Quality food with attentive and helpful services…read more The wait staff took care of us, a party of 14 people, without feeling the pressure of ordering extra. A nice group lunch! Will come back with family for dinner.

A longtime favorite for the downstairs wine store and tasting program, and for business lunches and…read moredinners. Warm, comfortable atmosphere. A variety of starters and entrées to choose from. On our most recent visit, with another couple, we had a few hiccups with the service. The wine and bussing service were excellent. But we had to flag down the waiter to bring a missing salad after a lengthy delay. We started with an escargot appetizer ($18) with tarragon and basil compound butter, which didn't match the traditional garlic butter recipe in most restaurants. The snails weren't terrific, either. The Strawberry Caprese was a hit, and it was also $18. For entrées, the pan-seared scallops ($43) were the favorite. Followed by the chicken with seasonal vegetables ($36), then the duck (two ways, $39), confit and roasted, with the roasted being a bit dry, and a decent Madeira sauce. A couple at the next table praised the peppercorn steak, an 8-ounce ribeye, for $48.

First of all service is on point. Water cup is never empty, a good cadence in check is without…read morebeing overbearing. Our server is charming and a very dynamic personality. Ambiance also 5 stars - elevated without being overly flashy. The dining tables are well spaced out. A perfect date night romantic atmosphere. Food: the bread served in the beginning was a little tough and borderline stale. I wish it was served fresh and warm. The escargot is very well flavored and the toasted bread gives is a nice textural contrast. The lavender martini is A MUST. It's incredibly smooth but the punch sneaks in and quickly. The crab cakes and calamari are also very well flavored and not too oily. The calamari is nicely breaded. Both have sauces that pair well with the dish. The mushroom ravioli is amazing and the Boeuf Bourguignon is also very well constructed. Overall had an amazing experience here and would def come back if im in the area.

Ambiance is nice. But... All of our party got sick after our…read morehappy hour food. We all ate the same, ceviche, calamari, and sliders. Ceviche was not good but we don't send back. Calamari serving was meager. All of us sick all the rest of the evening. We will not return.

The food is delicious here and the place is cute, however, they are consistently understaffed and…read moreit's a problem. If you need a job waiting tables maybe hit them up. If this were the first time, we might understand, things happen and sometimes you have to work shorthanded, but this wasn't the first time, more like 4th or 5th time over a period of several months and every time we come they are clearly understaffed and this place gets packed so it's not like they don't need more people. An entire restaurant is run by 2 servers, seems like maybe the owner and her son, and we could only see 2 kitchen staff working their asses off behind the glassed in kitchen, which likely means no breaks for any staff and everything takes forever. If you don't mind sitting and waiting for your food and drinks, by all means go here. The first time we were almost late for a show because dinner for 4 of us took almost 2 hours. We hope this review might inspire them to expand their staff because the food is delish and we want to keep coming back!

This is probably the longest overdue review I have ever written, but at this point, not writing it…read morealmost feels selfish because I would very much like to always be able to get a table here. But alas, Carbon Angela's Kitchen deserves every flower, every reservation, every "you have to try this place" text thread, and every bit of love. This place has become one of my absolute favorite hidden gems in San Diego. Easily top five for me, and as someone who dines out a lot for a living, that is not a casual statement. There are places you like, places you recommend, and then there are places that start to feel woven into your actual life. Carbon Angela's Kitchen is that for me. Angela is truly the heart of this place. She has this way of making you feel like you are not just coming in for dinner, but being welcomed into something she deeply cares about. And Emanuele is absolutely part of that magic too. Together, they have built something that feels warm, generous, soulful, and so special. They feel like long-lost friends and family now, and I am honestly just so proud of them and all they are creating. The food is the kind that makes you want to order with the whole table in mind. The griglia mista is hands down one of the best investments you can make if you are dining with a group. It is the meat platter, it is the moment, and it is absolutely worth ordering. Four to five people can split it, especially if you are also doing appetizers, salad, wine, and a few extra things for the table. It is such a perfect nod to what Carbon was before Angela took over, when the space leaned more BBQ, but now it feels beautifully married with Angela's warmth, Italian influence, and the kind of hospitality that makes the whole meal feel like an experience. And please do not sleep on the rest of the menu. The short rib is fire. The arancino trio is always a yes. The eggplant croquette? Obsessed. The crespelle? So good. The Everything Salad is my favorite salad on the menu, and the street corn should never, under any circumstances, be skipped. I said what I said. The wine selection is top tier, the appetizers are memorable, and the whole place has that rare magic of feeling cozy, intentional, and completely unpretentious. You can come for a low-key dinner, a girls' night, a celebration, or one of those "we just need a really good meal and a really good glass of wine" kind of evenings. And the back patio? Perfect for an evening under twinkling lights. It is one of those spaces that just begs for a long table, good conversation, clinking glasses, and the kind of night that accidentally turns into a core memory. They also have catering menus available, which is very important information to keep in your back pocket if you are hosting anything soon. What Angela has built is honestly something to behold. One of the hardest-working restaurateurs doing the dang thing in a city like San Diego, and now opening Bedda across the way too? I am in awe and wonder watching it all unfold. It takes so much courage, grit, taste, excellence, and heart to build what they are building, and you can feel all of it in the room. Carbon Angela's Kitchen is a true labor of love, a hidden gem, and one of those places I will keep cheering for again and again. Go hungry. Order the griglia mista. Get the Everything Salad. Do not skip the street corn. Share Share Share, so you can try a little bit of everything and do a tried and true family style meal, you won't regret it.

This place was amazing! We had a delicious meal with the recommended appetizer with the Baked…read moreHumboldt Fog, with cheese, perfectly sautéed mushrooms and excellent brioche. We had the seafood risotto, and it was my favorite dish on my entire trip to San Diego! The scallops were fresh and flavorful and the shrimp were just as delicious. The tomato based sauce was a fresh take on one of my favorite dishes. We split a bottle of wine, as our waitress advised us of the no-corkage fee special on Thursdays. We chose the lemon curd and chocolate chip bread pudding for dessert, it was too hard to pick one. The space was intimate and romantic, and we had fun checking out all of the wine varieties available for purchase. We stopped by their Vault and there were some lovely options that were definitely out of our price range, but there was an amazing selection of wines that suited our budget!

This place is a true gem in OB, especially for wine lovers. They always have a great wine…read moreselection, and the food is consistently delicious. Plus, their happy hour options are great. Easy go-to spot for a relaxed night with good wine and food. If you have a dog , no worries they have a super cute outdoor patio and a dog menu !

Having eaten here several months ago for dinner, loving it, and forgetting to leave a review; I…read morefigured I'd redeem myself and post my latest lunchtime snack I had here at Saint James a few days ago while waiting for a Swiss watch technician from across the street to come back from lunch himself. French onion soup. Enough said. Deviled eggs rounded out our light snack, and those were freshly prepared. While the expected olive and chive flavor was outstanding, the anchovy was done just right to elevate the dish (my understanding now is that anchovy is usually included in deviled eggs as served in Europe). Our espresso martinis excelled at fronting the coffee taste before the vodka, instead of the usual other way around. This sip was exactly as I remember when I had the same for dinner previously. Service as mentioned, was extremely friendly and more importantly, went beyond service and well into hospitable. Love coming here. So, if you're in the area and just need a light snack (or a hearty dinner), drop on by - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Came here for a meetup. Did some research and I guess it has some history. Here was my experience…read more AMBIANCE Parking: Downtown San Diego, parking can get chaotic but doable. But your best with public transportation, rideshare, or carpooling. Seating: It's a smaller, intimate space with a mix of tables, booths, and bar seating. Room for maybe 50 people or so. Vibes: In the heart of Downtown San Diego, there are a lot of eateries and activities. The spot itself, Saint James feels like someone took an old-school American diner, sent it on a trip to Paris, and brought it back to San Diego. You still get the casualness and familiarity of a diner, but with the moodier lighting, décor, bar, and menu of a French bistro. It's stylish without feeling like you need to be overly dressed up. Being tucked into the Palihotel also gives it that cool boutique-hotel energy. FOOD / DRINKS Burger Parisienne (Recommend) A comforting flavor with some simple french influence. At its core, you've got something very American: a juicy cheeseburger. Then the French influence with the caramelized onions and a rich bordelaise (sweet wine) sauce. It's rich, savory, and makes this much more of a fork-and-knife burger than your typical grab-it-and-go situation. French Martini (Recommend) When at a French restaurant, do French things. Fruity, smooth, and easy to drink. You get the sweetness and tartness you'd expect from a French Martini, making it a nice contrast to the richness of the Burger Parisienne. CUSTOMER SERVICE Friendly, attentive, and professional. Can't complain! TL;DR OVERALL 4 Stars. Good food, good drinks, and that balances French flavors with American culture. It's not quite a traditional American diner nor a traditional French bistro. If you're exploring Downtown San Diego and want something a little different without going full fine dining, this is worth checking out. TIPS * Check out their weekday Happy Hour from 3-6 PM

Open since 2010, this is definitely one of my favorite French restaurants in San Diego. My family…read morelives in Rancho Santa Fe and the evening before we had Mille Fleurs, which is a very famous French restaurant up in North County, and honestly I had this meal the following evening and can say Smoking Goat can go toe to toe with MF and it really is a delicious option, and certainly one of the best in North Park. They have a large bar, as well as many indoor and outdoor seating options. Our server was extremely polite, and everything that we ordered came out very fast. Parking in North Park can be a bit tricky because there aren't any pay lots, but it's not very hard to find a free street spot if you circle one or two times. We were able to find a spot two blocks away. For my first visit, I was very impressed with the experience and started off with the Steak Tartar and thought it was terrific. It had a perfect amount of mustard flavor to it, and every part of it was delicious. For my entrée, I chose the Halibut Special, which I thought was fantastic. The fish was perfectly crispy, and I just loved every part of it. I would highly recommend this place to any French cuisine fan or to anyone searching for a great dinner option in San Diego.

The Smoking Goat is a French inspired bistro located in the North Park area of San Diego…read more Reservations can be made on OpenTable. We Ubered everywhere on this evening so I can't comment on the parking situation, but it looked like street parking only. Seating options include the bar half of the restaurant with seats at the bar and cushy looking booths against the wall, or the main dining room. We sat in the main dining room which is quaint, and not necessarily upscale, but it does have a classy feel. The wall is brick, and the space is lit slightly dim. The kitchen is open and can be seen from the dining room. There was a nice mix of music playing in the background. I asked if they offered bread and butter, and they do not. But you can order an off-menu half French baguette for $5, served hot from the oven, with butter. We started by splitting the poached pear salad ($16). This was a delicious salad with local greens, blue cheese, fresh poached pears, and a champagne vinaigrette dressing. It was a pretty big salad, perfect to share between the two of us. For my entrée, I had the pasta seafood special with shrimp, salmon, and mussels in a lemon crème sauce ($42). Everything on the plate was delicious, and it had a generous amount of seafood. The lemon crème sauce had the perfect amount of flavor without overpowering the dish. She had the Scottish Salmon ($39). The salmon is topped with a lemon beurre blanc sauce, and is served on a bed of spinach and lentils, sitting on top of a parsnip puree. She loved it. Our server Ryan was very polite and professional and provided excellent service. We really enjoyed our meal here, and would definitely return.

I've been here multiple times before for happy hour & then some. Love it before but LOVE THEM even…read moremore now!! Our gf had her bday celebration here two weeks ago. I was 30mins early with homemade bday cake in hand to surprise the bday girl. Since I was the first one there, Ludo & staff were exceptionally sweet to let me sit & wait even though all parties haven't showed up yet. Exceptional customer service!!! 12 out 10!! Delicious food & pretty big portions. Can't rave enough about this fine establishment!! Btw, there's an extra charge for bringing outside cakes which isn't a problem. In fact!!! They went above & beyond with cutting the cake & decorating each slices with fresh fruit & tasted like a coulis sauce. Gave the restaurant staff the rest of my homemade pandan carrot cake to share. Highly recommend Et Voila to every one!

Some friends of mine brought me to Et Voila French Bistro for a birthday dinner. I have not been…read morehere since 2016 when they first opened. For my dinner, I had the traditional Boeuf bourguignon with pappardelle pasta. My friends ordered the Steak au Poivre et Frites and Coq au Vin. We also had a great bottle of wine called Lacoste-Borie 2018. The last time I had boeuf bourguigon was about 20 years ago. a rendition of Anthony Bourdain's recipe, but without the pappardelle pasta. Et Voila's version with the pappardelle was outstanding. The freshly made pasta, not only added great texture, but also flavor. It prepared just right, too. The Cabernet sauce was excellent and offered a great depth of flavors. The dish also came with tender carrots, sweet pearl onions, and white mushrooms. All of them were perfect. The beef was rendered down beautifully and had great color and was very tender to the touch. The beef offered exceptional preparation and was an absolute pleasure to eat with the Cabernet sauce. Well done chef. I was treated to a house soufflé which was excellent. It hit all the notes: light, soft, and airy, but packed with flavor. The sauce that came along with it was very good. My friends, who are regulars here, were very pleased with their dishes as well. I have to say, both of their dishes looked amazing. The hospitality at this French Bistro is first rate. All the employees, including the owner, were very amiable and welcoming. They aim to provide an excellent dining experience and that's what they do. This place is perfect for date night, special occasions, or just to simply enjoy a delicious quiet meal.

Food here at bistro Du Marche is always top 10. We come here for Mother's Day birthdays and…read morecelebrate vacations. The service is always Top Notch and the people Care. It is red velvet boot so very romantic atmosphere definitely don't eat the day before so you can finish your dinner.

Having just been in France we were looking for an authentic French meal. The small La Jolla spot…read morehas been here for a long time. I used to love Tapenade, so we thought this would be a great idea. This was my first time here but not the person I was with. The service was fairly quick. Unfortunately they were out of the Dover sole. Our server said next time reserve it. We split the crab and mango salad and the rack of lamb. The French bread served at the table stole the show. I could have eaten that all night. The salad was light and flavorful. It has a mayo base that hid some of the crab flavor. The crab was very fresh and large chunks that built up the stack. The rack of Lamb was very inconsistent in cook temperature. Our server never asked us what temp we wanted it at. I had one chop that was perfectly med rare. The other chop on my plate was medium - over cooked. The other 2 chops on the split plate had a similar problem. Also the thickness was very inconsistent. If the lamb had been properly cooked I would have given this spot 5 stars. Not blown away tonight.

This was my third time eating here and my feelings have not changed. The food is pricey and just…read moreok- not great and not bad. Certainly not the best french place in town. We ordered the house salad to start. It was well dressed and enough to share but too sweet for my taste. The meal came with plenty of decent bread and mayonnaise. I prefer butter but hubby liked the mayo. i ordered the steak frites and hubby got the mussels. Portions were large. The steak came with a big wet glob of onions which i didn't like. I felt the onion really muted the peppercorn sauce flavor. The fries tasted good but the smell of lavender was so strong that i found it rather off putting. The mussels were also fine. Ambiance was cute and service was good. Overall fine but a bit pricey for just fine.

It's been a bit of a mixed bag around these parts; today…read morethere were just a few more lows. What's good: The fries are tasty when crispy. The chicken from the chicken sandwich is usually seasoned well, and the accompanying crusty bread is righteous . Absolutely love that they use brie on that bad boy. The breakfast potatoes were herbaceous and cooked to perfection. Bacon was crispy and beautifully salty Their aioli is wonderful on the fries. Prices are reasonable Can use some help: The 3 eggs over easy eggs were brown on the outside, with undercooked whites on the inside. The steak was chewy and undercooked. I didn't even finish my half. Asked for the salad on the side, as to not mix the salad and dressing with the béarnaise from the steak, or the fries. Unfortunately it was missed. The chicken sandwich always falls apart due to the large romaine spines. Also, the lettuce was really wilted and unpleasant. And sadly, no aioli was provided for their lavender fries. Also, fries were really soggy this time. All in all, a decent meal with some solid hiccups. We'll definitely be back though as they normally put out 4 stars and up! Thanks Au Revoir!

Let's be honest here, we live in a city that is saturated with beer festivals. It is almost…read morecomical the number of so-called beer festivals I see advertised around town. When clubs in the Gaslamp started hosting beer festivals, that is when I knew it was all going downhill... All of that being said, I had pretty much given up on attending beer festivals. That is, until I saw the notice for the Stone Belgian Fest on the company's website. Only $50 for 15 generous pours of some extremely rare Belgian style beers - yes please! Because it was the first year of the festival, they limited the number of attendees. This meant that the lines were short, and you could almost always find a spot to sit - a rare treat for a festival in San Diego. The festival was held outside, in the garden area, which was a lovely ambiance for enjoying some of Belgium's best. I can't speak to the line-up for next year's festival, but if it is anything like this year's, I highly recommend you buy a ticket.

Talk about a great event. Being the first Belgian Fest held at Stone Liberty Station, it went off…read morewithout a hitch. I have less exposure to Belgian style beers and that is where this festival really filled a void in my beer knowledge. They featured almost every style of Belgian beer including: Dubbels, Tripels, Quadruples, Gueuezes, Lambics, Flanders, etc. The event cost $50 and you received 15 tasters ranging from 2-3 oz pours depending on rarity. When you add it all up, it is the only affordable way to try some of these super rare beers, otherwise you would be trying to hunt down some of these bottles that sell for $60+ here in the States. Highlights for me were the Vigneronne by Cantillon, Hommage by 3 Fonteinen and really anything from Cascade brewery. Lines were manageable and the vibe was laid back, which allowed for everyone to focus on the beer instead of jumping into the next line as soon as you receive your pour. Food was not included, but they offered limited food options through the restaurant. I skipped it as it looked a bit pricey for what you got.