We celebrated our anniversary here, and the entire experience was unforgettable. From the moment we…read morearrived, the staff went above and beyond to make us feel special. They were incredibly attentive, thoughtful, and made our celebration one to remember. The service was just as impressive as the food! And it's such a good vibe. We sat at the rooftop right before sunset. Beautiful!

If I could give no stars I would…read more... I celebrated my 45th birthday on Friday, July 17, and I had been looking forward to visiting Born & Raised for the very first time. I don't frequent San Diego, so this was a special occasion for me. I was excited that they were able to accommodate my 8:30 p.m. reservation. In fact, it meant so much to me that I even canceled our sunset cruise so we could enjoy dinner there. We arrived on time and were immediately impressed by the beautiful ambiance. I asked one of the hostesses if it would be possible to be seated on the rooftop because of the beautiful lights everyone raves about. She told me there was a waitlist but promised she would continue checking since it was my birthday. Unfortunately, that's where the experience began to decline. Our waitress greeted us initially, but as the evening went on, we noticed we were receiving very little attention. She only had three tables, all within our view, yet she consistently attended to the other two parties while we were largely ignored. After we finished eating, we sat for over 30 minutes without anyone checking on us or acknowledging that we were ready for our check. To make matters worse, a photographer came through our section taking photos of every table except ours. While that may have been unintentional, combined with everything else that happened, it added to the feeling that we simply didn't matter. Eventually, we asked a concierge to locate our waitress so we could get our check. Fifteen minutes passed, and still no one came. I finally got up myself and walked to the hostess stand to ask for assistance. Only then did a manager come over. I explained how disappointed I was with the service. She apologized and offered complimentary desserts and cocktails, but at that point I had no desire to extend my stay. The issue was never about free food or drinks, it was about how unwelcome we had been made to feel. As a Black woman, that feeling is heartbreaking because you never want to wonder whether you're being treated differently. I can't say with certainty what motivated the treatment we received, but the consistent lack of attention, being overlooked while others around us were served, and how invisible we felt left me questioning whether we truly belonged there. The manager ultimately comped our entire meal, and while I appreciated her taking responsibility financially, no amount of money could erase what should have been a joyful birthday memory. The waitress never returned to our table after the manager became involved. As we left, several staff members stood at the host stand watching us. The manager had promised to bring me her business card but never did. Instead, she simply watched us walk out. I had anticipated an unforgettable birthday dinner for all the right reasons. Instead, it became unforgettable for all the wrong ones. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Born & Raised. Every guest should feel welcomed, valued, and treated with the same level of care and respect. Unfortunately, that was not the experience I had on what was supposed to be a very special night.

Excellent service and great tasting food! The environment was friendly and inviting. The restaurant…read morewas clean.

This was by far the best overall experience my family have ever had. Chris was amazing so…read morepersonable. Gave attention to my whole family. The food was more than I expected! The ambiance is great, very nice and not stuff at all. Can't wait to come back to San Diego to go again.

came for happy hour and Toni waited on us. then 3 friends popped up so we needed more seating which…read morethey quickly pivoted and got us a new table. thank you. we had wedge salads x5 which are amazing with big chunks of bacon and a yummy dressing and little tomatoes. 5 Moe's burgers. we got dirty martinis and Kona Big Wave and Stella Artois. best service. best patio seating. best food . I've never had a bad meal here so I think some people just need an attitude adjustment. we are at the beach. just chill out and enjoy.

My family & I came here to celebrate my mom's 70th birthday & had a wonderful time…read more We came for their Prime Rib Thursday Special, & luckily, they had enough for us. I recommend coming early in case they run out! Our server was training & both of them were fantastic! So friendly & gave great recommendations. The restaurant was cozy & warm, & drinks were great. Thank you for the birthday dessert & making my mom's day extra special!

We've been to Rare Society a few times now. Each time we've had a great time, but the last time we…read morewere here we had an outstanding server name Abraham. He was very attentive, especially to the two toddlers we had. He brought out kids cups right away without us asking, and something that really impressed me was when he noticed my son trying to eat the ice cubes, he brought him a cup of crushed ice instead which he we thought was so nice. He was very friendly and talkative and we enjoyed having him as our server. Food was also exceptional. My MIL raved about their Caesar salad. We ordered associate board and added the bone in ribeye. Our steaks were cooked to our liking and was delicious. We are also huge fans of the lamb lollipops so definitely try those as well! I saved the sauce it came with and dipped my steak in it :) soo good!

Great ambiance.....however…read more.. I use red oak frequently as I do a lot of Santa Maria Style grilling as well as live fire grilling. The first red flag was I did not smell any indications of any wood fire grilling going on. Even with an industrial hood the smell would at least linger to the dining area. The Executive Board looked amazing but once again the lack of taste and smell of the familiar red oak that I've come to love just wasn't there. Wondering if these steaks come off a gas grill or even a broiler? Our dry age ribeye did not taste dry age- these are flavors I know only too well. Maybe this is the case of dining too early as we were there at 5pm. My server was really cool as I tipped him generously for his attention. The hunt for an amazing steak house continues.....

Great ambiance, totally fun with great waitstaff, owner is very hands on and chef is part owner…read more Food is exceptional and prep is amazing. There are so many great things to say it's just an incredible place.

So, when more than a handful of people, San Diego locals recommend a spot - I had to make sure I…read moredropped in last week while there for Comic Con. BE SURE TO MAKE A RESERVATION! Service was excellent. From the host/hostess, to the server, expo and chefs and other FOH staff who all made sure I was taken care of there at the Chef's Counter. I'd go back just for the service alone. Always nice to experience top notch attention. Food was excellent. If I had to leave a short review, I'd just use one word - excellent and call it a day. The flavors of the dishes. The taste and balance of the drinks. The perfectly prepared Ribeye (Black & Blue). The dessert that wasn't too sweet. And especially the bread that seemed like it was made with crack because I was hooked on my first bite. To give you and idea of the line up: The C-Star Caesar The Cattleman's Cut Bone-In Dry-Aged Ribeye Broccolini and Mashed Potatoes Roasted Bone Marrow Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding Drinks: Prairie Blossom C-Star Old Fashioned 2022 Sinegal (Napa) Yes, I devoured all of it. I even bought more bread. For me, it was that addictive. I'd do it all over again. The whole experience was excellent.

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.

We dined on Sunday for the first time and tried their Sunday Funday Feast. This Sunday the feast…read moreincluded a Choice of one Pasta Dish; Fresh baked Focaccia and fresh salad. It's served Family-Style and is enough for 3-4 people which was only $60. The restaurant is small and charming with a window into the kitchen. They make their pasta fresh (be sure to include your pasta texture preference when ordering (Al Dente or Softer, etc.) We were greeted by Angela (the owner) and she made us feel welcome (as if we were dining over a friend's home which I absolutely loved). She started us off with some fresh baked Focaccia which had herb + cheese baked into the top (of course it was delicious). We added an appetizer called Crespelle which was a really yummy spin on a Manicotti made the right way (with a Crespelle). The salad was fresh and tasty. We order the Rigatoni Sugo which has a Tomato based sauce and assorted meats (Meatballs, Sausage, Cubes of meat) and was delicious along with the meats as well. We also added the Picanha Steak Entree with the Brie Fondue and that was so different while being soooo yummy. We enjoyed some wine with our meal and we finished with this really delicious Bavarian Cream Filled Napoleon with a Berry Coulis (desserts do change so check with restaurant to see what they have available the day you want to visit).. We can't wait to come back and try their Grigliata Mista (Meat Feast for 3-4 people).

Our server tonight was Raphael and he was great. Very attentive and offers great suggestions on…read morewhat's good. Food here is great as always my favorite is the lil burgs

We went here for our 15th anniversary and it didn't disappoint! We came on a Thursday evening got…read morereservations after we checked that the Padres weren't playing here. Otherwise it would've been impossible to get parking. We did park across the street at a pay parking lot for under $16 for 2 hours. Great music being played, mainly old school, which I love. We ordered from their Prix Fixe menu, for starts we got Caesar salad and the Shrimp cocktail. Salad was good and my shrimp cocktail was even better, plenty of horseradish plus slices of a spicy pepper possibly habanero. We also got their complimentary read which was soft and tasty. We shared a porterhouse steak medium rare and it was delicious. For sides we ordered asparagus and macaroni and cheese. Portions were abundant no complaints. And for dessert we ordered the apple pie which came topped with crème fraise. I also got a Cafe Americano, which is the only coffee you can order. Our waiter was knowledgeable and entertaining. Helping us with ordering and making our celebration memorable. Definitely a great place for celebrating.

My wife and I had the pleasure of dining at C Level as part of our 45th wedding anniversary…read morecelebration. I almost never write reviews but after our experience, I felt compelled to do so. All in all, it was simply wonderful. The hostess was very professional and welcoming and set the tone for our celebration. We were seated by a window to enjoy a beautiful, relaxing view of the bay which enhanced our experience. We were greeted promptly by Kyle who was our kind, knowledgeable, and patient server. He went over the complete menu and wine list with us and made suggestions when asked. We had the blackened chicken sandwich and the c level wagyu burger and both were terrific. The burger was cooked perfectly and went very well with the wine that was suggested. Kyle made the experience memorable for us and we hope to see him on our next visit. Thanks to all the staff for taking such good care of us.

Great lunch today at C Level. Carla was our server. She was friendly and efficient…read more We started with the chicken potstickers and French onion soup. Both were good. I had the French Dip. It wasn't me if the best in town, the meat was flavorful and tasty. The fries were hot, crispy and tasty. The skirts on Fire salad as good, the steak spicy. Free parking is available during the day and valet for $10 in the evening.