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    The Smoking Goat

    4.1 (1.9k reviews)
    Closed • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order The Smoking Goat Takeout or Delivery

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    THE SMOKING GOAT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Goat Cheesecake
    Lorean W.

    Had dinner here for SD restaurant week and ordered the pork chop. Pork chop was tender, juicy, flavorful with a topping of chopped stewed veggies. Mashed potatoes were creamy and yummy. Ordered fries since the restaurant is known for the best fries! The fries were surprisingly great! Server was very nice and friendly. The interior was decorated like French Cottage farmhouse with a cozy feel. Don't let the not so appealing outside fool you... it's worth trying French Bistro food!!

    Sandy N.

    Came here without a reservation on a weekday and was seated right away. My fiancé and I ordered escargot, french onion soup, duckfat truffle fries, mussels, and maple duck breast. The escargot was delicious but I wish that the sauce was a bit stronger such as adding more garlic or having more sauce for us to drench the bread in. As for the french onion soup, I thought it was flavorful and strong in terms of the onion but I felt like the cheese was super heavy for me. The truffle fries was delicious. It had that strong truffle flavor and was crispy on the outside. For the mussels, it was a generous portion, however, I do wish that the sauce wasn't a tomato base due to it hiding the freshness from the main star of the dish. I also felt like that hint of cheese flavor was also overwhelming. Lastly, for the maple duck breast, I thought the duck was cooked perfectly and it was delicious, but it was a bit too sweet to my liking. Overall, the food was good with just some minor changes in my opinion. The staffs were nice and kind, although, it was a bit slow during the time we were there.

    Steak with Duckfat Truffle Fries
    Elizabeth M.

    My French foodie friend brought me here, and I was really impressed. I loved the warm mood and rustic ambiance the moment we walked in. The service was excellent, very attentive, and they even made space for us by adding an extra table to our setup. We ordered: 1. Mussels: 5/5, the creamy, tomato and chorizo broth went brilliantly well with the mussels, also the generous portion, easily enough to share among four. 2. Duck: 5/5, perfectly cooked, tender, and melt in your mouth. Highly recommended 3. Steak Frites: 4.5/5, a solid dish. 4. Flourless chocolate cake: 4.5/5, rich and smooth. We'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu.

    Khamphone K.

    Location: 3408 30th St San Diego, CA 92104 San Diego Restaurant week 2026 Three course meal for $50 a person plus supplement fee on certain dishes Featured: Appetizer: French onion soup & escargot à la bourguignon Mains: New York steak & frites ($10 supplement) & maple leaf duckà l'orange ($6 supplement) Dessert: Goat cheese cheesecake & Vanilla bean creme brûlée Very limited street parking, highly recommend booking reservation because it gets really busy and pack during dinner hours. Service was pretty good when you sit inside the restaurant, we moved to the patio because it felt stuffy and claustrophobic inside. We noticed our food, drinks and service took longer. Other than that our waitress was really nice. Food was just okay for me.

    Wild Maine Scallops
    Michelle F.

    Came for a birthday celebration. The 5 of us in our party all agreed that the food was excellent! We had a couple of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Our server was very cordial and pleasant. Service overall was great. I loved the vibe of the place. The decor was cool. Yes, there is a taxidermy goat in there.

    Duckfat Truffle Fries
    Shirley F.

    Food is good. Different from other French restaurants I have visited. Service is nice . Ambience is a 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.

    Cheese Cheesecake
    Chloe C.

    Love the presentation and the quality of food. If you like dim lighting and a classy ambiance, this is the place for you. It's a bit on the expensive side so I always come here for restaurant week because of their nicely curated menus, but the food really is worth it. The duck is very flavorful and tender and the baked brie has a nice savory and sweet flavor from the pistachios and cranberries.

    Arleen A.

    I think I had one of the best service ever in San Diego and it was right here at The Smoking Goat! I enjoyed everything we received from SDRW! The food was delicious, fabulous, plentiful and made with attention to detail. I really appreciate this type of a culinary care and art they give the food. All in all, I will come back again for more!

    Steak Tartare
    Karen C.

    The Smoking Goat is literally one of the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) restaurants that I've tried for any county's restaurant week! This was my first year participating in San Diego Restaurant Week and the second restaurant we tried. I was in the area for a conference and a bunch of us agreed that restaurant weeks aren't as great anymore. The selection of dishes in the prefix menus usually aren't that great and you're pretty much paying for the same amount even when it's not restaurant week. This restaurant; however, changed my mind! The selections for each course honestly sounded so good! Like if I lived nearby, I would have stopped by for a second time. Not only that, their portions were generous! I thought they were going to serve us smaller versions of their dishes, but thankfully, they did not! We made a reservation on a Sunday at 7pm and had difficulty finding nearby parking, so I would make sure to factor in some extra time for this! APPETIZERS: Steak Tartare and Duck Liver Pate -The generous portions for both apps was already an indicator that this meal was going to be sooooo good! I really enjoyed the duck liver pate. It was so creamy good that we had to order extra bread so we could really savor every bit of that duck liver pate. The steak tartare tasted fresh and complimented well with the duck liver pate, it balanced out the strong flavor profile. ENTREES: New York Steak & Frites (additional $10 add-on) and Maple Leaf Duck a l' Orange (additional $8 add-on) - I don't typically choose dishes that require additional cost to the pre-fixe menu, but if I'm at a French restaurant and I see duck, I am going to order it. My choice of steak is usually not the New York cut but wow, that piece of meat was soooo tender and perfectly fatty. If you didn't tell me this was New York steak, I wouldn't have believed ya! Because I wasn't sure how big the portions were going to be, I had ordered an extra side of duck fat fries despite the New York Steak & Frites already come with it. When the dish came out, we realized we probably could have just gotten away with not ordering the extra duck fat fries, but honestly, it was tasty as leftovers, so it was all good! As for the duck dish, it was incredible! Super tender and melted in my mouth. If I didn't have to save some room for dessert, I would have finished my dish. Duck fat fries were also a hit! DESSERT: Vanilla Creme Brulee and Goat Cheese Cheesecake - I'm a huge fan of creme brulee so if I see it on the menu, I know I'm getting it. Actually, before I even saw the menu, I already saw a couple of dessert plates in front of me, and I was so awed by the generous sizes of the dessert. The last restaurant that I went to that had creme brulee was half its size and left more to be desired.....This was a classic creme brulee, a great choice! Now as for the Goat Cheese Cheesecake, I was intrigued but also kinda scared of how strong the goat cheese would taste. Luckily, the goat cheese flavor wasn't super prominent so I was able to enjoy every single bite. Honestly can't stop thinking about my dining experience here. I've been back in the area a couple times afterwards, and I know we will definitely find a time to go back again. They do close early (around 9pm or 10pm) so it's not a spot that opens late night. The Smoking Goat, I can't wait to be back!

    Flourless Chocolate Cake
    Monica E.

    The Smoking Goat is a cozy French-style bistro in North Park, which means you need to plan for parking. Honestly, either come early, on a slow weeday night or carpool-uber. This particualr neighborhood is full of restaurants -- a couple of my favorites in San Diego, too -- so it gets and keeps busy. But you can get lucky with a slow weekday night sometimes. The Smoking Goat seems to be best known for its charm and intimate atmosphere. The vibe is a bit dark and moody with exposed brick, artwork and soft lighting. This is the place where you want to bring a small gathering, a date, your dearest love or a business partner you are courting. Only complaint is that the tables for two tend to be very tiny and squeezed in, so it can get very full if you are ordering two entrees, an appetizer and drinks. The restaurant focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, so the menu tends to change. Signature dishes include the duck fat truffle fries, which are popular, Spanish octopus, mussels in a tomato-chorizo broth (love this!) and rotating seasonal entrées. I love that the dessert menu has sweet and savory options, like goat cheese cheesecake and griddled banana bread. And it is pretty affordable with most entrées going under $30. Very nice wine, beer and cocktail list as well. And the service is highly attentive and welcoming. Overall, I would say that The Smoking Goat is a place to go for romantics and people who appreciate thoughtfully prepared food. I always look forward to a visit.

    Bar
    Jiansen W.

    The Smoking Goat is serving Californian French cuisine. AMBIANCE Rustic vintage, cozy SERVICE Friendly, helpful, attentive FIRST COURSE 5/5 STEAK TARTARE (silky, diced, tender), mustard (piquant seed caviar), shallots, cornichon (crunchy, briny, mini pickles) 3/5 French Onion Soup veal bone broth (lacked meaty flavor imo), crouton (too much), swiss cheese (melted) SECOND COURSE 4.5/5 Duroc Pork Chop (gf), perfect mashed potatoes and broccolini, red pepper & tasso ham basquaise (savory, smoky, fruity) 4/5 New York Steak & Frites (gf), duckfat truffle fries (savory), mustard aioli dip (rich), red wine bordelaise sauce (needed additional) THIRD COURSE 5/5 Flourless Chocolate Cake (dense, fudgy, velvety, gf), Lillet cherries, whipped cream 4.5/5 Goat Cheese Cheesecake (slightly tangy, quite airy), freshly sliced strawberries, whipped cream PARKING street side

    Maple Leaf Duck
    Jen N.

    We made a reservation for a Saturday. The restaurant was full overall, but if you go without a reservation, you might just have a small wait. They have a nice variety of classic leaning cocktails and a great variety of French wines (with some US wines as well). They have their own line of wines as well which I enjoy. I ordered a glass of their Bordeaux on the most recent visit I believe. Their menu has stayed pretty similar over the years, but I think it's a good thing. They are obviously doing something right, so if it's not broken, don't fix it! The octopus appetizer was cooked perfectly, and I would put the romesco it's served with on anything. The poached pear salad was delicious - the dressing was so light, but so flavorful. The duck was good as well. My least favorite was the mac and cheese. It's the only thing I would skip in the future. It wasn't bad - just not my favorite. I will stick to the brie appetizer to get my cheese - it's sweet and perfectly melty. Staff there is friendly and helpful. This last time, we were in a weird table kinda out of view, so I felt like we were a little forgotten about sometimes, but overall service is good. I miss their happy hour from years ago - hopefully they consider bringing it back sometime! If you haven't been and are considering it, go. Such a cozy atmosphere with a unpretentious, but delicious menu.

    Duck l'orange
    Marissa D.

    Simply amazing. Came for a birthday dinner and not disappointed in the slightest. Started with the CAULIFLOWER appetizer which was simple but delicious. Entrees were the STEAK FRITES and DUCK L'ORANGE and wow, both were so tender and delicious. Some of the best duck I've ever had. Special shoutout to our waiter Jordan for fabulous service and being so kind!

    Steak tartar

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    5 months ago

    Consistently good. I've been coming here for years. Never change ! Goat cheese cheesecake is a must !!! Service is always friendly !

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    The Smoking Goat Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Smoking Goat

    Do they still have a Photo Booth?

    What is the corkage fee here?

    $25 per bottle, 2 bottles max

    Is there a 3 course meal special in Wednesdays still?

    No, there is not.

    Where is a good place to park?

    Street parking. The farther away you park, the easier it will probably be to find a spot.

    Is the restaurant child-friendly? Is there a menu for kids?

    They only have one menu. With that said, their Mac n cheese side can absolutely be for the… 

    Do they still have happy hour and what are the hours if so?

    Hi, I made a reservation for 4 tomorrow night but actually need one for 5. Will that be a problem?

    Normally they can accommodate as long as you call ahead :)

    Are you guys currently doing dine in?

    Yes they do dine in both inside and outside!

    Are you still making your liver pate? I keep checking your togo menu, but haven't seen it. That is our favorite thing from your old menu and would love to have it for our anniversary next week.

    Hi Cathy, Happy Anniversary!! Yes, we are still offering our Pate! Please give us a call @… 

    Since you are paying your staff a flat rate from the PPP loan, what happens to the tips that we leave for our server? Should we suspend tipping temporarily? This is an issue that should be addressed plainly on your menu.

    Always tip in cash and make sure your server gets the money this way the money doesn't get lost in credit fees .

    Is this place dog friendly?

    I don't know. Plz call the restaurant.

    Dogs allowed on patios?

    Yep 👍🏼

    Are they dog friendly?

    Yes, on the patio. It's a nice spacious area.

    Do they serve aligot (French style cheesy marshes potatoes)?

    Yes they do! It is currently on the summer menu paired with the 1/2 roasted chicken, and the Duroc pork chop that comes with a roasted pepper and Tasso ham basquaise!

    Do they provide gluten free option?

    Absolutely, we serve multiple gluten free options!

    Do they no longer serve a burger?

    I am not sure Jolene, I was there only once as I was on a business trip. I am sure they have ?

    Do they allow substations for people eating low carb?

    Lol , no unfortunately. But funny though :) you we will still enjoy the food, I promise.

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    Et Voilà French Bistro

    4.6(936 reviews)
    1.5 mi•University Heights, North Park
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    I've been here multiple times before for happy hour & then some. Love it before but LOVE THEM even…read moremore now!! Our gf had her bday celebration here two weeks ago. I was 30mins early with homemade bday cake in hand to surprise the bday girl. Since I was the first one there, Ludo & staff were exceptionally sweet to let me sit & wait even though all parties haven't showed up yet. Exceptional customer service!!! 12 out 10!! Delicious food & pretty big portions. Can't rave enough about this fine establishment!! Btw, there's an extra charge for bringing outside cakes which isn't a problem. In fact!!! They went above & beyond with cutting the cake & decorating each slices with fresh fruit & tasted like a coulis sauce. Gave the restaurant staff the rest of my homemade pandan carrot cake to share. Highly recommend Et Voila to every one!

    Some friends of mine brought me to Et Voila French Bistro for a birthday dinner. I have not been…read morehere since 2016 when they first opened. For my dinner, I had the traditional Boeuf bourguignon with pappardelle pasta. My friends ordered the Steak au Poivre et Frites and Coq au Vin. We also had a great bottle of wine called Lacoste-Borie 2018. The last time I had boeuf bourguigon was about 20 years ago. a rendition of Anthony Bourdain's recipe, but without the pappardelle pasta. Et Voila's version with the pappardelle was outstanding. The freshly made pasta, not only added great texture, but also flavor. It prepared just right, too. The Cabernet sauce was excellent and offered a great depth of flavors. The dish also came with tender carrots, sweet pearl onions, and white mushrooms. All of them were perfect. The beef was rendered down beautifully and had great color and was very tender to the touch. The beef offered exceptional preparation and was an absolute pleasure to eat with the Cabernet sauce. Well done chef. I was treated to a house soufflé which was excellent. It hit all the notes: light, soft, and airy, but packed with flavor. The sauce that came along with it was very good. My friends, who are regulars here, were very pleased with their dishes as well. I have to say, both of their dishes looked amazing. The hospitality at this French Bistro is first rate. All the employees, including the owner, were very amiable and welcoming. They aim to provide an excellent dining experience and that's what they do. This place is perfect for date night, special occasions, or just to simply enjoy a delicious quiet meal.

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    Interior bar

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    Saint James French Diner

    Saint James French Diner

    4.2(350 reviews)
    2.5 mi•Gaslamp
    •$$

    Having eaten here several months ago for dinner, loving it, and forgetting to leave a review; I…read morefigured I'd redeem myself and post my latest lunchtime snack I had here at Saint James a few days ago while waiting for a Swiss watch technician from across the street to come back from lunch himself. French onion soup. Enough said. Deviled eggs rounded out our light snack, and those were freshly prepared. While the expected olive and chive flavor was outstanding, the anchovy was done just right to elevate the dish (my understanding now is that anchovy is usually included in deviled eggs as served in Europe). Our espresso martinis excelled at fronting the coffee taste before the vodka, instead of the usual other way around. This sip was exactly as I remember when I had the same for dinner previously. Service as mentioned, was extremely friendly and more importantly, went beyond service and well into hospitable. Love coming here. So, if you're in the area and just need a light snack (or a hearty dinner), drop on by - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

    Came here for a meetup. Did some research and I guess it has some history. Here was my experience…read more AMBIANCE Parking: Downtown San Diego, parking can get chaotic but doable. But your best with public transportation, rideshare, or carpooling. Seating: It's a smaller, intimate space with a mix of tables, booths, and bar seating. Room for maybe 50 people or so. Vibes: In the heart of Downtown San Diego, there are a lot of eateries and activities. The spot itself, Saint James feels like someone took an old-school American diner, sent it on a trip to Paris, and brought it back to San Diego. You still get the casualness and familiarity of a diner, but with the moodier lighting, décor, bar, and menu of a French bistro. It's stylish without feeling like you need to be overly dressed up. Being tucked into the Palihotel also gives it that cool boutique-hotel energy. FOOD / DRINKS Burger Parisienne (Recommend) A comforting flavor with some simple french influence. At its core, you've got something very American: a juicy cheeseburger. Then the French influence with the caramelized onions and a rich bordelaise (sweet wine) sauce. It's rich, savory, and makes this much more of a fork-and-knife burger than your typical grab-it-and-go situation. French Martini (Recommend) When at a French restaurant, do French things. Fruity, smooth, and easy to drink. You get the sweetness and tartness you'd expect from a French Martini, making it a nice contrast to the richness of the Burger Parisienne. CUSTOMER SERVICE Friendly, attentive, and professional. Can't complain! TL;DR OVERALL 4 Stars. Good food, good drinks, and that balances French flavors with American culture. It's not quite a traditional American diner nor a traditional French bistro. If you're exploring Downtown San Diego and want something a little different without going full fine dining, this is worth checking out. TIPS * Check out their weekday Happy Hour from 3-6 PM

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    Saint James French Diner
    Saint James French Diner
    Saint James French Diner

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    Wormwood - Dessert

    Wormwood

    4.3(499 reviews)
    1.5 mi•University Heights, North Park
    •$$

    Wormwood is an absolute gem with a moody, secret-garden sanctuary that strikes the perfect balance…read morebetween upscale French gastronomy and distinct Baja influences. The ambiance sets the tone for an unforgettable date night, complete with fantastic non-alcoholic mocktail options and an incredible wine list. We did their culinary tour, and every single course was executed with incredible precision and intention: Parker Loaf: Warm and cozy with rosemary and local honey bee. Calafia Oysters: Bright and unique, paired with a fermented spicy kosher granita and citrusy absinthe vinaigrette. Local Yellowtail: Balanced beautifully with a coriander avocado mousse, morita sea pearls, and a fermented spicy ginger sauce. Palate Cleansers: Refreshing watermelon mint and strawberry rosemary sorbets. Taleggio Agnolotti: Creamy and pillowy, served with local pea beurre blanc and grilled yakitori Baja shrimp. Grass-Fed Lamb Rack: Northern California organic lamb cooked to perfection with goat butter. Baja Trout: Ginger-brined with a rich kombu beurre blanc and maple-glazed bok choy. Dessert: A stunning Opera cake and deconstructed crème brûlée to round out the night. Beyond the plate, the service was seamless, warm, and elevated without feeling pretentious. Between the lush patio setting, thoughtful drink pairings, and flawless menu pacing, Wormwood delivers one of the most memorable dining experiences in the city.

    Two stars, one for the bread being fresh and delicous and one for the nice servers. Other than…read morethat, we were deeply disappointed with our experience. We booked a table for Saturday at 630pm for our Wedding Anniversary (noted on the reservation). We were seating fairly quickly in the romantic patio area right next to the piano. Its really cute and looks just like the photos. It cozy spacing, so we were sitting elbow to elbow with our neighboring table. Unfortunately, it was also right next to the fly catcher so every time the breeze came by, we experienced a really bad odor. We recognize we are outdoors and flies are a problem, but maybe dont put a table near the fly catcher or place it somewhere that doesn't catch the breeze. It made for a pretty unpleasant experience and we didnt figure out what the smell was until partway through our meal, so it felt like a big ask to be moved at that point. We ordered the 3 course meal. Service was extremely slow and it ended up taking 2 hours. It seemed like a busy night, so maybe the kitchen may have been backed up or they were short staffed, but a little acknowledgement of the slow service by our waiter would have been appreciated. The drinks were okay, but took 20 minutes to come out. There was a gap of about 40 minutes between appetizer and the main dishes. The wait was not worth it. For appetizers we got the muscles and shrimp. The muscles were tasty and the only item we liked of the night. The shrimp was overcooked. For mains we got the short rib and the chicken. The short rib was not tender, the sauce and sides were fine, but for an $8 uncharge we expected the short ribs to be fork tender. The chicken cordon Bleu was more like a chopped chicken croquet. It was fried nicely, but needed more seasoning and flavor. We did not finish either plate. For dessert we got the creme brulee and the opera cake. The creme brulee was a good size portion and but just tasted like cream. We thought the kiwi did match. The opera cake was decadent and flavorful, but the almond ice cream tasted too much of almond extract. Overall we were underwhelmed with the food. There was no acknowledgement of our anniversary, so we were a little disappointed in that. Unfortunately we will not be returning.

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    Wormwood - Interior

    Interior

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    Scallop

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    Kingfisher - The flan was a great end to the meal

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    4.3(712 reviews)
    1.9 mi•Golden Hill

    I am so happy I was able to make last minute reservations to Kingfisher for right when they open at…read more5pm on a Saturday! They only had a table for 5 but we ended up having 6 people in our party. They were so kind to be able to accommodate the additional person! They had personalized menus that greeted my party and it wished my friends a happy birthday!! They actually got to take the menus home! This was really a nice touch, I appreciated the details. We family-styled everything which is honestly the way to go so everybody can try a little of everything! It was majority of our party's first time dining there. We started off with some drinks, I got the Non-alcoholic Guava Mocktail and I got to try what was the equivalent to an espresso martini too. Definitely liked the guava drink better because it tasted like guava nectar juice (kind of like Kerns or Jumex). The Expresso Martini had fresh mint in it and it tasted earthy which wasn't my cup of tea. For food we started off with the Heirloom Tomato Salad which was DELICIOUS!! I don't know what they put in the Vietnamese Green Goddess (probably fish sauce since all the dishes basically had this) but it was magnificent and one of my favorite dishes of the night. Then the Scallops and the Black Cod came out. The Scallops came in a set of 3 and we cut them in half so we could all have a taste. The sauce on this was DIVINE!!! It was citrusy but still really flavorful bursting with umami. I'm literally starting to drool reminiscing about it xD We wanted to keep it to use on other dishes because it was so good. The Black Cod was also delicious. It had fried skin attached and a sesame soy glaze. Next up came the Beef Tartare and the Wagyu Steak. The Beef Tartare was probably the least flavorful out of everything we ordered, but it was still well seasoned. My friend said it was really spicy but it might have just been her bite because I didn't think it was spicy at all. I like that the give you the option of leafy greens or shrimp chips to eat it with. The Wagyu though, was an all-star dish. It was the crowd favorite for sure, we all enjoyed not only the steak but the picked baby eggplants that come with it, and the sauce was phenomenal!! Lastly came the Dry Aged Duck which is what they're known for. It was definitely the biggest fish out of all. You were able to eat the duck with two different sauces, one they called a "Fish Sauce Chimichurri" and "Vietnamese XO sauce" which is more so satay. My friends liked the XO sauce but I liked the Chimichurri better. They had actually forgotten about the side of Buttered Rice but I was told it was incredibly flavorful on its own so we still asked for it. It had more than just butter in it, there was dried shrimp and sesame seeds, and it was made with coconut milk or something because it had a sweet but savory taste to it. I saved some of my duck and Wagyu to eat with it which was actually pretty good. Overall I liked that they brought out the dishes from lightest to heaviest and especially after they brought out out 2 sides of Buttered Rice we were all satisfied and full. It was the perfect amount of food. Honestly EVERY dish was different but amazingly dank and I think it's the fish sauce in everything. They were also sweet and kept the cake we brought in the fridge, placed the candles on it for us, and even after we sang they cut the cake for us!! 10/10 would recommend coming here for not only the food but the impeccable service!! Since we had a larger party there's an automatic 20% gratuity already added to the bill, which came out to be $555! (Look at that angel number!)

    We came here during Restaurant Week which was probably our first mistake. For $75, it just wasn't…read moreenough food. Looking at pictures from other nights, most of our food was half the size or missing some major component. For example, the egg noodles had only a few very thin truffle shavings compared to what I saw online. They also lacked the real truffle flavor. The chocolate dessert was half of its normal size. Overall, everything is extremely overpriced and lacks flavor. The food was so bland across the board and it felt like we were being skimped out not on just the size but the flavor too. We eat a lot of Asian food and the taste wasn't even close to matching our expectations. All the workers were very friendly, but the food came out very slow. They also gave us a printed out menu for our anniversary with our last name on it which was spelled wrong. I don't care about that, just thought it was very funny. The restaurant was smaller than we expected, but we did enjoy the colors, the layout and the overall ambiance. Wouldn't go back!

    Photos
    Kingfisher - Interior

    Interior

    Kingfisher - Crispy chicken wings

    Crispy chicken wings

    Kingfisher - Hokkaido scallops $39

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    Hokkaido scallops $39

    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Skirt Steak with a Red Bell Pepper Chimichurri Sauce and Mixed Organic Vegetables

    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen

    4.7(288 reviews)
    0.8 mi•South Park, North Park
    Family-owned & operated
    Established in 2023

    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.

    Photos
    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Arugula Salad

    Arugula Salad

    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen
    Carbon Angela’s Kitchen

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    Wolf in the Woods - Sweet Corn & Piñon Soup (100% -- the famous one)

    Wolf in the Woods

    4.6(548 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    •$$$

    Fantastic plates combining contemporary presentations and combinations across a familiar palette…read more This gem of restaurant sits in a pleasant hilltop neighborhood in San Diego, overlooking a forest, serving great experiences to the locale. Plates like the pisto, tataki, and lamb summarize the restaurant's ability to create once-in-a-lifetime bites in an artistic fashion. The interior ambiance and service staff only help to elevate the occasion.

    I'll start with the service. 10/10 Everyone who we…read moreencountered was very nice and treated us like we were the most important people in the restaurant. Which, I am sure they do for everyone. Which is why the consistency and dedication to their service is so commendable. Top tier from the host, our waiter and some sweet lady wearing nice clothes who spoke with us and provided us with refills. Focaccia Bread - 8.6 Good, hot and fresh. It could have used more herbs and texture on the outside. The bread was good quality and tasted as such. The star though is the balsamic vinegar that it comes with. The balsamic is delicious and tasted like it was high quality. Seared Beef Filet Tataki - 9.2 I haven't had many chilled beef dishes however, this is the best one. The beef was very tender and flavorful. It was cooked to a medium/medium rare. The soy jus the beef was sitting in was really flavorful and delicious. The seasonal citrus was also fresh and very delicious. I would encourage anyone to try this dish at Wolf, especially if you want to try something chilled that typically is served hot. Sweet Corn Soup - 9.9 Yes, a 9.9. I'm not sure soup can get much better. Every aspect and component of this dish is excellent. The depth of the flavor of the corn, the texture and items which accompany the soup are all great. The corn fritters are moist, flavorful and soak up some of the soup. The chile dust adds great seasoning and flavor while the pine nuts add texture. If I were to rank the best 25 bites of good or dishes I ever had, this would probably be top 10-15. Even if you aren't a fan of corn, get this, it'll change your mind. Kolibri Salad - 8.9 The salad contained blue cheese, dried apricots, shaved multicolored carrots, bread crumbs and a mustard vinaigrette. All of the aspects of the salad were very good and played off one another very well. I always say the best salad contain a creamy cheese, fresh fruit (not blueberries or strawberries), nuts and a good vinaigrette. The blue cheese was really creamy and probably the best blue cheese we have had. The mustard vinaigrette was good and paired well with all of the ingredients. Patatas Bravas - 8.2 The potatoes were good but not great. The potatoes were tender but too big imo. If they were cut into smaller pieces they would have better texture post cook. The aioli served with the potatoes was really, really good. I wish I had a jar of it. Skillet Mini Burger - 8.8 You could tell the beef was very high quality and it was cooked to a perfect medium. The beef was very flavorful and juicy. The hatch chile crema was delicious as well. If I had one bad thing to say about this burger it would be that it was hatch chile overload. If the burger just contained the hatch chile crema it would have been perfect. However, they also put cooked down hatch chiles on the burger. It was a bit too much chile and I wanted the beef and white cheddar to shine a little bit more.

    Photos
    Wolf in the Woods - View of the entrance and small bar area (4 seats max)

    View of the entrance and small bar area (4 seats max)

    Wolf in the Woods - Carne adovada

    Carne adovada

    Wolf in the Woods - Kakawa chocolate pot

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    Kakawa chocolate pot

    The French Gourmet

    The French Gourmet

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    8.7 mi•Bird Rock, Pacific Beach
    •$$

    Literally, no one makes a croissant as good as this place. Their plain croissants are simply…read moredivine. Flaky buttery soft it's like crunch on the outside. When I eat that, I prefer to takeoff the hard layers and then savor the yummy middle separately. It's a whole experience! Well, I originally came for the croissant. I also ordered some Too Good To Go bags to see about testing other things out. To my surprise, there were some savory croissants bread and Napoleon's. I always assume Napoleon's were overrated and then I got to try this and thought wow I get why they make these now.

    We were excited to use this bakery for our wedding after tasting their sample flavors--they were…read moredelicious, and we left feeling confident in our choice. Unfortunately, the actual wedding cake was a major disappointment. We ordered a classic/simple two-tier cake, but when it was picked up, it arrived disassembled with plastic separating the tiers which clearly showed when it was assembled, making it appear cheap. It didn't feel like the polished presentation we expected for a wedding cake. The venue staff had to place the top tier themselves, and because it wasn't properly secured, it nearly fell off during our cake cutting in front of our guests. We were under the impression that wedding cakes were a standard part of their business, but based on our experience, I wouldn't recommend them for weddings or other special occasions when a polished product is expected. I truly wish our experience had matched how great the tasting was. I haven't gone to this bakery for anything else so based on my experience with this cake I'm giving it 3 stars.

    Photos
    The French Gourmet - Tasted okay, but didn't look as expected - fondant was VERY wet-looking (not planned that way), icing was VERY sloppily applied.

    Tasted okay, but didn't look as expected - fondant was VERY wet-looking (not planned that way), icing was VERY sloppily applied.

    The French Gourmet - The French Gourmet in Pacific Beach

    The French Gourmet in Pacific Beach

    The French Gourmet - It's always a delicious day at The French Gourmet

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    It's always a delicious day at The French Gourmet

    The Smoking Goat - french - Updated September 2026

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