Best Neighbourhood Gem Restaurants in San Marcos

Simply put, one of the best meals I have had the privilege of enjoying! Delightful server, Calvin, was very in tune with the timing of our meal and our needs. The fixed menu was perfect for Christmas Eve, as it kept the meal flowing and decision-making to a minimum. Every course was delectable from the scallop crudo, the creamed mushrooms, and the sea bass, to the date cake with walnut ice cream! Mezcal hibiscus cocktail was creative and tasty, as well! I will definitely be back!

Our server, Brook, is one of the best I’ve ever seen. She was friendly, efficient and attentive. The table beside us were a bit much but she rose above their poor behavior and cheerfully accommodated them. The food was excellent. Good beer & cocktails. Beautiful outdoor seating with plenty of heat lamps.

We were greeted with a welcome and they remembered from my reservation that this was my wedding anniversary. We choose an indoor seat by the window. The waves looked nice as we could see them roll in. The food was very good. We had the Shrimp Dumplings which was good--sort of like a Chinese potsticker, but soft. I had the Lobster and Shrimp Chowder, excellent. My wife had the Mixed Organic Greens, very good. We shared both. For our main course I had the Seafood Pasta lobster, shrimp, scallop & mahi with smoked tomato sauce, Thai basil & parmesan. I liked it very much. My wife had the Pacific Paella grilled lobster tail, mahi, clams, scallops, shrimp & saffron Arborio rice, very good. The quantity of those dishes was more than what we expected--we could have just ordered one or the other and shared.

Went for a special birthday - Hector our waiter was lovely. Seating was by the window as requested. The restaurant had a special Birthday Menu congratulating the birthday celebrant. Service was relaxed but attentive. lovely wine service with a special old dessert wine. We had shared appetizers, and scallops , cod, and trout. All nicely prepared and presented.

Probably my favorite Campfire experience yet. We we treating our son’s favorite teacher and his wife to a holiday meal, and we were able to sit at a quiet table out front which was SO nice! I’m hard of hearing and the entire dinner, I was able to hear what everyone was saying! That is rare for me and I loved it. We tried a few different things tonight, and some of the same things we love. We ordered the cornbread which was new for us and it was 10/10. We also ordered the porridge bread as usual. So good, and my son became obsessed with it this time around. It’s a 9/10 for me but if they brought back the gravy drippings to dip it in that they had a couple years ago, it would be an 11/10. We also ordered the broccoli which was a 10/10 per usual. One of our group has food allergies so they were able to make the broccoli without the fish oil which was so great! We also ordered a side of the fried potatoes, which came in a cast iron skillet. Omg they were amazing. 10/10. For entrees we decided to share the pork and also the pasta. The pork was incredibly tender and wonderful flavors. I’d say 9/10 because I wanted more of the sauce or pear flavor. The pasta was amazing. Really unique with the meyer lemon. The texture was so creamy that it almost felt like a gnocchi on the palette. We ordered a few mocktails: The east end 10/10 in taste. You don’t get much of the drink for what you pay so for that I’d say 7.5/10 overall. The other drink was another mocktail and I didn’t taste it but my husband said it was good and my son said it was “tingly.” The s’more’s are always fun. We got five of those. I’m a s’mores purist so I always just like plain old graham and chocolate, but this is fun for a nice change. I’d give them an 8/10 because the cinnamon on the cookie throws me off a bit. The highlight was the waitstaff. So so good. Attentive, knowledgeable, kind, and efficient. 15/10!!!