I was specifically looking for a tapas bar because we weren't particularly hungry and just wanted a…read morefew small bites alongside a good glass of wine. On the wine front, Gata absolutely delivers. The wine list is thoughtfully curated, and it's the kind of place where one glass quickly turns into two because there are simply too many interesting options to pass up. Unfortunately, the food didn't come close to matching either the quality of the wine program or the price point. We ordered the deviled eggs, which turned out to be hard-boiled eggs sliced in half with a piece of ham placed on top. When you order deviled eggs, you generally expect, well... the eggs to actually be deviled. We mentioned our disappointment to the bartender, who was wonderful, engaging, and genuinely enjoyable to talk with. The explanation was that this is simply their interpretation of deviled eggs. Fair enough, but it wasn't an interpretation that worked for us. Ironically, the standout dish of the evening was the pigs in blankets, which is not a sentence I ever expected to write about an upscale wine bar. They were delicious, but they also raised the question of why the rest of the menu wasn't reaching the same level. Looking back, we realized we were the only people actually eating while everyone else was there for the wine. In hindsight, that should have been the clue. I only wish someone had mentioned that before we made the trip over expecting a tapas experience. Gata has so much potential. The atmosphere is lovely, the wine selection is excellent, and the staff were fantastic. If the small plates eventually rise to the level of the wine program, this place could be truly special. Until then, I'd absolutely recommend it for drinks, but probably not for dinner.

My new favorite wine bar. Small nook tucked away in the middle of downtown La Jolla. Wonderful…read moreambiance, lovely staff, nice small food and tapas menu, amazing wine. Also love that they are open until midnight. Perfect late night spot to grab a nice nightcap.

Came here for lunch. Got the chirashi (my go-to for wanting fish variety + filling rice for…read morecheaper than individual nigiri... just build it in muh mouth!) which was fantastic. Wife got a buncha safe salmon nigiri and the hamachi toastadas -- everything was super tasty. Attentive service and cute decor inside, what's not to like?

I can't give them a 5, but that might just be because I haven't tried most of their sushi items. I…read morelove this place! Bar seating is amazing and the chef talks with you, makes recommendations and it's just a wonderful experience. I did mostly hot dishes and they were good. I would make a reservation for the bar and I'd skip the miso soup, but otherwise probably the most satisfying meal I've had in San Diego so far. Scallop appetizer: this would be the dish I ask for as my last meal 10/10 perfection! Miso soup: 7/10 not a lot of tofu or wakabe Tempura crab: 7/10 with the lemon and salt addition is 9/10 Blu fin nigiri: 8/10 I've had better at one other place in San Diego so I can't say it's the best but it is good Yellow tail nigiri:10/10 I cannot say enough good things about this Wagyu nigiri: 8/10 flavorful but just not my jam

It has been a few years since I have been here, so now it is time to do a review…read more This place is located smack in the middle of downtown. Parking is really hard, so preferably take an uber or park at the conventiom center or Hilton. Its only a 10 min from there to the restaurant and super easy access to get put of downtown. I really like this place because the ambiance is like being in Spain, DJ and Live Latin Music until around 1am. Decor is like being in a Spaniard "Bar" and it is usually pretty busy. Full bar, good cocktails, wine list and a great variety type of Cold and Hot Tapas to share. Their signature dish for me Is the Black Seafood Paella made with the squid's black ink. Lively music and there is an area where you can dance if you are up to the mood Great place to gather with friends, they do take reservations or you can also walk in and sit at the bar if the tables are busy. There is like a second floor with tables to be a little bit more separate from the music. Ladies bathroom, very interesting decor with pics of cute famous Spanish and Latin Actors. The only thing is that there was no a/c in the restroom so it was super hot there even if were there for 2 minutes. Service was average. Not out of this world. I think our waiter was taking care of too many tables at the same time and he was always in a hurry. We had to hunt him down to get our orders taken and even for the bill. This left a lot to desire for the restaurant quality. But still a good option for dinner, fun, laughs and dance.

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

We had an amazing experience at Trust for a birthday brunch! We made a reservation for 10:45 and…read morewere seated very prompted. All of the staff including the host, our server, and the food runners were incredibly kind. The sticky bun was deliciousssss -- definitely a must have! We enjoyed a few cocktails and order the skillet, rolled tacos, and chilaquiles. We all enjoyed our dishes! I will definitely be coming back to enjoy a brunch and likely to try out the dinner menu as well.

Our waiter learned it was our first visit to the eatery, and recommended we try their…read more"off-the-menu" tasting menu. "2 dishes per person," he promised--we were game. He mentioned they'd course the dishes out, 2 at a time, ensuring each of the dishes were paired intentionally. Beet Salad From someone who's not easily impressed with vegetable-led dishes, this was delicious. This dish was visually vibrant, and the flavor mirrored that vibrancy. The beets themselves were stunningly soft, even juicy I'd say. It's root-y flavor was ever-present, but it never became unwelcome on the dish. "Fragrant" is another word we all used to describe the plate, with the fresh mint and succulent citrus fruit widening each our eyes. Sweet, savory, fresh and...creamy. This salad sat on top of a delightful carrot labneh, which provided a creamy element further elevating the dish. It brought a bit of tang to the salad that I appreciated. Finally, there was a crunchy detail (which we know I love) from intelligently included pieces of pastelli--a Greek treat made from sesame seeds and honey, and that sweet crunch fostered the table's excitement. Trust was firing on cylinders early, strong start. Hamachi Crudo Insane. I'm a big fan of the amount of flavor that's packed in such a delicate dish. Off rip, you're met with a visually exciting dish. Red, green, and purple from the thinly sliced pepper, cucumber, and radish pop right off the dish. Bright colors and exquisite execution, placed in a circle to match the shape of the dish, had each of us salivating. With the first taste, the crisp bite of fresh cucumber catches your senses immediately, and then subtly spicy, cream sauce. It was aguachile blanco--my first time having the blanco variant. The flavor was stupid, I struggled to describe it's uniqueness. The Mexican flavor profile was proliferated by fresh cilantro and thinly sliced radish, followed with a textured salsa seca. The light nature of the dish paired pristinely with the beet salad. Now, these next two dishes were an exciting 1-2 punch in showing you exactly what Chef is all about--that signature wood fire Wood Grilled Cauliflower I always eat my vegetables, but I rarely enjoy them. They're two for two in accomplishing that feat. In a bowl lined with curry, they served up a healthy helping of cauliflower that showcases its smokiness first. With that first bite, you taste the fire quickly, but what surprised me most was how soft each piece of the veg was. The curry and smoky flavor from the wood fire paired deliciously. Though, my favorite aspect of this delivery was the inclusion of raisins and fresh mint. This was a new combo for me, and it delivered. The sourness from the raisins and the cool, herbaceous qualities of the mint cut right through the charred flavor. A beautiful contrast. As we continued to dismantle the plate, there was a familiar flavor that we all recognized but couldn't identify. Maybe it was the serrano aioli or the black lentils. Either way, we all enjoyed this one. Wood Grilled Octopus This was a favorite of mine, but I was alone in that regard. While nobody disliked the dish, the table had mixed reviews. For me, this was perfectly cooked. The texture of the octopus was ridiculous with a cooking technique that created a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender bite. The smokiness didn't shy away here either. I mean damn. Most weren't a fan of the pepperoni, but fresh, ground meat added a rustic flavor pop that satiated my palate. It held that beloved pepperoni flavor, but this style allowed for it's flavor to spread across each bite. What made this dish unique from any other octopus I've had was the addition of castelvetrano olives and legumes. They both brought an interesting flavor and texture element that surprised me. Lastly, the salsa verde served as a perfect sauce, providing an element of moisture that complimented the charred features. Well done. After round two is when shit got real. Crab Fried Rice OH SHIT. WTF. One of the best rice dishes I've ever had. This is one we all wished was much much bigger. Despite the name, this dish includes chunks of incredibly juicy, wood-roasted lobster that there was never going to be enough of. The crab was shredded and could be found in each bite of plump rice, providing a pleasing flavor. Both a lemongrass emulsion and Thai chili were included, offering a wonderful duality of zest and spice. I thoroughly enjoyed the basil and cashew elements as they created some extra variety in flavor and texture. Not much else is needed for me to say, it's a must order. Char Sui Glazed Brisket OH SHIT. Back to back hitters, and they paired... There's sadly a character limit, but tap in and read the rest of my review for free on my Substack: Still Chewing https://stillchewing.substack.com/p/herb-and-sea

We had such a fantastic date night at Juniper & Ivy! The space has a slightly rustic feel with the…read moreexposed beams, but the modern décor makes it feel elegant and cozy at the same time. I was also surprised by the open kitchen--it's completely visible from the dining room, but somehow never felt overly loud or distracting. Most importantly, everything we ate was stellar. And for a fine dining restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised by the portions. We ordered several things to share and definitely did not leave hungry! We started with the oysters, which came pre-dressed. I was initially skeptical because I usually like to control what goes on my oysters, but OMG--these may have been the best oysters I've ever had. That was the moment I thought, "Okay, these guys know exactly what they're doing. Leave it to the experts." The kampachi with Thai basil oil and passion fruit was another standout. The herbal flavor of the basil oil against the tart passion fruit was such an interesting combination and worked beautifully. The tuna crudo was incredibly fresh--honestly, the best tuna I can remember having. Even the roasted cauliflower with sun-dried tomato hummus was memorable; such a creative and delicious pairing. And the miso black cod was cooked absolutely perfectly. The service made the experience even better. Our waiter took our entire order upfront and then paced everything for us, which I really appreciated. We never had to think about what should come next or when to order another dish--we could just enjoy the evening. I also loved that they have a sommelier on staff. I started with a French Sauvignon Blanc by the glass that was excellent, then asked for help choosing a red to pair with my main course. I do wish he had more time to ellaborate about the wine he recommended, but even with the brief interaction, his recommendation was spot-on and paired beautifully with the meal. Overall, this was one of those dinners where dish after dish reminded us that we were in very capable hands. Creative without feeling gimmicky, beautifully executed, generous enough that we left satisfied, and genuinely delicious from beginning to end. An easy five stars, and we will absolutely be back.

It has a millennial vibe with a farm to table concept. It's very chef-driven and the menu changes…read moreseasonally. Butter Chicken Kebab : 5/5, I felt that there is a high floor and low ceiling for this kind of dish. Great for what it is. Cali Ceviche : 5/5, the fish was so flavorful and refreshing. Sweet potato works very well in it. 100% recommend. Roasted Cauliflower : 4/5, hummus sauce was very heavy. You can feel the chickpea texture and the mayo base is quite strong. Lemongrass Beef : 3/5, wasn't a fan of the cut of meat that they chose. Nothing really special here. Skip. I also got a mocktail (Trip to Mt. Fuji ) with Yuzu and Fuji apple . It was good but pretty sweet. Probably wouldn't get again. Would be really good if it had a splash of tonic. Service was great but as it got busy became a bit slower

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.

Although it is pretty pricey (they should revisit their prices) Everything from the food, service,…read moreand ambiance was great. I would return but would need to save up more money to have a simple side of potatoes (close to $20)

Absolutely loved it. Our server Carter was exceptional, guiding us thru the menu and just a joy to…read morebe around!!! Do NOT SKIP THE MUSSELS!!!!!!! Or the chocolate mousse dessert!!! Those were our fave bites. Loved the music and vibe. Drink menu fun and funky, house made tonic. Fun wine list too.

This was my third, possibly fourth, visit to Mabel's Gone Fishing. I've returned because there is a…read morelot to like here: the quality of the ingredients, the Spanish-Mediterranean flavors, the wine, and especially the G&Ts. We specifically came for the anniversary night after seeing the special tapas and celebration promoted on Instagram. Unfortunately, that experience seemed largely nonexistent for regular patrons. There were plenty of industry people in the room receiving special attention and dishes that weren't on the menu, but for us there was no celebratory amuse-bouche, no special G&T, and none of the anniversary tapas we had expected from the promotion. It felt less like we were attending an anniversary celebration and more like we were outsiders watching an industry party. And about those G&Ts: Mabel's makes its own quinine water, and normally it makes the drink fantastic--the kind where you immediately want another. Tonight, however, the mixture had so much citric acid that it was difficult to enjoy. The food also missed the mark tonight. The pan and tomate was far too thick. When grated tomato is salted and slowly drained, that reserved tomato water is important. As the tomato sits, it becomes dense and almost gelatinous. Adding a little of that reserved liquid back, along with good olive oil and a pinch of salt, would give it back its freshness and texture. Tonight's version was dense, under-seasoned and needed olive oil. The patatas bravas were even more problematic. You're starting with a naturally very dry potato, then frying it, letting it sit and frying it again. The result tonight was dry, over-fried and tough. The skins were also too thick for the preparation. Either peel them or consider a different potato. They would have needed a vat of brava sauce just to bring them back. Finally, the Gilda--one of my favorite starters anywhere--simply had too much going on. Five anchovies (two white and three traditional), one olive and pieces of cut guindilla overwhelmed rather than complemented one another. A simpler combination--perhaps a piece of white tuna, one anchovy, one olive and a whole guindilla--would bring back the balance that makes a Gilda so good. As usual, the wine was great. Our server was nice, and we tipped her in cash for her effort, but the service itself felt almost robotic rather than warm or celebratory. Three stars for effort and ambiance, and because I know from previous visits that Mabel's can do much better than what we experienced tonight. The biggest disappointment wasn't simply the food--it was coming specifically for a publicly promoted anniversary celebration and leaving feeling like the actual celebration was reserved for the industry crowd.

We had such a lovely experience here after walking past and deciding to enjoy an early dinner. Our…read moreserver's name was AJ, and alongside the beautiful music, overall ambiance, and delicious food, he made our evening even more memorable. We enjoyed the bruschetta, French onion soup, mussels, and octopus - all very delicious and we were blown away by the affordability as well. It's the perfect date night spot, and we will certainly be back again!

Came here for a quick bite to eat last minute. It was the only thing open around late at night and…read morethey allowed us to come in and eat. our bartender was awesome. The ambience was definitely quiet and the food was delicious. Going to come back and try out more food. The manager is awesome also

Annie, Heather and chef Alan were by far the BEST last night. The poke nachos were delicious and…read moreour drinks made by Annie were so tasty. This team is amazing. The music were mine and sister's kind of vibes and will be coming back soon. Keep up the awesome work. You all are AMAZING!! GRACIAS

I stumbled upon it as happy hour started. Emmy was my bartender. She is awesome. I had two espresso…read moretinis - they were the most smooth non-acidic espresso martinis I've ever had. They were topped with lavender cream... what a delicious balanced craft cocktail. Aside from my cocktails, I had a couple of bites, the chicken and the corn ribs. Both were very good. I enjoyed the ambiance. I love the colors of the furniture and the art. It was a lovely way to cap my late Saturday afternoon.

Hidden gem for sure! Went for lunch on Sunday and it was a pleasant surprise that they had their…read moredaily 12 to 6:00 p.m. Happy Hour going on. We ordered five items and a drink and the bill came to bury $60. Seaweed Salad was so yummy. So was the Pickled Vegetables! Honestly, it was really nice to see this pickled vegetable item on the menu. I haven't really seen it before at other Asian restaurants and this was a nice way to get some veggies in. Blackened Salmon Tacos were also such a pleasant surprise. They were too many tacos but quite loaded and very flavorful. I highly recommend adding the squeeze of lime juice on top because it takes it to a whole other level. The tortillas were also quite soft and fresh. Catch a Fire Roll was so yum! It was a tempura roll but honestly did not feel so fried as the regular tempura rolls. Not too spicy and had that nice sweet chili sauce on top which was unique as well. Spicy salmon roll was simple but still tasty. Pineapple Express cocktail was yum! You couldn't even taste the alcohol in there.

The Joint is top-notch! I'd been for drinks several times over the years but last year was the…read morefirst time I stopped in for a meal. A friend and I popped in for lunch and he got me hooked on their Lemon Basil Salmon Roll. It is absolutely scrumptious!!! I've now had it five or six times. I've taken several friends there since and every time they have the same visceral reaction to the restaurant that I had/have. Pure joy! I always eat outside because they have a great patio and sidewalk picnic table area too. The inside is cozy and has great seating and decor and would make for a good date night venue. The service is always friendly, professional, and prompt. If you haven't been for sure check out this restaurant. Job always well done, The Joint OB!