Le Coq

★★★★☆ 3.8 (58)

"The Rooster is supposedly the last full-service restaurant that local celebrity Chef Malarkey and his business partner will be opening. It's ironic that one of his earlier eateries in downtown La Jolla is the same venue that has been converted to Le Coq. As noted by others, there was minimal signage on the outside of the building. You could see the faded words 'Herringbone' on the north side of the structure, but nothing else indicated this was now the home of Le Coq. A half dozen odd-looking concrete seats in the shape of an open hand adorned the front sidewalk. Where were the rooster statues?My initial impression of the interior was that it felt understated and mundane compared to its predecessor. I found the lack of flair to the interior and exterior decor to be disappointing. For a last hurrah, I expected more pizzazz to note the presence of this new high-end French steakhouse. We were seated at a two-top table in the middle of the dining room after checking in with the hostess. The ambiance felt dark and cavernous instead of what I hoped would be a cozy, intimate setting.On to the food... the two page menu was designed by Executive Chef Monsod. A six-dollar baguette with a choice of five different butters was at the top of the left page. Cold and hot hors d'oeuvres made up the rest of this part of the menu. Entrées, steaks, and sides were listed on the right page. My francophile dining partner and I decided to split a baguette with Pamplie butter which was a rich, artisanal version flown in from France. The bread was warm and pillowy soft. You could tell it was freshly baked. It turned out to be my favorite part of the meal.We also split one of the hot appetizers in the Onion Tart. A round savory pastry contained short rib, caramelized onion, and gruyère cheese as the filling. The crust was a bit dry and overcooked. My friend's entrée choice was the Roast Chicken which featured half of a cooked bird resting on a glacé with a lemon to squeeze on top. The preparation looked fairly plain for a price of nearly $50. The meat was tender though.I selected the Duck Breast for my main course which was served as two pieces of meat with tamarind purée drizzed on top, Some kumquat slices were added along with a piece of chicory. This last component was roasted endive leaves that were soaked with the puree to mask any bitterness. I would have preferred a different vegetable to pair with the duck, perhaps a squash or other root vegetable. For $65, a third slice of meat should not be out of the question.The service from the waitstaff was solid. One staffer went around the tables to ensure our water glasses were filled. Some of the prices were inflated though compared to similar caliber French restaurants in town. The premium may have been for the reputation of the chefs. Overall, I couldn't quite elevate my rating of Le Coq to a four star level as there were areas of our dining experience that fell short."

Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 3.9 (1342) • $$$

"We decided to try this place at the recommendation of some friends and we are glad we did. First, the food. Everything we had was really good! I ordered a surf and turf (even though this place is more Italian) and the meat and shrimp were fantastic. The filet was cooked perfectly and was a great cut of meat. When dealing with the quality of meat you get with this place, you don't want to smother the meat with a bunch of seasoning. You want to be able to taste the quality of meat and here you'll get a good piece is filet. The bread they bring out was fresh, super hot and also very good. They also have a very extensive wine list. The service was also very good. Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and very attentive to the needs of the table. He also made great recommendations while trying to decide what to get. The atmosphere here was pretty great. It wasn't loud and obnoxious, it was very nice. I was a little bummed that this place was not closer to the water and the traffic right outside makes sitting in the front patio a little loud. We sat inside. All in all this place was a pretty good place to have a nice dinner. If you're in the area give it a try! Cheers!"

Turf Supper Club

★★★★☆ 4.1 (930) • $$

"Had a great time here. Joined some friends from work for a night of Steaks and Spirits. Old school vibe, dark, red light hues inside. The bar has any cocktail you may like available. The bartenders were cool dudes, had good conversations while we waited for our booth. The grill is near the middle of the dining area, everyone finds a spot and add their items to cook. I ordered the Filet with a salad and potato. The steaks come with garlic bread, I slapped that on the grill too. There are several seasonings and sauces for flavor. My steak was really good, with garlic salt, pepper, all seasoning and a slab of butter. The waitstaff was cool and helpful. Good times"

Santo Placer

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (39)

"While in Imperial Beach for another event recently, I made a stop at Santo Placer for a meal before heading back north. I don't know what the previous establishment was, but the standalone building had a large on-site parking lot which is always beneficial. The inside decor was beautiful, highlighted by a faux tree with white flowers in the middle of the dining room. The ambiance was pretty fancy for Mexican cuisine.Brunch was being served during my weekend visit so only half of the menu was available. A Culichi Omelet was what I chose for an entree. The filling was shrimp and mozzarella cheese topped with culichi sauce made up of roasted poblano peppers, jalapeno, and garlic. A green salad and a scoop of Mexican rice came as sides to the dish. The shrimp were concentrated on one side of the omelet with four pieces total. The creamy sauce was the star of the show. Tortillas were also provided but for unknown reasons, the corn variety was complimentary while there was a surcharge if I wanted flour-based wraps.The biggest issue I encountered was the preparation time. The kitchen took at least 20 minutes before the item was brought to my table even though the place was less than half full. The prices were on the high side, however that reflected the more upscale nature of the restaurant. My waitress was very polite and helpful in answering the questions I had about the menu offerings. I gave a 3.5 star rating for my dining experience at Santo Placer."

Adrian's Surf N' Turf Grill

★★★★★ 4.8 (746) • $$

"This place was rated very high on Yelp. We were in the area so we decided to grab some lunch. Tommy at the front was really nice and is a hard worker. He handled everything including wiping the tables, taking orders, etc. we ordered the following ... *Seafood Cobb SaladHouse greens, grilled shrimp, blue cheese, bacon, tomatoes, eggs, avocado, house ranch dressing ( we asked for tomatoes on the side) *Rockfish Sandwich -Brioche bun,local beer-battered rockfish,lettuce, tomato, onion, You have a choice of house tartar sauce or chipotle mayo ( we requested both) *San Diego Seafood Chowder -Shrimp, clams, potatoes, oyster crackersI really enjoyed the rockfish sandwich. It was delicious and flavorful. The French fries that accompanied the sandwich were the standout! OMG so crispy and perfectly seasoned!!! The clam chowder soup was hot and yummy. I enjoyed it but I should have requested pepper for a little more seasoning. Lastly, the only concern I had was that I couldn't justify the "seafood" Cobb salad because it only had two pieces of shrimp. The presentation was nice but I felt it needed more seafood to be called a "seafood" club salad. Overall , I enjoyed the experience and those fries!!!!"

Lou & Mickey's

★★★★☆ 4.3 (2693) • $$$

"Lou & Mickey's is great for so many reasons. First, it's located right under the Gaslamp sign and is a perfect spot for people-watching (especially during comic-con). The food is top notch as well as the service. Note, I am writing this review upon my most recent visit, but have been here a few times previously. For this visit we called ahead and made a reservation for a large party and upon arrival, they had our table set and ready for us as well as 2 assigned waiters. Both our waiters worked seamlessly together and were very cordial, helpful and quick. Very commendable since the restaurant was very crowded. Their lunch menu has a good variety of options from the appetizers to entrees to desserts. Our party pretty much ordered one of each appetizer and did they go fast! Not to mention the warm sourdough bread and butter. For the entree of course I had to go with their specialty - hand-cut prime steak all aged for 28-35 days. I ordered my favorite, filet mignon. In line with my other visits, it was absolutely delicious, cooked just right with a crispy outside and the butter melted on top. My side of vegetables balanced it out well. Most of the group also ordered steaks and I only heard rave reviews. To top off the meal, we ordered pretty much the entire dessert menu for our party to share. While they did take a little longer to come out, it was worth the wait. Among my favorites were the vanilla crème brûlée and rustic apple tart. An all around excellent choice and I have been recommending this place to visitors for a while."

Steak 48 Del Mar

★★★★★ 4.5 (324) • $$$$

"We loved our experience at Steak 48. We went with another couple who has gone a few weeks prior. They told us our recommendations and we went with the flow in terms of what we felt like for the evening. We wanted to bring our wine, but when we called: There is a corkage fee of $85 and the wine cannot be listed on their (extensive) wine list. You are better off purchasing a bottle from the restaurant.We were immediately seated in a private dining table (sits 4) next to the chef's kitchen. Our table also had a great view of the dessert's kitchen as well. We were close to the all-gender bathrooms (2 separate bathrooms), which were a plus! It was fun sitting at these tables because they are semi-private and you get to see what's going on in the kitchen! There are only 6 booths (I believe), so try to request for a unique experience.I ordered a glass of Chandon to start. The table ordered their drinks of choice. We were provided warm bread that had a sweet taste (honey) and butter to start. We ordered appetizers to share: chicken fried lobster tails, braised pork belly, crab legs, and fresh oysters.For dinner, we ordered the bone-in ribeye and new york strip, with sides crispy hasselback potatoes, corn creme brulee, and a bottle of Cab for the table.For dessert, we ordered the triple layer key lime pie, triple chocolate bombe, and beignets (off menu item).Everything we ordered was delicious. The service, the ambiance, the food, the drinks were all amazing. This is a very high class restaurant that costs a pretty penny! For our party of 4, it was close to $900. Save for a special occasion, because it's worth a visit."

Born & Raised

★★★★☆ 4.1 (2848) • $$$$

"This restaurant is located in Little Italy area in San Diego . Reservations are highly recommended they are always booked . When we made reservations they did require a fee incase we canceled . Walking in to this restaurant it is huge . They also have a huge rooftop that is where u want to sit at with all the views and the decor is amazing. The restrooms are funny they say some funny things on the toilet seats . Everyone was super nice and attentive. Jake and Stenson made our experience memorable. Jake was our waiter he was so sweet and attentive. Stenson made our Caesar salad table side it was so much fun and delicious. All the food was so good here . This is considered a steakhouse so we had to try the steak so good . For dessert we got a macaroon and the best part is it had a Wu-Tang Clan label on it . I loved the detail .Overall I highly recommend coming here . This was one of my favorite restaurants of my trip to San Diego. The food was 10/10 the service was also 10/10 . Loved all the vibes here on the rooftop can't wait to go back ."

Cowboy Star

★★★★☆ 4.3 (2081) • $$$

"If you haven't been to Cowboy Star take this as your sign that you need to go! After a successful Padres game we decided a steak dinner would be the cherry on top for a perfect day. It was on the late end of the night but still about an hour before closing and we were able to grab 2 seats at the bar, fun fact did you know that they have cell phone chargers built into the bar? Always a convenient thing to have! We each ordered a drink and decided we weren't super hungry so we shared the 17oz ribeye which was plenty for the both of us. The ribeye came with broccoli and mashed potatoes, they were the most perfectly whipped and melt in your mouth potatoes! We also got a side of the mac n cheese because we saw someone else order it and knew we had to try it! Everything was perfect from start to finish - I absolutely love coming to this spot and will continue to come back!"

Galpão Gaucho

★★★★★ 4.7 (313)

"This restaurant is located in Seaport village, next to Cheesecake Factory. I noticed this location after eating at cheesecake, knowing we needed to try this place. Luckily, my son wanted to do Brazilian for his birthday, and making reservations was super simple.They are available for reservations on open table or through Yelp.We were greeted and sat immediately, and our table was located right by the kitchen. We were asked if we had been to a Brazilian restaurant before or if we had been to that location, and the server described how it works. We were soon off to scour the salad bar, which included soup, rice, beans, as well as salads and cheeses, and meats. However, We were eager to get started on the meat. They had 17 options available ranging from seafood, beef, pork, and chicken, and we were excited to try it all! Who knew that fresh fried cheese was going to hit the spot! So much so that we must've had 3 or 4 servings! I only have 1 restaurant that compares, and while I didn't care for all the meat choices (parmesan stuffed pork was a little overcooked and chicken once it gets cold, the sausage was good but I like the other place better) the seafood options, cheese and multiple chicken and beef options takes the cake. Being mindful, I believe that costs are around $55 for lunch and $75 for dinner. Holiday prices are $75 per person all day. I'm not sure the difference between lunch and dinner as online. It states that all 17 options are available for both. The service was top-notch! Decor is upscale, but I saw customers in dress down attire. Staff was welcoming and friendly and made us feel like top guests! Munchkin even got a free cake for his birthday!"

Junction Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.7 (268) • $$

"If we can grab lunch and a few drinks and get out under $100, then we're happy. We did just that at Junction Bar and Grill in Rancho San Diego.Really cool spot to see your favorite sporting event on TV. They have TVs mounted everywhere. We were there with two other couples for beer, bread and baseball, except none of us actually got bread (okay pita bread).We grabbed a tall table against the wall that had great sightlines to the Padres game. We were promptly greeted by a very sweet and cute Ashlyn, our server. Let me tell you, Ashlyn was on point for our entire stay. Excellent service.Between the six of us we ordered potato skins ($11), pork pot stickers ($7), hummus plate ($9), carne asada taco in a lettuce wrap ($4.75). The pot stickers and hummus were from the every-day, all-day Happy Hour menu.The potato skins were very good. Cheddar and jack cheeses, bacon and chives served with sour cream and ranch dressing. We asked for Cholula as well. Becky prefers a bit less potato in her skins, I thought that they had just the right amount. I prefer them a bit potato-y. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but the pot stickers were excellent. Little puffs filled with pork served with a really good sesame-based dipping sauce. For 7 bucks? A bargain.I did not sample the hummus, but our friends really liked it. The pita was not crispy as some places serve it and that was a bonus. The plate included a pile of Kalamata olives and chunks of Feta cheese.Our friend who had the carne asada taco loved it. She didn't want a tortilla, so Ashlyn highly recommended the lettuce wrap. She said that she orders it that way so our friend followed suit and loved it. She was still talking about the next day.Three couples all with meals and plenty of drinks. All three were out of there under a hundo.Junction is a cool spot. We'll be back."

Okawa Steak House & Sushi

★★★★☆ 3.7 (683) • $$

"This is a great Japanese restaurant with awesome steak and sushi options. Think Beni Hana in East County. I had an awesome large Japanese beer (Kirin) for $8 here also. Win win for me."

Shake & Muddle

★★★★☆ 4.2 (427) • $$

"I've heard of this place for a minute. Finally tried it for breakfast when I was in the area getting my taxes done on a Saturday. I was impressed with the service. Food quality was great. Did the Salmon Benedict. They did not do the eggs runny but boiled. I didn't mind and it still tasted great. Their cold brew was also high quality. Better than a Starbucks cold brew. They have a full bar set up as well. I'd come back."

Moe's

★★★★★ 4.5 (260)

"The drinks and service here was good. Also had some of my friends fries and they were crispy and delicious with a good amount of alcohol in the drinks.The bartender was friendly and fun. Great employee."

Greystone Prime Steakhouse & Seafood

★★★★☆ 4.2 (3463) • $$$

"Hands down for service! Definitely 5 star! Bone marrow had bacon on top and normally I'm not one to turn down bacon but it made the appetizer very salty, I say half the bacon and add more toast. Greystone salad was over dressed. But can't go wrong with potato your way. The highly of the meal was the wagyu, absolutely delicious and well prepared, we had both the Australian and Japanese. It was nice to try it side by side. Wrapped it up with a complimentary dessert of yuzu cheesecake made it a delightful meal."

Manhattan of La Jolla

★★★★☆ 4 (399) • $$$

"I was invited to go to Manhattan for a presentation and dinner was included. I was pleasantly surprised to see what a beautiful and secluded and quiet dining establishment this is. It reminded me of the old Albe's beef in that used to be in Mission Valley it's the old Chicago kind of piano bar steakhouse that is dark and cozy and serves the best steaks in the world. I thought these were long gone, but now I know where one is!! They have a very extensive menu of wonderful steaks prepared the way that steaks used to be prepared long ago. They have pastas that are homemade they have chicken, marsala and chicken piccata and eggplant Parmesan. They have wonderful salmon with an incredible garlic flavor.They also have a grand piano so you can sit and dine and listen to piano and also look at their incredible fish tank. The service was 10 stars. The management was amazing. Everyone treat you like your best friend and they want to serve you and give you whatever you need and give you a happy experience. I'm gonna come back here for many celebrations and special occasions. It's that kind of place. I can't say enough about the deliciousness of the food. We had a Caesar salad that had so much flavor with garlic and anchovies and the salmon came with lots of honey carrots, and Seasoned green beans that were cooked to perfection. We ended the evening with a New York style cheesecake. Drizzled with raspberries, tasted very fresh and delicious. And the bread they bring to the table is rustic, white warm and crusty with just soft enough butter to make it, melt in your mouth.And don't forget to come before your dinner and go for a walk and watch the sunset along the beautiful La Jolla coastline and listen for the bells tolling at Saint James Episcopal Church. A very romantic evening is in store for you."

Huntress

★★★★☆ 4.2 (823) • $$$

"Elegant bar with great drinks! The Easy Prey with pandan, makrut lime, and coconut was so smooth and delicious! Priced well at $11 too. I was a walk in on a Sunday with no wait. It's a steakhouse but they do have a sushi spot on the rooftop called Lumi (4th floor). Restrooms are on the 2nd & 3rd floors."

FlavorFull

★★★★☆ 4.1 (7)

"FlavorFull is the newest of the approximately ten vendors at the UCSD Price Center food court. Not being familiar with the campus, it seemed that available public parking was scarce near the Center. I walked about five minutes from where I left my vehicle to reach the food court. The main menu screens featured a build your own bowl or salad, preset bowls and salads, combo plates with fries or other sides, and then wraps with or without a side and drink. On a different side of the stall, eight different bubble waffles were available as sweet treats.From the preset savory selections, the Chipotle Jalapeno Steak bowl was what I ordered. Grilled tri-tip steak, pickled red onion, cherry tomato, cucumbers, black beans, sweet potatoes, crispy onions, tortilla chips, and creamy chipotle lime sauce were the ingredients. I chose a base that was a blend of brown rice and quinoa for the bowl. I found this carb mix to be dry while the steak was overcooked. The sweet potatoes and lime sauce were the best parts of the item, especially the latter which kept the contents moist.The portion size was good for the price which was beneficial for the students. I didn't try a bubble waffle, therefore my rating for the bowl I tasted at FlavorFull was slightly under four stars."

Gaslamp Fish House

★★★★☆ 3.7 (603) • $$

"This is one of my spots to eat in Downtown, when I'm going to a show at the Balboa. It's only a block away, at 4th & Broadway.Happy Hour goes til 5:00, if you can make it in time. I think I've only had Happy Hour specials and dessert in all the times I've been here.I usually get the macadamia calamari and tacos, and fries or chips & guac if someone else is eating with me. The carnitas is the best taco, and It has tons of filling. The Calamari is my favorite of everything I've tried. The butterscotch pudding was really good, but I would probably order it without the caramel next time.Max was my server this time, and he was super helpful & friendly. He offered me suggestions on the tacos, and the desserts (I was bummed they didn't have any cheesecake!) I also heard him making sure that people at his other tables were happy with their meals.The restaurant is a little dark, but you can see what you're eating ok, so that's the important part.Definitely give them a try if you're in the area!"

Puerto La Boca

★★★★☆ 4.1 (1158) • $$

"Argentinian restaurant in Little Italy! Cute old-fashioned interior with densely packed tables. Good wine selection. Friendly staff.I am a fan of Argentinian food, but I must say this is about average when it comes to Argentinian food. Sausage was good, empanadas not so great. Milanese was dry and tough to eat. Alfajores were overly seasoned with coconut. All in all I would say bellow average but good service made up for it to a degree..."

Freddy’s Chophouse

★★★★★ 4.9 (92)

"Obsessed. New favorite spot in San Diego. Let's start with the amazingly warm welcome we got from the owner. Just great hospitality all around. It was also cool to hear that Freddy's is family run and named after the father. The drinks are delicious - tried the mandarin cosmo, espresso martini and strawberry mule - all very well crafted and fresh, these are not your cheap ingredient cocktails despite being $10 on happy hour. The burrata was so insanely good! Delicious salty slices of bread with a plate full of perfect burrata, tomatoes and glaze that you will literally want to lick clean. We came here for happy hour before the Padres game and I kid you not we came back after the game for a second plate of burrata. Highly recommend Freddy's, can't wait to try more of their menu next time!"

Zama San Diego

★★★★☆ 4.2 (431) • $$$

"Came back to Zama after being invited by the manager and our experience this time around was great! From the moment we entered we were shown lots of attention from the hostess to servers and busboys to the manager. We had a 3 course meal along with a bottle of Malbec, which went great. Zama is a fusion restaurant of South American and Japanese cousins. Imagine eating lamb chops with sashimi as an appetizer...well we did! Sushi or braised rib as main course? We did. Ambiance at Zama is fantastic. The proprietors did major investment in getting Zama to be fancy, romantic and "sheek" all in one..."

Rei Do Gado Brazilian Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 4 (2810) • $$$

"It's been over a decade since I've been here. Then I went again recently because it was so good! They pass around pão de queijo (cheese bread) to start and you can always ask for more.I usually order the Brazilian Lemonade since it's unique and refreshing. Hubby also got a Xingu black beer. They have lots of Brazillian drinks to choose from! I love that they use a mesquite charcoal grill to cook their meats! The salad bar has plenty of seafood, cheese, hot dishes, and other items to enjoy as well. You can even add lobster and shrimp for only $5 more! Service was excellent and it's such a great place to gets premium quality meats! It's all you can eat, so come hungry!"

Black&Blue Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 4.4 (331) • $$$$

"Had one of THE BEST dinners ever . And go figure - at a casino for crying out loud. Evie was the hostess and Star was our server. Both girls made our celebratory bday dinner so wonderful. My family frequents this casino often and receives vouchers for restaurants. I didn't expect much from this steakhouse dinner but was BLOWN AWAY by how much we all enjoyed the meal and experience .And we are tough food critics within our family.The experience, from start to finish, seemed effortless and flawless. Star was simply so patient, kind, warm, and just darn good. Her helpers were equally professional. The meal starts with complimentary olives, nuts, and cheese. You also get to sample a bread basket, brought warm to table, of four different breads and three different butters.We also opted for a bottle of Pinot Noir (priced pretty well compared to a glass of it). BF also ordered a cocktail ($16).We all decided to go for their 3 course dinner for $69/pp. You get to choose a salad/soup, 4 different entrees, and any dessert. It also includes coffee and tea which I didn't realize until I looked at menu again just now. We tried:Split pea soup:- very rich and creamy according to everyoneHouse salad:- so ridiculously refreshing with the meyer lemon vinaigrette. The greens were so fresh and crisp. I wish it was a bigger serving but otherwise a great starter before mealCaesar salad:- BF said it was good but anchovies were deliciousChilean Sea bass:- this was DONE RIGHT. Chilean sea bass is my favorite fish ever as it reminds me of childhood memories eating with my father. This version was prepared so delicately and so well executed. The exterior had a nice crust but the flesh remained silken and moist. The sweet basil pesto paired perfectly with the tart sundried tomatoes and fresh zucchini. Brandt Filet mignon:- really good cut of meat and cooked to the right requested tempCreme Fraiche Cheesecake:- creative and tasted really good (says BF)White Chocolate Pistachio Souffle:- LISTEN. Listen well. I dislike white chocolate and pistachio in ANY dessert. I adore souffle when it's done right, which let's be honest, is a difficult feat. Star told me this souffle (flavors vary each day) was worth it. I trusted her THAT much to order and try this. And dangggg. One of THE BEST SOUFFLES I've ever had. It brought back more childhood memories of eating with my father. The souffle was 100% baked to order and came piping hot and SKY HIGH to the table. It was served with a side of creme fraiche with chopped pistachios. The souffle was a generous portion. The top was beyond perfection and the interior tasted light and fluffy. GET THIS SOUFFLE WHEN YOU ARE HERE.Baked Alaska:- sis loved this but I didn't try it. The coffee served was presented in a ridiculously thoughtful and immaculate way. We're talking chocolate dipped biscotti, whipped cream, caramel/honey, chocolate spoons, sugar sticks. The decaf tasted like heaven after the dessert.Let me tell you what set Star apart. She packaged everything for us and when I asked if we could take home the left over bread on table, she smiled and said yes and would I like a few extra ones as well. Be still my beating stomach's heart. She also packaged the fantastic butters for us. AND also packaged the coffee condiments (chocolate spoons and whipped cream) as I told her I would totally eat it later for a 2nd dessert.I was so glad the restaurant puts an automatic 20% tip on full price of the meal as she and her staff deserved every penny of that. We also tipped her additional cash as we enjoyed the dinner and service that much. I can't recall the last time I said hey let's return to a casino restaurant for another meal. It's a long drive for us but I would absolutely return just for Star and another memorable meal with the family."

Theresa’s Italian Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 3.8 (89)

"I've driven past this hotel SO many times noticing there was a steakhouse & finally grabbed the name one day to make reservations for my family of 6 (including one toddler). We booked a reservation & when we got there, the full table was set up for us & ready to go. Our waitress's name was Ashley. I'd love to start with highlighting our wonderful experience with her. Ashley was incredibly attentive to our table, went along with the crummy jokes from my in laws (& even threw some humor back- my type of gal ), & was incredibly knowledgeable about all the dishes we had questions on. I appreciated her taking the order for my son & as she promised, it was out within five minutes of us placing the order: hot, fresh, & probably some of the best flatbread I've had (I had a slice or two...you know, just to make sure he'd like it ). We have an array of different pallets for our family members & not one person was disappointed with a dish tried. Drinks were fantastic. Ambiance is out of this world! The hotel itself is beautiful, but Theresa's Italian Steakhouse is STUNNING. Beautiful decor in the lobby, as well as on your way to the host stand located right up the steps. Booths had pretty teal velvet, outdoor seating is plentiful, & the bar also looks very cool. And we all know my favorite part of any place is when they have easy and accessible parking. Parking is a breeze here & a short walk away from the entrance of the hotel. Everyone I encountered here was an absolute gem. We will certainly be back, would love to try out their brunch one day!"

Bully's East Prime Bistro Sports Bar

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (1098) • $$

"I thoroughly enjoyed my New York steak dinner here. Juicy and cooked medium well as I requested. Cocktails were also made just right. My Moscow mule was refreshing with just the right amount of vodka and lime to cut through the vodka and the ginger beer. I want to try the prime rib next time I stop by. Great ambience and service."

The Remy

★★★★☆ 4.3 (230)

"I remember this venue tucked away at the west end of Mission Valley as the Hungry Hunter. It was there for years and years. Accordingly, when I heard there was a new restaurant in the location called "The Remy", I was curious. The parking in front of the restaurant remains the same, and there are two or three handicapped spaces available. The front door of the restaurant is large and imposing, but it opened easily. When I walked in at 5:30 pm, the reception desk was unoccupied. When the host arrived, he walked me to the stairs to ascend to an upper dining room. I shook my head and stated I preferred to sit in the bar room, which has the nicest décor. For the wine, I selected a 2019 Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon. As to the meal, I ordered a tomato and fennel soup, after which I selected a New York Steak. Pleasant service."

Lilian's

★★★★☆ 4 (109)

"I have to give credit where credit is due. After our initial sub-par visit, management reached out, eager to make things right. We returned for lunch and had an amazing visit from beginning to end.First of all: the property is beautiful. Their patio overlooks a courtyard and is extremely well-kept. Our server greeted us promptly and she was great... friendly, involved, helpful... everything you could hope for. The manager visited our table throughout the meal to check on us, making time to have a conversation about the recent remodel and upgrades to the property. He really made us feel special. The food was perfect. My wife had the chicken sandwich and I had the steak frites. Both were exactly what we wanted and were cooked to perfection. For dessert, we were able to try everything and WOW... so good! Especially the bruleed beignets with a trio of dipping sauces. We could've eaten those all day if we weren't already so full. I could go on but let me say this: our lunch at Lilian's was one of the best dining experiences we've had in a very long time and I would have no problem returning or recommending a visit from family o friends. We'll definitely be back"

Stake Chophouse & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (596) • $$$$

"This was a fun and fancy place with service to match.They have high end cuts of beef here, they have fancy knives to choose from which I so loved having that option. Love the selection from around the globe, they weren't that sharp.The servers were attentive and on the ball. Nothing negative could be said of this place. The steaks were incredible as well as the sides and to end a perfect meal they had basque cheesecake. For sure will return when I can get a reservation."

Carver's Steak & Chops

★★★★☆ 4 (749) • $$$

"We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Carver's recently. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but once inside you're transported to such a beautifully opulent steakhouse. The main dining area is full of warm, rich, dark wood paneling, plus a fireplace. I appreciated that there is an adjoining sunroom as well. Much better lighting for photos, etc. Service all around was professional, thoughtful and genuine. There is also a lively bar & lounge if you prefer that scene. Full menu served there.Bread service here is fairly pedestrian. If Black Angus and Outback bread had an offspring, this would be it. I may opt for the cheesy garlic bread loaf next time. The chilled Shrimp Cocktail was excellent. Six plump, succulent shrimps, elegantly presented. My 8 ounce Prime Rib (med-rare) was outstanding. A good enough portion size for me. Star of the plate was the Au Gratin Potatoes. Probably some of the best I've put in my mouth. I think what I appreciated most was the remarkable value here compared to other similar establishments. Early dinner service from 4:30 - 5:15 pm presents a special menu that includes all of the traditional sides, fixin's, etc. Plus no added surcharges, junk fees or unexplained "taxes" on the final bill. The food and vibe here is definitively "fancy steakhouse", but doesn't break the bank. Highly recommended."

Hunsaker’s

★★★★☆ 4.3 (94) • $$$$

"We have been here four or so times now, and will come back for sure. While we have had different experiences as far as service, the food has always been fantastic.The menu I believe is seasonal and constantly changing so I would suggest to check out the menu prior to going, I was a bit disappointed coming in to find they did not have what I "wanted" on the menu, what I ordered was great, just keep in mind to check the menu before you go.I really enjoyed doing the Chef's Mercy, which is a prefix menu that is chefs choice, just remember to state the things that you don't really want, such as soap, er cilantro for me.I love that this place is small, and right on Grand so that you can walk around after your meal.I can say that at this price point, I would expect the service to be a bit better, but ultimately we came for the food, which was delicious.I would have to add, that while it was nice to have the "live music", during one of our visits we were seated very close, and it was loud enough that we could not really have a conversation at our table, but again, food... great!"

Amuse

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (27) • $$

"In my heart of hearts, I'd rather go out from the hotel for dinner if I'm in another city. I was recently on a long golf weekend and the Marriott La Jolla was a logical choice for the first night based on its proximity to Torrey Pines. After a day of golf, the convenience of a reasonably nice restaurant within minutes of your room was a major plus.My experience was based on eating and drinking at the bar. There are also bistro tables in the hotel lobby and a nice looking outdoor area (pictures are on Yelp). We were both ready for a drink. I was happy with their beer selection and had a couple of offerings from Stone - their IPA, which oddly I'd never had, and the Xocoveza. There was also the Bartender's drink of the day, which turned out to be Tequila Sunrise. Overall a nice full bar with nice bartenders. Went with the Burger, which was on a nice bun with fixin's plus the opportunity to add two additional items, plus you can add more. My burger was a Cheddar, Bacon and Avocado (they also had fried onions, mushrooms, other cheese and a fried egg that could be added) - I ordered Sweet Potato Fries which were no additional charge. The burger nailed my number one rule of good burgers and sandwiches: Have more bun on the bottom. And, it was a nice brioche bun. I typically don't order dessert, but hey, Golf Vacay. The Tiramisu was pretty underwhelming, more like a Tiramisu flavored cake. I wasn't too upset, as I still enjoyed some cake after dinner. After three beers and a day of golf, let me tell you that dinner did the trick. I was happy with my experience, as was my dining companion. You can check out the menu and find a decent range depending upon what you're in the mood to eat. Overall, it's a nice hotel lobby restaurant with a large outdoor area. Additionally, this is a beautiful hotel lobby and it was during the holiday season and the tree was quite strikingly nice. And, it was so nice to be in the room within minutes, full and happy."

The Amalfi Llama

★★★★☆ 4.4 (265) • $$$

"I celebrated my friend's birthday here at The Amalfi Llama and she decided on this spot for lively atmosphere and menu options of Italian cuisine. It is located on the other end of UTC where Corner Bakery Cafe, which means more open parking! I loved the interior of the restaurant and the greenery near the tables! The vibe is loud though so I would not recommend for big groups because you will not be able to hear anyone except the person besides you. The downfall was unfortunately the food, as our Lobster Mac and Cheese was not in fact cheesy and tasted quite fishy. I wasn't a fan of the choice of elbow macaroni and the lobster pieces were plentiful but were just dry. I had a bite of my friends filet that she did not finish because it was quite salty. It was tough to cut but extremely rare on the inside. I will say the pizzas are great, just nothing spectacular. The calamari were a favorite at the table, but I thought they were soggy throughout. Service from our waiters were friendly and kind! Wait time for the food was longer than expected. Upon tasting what we ordered, we were disappointed but too hungry wait longer for any adjustments. I think the menu could use a change of items and provide more specials to make their story more unique."

Vintana Wine + Dine

★★★★☆ 4 (2858) • $$$

"I've been here twice for happy hour and the food was excellent on both occasions. They have a very nice happy hour menu that offers great selections for $9 during 3-5pm daily. They have vodka drinks for $9 as well (any drink with vodka). If you prefer to bring your own wine, there is a $20 corkage fee.I've tried the black mussels, kung pao calamari, shishido peppers with pork belly, ceviche, baked Brie, and veggie hummus flatbread. I loved all of the dishes, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the mussels! I never expected that such a beautiful restaurant would be on top of a Lexus car dealership! The indoor dining area is pretty, and the outdoor patio is even prettier! When you enter the driveway to the Lexis dealership, pull up the driveway and drive to the end. There's a sign indicating turn right for the restaurant. You can pull into the parking garage or park on the upper level, where the restaurant is located. There are plenty of parking.Great good, great value, great servers, abundant parking, and beautiful restaurant!"

Island Prime

★★★★☆ 4.3 (2715) • $$$

"This well appointed, contemporary steak and seafood restaurant is located over the San Diego Bay with picturesque views. Their prime steak options and seafood dishes are super high quality and made with great care. I highly recommend the filet trio plate with three different prepped filet mignon steaks. Their oysters were very good. The sunset views and city views over the water are perfection. Service here was outstanding and friendly. We absorbed loved this restaurant."