Poseidon Restaurant Del Mar — Restaurant in Del Mar

I had a strange experience tonight. I’ve been eating here for over 20 years, and I’ve always enjoyed it. As a kid, I loved the omelettes. Now that I’m older, I gravitate toward the salads.

While ordering, I asked the waiter how much it was to add salmon to my Caesar salad. He told me that adding salmon to the $15 Caesar would bring the total to $28. That’s what I ordered.

It was extremely hot today, so others in my group decided to follow suit. They ordered a $15 Greek salad with salmon and an $18 beet salad with salmon. Naturally, I expected the Greek salad to cost $28 and the beet salad $31, since we all were adding salmon.

The salads arrived, and the salmon portions were identical. Everything tasted great.

Then the weird part happened. When the bill came, the Caesar with salmon was $28 ($13 for salmon), the Greek with salmon was $37 ($22 for salmon), and the beet with salmon was $39 ($21 for salmon). Weird.

I asked the waiter about it. He was just as puzzled. He agreed it didn’t make any sense and said he’d talk to management to adjust the bill. It was only a $17 difference—no big deal, but it’s the principle. The $17 itself wasn’t important, but I didn’t appreciate the bait-and-switch.

We waited… and waited… and waited. The kids started getting restless, so we took them to the car to brush their teeth and get them ready for bed since it was getting late, and management wasn’t in sight.

After about 20 minutes, I asked a staff member if we could please speak with the manager or our waiter. Waiting this long over $17 just felt like adding insult to injury.

Finally, the manager arrived. She apologized but said pricing is set by the chef, and she couldn’t explain the inconsistency. She said she couldn’t fully adjust the $17 difference but did knock $6 off the bill. Not the point. It wasn’t about the $17 or the $6—it’s about the principle. I spent $360 on dinner; do you really think I’m concerned about $6?

I explained pricing for adding salmon should be standardized. That’s when the excuse came, “This one has beets, this one has olives, but the Caesar is just romaine.” I know. That’s what the menu said—for $15, $15, and $18. Salmon shouldn’t result in a $9-10 discrepancy nor should a few olives or beets that were already described in the menu.

She said she’d speak to the chef tomorrow. Great. Does that make this situation right? Talk to him all you want, but you’re still charging me $11 extra for—let’s be real—nothing. While you talk to the chef, I’ll be taking my $360 to Brigantine down the street next time. Our decision as to where we’re going to grab dinner just got a little easier.

It seems silly to me. I’ve managed hundreds of accounts, and in any of my establishments, if something like this happened, I’d thank the customer for pointing out the inconsistency and make the adjustment—no questions asked. I would also 100% offer a free dessert, drink, service, or remove an appetizer from the bill to make up for the hassle, embarrassment, and wait. It’s not worth arguing over $11. I just thanked her for everything, paid the bill (without reducing the tip, as the gentleman did an excellent job), and wished her a good night. But hey, keep your grapes or watermelon or whatever justified the extra charge. I’ll enjoy Brigantine instead.

I think the most disappointing part is that, on the drive home, we could have been talking about what a great night we had. Instead, for the past few hours, we’ve been stuck complaining about an $11 difference and the clear lack of competency from management. At least we got a few laughs out of it, but it’s been two hours, and we’re still focusing on the negative aspects of the experience, when we would’ve preferred to talk about the positives. If management had handled the situation properly, we’d be singing the praises of the restaurant instead of picking apart what went wrong.

And now, instead of telling friends and family about the amazing omelettes and salads, they’ll hear about this disappointing...

Poseidon, located in Del Mar offers an unrivaled dining experience that combines breathtaking ocean views, exceptional service, and delectable cuisine. My recent visit to this seaside gem left me thoroughly impressed, and I am excited to share my fantastic experience. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by the friendly and attentive staff who made me feel welcome and ensured a seamless dining experience. The service throughout the evening was top-notch, with the staff being knowledgeable, accommodating, and always ready to cater to my needs. The highlight of Poseidon, without a doubt, is its stunning ocean view. The restaurant is strategically positioned right on the beach, allowing guests to enjoy the sight and sound of crashing waves while indulging in their meal. The ambiance is simply mesmerizing, making it an ideal spot for a romantic dinner or a special occasion. Now, let's talk about the food. Poseidon truly delivers on its promise of exceptional cuisine. The menu boasts a diverse selection of dishes, ranging from fresh seafood delicacies to expertly crafted steaks and enticing vegetarian options. Every dish I had the pleasure of tasting was a testament to the chef's culinary skills and commitment to quality. The flavors were well-balanced, the presentation was impeccable, and the ingredients were undoubtedly fresh. One dish that stands out in my memory is the succulent grilled seafood platter. The perfectly cooked shrimp, tender scallops, and delicate fish fillets were a true delight for the palate. Each bite was bursting with flavor and showcased the restaurant's commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients. To complement the delicious meal, Poseidon offers an extensive drink menu, featuring handcrafted cocktails, an impressive wine selection, and a variety of craft beers. The talented mixologists behind the bar are more than capable of crafting the perfect drink to suit your preferences. The overall ambiance of Poseidon is warm and inviting, with a tasteful coastal-inspired decor that complements the stunning ocean backdrop. Whether you choose to dine indoors or on the spacious outdoor patio, you'll find yourself immersed in an atmosphere that exudes relaxation and tranquility. In conclusion, Poseidon in Del Mar is a true gem that checks all the boxes for an exceptional dining experience. The combination of breathtaking ocean views, attentive service, and outstanding cuisine makes it a must-visit destination. Whether you're a seafood lover, a steak enthusiast, or simply seeking a memorable dining experience, Poseidon will exceed your expectations. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough and can't wait to return for another unforgettable...

I just ate here with my wife.

Bottom line: if you like your food’s natural flavor disguised by a chef that’s clearly trying too hard and your ingredients imported from everywhere else in the world but California, this is your place.

This restaurant could be so much more than what it is. It has an amazing location with a beautiful view of the beach, ocean and sunsets. Unfortunately, the approach to food by the chef leaves us utterly bewildered and confused.

Take a perfectly good squid (called calamari), slather it in batter, hit it with a sickly sweet chili sauce (no actual chili flavor) and let you dip it in Mayo flavored with lemongrass. You are left thinking: where did the calamari go; who is this for? We don’t know where this squid came from but it’s almost irrelevant - we couldn’t taste it. 2/10

Disappointing.

Next up: fried Brie. Same result. Take the Brie, dowse it in pistachio (why!? Can’t the Brie be a big boy and stand up for itself?) and serve it with a cracker and mango. Mr. Brie was lost in action. Never spotted him. 3/10

We ordered the Wild Salmon because, no other seafood was actually sourced from the ocean in front of the restaurant (we asked) and so this would have been the next best thing. Other options: something flown in from Alaska, another from Chile and another from Hokkaido (we live in Tokyo and have the T-Shirt). Flew all the way to CA but no seafood (from a restaurant called Poseidon, whew!). The salmon was actually good! If you removed it from all the other ingredients. Slightly over done for me, but definitely a pass. There were layers of delicious white fat in between flakes of salmon protein goodness. The flesh was light pink indicating that it was likely natural rather than the deep orange farmed variety. Likely legit. 6/10

Lastly, Brussels sprouts. We were hoping these were from northern CA. Maybe. Sadly, undercooked. And again, the flavor was stashed behind layers of sauce, a cream cheese substrate whose lemon tinge was trying to offset the oil (it kinda works) but then some walnuts thrown in which were doctored somehow and didn’t really participate in the actual medley. 5/10

Perhaps the standout of the evening tonight was the Manhattan 8/10 I really enjoyed it and I almost had another to cap things off and then thought, why bother?

If you want to just hang out with people and watch a sunset and not focus on food, this might float your boat. But the promise and the price are not backed up by the delivery. There is potential though.

The waiter was a very kind and nice man and did everything he could to make us feel comfortable. It’s not his...