Celebrating my birthday with a new dining experience. Made a reservation and was seated upon arrival. An assortment of breads came shorty to the table with a glass of water. I ordered the beet salad and Seabass entree the server recommended of the fish choices (it's the most expensive too). The staff was very attentive . Food was delicious and cooked perfect. A great experience read more

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I came here for SDRW as I am a sucker for French food! The pre fixe food selection is pretty good with the option to supplement your meal with other menu items. I started off my meal with: Roasted Cauliflower Soup - Rich and creamy, this was the perfect start for my meal. Kim Chee Seafood Martini - Not sure why this is called Kim chee because it didn't taste like Kim Chee. Seafood was fresh. Pork Schnitzel- Fried pork cutlet with green beans that were perfectly crisp, although a tad bit salty for me. Although it came with a brown butter sauce, a bit more of a creamy sauce for this dish to provide something for the diner to dip the cutlet in would make this dish even better. Fried egg was perfectly cooked. Red Wine Braised Short Rib- I tried this and it was super tender! Truffle Fries (add on) - This was fried perfectly but would have preferred more truffle flavoring. Warm Chocolate Caramel Cake - Definitely warm and rich! I couldn't finish! Service was great and staff were super friendly. I would definitely return to try some of their regular menu items! read more

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This restaurant has been around for a long time. I've passed by it, and never had the opportunity to go until now. I wasn't sure how to feel when I walked in. The decor was interesting but dated. (Very 90's) The bar almost resembled a bar at a hotel. It didn't have a lot of soul, but I still have a drink and the bartender was very welcoming at accommodating. We were seated, and our server was extremely kind and funny. All the staff tried to be "high end" but it wasn't quite there. That's why I gave it 4 stars. It just wasn't what it was trying to be. The food was better than I expected. It was all executed well. The lobster ravioli is really good. I can see why that's a mainstay on the menu. This is a great place to go if you want to have a nice date night. It's not pretentious, and I can't tell if it wants to be or it once was. But it's comfortable and good. read more

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Upscale dining by Chef Jeffrey Strauss. We came for restaurant week ($70 + $45). The menu being offered is slightly different than the daily regular menu offering beef, pork, fish, duck and vegetarian. We ordered: Complimentary assorted bread basket came out first with mini corn muffins, baguette and a seeded bread that was my favorite. Lobster ravioli (also on regular menu) - 1 giant lobster filled ravioli with small mushrooms and scallops in a ginger soy mushroom sauce Skipped the second appetizer and Supplemented for the Angel hair pasta with shaved truffles for $45. You can add on as a third dish for $65. This was buttery rich goodness. Korean marinated flat iron steak - sliced in 7 pieces over fried rice. Although rice was good, sadly, we compared it to Trader Joe tv dinner. Pork schnitzel - I have to say, this was better than the ones I had in Germany and Austria because it was thinner, wasn't dry and had flavor (meaning salt). The potatoes balanced out the salty flavors. Warm chocolate caramel cake (also on regular menu) - served with berries and vanilla gelato. Found this to be same as other places. Seasonal fig tart - puff pastry with mascarpone filling, honey and few slices of fig. Restaurant week has gotten more pricy over the years with Pampalmousse on the higher end of $70, I expected more. I would have loved to see more of their regular menu items featured on the RW menu and more French inspired. Overall, plenty of parking, indoor and outdoor seating. We had a wonderful experience. Food was well prepared. Truffle pasta was our favorite. Our drinks were strong. I got the Sippin' on Lychee with gin, lychee liquor and simple syrup. read more

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~Food/Drinks~ House Bread: Includes baguette, jalapeño corn muffin, and a lemon and thyme biscuit (?). I thought the corn muffins were delicious and ended up asking for a second round. Kobe Sliders (Happy Hour): Comes with 3 burgers and we had the option to add truffle fries for an additional $3! These were surprisingly very juicy and well flavored. The fries were crispy but I didn't really taste the truffle flavor. I could at least taste truffle in the sliders from the cheese. Out of everything we ordered, this was our favorite. Braised Short Rib Empanadas (Happy Hour): Also comes with 3 pieces. These just reminded me of frozen mini tacos. The outer shell was very crunchy but not really the texture I was expecting for an empanada. There was also barely any chimichurri sauce...just a bit drizzled on one empanada. Duck Tacos (Happy Hour): Came with 5 mini tacos. The shell was crispy and had a texture similar to wonton chips. The duck meat was a little dry but it was super flavored from this sweet sauce...maybe hoisin? Melon Salad (Happy Hour): I was expecting a lot more melon but it literally just had 3 bite-sized pieces. These were more like garnishes instead of something part of the salad. The deep fried goat cheese was a nice touch but I think it would've been better with pieces of goat cheese instead of one big chunk. Grilled Sausage Platter (Happy Hour): A giant sausage, sliced into about 9-10 pieces served with some grilled bread and mustards and jams. The bread was probably my favorite part because it had this delicious grilled flavor to it. The sausage was flavorful and juicy too! At the end of our meal, we also got two sugar cookies baked into a shape of lobsters! ~Service~ Service was great! Because Happy Hour is only at the bar and there weren't anymore spots left, they set us up in the main dining room and allowed us to still order Happy Hour. Normally, there would also be outdoor seating but they didn't want us to experience all of the flies from the horse track nearby. ~Atmosphere~ When we visited, most of the diners were there for Happy Hour and dressed pretty casually. We did see some customers dressed up for the main dining room but the restaurant doesn't really give off the vibes that they're enforcing a dress code. ~Logistics~ As mentioned earlier, Happy Hour is only at the bar so if you don't have a reservation, make sure you come early. Apparently, you can specify on your reservation that you want Happy Hour and that can guarantee you a spot. Or if there's no option to specify, give them a call after you make the reservation so they can add a note. As far as I could tell, the parking lot is kind of small so I'm not sure how crazy it could get during peak meal hours. Plan ahead! ~Conclusion~ Overall, a pretty good happy hour meal. Although we left stuffed, I was surprised by how expensive everything still was, despite being discounted. We spent about $100 total for two people so keep that in mind, that this restaurant is on the higher end. I'd be interested to try their regular dinner menu someday though! read more

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Not only was the food life changing...Mama Chris was top tier. Funny, knowledgeable, charming, witty...she even cut up my food for me. Truly amazing service. I would give a limb for the cauliflower soup and miso cod. Let's not forget the bathroom wall art...hilarious. 10/10. Will be back. read more

Wow... exceeded expectations. After reading many great reviews, decided to give this place a try. Food is good, portions is good and service is good. What else can one ask for. Will definitely return. read more

Pamplemousse Grille - Mixed Grille. Enough for two with appetizers. - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

We always enjoy the food here. The service is wonderful and the entree's are consistent. Shane and Jerry are the best! This time, I ordered the veal chop. It was perfectly cooked and tender. My husband ordered the prime NY and loved it! Our children opted for the crispy duck, which is usually my go to order. Very good place and a must try! read more

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This was our first visit to Pamplemousse Grill in Del Mar, and if I wasn't living at the opposite end of the state, I'd be there all the time! PG was recommended to us by sophisticated locals with whom we've dined all over the globe. We arrived a few minutes early, were seated at the lively bar. Served delicious drinks promptly, then ushered to our table for 6 by a very attentive staff. Taking a cue from a frequent patron, I ordered the bison (special) and was delivered a memorable entree after an excellent beet salad. Everyone at our table was pleased with their choice, the service was as terrific as the meal, and the chef politely checked in for comment. This was an important experience for my wife and I; a rare chance to treat two other couples who have been important in our lives. We couldn't have chosen a better spot! read more

Proper fine dining. Service is impeccable, the room is beautiful, the menu is medium sized but diverse, and the wine list is extraordinary. It isn't a pretentious place, but you know you're in for a great meal, and that's what it delivered. Top notch. read more

Yummy. Fresh and tasty food. Quick and polite servers. Nice ambiance. Would recommend! read more

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This is an excellent new-style restaurant perfect for dates, as well as a high-end eatery with outstanding reviews. It boasts an elegant yet unpretentious atmosphere, making it suitable for dating, birthday celebrations, and business dinners alike-- the vibe is incredibly comfortable. The restaurant specializes in American-French fusion cuisine crafted from fresh local ingredients, and has established itself as one of the benchmarks for SD Fine Dining, thanks to its consistently high-quality dishes and sophisticated ambiance. We decided to check it out this time because our AE credit card got a new credit limit this quarter, and this restaurant is on the list-- we just had to come and experience it Our first appetizer was raw oysters. They were small but extremely fresh, and when paired with a mix of two sauces, they were absolutely delicious! The flavor lingered on the palate, leaving a memorable impression that's hard to forget. The lemon was wrapped in gauze, which was such a thoughtful detail! The second dish was the Lobster Ravioli appetizer-- ravioli stuffed with lobster. It was our first time trying this, and the ravioli were surprisingly large and quite tasty! The third dish was Mixed Seafood, featuring three types of fish: Ahi tuna, Salmon, and Sea Bass, served with a trio of sauces. The fish was pan-fried to a crispy exterior and tender interior-- a must-try for fish lovers! The fourth dish we ordered was roast duck, but it didn't live up to the innovative roast duck we had at Juniper and Ivy before, so you might want to opt for something else. For example, their signature dishes include Herb-Roasted Lamb Chops (crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside), Pan-Seared Scallops (served with citrus butter sauce, sweet and sour to cut through richness), and Wild Mushroom Risotto (rich in mushroom flavor with chewy rice grains). Among the desserts, the Salted Caramel Pudding is a safe bet that never disappoints-- definitely worth a try. The wine list also features a wide selection of high-quality wines from SD, offering great value when paired with the dishes The restaurant's waitstaff were extremely professional and attentive-- they helped us take photos , recommended dishes and wines, and ensured a smooth dining experience. Fresh bread was served before the meal, and refills were unlimited. They also checked in regularly to clear the table. If you're dining to celebrate an anniversary or birthday, they even offer a complimentary cake and custom pig-shaped cookies-- the sense of ritual is truly on point! The overall decor of the restaurant is fresh and innovative-- it looks high-end yet unique. The walls are adorned with murals of pigs and geese , along with matching decorations, which add a distinctive touch! Considering it's a high-end restaurant, the value for money is excellent-- the four dishes we ordered cost less than $100 per person. So if you're looking to celebrate an anniversary or birthday, and you prioritize taste and a sense of ritual, this is the perfect choice! Don't forget to wear a nice dress, enjoy delicious food, and take beautiful photos Tip: Make a reservation in advance-- the restaurant is closed every Monday. read more

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San Diego Restaurant Week brought us back to this old favorite of ours.  Pamplemousse IMHO is one the best restaurants in San Diego County.  It offered a three course prix fixe dinner for $70 that was outstanding. ----- FOOD (5/5) We each selected the Kim Chee Seafood Martini (5/5) for our First Course.  This was a generous portion of lobster, shrimp, scallops, and crab meat served in a flat bottom martini glass. For our Second Courses, I had the Crispy Duck (5/5) served on a bed of sweet white corn and porchini mushrooms, and my wife had the Miso Black Cod (5/5) served with fried rice and bok choy.  Both the duck and the black cod were cooked perfectly, and i really liked the cherry balsamic reduction with the duck. For Dessert, we both had the Fig Tart (4/5) served with a Raspberry Sorbet (5/5).  The figs were fresh but not quite ripe. ----- SERVICE (5/5) Service was polished and attentive. ----- DRINKS (5/5) We each enjoyed the Black Manhattan (5/5 $16) from the Cocktail Menu. There's an extensive Wine List, as well as Wines by the Stem. ---- AMBIANCE (5/5) Pamplemousse has a nice, warm, and inviting feeling to it.  The noise level in the dining room is moderate.   I like the artwork featuring geese.  The bar is very nice and features horse racing themed photographs and memorabilia (Del Mar Racetrack is across the street). read more

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I will never go there again Old people go there ..for the high prices paid $34!! For bare bun and burger putty OLD..OLD..pricy...SAD ambience read more

Absolutely delectable restaurant with amazing food, superb service and ambiance. We were a group of family and friends for a celebration. We were served some amazing starters and a course of sea food which had impeccable presentation. The main courses were really well done and equally well presented. Great standard of cooking and presentation. The desserts were scrumptious! Great place to try out as a family or group of friends. read more

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We came to Pamplemousse for restaurant week. They offered a nice three course meal that was a bit different from their normal menu. The soup was delicious, I wish we could have had more. The duck confit had a good flavor and the short rib was cooked really well. It was a classic French bistro experience so if that is something you enjoy then this is the spot! read more

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We went for restaurant week and it was such a great experience! Staff were so welcoming and kind. Tried the lobster ravioli, cauliflower soup, short ribs, and miso cod. I would order these things all over again. Never have I ever craved cauliflower soup before but now I want it all the time! read more

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My review is for the atmosphere and vibe. This restaurant is very dated. Looks similar to a denny's. Glass/plastic dividers were reminiscent of covid divisions. I recommend a renovation to fit the reputation. I understand it has been there a long time but it should grow with the times not get stuck in the past. read more

We came to Pamplemousse grill for the first time, and had a wonderful dinner. Excellent food and service. We will be back.

Food is good but a bit pricey. We had the sea bass and salmon and split a salad. Everything was tasty. The apple torte dessert was so good. Excellent service--our waiter was friendly and attentive. It's a nice place for a dinner date. read more

Came here for Valentine's day. It was busy as expected, but we made reservations ahead of time. The food was amazingly flavorful and delicious. Everything from the bread, appetizer, main entree and dessert did not disappoint. I think no matter what you order, you will enjoy. We had the venison and quail duo and the crispy duck. Again, both delicious. The waiter was great and checked in with us at the right times. We would definitely eat here again. read more

It's restaurant week! Had a three course menu with choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert with a wine pairing for each course. First, the space is well laid out with dividers between booths for privacy and noise reduction. You can actually have a conversation without speaking loudly. Service was excellent, both informative and accommodating. Bread basket with salty whipped butter was first to come out. The muffin was yummy, but the other two breads were a bit dry. The kimchi lobster/crab appetizer was perfectly chilled and flavorful. The kimchi did not overpower the sweetness of the lobster. My friend went for the short rib agnolotti which he enjoyed. Next we opted for the cod and fried tofu. The kitchen was out of cod so went for the salmon (pescatarian). Salmon was buttery and luscious served in a bed of rice with vegetables. The fried tofu was seasoned tofu wrapped in wonton skin and fried - pretty tasty, and also served with rice. Two options for dessert - a caramelized pear with vanilla ice cream and a chocolate mousse cake with chocolate ice cream. Both were rich and decadent. Everything that a dessert should be! Plus sugar cookies for an extra sweet treat. read more

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It's been a long time since I've been back to Pamplemousse and i was reminded why. The "upscale" ambiance was masked by the cluttered and cramped positioning of tables- but it kept me entertained by servers bumping into one another for the duration of our dinner. Service was fine but we were deeply disappointed by the food. The "off-menu" korean steak dish was practically flavorless and steak was overdone. VERY underwhelmed to say the least for kindness sake. We also had the seafood trio appetizer which could use more salt. Thank goodness we ordered the truffle fries because that probably the best part of our dinner. read more

Amazing time at private room assisted by John and Kai! Great food and great ambiance on 9/9/25. I will definitely be back again. Thank you.

We came here during Restaurant week. I don't know that I would recommend coming here otherwise, because it is definitely pricey!! Our menu included an array of food and drinks options. We started with the Sauvignon Blanc and the Kir Royale which were both delicious drinks. For appetizers, we ordered the Roasted tomato and fennel soup and the Lobster Ravioli. Both were delicious and I can't choose one over the other! I will say that the Ravioli was definitely an appetizer to be shared. It was as big as a usual entree for me. For the main course, we went the seafood way. I got the basil roasted salmon and my friend got the miso black cod. The clear winner here was the miso black cod. The cod itself was delicious, but the miso sauce and the fried rice were simply YUM! My salmon, while good, seemed very plain and boring...no dancing flavors in my mouth with this one!! For dessert, we got the chocolate caramel cake and the passion fruit tart. I'm biased towards fruity desserts, so again, the clear winner was the tart. The tartlet itself was crunchy, the filling was just sweet and tangy enough to not be overwhelming...the sauce was delicious and just see how pretty it looked in the photo! Neither the chocolate nor the caramel are flavors I particularly enjoy. So, the fact that I still liked this dessert says a lot. I do think that the vanilla gelato saved my palate. If you are a chocolate or caramel fan, definitely try this out. So yes, I'm glad I tried this during Restaurant week and only paid $70 + tax/tip because, there is no way we would've eaten all these dishes for that amount at other times! read more

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pamplemousse grill is hearty meaty favorites with tons of veggies and flair! cream stuffed chicken with roasted veggies, superb! gather round and celebrate with hearty chicken for a festive Friendsgiving! they cater too! read more

Pamplemousse Grille - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

Great ambiance. Food is good, but not too impressive, came on a busy night DM race was on.

The Pamplemousse grille is ahmazing!! Such a gem and sooo good! I accidentally left my phone at the restaurant and and they were able to contact me and get me the phone and charge it as well! The chicken schnitzel is delicious and juicy! Can't wait to return. read more

No, I do not know the history of this restaurant. I chose to dine here because their Restaurant Week menu sounded good and my partner loves grapefruit (which is what pamplemousse means in French). This was one of the places we were most excited for during Restaurant Week - it certainly seemed like the most "fancy". The highlight of our meal was the complimentary cornbread muffins and whipped butter with black salt. It was delicious. The escargot was also good - but also hard to mess up (escargot + herbs + butter, et voila). Everything else was underwhelming. Not really French, not really American. In retrospect, we should have asked more questions. Kim chee seafood martini at an establishment labeled as French/New American? I don't mind some fusion, but if you're going to make dumplings, your dough needs to be thinner and also cooked thoroughly. Same goes for pastries (like in the pear tarte tatin). This was not the case for both. I'm also not sure how agnolotti or ravioli came out looking like Shandong dumplings (see photos). We tried to stay positive during our meal but the food was poorly executed and we had much higher expectations. This is fine dining only in pricing. read more

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Was there for a dinner in their private room and had an awesome experience. The staff was super helpful and did everything they could to make sure the night went perfect. We were greeted with tray passed appetizers and wine and they did served a nice amount. There were 24 of us and orders were taken swiftly and the 3 course meal was brought out promptly and served hot. Everything was tasty and well prepared. I have eaten here several times and it is a great restaurant and if you ever need a private room I would highly suggest this room. read more

I love this restaurant. The service was excellent tonight. The bone in veal chop was by far the best. The crispy duck was a little dry and bland. The seafood martini was excellent. I really love the cheese plate. The lemon sorbet was so good. I feel the portions were too big for fine dining. Surprisingly the bathroom was a mess with toilet all over the floor and unsanitary with only one stall. Overall I do love this restaurant and will visit every time I come to Del Mar. read more

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Amazing staff and great food! Highly recommend!! Try the Pamplemousse martini, it is Devine...

Amazing food! Absolutely delicious!! Chef Jeff is very personable and always makes sure his customers leave happy. Be sure to give this place a try. You'll enjoy it! read more

Unfortunately the quality here has gone downhill. Went with my husband and daughter and we were all disappointed with the quality of our meals and the overall service. Steaks and fish not cooked to request and flavor lacking and lackluster. The sliced bread before dinner was hard and stale not edible. Appetizer quantity was tiny. The desserts were unimpressive. This restaurant adds a 'service fee' which adds an extra 30 plus dollars to the already few hundred dollar bill. That is not necessary at what is supposed to be a high end establishment. Visited restroom on way out which was not clean and not stocked. We will not be returning. read more

I was a bit surprised that this place only has 4 stars instead of five. We have been going to Pamplemousse for years. This year it is a participant in San Diego restaurant week so we decided to head over for dinner. The select menu for restaurant week had good items and the price at $70.00 per person was not bad. The beet salad was particular good as was the Cod. Food quality was good, the items were the right temperature and presentation was nice. The service as always was exceptional. The food items coming out were a bit slower than normal but the place was packed so it was no surprise. You may ask why then the three star. The reason is the corkage fee. BEWARE! We took our own wine and were never told what the corkage fee was $60.00. We understand a corkage fee and don't mind paying it when given the information before hand to proceed or not which we were never given. For $10 more we could have brought a guest and skipped bringing our bottle of wine, as a glass of wine already came with the meal. We don't mind paying for things but do mind paying when not told about the cost till it's too late. Never will we take another bottle of wine and will just have a glass there or sparkling water for the beverage. We told friends of ours and this is what they found this online. It shows a $25 corkage fee. Attached is a screen shot. Just one note and this is not being picky and this is said because we hold Pamplemousse to a high standard as attention to detail is what made this place great. The bathroom needed a bit of a touch up. The trash was full and there were paper towels on the floor. Not a good look for an establishment of this stature. Thanks Pamplemousse for a good dinner and great service. read more

Pamplemousse Grille - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

Always get great food and service here! Dined here on Christmas and had a perfect meal. Server John S was outstanding!

This view is based on my personal opinion. The food was disappointing. We started with the pasta with white truffles, This was $95.. The waiter said he could split it as an appetizer. The pasta was flavorless and the busboy crinkled the remainder of the truffle with his hands on the top of our pasta. The waiter then tried to add a $8 spit fee for the $95 pasta appetizer. The lamb was salty and the skirt steak on the fried rice tasted like a hibachi restaurant. The cocktails were consistently made and good. Overall for $400 for 2, it was a disappointing . Last year it was great. This year not so much. read more

So apparently we came here just over a year ago on Oct 3, 2022 and I wrote a 3 star review. I read through my review and yes, I was spot on, and nothing has really changed. This is still very much a "3" restaurant in my opinion. When we sat down my daughter was looking at another table and seemed a little shocked. I glanced over and there were two ladies seated at a table with their backs to us and facing them, and what my daugher was shocked about, was their poodle sitting at the table on the booth side. That was different. The waitress was nice but not very friendly. The food was average at best. I feel like the prices are too high for the quailty provided. I do love their bread and the little cookies shaped like pigs that they service at the end when they bring the bill. read more

Pamplemousse Grille - a view of a dining room - New American Near Me - Solana Beach, California

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This is more than a meal. It is an experience. It is wise to make reservations especially during the race meet and I suggest an interior experience and not outside as you will want to see the artwork. When you enter the building, the pastry chef is right at the front creating the desserts before your eyes (but behind glass for safety!). The way the server describes the specials in such culinary detail will make your mouth water. The lobster grilled cheese is just amazing and definitely large enough to share although you won't want to. We ordered the lamb and the duck because this is the kind of place where you know it will be perfectly cooked. The pictures speak for themselves. Of course, you must have dessert and feel free to go watch them create it. The final act is the bill but even that is a nice experience when you are served the piglet sugar cookies with it. I enjoyed every moment of this and never felt rushed even though they were very busy. I highly recommend. read more

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A classic. So nice to have this place in San Diego (Del Mar)! The menu has something for nearly everyone, and the chef manages to pull out great seasonal offerings to accentuate the already solid offering of meat & seafood. The service is on point - well-trained & proper. Drinks are robust, the wine list comprehensive, and the ambience delightful due to carpet, table clothes, and acoustic panels to keep noise levels in check. My only criticism would be the over-sized round dining tables in the west dining area are too big. You have to squeeze by, and I observed a server nearly lose three plates after a bump, trying to get past the too-big tables. Other than that, a great place. Whimsical art adds to the fun, and indicates that they don't take themselves too seriously. Good for them. Very pricey, so expect a hefty bill. Dinner for four with wine/cocktails was $550. read more