So many good things to say about this restaurant. First, we weren't sure what to order (soup is a…read moreMUST) so we got one of everything tapas as a group of four and were very happy. The waiter was patient and led us through what my father could and couldn't eat with his allergies. My 11 year old loved the mini burger. Presentation was excellent. They were nice enough to serve everything on the side for her. She loved the fresh crisped rosemary potato chips on the side. Some standouts from tapas menu are patatas bravas with crispy cheese covered potatoes with two dipping sauces (aioli and spicy) and of course the award winning soup earned its place in the menu. Waitstaff and service are outstanding. Plenty of menu options. Wine list is great and they led us to pick a lovely bottle. Definitely a fine dining option that was a great choice for my dad to try food better than he can get at home, as he requested. (Father approved. We had already visited outstanding restaurants like Muzita and Buona Forchetta). Adding Wolf in the Woods to my impress the guests list.

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.

Came here with family and had a great experience. We ordered a pepperoni pizza for my kid, the…read morewoodfire oven roasted salmon, and the duroc pork chop -- everything was delicious and the portions were really good. The place itself is awesome, we got a table outside and the vibe was perfect. Service was on point too. I had a mezcal drink called "I Love You Beary Much" served in a bear-shaped glass -- super fun and actually really good. Shoutout to our waitress Bella, she was great and made the whole experience even better. It looks like they have a menu for dogs, which was a nice touch.

Had the gnocchi and it tasted amazing! Sage and sin cocktail was refreshing and the butter whiskey…read morecocktail was bomb, both on the halloween menu! gnocchi was spicy and tastes good!

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.

We chose the wrong night for a family birthday celebration. A steamy 90+ degrees at 6:30 p.m. Our…read morereservation requested seating in the speakeasy, but the hostess advised us that it would be even more uncomfortable in there, despite the huge ceiling fan, than on the patio (aka "the secret garden"). Taking her advice, we sat on the patio. The regular dining room wasn't a good option either, given the heat in there too, aggravated by an extremely high noise level. Turned out, sitting on the patio was a mistake. The other two spaces cooled more and sooner than did the patio. My party ordered two different absinthes, a cocktail, and a glass of red wine, all delicious. The absinthe service is always fun. A special little ceremony. Our dishes were a mixed bag. Mussels-- sweet, tender, in a wine sauce worthy of being sopped up by every last morsel of grilled bread served with the tasty mollusks. Pasta in duck ragu-- the gentleman who ordered this dish thought the wide noodles themselves were sumptuous, but was disappointed that the sauce contained no duck meat. Chicken cordon Bleu-- a big hit with the teen who ordered it. Two generously sized pieces of tender chicken, rolled and filled with ham and cheese, all packaged into a very, very crispy coating. He also loved the accompanying pureed potatoes. Baramundi-- pleasant enough for the couple who shared it, but not memorable. They were especially pleased that the chef attended to their need to dine gluten free. Lamb ribs-- delectable. The serving of two tender chops arrived perfectly medium rare, just as I had requested. A light hand with seasoning showcased the flavor of the chops. There was no complimentary sparkling wine or dessert as we had enjoyed in the past when celebrating a birthday, which would have been a nice touch, but our main interest was the quality of the dishes we ordered. Our service was very good at times, AWOL at others. Because of the heat? I'll probably never know. Fortunately, extremely hot weather is rare here in San Diego, but I'd suggest that, since this restaurant is so reliant on walled-in roofless dining spaces, they consider closing for the duration of any future heat waves should they occur. It's difficult to enjoy a fine dining meal when the staff is so uncomfortable that their performance is sub-par, and the dining environment is dramatically uncomfortable. I'm still awarding 4 stars, but just barely.

We just happened upon the Red Door and tried it based on the outstanding reviews. We were not…read moredisappointed. The shaved pork belly over truffle risotto was a real treat! Very unique. My husband also enjoyed his lasagna. We of course topped it off with a very nice tiramisu. Our waiter was helpful and friendly. Comfortable casual atmosphere. I really like the big panel windows that let in light and give it a honey feel. It was such a nice surprise when Chef and owner Luciano came out check on us. We really prefer supporting small businesses rather than these big corporate themed places. We will definitely be back.

I've been here twice and have mixed feelings, mainly because of the service…read more The first time, I was in a rush and mentioned it several times, but the service was still extremely slow. On my 2nd visit, I wanted to try the flatbread/pizza. I had been waiting quite a while when I saw one coming toward my table, only for it to be served to the table behind me, even though they had arrived after I did. The server forgot that I ordered it. And then told them to wait on my main course even though I was famished and wanted the food to come out while not caring about the order. The food itself is quite good. It is definitely on the salty side, but I actually enjoy that, so it works for me. The chef/owner is very friendly and welcoming with guests. However, I was uncomfortable with the way I saw him speak to some of the staff, which came across as demeaning and disrespectful and outright insolent. I enjoy the live music and some of the food, but after two disappointing experiences with the service, I'm not sure I would return. Two strikes may be enough for me.

Moules frites we're amazing. They serve you a copious amount. Fries were a little bit too salty for…read moretaste, but still good. Good selection of wine, and their desserts were pretty good too. If you sit outside, just know you'll probably be hearing the live music booming from across the street. Service was great. Waiter was affable and accommodating.

We had THEE best meal at Blue Boheme. The crab croquettes were delicious and we will surely order…read moreagain on our next visit! We also had the flatbread. The steak and salmon were both delicious and meals we recommend. Cocktails hit the spot! Ambiance was nice and service was attentive and kind. They allowed mild substitutions without blinking an eye. Can't wait to go back!

I had the good fortune of living behind the restaurant around the corner on Utah Street. I visited…read morethem the first week they opened for business. Same place, much smaller. Hannah operates a gourmet catering service and after receiving comments from customers wishing Hannah had a restaurant, that's exactly what she did. I started going there on a semi regular basis with my daughter, whose hair Hannah loved! I brought friends to Hannah's and soon we were welcomed as family! Here is a person who knows how to cook with herbs and spices! They were able to expand the space for the restaurant and focused on her take of a country's regional food. She also started a family style dinner, also focusing on a different country every month. Covid sure presented a challenge but they adjusted and are still serving Sunday brunch! I went thru a bad period dealing with Parkinson's disease and my daughter would go to Sunday brunch and always came home with lots of wishes of love and support from Hannah and her staff. When I finally was able to go to Hannah's again I was greeted with hugs and so much love from Hannah I was reduced to tears. I am so grateful to have met Hannah and her husband and the staff there. So for me I came for the food and stayed for the friendship. And the food is all so good!! My favorites are the baguette French toast ( get the lemon custard), and the terracotta berry pancakes. I miss the days of red velvet pancakes with chocolate chips and cream cheese frosting. The omelettes are always so fresh tasting and so are the flourless chocolate cookies! Eating here has made me a fan of Gorgonzola cheese and rosemary. I tip my hat to Hannah's Gourmet !!!!

Came here recently and ordered the Eggs a la France. I liked how they had a "Taste the World"…read moresection of their menu with items from various regions. The service was great and our server was amazing. The food itself was good but it was missing something I can't quite put my finger on. I think maybe the bread or sauce was a little bit sweet which threw me off, but it was still really good. It's interesting how they're only open on Sundays. They also don't take reservations but luckily a few of our friends arrived earlier to put their name down. I would recommend arriving a bit earlier than you expect just in case!

Didn't know a restaurant like this could exist! Loved everything about it, EVERYTHING! Service,…read morefood, and ambiance. The place is gorgeous. As soon as you step in, it's feels lux yet quaint. It's a tiny restaurant, we didn't have reservations but thankfully got sat bc we arrived at 5pm. Service was impeccable. Someone in my party had gluten allergy and the server made suggestions to which dishes to get and which were easily made gluten free. - Squash salad: impressed. This was a new novel dish and I loved it. It had finely shaved zucchini like super thin flat noodles. There was shaved Parmesan cheese, hazelnuts, and the dressing was light and barely dressed. - Mushrooms: the onsen egg was perfectly runny and the mushrooms so savory. - Gambas: plump shrimp with yummy flavors. - Rack of pork: our fav! We asked what was in the sauce it was so delectable. We predicted fish sauce and maybe orange. The server went back and confirmed it was fish sauce! The chef has Vietnamese origins. This was so good, we cleaned the bone and licked the plate. - Cheesecake: only enjoyed by the gluten eaters. It was well made. I'm not a dessert eater typically but I found this wonderful. Not too sweet and decadent.

Fat of the Land is a small but cozy spot in Santa Ana. Definitely recommend making a reservation…read moresince seating is limited. We got the aero plate, gambas al ajillo, burrata, galician octopus, and a glass of Tempranillo. Everything was so good -- I honestly enjoyed every dish! My favorite was the gambas al ajillo. The shrimp were plump and juicy, with such a delicious garlicky flavor. Would definitely come back to try more!

Rancho Santa Fe Bistro is very cute. Like storybook cottage, European bistro, think Nancy…read moreMeyers-adjacent cute. The decor alone sets expectations that you're about to have a Proper Dinner™. The food absolutely held up. I ordered a decently sized steak and it was genuinely delicious. Well cooked, flavorful, and satisfying. The menu leans into classic, Italian-leaning comfort food, and it does that lane well. The owner was present during our visit and was very kind and welcoming, which deserves real kudos. The staff was also attentive and on top of things throughout the meal. Service was not an issue at all. Where this stops short of five stars for me is the indoor dining experience. Even with a reservation, the seating felt very tight. Close enough that I could hear every single detail of the conversation happening at the table next to us. No judgment on them, but I did not need to be spiritually invited into their dinner party. Because it was a cool evening, outdoor seating wasn't really an option, which made the cramped indoor space more noticeable. This might be something to keep in mind during colder months. I could see this place being much more enjoyable when the patio is in play. That said, I did enjoy myself, and I'm not disappointed. I just think the combination of price point, cozy-but-tight seating, and comfort-food-forward menu didn't quite push it into five-star territory for me. And to be fair, I'm generally stingy with five stars. Four stars feels right. Beautiful space, kind ownership, attentive staff, and good food. Just go in with calibrated expectations and a tolerance for close quarters.

The Rancho Sante Fe Bistro is a super cute must try restaurant located in (you guessed it), Rancho…read moreSanta Fe. They offer quaint European wine bar vibes, melt in your mouth protein options, and excellent wines -- it's truly a vibe! This is a great spot for a girls night out, date night, or even a family night. We ordered: - Baked Brie - Dinner Ribeye with fries - Lamb T-bone with mashed potatoes - Sautéed asparagus - Kids cheese flatbread - Ice cream butter pecan - Cherries jubilee Follow @allthingsfoodinsandiego for more must try San Diego restaurants, date night ideas, and food experiences!

Barkeep Allen is amazing. We were introduced to some great champagnes and cocktails…read more A appetizer must is the caviar with cream fresh and crispy potato chips. Ahi tuna was good too. The eggplant on toast was very flavorful and cool. Sundays are for burgers. Yes they have the best hands down burger in the area, The two different ground beef Blend was seasoned and cooked to perfection. They added some sort of creamy sauce and of course the fries were cooked nice and crispy. We wished we had more of an appetite or guest with us for this party of two, to try more food. But I guess we have to come back for more! Ambiance and service was impeccable

I wanted to try this place since it's supposed to be inspired by European cuisine and vibes, which…read moreI love. But after dining here, it doesn't live up to that expectation. I came here on a Sunday night and it was pretty dead. The restaurant is extremely small and tight - inside only had a few tables and the rest were bar seats. It's a good thing they have a patio area because that's the only dining area that could fit most patrons or larger parties. Just don't expect a view of the dock or harbor, as the restaurant is surrounded by apartment and office complexes. The restaurant itself is located underneath a building complex. I feel like the space is more fitting for a coffee shop instead of a restaurant. Even small restaurants in Europe have more space than this. Food quality was good and ingredients were pretty fresh, but the flavors were just off. For some dishes, the combination of flavors just don't go well together while other dishes lacked flavor and needed more salt. We ordered scallop with rice and tuna crudo to start. The tuna was bland, lacked citrus and acidity while the scallop wasn't charred enough, was undercooked and translucent. For entrees, we had branzino and steak with polenta. The branzino was a total miss and the worst dish of the entire meal. It was smothered in some kind of weird bland curry sauce that completely ruined the freshness of the fish. And the layers of random mint leaves on top of the fish added nothing to this dish. The mint was better off being mixed into a light olive oil sauce instead of having some odd curry sauce with mint topped on the fish. It tasted more like an Indian dish- nothing European-inspired about it at all. As for the steak, it was not charred enough and had super dry fibrous mushroom on top of it. The mushroom added nothing to the steak and it tasted like eating bark. Even the olive oil cake tasted quite stale and the fruit compote on top was way too sweet. The best dish overall was the affogato ice cream with espresso. Service was very friendly but oddly slow considering there was hardly anyone there. My drink came out after food was served. Price is definitely on the higher end and I personally don't feel it's worth the price.