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We came here for my husband's birthday dinner and had such a wonderful experience! Everything was delicious. We started with the oysters and marrow, as well as the mussels over sourdough toast, which were perfect for sharing among the five adults in our group. For my entrée, I ordered the lobster linguine, which came with a generous amount of fresh, real lobster in nearly every bite. The pasta itself was a little on the bland side and could have benefited from a touch more salt or seasoning, but overall it was still very enjoyable. Our kids loved the pizzas! Each order came with six generously sized slices, making them great for sharing. To top off the evening, we were pleasantly surprised with a complimentary birthday dessert and a lit candle for my husband. It was such a thoughtful touch and a wonderful way to end the night. We had a great time, enjoyed our meal, and would happily come back!
Genuinely DISAPPOINTED. I wanted to like this place as so many social media reels and articles praised this place as a hot spot for a nice dinner, but it really FELL SHORT of expectations, especially for the price. I'm giving this place 2 stars, mainly because our server really was excellent and the lobster pasta we had was tasty - even though the initial order of the pasta had a FREAKING HAIR IN IT. GROSS. 1. Upon entering, it was FREEZING, as the AC was on blast in every area of the restaurant, despite it being very empty upon our 5pm arrival. The staff couldn't do anything about it, so we just had to deal with the uncomfortable ambiance, despite the decor being trendy for photos. 2. The food was OK. The tuna crudo was decent and we could have don't without the cake with caviar - it was sweeter than expected and literally the smallest caviar topping - no worth the price. 3. The lobster pasta had a FREAKING HAIR IN IT. We only had a few bites before I had disturbingly pulled a hair from my mouth. UTTERLY HORRIFIED and DISAPPOINTED because it was actually tasty until then. Both my cousin and I have long hair it was not even close to being ours and I immediately stopping eating it out of disgust. We called over a server about it, he just said let me get a manager. I told the manager and he just said he would get a new one, but never acknowledged or apologized for the mishap. He just replaced it and never even offered anything to rectify the situation. The new pasta was fine, but how the situation was handled really ruined the experience. Nevertheless, I paid for all that we ordered and I tipped. Unfortunately, we won't be dining here again as the experience was less than favorable and the level of professionalism is not worth the price of dining here.
Parking was available on street near by. The cocktail selection is pretty regular, but executed well. It is a summery, refreshing restaurant drinkwise, foodwise. Bright, crisp, tangy. Cocktail based on water melon liquor and gin was a nice summer cocktail to start your seafood meal. Starter we did ceviche, which was served with taro chips. The tangerine infusion makes it more tantalizing without being too acidic. The clam toast was a surprise. I never thought i will enjoy a soggy bread this much. Incredibly executed, ask for an extra side of bread to soak in all the good stuffs in the gravy. Lobster linguine was also refreshing, good amount of lobster claws with truffle crumb. It was crispy, hearty, tangy and filling. Wish it was slightly less tangy. The sea bass was executed nice, no fault there. Grilled carrot was on the sweeter side, the cashew tahini sauce was not enough to cut it. More vegetables on the menu will be much appreciated in future. It was a wk prior to my wife's birthday, they offered a nice ice-cream with candle, we were full but it was good. The service was prompt, menu was explained. The server was patient with orders. The other server who brought the food always came with such warmth. In the western side of the sun soaker restaurant, it is a encinitas staple. We also caught the sunset after walking 3 blocks west. A feel good Sunday evening before you recharge for the Monday.
The restaurant was busy on a Friday night, definitely recommend having reservations (via opentable). I got the Sonoran Sunset cocktail (mezcal based) which was really good. My hubby got the Tropic Thunder which reminded me of spicy marg, also really good! Both were topped with Tajin rims. We got the half dozen oysters which came with 3 east coast and 3 west coast oysters. The east coast ones were more creamy while the west coast ones were more briny. For mains, I got the Tuscan Ragu which was so flavorful! My hubby got the 8 oz filet which was cooked perfectly and so good. The sauce it came with was a little on the saltier side but still good. Overall, we were impressed with the food and drinks here!
This has been on my list for a long time. Finally got to try it. Katy was our server, she was very friend! We started with the Parker house rolls, which were cold but still tasty and a Caesar salad- this was good. But was a little thrown off with the "pork rinds" they tasted good with the salad combined but on their own- not so much. One thing that was extremely frustrating was we still had half the salad and the bussing girl asked if we were done- umm no.... But to make matters worse another busser came by to take it away too. If we weren't "actively" eating they were trying to take our plates away. I thought maybe our main entree is coming... finally we just gave up and just said take it. Our food didn't show up for 10-15 min! So that wasn't the case. The smashed potatoes were soooo good. We also got the filet- that was tasty too- though the sauce was a little salty. We also got the lemon shrimp pasta- we couldn't eat it- it was very spicy- I'm a wimp- and my husband is who loves spice didn't even like it, couldn't taste the lemon because it was thrown off with the spiciness. The overall restaurant is fun, can get a little loud- our server was great. But the other two people. Not so much. I'm fine to try it again. Hopefully it would be better.
We had dinner here for Friday date night and really enjoyed it. We started with a Butter Me Up and Bay City IPA. I could have drank the Butter Me Up in two sips, it was delicious. We moved on to a Surfin' Swine and Old Fashioned after. My partner liked the Surfin' Swine, it wasn't my favorite, but the Old Fashioned was great!! We ordered the "Ode to Swan" appetizer to start. The fish was fresh and the olive oil with capers had a nice flavor. We moved on to the Roasted Oyster and Bone Marrow. This was good but a lot of food, especially for two, so keep that in mind. For dinner, I ordered the Red Snapper which I loved. The most amazing thing...the fish head and tail are on the plate but then the middle of the fish is just the meat. But honestly, the hands down best dish we had was the Peri Peri Chicken. If I were to rank meats, chicken is always on the lowest on my list; however, omg, this was so good. I HIGHLY recommend. The flavors, seasoning, presentation, sauce...if you even remotely like chicken, order it!! The carrots were okay but I was a little disappointed. Great service, great experience...it was a little pricier than I was hoping it would be but it's Encinitas...to be expected. Will definitely return.
We went to Herb & Sea for their tuna tasting, and it was such a special experience! We arrived right at 6 PM, just in time to watch the cutting of the 90-pound tuna, which started around 6:10. We sat at the bar to watch, and the chef was so kind, explaining everything about the catch and answering all of our questions. She even gave us spoons to try the tuna, and wow... it was incredibly fresh! The menu was fantastic. The tuna tartare with the "potato-made toast" was absolutely delicious, and the seared tuna for the main course was WOW. We also ordered sides of potatoes and carrots, and everything was delicious. It is definitely on the pricier side, but honestly, the whole experience was absolutely worth it. Fresh, delicious food and such a fun way to learn more about what you're eating. Highly recommend it for a special night out!
Spectacular service, great food, and fun ambiance! Having frequented for the burger/oyster HH meal, so glad to have returned in a group of 5 so we could try a little bit of everything. Although a pricey restaurant, the quality of ingredients and creativity make for a memorable dining experience. Lots of fun cocktail options. Of the appetizers, we LOVED the mussel toast! Caesar salad and tomatoes were a touch salty for us, but packed some complex flavors. Wish we had gotten our pizza earlier so we could soak up the sauce on all the bread! For main entrees, the pork tomahawk and fish dishes were soo good! This is a great spot to have a fun meal in a beautiful space.
Very spacious arrangement, and spread out seatings. Way above dining room noise. Good for group parties. Challenging street parking. No valet parking at this high price, subtract 1 star. Good service but doesn't feel personal. Just like robots. Limited draft beer options in San Diego. We ordered "Ode to Swan" and Beef carpaccio for appetizers. The raw fillet mignon is right on. The raw fish is underwhelming in tiny portions. Then we shared the mussel toast, half baked red snapper, blackened salmon, grilled half peri peri chicken, roasted oysters and bone marrow, and shrimp linguine. They are on the salty side, especially the signature mussel toast. Very nice prepared half red snapper. Recommended the peri peri chicken for the spice and moist meat. Everything else is just ok not standout.
Service and atmosphere were on point--warm, welcoming, and the kind of place that makes you want to linger over another drink. The seafood was impressively fresh, and the fish was cooked perfectly. But the real MVP of the night was the bone marrow. Rich, buttery, and decadent, it was so good I briefly considered ordering a second round and calling it dinner. Slathered on bread, it was pure happiness. Then came the pizza... and unfortunately, it felt like it showed up to a different restaurant. The crust was undercooked, the sauce was bland, and each bite left me wondering if the chef had accidentally forgotten the seasoning and the oven timer. With so many delicious dishes on the menu, this is one pie I'd pass on.
3.5/5 Pros: - each week the restaurants menu is based off of the fresh catch from the local seafood markets - our waiter really knew his stuff and was very friendly and polite - the scallops were fresh and large, cleaned well, definitely recommend - the grilled red snapper was very fresh i can tell it was not frozen or put on ice for very long since it was caught. You probably cant find a place that can do this very easily at this size. cons: - we came due to it was a michelin rec for this area but i thought it was a little overhyped - it was a birthday dinner, and we didn't get seated until 25 min after our reservation and theres no waiting area so it was kinda awkward. Other guests also told me they also had been waiting for a while. - the pork was rlly dry and not that flavorful - a shame bc it seemed like a nice cut of meat - the potatoes sides were dry - the mussle toast is way too salty and so the bread and saltiness drowns out the mussle flavor neutral: - it's really loud, great for party vibes with some girlfriends but hard to hear in general - it's expensive for the vibes. we ordered on the heavy side for 2 people and it was $300. But if you're visiting just wanna experience fresh fish it's worth it
I'm somewhere between a 3 and 4 on this place. Came once for dinner and once for HHour. The dinner was good with a nice ambience, but a bit pricey to make it stand out. That said we came back for HHour. What was disappointing to me about HHour was the dearth of selection when it came to HH priced food. Due to this dearth, pretty much everyone in the entire bar was ordering the exact same thing for happy hour: The Happy Meal, which consists of a burger, fries, 3 oysters, and champagne. The presentation of the Happy Meal is very nice. The burger tasted very much like an In N Out burger to me, but with a much larger patty. It was good, but despite the similarity we think In N Out burger slightly edged out Herb and Sea's take. The fries were quite delicious. The oysters were large, but they're taste was meh. The same could be said for the bubbles/champagne: a large pour, but nothing to write home about. Due to the lack of food choices on the HH menu, we also ordered the scallop aguachile. It would have been nice if they would have labeled it something else, like a "deconstructed" aguachile. The scallop quality was very good, and the flavor was fine, but this dish is nothing what I expected; I expected a hearty bowl of spicy fish, like one might find at Ironside (Little Italy) or Mitch's Seafood (Point Loma). They had very few beer choices, but the Bulbous Flowers was delicious!!!
Located in one of my fave little beach towns, Herb and Sea in Encinitas was delicious! We were seated in a long table with ample room for our party of 7. Cocktails (well done), appetizers of spicy shrimp, oysters, and bread, then we shared a delish chicken, steak and salmon. The roasted carrots also, get them!! Interior aesthetic is beautiful and our server was very considerate and helpful!
Definitely a great dining experience. The menu is varied seasonally, and the dishes we had were all cooked perfectly (Wild Coast Seafood Pasta and Pan Seared Sea Bass). The charred cabbage and charred spicy shrimp were excellent as well. I must recommend the current Sauvignon Blanc they have from the Sancerre region - light, hint of fruit, and the dry subtle "chalk" finish that is endemic to that reason due to the chalky soils. So good! Def a must do! Our server was excellent - attentive but not overly so. We had a lovely table near the window as the sky turned orange - a perfect meal at days end. The hand-crafted cocktails looked fascinating - with olive washed gin and pork-fat bourbon as ingredients? Def will order one next time..and there will be a next time! read more
2 days ago
This place absolutely delivered. My wife and I had an amazing experience from start to finish. The service was exceptional, and Nick provided outstanding hospitality that made us feel right at home. It was also a cool surprise to find out he had a connection to one of my buddy's skate shops Grandeur in Oceanside! The food was incredible. The Berkshire Pork Bone-In Tomahawk was perfectly cooked and packed with flavor, and the Chorizo Pizza with green apple and hot honey was a standout. The restaurant also treated my wife and me to complimentary champagne for my birthday, which was a great touch. The cocktails paired perfectly with our meal as well. The ambiance was dark, intimate, and perfect for a date night. We finished with dessert, which I really enjoyed, even though my wife wasn't a huge fan of the fruit component. Overall, the food, drinks, service, and atmosphere exceeded expectations. We'll definitely be back. read more
We came here for my husband's birthday dinner and had such a wonderful experience! Everything was delicious. We started with the oysters and marrow, as well as the mussels over sourdough toast, which were perfect for sharing among the five adults in our group. For my entrée, I ordered the lobster linguine, which came with a generous amount of fresh, real lobster in nearly every bite. The pasta itself was a little on the bland side and could have benefited from a touch more salt or seasoning, but overall it was still very enjoyable. Our kids loved the pizzas! Each order came with six generously sized slices, making them great for sharing. To top off the evening, we were pleasantly surprised with a complimentary birthday dessert and a lit candle for my husband. It was such a thoughtful touch and a wonderful way to end the night. We had a great time, enjoyed our meal, and would happily come back! read more
Genuinely DISAPPOINTED. I wanted to like this place as so many social media reels and articles praised this place as a hot spot for a nice dinner, but it really FELL SHORT of expectations, especially for the price. I'm giving this place 2 stars, mainly because our server really was excellent and the lobster pasta we had was tasty - even though the initial order of the pasta had a FREAKING HAIR IN IT. GROSS. 1. Upon entering, it was FREEZING, as the AC was on blast in every area of the restaurant, despite it being very empty upon our 5pm arrival. The staff couldn't do anything about it, so we just had to deal with the uncomfortable ambiance, despite the decor being trendy for photos. 2. The food was OK. The tuna crudo was decent and we could have don't without the cake with caviar - it was sweeter than expected and literally the smallest caviar topping - no worth the price. 3. The lobster pasta had a FREAKING HAIR IN IT. We only had a few bites before I had disturbingly pulled a hair from my mouth. UTTERLY HORRIFIED and DISAPPOINTED because it was actually tasty until then. Both my cousin and I have long hair it was not even close to being ours and I immediately stopping eating it out of disgust. We called over a server about it, he just said let me get a manager. I told the manager and he just said he would get a new one, but never acknowledged or apologized for the mishap. He just replaced it and never even offered anything to rectify the situation. The new pasta was fine, but how the situation was handled really ruined the experience. Nevertheless, I paid for all that we ordered and I tipped. Unfortunately, we won't be dining here again as the experience was less than favorable and the level of professionalism is not worth the price of dining here. read more
13 hours ago
Parking was available on street near by. The cocktail selection is pretty regular, but executed well. It is a summery, refreshing restaurant drinkwise, foodwise. Bright, crisp, tangy. Cocktail based on water melon liquor and gin was a nice summer cocktail to start your seafood meal. Starter we did ceviche, which was served with taro chips. The tangerine infusion makes it more tantalizing without being too acidic. The clam toast was a surprise. I never thought i will enjoy a soggy bread this much. Incredibly executed, ask for an extra side of bread to soak in all the good stuffs in the gravy. Lobster linguine was also refreshing, good amount of lobster claws with truffle crumb. It was crispy, hearty, tangy and filling. Wish it was slightly less tangy. The sea bass was executed nice, no fault there. Grilled carrot was on the sweeter side, the cashew tahini sauce was not enough to cut it. More vegetables on the menu will be much appreciated in future. It was a wk prior to my wife's birthday, they offered a nice ice-cream with candle, we were full but it was good. The service was prompt, menu was explained. The server was patient with orders. The other server who brought the food always came with such warmth. In the western side of the sun soaker restaurant, it is a encinitas staple. We also caught the sunset after walking 3 blocks west. A feel good Sunday evening before you recharge for the Monday. read more
The restaurant was busy on a Friday night, definitely recommend having reservations (via opentable). I got the Sonoran Sunset cocktail (mezcal based) which was really good. My hubby got the Tropic Thunder which reminded me of spicy marg, also really good! Both were topped with Tajin rims. We got the half dozen oysters which came with 3 east coast and 3 west coast oysters. The east coast ones were more creamy while the west coast ones were more briny. For mains, I got the Tuscan Ragu which was so flavorful! My hubby got the 8 oz filet which was cooked perfectly and so good. The sauce it came with was a little on the saltier side but still good. Overall, we were impressed with the food and drinks here! read more
1 day ago
This has been on my list for a long time. Finally got to try it. Katy was our server, she was very friend! We started with the Parker house rolls, which were cold but still tasty and a Caesar salad- this was good. But was a little thrown off with the "pork rinds" they tasted good with the salad combined but on their own- not so much. One thing that was extremely frustrating was we still had half the salad and the bussing girl asked if we were done- umm no.... But to make matters worse another busser came by to take it away too. If we weren't "actively" eating they were trying to take our plates away. I thought maybe our main entree is coming... finally we just gave up and just said take it. Our food didn't show up for 10-15 min! So that wasn't the case. The smashed potatoes were soooo good. We also got the filet- that was tasty too- though the sauce was a little salty. We also got the lemon shrimp pasta- we couldn't eat it- it was very spicy- I'm a wimp- and my husband is who loves spice didn't even like it, couldn't taste the lemon because it was thrown off with the spiciness. The overall restaurant is fun, can get a little loud- our server was great. But the other two people. Not so much. I'm fine to try it again. Hopefully it would be better. read more
1 month ago
We had dinner here for Friday date night and really enjoyed it. We started with a Butter Me Up and Bay City IPA. I could have drank the Butter Me Up in two sips, it was delicious. We moved on to a Surfin' Swine and Old Fashioned after. My partner liked the Surfin' Swine, it wasn't my favorite, but the Old Fashioned was great!! We ordered the "Ode to Swan" appetizer to start. The fish was fresh and the olive oil with capers had a nice flavor. We moved on to the Roasted Oyster and Bone Marrow. This was good but a lot of food, especially for two, so keep that in mind. For dinner, I ordered the Red Snapper which I loved. The most amazing thing...the fish head and tail are on the plate but then the middle of the fish is just the meat. But honestly, the hands down best dish we had was the Peri Peri Chicken. If I were to rank meats, chicken is always on the lowest on my list; however, omg, this was so good. I HIGHLY recommend. The flavors, seasoning, presentation, sauce...if you even remotely like chicken, order it!! The carrots were okay but I was a little disappointed. Great service, great experience...it was a little pricier than I was hoping it would be but it's Encinitas...to be expected. Will definitely return. read more
We went to Herb & Sea for their tuna tasting, and it was such a special experience! We arrived right at 6 PM, just in time to watch the cutting of the 90-pound tuna, which started around 6:10. We sat at the bar to watch, and the chef was so kind, explaining everything about the catch and answering all of our questions. She even gave us spoons to try the tuna, and wow... it was incredibly fresh! The menu was fantastic. The tuna tartare with the "potato-made toast" was absolutely delicious, and the seared tuna for the main course was WOW. We also ordered sides of potatoes and carrots, and everything was delicious. It is definitely on the pricier side, but honestly, the whole experience was absolutely worth it. Fresh, delicious food and such a fun way to learn more about what you're eating. Highly recommend it for a special night out! read more
3 months ago
Spectacular service, great food, and fun ambiance! Having frequented for the burger/oyster HH meal, so glad to have returned in a group of 5 so we could try a little bit of everything. Although a pricey restaurant, the quality of ingredients and creativity make for a memorable dining experience. Lots of fun cocktail options. Of the appetizers, we LOVED the mussel toast! Caesar salad and tomatoes were a touch salty for us, but packed some complex flavors. Wish we had gotten our pizza earlier so we could soak up the sauce on all the bread! For main entrees, the pork tomahawk and fish dishes were soo good! This is a great spot to have a fun meal in a beautiful space. read more
Very spacious arrangement, and spread out seatings. Way above dining room noise. Good for group parties. Challenging street parking. No valet parking at this high price, subtract 1 star. Good service but doesn't feel personal. Just like robots. Limited draft beer options in San Diego. We ordered "Ode to Swan" and Beef carpaccio for appetizers. The raw fillet mignon is right on. The raw fish is underwhelming in tiny portions. Then we shared the mussel toast, half baked red snapper, blackened salmon, grilled half peri peri chicken, roasted oysters and bone marrow, and shrimp linguine. They are on the salty side, especially the signature mussel toast. Very nice prepared half red snapper. Recommended the peri peri chicken for the spice and moist meat. Everything else is just ok not standout. read more
Service and atmosphere were on point--warm, welcoming, and the kind of place that makes you want to linger over another drink. The seafood was impressively fresh, and the fish was cooked perfectly. But the real MVP of the night was the bone marrow. Rich, buttery, and decadent, it was so good I briefly considered ordering a second round and calling it dinner. Slathered on bread, it was pure happiness. Then came the pizza... and unfortunately, it felt like it showed up to a different restaurant. The crust was undercooked, the sauce was bland, and each bite left me wondering if the chef had accidentally forgotten the seasoning and the oven timer. With so many delicious dishes on the menu, this is one pie I'd pass on. read more
1 month ago
3.5/5 Pros: - each week the restaurants menu is based off of the fresh catch from the local seafood markets - our waiter really knew his stuff and was very friendly and polite - the scallops were fresh and large, cleaned well, definitely recommend - the grilled red snapper was very fresh i can tell it was not frozen or put on ice for very long since it was caught. You probably cant find a place that can do this very easily at this size. cons: - we came due to it was a michelin rec for this area but i thought it was a little overhyped - it was a birthday dinner, and we didn't get seated until 25 min after our reservation and theres no waiting area so it was kinda awkward. Other guests also told me they also had been waiting for a while. - the pork was rlly dry and not that flavorful - a shame bc it seemed like a nice cut of meat - the potatoes sides were dry - the mussle toast is way too salty and so the bread and saltiness drowns out the mussle flavor neutral: - it's really loud, great for party vibes with some girlfriends but hard to hear in general - it's expensive for the vibes. we ordered on the heavy side for 2 people and it was $300. But if you're visiting just wanna experience fresh fish it's worth it read more
I'm somewhere between a 3 and 4 on this place. Came once for dinner and once for HHour. The dinner was good with a nice ambience, but a bit pricey to make it stand out. That said we came back for HHour. What was disappointing to me about HHour was the dearth of selection when it came to HH priced food. Due to this dearth, pretty much everyone in the entire bar was ordering the exact same thing for happy hour: The Happy Meal, which consists of a burger, fries, 3 oysters, and champagne. The presentation of the Happy Meal is very nice. The burger tasted very much like an In N Out burger to me, but with a much larger patty. It was good, but despite the similarity we think In N Out burger slightly edged out Herb and Sea's take. The fries were quite delicious. The oysters were large, but they're taste was meh. The same could be said for the bubbles/champagne: a large pour, but nothing to write home about. Due to the lack of food choices on the HH menu, we also ordered the scallop aguachile. It would have been nice if they would have labeled it something else, like a "deconstructed" aguachile. The scallop quality was very good, and the flavor was fine, but this dish is nothing what I expected; I expected a hearty bowl of spicy fish, like one might find at Ironside (Little Italy) or Mitch's Seafood (Point Loma). They had very few beer choices, but the Bulbous Flowers was delicious!!! read more
5 months ago
Located in one of my fave little beach towns, Herb and Sea in Encinitas was delicious! We were seated in a long table with ample room for our party of 7. Cocktails (well done), appetizers of spicy shrimp, oysters, and bread, then we shared a delish chicken, steak and salmon. The roasted carrots also, get them!! Interior aesthetic is beautiful and our server was very considerate and helpful! read more
15 days ago
This place is great. We had the whole experience of watching the chef cut the tuna and then we order the special of day. The service was great, and food and drinks amazing. I will definetly go back. read more
We ate here for dinner tonight and had such a wonderful time. Ordered: 1) scallop aguachile - love the flavors and scallop was fresh! 2) half dozen oysters - so fresh and love the tangy sauces they provide 3) sourdough bread service - free but must ask for this 4) chocolate mousse pistachio pie for dessert 5) half baked red snapper - OMG, a must get and was surprised by the succulent texture! Delicious, might be the best snapper I've had in terms of how it's cooked 6) pork chop -- so good, husband loved this and sauce was great. He would recommend and no wonder it's always on the menu 7) spicy Baja shrimp - decent but nothing too extraordinary 8) margherita pizza - kids loved this 9) chorizo pepperoni pizza - kids loved this Food came out pretty quick. Service was attentive and friendly. It's also nice that this place is a Chase Sapphire Reserve Table Exclusive! read more
3 months ago
Perfect fancy date night spot! I had a reservation for 8pm and it took about 15 minutes to be seated, we could tell they got a little bit of a rush around that time so we were fine to wait. Once we were sat our server was so kind and great at recommending items we were interested in trying. She had a busy section but was still checking in on us and making sure we always had drinks. She was wonderful! The food was all incredible and so fresh. We had the best date night and will be recommending herb and sea to everyone we know! read more
They have an amazing menu. All the dishes were very unique with interesting names. I didn't expect to get a chicken with the claws and a fish with the head but it's sliced perfectly in half... so it looks big but you are only half a fish. The Caesar salad was my favorite of all the dishes. Instead of croutons they use fried chicken skin. Certainly very unique dishes. Our server was amazing. He made us feel so welcome and was happy to share that they sometimes cut a whole tuna fish in front of guests. We will have to catch that event next time. Inside is quiet and romantic atmosphere. Definitely make reservations before you come. read more
Whenever a celebrity chef opens up a new location, you have to visit. I've seen Brian Mularky's work on Food Network regularly. Now that this restaurant had opened up right in my own backyard, had to give it a try. Luckily time on my schedule opened up while family were visiting. So glad it all worked out! It was extremely crowded on a Friday night during the holidays. There was a table available with an hour and a half wait. We decided to wait in the bar and grab a drink and appetizers while we waited. Seating was at a premium here as well. We grabbed space at a common table and ordered. In the mean time a table opened up in the bar, so we pounced on it quickly. Soon after our appetizers arrived. The mussel toast was both unique and delicious. The mussels were prepared in a butter and wine sauce that I'd drink a gallon of if I could! We also ordered a half dozen oysters. Half east coast, half west coast. Both were served with various sauces that superbly enhanced the flavors! We ended up staying at our table in the bar to complete our meal. We enjoyed the grilled half Peri Peri Chicken, Shrimp Linguini and the Chorizo Pizza! We added the Blistered Green Beans to add veggies to our meal. Everything was delicious! Lots of flavor in the pizza! Tender shrimp in the linguini. Little spice in the chicken. Our server was amazing! Sadly I didn't catch his name. The support team was great too. The restaurant was decked out for the holidays! If you missed it, definitely make plans to visit next year! Looks nothing like the restaurant during the year. Keep on Yelp'n! read more
Got couple of appetizers and main to share along five of us. Appetizers come in good portion. I forgot to take a picture but the smashed potatoes were amazing!! Quick service as well. Food came out fast. Parking is a bit difficult as usual. read more
This goes down in the books as my "Most Disappointing Restaurant of 2025." I've had 2 previous misses of visiting this restaurant and thought perhaps a 3rd attempt might be a charm. I should've just given up after 2 failed attempts of coming here. Those 2 failed attempts were disappointing but the experience here with my daughter and my friends were even more of a disappointment and a waste of money. We came here on 26Dec2025. The restaurant was packed and the line for the bar was long. Half of the restaurant (the bar side) was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and ornaments. The restaurant side was ordinary. My daughter ordered an espresso martini and it was awful. It was very acidic. We each had one small sip and that was more than enough. Our group ordered the following: WC Fresh Catch $20.25 Parker House Rolls $10.33 Johnny Cake $28.67 Seabass $34.01 Tuscan Ragu $28.21 Carrots $15.27 Charred Peppers $18.63 Potatoes $15.11 The Fresh Catch were heavily crusted mussels that were over-baked to the point where they were crispy and stuck to their shells. The Parker House Rolls were good, but the garlic herb butter smothered on top was nasty. The Johnny Cake was one single pancake heavily drenched in honey and was overly sweet. There was probably half a teaspoon worth of caviar on top. This dish made us feel physically sick. The Seabass itself was nicely cooked, but the sauce was bad. The Carrots were not even fully roasted. Some were still raw, and the yogurt sauce that came with it, well, that should be banned from menu. It tasted like spoiled yogurt and did not pair well with the carrots at all. Seriously, the chef had a really off night because the dishes that I've mentioned so far were just awful. The Tuscan Ragu, Charred Peppers, and Potatoes were the only 3 dishes that were edible and decent. Service was bad. Our server took forever to take our order and it felt like an eternity before the horrible dishes were brought to our table. Our water glasses were empty, and he never once checked in on us. Such a disappointing restaurant! I want my Money back! This was a waste of $261.65 (before tip). read more
Staff is always very professional and friendly. I always appreciate good service- main reason for stars. Food is good but not amazing. Every dish feels like it's missing a little something whether it's a small piece of crusty bread or a bit more flavor. Also, food is typically lukewarm at best. read more
4 months ago
Great happy hour! The $20 Happy meal is definitely worth the wait in line to get in for a seat for the happy hour in the bar. The burger and fries and delicious and the prosecco from France is very tasty and pairs well with the oysters. A 5 star meal! read more
Came here for Happy Hour, and our "pre" 20th wedding anniversary. Made reservations for happy hour at 5pm. When we arrived there was a line out around the corner. I think this is a regular occurrence. When the doors open, everyone rushes to get bar seating, which is first come, first served. At the front desk, we checked-in and they sat us at a table in the main dining room. I let it slide since we didn't want to get the Happy Meal anyway, but also wouldn't get any happy hour drink prices. We ordered: * Berry Hot & Bothered - $18 * Societe Bulbous Hazy IPA - $10 * Beef Carpaccio - $29 * Ode-to-Swan - $34 * Johnny Cake & Caviar - $29 * Half-Baked Red Snapper - $48 * Peaches, Peaches, Peaches - $18 * Butter Me Up - $17 The cocktails were fine. Butter Me Up was the best (an espresso martini). The beer was good. The Peaches and Berry drink were very mediocre. Server did get us two small glasses of champagne for our anniversary which was a nice touch. The Beef Carpaccio was amazing. There is a TON of breadcrumbs so if you inhaled, you'll choke. But the flavor was fantastic. Would order again. The Ode-To-Swan reminded me of the Spanish Sashimi at Valentina. Only they put a metric TON of chives on it so you can't even see the fish. This is a huge mistake. The dish was okay but all I tasted was chives. I love sashimi but would not order this again. The Johnny Cake was good but way too sweet! It's basically a thick pancake with caviar on top. The caviar was very savory and the sea bass rillete underneath was smoky. I loved the flavor combination but we could not finish the dish. The half-baked fish was phenomenal. A stunner. Even with the foggy eyeball staring at you. Soo good, I only wished there was more of that sauce on the plate. Even at $50, I would order this again. Total was $270 after tip. They add a 4% surcharge on the bill which is not great. I would come here again but skip the cocktails. Go to SAGO across the street instead for some banger cocktails. Parking was sparse. Street level only. We had to park a block away but the walk was not bad. It was 69° so the weather was perfect. Service was good but our server was clearly trying to get us to order more food. We did not need a second entree or a plate of carrots or potatoes. I would come back, mostly to try new dishes. The food is expensive but interesting in a way you don't know what something will taste like. Please ditch the chives on the sashimi! read more
Came here for date night and enjoyed most of the food! The standout was the Berkshire pork, so tender and flavor of the grilled meat with the citrus salad was amazing! The red snapper which was tender and delicious with the creamy sauce was a nice light balance. The Tuscan ragu was pretty standard. The smacked boardwalk potatoes were so good! The charred cabbage wasn't our favorite, so would recommend the potatoes as a more crispy yet hearty side. It was a busy night so service wasn't super quick, but it was cool to see the open kitchen. The restaurant was beautiful and fun to see the art pieces on the wall that go with the theme near the sea. read more
9 months ago
I came here having read all the recent 3 star or lower reviews so I had my reservations when arriving. However, I was previously recommended by a friend and had enjoyed dinner at their sister restaurant Herb & Wood the year prior so wanted to try it out anyways. I had a reservation for 2 on a Friday night at 5:30pm. Street parking was easy due to the early dinner time. We were sat promptly by the hostess, but unfortunately waited 5 or so minutes before our waitress came with introductions and water. I have heard of the slow service here so we prepared with our full order including entrees when she came to ask for our drinks. Here's the review on what we've ordered: - Drinks (Sonoran Sunset & Tropic Thunder(?)) - delicious, mezcal forward - Ode to Swan: I wanted to order this because I personally went to Swan Oyster Depot a few years ago in SF and this was one of their more famous dishes. Fresh and simple, very tasty but can easily be duplicated at home. - Caesar Salad: this one was a bit odd for me - very fishy flavor likely due to the anchovies(?) in the dressing. The chicken skin was nice and crisp, but the salad was just too dressy for me. Could have lightened the sauce just a bit. It is u like a standard Caesar salad in my opinion. -Tuscan Ragu: Great! Perfectly al denté squid ink pasta with a beefy ragu sauce. Typically I like to order protein entrees à la carte like fish, or a steak. However, nothing jumped out for me on this menu for me to order. Overall, a decently pleasant experience but food was just good. Nothing exceptional and while I'm glad we tried it, I would not come back or recommend this to friends over other fine dining restaurants. Given this is a 'seafood' restaurant, they sure had limited options for fresh seafood here during the time I was here. read more
Sorry everyone but Herb & Sea is mid. If you have to eat here - get the filet or tomahawk. I did love the 90s R&B music (we heard all of Destiny's Child's greatest hits). We found easy street parking. Hostess and waitress were nice enough. Desserts didn't even sound good so we skipped it. Don't think I've ever done that! read more
What a great vibe to enjoy such a fun fresh seafood-forward menu - paired with the great service and the staff at Herb&Sea are doing something right! Impressed with the attention to detail and the well-balanced flavors! We got to share a bunch of dishes between friends and our favorites were definitely the whole fish, the cavatelli, and roasted oysters w bone marrow and toast The drinks were a little underwhelming but everything did their job The staff was all so friendly and helpful, as well We'll definitely be back to celebrate again! Cheers, H&S! read more
10 months ago
My boss took us to dinner at Herb & Sea while we were recently in town. It's a super cute restaurant in Encinitas. The whole area is really fun! H&S was very busy with lots of people enjoying the bar area. Service was good, though not super attentive. Also, they were great in subbing some stuff most restaurants wouldn't during peak dinner hours. My ragu was good, had a little spice to it which I enjoyed. The drinks were really good though I wish I had gotten something else to go with what chose for an entree. Mezcal and ragu clashed a bit. Thoughtless on my part. It does get pretty noisy in the restaurant so at some point it felt like we were shouting at each other which was a bummer. read more
2 months ago
Came here for The Summer I Turned Pretty Watch Party and my friends and I had a great time at the Herb & Sea event. The menu was smaller, but we all found something we enjoyed and it was hosted in the back patio. The staff did a great job taking care of us. I ordered Ceviche and Fries. My girlfriends ordered 1/2 a burger and a Happy Meal, which consisted of 1/2 a Burger,Fries, Bubbles, and 3 Oysters. We all enjoyed our food. I'll definitely visit again to try their daily menu. read more
This spot has quickly become one of our favorite places to eat in Encinitas. Their happy hour is unbelievable.....I mean where else can you get a Smashburger, crispy fries, oysters and a glass of champagne all in one place? Every time we come, the food is consistently delicious and the cocktails are always on point. The bartenders are among some the best!! Jared and Ael can make some incredible drinks and their service is over the top! I will come back just for them! The rest of the staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely makes you feel welcome. The ambience is beautiful....the perfect mix of relaxed coastal vibe and elevated dining. We've tried several dishes off the regular menu too and everything has been amazing. If you're looking for great food, great drinks, and a happy hour that feels like a steal, this is your spot. Can't recommend it enough! read more
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More info about Herb & Sea
131 W D St
Encinitas, CA 92024
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(760) 704-8300
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https://herbandsea.com
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Ask the Community - Herb & Sea
Can a diner with a food allergy to onions be accommodated?
Yes, I believe they will accommodate.
Is there any corkage fee?
YES. $35/bottle. Ridiculous when the high at most upscale restaurants across the country is $25. They also charge a 4% surcharge for the cooks and back room staff like we're still in COVID era. Those tips should come from a share with the wait…
What is the noise level in here? Last time we visited it was deafening
Both times I've been, our entire large party was NOT happy about the unnecessary volume of music...and no, we were not all over 40.
Are dogs allowed on the outside patio dining area?
Yes- we saw a couple of dogs on the patio the last time we were there.
Do you allow us to bring our own wine? If so, what's the corkage fee?
I went to dinner with friends in February and the birthday girl brought in a bottle of champagne and they were fine with it. I have no idea if they charged us a corkage fee.
Has the restaurant fixed the noise level yet? Also do they still have that you need to leave in 90 minutes policy? Thanks!
Yes!! Go back, you're missing out.
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26 reviews that are not currently recommended
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