kick. Service was excellent and the space is beautifully decorated. Definitely recommend! Food: 5 Service: 5 Ambiance: 4.7 Marcels foodie score: 4.9 read more

Rustic Root - Kimchi rice - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Great spot for hosting large groups and events. The staff was very friendly and quick to assist. They have a downstairs and upstairs with an open rooftop very cute decor, and layout even have heat lamps and gas fire on roof top. They have hardly any vegan food, which is disappointing, but the one thing that they did have which was an artichoke pasta was pretty good. I believe my carnivores friends enjoyed the fried chicken. Overall, it was good, but I would love to see them have more vegan friendly dishes, or at least a vegan entrée without modifications being required. read more

This place was a full on vibe! The atmosphere, music, service and food were ALL amazing! Chris did a fantastic job being attentive and taking great care of us! read more

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3.5 stars but rounded up because I enjoyed my food. I came here for dinner on a Saturday evening. It was an early dinner, and I was having a solo dinner. It wasn't too busy, so I was seated when I arrived. Food: I ordered a salad, mac and cheese without the bacon and an order of fries. The salad was dressed well and pretty good. The mac and cheese and the fries were standard, but great. Service: My server was friendly, but the food took a long time. It also took a long time for my soda to arrive. The couples having dinner next to me were also waiting for their food for a long time. Both couples were seated before me, but my food came out first. TL;DR - Good food, but service was slow. read more

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5 star experience all the way! We sat on the rooftop and had THE best server. EVERYthing we ate was delicious (and they have a happy hour some nights until 6:30). Such a cute holiday vibe right now - with a few TVs if the game is on. Our faves were the meatballs and firecracker shrimp- great flavor and easy to share. They have a full bar- wine, beer, and signature cocktails (and mocktails). Can't wait to come back again and try more. read more

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Rustic Root is such a great spot, especially if you can get a table on the rooftop. The vibe is cozy but still upscale, with fire pits, great views, and a really relaxed atmosphere that's perfect for date night or hanging out with friends. The food was excellent. We had the meatballs over creamy mashed potatoes and they were packed with flavor, super tender, and perfectly sauced. The fish entrée was also really well done, cooked perfectly and paired with a smooth, flavorful puree and greens that balanced everything out. You can tell they put a lot of thought into the dishes. Drinks were on point too. Whether it's cocktails, wine, or beer, everything came out fast and tasted great. Sitting by the fire with a drink while overlooking downtown was definitely a highlight. Service was friendly and attentive without being over the top, and everything came out in a timely manner. Overall, great food, great drinks, and an awesome atmosphere. Definitely a place I'd come back to when I'm downtown. read more

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I visited Rustic Root for early dinner on a Sunday. There didn't seem to be any parking near the restaurant so we opted for a parking lot a couple minutes of walking away. I had made reservations so we were seated promptly upon arrival. We were initially seated in an area where the sun was beaming, & we eventually asked to be seated in the shade since the heat & sun's rays became too unbearable. The workers were nice, but in all honesty, not very attentive throughout our meal. We had to wait quite a bit of time to place our orders, & our empty water glasses weren't refilled. I had ordered the mini Maryland-style crab cake & I thought it was great. I also liked their decor for the rooftop area. I wouldn't mind coming again, but I would most likely opt for other restaurants instead. read more

Rustic Root - mini Maryland-style crab cake + bacon mac 'n cheese - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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10/10 experience. Service was a bit slow at times (took us a while to be greeted, approx 10 min), but the food more than made up for it. The Christmas and holiday decorations were such a nice touch, and the rooftop atmosphere was a vibe. The Bloody Marys were excellent. We ordered the pork fried rice, which was packed with flavor, and the chilaquiles -- the salsa verde was insanely good and really brought the dish together. I already love their Solana Beach location and happened to be in the area, so we decided to try this one as well. Happy to say it did not disappoint. Great food, great ambiance, and absolutely worth the visit. read more

Rustic Root - Pork fried rice - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

My mom, her friend & I came on a Sunday for brunch. We had a reservation and were seated right away. I got eggs benedict and it was really good. The pancakes were nice and fluffy. Service was good. read more

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We were bar hopping in the area and stopped in here for just one drink, but the ambiance and drinks were surprisingly great. The table next to me had this beautiful looking drink called the lavender haze, I decided to get it and it had a such beautiful presentation! It was also very yummy, but it was a rather small drink . It's a pretty cute little rooftop bar vibe in the heart of Gaslamp district, i recommend checking it out . read more

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Came in for their happy hour. However was disappointed to find out some of their items were taken off the happy hour menu or had jumped up in price. Also, totally my fault but I had ordered signature cocktails not knowing what well cocktails meant (simple liquor and mixer), so just a heads up for anyone who didn't know already. That being said, our server was super helpful in breaking down the menu for us. Bartender was also able to make us a drink my gf really wanted to try but was taken off menu (the Dirty Cola, spectacular). The Snow on The Beach was also fantastic and the Kiwi Sangria was p good just really sweet. The fries were as good as fries get. Solid no notes. For mains we got the Lobster Parpadelle which, the Sherry cream sauce was really heavy I was expecting a lil more tomato, but at least they gave me plenty of lobster pieces so I devoured that. We also got the Wild Boar Bolognese which was our favorite, super delicious and flavorful. The decor was really beautiful. Was hoping for rooftop patio seating but it was raining so they sat us in the main dining area which was still festive and eye appealing enough. Overall our dining experience had potential. Wish I was a lil more prepared n aware of how much money I was gon spend but staff did their best and cant rly ask for more read more

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Lovely aesthetic and decent food, but also fairly expensive! I think the food might be a hit or miss depending on the main course item but all good appetizers though! Salad Love the big portion size on this! I asked for grilled chicken on the salad but it didn't come in with the rest if the food. They must have forgotten (maybe coz it was a big group) and then it took a bit to come out. Homestyle Butter Biscuits These were really soft and warm and so perfect! Came with some flavored butter on the side which is really lovely but I ended up just having a plain biscuit itself. Quite buttery and flaky on the outside and soft on the inside. Charred Broccolini Really lovely flavor here and also cooked perfectly well. Give me some sauce and were not on the side but I just like the plain charred Broccolini. Nice to see that they have a healthy veggie option on the menu! Firecracker shrimp Had to give this a try because of that lovely flavor profile. Just the right amount of spicy and i definitely recommend getting this. Crab Cake Another one that was ordered for the table. I didn't try this but I think people enjoyed it because it got over quite quick! A couple of people on the table got the pasta. Some seemed to finish it but others didn't. Aged Ribeye was a really big portion size! Two guys actually got it to share. Not sure how the flavor was because the girl who was sitting opposite me tried a piece and she didn't seem to enjoy it. A little sad that the only chicken entree they had was a fried chicken. A friend wanted a chicken option because of dietary restrictions. But fried was the only one so they went for something else. read more

Rustic Root - Wild Boar Bolognese - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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The open roof top captured me and my partner. The ambience 5/5, the service 5/5, the food was bland 3.5/5. The drinks had a wonderful presentation and were yummy. The food was not seasoned well but has great potential. We tried the butter biscuits, the daily catch- swordfish and the lamb shank. The butter biscuits start off sweet and then have a nice kick. I guess later in the evening the biscuits had a bit of a crunch. I would go back for drinks pre dinner or late night cap. read more

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I came here for dinner with a buddy and was really impressed. The place has great decor and lighting -- classy without feeling pretentious. The free parking garage nearby was super convenient too. Every staff member we interacted with was kind, personable, helpful, and genuinely friendly -- from the hostess to both of our waitresses. I had the aged brined pork chop and a Rustic Old Fashioned -- both were excellent. My buddy got the Rustic Fried Chicken and the Porch Swing cocktail, and he loved them too. Every bite and every drop was enjoyed. We started with the cast iron skillet cornbread (great choice) and finished by sharing the chocolate pot de crème for dessert. Perfect ending to the meal. Overall, the food, drinks, staff, and atmosphere all hit the mark. I definitely see myself coming back again. read more

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The rooftop wisteria deck is beautiful! We walked in and sat at the upstairs bar. Drinks were great, food was amazing! The bolognese was especially flavorful. Friendly service from the bartender, too :) read more

Been here a dozen times, first time at a happy hour in years. Service is really odd, some tables were getting served but we had to go to the bar to order. Not a huge deal at all, drinks were great food was also pretty good felt like it was a nice deal. Would go again! Love people watching from up top. Really cute place read more

My wife and I went to Rustic Root for Valentine's Day. And it exceeded our expectations. First, the staff were extremely attentive and friendly for the entire experience. Secondly, the views from the second floor were great for people watching in the Gaslamp Quarter. Third, we enjoyed the vibes and music. Fourth, we appreciated the decor throughout the establishment to celebrate Valentine's Day. Lastly, the food was top notch. I ordered the Maryland Style Crab Cake Eggs Benedict for Brunch and my wife ordered the Iceberg Wedge Salad. Both meals were delicious. Such a great way to start the day. We definitely plan on returning! read more

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Party of 12 were seating in a timely manner. I made reservations through Open table. There was a small fee for the reservation since it was a large party. Such a great place to go hang out. Service was good and food was very flavorful. The drinks were also great. I did see consistency differences with the drinks and food. The mushroom glass drinks were the same drink but looked different, so it left the group wondering what the difference was. Our table host confirmed it was the same drink. Four of us ordered the lobster parpadelle dish, but my sauce was more watery and the parpadelle had more shorter pieces. The other guest with the same dish, had a thicker sauce and full length pasta. Overall it was a great experience and I would go back. read more

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Third time here at rustic root. First two times felt radically different so came back for a third time. First time was super cute. I came for my bday. It was high energy. It was lovely staff. The drinks were on point. Second time was on a date. Extremely disappointing. I just felt rushed and not cared for. We sat on the bottom floor. It was sorta dark in there. This last time felt very flat. Server was slow to serve us despite it being super slow on the rooftop yet was super quick to give us the bill. We also ordered meatballs to line our stomachs and while tasty, the price was not worth it. The TV on the rooftop plus the different seating options and sections makes it feel like you're VIP. I think final verdict for me is that I would not recommend unless it's a special occasion. And I might only recommend the drinks. The drinks are priced about right. The views on the rooftop is legit. I feel like there are just other places here that deserve my time and money. Take away the views and it's an average place. read more

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Came into Rustic Root for brunch today and the manager, Jesse, honestly stood out the entire time we were there. He greeted us at the host stand, was upstairs assisting tables and supporting the bartenders, checking in on guests, and just had such a great attitude the whole time. You can always tell when someone genuinely cares about hospitality, and he absolutely did. Super friendly, welcoming, and working wherever he was needed. It made the experience feel that much better. The great food is a plus, but great hospitality makes the experience. read more

This place is great. Come during happy hour - they have a lot of good deals ($13 burger, $7 fries, etc). Ambiance is lovely, especially on their rooftop patio that just opened for the spring! Their Rhubarb & Rye drink is so delicious, but wouldn't recommend unless someone else is driving because you can easily down three of them. only downside is that the main floor is pretty dark, but head up to the patio for unobstructed light! read more

Rustic Root - Rhubarb & Rye - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Arrived here for a birthday dinner and it was fairly easy to find reservations on open table. Be prepared to pay $10 per person for reservation but it will go to your bill at the end. When you enter you get greeted and have the option to sit indoors or their upstairs rooftop area. Since we had a large party, we were seated inside. The staff were friendly and made helpful recommendations from drinks to food. They also have options for children but no menu such as sliders, chicken tenders & fries, and Mac & cheese. They were pretty big portions even for children's menu and everyone seemed to enjoy it. We ordered: 1. Firecracker shrimp (9/10, light flaky, slightly spicy and citrusy, fresh shrimp,nicely fried) 2. Cornbread (5/10, oddly small for cornbread like a palm sized amount, and they put this sweet blueberry jam on top and it wasn't that great) 3. Bacon Mac and cheese (8/10, cheesy, al dente noodles, smoky) 4. Ribeye (9/10, aesthetic wise super cool with smoky glass reveal, tender meat, comes with mash) 5. Salmon (9/10, tender salmon, crispy skin, buttery tomato sauce) 6. Caesar Salad with chicken (8/10, amazing dressing, long Romain lettuce wish it was chopped, chicken was fresh and moist) 7. Sea bass (7/10, not as flaky or amazing, it's okay) 8. Cocktails (7/10, pretty decent and strong) Parking: 5/10 in a busy Gaslamp bar area so hard to find parking on weekends or dinners, highly recommend cab or public transportation Ambiance: 8/10 (in a fun part of Gaslamp, great for bday dinners or drinks, rooftop for drinks, fun and loud) Food: 8/10 (some portion sizing was off and some flavors felt weird together but overall delicious) Service: 9/10 (super friendly and accommodating) read more

Rustic Root - ROASTED SALMON - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Been here many times and shocked I haven't written a review. Great happy hour and brunch! Upstairs is a vibe. Food always hits. I love the biscuits and gravy on the brunch menu. Service is quick and friendly. read more

Rustic Root - Biscuits - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Well, I came to visit San Diego for one day as a layover. The gaslamp district is pretty cool. Decided to give this place a shot. Wasn't busy we were seated quickly , but nobody came to serve us for about 15 to 20 minutes . I noticed a lot of servers were walking by and a couple seemed to be have a good conversation. Ordered the Drink called (if you like, piña colada's) 4 Ordered the House-made Lemonade (with Lavender) 5 Onto the food (ordered the double smashed burger with bacon and avocado) 3 1/2 When I come here again, probably not one of those try and see if you like it read more

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came here for a friend's birthday. We had a nice table. The food was OK. The portion size is good. One of my friends and I shared a steak & salad and mac and cheese. Nothing amazing, but it was just good. The service was good at first, but our server never really checked in on us as much as he should've. They weren't even busy that night. The interior of the restaurant could've been better and it felt a little dirty inside. I'll have to check out the other location in Solana Beach. read more

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