We just happened upon the Red Door and tried it based on the outstanding reviews. We were not disappointed. The shaved pork belly over truffle risotto was a real treat! Very unique. My husband also enjoyed his lasagna. We of course topped it off with a very nice tiramisu. Our waiter was helpful and friendly. Comfortable casual atmosphere. I really like the big panel windows that let in light and give it a honey feel. It was such a nice surprise when Chef and owner Luciano came out check on us. We really prefer supporting small businesses rather than these big corporate themed places. We will definitely be back. read more

I've been here twice and have mixed feelings, mainly because of the service. The first time, I was in a rush and mentioned it several times, but the service was still extremely slow. On my 2nd visit, I wanted to try the flatbread/pizza. I had been waiting quite a while when I saw one coming toward my table, only for it to be served to the table behind me, even though they had arrived after I did. The server forgot that I ordered it. And then told them to wait on my main course even though I was famished and wanted the food to come out while not caring about the order. The food itself is quite good. It is definitely on the salty side, but I actually enjoy that, so it works for me. The chef/owner is very friendly and welcoming with guests. However, I was uncomfortable with the way I saw him speak to some of the staff, which came across as demeaning and disrespectful and outright insolent. I enjoy the live music and some of the food, but after two disappointing experiences with the service, I'm not sure I would return. Two strikes may be enough for me. read more

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We'd always heard wonderful things about The Red Door, so we chose it to celebrate my birthday with our neighbors. Unfortunately, the experience fell far short of our expectations. Our reservation was at 7:00 p.m., and while the service started off well, everything went downhill from there. Our dinners didn't arrive until approximately 8:30 p.m. During the long wait, dirty dishes sat on several surrounding tables for extended periods, giving the dining room a neglected feel. Our server asked if we were celebrating anything special, and we mentioned it was my birthday. After that, it was never acknowledged again. Throughout the evening, we repeatedly had to ask for water, wine, and other service items. At one point, our server disappeared for nearly 30 minutes, leaving our table wondering what was happening. I ordered the Beef Wellington, which was only moderately warm when it arrived, and the beef was surprisingly tough. It was a very disappointing entrée, especially after such a long wait. Unfortunately, it wasn't just our table having issues. The tables next to us were experiencing similar delays and service problems. One table even had to ask the chef for their check when he came out because they couldn't find their server. We understand that restaurants have off nights, but this was disappointing from start to finish, especially for a birthday celebration. Based on the reputation The Red Door has built, we expected a memorable evening, but not for these reasons. read more

I have mixed feelings about The Red Door. We showed up @ 7:00pm for dinner on a Saturday, the restaurant was half full and we decided to eat at the bar because they had a pianist. The bar area was nice, the music was good but the lighting is a little too dark and yellow. We started off with cocktails and ordered 2 apps, the wings and the Brussel sprouts. When the drinks came out, my wife's Chardonnay had what seemed like broken glass at the bottom and the flavor was off so we switched it for a Pinot Grigio. I had a Cool Hand Lucy, I wasn't a fan. It was a little too sweet for my taste. The appetizers showed up soon after and the Brussel sprouts were delicious but the cashew crusted wings looked a lot better than they tasted. The wings seemed pre-fried and fired up again when ordered, making them dry. The flavors were a little weird too, imagine sweet and sour with cashew crumbs. We won't be ordering that next time. My wife got The sea bass and I the châteaubriand as it was a chef special. However, I would have not ordered it if I had known before hand that this was a platter to share, something the waiter didn't mention which would have been helpful. My wife liked her sea bass. It was cooked perfectly. My meal was a disappointment. The filet was sliced so thin it reminded me of cold cuts spread over a bed of arugula with potato wedges, $120. The flavor was good but I would have like my steak to be sliced thicker. When i think about my experience at the Red Door, I feel that almost of what fell short was due to our server. My wife's Chardonnay, my meal and even my cocktail were things that the waiter did or suggested. Overall, I felt like they missed the mark. If we do come back, we will probably sit in the main dining room and make sure to ask a lot of questions when ordering. read more

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Great local neighborhood feels with fresh seafood. Sea bass with pesto risotto was cooked perfectly. A glowy red ambience, a nice romantic dinner out or drinks with the girls. I can see NYE or Christmas being a fun time here! Our server Henry was hospitable and knowledgeable. Appreciated the chef coming around with his charismatic air of welcome. The tomato bean soup was straight forward. I think next time we'll skip the Brussels sprouts shaved salad and harvest salad, but the pastas and seafood are the star anyway! read more

The Red Door - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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The foood is outstanding! Here we got the special a pork belly risotto, lobster ravioli and beef Wellington! The food is spectacular and flavorful! Every bite is so satisfying and the service is outstanding! Love coming here! read more

The Red Door - Lobster ravioli, beef Wellington - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Excellent food, excellent service, very nice inside. Pastas were very good, meatballs aswell. The seafood food was a lot of food and really good. We will return here. read more

The Red Door - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I went here for dinner last night after driving for two hours from O.C. I arrived early around 6:00 PM with reservation for 7:00 PM. They were able to accommodate me but tried to seat me in such a small table next to the bathroom that I refuse to accept and ask for a booth but I was told it was reserved. Three were barely any customer at the time. When I try to order two of their specialty dishes of the night. I was told they had ran out of the foods given that they had only been open for only an hour earlier at 5:00 PM. The compliment bread that they bring out to you are so tiny. I don't recommend this place to anyone because in Little Italy in San Diego, CA has a lot more restaurants that you can go to with much more different kind of foods that you can choose from. read more

Dark & intimate restaurant. We made reservations on a Friday night. Walked in and was greeted and seated by the owner himself. He came out to go over the special dishes of the night and confidently told us we would love it. Our table ordered drinks to start. Both the Strawberry Grove & Fancy that were great drinks. Perfect balance of sweetness and alcohol. Our server took our second drink order but forgot to put it in. He was standing there talking to the bartender for a while before we made eye contact from across the room. The moment he realized he forgot, I see him tell the bartender our order. The bartender comes to the table to confirm once again. Everyone there is super nice. It wasn't a big deal since we were busy catching up and enjoying our dinner anyways. Each portion is huge. 2 can definitely share a plate. Ribeye & Risotto: 4/5 Sauce had a strong blue cheese flavor to it. An acquired taste for sure. Steak was tender and cooked perfectly medium. Pricey. I was a bit surprised it came out to be $85. My fault. I should've asked. Seafood Fettuccine: 3/5 Good amount of seafood but the sauce was lacking a little something. My friend said it would have been better with a cream sauce. Chicken Parmigiana: 3/5 I was told the sauce could be less salty Carlsbad Mussels: 5/5 Meat Lovers Mac & Cheese: 3/5 read more

The Red Door - Fancy That & Strawberry Grove - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

What a great experience! Called ahead without reservations on Friday night for an early seating. Was in the area and wasn't sure where to go. The food looked good on yelp, plus strong comments/ reviews so gave it a try. We ordered the meaty lovers mac and cheese, calamari, and Brussel sprouts. The kale with the calamari was yummy, the calamari was tender (more strips than tendrils), the mac and cheese was the highlight. Probably tied for the best thing we ordered aside from dessert. Two of us shared the lobster ravioli, it was delicious and a friend had the papardelle we sampled it and it was great. I'd go back just to try some of the other items. Looking at the neighboring tables everyone's food looked good. Hannah was our server and shared what her favorites were. The owner and chef popped over to say hi and check on us. We each ordered wine/prosecco and cocktails. We shared the dessert which was heavenly. Sticky pudding cake with a vanilla charcoal ice cream The inside is cozy and inviting. Glad we took a chance on a place that wasn't referred to us. The sea bass special and Wellington are 2 dishes I'd come back to try as well as the salad and mussels or clams. Overall great experience. read more

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This Red Door , an Italian Restaurant , was highly recommended by daughter who also made reservations on my actual birthday July 23rd. We were warmly greeted by Chef Luciano also who is the restaurant owner ! Exceptional plating presentation the entree dishes we ordered ! We started with few delicious appetizers: ROASTED BEETS & BURRATA CHEESE STEAMED CLAMS with toasted Focaccia VEAL MEATBALLS BUTTERNUT BRIE For our dinner entrees: the birthday celebrant ( Me) , The Lobster Ravioli which was served 6 medallions in vodka red sauce ! Every medallion bites I took had lobster meat chunks .... Beef Wellington :seared tenderloin in puff pastry Seafood Fettuccine served with Squid ink noodles Chef Luciano was so kind to comp my birthday truffles! Thanks so much! Will sure come back on my next visit !!! read more

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Came here on a Wednesday for a casual dinner, the place is not crowded. I like the family atmosphere and cute decor around the restaurant. The service is attentive and fast. I got the lamb shank on the top of a bed of squash risotto. The lamb is well cooked and fell off the bone, where the risotto is heavily seasoned (actually I feel it's too salty after a few bites, drank the whole bottle of water with it) It's a good dining experience overall. Will come back to try out their other dishes. read more

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The service and intimate ambiance at Red Door were pleasant. Our food came out quickly, was generously portioned and appetizingly presented. As a risotto aficionada, I had very high hopes for the mushroom risotto with truffle oil. The texture was good, and I enjoyed finding large mushroom pieces interspersed throughout. However, I found it to be overly salty and lacking balance. BF got the lamb shank, which was served atop a bed of squash risotto. He liked the fall off the bone texture of the lamb, but we felt that both the risotto and lamb were overly salted and moreover this risotto was not as flavorful as the mushroom one. To end on a sweet note, we chose the sticky toffee pudding, which the waiter mentioned is their most popular option. I liked the charcoal ice cream topping, but was not wowed by the toffee pudding itself as I expected something stickier and sweeter. read more

The Red Door - Lamb shank with squash risotto - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Food was impeccable. We ordered the beet and burrata appetizer, the scallops and the beef Wellington, as well as delicious wine and martinis. Everything hit the mark. The service was on point. We really loved this experience. We will be back again. Thank you for absolutely great food! *Also added pics of updated menu* read more

I'm the type who will order the best sounding special without checking the price let's just say this meet dish was juicy tender and quite good, but my wallet was definitely hurting. The desserts were a hit, but slightly too sweet for me to finish by myself. But it was quite enjoyable in flavors. Honestly think this would be a cute date night spot. read more

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Service is great and staff is so friendly and accommodating when dining at Red Door. Every food item we've ordered is delicious. This is now a go-to take out spot for my family when we crave Italian. :) read more

If you are looking for an incredible Beef Wellington in San Diego, you absolutely have to visit The Red Door. It was cooked to perfection--tender, flavorful, and easily the highlight of the night. I also highly recommend trying the fresh clams. They were so fresh and delicious! Beyond the food, the service was top-notch and the atmosphere is very cozy and inviting. It's the perfect spot for a nice dinner. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

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We had a big group and we all had a little from each plate. Suffice it to say that every single plate exceeded our expectations in its own unique way. The pasta is made fresh and although many restaurants make the same claim, this was the first place I was truly surprised by the amazing quality of the pasta. Definitely a hidden gem of a restaurant! read more

The Red Door - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

What a cute little gem in mission hills! This restaurant had the coziest vibes and a great staff! The beef Wellington is their specialty and it was good coming from a non-beef Wellington fan. The cauliflower steak was underwhelming in flavor; I wouldn't recommend. The orchiette and the short ribs were pretty good. Overall, I love their farm-to-table concept and the dining experience here was fantastic. I would definitely come back and bring more friends! read more

The Red Door - Cauliflower steak, beef Wellington, short rib, orchiette - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Red Door delivered an incredible dining experience from start to finish. I had the Chateaubriand paired with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and everything was exceptional. The atmosphere was warm and inviting and the service couldn't have been better. What truly stood out was the personal touch. The chef came by our table more than once to check in which made the evening feel even more special. The Chateaubriand was a showstopper. Presented beautifully over a bed of arugula salad with a rich demi glace and perfectly cooked potatoes it was truly a work of art and one of the best I've ever had. Every bite was perfectly balanced flavorful and memorable. I will absolutely be back. Red Door has earned a permanent spot on my favorites list. read more

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First time trying out The Red Door and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere is very welcoming. We were serviced by Robin and she is very sweet and knowledgeable! We went here for my birthday and we had the beef wellington, pesto gnocchi and banana cream pie! All very delicious and unique in their own ways! Thank you for the amazing food! Will definitely be coming back sometime in the future. read more

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Our first time here, after passing by repeatedly, saying "we need to try this place". Gold mine! Ambiance was wonderful, the food was delicious, and our server Robin was personable, knowledgeable and delightful! Luciano, the chef-owner, came over to us and spoke for several minutes with us. He was proud of his food, and for good reason--it is exquisite. Our only regret is why haven't we been here sooner?! read more

Okay experience. The food was pretty good and flavorful. I got the flatbread which was cooked well and the crust was soft. It's a decent portion too and big enough for your meal. There's a good selection of pastas and entrees. Around $40 for a meal. Location is easy to find but parking may be challenging. Inside decor felt homey and intimate. A good spot for friends or a date. The chef came out in the beginning and introduced himself which was a unique touch. The downside was the service and our server. We felt that he took a while to come take our order. We ordered the appetizer and politely asked for two more minutes to decide on entrees. Unfortunately, he did not come back for 15 minutes when the appetizer got dropped off. My peer also asked him for a recommendation but felt he gave a generic response. He didn't seem enthusiastic nor showed any emotion overall. Additionally, I didn't like the calamari unfortunately as I would've liked more seasoning and for it to be crispier. The portion was on the smaller side and half the plate was fried kale. Unfortunately the kale felt more like kale dust/crumbles. I didn't prefer it. Not sure I'd come back but ok to try once! read more

The Red Door - Flatbread - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

When we entered this comfortable restaurant we did not know we had entered a portal back to Italy. There are meals you enjoy... and then there are meals that quietly rearrange your expectations. The Red Door is firmly in the second category. Chef and owner Luciano Cibelli doesn't just cook, he composes. Every dish feels intentional, grounded in beautiful ingredients sourced from local farmers, and elevated with a kind of restraint that lets flavor of his ingredients lead. The result is food that is elegant without trying too hard and is exactly what perfection tastes like. The risotto special? Dangerous. The kind of dangerous where you fully intend to share and then quietly abandon that plan three bites in. It was deliciously rich yet balanced, the kind of dish that makes conversation pause because everyone at the table is too busy having a moment. From the first course to dessert (all made in house), the entire experience felt like slipping into a small corner of Italy. It is unpretentious, warm, and deeply satisfying in that way only truly thoughtful food can be. Robin our server, guide, and overall gem of a human made the evening feel effortless. The kind of service that's attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without lecturing, and genuinely joyful. The Red Door isn't just a restaurant. It's a reminder that when care, craft, and incredible ingredients come together, something quietly magical happens. read more

We were greeted by the chef/owner as soon as we walked in. Service was excellent. Cozy, inviting and very authentic place that makes you feel like you are in a neighborhood restaurant in Europe. Food was incredible and so was the wine. Highly recommend! read more

The perfect last meal of 2024! I've passed The Red Door many times, located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Mission Hills, and have always wanted to give it a try. Known for having a romantic and warm atmosphere with delicious Italian inspired cuisine, I was so glad a friend suggested it for our final meal of the year. We arrived for our 8:15am reservation and were seated in the center of the dining room. The Red Door has a very intimate environment. The lighting is low and the space feels warm and comfortable. Chef and Owner Luciano may contribute to this as he isn't shy about greeting guests and welcoming them into his restaurant home. We brought our own bottle to dinner and they charge a $30 corkage fee. They also have a great selection of drinks including a full bar. They had a special holiday menu available and the four of us shared a variety of entrees to get a taste of multiple different mains. Beef Wellington - A staple that is traditionally on their regular menu. The beef was cooked to perfection and was very soft. I'm not usually a steak person, but I enjoyed the beef wellington because of how tender it was. The veggies it was paired with were perfect as well. Spiny Lobster with Pappardelle - What a statement! We saw a table order some of the lobsters before us and were stunned by the large shells. My friend we were dining with noted that they must be local as they didn't have the traditional claws of an East Coast lobster, but instead, came in a spiny shell. The lobster was cut so that we could easily access the meat. While the lobster was the star of the show, I thoroughly enjoyed the pappardelle it was placed on top. Truffle Gnocchi - Our favorite dish! The creamy gnocchi was perfect and pillowy and we got a generous serving of truffles on top. Chef Luciano took over to shave the truffles, even adding some to our lobster pappardelle. He was incredibly generous and it felt like good luck going into the new year. We had a lovely meal. I looked down at my watch and an hour and a half flew by in no time. That's how you know you're in good company with good food. I look forward to coming back to this special neighborhood spot. read more

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An absolutely marvelous way to celebrate our anniversary. Ryan, our friendly greeter and server was so helpful and wonderful and fun. He had great suggestions and was very attentive. Chef/Owner Luciano Cibelli personally came out to greet us and was absolutely fabulous. Our arugula salad with pears and candied pecans was plenty for the two of us. One of our entrees was Chicken Parmesan. Generous portion and fabulous side of tasty spaghetti. The Orecchiette (we had never heard of it) pasta may have been the best meal we have had in years. Plentiful; The tiny pieces of sausage and grand amount of mushrooms, mixed with brandy cream was very delicious and so rich it was almost a dessert! Then, to top it all off, Chef Cibelli home made several desserts on a tray to celebrate our anniversary. We will no doubt be back and will bring our friends. GO TO THE RED DOOR!!! Polly C. read more

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We have been visiting this local restaurant for many years and it is always a favorite. One of our favorite things is that the chef seems to always take time to walk through the restaurant and say hello to everyone which is very cool. The food is great and he usually has a special or two on the menu. It is a small restaurant so I would recommend reservations, but I don't think they're too busy for walk-ins. read more

When we arrived we we were told we were seated in the bar area next door. Not overly thrilled as that was not the plan. As it turned out, though, it was delightful and glad we were there. The calamari / kale appetizer was great and not so great at the same time. The calamari was most excellent. The kale, however, left a lot to be desired. It was more like kale dust and was very hard to eat. Not pleasant. Calamari 5-Star. Kale 1-Star. I ordered the lamb shank with risotto and it was a ten out of ten. Lamb fell off the bone and was a perfect temperature. The chicken parm was a 9 out of 10. Portions sizes were good and the price point seemed high but in the end both dishes were amazing. Since we we're in the bar it would have been nice to have the wooden tables that felt a bit sticky covered with something. A 9 out of 10 night. Service was good and the chef came out to talk to us. Go. Enjoy. It's a great place. read more

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Ambience is great here. The best was the beef Wellington! Highly recommend this restaurant for a date night!

Worst experience of my life at a restaurant at the Red Door. The owner does not treat his customers right. At his restaurant the customer is always wrong. Worst service ever. Celebrated my birthday with a friend that was a long time customer We ordered lobster ravioli Mussels Shaved brussel sprout salad Scallops Short ribs Chocolate dessert Lobster ravioli decent Shaved brussel sprout salad not even fit for a rabbit absolutely horrible Mussels smelled and not fresh Then we wait an entire hour to get our entrees Scallops are 4 tiny pieces not even fit for an appetizer Short ribs were decent, brussel sprouts burnt underneath We wait for another 20 min to order dessert and coffee That takes another 15 min and they serve the dessert but forget the coffee Coffee comes out another 15 min later. They forget to pack my short ribs to go After this fiasco I called and talked to the manager who was very apologetic and said that she and Luciano would call me the next day They never called until I called THEM today Would they have called me? Anyway I get on the phone with Luciano and told him that my friend a long time customer is not ever coming back His response was that he didn't care at all He didn't want to do anything to make this horrible birthday right, he made it worse with his attitude Never ever going back. He is an arrogant sob and does not treat his customers well, they are always wrong and he is always right read more

Food ok but pretty overpriced. There are two areas one with a guitarist with a little bit better atmosphere and the other area pretty bland. On a friday evening it was the only place with no reservation needed after we'd tried several others with 30 - 90 minute wait times. the glass of wine had bubbles which lingered so we asked for a re-pour and mentioned the previous glass my have been soapy. Same thing again and we didn't bother sending it back again. Service ok but not overattentive. Sorry but we're unlikely to go again, even if no reservation needed. read more

Came here for Valentine's Day and the ambiance was cozy/great. The sauce from the Beef Wellington was very tasty. The flatbread was a great decision for a starter. read more

The Red Door - Flatbread - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Nicholas is an excellent restaurantur the parking is iffy. The Beef Wellington, was well prepared and presented. The clams, meh. I shall be more than happy 2 return. read more

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Guys I can't say more lovely things about this place! My husband and I have seen this place a few times but decided to check it out Friday right at opening. First of all the service is extraordinary. Everyone was so helpful and lovely. The owner and chef even came over during dinner to check on us. You can tell everything done here is done with pride and great care. That alone earned this place a 5/5 but the food was just the best. We started off with their butternut brie and the flatbread (it was a special that night and had porchetta). The brie was super flavorful and I highly recommend the flatbread for large parties as it is HUGE. You could also smell it before you even saw it - they really do use really fresh ingredients here. Then we had the meat lovers Mac n cheese and the pappardelle. The Mac n cheese sauce was fantastic but guys the pappardelle was PHENOMENAL. The homemade pasta was cooked to absolute perfection and I could literally be buried in the sauce and would die happy. For a big brain move make sure to get something with bread for the entree to soak up the extra sauce. Then we ended the night with the sticky toffee pudding. This may be the best dessert I've ever had. Sincerely. Again, homemade. All the desserts are homemade and when we spoke to the chef to ask what his favorite was he said as he makes them all by hand that would be like picking his favorite child. All this means is we have to come back and try the rest of them (and their beef Wellington!). Will absolutely be back to try everything else on the menu. But definitely get a reservation. We went during opening but this place gets very busy as the night goes on. Parking wise is street but it wasn't too bad at 5pm on a Friday. Come early just in case. read more

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Great food, great service, and a really enjoyable experience overall. Robin was awesome and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. We'll definitely be back! read more

First time trying Beef Wellington and WOW. It was incredible. Definitely one of the best meals I've had in a while. Huge shoutout to Robin as well--she was amazing. She recommended the Beef Wellington and a great glass of wine, and both were perfect. Super friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. Can't wait to come back. read more

This is a staple date night spot for my husband and I! We come here monthly and my husband always gets the Beef Wellington (his fav!). The service is always amazing, easy to get a reservation, and the chef and owner comes out sometimes to make sure everything is great. We never leave disappointed! read more

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Farm to table fresh with the taste to back it. Fantastic food, you can taste just how fresh everything is. The beef Wellington was everything I hoped for. Perfectly cooked with perfect portions. the service was quick and staff were knowledgeable on everything. They have lots of daily specials! Ambience was relaxed and quiet. Perfect for date night. read more

The Red Door - Beef Wellington - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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My review is solely on the food. We came here for the beef Wellington which I was excited about because I've never had it. We started with the kale Caesar salad. It was yummy but very salty. Then came the main course. It was not good. The pastry was raw and the meat was tough and had absolutely no flavor. When we arrived the service was amazing. But as people started to come in it died down. When we explained to one of the kids that was running the food he asked if I was joking. That was kind of a shocker. Chef and owner was very kind and apologetic. However I just wanted to get out of there and our server made us talk to the chef. She would not run our check till we talked to him. Super uncomfortable. We left hungry and disappointed. We were celebrating my daughter's bday. Felt awful for her. read more