Zest Wine Bistro

I walked into this place with high hopes: a few glasses of wine, some tasty tapas, and a relaxing evening. Things started out strong with a sparkling wine that hit just right. I'm no wine expert (can't tell the difference between a pinot noir and pinot gris...) but this one was good, and their selection was impressive.Then came the tapas, and that's where the night took a turn. We ordered stuffed mushrooms, bolognese pasta, risotto, and a seafood dish packed with mussels. The mushrooms and risotto had potential--decent flavor, but both were mildly watery. The bolognese, on the other hand, was lacking depth of flavor, and I found myself longing for a can of SpaghettiOs.And then, there was the seafood dish. As it was heading to our table, I noticed an unusual smell. Not like the fresh salty scent of the ocean, but something distinctly...farm-like. My brain struggled to place it, and then it hit me: barnyard.Trying to stay positive, I thought, "Maybe it's just the smell--surely, it can't taste the same." But one bite shattered that hope. My mouth had turned into the interior of a barn house, and the flavor was so overpowering I half-expected to find a stray piece of hay in the dish.The evening wasn't a total loss, though. The wine selection was impressive, and the staff were incredibly kind and welcoming. But the food left a lot to be desired. I think it might come from the sister restaurant next door, which would explain the inconsistency. If you visit, I'd recommend sticking to the wine bar. Here's hoping the kitchen can step up its game because the concept is promising. With a little work, this place could be a real gem.

Zest is Lemon Grove's hidden gem-- they've been my local go-to wine bar for the past 3 years and let me tell you the reasons why:First off, the vibes here are everything . The outside just feels so homey and inviting . There is a shared parking lot in the back that also makes it very convenient to stop by . The interior is pretty cozy, has a very nice bar, and is decorated so cute . I also really enjoy the outdoor patio area if you have a larger group of people with you . The owners are super sweet and are easy to talk to . The customers/locals there are also very friendly !Second off, the WINE-- I yet have ordered a wine I disliked . They have a variety of different wines that they do a very good job of rotating . They also offer a wine cub that I might just join the next time since I love it here so much lol . Did I mention they have happy hour like everyday ?! See you 4pm (:Thirdly, the bites are tasty sooo fun to share ! They have a sister Italian restaurant next door (Giardino-- SOO GOOD) that they share a kitchen with ! I personally love ordering the charcuterie board to pick on while I sip on wine . A few other honorable mentions would be the calamari, bruschetta, and stuffed mushrooms ! Overall, Zest is one of my favorite places to chill out and grab a sip of wine . If you're in the area, I would highly suggest checking it out !

We recently had my husbands birthday dinner on the patio here, it was perfect for a group event! They were so nice and let me come in the morning to decorate the tables and put up balloons. We had about 20 people and I chose charcuterie boards, flatbreads and had lots of wine. Parking in the back made it easy for everyone.If you're celebrating something and want a private patio outdoor area, I highly recommend checking out this place!

A very cute and spacious wine bar! I don't mind exploring downtown and more hype areas but I really love that this is a less than 10 min drive from home spot. They have a very good happy hour with wines and bites. I got the two whites in the HH menu and I didn't love them... then, my friend and I decided to get a bottle of Prosecco and that was a very good Prosecco. They have a huge variety of wine in their regular menu. If you are hungry or want to pair your wine, you can get food from the restaurant next door. The pricing of the HH was very good ($5 a glass of wine, how can you beat that?) but after HH I would say it's on the pricey side. We met the owner who was really friendly and approachable. She told us they have events some times during the month so I will be for sure joining one (or more) in the future. Our server was a sommelier so that was impressive. Overall I really liked it and will be back!

Came for the happy hour which was great! $5 glasses of wine which I feel like is unheard of now. They had choices between white, rose and red. My friend and I got there right around 4 and it wasn't busy at all. They have a small amount of indoor seating but a very large patio in the back that is really cute.I got a glass of the Pinot noir and rose off the happy hour. Honestly... They were both just ok. Not sure if they rotate their happy hour wines but hopefully they do! We did also get a bottle of prosecco that wasn't part of happy hour that was really good.Service was really friendly and quick when we were there. Worth checking out.

I want to say don't go here. This is a friendly, warm, comfortable spot that we locals like to duck into for a snack and a glass (or bottle) before heading next door for dinner. Roberto always has good wine available, and he is happy to pour, to guide, and to just have a good time with wine. There are monthly tastings from different regions, private events, and even day trips to the Valle. It's a very special and unique spot, but if everyone starts going and filling up the place, there won't be room for the rest of us. Consider yourself warned, but I know you'll go anyway, and you should.

My local wine spot, and I love it. So happy other yelpers seem to love it too!I live in Lemon Grove and there is very little going on in this town. Along with Giardino's (the restaurant next door, same owner), Zest is such a blessing! And not just for locals - I have friends that drive from around San Diego to meet my here for the evening because they love it as much as I do. Zest has a great selection of wine, delicious small bites, including a killer cheese board. The weekly food specials (usually tacos or flatbreads) are excellent. The bar inside is cute, but the patio is darling - very cozy! The background music is always on point. The patio is enclosed and they have a fire-table and heaters for colder days. Karina, the owner, is extremely friendly and attentive, always making the rounds and visiting with customers. Roberto, the wine bar manager, is a sweetheart. He's extremely helpful with wine recommendations and accommodating about letting us taste wines before we order them. He remembers what we likes and is enthusiastic about sharing new wines with us. And, scoring brownie points with me, they are super dog friendly (on the patio). My dog, Tango, is always remembered, greeted, and given water right away - a really nice touch!Other things to note: Zest offers a wine club and has tasting events at least once a month. Their prices are about average for San Diego. Parking is reasonably easy: there is usually a parking spot available in back lot, but street parking isn't too bad when the lot is full.

Attention East County. If you're like me sometimes I prefer to stay local. I love SD's local food scene and until recently this was the only choice for great Italian. Zest is the chill version of Giardino's. I'll review Giardino's separately but if you're looking to chill, look no further. Karina ( Owner of both ) now offers the best of both worlds. Casual/fine dining or a relaxing wine bar. Which one to choose?This is the beauty of having both right next to each other. If you're feeling like an excellent Italian in an urban setting Giardino is the choice. but if you're looking for something a bit more quiet, then Zest is the ticket. One word for Zest, cozy, and my favorite, dog friendly. Karina has a bistro menu for Zest but if you're looking for something a bit more substantial, you can also order from the restaurant. Ok, the wine! We're just back from Napa and I appreciate the variety. They have something for everybody and the price point is spot on. Roberto is a gentleman and I think we tasted four wins before going with a lovely Syrah. This was the perfect compliment for our charcuterie and pear pizza from next door and OMG. So how do you feel, you know have a choice?

I really want to give this place 5 stars but dang that strong disinfectant smell turned me off the minute I walked in. I even sat outside and still smelled the strong odor of Fabuloso,

Fun for a large group and excellent selection of food and drink. Lots of parking and great service.