We came here two days In a row for breakfast. The first day the service was disappointing, with no one coming by after being seated and then forgetting to bring cream with the coffee. Second day was the complete opposite, our server was so sweet and helpful. For the morning buffet for hotel guests they charge by cold buffet only vs full buffet. The cold buffet was good- smoked salmon, assorted cheeses, fresh salad, toast your own bagels/bread, plenty of delicious fruit and La fermiere yogurt. The hot buffet includes made to order from your table, an omelette or chilaquiles but we didn't have time to try them. However, bacon was crispy, oatmeal was perfect, cage free scrambled eggs were unremarkable which is kind of what you want from hotel scrambled eggs, and each day they had a different sweet option and savory option. One day was breakfast croissant sandwiches; the next day was breakfast burritos. The waffles were delicious and dusted with powdered sugar and cut strawberries and blueberries. The coffee was good. It's an affordable, easy, safe option. If you're lucky enough to get a window view or sit on the patio on a warm day, this is a great way to start your morning. read more

Vistal Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

So, my lady friend and I visited after touring the USS Midway during midday (see what I did there?) and wound up walking in to Vistal at 2 PM. Place was nearly empty on Sunday, Fathers Day in 2026, but we were hungry and they had the World Cup matches on. The super-friendly bartender, Michael K, was very attentive and even explained how to pronounce "Caipirinha", the Brazilian national drink, as there was a World Cup countries display on the bar top (my friend got one). I got a standard local draft beer - a pilsner. LF ordered the Caesar Salad w/ grilled chicken and I got the Halibut fish tacos. Pre-tip total: $103.22. Everything was great, but whew... when in Rome (InterContinental Hotel), things get pricy. Also be prepared for a minimum gratuity (18%) build into your bill as the default, even with two guests. Alright. That'll throw off someone who's had a few adult beverages too many - they add their their normal percentage, not reading the bill and that would be *additive* to the 18%. Never seen that before, and I'm a standard 20-25% tipper. Good, but the overall cost and auxiliary tip means I would probably only stop here for a drink next time when in SD. read more

Vistal Restaurant - Halibut Fish Tacos and Pure Brewing Rain Pilsner. - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Vistal is slept on way too much (though I don't want you all to start going and make it a scene, please!). I love the water view from Lane Field and this part of the Embarcadero - going up a few stories at the Hotel Intercontinental makes it even nicer. One of my fave areas to go with an out of town guest. I hadn't come over here for a while - Seneca is on the roof of the hotel and gets more buzz, but you're not guaranteed an outside table. Vistal, though, must not be super crowded lately, because I saw they've limited full dinner service to Wed - Sun only. On Monday and Tuesday, they offer a "bar menu" even on the patio, no reservations, seat yourself. But we decided to give it a try. Julie was our server and was very nice (she said she'd only been here 3 weeks but she's doing great!). And the bussers were really nice too. PATIO: The views! And so super chill, with tables well spaced. At first it was FREAKING COLD because it's windy, and it looked like they only had a fire pit at each end of the patio. But we asked a server, and it turns out they have a ton of portable heaters they can drag over. We got one, and then other tables were like, hey can we get one too? Then it was lovely and super comfortable even after sunset. DRINKS: Cocktails were in the $19-24 range; if I'm going to pay that much, I do not want to be disappointed! Walking in, a woman chilling at the bar had a pink cocktail in a Collins glass, and and I asked her what it was (there are not any photos on Yelp or Instagram of the current cocktails). She told me it was the Cactus Flower (House-Infused Watermelon Ilegal Mezcal, Ginger Liqueur, Prickly Pear Simple & Lime Juice). I had thought about that one when I saw it on the menu, but worried it might be too sweet. She said she liked it so I gave it a try..... HOLY MEZCAL, BATMAN! It was delicious. Looking at a pretty-in-pink drink like that, you assume it's going to be too sweet, but the first hit you get is FUNKY & SMOKY. The mezcal comes through, with the lime & prickly pear hitting you after. My friend got one of their mocktails, the Watermelon No-Jito (Seedlip Garden 108, Watermelon Juice, Lime Juice, Muddled Mint & Soda Water). He thought it was delish. FOOD: We decided to share two fish dishes: the Local Halibut Fish Tacos (3 for $22), West Coast IPA Batter, Guajillo Sauce, Cabbage Slaw, Pico de Gallo, Yuzu Crema, Corn Tortilla and Grilled Lime. And the Local Bluefin Tuna Nourish Bowl ($32, Marinated Diced Tuna, Forbidden Rice, Avocado, Mango Kimchi, Edamame, Radish, Gochujang Sauce and Black Lime Furikake.). I thought - we're mostly here for the view... but both of these dishes were amazing, and very reasonable considering the quality and the view! The three fish tacos: it's not a huge plate to get on its own, but they were incredibly well made. My friend, visiting from NYC, was like, "each component of this taco was just perfect." The "Nourish Bowl" turned out to be like a Korean version of a poke bowl. Each little item was placed as if you were getting bibimbap - but with sashimi grade tuna. The forbidden rice was great, as was the Gochugang Sauce... but can someone say... mango kimchi? Someone in this kitchen is having FUN & I'm here for it. Splitting these two dishes had us on the edge between full & "let's get one more thing." We decided to get the Basque Cheesecake. I can't wax poetic about it as much as the amazing fish tacos & Nourish Bowl - but it was definitely solid and tasty (it's caramelized & comes with some more crème caramel on the side). 8.5/10 Anyway - you may not believe me, and if you don't, too bad for you & yay for me to walk in and get seated next time. But Vistal is THE SPOT (not in terms of being where to go to people watch) - but where to go to have an amazing scenic view - worthy of a local or a tourist - while eating really delicious food and interesting cocktails. Enjoy it while you can! read more

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We only ordered to go and just for late night snacks. But service was great and plenty of seating. Clean restaurant. We kept ordering the tuna tartare tostada which was loaded with tuna! Would definitely come back! read more

Vistal Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

I was very disappointed with both the service and the food. Because I wasn't a guest at the hotel, they immediately took my credit card before serving my meal and automatically added an 18% gratuity. Unfortunately, after my food was delivered, no one ever came back to check on me, ask if everything was okay, or offer a refill. The service felt like they had already collected their tip and had no interest in providing good hospitality afterward. The food was equally disappointing. The French fries were limp, and I paid extra for the truffle and Parmesan upgrade, which was a complete waste of money. It added very little and definitely wasn't worth the extra charge. Overall, the combination of poor service, automatic gratuity, and underwhelming food made for a very disappointing experience. I expected much better read more

While searching for a good hotel restaurant, I stopped in Vistal Restaurant for a quick drink. A quick drink turned into what felt like hanging with a friend. Eman was a phenomenal bartender. His attention to detail and local recommendations did not disappoint. The ambiance in the restaurant is amazing. Overlooking the USS Midway was so delightful. Highly recommend. Thank you Eman! read more

We were staying at the Intercontinental and had hotel credit so we came to the on-site restaurant for breakfast buffet and dessert at night. The breakfast buffet had good hot items such as really silky scrambled eggs, sausage, potatoes, etc. There is also a cold buffet with yogurt, fruit and toast. I think it's worth it if you have hotel credit but to pay à la carte at $50 pp is very steep for the breakfast selection. We came here in the evening to sit outdoors and the staff was very attentive, they brought us a heat lamp to keep us warm. We enjoyed the dessert and the ocean views. read more

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I have been here for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Views are *chefs kiss* and it's usually not too busy. I was super excited about the breakfast buffet, which had hot items (waffles, eggs, breakfast burritos, breakfast meats, potatoes), pastries, oatmeal, cold cuts and cheese, chia pudding, and fresh fruit. I was super excited that items were marked as gluten free and they had two kinds of gluten free muffins. read more

Our group landed here every night. We had appetizers and drinks. Staff were always great!!!

I had a $23/day food & beverage credit. Vistal is the all day dining option at the Intercontinental San Diego. We ordered the prosciutto, pistachio & arugula flatbread for take out. Siyovush took my order and was a super nice guy. The food came out quickly. Regarding the ambiance, there are inside & outside tables, as well as dining at the bar. There is a lot of room at Vistal. A very positive experience overall. I would come here even if I wasn't staying at the Intercontinental. read more

Vistal Restaurant - Prosciutto, pistachio & arugula flatbread ($19) very good - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Stopped by Vistal Bar for light apps and a couple of birthday drinks. We were able to immediately sit at the bar. The bartenders were not very busy and they were keeping the bar updated, stocked, etc. We moved our seats from the east side of the bar to the west side of the bar seating. The A/C was BLOWING so cold and briskly. After we moved, it seemed to get better, but it got cranked up aa soon we moved...totally freezing. Maybe this is their strategy for customers to purchase drinks? IDK We ordered: 2 Peach Margaritas on the rocks, 1 mocktail called Farmers Market, 1 Prosciutto Cotto Flatbread Pizza, 1 Shrimp Caesar Salad, and an order of regular french fries (Truffle fries are $10 more). My margaritas were made PERFECTLY. The food was pretty good and the bartenders were very customer service oriented. Business started to pickup considerably after we ordered our items. We watched as the hotel and restaurant staff came to place and pickup drink orders. The VIEW UP HERE FROM THE BAR IS AMAZING! If you dine here, get an outside table on the terrace patio, it is beautiful. We will surely come back again. Thanks! read more

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We were staying downtown for a short little staycation and decided to stop by here for drinks and apps during the day since it was so sunny and nice out. Wanted a nice view too. We realized we knew the server Brittany (who is fantastic) so we even came back for dinner. She explained how the chef is sourcing seafood locally and sustainably. Really cool and let me tell ya, the food is above average for "hotel" fare. Afternoon snacks: Cheese platter- nice little platter that two could share. Mussels- these were really good and big. I get annoyed when the mussels are too small. Shrimp cocktail - large and fresh. The cocktail sauce had horseradish in it and it was perfect. Caesar salad- dressing was on point and there were two anchovies- yum! Spicy margarita Sparkling rose Dinner: Oysters- they change but these were from Mexico and they were big and briny. Cioppino- nice light broth and lots of seafood! Pretty tasty. Chef's special fish- can't remember the type of fish. It was so tasty and fresh. Cooked perfectly. Side of wild mushrooms- buttery and yummy. Ordered a bottle of wine- really reasonably priced. Overall we were very satisfied, full and the food was so tasty. Again, the service is great. I would certainly recommend. read more

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The presentation of the food was spectacular. The flavors were fantastic. The staff was friendly and helpful. The views were gorgeous. The prices were steep but expected for the area. read more

Vistal Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

I went to Vistal for Sunday brunch with a group, and unfortunately, we all found the experience very underwhelming. For the price point, you expect something memorable, whether that's elevated food, strong service, or at the very least an exceptional overall experience. Even the rooftop view overlooking Portside Pier couldn't make up for the lack of quality across the board. The pastries were particularly disappointing. They tasted no better than what you'd find at a basic hotel continental breakfast, dry, seemingly prepackaged, and uninspired. The shellfish that had been set out was still partially frozen, chewy, and completely lacking flavor, which is especially surprising given the coastal setting. Service felt unenthusiastic and disengaged. There was no warmth, no attention to detail, and no sense of hospitality that would justify the cost. Overall, nothing about the experience stood out in a positive way. For the price, there are far better brunch options in San Diego. read more

An absolutely elegant place to have a quiet dinner. Had a lovely hot tea called coconut cream which was delish. I had the tuna tostadas which were absolutely perf, the pumpkin and fennel soup also a delight, a grilled cheese (it's the kids menu) and it was amazing!!! My friend has the chicken but was very disappointed as it lacked seasoning and was bland in his opinion, I had a bite - - while it was fresh and well cooked, it indeed did not have any seasoning. The cheesecake was A++++ And service was pretty good too. read more

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Came here for breakfast since I was staying at the Intercontinental and this restaurant is in their lobby. It was pretty empty. We shared a crab Benedict and crème brûlée French toast with a side of fruit. We asked for hot sauce and the server gave us this really good salsa along with the typical Tabasco and Cholula. The salsa paired really well with the Benedict. The French toast wasn't too sweet and was topped with a custard and came with a mix of berries. Everything was delicious and the server was really nice. read more

Good food with the most amazing view of the sunset. We stumbled upon this restaurant and sat outside, my friend ordered the burger with fries and she liked it, I loved her fries. I ordered the roasted chicken with potatoes and it was such a homey meal that felt healthy and delicious at the same time. Their cocktails are also super cute and picturesque for the perfect insta moment. It just so happened that we were eating as sunset fell down so we got a super cute view with our dinner too. The server was also quite nice and helpful when we didn't know how to pick she gave us suggestions and I love an honest server. If I'm in the area I'd definitely come back here! read more

Vistal Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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The place is nice, unfortunately we went on a cloudy day so no view. The food was okay, they do serve the catch of the day so that was surprisingly great. They were out of two of the drinks we wanted to try from their regular menu, that was disappointing. The service I would say was good. Our waitress was attentive and made an effort at recommending options on drinks since they were out of what we wanted. read more

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I was here for two days and ate breakfast/brunch here both days. So.... I loved it! Ate outside both mornings. I got the avocado toast and mentioned being vegan and Mia offered their 'just eggs' for substitute eggs. So good! Everything on top of that toast besides the avocado is so good and leaves the healthiest touch. Finishing it off with the fresh fruit! We sat for over an hour enjoying our meal, a couple glasses of sparkling wine and enjoying our conversation with our waitress, Mia. The most enjoyable Saturday morning!! Thank you! read more

Vistal Restaurant - AVOCADO TOAST with fresh fruit and vegan eggs. - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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This restaurant adds a service charge without disclosing and breaks the new law that was passed in the CA Senate Just an FYI This was for a takeout read more

Vistal Restaurant - Just be careful This restaurant adds a service charge without disclosing - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Great service, great food and cocktails and even more so, great views. Staff really make the dining experience and are attentive, friendly and show to want to so all they can to ensure you have a great experience. Crab Benedict for breakfast was excellent and they have some of the freshest seafood with smoked salmon, oysters and delicious rockfish and tuna which really made for some great meals while we were at the Intercontinental Hotel. We will be sure to plan more meals at this restaurant on our next visit to San Diego. read more

Vistal Restaurant - Freshly Shucked Oysters and such a fresh clean flavor. A must have here. - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

OPEN ROOFTOP BAR & RESTAURANT WITH STUNNING VIEWS, INVITING VIBES, AND DELICIOUS SEAFOOD . Vistal gives me sophisticated vibes, but with a chill welcoming atmosphere . Its located right next door from Garibaldi (another open rooftop fave) in the Intercontinental Hotel . Love that there's plenty of garage parking-- don't forget to bring your parking ticket stub to the restaurant for validation ! We were seated right away with a reservation . Chemy is the best server, please ask for her ! Let me tell you about the amazing dishes we ate: Rockfish Ceviche-- When they told me the seafood was fresh, I had no idea it was literally caught that morning !! Loved the flavors and textures in the appetizer . Vibrant, light, and refreshing . Bluefin Tartare-- Another melt in your mouth appetizer . The melon auguachile sauce really stood out and I loved the addition of sweet strawberries to balance out the flavors . Diver Scallops-- BEST BITE OF THE EVENING . Scallops were seared beautifully . Addition of gnocchi was decadent . The sauce in this dish married everything together perfectly-- gave me masala vibes, but less spicy . MUST TRY !! Sheephead Zarandeado-- This fish was like butter-- so sweet, flakey, and tender . The presentation of this dish was more stunning than the sunset that evening ! My husband and I fought for the last bite-- that's how delicious it was . HIGHLY RECCOMEND . Mango mousse cake with popping boba and chocolate cake are both amazing desserts ! We also ordered and array of drinks-- we really loved the wine with charcuterie board, sand dollar (mango tajin lovers unite), and the old fashion was one of the best we've had . Overall, this is a San Diego SOLID . Do yourself a favor and book your next date night, girls day, anniversary dinner, or ANY celebration HERE . read more

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Service was amazing Food was out of this world. We stopped by on day one, cuz it was easy. Then, the menu seduced us. The sweet corn The service is not at all what I have come to expect from hotel restaurants, it's significantly stronger, like fine dining strong. The view, simply perfect!!! This dining experience was well over six weeks ago, and I still cannot stop thinking about it!! The way the flavors were so elegantly paired. The friendly yet super amazing professional staff. And thoughtful. This spot, knows details. Go here. Do not think again. Sip. Enjoy. Live life, eat great food. read more

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I had after dinner drinks here the first night. The bartenders were very nice and the atmosphere of the bar was ambient and low key. The next day I had breakfast with a friend of mine and we ordered the omelette with choice of fillings. The omelette was very good and flavorful. It was served with fingerling potatoes, piece of rustic toast and vegetables. I ordered and extra side of sausage because I was super hungry. It's was a very 60 degrees outside on the lanai and so the waiter was kind enough to put a heater in our table and my friend received a blanket. How funny to provide a blanket - I ve never seen that but, it helped with the chilliness of the morning. Overall, it's a nice place. The service is good. Hopefully, if you come here, you'll have a great experience. Njoy! read more

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This place offers a very small menu and different from what's online. They have a completely new menu. Also the portions are super small. There is a nice view from the top with fire places and warmed up tables. The people sitting at the restaurant were rude and entitled. I left after I felt the negative energy of this place. I did not event want to bother trying the food. read more

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Parking is free with restaurant validation within the 3 hours of the date stamp. When you enter the plaza, the parking building is on the LEFT! We made a reservation and was immediately seated. We were given the menus as well and told us the server will be with us soon. After 10 minutes, I told the bus boy that I was ready to order. While we waited we were asked if we wanted orange juice or coffee. That bus boy did not tell us there will be a charge. ($10 for orange juice EACH) We were surprised and there was no indication of it on the menu or else we wouldn't have had store bough Orange Juice. We saw that other tables were getting refills for coffee and orange juice, but we didn't get any refills. Another 10 minutes pass by and the server finally came. We ordered 2 crab benedicts and a creme brulee french toast. The benedict was lacking season and the potatoes were cold and mushy. The creme brulee french toast was Wonderful! hence the extra star rating. Overall, I don't really appreciate the lack of customer service and the underseasoned food. read more

The Vistal Bar and Restaurant, in the Intercontinental Hotel, San Diego is a lovely place to relax and grab a lite bite. I had been looking for a location where I could have brunch (and chill) before catching the Amtrak Surfliner back to the SFV. As such, Vistal is within a short walking distance from the station and provides a nice finale to a San Diego visit. I ordered the Roasted Local Beets. This plate arrives beautifully and colorfully arranged containing two types of beets and grapefruit. In addition, around the main attraction is whipped stracciatella, pumpkin seed pesto, topped with petite water cress and pistachio dukkah. There was refreshment and freshness in every bite. The flavors blended well, while the additions were not overpowering. Instead, they enhanced the textures and taste of the dish. Service was slow but good. What was incorporable here was the blue soft denim table napkin. A unique touch to the end of your meal. There is more I wish to try from the menu. That will definitely happen because Vistal will be my last dining date, each time I am on my return train journey from San Diego to the SFV. read more

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Located on the third floor of the Intercontinental San Diego, Vistal Bar + Restaurant is the property's in-house dining establishment. The outdoor patio had an amazing view of the Embarcadero, including the highly popular USS Midway Museum. The bar occupied a lot of space inside the main dining area. There seemed to be more customers drinking than eating during my visit. I sat outside to enjoy the cool evening air and ordered a couple of items, the Twice Cooked Marble Potato and the Coriander Cider-Glazed Pork Cheeks. The first was a side of fingerling potatoes with garlic and chives that was served with an aioli dip. The second was a main dish comprised of three pieces of very tender pork accompanied with brussels sprouts, smoked apple, and creme fraiche. I couldn't believe how soft the meat was cooked. The taste resembled a slow braised beef instead of pork cheeks. I imagine the view during the daytime and sunset would be impressive as the westward facing perch overlooking N. Harbor Dr allowed plenty of natural light to flood the facility. The fire pits on the patio provided an additional nice touch to the night time ambiance. The waitresses for my table were polite and attentive. Overall, my dining experience at Vistal Bar + Restaurant was mostly positive. read more

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Excellent dishes, beautiful views of the bay and Midway aircraft carrier , pleasant service , read more

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This place located where the weekly Farmers Market booth happens, it is in the center of Harbor drive, in the Intercontinental Hotel. The palce is very nice, with ocean view, truly perfect for dinner or happy hours with friends and coworkers. The flatbread is perfectly toasted, I wish I can more to choose from, I rather have the dinner menu at lunch than dinner. Why eat heavy meal when the next thing you will do is to sleep... just saying. They should changed and includes some dinner menu to lunch, why wait for dinner when customer prefer to have those at lunch, thats why Americans are becoming chubby, they eat heavy before going to sleep... its time to think... read more

Vistal Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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Ate here during November and it was still pretty cold outside but we wanted a view and the staff was kind enough to provide us with a personal heater that kept us warm throughout dinner. The food was good and everyone enjoyed everything ordered. It is on the pricier side. For 3 of us it was a little over $200. read more

Always saw this while walking the bay so decided to try it for brunch. All in all the food was a bit lackluster and due to them being understaffed the food took forever to come out. Alejandro was our server and he was fantastic. He was very apologetic. All in all would recommend this place for a drink and a view not for a meal that would blow your mind though. They validate parking for the hotel as well. read more

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Visited Vistal in September while in town for a conference -- such a great vibe! Our bartender, Siyovush, was awesome. He remembered everyone's names and drinks like magic and made us feel super welcome. Drinks were on point, and the service made the night. Highly recommend sitting at the bar if he's working! read more

Service and ambience were incredible. Can view the water from the terrace and theirs plenty of space for lots of people. The entire staff was very friendly. The food was not my cup of tea. Lacked any flavor in the burger and guacamole. The taro tacos were ok but had no bite. The wings were ok if you drank with lots of beer. So much salt but good flavor at least. Who knows maybe the kitchen staff is all new. read more

Vistal Restaurant - Vistal Cheeseburger - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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The workers are very nice I got the wagyu burger and it was the best it was juicy and tasty and the views are the best outside

Vistal has such a chill but classy vibe. The view is insane, especially around sunset -- total San Diego energy. You can come here to unwind after work or start a night out and it just works. The bartenders especially Siyovush, are honestly the best part though. Super friendly, easy to talk to, and they actually know their stuff. I asked for something "not too sweet" and they whipped up this perfect cocktail without even blinking. You can tell they care about what they do. Just an overall great atmosphere -- good music, good people, and great drinks. Definitely one of my go-to spots downtown now. read more

For the price point this place sucked. The views were nice but in my opinion the food and service were lacking. Let's start with the food, they used good ingredients, but the combinations weren't executed well. For example, putting caviar on smoked salmon completely masks the caviar flavor. And the octopus came with this burnt potato thing that not only liked flavor, but did not look appealing. Frankly, it looked like poop. As for the service, it was minimal at best from our assigned waitress Chemy. The support staff was, however fine. Let's just say we had to work to get her attention. In the end, she brings the bill without offering dessert. We had to ask if they had a dessert menu, which they did. Overall, the only thing that left a positive impression was the views. read more

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Stayed at the Intercontinental in August. We ate breakfast there almost every morning taking advantage of the $23/day credit. Food is delicious there! We also went downstairs a couple of times for drinks at the bar and Siyovush took good care of us! He was awesome, friendly and made delicious drinks! Their dulce de leche cheesecake is amazing!!! read more

It's a nice bar / restaurant. Great views , friendly staff . We went in on a Friday at around 3pm and it wasn't very many people there. We tried two drinks: Lime in a coconut $29 and sand dollar $27. Drinks are pricey but in the sand dollar they use Don Julio 70th Anniversary Cristalino Tequila. Drinks was good. We also had the Salsa Macha Guacamole which was NOT good. Had no flavor , no salt, they put peanuts on top of the guacamole and a spicy red chili sauce that was bitter. The chips that came with it tasted burnt, the entire appetizer ruined the taste of our drinks. Other than that is was read more

Vistal Restaurant - Lime In The Coconut - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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Delicious food and wonderful staff. I highly recommend the fork and knife breakfast burrito read more

Vistal Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California