Delicious paella and Spanish tapas!…read more The paella was seasoned well with hefty portions of seafood. $59 for two people (minimum) and two tapas plates were plenty. The interior is decorated very casual and homey, it was a fun ambiance with excellent service! The flan dessert was so rich and creamy too. I would come back to try more of the hot tapas plates!

Costa Brava offers an energetic, lively atmosphere with dark woods and soft lighting. Owner Javier…read moreruns a bustling spot with tons of people. It does get a bit loud, including some street noise from car exhausts outside. It makes for a fun experience, especially for a lively group dinner. THE FOOD * Pulpo a la Gallega: Sautéed in olive oil and paprika. Tender, thin slices. The fresh lemon adds a bright acidity that balances the dish. * Gambas al Ajillo: Garlic shrimp treated very well. Tender, juicy, and highly flavorful. * Patatas a la brava: Hot potatoes coated in a creamy ali-oli. * Choricito frito: Delicious sautéed chorizo sausage. * Pinchitos de solomillo: Grilled filet mignon skewers. While the cook made them quite tender, the beef flavor was a bit off. I would recommend sticking to their phenomenal seafood instead. * Paella mixta: A classic presentation of saffron rice, chorizo, chicken, shrimp, and mussels. * Spanish creme brulee: A perfect finish. Wonderfully creamy underneath with a crisp sugar top. THE SERVICE Michael was our server and provided great service. He was attentive, knew the menu details inside and out, and provided excellent recommendations to guide our meal. OVERALL A solid tapas dining experience with great service and standout seafood.

There's a section near our local park, where we walk our dog; where different eatery pop ups come…read morein on different days. Seems to work well with the brewery/pub that they pop in front of. We've tried several different companies that have popped up here in the past. Today, we decided to try Psivilized and so glad we did! First of all the guy and girl running it are so nice, helpful and accommodating. We ordered... Large loaded potatoes without bacon. Cheeseburger with red onions (per request) Vegetarian burger with jalapeños I have to say, this was the best burger I've had in a very long time. The way they got the cheese toasted/formed on the bacon was incredible. Loved the spinach as alternative to the lettuce. My husband and I loved our burgers. The potatoes were great but we definitely did over order. Next time we'll get the smaller version. When we picked up the food, there was a very pleasant surprise for our pup. They had crumbled a beef patty for him and stamped his surprise with a doggie paw. That was so sweet and unexpected. These little things definitely mean a lot. Whenever we see them at our park again, we're definitely going to try more. There were definitely many tempting items on that menu.

I've eaten twice now at this pop-up establishment that operates at local SD area breweries They…read moreused to have a brick and mortar location in Vista but per the owners, they have discontinued that location and are now solely a pop-up. Last night they were at Voodoo brewing in Mira Mesa, tonight at Wild Barrel in San Marcos. They provide table delivery and have an eclectic take on basic burgers, but for Oktoberfest, they also have a chalkboard special of brats prepared a few different ways. Tonight, I chose to stick with that classic German tradition:: Jalapeño-plancha cheese and onion version. The brats are braised in Wild Barrel beer, at least they were when they are at Wild Barrel. Thr prior time I had a cheesey burger served patty melt style on toasted sourdough bread. Both the brat and the burger were excellent. They also offer as a side "loaded potatoes" which are cubed taters cooked on the flat top with the other principle food groups: onions, bacon and cheese. They are served with a ribbon of sour cream on top. Definitely worth the upsell add-on. Prices are super reasonable and all items are fully cooked to order and served hot from the grill. Great folks and good food. I'll definitely seek them out when looking for a brewery to spend a Sat night.

Molly is the best server we have ever had, anywhere. The food was incredible thanks to her guiding…read moreus. So glad we finally got to eat here after so long. Thank you all!

TL;DR: Great seafood, great service, great vibes! What an awesome pocket of North Park for whatever…read moreoccasion! Must visit in SD! Stopped by after coming home from a work trip to get a late night meal and was so glad we did! Service was top notch! From the minute we walked up to the door to the dish recommendations, everything was so warm and welcoming. Drinks, both alcoholic and NA, were well-balanced and refreshing. Really opened our appetite to crush a bunch of fresh seafood ...speaking of... Wow. Just wow. Everything was so fresh and you could taste the ocean in each bite. - Oysters were freshly shucked and delicious without any of the add-on sauces/dressings - Carpaccio: not to say that it wasn't delicious. It's just that compared to everything else, this was just good. skippable tbh - Sardines on toast: another banger! such thick whole pieces that just melted away with each bite. yum. - Mussels (MVP app): wowwwww so good. Underrated. So glad our server recommended them. If I had to redo our meal, I'd have ordered 2 and skipped the carpaccio. MUST GET MUSSELS. - Beets were a refreshing change from the seafood. Open to other salads but def order one as a palette refresher from all the ocean - Octopus: perfectly cooked and not chewy at all - Potatoes: too heavy to end with. Not bad in any way but I'd skip this next time. Really only want a half bite. All in all, Mabel's smashed it and we'll be back 100%. Cheers, Mabel's!

Walked in here expecting a bakery but it's ... an import store? Literally. They sell a couple of…read moregrocery items like canned goods and wine, and it was honestly quite confusing. Regardless, I don't know where the cashier got the egg tarts or if they bake them in-house, but they are phenomenal. Cashier walked into the back room and came back with these warmed delicacies. I scarfed down two in my car and debated on turning back for more. They're on the sweeter side, but they are elite. Pricey, but worth the "treat yourself" moment.

Portugal Imports is a small market in Fountain Valley, that's full of Portuguese items. You can…read morefind Olive Oils, cured Ibercan pork, chorizo, Portuguese sausage, sardines. What brought us in were their egg tarts. I've never been to Portugal, but I was happy to come in to have some savory croquettes and their egg tarts. Their portuguese egg tarts have the custardy flavor balanced by nice sweetness. We had a ham and cheese croquette and chicken croquette. The savory treats were breaded in bread crumbs and the ham and cheese tasted like it was filled with a cheesy bearnaise, while the chicken tasted like a crispy, chicken pot pie. This is a small store and it's a great place to find items for an authentic Portuguese meal. I would come again for these egg tarts, which has sweetness that's completely different than the Taiwanese variety I grew up with in the San Gabriel valley.

Approved by my Brazilian friend, that's good enough to make this place 5 stars. Reminded her of…read morelots of foods she enjoyed and us as people who don't often eat Brazilian food, we had a great time too. It's mini mart attached to the main restaurant. We came on a Sunday mid morning and since we had lunch plans later, we only snacked on a bit of the food. Service was super welcoming and inviting. It was like visiting a family member's or friend's home. Lady was super nice. Ambiance is very casual and you can tell that this is a community favorite too. Food came out quickly and was fresh. We got the: 1) Coxinha: -This is a popular Brazilian street food which is a deep fried croquette with chicken and cream cheese. -Delicious, light breading and the potato part is fluffy and the chicken is moist and all of the filling is plentiful and seasoned to perfection. We also got to try this with their home made chili sauce, nice delicious heat. Good stuff. 2) Pao de Queijo: -A MUST for my friend and I whenever I see them available. -Super yummy Brazilian cheese bread. I love the delicately light crisp from the exterior, slightly chewy dough, and of course the cheese inside. -Addicting and delicious snack. I can easily munch down several of these and the quality is good here too, especially since it's made fresh! We also got the bottled juices, imported in from Brazil. Mango and guava were like nectar juices, super yummy and the pistachio one was pretty unique. Our table also ordered the Brazilian lime alcoholic drink, but as a non drinker, I can't comment on this. Definitely would like to come back here again the next time we're in SD.

I really wanted to like this place but my experience was disappointing. The food was not very good…read moreand the service made it even more frustrating. Our waitress did not write down our order and because of that my Brazilian cheese bread never came out. When I mentioned it, she said she "didn't know I ordered that" and I explained that this is exactly why writing orders down matters. On top of that, something happened that completely ruined the meal. A huge roach came out near the front area and one of the staff members just smashed it and kicked it outside the front door like it was nothing. It was honestly shocking and very uncomfortable to see, especially in a restaurant where people are eating. Overall the service, food, and cleanliness were not what I expected and I would not recommend this place based on my visit.

Best Sangria and beef empanadas. We had great service and…read moregreat food! Decor and ambiance was fantastic and set the tone. Can't wait to go back. Our new favorite restaurant.

Sevilla Valentine's Day Edition:…read more Pardon the delay, amigos! It's been a lengthy week! But I digress! You're here for the deets! Like every boyfriend who wants to show his adoration for his gorgeous girlfriend, I planned this event a few weeks ago. Commitment & dedication are key. Flamenco Show, 3 course dinner for two, AND dancing after?! Yeah, your amigo has it covered! This package is available on their website, and not only on Valentine's. But this day does make it more romantic! A minor 5-10 minute wait as we stepped out of our Uber to the front entrance of the club adjacent to the restaurant. Our lovely hostess greeted us & escorted us downstairs to pick our table. There were no specific table reservations, but all seats are good, as it's a small venue. The Love Gods smiled upon us and granted a table close to the front with an awesome view of the stage. Perfect table for the perfect date! Starters set the tone. What's this? A Welcome Charcuterie Platter?! It appears out of nowhere as our server takes our drink orders. The service here is impeccable! Impressive spread of cheesy, meaty goodness! The Shaved Jamón Serrano Ensalada Sevillana has a wonderfully zesty citrus vinaigrette that makes you clack your castanets! Ole!! Cocktails for the cute couple! A Oaxacan Flower for my Monterrey Mami! My gal loves her some mezcal! I opted for El Matador Margarita, because I know what I want...tequila! Plus the cucumber counts as healthy! I will die on this hill! The Main Course is the star of the show. And in full diva fashion, the Lobster Paella Valenciana stole the spotlight! A masterfully, monstrous mix of meat & seafood, all on top of some bomb-a** Saffron Bomba Rice! There's even a lobster tail in case you're still hungry! Queue the Flamenco show. The two dancers were elegant, the music was powerful, the singer sublime! Enjoy your dinner to a phenomenal 2 part show put on by very talented artists! We got to meet them after the show, as they personally thanked practically every guest! Elegant as their artform! Lest we forget the dessert! The Flourless Chocolate Cake was just the right amount of sweetness to cap off the dinner & show, as we shared our own sweet nothings. Love & Chocolate, a perfect combo, just like my beloved beauty & her humble narrator. As the performers were packing up & saying their final goodbyes, the staff was clearing the space for the last part of our adventure...dancing! A brief 15ish minute wait back outside & back inside we went! Got a great spot up front by the stage, but be aware the only sitting will be done by the VIP section. I believe it's bottle service only, but you can ask. We didn't, as we did not intend to sit at all! We boogied down, baby! The DJ did a great job keeping the vibe alive. Perfect ending to a perfect night. *Caveat - The dinner menu has other options & several a la carte items, if you so choose. Check their website for specific package info. You cannot go wrong. TL:DR - Never give up on love!

To be honest, after reading a number of the reviews for this restaurant, I had mixed feelings about…read moretrying it. I'm very glad I did! I've tried Brazilian steakhouses all over and this one was one of my favorites! To start with, everything on the produce bar tested very fresh and delicious. My server was very efficient and friendly and from Brazil too! Anyway the service was great, servers kept coming around with the various meats on skewers. The side dishes for freshly prepared and very tasty. Really I had no complaints at all about anything. Note that this place does get very busy at times and that can be frustrating I am sure, but if you are looking for a unique, delicious Brazilian steakhouse, look no further!

Visited here on Easter Sunday right at 12pm.i had a reservation but decided to just get in line. It…read morewent quick. I will start out the positives. The hostess was very friendly and sat us in the back. Isaac was our server and he was great!!! My daughter's first time at a Brazilian steakhouse and he explained the process very clearly. Since we were part of the first round of customers, all the meats came out pretty fast. They cook the meat medium rare to medium (which is completely fine with us). They do have a decent salad bar. They added eggs and bacon today. Maybe, for Easter? I really liked the tritip, seasoned sirloin, most of the filet mignon, sausages, family said shrimp was delicious. Now with the cons. After the first round of meat, we hardly saw much of them again. Maybe, in spurts. We would try to make eye contact but I guess it was kind of busy but still not an excuse for the gaps in service. Some of the meats were salty which we just ate more of the unlimited mashed potato. For unlimited meat and salad buffet, we didn't even stay long. I have gone to 3 other Brazilian steakhouses and this one is my least favorite. This one just doesn't live up to the other ones. I felt the price tag was outrageous for the quality given. I have never had to wait so long to be attended to either in other restaurants. My husband did not care for the place at all. My daughter was bleh about her first time. We just expected better than what we received. Isaac was the best part of our visit but I doubt we will ever come back.

This business makes Brazilian desserts from a private kitchen in PB. Pudim, quindim, and brigadeiro…read morewere the offerings from the online ordering page. Pudim is the Portuguese term for condensed milk pudding served with caramel sauce. Spanish speaking countries call it flan. Quindim is a custard made with sugar, egg yolks, and ground coconut which is then presented as an upturned cup. Brigadeiro is a rolled mixture of condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powder. Their version has a pudim filling topped with chocolate sprinkles. Individual servings were sold as kits of three units (mini) or six units (regular). Family size portions were exactly as they sounded... large and pricey (more than $30 each). You schedule a pickup time between 5 and 9 pm on Monday through Saturday. The lady (Paula) will come to the curbside to deliver the order to your vehicle. I bought a mini kit of traditional pudim that I consumed over one week. The flan was very smooth and creamy while the caramel added extra sweetness. The only drawback was the $21 price for three small cups.

I saw this sweet spot pop up as a "Hot & New" business on Yelp, but had never heard of pudim! A…read morequick search showed me this is the Brazilian version of flan. I LOVE flan so it's no surprise that it was love at first bite with It's Pudim. It was easy to place my order online. They have a short menu with different sizes/flavors. In addition to a variety of pudim flavors they have Brigadeirao and Quindim- both look really good and I hope to place another order to try them soon. It was easy to pick up my order - I got an email and was able to call when I arrived. Paula was so friendly and the box even had a personalized touch. For this order I got 6 individual pudim cups of different flavors- so delicious!

The food here was impeccable! We were highly impressed with the service provided by our server…read moreLupe and his help Austin. We were celebrating a birthday and they made it such a fun experience. We were sat in the middle of the restaurant but it was still very quiet and private. We had a 10/10 experience and will definitely be coming back in the future!

What a great experience at this restaurant. While I have been a Fogo rewards member and lover of…read morethe brand, the service at this place was on point and superb! From entering we were welcomed with a smile and all throughout the churrasco experience, the gauchos were attentive, engaging and friendly. Even when it was an hour before closing time that we showed up, the staff made us feel welcomed and appreciated. The food is always amazing and the meats hot and with all cooked terms. Salad bar pretty stacked and varied. Restaurant was pretty busy but we were in the quiet section that made for a mote pleasant conversation. Highly recommended.