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Great spot for happy hour or to share appetizers! We both ordered a cocktail and shared a bunch of apps. Everything we ordered was amazing! The scallop aguachile was my favorite.
Went for oyster Monday and it did not disappoint. Great oysters, burger was good. Service was good. We got a bottle of Rose for the table and he kept it on ice at the bar for us so it wasn't in the way and was there for refills without a reminder.
Lots of hype about Fort Oak. Seemed to be busy when we were in the area. Menu is pinch off-putting. Wasn't tooooo much looking forward to it, but it fit all the Birthday Dinner check marks and you can't down talk a place if you haven't been there. First. Listen. Everyone's using open table. But Fort Oak, tell Open Table to chill. I used open table to reserve about 4 days in advance, but still got a TON of emails, and a ton of notifications. Including one that, if I didn't respond to it, would cancel my reservation. Then 3 follow ups asking me to review Fort Oak. Haysuse on a pogo stick, that was almost a detractor from the actual dinner. Is this dinner or a past due bill sent to collection agency? I digress. First, our waiter Johny E, phenomenal. Dude knows wine in ways that are supernatural. Spot on recommendations. Second. Put on your Pulp Fiction "5 dollar shake" face about a 50 dollar pork chop. A FIFTY DOLLAR PORK CHOP. Waiter, who had already proven he know WTF was what, simply said "we're known for it, you will probably enjoy, people rave about it". So, I mean, when in Rome. Johny wasn't lying. It's a pretty @#$#ing good pork chop. Color me amazed. You can be skeptical. You might say I was just trying to justify having spent 50 on a pork chop. Try it. Stunning. I don't know if it's the best I ever had, but I can't remember a better one. Over all, they nail the experience, the food, and wrap it up in a bow. It is always busy, so a reservation is best (I'd call vice using that @#$# open table app, I swear). Shout out about Johny - in fact, ask for him to be your waiter, he a star.
I am a super fan of the Trust group restaurants and have receipts to prove it! We had not been back in a year and were reminded that was a bad decision. The carrots are a go to for sure. The ceviche was well spiced but was served a little warmer than I prefer. The cavatelli was the bomb. Sooo good. I recently made homemade gnocchi and have an appreciation of producing small evenly shaped pastas that are not too chewy! The service was great as usual. We sat in the bar area and enjoyed the vibe. When you go with couples, better to sit outside.
We went for oyster Monday and got a dozen oysters. They were fresh and tasty. The cheapest I have for oysters at $1 each. We went close to when they opened and noticed the restaurant get busier about an hour in as a lot of people were there for oyster Monday. The scallop aguachile was fresh and buttery. We ordered the dry aged hot dog because we saw another table with it and it looked good and it was good. Pricey for a hot dog even with happy hour prices but still worth it to try it out. Hugo spritz 10/10 definitely recommend. For oyster Monday you either sit at the bar or patio and both options are nice.
We had an amazing time. This was a business dinner with 7 of us there. Everyone we interacted with set a high standard for what to expect. Johnny was our server and he did not disappoint. He gave great recommendations, was pleasant to interact with, responsive, and appropriate with giving us our space for business. The young man who bussed for him was also so great. There was a party of about 100 people there and other than seeing the tables, there was not one thing about the service that was interrupted because of it. The food: I don't think there was anything in the menu that was not... wouldn't order that again. Highlights: get the sourdough, branzino, NY Strip, any of the shareables, and the apple crisp. Honestly tried about 20 different things and I'd recommend it all. It was a business dinner so i didn't want to be weird with pics. Prices were very reasonable. Parking can be tough. Street parking.
We sat at the chef counter. It was such a fun experience to watch the kitchen and how everything was prepped. We went pretty early so it started off pretty chill. As the night progressed the kitchen got busier and busier I was lowkey feeling the stress food was delicious! I especially loved the carrots it was really flavorful. The duck pate is a must order and the branzino was cooked so tender. I would skip the tartare bc I thought the flavor of the seasoning overpowered the dish. But overall a solid solid restaurant. Their drinks were delicious as well'
The staff here were very personable and inviting. I had a great time at this restaurant and enjoyed the branzino. It was really delicious! It was really nice inside with many different rooms for seating.
Easily the best meal I've had in a while! We had a reservation at 7 pm and were seated right away. Reservations seem like they would be your best bet here, as the restaurant was very lively and crowded. However, we were seated on the outdoor patio which was spacious enough (and dog friendly). The decor was also beautiful! Now for what we ordered: - Ahi Tartare: we weren't planning to get this, but the server recommended. This was fantastic. The crispy shallot added a good amount of crunch, and the brioche it was served with was buttered and toasted to perfection. A standout dish for us - Little Gem Salad: not a must get, but delicious nonetheless. I loved the whipped feta and ranch in this - Goat Milk Cavatelli: soooo good. The sausage in this is really yummy and nicely paired with the charred broccoli. I'd recommend this one - Branzino: delicious. Comes de-boned which is appreciated, and is deliciously flaky. Get this! - NY Strip: ok I know I've said "get this" for basically everything....but seriously get this one. The presentation is beautiful and the squash, bone marrow, and everything else on top were very tasty. This was our favorite dish!
My friends had been wanting to try this restaurant, so we made reservations ahead of time to avoid the wait. Parking is limited to street parking, and we ended up parking several blocks away. When we arrived, there was a long line next to the restaurant for another establishment, which made things a bit confusing at first. Thankfully, our reservation worked out well and we were seated right on time. It was a cold evening and indoor seating was limited, so we ended up sitting outside. The restaurant has a nice ambiance with modern décor and a lively atmosphere. We ordered several dishes and shared everything so we could try a variety of items. The presentation of the food was excellent and the service was good. Overall, the experience was pleasant, but none of the dishes particularly stood out or left a lasting impression for our group. It's a solid spot with good presentation and service, but for us it didn't quite reach the "must return" level.
Very cute little place with outdoor and indoor seating. Love their $1 monday oyster special. The best $1 oysters I've ever had. Had their dry aged steak with bake potato which cost $128 and unfortunately the bake potato was the show stopper. I will have the bake potato over the steak anyday. The steak was super dry and burnt. The ahi tuna tartar with toast was super tasty with just the right amount of flavor. Service was friendly but a bit slow at times. I will definitely be back for the monday $1 oysters!!!
Ever since pop up Christmas bars began appearing during the holiday season, I try to visit at least one or two every year. We happened to be in San Diego over the Thanksgiving weekend and my daughter found this adorable and festive bar. The "Snowed In" bar was lively and snow so much fun. We went around 4:30pm on a Sunday evening and because they limit how many people can go inside, we waited about 20 minutes to enter. You will appreciate them limiting the amount of people once you get inside as it is not very big, but it packs in a ton of holiday spirit. We were able to get a couple seats at the bar and perused the holiday drinks menu. We decided to try the following drinks - Santa Slaps made with Cutwater Vodka, cold brew, amaretto, cream and chai. We also tried Sleigh My Name - Tito's vodka, lemon, allspice, and cherry vanilla. The Santa Slaps stole the show in terms of flavor. So good! We stayed about an hour just taking in all the decor surrounding us and it made us all so cheerful. Well, the drinks probably helped too! Ha! Ha! If in the area, be sure to stop by for a sip of Santa Slaps.
Came here on a Friday night with a reservation. Sat at the counter where most of the items are made. Place is pretty similar to "The Bear" show if if you've seen it. Presentation is on point and service is stellar. Ordered a couple apps, oysters and tuna tartare. Both of the appetizers were amazing and I would go there again just for those. A pretty good wine list, as well as multiple by the glass options that are not basic. For the entrée went with the bone marrow New York, which was cooked perfectly. Not a very big area inside the counter seating but the vibe is really cool and you get to interact with the cooks. Overall, really pleased with this place and I'll come back here
8 days ago
Jasmine was our server and was fantastic. She gave us a complimentary celebratory toast of champagne. She did an excellent job of explaining everything on the menu and providing recommendations. They paced out each dish and provided clean plates and utensils between each.she also recommended sharing plates, which was the best way to experience the menu. The entrees are also quite large and would be a lot for one person. We ordered a cocktail and mocktail to start and both were great. For food, we got the sourdough bread to start with honey thyme butter. For shared plates we got the lamb merguez kefta and eggpkant caramelle. For our entree, we had the pork chop with a side of fried ancient grains and roasted carrots. We skipped dessert, but I'm sure it would be great. All the food was terrific and the perfect amount for us. You could really taste the flavor of the wood fired grill and tell the meats were slow roasted on it. Everything was unique in flavor and had a lot going on. To my surprise, my favorite was the eggplant as it tasted more like a pasta dish with fresh made pasta wrapped around the eggplant. We sat on the outdoor patio, which was shielded from the street. The bar is inside an old car dealership. read more
Came for happy hour (wed-sun 4-6) in the bar ONLY.The bar is located in a separate room than the dining area. Happy hour seating is walk ins only, no reservations. There is a "happy hour" on Monday but it's called Ouster Monday, oysters are $1 and they have different specials that are not offered on the normal happy hour. Got the crispy chicken wings, Wagyu longaniza, and burger The chicken wings were very crispy and came topped with a jalapeño relish. The relish had a citrusy taste to it or maybe it was the liquid from the pickled jalapeños. I liked the crispness of the chicken but I think the relish was too acidic for me. The Wagyu longaniza was my favorite, very strong beefy flavor. It came on top of salsa matcha which i thought was very tasty so much that I dipped the wings and burger in the sauce. The slice of radish on top gave it a nice texture and crunch. I see the Wagyu hotdog is offered on the oyster Monday special so I'm gonna have to come back and try that for sure. The burger was cooked nicely, medium as requested. It came topped with an egg, truffled onion jam, and cheddar cheese. The bun was nicely toasted and the egg and cheese added a nice rich element to it but I didn't care for the onion jam, it gave the burger an overall sweet profile. I'd simply ask for it without next time. Over all a solid burger, maybe I'd add bacon too. I also had a margarita which was on happy hour special. I asked for it to be spicy and they added a tajin rim which was nice. Spicy and refreshing! Parking is all on the street so I had to part a few blocks away. Overall a solid happy hour. I'll be back on Oyster Monday for the hot dog and fish collars. read more
5 months ago
Ok wait I loveeeed a lot of the dishes that we ordered here!! They are super accommodating with any dietary restrictions (one person in our party is allergic to dairy and doesn't eat pork, and they were able to tailor dishes accordingly). Definitely on the pricier end for certain dishes but many of them are well worth it! - sourdough bread: good but also why are we spending $16 here. can't say it's worth - ahi tartare: no notes, everything hit, would come back for this alone - steamed clam and mussels: these were some meaty af mussels. delicious! the clams were tiny & pathetic tho and can't say I loved having the chorizo in there - charred broccolini: honestly don't remember this well but i had no complaints - grilled oysters: another fav of mine!!! a must get - hearth roasted carrots: the yogurt & pesto were on the side (due to dairy restrictions) but the pesto was SO. GOOD. paired beautifully with the carrots!!!!! I'm dying to know how to make this at home myself - branzino: good but would skip. I do typically like fish entrees but this wasn't overly impressive. could've used more sauce - NY strip: our favorite entree!!!! paired SO with the bone marrow - duck: super tender and fell right off the bone!!! our second fav entree - almond joy: incredible dessert, every bite I felt like I was getting a little something new. vanilla ice cream in the middle. LOVEEED this as our ending to dinner read more
28 days ago
Great spot for happy hour or to share appetizers! We both ordered a cocktail and shared a bunch of apps. Everything we ordered was amazing! The scallop aguachile was my favorite. read more
Went for oyster Monday and it did not disappoint. Great oysters, burger was good. Service was good. We got a bottle of Rose for the table and he kept it on ice at the bar for us so it wasn't in the way and was there for refills without a reminder. read more
Lots of hype about Fort Oak. Seemed to be busy when we were in the area. Menu is pinch off-putting. Wasn't tooooo much looking forward to it, but it fit all the Birthday Dinner check marks and you can't down talk a place if you haven't been there. First. Listen. Everyone's using open table. But Fort Oak, tell Open Table to chill. I used open table to reserve about 4 days in advance, but still got a TON of emails, and a ton of notifications. Including one that, if I didn't respond to it, would cancel my reservation. Then 3 follow ups asking me to review Fort Oak. Haysuse on a pogo stick, that was almost a detractor from the actual dinner. Is this dinner or a past due bill sent to collection agency? I digress. First, our waiter Johny E, phenomenal. Dude knows wine in ways that are supernatural. Spot on recommendations. Second. Put on your Pulp Fiction "5 dollar shake" face about a 50 dollar pork chop. A FIFTY DOLLAR PORK CHOP. Waiter, who had already proven he know WTF was what, simply said "we're known for it, you will probably enjoy, people rave about it". So, I mean, when in Rome. Johny wasn't lying. It's a pretty @#$#ing good pork chop. Color me amazed. You can be skeptical. You might say I was just trying to justify having spent 50 on a pork chop. Try it. Stunning. I don't know if it's the best I ever had, but I can't remember a better one. Over all, they nail the experience, the food, and wrap it up in a bow. It is always busy, so a reservation is best (I'd call vice using that @#$# open table app, I swear). Shout out about Johny - in fact, ask for him to be your waiter, he a star. read more
I am a super fan of the Trust group restaurants and have receipts to prove it! We had not been back in a year and were reminded that was a bad decision. The carrots are a go to for sure. The ceviche was well spiced but was served a little warmer than I prefer. The cavatelli was the bomb. Sooo good. I recently made homemade gnocchi and have an appreciation of producing small evenly shaped pastas that are not too chewy! The service was great as usual. We sat in the bar area and enjoyed the vibe. When you go with couples, better to sit outside. read more
3 months ago
We went for oyster Monday and got a dozen oysters. They were fresh and tasty. The cheapest I have for oysters at $1 each. We went close to when they opened and noticed the restaurant get busier about an hour in as a lot of people were there for oyster Monday. The scallop aguachile was fresh and buttery. We ordered the dry aged hot dog because we saw another table with it and it looked good and it was good. Pricey for a hot dog even with happy hour prices but still worth it to try it out. Hugo spritz 10/10 definitely recommend. For oyster Monday you either sit at the bar or patio and both options are nice. read more
We had an amazing time. This was a business dinner with 7 of us there. Everyone we interacted with set a high standard for what to expect. Johnny was our server and he did not disappoint. He gave great recommendations, was pleasant to interact with, responsive, and appropriate with giving us our space for business. The young man who bussed for him was also so great. There was a party of about 100 people there and other than seeing the tables, there was not one thing about the service that was interrupted because of it. The food: I don't think there was anything in the menu that was not... wouldn't order that again. Highlights: get the sourdough, branzino, NY Strip, any of the shareables, and the apple crisp. Honestly tried about 20 different things and I'd recommend it all. It was a business dinner so i didn't want to be weird with pics. Prices were very reasonable. Parking can be tough. Street parking. read more
3 months ago
We sat at the chef counter. It was such a fun experience to watch the kitchen and how everything was prepped. We went pretty early so it started off pretty chill. As the night progressed the kitchen got busier and busier I was lowkey feeling the stress food was delicious! I especially loved the carrots it was really flavorful. The duck pate is a must order and the branzino was cooked so tender. I would skip the tartare bc I thought the flavor of the seasoning overpowered the dish. But overall a solid solid restaurant. Their drinks were delicious as well' read more
3 months ago
The staff here were very personable and inviting. I had a great time at this restaurant and enjoyed the branzino. It was really delicious! It was really nice inside with many different rooms for seating. read more
7 months ago
Easily the best meal I've had in a while! We had a reservation at 7 pm and were seated right away. Reservations seem like they would be your best bet here, as the restaurant was very lively and crowded. However, we were seated on the outdoor patio which was spacious enough (and dog friendly). The decor was also beautiful! Now for what we ordered: - Ahi Tartare: we weren't planning to get this, but the server recommended. This was fantastic. The crispy shallot added a good amount of crunch, and the brioche it was served with was buttered and toasted to perfection. A standout dish for us - Little Gem Salad: not a must get, but delicious nonetheless. I loved the whipped feta and ranch in this - Goat Milk Cavatelli: soooo good. The sausage in this is really yummy and nicely paired with the charred broccoli. I'd recommend this one - Branzino: delicious. Comes de-boned which is appreciated, and is deliciously flaky. Get this! - NY Strip: ok I know I've said "get this" for basically everything....but seriously get this one. The presentation is beautiful and the squash, bone marrow, and everything else on top were very tasty. This was our favorite dish! read more
My friends had been wanting to try this restaurant, so we made reservations ahead of time to avoid the wait. Parking is limited to street parking, and we ended up parking several blocks away. When we arrived, there was a long line next to the restaurant for another establishment, which made things a bit confusing at first. Thankfully, our reservation worked out well and we were seated right on time. It was a cold evening and indoor seating was limited, so we ended up sitting outside. The restaurant has a nice ambiance with modern décor and a lively atmosphere. We ordered several dishes and shared everything so we could try a variety of items. The presentation of the food was excellent and the service was good. Overall, the experience was pleasant, but none of the dishes particularly stood out or left a lasting impression for our group. It's a solid spot with good presentation and service, but for us it didn't quite reach the "must return" level. read more
4 months ago
Very cute little place with outdoor and indoor seating. Love their $1 monday oyster special. The best $1 oysters I've ever had. Had their dry aged steak with bake potato which cost $128 and unfortunately the bake potato was the show stopper. I will have the bake potato over the steak anyday. The steak was super dry and burnt. The ahi tuna tartar with toast was super tasty with just the right amount of flavor. Service was friendly but a bit slow at times. I will definitely be back for the monday $1 oysters!!! read more
Ever since pop up Christmas bars began appearing during the holiday season, I try to visit at least one or two every year. We happened to be in San Diego over the Thanksgiving weekend and my daughter found this adorable and festive bar. The "Snowed In" bar was lively and snow so much fun. We went around 4:30pm on a Sunday evening and because they limit how many people can go inside, we waited about 20 minutes to enter. You will appreciate them limiting the amount of people once you get inside as it is not very big, but it packs in a ton of holiday spirit. We were able to get a couple seats at the bar and perused the holiday drinks menu. We decided to try the following drinks - Santa Slaps made with Cutwater Vodka, cold brew, amaretto, cream and chai. We also tried Sleigh My Name - Tito's vodka, lemon, allspice, and cherry vanilla. The Santa Slaps stole the show in terms of flavor. So good! We stayed about an hour just taking in all the decor surrounding us and it made us all so cheerful. Well, the drinks probably helped too! Ha! Ha! If in the area, be sure to stop by for a sip of Santa Slaps. read more
10 months ago
Came here on a Friday night with a reservation. Sat at the counter where most of the items are made. Place is pretty similar to "The Bear" show if if you've seen it. Presentation is on point and service is stellar. Ordered a couple apps, oysters and tuna tartare. Both of the appetizers were amazing and I would go there again just for those. A pretty good wine list, as well as multiple by the glass options that are not basic. For the entrée went with the bone marrow New York, which was cooked perfectly. Not a very big area inside the counter seating but the vibe is really cool and you get to interact with the cooks. Overall, really pleased with this place and I'll come back here read more
9 months ago
Fort Oak happy hour was so good! Everything we ordered was delicious and beautifully done. The al pastor tostada was packed with flavor and had the perfect balance of crispy + savory with the freshest toppings. We also got the refried bean dip with tortilla chips and it was good, cheesy, and topped with pickled onions that gave it the perfect little tang. And the burger... WOW. Super juicy, so flavorful, and the truffle sauce + caramelized onions took it to another level. Every bite tasted like it was made with so much care and quality. And don't skip the esquites...seriously so delicious. Creamy, flavorful, and the perfect little side to share (I could've eaten the whole thing myself). Great happy hour vibes, great service, amazing food, and I'll 100% be back! read more
11 months ago
First let's talk about the decor. Tasteful, modern without being too trendy. Timeless. The seats are comfortable which is something I appreciate in a high end restaurant. The food: we started with the muscles & clams. So good. The chorizo was the perfect amount of spice and texture. Next we got the shrimp ceviche. Perfect balance of sweet and savory. We ended with the ribeye. Melt in your mouth. Best steak I've ever had. The potato could have been warmer but the flavor was amazing. Drinks: Santa's helper was perfect for my friend. Tequila and chili is her dream combination. I had an espresso martini. So good and smooth the perfect blend of coffee, sweetness, and a little heat. Now we get to the best part. The service: Miguel was everything you want in a waiter, at your elbow providing whatever you need before you even realize you need it but not intrusive. Really was supreme service. It's a very festive atmosphere right now with the bar being decorated. We came at eight and the line was long. When we left at 10, the line was even longer. We had reservations, and the restaurant is typically fully booked. I will definitely be back. The table next to us, had the Bronzino and quail, and it looked amazing. Parking is street parking read more
1 month ago
Very delicious! I'm a steak guy, their rib eye steak was super delicious, but the pork chop is all I can think about!!!! Order the pork chop!!! Service was great, our waiter Paul was wonderful! The dining area is different but awesome!!! Definitely coming back for more! read more
Snowed Inn was one of the coolest experiences and definitely worth the wait. The decor was on point, so much Christmas flair everywhere. I think every square inch was covered. The drinks were delicious as well. We had the fried mushrooms and fries for appetizers which were great! It did take a while to squeeze into the bar to get a drink and the place is small, so just be prepared to stand. Once we flagged down the bartender they were quick with our drinks and order. Will definitely be back next year. : ) This was such a fun way to celebrate the holiday season. We did pass through the restaurant and it also looked phenomenal, definitely want to try in the future. read more
Visited the place once for a date night and 2nd time for the Christmas decorations at the bar area. My review is based on both visits. Pros: - Drinks and food were excellent. The dry aged steak with the baked potato was divine. I loved all of the drinks I've had here! - Customer service was on point during my dine-in experience. Service at the bar during their "Snowed In" holiday pop up was great also; quick and efficient during this occasion, but still attentive. - Ambience is lovely for a date night OR the holidays. I highly recommend trying both. Cons: - Come early for holiday pop up or else you'll get stuck waiting outside for awhile. Make a reservation for dine-in. I'm not sure you can do a walk-in but why do that when you don't need to wait? - Parking can get difficult especially during peak meal-time. Tip: If you like pate, get the chicken pate. Dry aged steak will feed 3-4 people so order accordingly if you're getting that. If you're trying to go for Snowed In, go EARLY. Getting a seat at the bar is nearly impossible the later you go. read more
Cute decor and tasty drinks. I really enjoyed this holiday pop up. Our drinks were pretty good. We didn't get a chance to order food because it was too busy, but the limited menu had some good options. Unfortunately, The bartender serving drinks was in a noticeably bad mood and very rude to customers, which was a bit off-putting to us. We waited over 30 minutes in the rain to get in, and left after a drink due to her seeming so frustrated. I totally understand having a bad night, but please don't take it out on customers who just walked in. I'm hoping to return at some point for the normal restaurant and to experience the full menu. read more
I love the service and mood here. It's upscale and elegant without the Downtown or La Jolla stuffiness. We were there for NYE dinner, and they were serving their typical menu versus a special prefix which was fine for us since it had been about 6 years since we'd been. We ordered dirty martinis that came with three blue cheese stuffed olives each. They were fantastic. Shortly after our cocktails arrived we were brought a trio of appetizers in succession. The ahi tartare was composed almost like a dip, served with toast points, which tasted bright and fresh. Plus who doesn't love a buttery toast point? The charred caulilini was my favorite bite, served with a smoky chili aioli and topped with herbs and almonds, the young cauliflower variant had great char flavor, but was still crunchy and fresh. The carrots were unfortunately too salty and a bit overdone. Our entrees were both healthy portions of protein and expertly grilled. The branzino was flaky and tender, deboned in the middle for easy eating, but still presented in the whole fish for drama. The pork chop was juicy and very thick cut, prepared medium and paired nicely with a sticky soy glaze. We ended the dinner with a scoop of their marshmallow ice cream, which tasted more like mega-ultra vanilla ice cream. Good but nothing very special. Overall it was a fantastic final meal for 2025. read more
FORT OAK @ HILLCREST Parking is available on the street, and I definitely recommend parking around the neighborhood since it's easy to find and completely free. I've seen this spot all over social media on San Diego food and activity accounts, so I was really excited to check it out. It's called Snowed In, and the restaurant goes all out with over-the-top Christmas decorations exclusively for the holiday season. It truly feels like a once-a-year experience. When we arrived, there was a bit of a line. They actually have two separate lines, one for dining in at the restaurant and another for the Christmas experience and drinks. We waited about 15-20 minutes, which wasn't bad at all. I was hoping to grab a seat at the bar, but once we were let inside, we ended up standing with a crowd of people who were also waiting for spots to open up. It felt a little disorganized because they let more people in even though there weren't enough seats available. It got really crowded, and if I had been sitting at the bar, I would've felt uncomfortable with people hovering and waiting for me to finish. My friend and I stood there awkwardly, took a few photos, and waited another 15 minutes before finally getting two seats in the back corner. The staff was nice, but the service was understandably hectic, the bartenders were juggling so many people at once. We ordered the Bourbon Reindeer, which is bourbon, peppermint, and whipped cream. It was delicious and definitely on the stronger side. The drink was about $19, and most of the menu ranges from $15-$20, which is pretty standard. Overall, I genuinely enjoyed the experience. The holiday decorations were stunning, Christmas wallpaper, ornaments everywhere... it truly felt like Christmas exploded inside the space. I just wish they managed the crowd a bit better or offered reservations because waiting that long, getting let in without available seating, and hovering behind people wasn't the most comfortable part of the visit. Aside from that, the ambiance was festive, the drink was great, and the overall vibe was really fun. read more
3 months ago
11 months ago
Came for their "snowed in" holiday pop up. Note that it's only at their bar and when we came on a Monday that usually has $1 oyster specials, they were not doing it at the pop up. Only out on the patio. We got in line about 10 min before open and we were able to get with the 2nd wave of folks that they let in about 10 min after open. The vibes here are very well done! Christmas music pumping as well. They have a pretty good variety of drinks, including a hot drink and a non alcoholic option. They all come in cute different glasses too. The only reason I docked a star is that the drinks are not strong at all and they're mostly ice. Pricing around $17-$20 for each drink. Service was really friendly and fast for how busy they were. We were also able to order fries that were tasty! Of the thicker cut variety and they serve it with an aioli and ketchup. read more
Fort Oak was a great choice for girl's night! It was upscale without being too snooty. Our waiter was awesome, super helpful and didn't push us when we couldn't make decisions. Gave us ample time to order since we couldn't make up our minds. The restaurant itself was really elegant & perfect for date nights and dinners w/loved ones. Their menu is full of mouthwatering food. We opted for a few dishes as a lot of them are meant to be shared. It was a good mix of seafood and meat selections. Some of my personal faves were: Kanpachi Ceviche [$28], Ahi Tartar [$24] which you should get w/toasted brioche [$4], NY Strip [$63] & Pork Chop [$56]. The grilled oysters [$25/6] were good too! The Pork Chop & NY Strip were excellent! The NY strip also came with Bone Marrow which was a nice surprise! Loved the dinner we had here. Well worth the price for amazing food. Great vibes all around. Parking can get hard so plan accordingly! read more
Our waiter was very friendly and polite. Offered his suggestions on best items in the menu. He reached out to check on our party of 7 a few times to see if we need any assistance. Our food came out quickly. The setting was very relaxed, low lights. The dining area was smaller with glass walls. Not too loud. My favorite dishes were the Chicken Fried Quail and the Ahi Tartare. read more
"Snowed In" Pop Up holiday bar (in Mission Hills) at Fort Oak restaurant had been on our must-do list for a couple of years! Please note that the Fort Oak restaurant and Snowed in holiday bar had separate entrances, and restaurant takes reservations but Snow In holiday bar is walk-in only (no reservations). Only Street parking available so plan accordingly. We made reservations at Fort Oak restaurant and were seated right away. Even though we were seated inside, one wall was open to outside so dress warmly even indoors. We enjoyed the roasted carrots (from Shared portion of menu), the recommended 16 oz Pork Chop (one of their signature dishes) and Branzino fish. Everything was delicious, but Branzino did have tiny bones. After dinner, we walked to the Snowed In holiday bar next door which was fully enclosed inside a cylindrical building. It is first come, first served so there may be a line to get inside. Outside, there is a giant bow arch with 2 giant wooden nutcrackers flanking the double doors. Inside, there are 22 metal stools around U-shaped bar but some people were also standing as well. Everywhere you looked, you can't help but feel the holiday spirit, from the decorated ceiling, walls, windows, festively attired bartenders and of course, holiday drinks in adorable themed mugs. Definitely did not disappoint!!! So fun! read more
6 months ago
Monday oysters!!!! If I could come every Monday for oysters I would. They are the best oysters in town by far! For $1 it's a deal you can't miss. Happy hour is a great deal for drinks too. I love their rose and gin and tonics. The restaurant is usually full for Monday happy hour so the service can be a little slow but that's understandable with how busy they are so I don't blame them! Vibes are great. It's a small restaurant and both inside and outside are very enjoyable to be seated. read more
1 year ago
Dinner here is always a treat! The drinks were so good, we had to pace ourselves so we didn't drink more! We sat outside during the summer and it was so pleasant with a light breeze! We split lamb merguez kefta and the hearth roasted carrots. The lamb had a great kick to it and the carrots were delicious read more
We had a wonderful experience recently at Fort Oak. Our waiter Jeff N was excellent in his menu knowledge and service and had a very pleasant personality as well. Every dish we ordered was so good. We tried their ceviche, their fried squab with cornbread, the pork chop, and the caulilini. For dessert we got the apple crumble. Some original flavors and preparations along the way made this a truly memorable meal. Chef Brad Wise does not disappoint. This is the second restaurant in this group that we have tried and we will continue going through all of them now because we are very impressed. read more
7 months ago
Fabulous, spacious restaurant (lots of outdoor seating) tucked away in the neighborhood. Seats outside were comfortable. Service was fine. A little inattentive, but within normal bounds. Duck was ever so slightly overcooked (for me), but the beans were GORGEOUS. Everything was a bit salty, put together. Their steak knives need sharpening desperately. Sawed at a tender-ish piece of duck for quite some time to break through. It was flattened by the indignity. read more
The drinks and service here was really good. They had a decent happy hour with decent prices. The food however was all really salty. The bean dip I will say was really good and this tasted great. Would get this again. The fries were really crispy and that was good but was salty. I love salt but after a few bites was a lot so thankfully I had a drink (maybe that's their plan) ha I don't like oysters so I didn't try these but the people I went with said they were ok. The waygu was just ok. Nothing overly special and again tasted salty. The corn dip tastes the saltiest of everything. I'd suggest maybe just going here for drinks during happy hour and get the bean dip. read more
Came here after a friend recommended their Monday oyster happy hour. Arrived right before 4 (when they open) and there was already a healthy line. The staff was very efficient in seating quickly so once the doors were open, we were seated within minutes. We opted for the bar which was half full when it was our time to get seated. It's U-shaped, and I appreciate that there were hooks for my purse. Service was excellent. Our bartender was very patient and when asked about recommendations on the happy hour menu, there was no hesitation to call out the burger. We weren't disappointed. It was a nice combo of savory and slightly sweet. Cooked medium rare as requested. The oysters were well shucked and came out quickly. Overall a great experience and can't wait to come back again. read more
9 months ago
Came to San Diego for my wedding anniversary. Hubby said his coworker highly recommended this place, and the coworker knew what he was talking about. Great food! The oysters were so fresh like I just grabbed them from the sea. The apple crisp dessert was decadent! Wonderfully balanced and delicious. Nice layout, wish I hung out at the bar because it just looked really nice. Paul our waiter was sweet and very attentive. Now it's our turn to tell others our experience at this lovely restaurant. read more
1 month ago
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More info about Fort Oak
1011 Fort Stockton Dr
San Diego, CA 92103
Mission Hills
Directions
(619) 722-3398
Call Now
Visit Website
https://fortoaksd.com
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Ask the Community - Fort Oak
Do they have happy hour?
The $1 oysters are available for 2 hours, from 4PM to 6PM on Monday.
What is the dress code?
Hello John, Our dress code is business/smart casual. Please let me know if you have any questions.…
Does their staff still wear masks? Are the tables still evenly spaced out?
Can you sit at the bar and eat without a reservation?
Normally (non-Covid) yes. But no indoor seating now.
Open for thanksgiving? Hours?
Nope. Everyone needs to relax and get ready for Christmas.
Fort Oak or Trust?
Same owners; slightly different vibe. I gotta say, Fort Oak was a very fine meal and I look forward to my next visit. For me, 5 stars.
Dog friendly patio?
yes. the outside area is dog friendly. weather permitting of course.
Is this place good for large parties?
I think they could accommodate you in kitchen & patios which are nice. Did a party of 26 last year at Trust & Steve & his team were tremendous.
Is there a happy hour? What time?
Yes! Starts at 3pm and ends at 6pm. But you can also order off the dinner menu after 5:00pm. So for 30 glorious minutes you get discounts on drinks and can order "bites" off the bar menu and anything off the dinner menu. My favorite 60 minutes of…
The hours show 3pm-9/10p. Is it open for brunch?
It is! The hours on here are incorrect.
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21 reviews that are not currently recommended
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