Delicious paella and Spanish tapas!…read more The paella was seasoned well with hefty portions of seafood. $59 for two people (minimum) and two tapas plates were plenty. The interior is decorated very casual and homey, it was a fun ambiance with excellent service! The flan dessert was so rich and creamy too. I would come back to try more of the hot tapas plates!

Came here during happy hour to see what all the hype was about, and it definitely lived up to its…read morereputation. The ambiance was relaxed and inviting, especially for the middle of the day, making it a great spot to unwind over a few tapas and drinks. Our waiter was incredibly friendly and helpful, walking us through the menu and offering recommendations, which made ordering much easier for first-timers. My favorite dish was the ham and cheese-filled tapa--it was rich, crispy, and packed with flavor. We also enjoyed the chicken with onions and the sausage, both of which were simple but well-executed. As with most traditional tapas bars, don't come expecting a huge meal since the portions are meant for sharing and sampling. The sangria was refreshing and paired well with the food, though it wasn't particularly memorable. Overall, Costa Brava is a great place for happy hour, good conversation, and authentic tapas with attentive service in a welcoming atmosphere.

Needed some adventure and I've been missing Spain, so I leashed up my pup and headed to Little…read moreItaly. It's about as close to Madrid (other than Balboa Park) as you're going to get in the county of San Diego...especially if you sit down at Barra Oliba. I literally felt like I was in a café in Madrid or Barcelona and enjoyed not only the familiar salty flavors that I've missed from Spain, but also the pure, rich, olive oil, and quiet ambiance as this is one block from the busiest part of Little Italy. My server, German, (his name) enjoyed helping me create the ideal light supper and allowed me to try a few Spanish wines (they have so many!). I settled on a Verdejo from Rueda. It was the right balance of fruit, acid, and slight floral to perfectly pair to my meal. I had the seasonal fish meuniere - white fish delicious and crispy on top (my favorite), garnished with capers and roe. It was accompanied with a tender lettuce and heirloom tomato salad with saffron dressing. The leftover dressing for the salad was the most amazing vinegar dip for a couple tater tots when I got home. The dressing was something I will go back for! Thank you, Barra Oliba for the perfect Spanish "girl dinner!" Can't wait to come back and try the Paella!

If someone told me if I was down for some sangria and tapas, I'd immediately say yes…read more The host and waiter were both super attentive and kind. Unfortunately, we had to sit outside in the heat and had flies surrounding us. But that didn't bother us -- we just kept ordering sangria, since it was happy hour. We split the following: + Tuna, uni & paleta ibérica toast⁣ + Patatas bravas⁣ + tuna carpaccio⁣ + Ajillo squid⁣ + chorizo croquetas⁣ My personal favorites were the tuna, uni & paleta ibérica toast, the patatas bravas and red sangria. Everything else could have had just a little more salt in it.

Great food reminds me of you of being in Spain. Highlight of this establishment is by far the white…read moreglove service and friendliness from the bartenders Alena and Israel. If you are questioning this go in and ask for Alena.

Top Spanish tapas and paella spot…read more Been to this spot multiple times but finally remembered to write a review after doing the Taste of Gaslamp food tour. Great spot after the game or just strolling around The "all in" paella and both the white and red sangrias are phenomenal. You can also get all the classic tapas, jamon Iberia, etc here making it a little taste of Spain by the ballpark They also have a pretty popular salsa dancing club downstairs that I've been meaning to check out

I love this place came in because I really wanted to have paella for my birthday and I didn't know…read morewhere to get the good local goods from España so I decided to come in here and they had everything I needed and more I was able to walk out with some delicious hormone as well as all of the goods I needed to make a really solid paella highly recommend stopping in the place is so cute. The people are so sweet and the food is so good

Pata Negra is seriously a jewel in PB. We have been coming here for over a decade. It was actually…read morethe first outing my newborn son every went on! They have the most amazing Spanish wine for really great prices. Recently, I recently got a bottle of wine there that was $28 and I said outloud (to myself, LOL), "Wow, this is so good." I would have thought it was at least a $60 bottle of wine. Sadly, I don't know the name of this bottle of wine, but it's a tempranillo located in the back wine cave of the store and it has a photo of a Spanish Newsie on the label. This magnificent bottle of wine is what prompted this long overdue review. Additionally, the meats and cheese selections are amazing and the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful.

First time at Mabel's Gone Fishing and I will definitely be back soon! It was busy, but absolutely…read moreworth it. Everything we tried was delicious and incredibly flavorful. You could taste every ingredient, and it really felt like there was intention behind every dish. I'm not normally a gin drinker, but the gin cocktails completely surprised me. They were so refreshing! The London Dry Gin & Tonic and the Gimlet were especially good -- perfectly balanced, and you could actually taste every part of the drink. The wait staff was also amazing -- friendly, extremely knowledgeable about the food and drinks, and checked on us regularly without being overbearing. Such a great first experience. Amazing food, fantastic cocktails, and wonderful service. Can't wait to come back!

My bf and I came here on a Thursday evening for date night after making reservations online a few…read moredays before. The ambience is so fun with cute under the sea decor throughout. Definitely check out the bathroom! Service was easily 5 stars. Our server was friendly, super attentive, and even folded our napkins when we stepped away. Food was a solid 4/5. The highlights were the mussels escabeche, bread & butter, and extremely fresh oysters. The tuna crudo, sea bass, and wax beans were good too. Every sauce was packed with flavor and you can tell everything is made from scratch. The timing was a little strange though. We finished everything, including the sea bass, before the wax beans came out. It is definitely pricey, including the gin martinis, but they were delicious. We'll be back for the fun atmosphere, great service, and revolving menu featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients!

I was in the mood for a new spot that had a casual, but unique vibe. My husband and I really enjoy…read morethe hunt, and I'm so glad I found Finca on Yelp! I made a reservation (just in case) because on a weekend you never know. Luckily, though, we arrived and there was plenty of available seating. My husband and I had our 10 and 5 year old with us and they easily accommodated us. It's a straightforward, but lovely menu that has a little bit for everyone. We enjoyed sharing a few plates and fresh oysters on the half shell. They do not have a kids menu, which was alright with us. Our daughter, who loves a good steak at 5 years old, enjoyed their pub steak and fries and shared a Mexican Coke with her brother. For my husband and I, we enjoyed sharing their beef tartare and to finish it off, a banana split. What we found so whimsical about Finca is their presentation. My husband and I really enjoyed exploring their menu and leaving room for a return visit soon. I couldn't recommend Finca more for anyone looking for a fun and casual dining experience with a lovely staff and unique take on traditional favorites.

Had dinner celebrating my brother-in-law's retirement, and it was nothing short of magical. The…read morefood, the atmosphere, and the incredible staff made for a truly perfect evening. I think we ordered just about everything on the left side of the menu, but the standouts were the beef tartare, the lamb osso buco, and the hamachi. Honestly, there wasn't a single bad bite all night. The wine list is thoughtfully curated, with some unique Spanish selections that were a pleasant surprise. This may have just become my new regular haunt. It's a fantastic neighborhood gem that deserves a place on any foodie's must-visit list. Absolutely love this place!

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.

Such a beautiful little hidden gem! This place is small and intimate, tucked away among the trees,…read moreand has such a peaceful, almost magical atmosphere. We happened to be there when it started raining, and honestly, it made the experience even more fabulous. Sitting surrounded by the trees with the rain coming down felt so cozy and romantic. I'm usually a Sauvignon Blanc girl, but they didn't have it on the menu. Our server was so nice and attentive and recommended a wine that was similar to what I normally enjoy. I really appreciated that she took the time to understand what I liked instead of simply choosing something for us and her recommendation was lovely. The food is more about beautiful little bites designed to pair with the wine, rather than large portions. The toast was crispy golden bread served with a creamy, herby spread and bright orange salmon roe.The colors, textures, and presentation were absolutely beautiful. The combination of wine, small bites, attentive service, trees, and the rain falling around us created such a memorable experience. It's a small space, but it has so much character and charm. Definitely a place for slowing down, enjoying good wine, sharing beautiful bites, and taking in the atmosphere.

Came back for dinner and got to try more items off their dinner menu. It was all delicious. Came at…read more5:30 and it wasn't busy but filled up by the time we left around 7:30. We got a couple glasses of red wine (Pinot and cab sauv) that were delicious. For food we got the Pan Tumaca (toast with tomato and jamon serrano), gambas, croquetas, patatas bravas, katsu sandwich and arroz negra. The quality of everything was really good and the flavors were all there. Favorite bites were probably the croquetas (perfectly crispy and everything was well balanced with the meat and bechamel) and the arroz negra (rice was PERFECTLY cooked, good flavor, shrimp was well cooked). Service was friendly and attentive. Never felt rushed. I would definitely recommend.

What a great gem on Adam's!! Friends and I shared the…read morewhipped ricotta which was a very generous portion and tasty! I got the orange wine, Boquerones (marinated anchovies) and spicy ceasar salad... the BEST girl lunch/dinner: Friends got the burger and Katsu sandwich and were equally pleased. Must try and I will definitely be back!

As a Colombian who has been craving authentic Colombian cuisine since my last visit to New York in…read moreDecember, I can confidently say this restaurant truly satisfied those cravings. Being nearly eight months pregnant, my expectations were especially high, and it is rare to find a place that meets them so well. From the seasoning of the food to the warm and attentive service, everything about this restaurant stands out. Although I don't recall my server's name, he was incredibly kind and provided excellent service throughout. The ambiance is also worth noting--the space is large, offers plenty of seating options, and even features a large TV, making it a great spot to relax or watch sports. To start, I ordered a watered mango juice along with a beef empanada. The empanada exceeded my expectations--despite being on the smaller side, it was packed with flavor. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered five more to go, which speaks for itself. They were served with fresh ají, a traditional sauce that complemented them perfectly. For my main course, I had the carne asada plate, which included steak, rice, beans, sweet plantains, avocado, tomato slices, and a small arepa. Every component of the dish was well-executed--the beans were flavorful, the meat was well-seasoned, and the overall plate felt authentic. It is often difficult to find truly authentic Colombian food, especially in San Diego, where options are limited or not genuinely Colombian. This restaurant, however, delivers on authenticity and flavor. The portion size was generous, and I ended up taking leftovers home to enjoy later. In addition to the empanadas (two chicken and three beef), I also ordered a buñuelo and a cheese arepa to go. Unfortunately, these items did not meet the same standard. The arepa lacked flavor and was overly greasy, and the buñuelo was dry and similarly oily, even after absorbing excess grease from the bag. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for Colombian food, especially given how rare it is to find quality options in this area. Friends of mine visited recently as well and thoroughly enjoyed their bandeja paisa, further confirming the consistency of the food. I will definitely be returning--especially for those empanadas. Como colombiana que ha estado antojándose de comida colombiana auténtica desde mi último viaje a Nueva York en diciembre, puedo decir con confianza que este restaurante realmente cumplió con mis expectativas. Además, estando casi de ocho meses de embarazo, mis expectativas eran aún más altas, y no es fácil encontrar un lugar que las cumpla tan bien. Desde el sazón de la comida hasta el servicio cálido y atento, todo en este restaurante destaca. Aunque no recuerdo el nombre del mesero, fue sumamente amable y atento. un servicio excelente en todo momento. El ambiente también merece mención: el lugar es amplio, y limpio. cuenta con muchas opciones de asientos y tiene una pantalla grande, lo que lo hace ideal para relajarse o ver deportes. Para empezar, pedí un jugo de mango (rebajado con agua) junto con una empanada de carne. La empanada superó mis expectativas; aunque es un poco pequeña, tiene muchísimo sabor. Me gustó tanto que pedí cinco más para llevar, lo cual habla por sí solo. Venían acompañadas de ají fresco, que las complementa perfectamente. Como plato fuerte, pedí la carne asada, que incluía arroz, frijoles, plátano maduro, aguacate, rodajas de tomate y una arepita. Cada componente del plato estaba muy bien logrado: los frijoles tenían un excelente sabor, la carne estaba bien sazonada y jugosa y, en general, el plato se sentía auténtico. Hoy en día es difícil encontrar comida colombiana verdaderamente auténtica, especialmente en San Diego, donde las opciones son limitadas o no lo son del todo. Sin embargo, este restaurante sí cumple con ese nivel de autenticidad y sabor. La porción fue bastante generosa, por lo que terminé llevándome lo que no pude terminar para comer más tarde. Además de las empanadas (dos de pollo y tres de carne), también pedí un buñuelo y una arepa de queso para llevar. Lamentablemente, estos no estuvieron al mismo nivel. La arepa carecía de sabor y estaba grasosa, y el buñuelo estaba seco y también muy aceitoso, incluso después de que la bolsa absorbiera parte de la grasa. En general, recomiendo este restaurante sin duda a cualquiera que esté buscando comida colombiana, especialmente considerando lo difícil que es encontrar buenas opciones en esta área. Unos amigos míos también vinieron recientemente y les encantó su bandeja paisa, lo que confirma la calidad constante del lugar. Definitivamente volveré, especialmente por esas empanadas.

BEST EMPANADAS IN ALL OF SAN DIEGO. I spent my whole day trying to find good empanadas here in san…read morediego that would remind me of new york and this was the only location that didn't disappoint. $1.99 per empanada, they are super filling and can tell are made with love. Service was amazing and quick and the atmosphere is very welcoming i love this place. LAS MEJORES EMPANADAS DE TODO SAN DIEGO. Pasé todo el día buscando buenas empanadas aquí en San Diego que me recordaran a Nueva York, y este fue el único lugar que no decepcionó. $1.99 por empanada, son muy llenadoras y se nota que están hechas con amor. El servicio fue increíble y rápido, y el ambiente es muy acogedor. Me encanta este lugar.

My buddy & I were heading to Solano Beach for a show at the BellyUp Tavern Saturday night. In…read morelooking for a place to grab a bite, Ted discovered CTZN & made a ressy. Traffic from LA moved, arriving 30 min early, the lovely hostess was pleased to seat us right away out front on the patio. Greeted by such flavorful aromas, we were immediately intrigued. Our server was perfect, explaining a few things on the menu, encouraging us to order our main course as they take about 45 min to create. So, ordered the Paella de Pollo to share. Then, we perused the drink menu! What a selection! We were feeling the need for some bourbon, tried the peach Ol' Fashioned. Concerned that such fruity concoctions can occasionally overwhelm the spirit, we were presented with a good looking, clear cubed lowball with a skewered marinated cherry along with a tiny cube of peach. It tasted delicious. CTZN has a mixologist Extradinaire at the helm! By this time, our 1st tapa was presented, Croquetas de Torrezno. Delicate & flavorful, smoked pork belly atop black garlic aioli, apricot jam & Ice wine vinegar. Delicious! Then we were presented with our Potatas Brava, 4 servings of delicately sliced potato dauphine with Bravas sauce & garlic aioli. So many flavors to these perfectly cooked slices. I'd wanted to try another drink & read the Paper Airplane was there. A delicate fruity/frothy mixture that my wife would've loved, but a bit sweet for me. So ordered my favorite bourbon cocktail, with a twist. A Black Manhattan. Again, the bar presented an excellent version, with the black amaro perfectly balanced. Now came the Paella de Pollo. A roasted small half chicken, cooked well with wild mushrooms, chorizo de Bilbao, garlic aioli & grilled lemon. Absolutely delicious with protein to spare. We topped it all off with their own wonderful cheesecake & fruit sauces shared. All of this while enjoying the perfect outdoor weather at the beach with an ongoing promenade of folks enjoying the afternoon sunset. A wonderfully creative bar, outstanding service and so many flavors on the menu, we need to come back to try more! I highly recommend CTZN when in North San Diego in stylish Solano Beach!

I would look at Shirley O's pix.... she did a way better job of photographing than I did…read more We sooo lucked out, going on a Sunday when they make fresh Paella right out front. Smells so good as you get close to walking in.... There are so many things this restaurant does right, it's hard to know where to start. First, by accident we showed up on a Basque Holiday. Amazing luck. Imagine this: we order their Paella that takes 45 minutes to finish and while we wait, we order something from every category to taste. The combination of how they 'treat' the ingredients, how they 'plate' the food, how amazing their staff is, down to their advisor who is basically an executive chef .... How inspired he is, how much he appreciates the fine job everyone in his Kichen does, how inspired our waiter is ... how nice the hostess is ... well, this was the most amazing experience. I believe it is the CAÑA DE CABRA TOAST, that has sliced peaches and jam with goat cheese that is one of the best starters we have ever enjoyed. Lisa says: 'The mint on the top is just the right addition'. Grilled Shrimp and PATATAS BRAVAS are done right. Careful of the heat on the potatoes, if that's not your thing. But just look at what they are creating .... all the work put in to thinly slice them and top them. The broth with clams makes you ask for more bread. The Seafood Paella arrives. Lisa says: "The scallops are done right and the fish is very light. The rice is flavorful, more of a smokey rice with great flavor rather than just saffron. I am a NY'er and I know my cheesecake. I rarely order it because it's not like back home. But with their 'in house' pastry person, I just want to say every bite, every look, every berry, every texture is just perfect. This Basque cheesecake is something I will think about and come back for over and over again. As Lisa eats her birthday dessert, her eyes roll back in her head. Aaah. So it isn't just me that loves this dessert! Can't wait to try everything on the menu! I'm bringing San Diego Foodies and Carlsbad Foodies from Meetup back here, so we can taste everything I missed! Now I hope I can get everyone to share. lol With garlic, gusto and gratitude,  Chef Marian  San Diego Foodies Carlsbad Foodies