The Victorian at Hill Street — Restaurant in Oceanside

From the moment we stepped into The Victorian at Hill Street, we knew we were in for a special evening. This review is long because every detail deserves praise. Our entire experience was nothing short of exceptional, thanks to a team that is clearly passionate about their craft.

Let's start with the service, which was impeccable. Our server, Shelby, was the perfect guide—attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm. She ensured our glasses were never empty and that every course was timed perfectly.

The culinary journey began with Chef Lisa Rivera (of Hell’s Kitchen Season 24 fame) and her incredible team. The food was elevated to another level. We started with the Laffa & Tahini and the Tuna Carpaccio. Both were stunning, with vibrant flavors and beautiful presentation. For our mains, the Little Gem Salad was fresh and complex, the Peri Peri Chicken was succulent and perfectly spiced, and the Filet Mignon was cooked to an absolute perfect medium-rare, melting in your mouth. We ended with the Burnt Basque Cheesecake, a decadent and flawless finale. Every single dish was executed with precision; nothing was lacking, and nothing was missing.

The beverage program is already fantastic and promises to become even more spectacular. We enjoyed the Mary Shelly and the Grenache, both of which were excellent. The highlight, however, was meeting Matt, the mixologist. He took the time to visit our table and explain that they are in the process of obtaining their full liquor license from the California ABC. His passion was infectious as he described his vision: creating his own syrups and introducing seasonal cocktail menus. Based on his obvious expertise and enthusiasm, I cannot wait to return once the new drinks are available!

In summary, The Victorian is a gem. The trifecta of Shelby's stellar service, Matt's innovative mixology, and Chef Lisa Rivera's extraordinary culinary talent creates a dining experience that is not to be missed. We left already planning our next visit. An absolute...

C- Experience at Best

I went into The Victorian with high hopes. The photos online show a gorgeous bar, and the name itself evokes a sense of elegance and old-world charm. Unfortunately, the reality didn’t match the expectation.

First big letdown: despite the bar’s beautiful setup, they don’t actually have a liquor license yet. That means no hard alcohol, which was a huge disappointment.

The menu was underwhelming. There was nothing particularly unique or exciting about the offerings, and for what I paid—over $100—I left hungry. That’s never a good sign.

I started with the pickles. They were just below average. For my entrée, I ordered the vermilion fish at $34, which came with… a piece of bread and a few sliced tomatoes on top. No sides. The fish itself was fine, but nothing memorable, and at that price point, a side dish should be a given.

The waitstaff clearly seemed new and inexperienced, which I understand in a soft opening, but it still affected the overall experience. The most awkward moment came when a woman next to me mentioned she was with the press. My server then pointed at my plate and told her, “Instead of the sourdough, I’d recommend getting tortillas.” That would have been nice information to have before I ordered—especially since I was never given that option. Instead, I got to feel like the example of what not to do.

Overall, I’d call it a C-minus experience. I know it’s a soft opening, and I truly hope they work out the kinks. But I’ve seen many businesses come and go at that location, and unless they make some big improvements, I’m afraid The Victorian might follow...

Absolutely loved it! The vibe is so authentic and wonderful. The restaurant sits inside a beautiful, quaint, and charming Victorian House with a stunning bar and a few warm stone tables. Asthetic is a 10/10 for me because its design is classy, sophisticated and seemingly a natural extension of the real reason this vibe hits, the people who conceived of this restaurant and who run it.

The chef and the front of the house bring it to life with their passion and commitment to quality. Massive shout out to Matthew (also the bartender) who delivered flawless service and couldn’t have been a better representative of the place, This guy produced the most beautiful, delicious and well executed cocktails I’ve had in a long time and did it without access to spirits (waiting on liquor license, which they should have soon). I can’t wait to see what he creates with a full bar!

Let’s talk food. The chef is a serious talent. I’m an instant fan and can honestly say the tuna carpaccio is the best I’ve ever had. The mariscos and prawns were rich and satisfying with thoughtfully layered flavors. Easily some of the best food I’ve had in North County, especially at the price point, which isn’t cheap but delivers excellent value.

Listen, you gotta try this place. Everything I had was fantastic and everything on the menu looks great. At the very least go to the bar, order a velvety glass of white wine and two or three orders of tuna carpaccio, followed by a slice of the burnt basque cheesecake....