Another Hillstone classic. Phenomenal food as usual and spectacular service. Megan and Avery were extremely nice, super attentive to all of our needs, and personable. The front staff did a great job making us feel welcomed and the bartenders made great drinks. Will be coming back! read more

best burger i've ever had in my life & amazing service must try if you're in san deigo

We had such a great experience at Honor Bar! I love, love, love this place. It's a 10/10. The location is amazing, and the service was also great. The drinks were unique and delicious. We ordered the pressed sushi, burger and fries, and everything was so good that I would order it all again. I also got the martini, which was citrusy and absolutely delicious. You do need a reservation, and it's probably best to book earlier and have a smaller party. It would also be such a fun place to stop by for drinks! read more

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We went to Honor Bar for my husband's birthday expecting the polished experience we've come to associate with the Hillstone restaurant group. While the food lived up to our expectations, the service left us disappointed. The entire meal felt rushed. We were asked for our drink order immediately after being seated, before having a chance to look at the menu. My entrée came out several minutes before my husband's, and we were asked about dessert while we were still eating dinner. Dessert then arrived before we had even finished our entrées. The staff was warm and friendly, but the pacing made the experience feel hurried rather than enjoyable. The food was great, but with the current level of service, I wouldn't choose Honor Bar for a special occasion or bring guests here. read more

I'm not sure the beach community here is going to embrace the strict dress code. Most people I know like to relax and unwind when they go out to eat at a beachside ( 1 block away) restaurant. People will probably try this place but many will not come back. And the staff look so uncomfortable in their uniforms. Black long sleeve shirts, tie, pants, shoes all year long. Who thought this was a good idea? The food is ok but not worth the price compared to other local places. The interior is nice and comfortable so that's a plus but this restaurant is trying too hard and unfortunately I don't see it succeeding for long. Time will tell. read more

We had a hamburger cut in half and it was good. We had everything they make on it put on the side. We added onions grilled onions. The service was great from Shen he is amazing and he remembers our names when we come in. The Ambiance is fancy here. read more

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One of the best French dips I've ever had! The horseradish sauce really made it--it was flavorful and perfectly balanced. We waited about 45 minutes to an hour on a Wednesday night, but I heard they now take reservations, so I'd definitely recommend booking ahead. I'll be sure to make a reservation next time. The staff were incredibly friendly, and being able to order drinks while we waited made the time go by much faster. They have great drinks, and the ambiance was lovely too. I'd definitely come back! read more

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I've been anxiously awaiting the opening of this restaurant. R&D Kitchen and Rutherford grill are 2 of my favorite spots in Napa. Both are elevated "comfort food" ...I haven't tried any other Hillstone concept except those 2 so I had a clear idea of what would open here. well I thought I did. the menu at Honor Bar is different. That being said...we came here to check it out...this first visit we ordered the DEVILED EGGS with Ding's pickle relish , the DIP DUO jalapeño queso & guacamole with chips and 'OSAKA STYLE' PRESSED SUSHI sashimi tuna stacked with avocado & rice. deviled eggs...really nothing special at all...well the pickle relish added a nice flair...but look at the god awful presentation...it looked sloppy on the plate and 3 1/2's is crazy...I mean make it 4 halves (2 eggs)...see pic cuz you'll understand my dismay at this item. very subpar eggs and I love deviled eggs. would NOT order again dip duo...hmmm...it WAS tasty but it wasn't what I had had expected a dip to be...it was a scoop of the queso and a scoop of guacamole on a plate with a small amount of chips. they were kind enough to bring more chips...again terrible presentation and description of an dip...I expect to be able to literally dip my chip in a DIP (it's literally in the name)...I tried to dip and the chip broke in the cold hard SCOOP of cheese thing. would NOT order again moving on.... the sushi item...good presentation...the fish itself was very tasty...overall very nice! I WOULD order again I had one drink...signature marg...the price is insane for the teeny tiny drink I had...more ice than drink and WAY too much salt on the rim Service was good ... parking was easy peasy (lot entrance in back alley) elevator from lot was out of service so if you have walker/wheelchair don't park back there until it's working again beautiful stairwell leading up to restaurant from lot.. no reservations...we came about 4:00 on a weekday and got a seat at the bar easily...it did fill up within the next hour FYI...don't expect to come with a group larger than 4...it's mostly booths and I can't see any way to fit more than 4 people together anywhere in the restaurant. also surprised at how small the space is.. I WILL come again....hopefully round 2 is better (I'll try a burger or something...rutherford grill is one of my fav. burgers) read more

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Honor Bar opened about a month ago in Del Mar and I was happy about it but as residents of Beverly Hills, the sibling restaurant South Beverly Grill is the better of the two. It's not surprising, I wasn't the first bunch who visited Honor Bar but eventually I did. Like BH, the restaurant is smallish and narrow, focused on the bar. Please note there is a Dress Code being enforced: no shorts, no flip flops, no tshirts, no tank tops, no hats, and more. Unless you look so disheveled, dirty clothing, and gnarly feet in your sandals, this place is not for that look. The fact that most men in San Diego wear shorts, tshirt, flip flops/slippers/sandals and a baseball cap is the standard attire and this place wants to enforce their Dress code seems ridiculous, so good luck with that! Upon review of the limited menu, I was sad to learn the Paloma cocktail was not listed and they couldn't accommodate my request for a glass of Arnold Palmer, instead offered a mango ice tea, which looked better than it tasted. For my lunch, started with the famous Emerald kale salad side, the portion size is good. Ordered the rainbow roll but it took a while for it to be served, plated appealingly but did smell a tad too fishy. And after eating one bite, it also tasted too fishy and a bit warm. I knew I couldn't take a chance of getting sick, so I didn't eat the rest. I like most selections on the menu; the burger, ding chicken sandwich, salads, sushi and never had any issues at the Honor Bar in BH and was shocked to have a bad experience as my first visit here in Del Mar. While the restaurant offered to prepare something else, I was reluctant. The staff were super nice. The restaurant is simple chic and the yellow umbrellas offered shade to the outdoor patio. This restaurant could not and would not offer my pup H20, which I would have paid for, was just not accommodating and so their patio being dog friendly is really not friendly ...especially during this summer's heatwave, left a negative first impression. Sadly, that was my first experience at Honor Bar in Del Mar. I left hangry. read more

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I've been to multiple Hillstone restaurants and never had a bad experience. Honor Bar was no exception. The food was great and drinks were even better! The only negative thing I have to say is that the sandwiches don't come with fries it's an extra $10. The service was phenomenal, Bethany was so sweet and very welcoming. The ambience was moody, just a great place for date night. read more

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I learned that The Honor Bar was part of a chain operated by the Hillstone Group after reading some of the early reviews. This location was in downtown Del Mar in a long vacant space of a former neighborhood bar and grill. It had the unique feature of free underground parking which was a rarity for a business this close to the water. Much of the structure was entrenched below ground level like the front patio seating that was lower than the adjacent public sidewalk. The ambiance had a dark, steakhouse feel with an open view of the kitchen preparation area to the right as you walked in. A waitlist was in effect when I arrived for a weeknight dinner. The hostess told me the bar would likely have the first availability as its wraparound seating could hold about 20 customers. Booth seating and tables were arranged along the perimeter of the dining area. After waiting about ten minutes, the hostess escorted me to a corner seat where a bartender quickly prepared my setting and handed over two menu sheets. One was for alcoholic beverages which I declined. The second contained the food offerings with the categories of Starters + Snacks, Sushi, and House Specialties. I had no idea that sushi would be a part of the menu as it seemed out of place for a restaurant that had no Japanese connections. The Chicken Meatballs were my pick for a starter. Three medium-size orbs of ground chicken meat were served with a creamy mustard sauce inside an oval vessel. The sauce was not spicy but added a savory flavor to the meatballs. The item arrived almost simultaneously as my main dish which was the French Dip Au Jus. Thinly sliced roasted prime rib was stacked in a toasted French roll that was sliced in half diagonally. A cup of au jus was provided on the side for dipping. I used all of the gravy as I consumed the sandwich. The prime rib was very tender, however the price was quite steep at $28 with no side (e.g. french fries) or salad included. For the quality and cost of my dinner, I gave a 3.5 star rating for The Honor Bar and rounded up because of the pleasant service by both the hostess and bartender. read more

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Having been to the Honor Bar in Dallas (where their sushi is always superb), we were really excited to check out the new Del Mar location last night (Thursday). Despite some of the harsh online reviews lately, we had a wonderful experience and think this is a great addition to the area. A few thoughts from our visit: The Wait & Service: There was a substantial wait since they don't take reservations yet, and being newly opened, it was packed. However, the hospitality really shone through--one of the managers, Helena, noticed the bar was full and offered to get us cocktails while we waited. That kind of attentive, thoughtful touch makes a huge difference! Food & Drinks: While the menu is compact, the execution is spot-on. We started with an appetizer and split the burger and fries; both were absolutely fantastic. Vibe & Standards: I actually really appreciate their dining standards: holding guests accountable for well-behaved kids and dogs keeps the atmosphere elevated and enjoyable for everyone. Regarding the complaints about pricing: it's Del Mar, and the quality and vibe match the upscale setting. Pro-Tips for Visiting: Arrive early: Especially on weekends/busy weeknights since it fills up fast and seats fill on a walk-in basis. Parking: Take advantage of the underground parking garage below; it's super convenient and free. Dress Code: Make sure to check their attire guidelines before you go so you aren't caught off guard (smart casual). A couple of minor growing pains with the wait time, but that's expected for a brand-new opening. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Saw lots of hype around it so we happened to stumble in at lunch today. Inside the vibe is retrofitted old steak house. Lots of updated wood to compliment the brick. Booths looked comfy, but we sat at the bar because there was no wait. It was pretty packed. We had a clear view of the kitchen so we kinda ordered based on that. Bartenders were super attentive and nice. The main issue for me is the lack of food options and the price. It's cool to have sushi, but like why? Sushi and hamburgers or French dip is such an odd pairing. Granted, the sushi was okay. The sushi su (seasoning) was a little too vinegar forward for me. Rice was warm, which is fine. Wasabi was fresh. Sashimi itself was nice quality but ffs really skimpy pieces for 20+. So for two people it was nearly $200. Definitely could've gotten a better meal down the street. Maybe we'll try it again, but for now this is just an okay place. read more

It pains me to write this, but for the first time ever, a Hillstone restaurant has disappointed me. Operationally, service was a mixed bag. Took a long time to get drinks, water remained empty (which never happens at a Hillstone restaurant!), and our greeting was weird- they made us wait by the bar for an odd amount of time as numerous different employees were trying to figure out what to do with us. Putting in a Hillstone restaurant which such a limited menu (which I know, is typical of Honor bars) was a mistake. This is San Diego's first foray into Hillstone- and unfortunately it's going to give the wrong impression! The menu is missing many classics like the spinach and artichoke dip and ribs. Also I cannot believe there is NO dessert menu! What Hillstone restaurant doesn't have ANY dessert?? It's not like they'd need to reinvent the wheel since Hillstone group already has amazing desserts like the classic sundae and key like pie. When I asked the server about dessert, they said things were in the works. That's insane for opening a restaurant without desserts. My prime rib dip was good as usual. We tried the trout dip which was basically a scoop of dip and five crackers. I don't even mind if they charge more, do it, but please just give me a normal servicing of dip and chips! Same with my Aperol spritz, it was child size, but adult price. Honestly there's so many good lunch restaurants in San Diego, I probably won't be back. And I'm so disappointed because I love a good Hillstone restaurant and have been looking forwarded to this opening for YEARS read more

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This spot just opened and there's been a plethora of hype. I came in real quick to eat before I hit the beach in the afternoon. I ordered the smoked trout dip. (5/10) - It was good, nothing amazing. The service was okay for a Friday night. Staff could have been a bit friendlier. Walk-in's only. No reservations. I will have to return to try the French dip and the Honor burger which looks like a popular item per the reviews of the Beverly Hills location. There's underground parking and street parking. read more

Awesome to finally have this group here in San Diego. It's consistent, delicious and worth the wait. They are working out the wrinkles. Give it time to sort itself out, this place will be a staple in the neighborhood. read more

To my surprise, showed up at 3:30 on a Friday to an empty bar! Got a seat right away and my 3 friends joined me about 15 min later. We got the signature crips martini which was delicious-$20 which is a lil hefty. Then the dip duo, chips were perfect for dipping and when we ran out they gave us more for the rest of our dip. The queso was great! Then we got the pressed sushi which was our least favorite, was just a little bland but still good. Finished with the crispy chicken sandwich which was delicious. The perfect bar to grab a bite. Can't go wrong with honor bar! read more

Ohhhh I thought I was going to be the first one doing the review yesterday as quickly created the entry but forgot to push the button. Oh well! Very awaited new restaurant in Del Mar and did not disappoint. The acoustics is the only thing I didn't like, maybe it was just too many people or this low ceilings...all woody looks like like someplace I want to enjoy during the winter days. Delicious food, great atmosphere, the most graceful hostess, so far so good. read more

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I heard about the Honor Bar opening and wanted to check it out. I loved it! There is underground parking, an elevator which takes you directly up to the restaurant & the restaurant is so cute! Drinks, Service & Food were great! 10/10 (: From what I've read, it's walk ins only. I was also eyeing the cucumber & avocado roll but didn't get a chance to order it! Can't wait to go back again! Check it out (: read more

The Honor Bar - Chicken Sandwich Sliders & The Steak Frities with a Mango Iced Tea & their popular Martini. - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

I dined here around 11:00 a.m. today, right after they opened. By noon, the restaurant was completely packed. A hostess promptly seated us, and we ordered several dishes to share: *Chicken Meatballs: These were absolutely delicious! They were tender and had a unique flavor. They come with three meatballs, though I do wish they offered four since it's a more even number for sharing between two people. *French Fries: Phenomenal. They're thin cut and delicious. You can choose between ketchup or a spicy mayo for dipping, and the spicy mayo was so tasty. I'm not sure what type of oil they're cooked in, but they had so much flavor that they easily stood out from your average fries. *Coconut Shrimp Roll: Without a doubt, my favorite dish of the meal. It came with eight pieces and featured large shrimp, avocado, and a unique combination of flavors that worked perfectly together. Absolutely delicious. *Ding's Crispy Chicken Sandwich: This dish came with three generous pieces, making it easy to split between two people. The chicken was crispy, and the spicy slaw really added to the dish. Our food arrived in about 10-15 minutes, which was impressive considering how quickly the restaurant filled up. Overall, the food is phenomenal. They also have a great wine selection. I didn't try any of the cocktails, but the ones I saw on the menu looked refreshing. I'm not going to judge the service too harshly since they're newly opened and still finding their rhythm. We had one person bring water, another take our drink and food orders, someone else deliver the food, another staff member help us after our chicken sandwich initially wasn't cooked correctly, and it took a little while to receive our check. Even so, every staff member we interacted with was very friendly and eager to help. Overall, this is a beautiful space with an outstanding menu. The food easily exceeded my expectations, and I highly, highly, highly recommend checking this place out. read more

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Food & service were great but you have got to switch the wine glasses. This is not an Olive Garden. Get something with a nice slender stem. Or any stem? I don't know where one could be even buy a wine glass that atrocious. read more

The Honor Bar - Thai roll and Chardonnay - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

I was excited to try this new place in Del Mar. Great atmosphere, beautiful setup, and good service! But the food... nah Mayonnaise everywhere, served with saltine crackers. I ordered two different drinks, but both tasted so strong and overly alcoholic that I couldn't even finish them. I switched to wine, and somehow even the wine didn't taste good. The place itself has so much potential, but I would definitely rethink the menu and have the chef work on the food a little more. read more

The Honor Bar - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

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The Honor Bar has that perfect Hillstone Group consistency. The service was great, and the atmosphere is cozy and relaxed while still feeling casual and upscale. We had the French dip sandwich, Osaka pressed sushi, and Thai tuna roll, and everything was delicious. One note, I do wish they had some of Hillstone's famous desserts! We are definitely coming back! read more

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Awesome date night at honor bar. Great food and service. Fun ambiance to hang out or come for a date night. read more

The Honor Bar - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

Chaos. Knowing that they didn't take reservations, I called in route to be added to the waitlist. Told them my eta, they gave the impression there would be a minimal wait. Arrived, checked in and the hostess said 20 minutes. That's great, I was anticipating a short wait. Checked after 20 minutes and was told that it would be another 20 minutes. Ordered a drink and checked in and was told it would be another 20 minutes. When I told the hostess that this is absurd, she asked if I wanted off the list. We walked away and had a lovely dinner up the road. Look. I get it. Your busy. BUT DON'T KEEP ON TELLING ME 20 MINUTES IF YOU DON'T PLAN ON SEATING US FOR OVER AN HOUR. I have eaten at other Hillstone restaurants and had an amazing time with realistic wait times. This ain't it. Zero stars , won't return. read more

Babe, I don't know what you're thinking with your godawful, short, stumpy, thick, and warm wine glasses but LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE. The glasses are atrocious and it's an abomination to charge $18+ for such an unpleasant experience. My husband doesn't drink wine, and clearly the sommelier doesn't either, so I tried to explain it to him and the best analogy I had was "imagine a beer coming in a dog dish." Vile. read more

The Honor Bar - Short, stumpy, thick and warm!!! - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

Andrew, the GM, was so welcoming and attentive, and the service was truly 10/10! The food at Honor Bar is always so good, and I love the atmosphere, especially the lighting and seating. Nev was our server and she was great! I'm so excited they're in Del Mar now. The kale salad is honestly the best salad I've ever had, and I'm not exaggerating. It's amazing! The cocktails are excellent! I also actually love that they have a dress code. I noticed not everyone follows it as they should, but I think it fits the atmosphere and makes sense for such a nice restaurant. We had such a great experience and will definitely be back! read more

The Honor Bar - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

We had a great table for four on the outside patio on Friday. Great for people-watching on Old 101 in the heart of Del Mar (site of the classic Bully's North). All walk-in, no reservations. No parties larger than four. It has a dress code. We arrived around 4:45 p.m. and waited for half an hour. Some friends arrived later and had to wait 90 minutes! The setting, food, and service are excellent. The short menu makes for tasty sharing. We enjoyed the pressed sushi ($20) and Thai tuna roll ($21) for appetizers, then the crispy chicken sandwich ($23) and French drip ($28). The latter was among the best we've had anywhere. Wines by the glass are under $20. House margaritas are $19. The lively, packed bar has a waiting list and is another spot for people-watching and the bartenders whipping up exotic cocktails, favored by the younger generations. The crowd is stylish. They encourage "smart casual" attire, including dress shorts and collared shirts, and no casual sportswear or team athletic attire, hoodies, jerseys, gym clothes, sleeveless shirts, tank tops, athletic shorts, sweatpants, or sports bras; no plastic, rubber, or foam-style slides or flip-flops. There is parking under the building, off an alley, but it fills fast. read more

The good, the bad and the ugly The good, the drinks, delicious and when a mistake was made no questions asked just remade to perfection. Our dinner server was lovely, we sat outside, she was attentive and again a mistake was made, she was super apologetic even though it was the kitchens mistake. The bad..the wait. It was 1.7 hrs on a Wednesday night. I expected an hour but almost two was not and SO not worth it The ugly..the woman manager that was working last night was one of the rudest managers I've ever encountered. The bar is loud, like really loud and we were enjoying our drinks waiting for our table, we were laughing having a good time and she shushed us and only us in a loud busy bar. Like what?! We almost walked out but I'm not kidding it was that out of pocket. The food was half good, half barely edible. We ordered Dings chicken sandwich and it was fab, we also ordered the French dip and it tasted like cheap chopped beef. Not good at all. I won't be back, I fear this is one of those experiences where you shouldn't expect the same experience from the past. This location has really tarnished the Hillstone Restaurant Group for me. Not sure what's happened but it's really is sad as I've always loved my experiences in the past. read more

What a great addition to Del Mar. I don't quite understand the negative reviews. The interior is beautiful and a lot of thought was put into it. I love a place where I don't have to yell to have a conversation. They are few and far between. The Honor Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a great drink, delicious and thoughtfully prepared food while hearing the conversation at your table. Our waitress Anna was an absolute delight. She was attentive but just the right amount, not intrusive to our mealtime, made great suggestions and really loves her job. Everyone working there said hello and were welcoming. The food was fresh and delicious. Love the parking garage they built underground in the alley. We can't wait to go back and support this new addition to our neighborhood. It's new so of course they have to work through some things but I wouldn't give them anything other than 5 stars. read more

So happy to have a fun new date night or lunch spot in Del Mar! I have been to the Beverly Hills and Santa Barbara locations, as well as other Hillstone restaurants and am a huge fan. I've been to this location a few times now since its opened, and was pleasantly surprised at the short wait times! It's walk ins only, no reservations, so be prepared for a wait especially on Friday or Saturday evening. My favorite things Ive had so far are the margarita, chicken meatballs, coconut shrimp sushi, French dip and of course the crispy chicken sandwich! The staff is very friendly and the service is great. Can't wait to come back My only complaint is that there is NO DESSERT!! I really hope they add a classic dessert option, like a hot fudge sundae or mud pie read more

The Honor Bar - Margarita - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

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Food is great, vibes are great, honestly prices are also moderate especially for what you get. But please Honor Bar....for the love of everything holy get real wine glasses! The worst part is the server told me it was intentional when I asked if there were real wine glasses! These were designed and hand blown....on purpose!!! No one outside of an Olive Garden should ever, ever have to drink wine from this. Not even on a camping trip. Whyyyyyyyyyyyy. I swear it made the wine taste bad....had to take down 1 star for the most horrific wine glass I've ever been handed read more

The Honor Bar - How in the world was this an intentional choice for wine glasses! Stop it! - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

definetly did not adhere to dress code for men. Utter chaos & rude staff. Definetly not the experience I was expecting from hearing about other locations. Did not stay as was done with belong pushed around & be rudely spoken to. Good News went to Rare Society where it was incredibile so thanks Honor Bar for being awful. read more

Such a cute new spot. Service was great overall, although I do wish the water cups were a little bigger or refilled more often. We got the Thai Tuna Roll and Osaka Roll, and both were great, but the Thai Tuna Roll was everything. I could honestly eat it every day. Definitely coming back! read more

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Honor Bar...you are WORTH the wait! Welcome to SoCal! Something so familiar and comfortable about this first class establishment! Meaghen was so accommodating! Our food was impeccable and the atmosphere is like being with an old wise friend! Thank you Hillstone...your excellence is so appreciated! read more

We had an amazing lunch. The smoked trout dip, French dip, and crispy chicken sandwich were all excellent. This is the perfect addition to Del Mar, and I can't wait to come back. read more

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Used to the one in Beverly Hills, 1st time at this one, and quickly learned it was only the 3rd day theyve been open. Few kinks like supply/inventory need to be worked out, but I attrribute that to growing pains. Menu looked similar, but would be really great if they could get Hillstones Grilled Chicken salad on the menu as well. Shall return to test again soon ! read more

Food was fine, definitely overhyped. Service was very good though just don't order wine here unless you want to be pissed off read more

The Honor Bar - disgusting wine glasses - New American Near Me - Del Mar, California

Oddly Honor Bar is reversing friendly socal tradition with dog and child restrictions with a small/bland menu, apparently counting on hype of a little known brand to succeed. read more

We feel like we've been waiting an actual decade for this place to open, so we had to drop by! While my heart secretly wished for a Houston's, I've got to admit this concept fits the neighborhood vibe like a glove. ​Here's how our maiden voyage played out: ​The Starters: We kicked things off with the chicken meatballs and deviled eggs. Both hit the mark! (Though full disclosure: Steak 48 devil eggs are a must and set the bar high). ​The Main Event: I ordered the burger medium-well, but the kitchen decided I needed a little more adventure in my life and served it rare. Look, I like rare things--just not in my beef. We didn't throw a fit, but definitely pack your patience on the cook temp. ​The Catch: The burger comes completely a la carte. No garnish, no fries, no side-chick salads. Since we stocked up on apps, we didn't starve, but just know your burger is rolling solo. ​The Sushi: My daughter opted for the sushi, gave it a resounding "delicious," and then immediately asked what else we were eating. Tasty? Yes. Filling? Apparently not! ​The Great Dessert Mystery: When we asked for the sweet menu, we got a "not yet!" You'd think a brand with a few miles on it would have the sugar situation dialed in on day one. So we walked our sugar cravings down to the street to The Plaza for some Sorbet. ​All in all, we'll be back--hopefully with a medium-well patty. read more