The Nutty Monkey is a favorite drink. Friday karaoke is great if you get there early enough (after…read more11 there's little open seats, the song list is full and they don't really welcome more people)

Was visiting San Diego because of a friend's theatre performance at The Moxie Theatre. After the…read moreshow we mixed and mingled with the cast who suggested going to tiki/surf bar called The Luau. This place was great. Bright, vibrant and full of tropical decor. The bar was packed. We got a four high top seater in the main area. Glad we did because it was karaoke night! In between songs the dj would play pop star music videos. There was a back patio with more seating. Surprise of the night was when Sterling the security guard sang a song from "Wicked". Will definitely go back again!

The food here is always outstanding. The service from the…read moretime we walk into the time we leave is very caring and on time The ambience is very classy, jazzy and nightclub like

2nd visit to this location. This time we visited to try some food & were lucky enough to get a…read morebooth in the bar..... Bummer we just missed their happy hour, which ended at 6pm. However, everything we had was AMAZING!! What we ordered: *Riviera Steak Sandwich w/ Tater Tots * Tempura Asparagus * Jumbo Chicken Wings - Soy Garlic Chris was our server & was exceptional. Super friendly & attentive. Same vibes as our last visit. This is a great little gem in La Mesa. A must try spot!!

Literally perfect date night spot. The ambiance is like a small town in Italy, it is so cute and…read moreevery single person that works at this establishment is a gem. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered. The bread was a perfect starter, with fresh olive oil it reminded me of macaroni grill as a child. I got the sausage pasta I forget the name it starts with a C - hands down best Italian I've had in San Diego. The noodles were handmade and perfect. The sauce was a white creamy olive oil sauce but not heavy. The sausage was so flavorful. We easily could have shared a salad and one dish. The portions are great for the price. Our waitress heather was a delight, she had so much knowledge on all the dishes and she really was just so sweet and professional. I can't emphasize how serious I am when I say it's the best pasta I've ever had. Now I haven't been to Italy but I've been around the world. This was a game changer. Amazing date night and can't wait to go back. Request heather she's the best! And thank you to the gentlemen that dumped a ton of fresh parm on my pasta without judgement. I love u!

First visit here and it was okay! Nice cozy atmosphere and a large menu! The expresso martini was…read moreoutstanding. They offer nightly specials as well. The food was just okay for me nothing blew me away. The burrata was good but the sauce underneath it didn't mix well in my opinion. We did try an appetizer special of the fried squash blossoms and those were delicious! For our mains I got the seafood pasta and it just didn't blow me away. All the seafood was cooked nicely but the pasta was rubbery and there was no flavor overall. Everyone else thought their meals were average. Service was great the whole time but with the price point we were disappointed with the food.

My friends and I stopped by The Hills Pub for breakfast, and we definitely left happy!…read more We ordered the all-you-can-eat waffles, and let me just say--they are very much worth it! If you're a waffle lover, this is definitely something you'll want to try. I ordered the Breakfast Burger, and it was delicious! The flavor was on point and definitely worth trying. It also comes with fries, which were a great addition to the meal. And if you're a ranch lover, this is your spot! They do not disappoint when it comes to ranch. Overall, we had a great breakfast, and the food was flavorful and satisfying. Definitely a place I'd come back to!

Very cool hip bar lounge family friendly spot in La Mesa. Great place to have happy hour or hang…read moreout with family. Does not get rowdy here from times I've been. Plenty seating, TVs, and great service.

Neat concept. They charge a players card based on how many drinks and video games you play. Large…read moreselection of booze which includes what I believe was wine. Fun times and they have Mario Cart.

Coin Haus is such a fun concept. They always have something going on, whether it's weekly specials,…read moretrivia nights, or other events that give you a reason to come back. It was a little smaller than I expected, but it's still easy to spend an hour or two here with friends. They also serve food, which I'll have to come back and try another time. Instead of ordering drinks at the bar, you start a tab by leaving your credit card with the cashier. They give you a tap card that lets you pour your own drinks. You can sample just a little or fill up a whole glass. It's completely up to you. They have everything from beer and wine to a few craft cocktails on tap. If you want to try something different, you can swap out your glass and keep exploring. The same tap card also activates all of the arcade games, which I thought was a really cool touch. It makes everything feel connected instead of having to carry around a bunch of tokens or cash. When I visited, they were hosting trivia night. It definitely brought in a crowd. Most of the tables were full, so walking around got a little tight because the space isn't very big. Even so, the atmosphere was lively. It felt like everyone was having a good time. I ended up trying the Cranberry Mule, which I really enjoyed. It was nice being able to pour just the amount I wanted instead of committing to a full drink. Overall, I had a really fun time here. It's a unique spot that gives you something a little different from your typical bar. Once you're ready to leave, you just close out your tab and head home. I'd definitely come back with a group of friends.

A hole in the wall gem! Quality music (attended the Billy Joel themed evening) and artists. Very…read moreintimate setting. Fair ticket price. We will absolutely be back. An amazing night! PS: don't bother ordering food, it's not good, apart from the pizza and their ordering system doesn't work. Get a drink there but just have dinner before going.

We happily returned to The Jazz Lounge with its renovation, welcoming atmosphere and best of all,…read moreLeonard Patton. We have loved this venue for its five years but with the new menu and intimate feeling, it is better than ever. The Stevie Wonder concert last night was amazing, no one was still as the five musicians belted it out, and love of music permeated the whole room. Feels like going home.

This is a the ultimate IG date night spot. They remodeled this place and it is epic! The bar looks…read moreamazing! The walls look like a starry night. You really get immersed in the ambiance here. Caesar was really good and a big portion! The dressing was nice and creamy with a hint of lemon. It wasn't overbearing. The tartar was delicious! It came with chips which was really good! The chips needed a little flavor tho, it was bland. The mozzarella sticks came with caviar. We got the steak sample which came with 4 different types of meats. We had 4 people and It was nice because you can try a piece of the different cuts. The jidori chicken was pretty juicy with this au jus sauce. We went pretty side heavy lol The twice baked potato is a must get with the steak. Broccoli and mashed potato was just good. The broccoli was a little soggy too. Carrots was a pass. Flavor was good but was overcooked and soggy. I think the food was good and some dishes were misses but still a great experience to enjoy a nice drink and hang out.

I've been here twice now, both for birthday dinners & it does not disappoint! Gorgeous restaurant…read moreand the food/drinks are divine. Last August, I went for my best friend's bday and the experience inspired me to have my birthday dinner here a couple days ago. Our server, Jay, was on top of it and friendly without being too overbearing & letting us girls.... YAP! There was 4 of us ladies & we shared: steak platter (medium rare chefs kiss), short rib, scalloped potatoes, mac & cheese, carrots, wedge salad & 2 French onion soups. I don't normally care for French onion soup but the one at Starlite is what the kids call "BUSSIN'!" Highly recommend. I appreciate the complimentary personalized birthday dessert and the round of pineapple rum shooters. Both so yummy & made this birthday gal very pleased. I recommend this place to anyone celebrating a birthday, anniversary, date night or simply...life! NOTE***They validate ID at door so no one under 21 y/o and parking can be hit or miss--usually miss if it's prime time, so give yourself ample amount of time to get there.

We picked Alchemy on a whim for date night. It was honestly one of the best meals I've had in San…read moreDiego. Unique, bold flavors. Expertly cooked with pretty presentation. Tough street parking situation, so leave yourself a little extra time in case you have to drive around the block. Be sure to make a reservation because there are only a handful of tables.

**Alchemy deserves 1 Star!!! As in Michelin!!!** Let's get…read morethe facts up front. Yes it's in Barrio Logan. Yes it's street parking. Yes it's small (Reservations a must), but it's quaint and unique. But if you dare to explore, you'll go on a flavorful journey bringing a Mexican flavor you never experienced. My wife and I went to try after seeing a Reel. We were not disappointed. Chef Eddy Cortes brings together a menu that that blends flavor combinations that range from Puebla, to Baja, then back to Oaxaca, We tried 5 Dishes.. Started with the Ceviche Negro. The flavors of traditional citrus, but mellowed with the squid ink, charred pineapple, and chile oil...WOW! Then journeyed to Central Mexico with the Crema Poblano. On spoon and it's the warm comfort of Nana's creamy corn soup, but with a flavor of ancho and poblano that surprises your tongue with overwhelming flavor. Next the Star and must try... The Oxtail Tetelas. Again, did not know what to expect, but the crispy black masa held a secret of savory, tender beef oxtail, enveloped in spices and flavors that blend so well. The dish lies over a salsa that brings all the flavor with very very mellow bite. Perfect for all. The Zarandeado Shrimp. Ok, so to be clear in a scale of 1-10, these were a 9 in a realm of 12's. They are Shrimp cooked with the flavors or Adobada aka Al Pastor. They were large, flavorful, and delicious. The unique blend of seafood and Al Pastor keeps these as a staple on the menu. Finally, instead of a desert we went with the Crudo. Glad we did!!! This was a unique flavor explosion that fused the freshness of Baja, and added flavors of charred hibiscus, pomegranate, avocado and chipotle. You must eat each piece with a pickled grape in one bite. The complexity of the flavors you experience will make your eyes roll. Drinks... Very unique, try the mescal forward drinks to pair with the Mexican flavors. Each brings their own flavors to the party.

What a great locals bar in La Mesa. Cheap pool table play. One of the better old fashioned drinks…read moreI have drank at a bar. Place was poppin on a Saturday night.

The security guard with the beard was extremely rude and acted more like a barback than security…read more We've been coming here for years... and last Friday a group of people took a table we were using, even though two of our friends were already sitting there and told them the table was taken. We were a group of about 7-8 people total. When we came back after grabbing drinks, we saw that the other group had completely taken over the table. They said they didn't care that we were regulars and called the security guard over. We explained the situation, and his response directly to us was: "I don't care, you can shut up, close your tab, and leave." We had already spent plenty of money there and were not asking for special treatment, but the lack of professionalism was awful. I've worked in customer service for almost a decade and have never spoken to a customer that way. This is exactly how a good place can lose loyal customers because of incompetent staff.

Helix Brewing is a gem! There's plenty of room to hang out with friends, and the staff is friendly…read moreand knows the beer selection well. Everything I tried was tasty. They also have shuffleboard and other games, which makes it a fun spot to spend time at. Highly recommend checking it out.

Stopped into Helix Brewery for a couple of beers. To our surprise there was a Crawford High School…read more45th reunion, so the place was packed with alumni. There was a band playing, a food truck and a Padres game on. Always a good time when you can catch the Pads on TV. I started off with their Blonde Ale, "Fun Times" which was good and also had their Mexican Lager "Surveza", both good and drinkable. I had a sip of their New Zealand IPA "MTNS" which was simply too hoppy for me. We got to try the Cubano Panini from the food truck that was there that day, and that was good. Overall a good brewery, cool/industrial location. With rustic vibes and open space. Lots of seating options both indoor and outdoor- major plus in my book. The bartenders were friendly and even let us try a sip of a upcoming beer. Cool find. Parking is a bit limited.