Emmett T.

Tabac+ has really gone all out and delivered with three separate evenings of a 12-course dinner for 20 lucky Elites at each session. I first visited this business when it debuted almost a year ago in the Little Italy neighborhood. The exterior looked fairly plain, however when you walked inside the premises, the layout of the different areas was impressive. The ambiance felt like an upscale, covered outdoor lounge. I checked in with the hostess at the sidewalk stand. She escorted me to two tables in a back corner where the Yelp party would be seated. I was able to snap several photos before others began arriving. A glass of Ottoman Sherbet was provided at the beginning. This was a non-alcoholic beverage that tasted like a lighter version of pomegranate juice and wasn't too sweet. The ingredients were tamarind, rose, ginger, clove, cinnamon, and cardamom. A menu card listed the different offerings that we would be tasting. At first, I thought everyone would choose one item from each course. Instead, plates of everything were brought out to be shared amongst the ten diners at each of the two tables. First Course | Mezze & Greens * Tabac Mezze Garden * Tulum Garden Salad Second Course | Pinsa Experience * Zaatar Pinsa * Ottoman Feast * Four Cheese Third Course | Signature Entree * Beef Cop Shish (note: not served) * Beef Tava * Roasted Almond Chicken Sweet Finale | Dessert * Saffron Milk Cake * Cold Baklava My highlights were the Tabac Mezze Garden, Roasted Almond Chicken, and Saffron Milk Cake. The garden consisted of a traditional sampling of mezze... hummus with sumac, muhammara, tzatziki, smoked eggplant, and dolma. Warm pita was provided so one could spread any of the dips on the slices of bread. Roasted almonds, warm spices, and rice with dried grapes accompanied the pieces of chicken. The chunks of white meat were moist and flavorful. The dessert was similar to tres leches with a three milk blend that soaked the sponge cake which was infused with saffron and finished with cream and pistachio. There was so much food that takeout containers were provided for those who wanted to bring home some leftovers. Thank you to Sam and his staff at Tabac+ for being such gracious hosts of this wonderful dinner. Thanks also to Hannah, Darcy, and Yelp San Diego for organizing the multiple nights of this impressive Middle Eastern family style meal.

Eliko S.

What a delight it was to enjoy a four course meal at Tabac+, an attractive modern Mediterranean restaurant (primarily Roman & Anatolian), with nine other elites on a cool Thursday evening in Little Italy. Tabac+ is a well-appointed establishment with indoor and outdoor dining. They also have a robust selection of hookahs which can be enjoyed in the outdoor area. Cigar smokers are also welcome. They also have a pretty robust happy hour from 5-7pm (Mon-Thu) which I'm definitely doing to check out! We were provided with a menu for the evening, and everything was brought out to us family-style except for the dessert. First Course - Mezze & Greens - Tabac Mezze Garden (dolmas, pita, spreads (eggplant, yogurt sauce, hummus) - Tulum Garden Salad Second Course - Pinsa Experience - Zaatar Pinsa (did not try) - Ottoman Feast (did not try) - Four Cheese (Delicious, creamy & cheesy)!! Third Course - Signature Entree - Beef Cop Shish (We did not receive this.) - Beef Tava (did not try) - Roasted Almond Chicken (This is bomb diggity!) - Manti Sweet Finale - Dessert - Saffron Milk Cake (We did not receive this) - Cold Baklava (We did not receive this) - Katmer (individually plated) The food and ambiance were honestly quite enjoyable. From the fresh dolmas, and delicious pita and dips (eggplant, yogurt sauce & hummus) in the Mezze Garden plate to the crisp garden salad, and the various pinsas, the experience started out with bright flavors and seemingly never-ending plates arriving to our table. Then there was the delicious roasted almond chicken dish, beef tava, and manti (dumplings) rounded out the meal in the best possible way. I especially loved the savory manti as the combo of slightly spicy tomato sauce and sour cream created a very tasty flavor profile. At the close of the meal, we were each served an individual dessert, which I believe was called Katmer. It consisted of very crispy phyllo topped with a sweet syrup and it was filled with pistachios. Reminiscent of Baklava but crispier and with fewer layers. Tabac+ treated us like royalty during the third iteration of this special dining experience, and I am so appreciative to have been included. There was enough food that many of us were able to take leftovers home! Shoutout to Leslie & Christina who sat at the same end of the table as I did. Big thanks to Hannah, Darcy, Tabac+, and Yelp for this delicious and fun experience. Peace! https://tabacplus.com

Ryan M.

Wow What an awesome event! The place is beautiful and if you look carefully its actually an outdoor venue like a large covered patio. They started us off with a tray of mezze; Muhammara (roasted red peppers), tzatziki, smoked eggplant, hummus, and dolma (grape leaves wrapped around rice) with warm pitta. My favorite was the muhammara, i loved the roasted red pepper flavor and i think it was topped with walnuts which gave it a nice body and flavor. I also liked the nicely grilled pita. The Tulum Garden salad was also a hit, i liked the Tulum cheese and pomegranate pieces. The cheese was mild and i liked how the pomegranate vinaigrette was not overpowering. I usually stay away from vinaigrettes because they can be overly aggressive. This one was very subtle and had a nice flavor. They also gave us a Ottoman Sherbet, no not a frozen dessert, a drink made from different spices. It was very refreshing and not overly sweet, I'd say a less sweet fruit punch, thats the only way i could describe it. Next were 3 Pinsa (pizza or flat bread) the stand out feature of them all was the crust, very light and crispy. They gave us one with zattar, four cheese and the ottoman feast which came topped with sucuk (dried turkish sausage) roasted peppers and finished with arugula. My favorite was the four cheese, very simple but the let the crust stand out. For entrees we got the Beef Tava; Beef tomatoes, peppers, and onions. It said layerd i had envisioned a lasagna type dish but it was more like a stir fry. Delicious none the less! Roasted Almond Chicken was one of my favorites of the evening, it kind of reminded me of chicken curry. The chicken was so tender and moist and the roasted almonds gave it a nice texture. Manti Dumpling were beautiful little purses filled with beef served on a bed of garlic yogurt and topped with some tomato sauce. The dumplings were very tender it reminded me of a good gnocchi. The yogurt was a bit much for me, i tried to scoop them with just a little yogurt. The yogurt made it very creamy like a beef stroganoff. The best way i could describe it is a beef dumpling stroganoff. Also one of my favorites of the evening. To finish it off they gave us each a piece of Baklava, OMG so good. Very crispy and not soggy like it can be sometimes. It served cold which was very unique. I have to say one of the best baklava ive had. We also got the saffron milk cake, which reminded me very much of dulce de leche cake. The cake is soaked in a 3 milk blend and topped with pistachios. Very soft and has a nice flavor. I was very surprised that they gave us EVERYTHING on the menu because when it said first, second and third course, i thought that you had to choose one from each category, instead we got them ALL!! They did not give us the Beef cop shish but that was fine, i was stuffed and even took food home! so it was really not necessary! I had such a wonderful evening with old Yelp friends and making new ones. A HUGE thanks to Tabac+, staff, Yelp, Hannah and Darcy.

Alicia P.

Dinner at Tabac+ was beyond my expectations! It is a beautiful space with natural elements and candles. I'll have to come back in the evening to enjoy it thoroughly! They serve Mediterranean food. Some even served during the Ottoman Empire like the Ottoman Sherbet, a refreshing drink with hints of rose, cloves, cinnamon and ginger! Our first course were two delightfully fresh items. The Meze Garden with smoked eggplant was my fave, hummus, tzatziki and delicious muhammara served with pita, dolma and kibbeh. What a treat! The Tulum salad was next that brought together tulum cheese, tomatoes and pomegranate with a subtle vinegrette. Next we were served 3 different pinzas. My favorite was the Ottoman Feast, topped with pastirma, roasted red peppers, over a rich tomatoes sauce and topped with arugula and cheese. Of the 3rd course, I loved the almond chicken and the manti! The chicken was so tender in a curry like sauce with toasted almond slices. And the manti were adorable little dumplings. Although we were all stuffed, we could not refuse dessert! We each got a piece of classic baklava and a slice of Saffron Milk cake, soaked in a milk mixture and topped with chopped pistachios. I had an incredible time enjoying the food and conversing with our dinner companions. Just as the menu stated, the "experience was designed to be shared, discovered and remembered"! Thank you to Tabac+ and their staff, CM Hannah, Darcy and yelp San Diego for this enchanting night!

Melanio F.

What a wonderful Yelp Elite Dinner! Small and intimate group of 20 or less at this discretely low key but full of spring/summer vibes. Tabac + held a Yelp Elite Event that served a 3 course presentation dinner of what is currently being served at their restaurant. This dinner was definitely the highlight of being Yelp Elite because you can sit down with various Yelp Elites, some newbies (less than 2 years) and some veterans (me included at 18 yrs now). The food was served family style offerring a cornucopia of Turkish food for the soul and of course the stomach. The Ottoman Sherbet - a perfect start to this sumptous dinner. It has all the flavors and fragrances to enjoy. First course included , Tulum Garden Salad and Tabac Mezze Garden. The TGS was divine and after everyone had finished, the leftovers were distributed and I ended up with some of this tasty and refreshing greens. The TMG was the bomb with dolma, smoked eggplant and hummus with sumac. 2nd course - Pinsa experience - delicious warm pinsa topped with several choices, the Zaatar, Ottoman Feast, and the Four Cheese. All 3 would be welcome for an early meal or lunch. I enjoyed all. 3rd course - Signature Entrees - Beef Tava, Roasted Almond Chicken and Manti Dumplings. The chicken and dumplings were the standout for me. Last course - Finale - Sweet Desserts - traditional Baklava and Saffron milk cake. Both sweet but not too sweet for me. The Baklava has the right amount of honeey while the milk cake was lightly sweet and not overwhelming. Recommend you check the Happy Hour or even for Brunch and Dinner . And you will not regret it. Thank you to Tabac + for hosting at least 60 Yelpers (3 nights of 20 diners). Reminds me of past Yelp Elite Events where our host welcomed us Yelpers with open arms. It's been a week and that experience still happily lingers!

Joyce L.

Food. For. Days. Thank you Tabac+, Yelp, and CM Hannah N. for an incredibly generous, multi-course feast that fantastically showcased the Turkish-Mediterranean fusion menu on offer at this relatively new establishment! Super grateful to be among the lucky 20 attendees on Night 1, and look forward to visiting again and trying hookah at some point. ;) Our seemingly endless tasting experience: WELCOME | OTTOMAN SHERBET A centuries-old refreshment from the palaces of the Ottoman Empire, crafted from tamarind, rose, ginger, clove, cinnamon, and cardamom. Light, aromatic, and naturally refreshing, offering a delicate balance of spice and floral sweetness FIRST COURSE | MEZZE & GREENS TABAC MEZZE GARDEN Traditional mezze including hummus with sumac, muhammara, tzatziki, smoked eggplant, dolma, kibbeh, and çig köfte, with seasonal accompaniments and Ezine cheese, served with warm pita TULUM GARDEN SALAD A rustic blend of baby greens with sweet golden raisins, aged Tulum cheese, and pomegranate pearls, finished with our signature pomegranate vinaigrette SECOND COURSE | PINSA EXPERIENCE ZAATAR PINSA A warm pinsa brushed with extra virgin olive oil, topped with zaatar herbs and toasted sesame seeds, baked until crisp and golden. Served with labne, tomato, and cucumber OTTOMAN FEAST A celebration of East and West with Turkish sucuk, pastirma, and roasted peppers over San Marzano pomodoro and Roman pinsa, finished with arugula and shaved Parmigiano FOUR CHEESE A refined blend of Turkish and Italian cheeses, melted over our signature pinsa crust THIRD COURSE | SIGNATURE ENTREE BEEF COP SHISH Beef skewers cooked with special fat, served with roasted peppers, sumac onions, warm lavash, and baldo rice pilaf BEEF TAVA A traditional dish from southeastern Anatolia with layered meat, tomatoes, peppers, and onions-rich, rustic, and comforting ROASTED ALMOND CHICKEN A dish inspired by Ottoman palace cuisine, combining roasted almonds, warm spices, and rice with dried grapes for a balance of sweet and savory MANTI DUMPLINGS Handcrafted dumplings served with garlic yogurt, tomato sauce, chili oil, and fresh herbs SWEET FINALE | DESSERT SAFFRON MILK CAKE A soft sponge soaked in three-milk blend, infused with saffron, finished with cream and pistachio COLD BAKLAVA A modern take on the Turkish classic with delicate pastry, walnut filling, and chilled milk cream

Roger P.

Thank you Hannah and Darcy for setting up this intimate dinner with other Yelp Elites! And thank you Tabac+ for having us! We got to try so many different dishes I probably would have never thought to order. I left full and even brought home some leftovers too! Tabac+ is located in Little Italy so parking can be difficult. I got lucky and snagged a meter spot a block away but I would recommend trying to park at a trolley stop and taking public transportation down. Walking in, I noticed groups of people smoking hookah but since the restaurant is somewhat open-air, there wasn't a point while eating where I smelled smoke. Highlights: - Zaatar Pinsa: Super flavorful with the zaatar herbs, balanced out by the yogurt sauce and fresh vegetables. - Four Cheese Pinsa: Super cheesy, very creamy. - Beef Tava: tasted a little gamey so I thought it was lamb at first. But I really liked the flavor and the meat had a good amount of fatty pieces. - Saffron Milk Cake: tasted like a Tres Leches cake, super moist! The cream and pistachio were a nice touch. I was a little surprised that they didn't provide any serving utensils, we had to ask for them. And for a group of 10 at each table, they didn't provide enough whole items for everyone so we had to cut and split things. Not a disappointment but a weird thing to forget logistically when we're doing family-style. I was a little disappointed though that we didn't get the Beef Cop Shish, even though Night 1 did and it was on our menu. It sounded delicious and I'm sure it would have been a hit. Overall, great event and will have to be back to try their Happy Hour and other food items we missed out on!

Cheryl G.

Oh. M. GEEEEEE. Tabac+ brought it out full force for the Yelp Elite Dinner tonight!!! First of all, the sheer volume of food was impressive. This beautiful Turkish Restaurant in Little Italy went all out to impress us. There were 20 of us at the dinner and we all walked out stuffed. I'm speaking the truth when I say that every single dish was delicious and beautifully presented. We started with appetizer dips, dolmades, kofte rolls, roasted seasonal vegetables and warm pita. Standouts for me were the eggplant and the hummus and I loved those little kofte rolls. I also really appreciated that they bought out such a big fresh salad, gotta have my greens! Then they brought out three pinsas and I got super excited because I love the fermented sourdough that is used to make these Roman style flatbreads. Of the three I really liked the Ottoman Feast which had a tomato sauce, roasted pepper, some dried meat, arugula and shaved Parmegiano. I thought the Beef Tava had great flavor when it came out, but then I tried the almond chicken and my mind was blown. I will be dreaming about that dish until I make it back there. The chicken was so tender, the sauce definitely had a little curry action going on and then the shaved almonds on top gave it the most lovely crunch. The rice pilaf that came with it had roasted raisins in it and was the perfect compliment to the meal. When the server brought out the Manti dumplings she let us know that that was a very traditional dish. I thought it was delicious. Hearty and comforting with just the right amount of richness. At this point, I was already stuffed, but when the baklava and the saffron milk cake came out I managed to find some extra room. They were both fantastic, the baklava was a little light and fluffy compared to what I've usually had. I loved the texture it had. Seemed so refined. The saffron milk cake was OFF THE CHAIN Y'ALL!!! It was a generous portion and I was determined that I would not leave a single bite of it on my plate. The texture was just divine and the floral nuances of the saffron really set off the light sweetness of the milk. Another thing I would like to point out, I did not realize until we were done with our meal that there were actually people smoking hookah in there. It's very well ventilated. Once someone pointed it out to me, I could just barely smell it in the background and to be honest it adds to the atmosphere. Light and fruity. I don't think this restaurant serves alcohol, which is fine by me. I took a look at the happy hour menu and I saw a lot of mocktails listed, but not any alcohol. I'd rather get my calories from food anyway. I was seated at a table with some really nice elites, a few I had met before, but I also made some cool new friends. This was a really good time. Thank you to the team at Tabac+, Hannah and Darcy! This is a restaurant I will absolutely go back to and also recommend to my friends.

Jiansen W.

Thank you Tabac+ and Yelp (props to Hannah!) for setting up an unforgettable, elaborate, family-style feast! I felt honored to get in to the event and it did not disappoint, this being by far the most memorable event of the year, and a personal favorite for me. AMBIANCE I love the design of all the spaces: the covered outdoor seating has a refined and relaxed lounge vibe; the adjacent bar has an open flame in the center with aromatic service offerings; the indoor dining room has traditional middle eastern artwork lined along the walls accenting the modern interior; and the long entryway makes the space feel extra exclusive. SERVICE The staff were hospitable, changing out dishes and plates, and knowledgeable with identifying and describing the multitude of items served. FOOD Everything felt well made and crafted with care. This was quite the Feast, and by far the most memorable and unique food I have had this year. WELCOME | OTTOMAN SHERBET A centuries-old refreshment from the palaces of the Ottoman Empire, crafted from tamarind, rose, ginger, clove, cinnamon, and cardamom. Light, aromatic, and naturally refreshing, offering a delicate balance of spice and floral sweetness FIRST COURSE | MEZZE & GREENS TABAC MEZZE GARDEN traditional mezze including hummus with sumac, muhammara, tzatziki, smoked eggplant, dolma, kibbeh, and çig köfte, with seasonal accompaniments and Ezine cheese, served with warm pita. TULUM GARDEN SALAD A rustic blend of baby greens with sweet golden raisins, aged Tulum cheese, and pomegranate pearls, finished with our signature pomegranate vinaigrette SECOND COURSE | PINSA EXPERIENCE ZAATAR PINSA A warm pinsa brushed with extra virgin olive oil, topped with zaatar herbs and toasted sesame seeds, baked until crisp and golden. Served with labne, tomato, and cucumber. OTTOMAN FEAST (Favorite) A celebration of East and West with Turkish sucuk, pastirma (seasoned cured beef is so tender!), and roasted peppers over San Marzano pomodoro and Roman pinsa, finished with arugula and shaved Parmigiano FOUR CHEESE A refined blend of Turkish and Italian cheeses, melted over our signature pinsa crust. THIRD COURSE | SIGNATURE ENTREE BEEF COP SHISH Beef skewers cooked with special fat, served with roasted peppers, sumac onions, warm lavash, and baldo rice pilaf. BEEF TAVA A traditional dish from southeastern Anatolia with layered meat, tomatoes, peppers, and onions-rich, rustic, and comforting. ROASTED ALMOND CHICKEN (so tender! My favorite of the four) A dish inspired by Ottoman palace cuisine, combining roasted almonds, warm spices, and rice with dried grapes for a balance of sweet and savory. MANTI DUMPLINGS (unique execution) Handcrafted dumplings served with garlic yogurt, tomato sauce, chili oil, and fresh herbs. SWEET FINALE | DESSERT SAFFRON MILK CAKE A soft sponge soaked in three-milk blend, infused with saffron. finished with cream and pistachio COLD BAKLAVA (favorite) A modern take on the Turkish classic with delicate pastry. walnut filling, and chilled milk cream

Christine Z.

Thanks to Yelp and Tabac+ for this generous, multicourse intimate meal experience! There was plenty of food to go around and we left stuffed by the end. There were multiple dishes brought out for each course. I think my favorite of the entrees was probably the Roasted Almond Chicken; so moist, full of flavor, and the seasoning was reminiscent of curry. It was a little disappointing that they had their Beef Cop Shish listed on the menu for this experience but did not end up bringing them out for us. We saw that Night 1 got served these, and this was the entrée that I was probably looking forward to the most. We heard another Yelper ask the staff if the dish was still coming, but they kind of deflected. I understand that maybe they were trying to avoid food waste, but they could have given us smaller portions of the other dishes so that we could still try the shish since they listed it on the menu. I think the highlight of the meal for me was definitely dessert, even though I'm not usually a dessert person. I love baklava and normally don't like cake, but their version of tres leches was so moist and delicious, with the crumbled pistachio topping adding a nice touch and texture! I was surprised to see there was saffron as well! After reading more about this place, apparently it's also a hookah bar? They must have great ventilation because I didn't notice at all while we were dining. Overall, a great experience with trying such a wide spread of food from a different culture. I have Mediterranean food semi-regularly, but just your common items that you'd normally see at a takeout spot. Glad to have been able to try some other dishes that I've never heard of before! Just wish we got to try the entire menu like Week 1 did.

Wayne W.

This wasn't a dinner, this was a FEAST, and I loved every bit of it! My favorite was the roasted almond chicken, it was so creamy and delicious. There wasn't anything I didn't like that was on the menu. By the time dessert hit, I was definitely in a food coma, but still had to try some. The saffron milk cake melted in my mouth. It was nice connecting with friends and meeting some new ones. Hannah, thanks for having me! Thanks to all of the staff at Tabac + as well.

John C.

Another fun and exciting Yelp event. The food looks fantastic. The decor is amazing and met some super cool Yelpers that I've only seen online. The food keeps coming now we are at a table of 11 we can't finish even half of it in the food is delectable! I will add more pictures as the night progresses and add more to my review

Ellie N.

Thank you so much to the Yelp team and Tabac+ for hosting such a wonderful event. I was genuinely excited to be selected for night one, and it ended up being one of my favorite events I have attended in a long time. From the moment I arrived, everything felt thoughtfully planned and well executed, and it created such a memorable experience. I had been wanting to try this place for a while, especially after seeing so much buzz about it on Instagram, and I am happy to say it absolutely lived up to the hype. Sometimes places that are heavily talked about online can be a bit of a letdown, but that was not the case here at all. One of the things I appreciated most was the intimate setting. The family style dining made the experience feel warm and communal, and the presentation of each dish was beautiful and clearly done with care. It really made the whole evening feel elevated and special. I also loved how they stayed true to Middle Eastern culture while still incorporating their own modern and creative touches. As someone who is Middle Eastern, that balance can be hard to achieve, but they did a fantastic job honoring tradition while adding something unique. The hospitality throughout the evening also stood out. The staff was attentive, welcoming, and made sure everything flowed smoothly without ever feeling rushed. It added to the overall positive atmosphere and made the experience even more enjoyable. My personal favorites were the roasted almond chicken and the saffron milk cake. Both dishes were full of flavor and beautifully prepared, and they really left a lasting impression. I found myself thinking about them even after the event ended. I am already looking forward to coming back again, and I cannot wait for my family to visit so I can bring them here and share the experience with them. It is definitely a place I would recommend for both special occasions and anyone looking to enjoy a unique and memorable dining experience.