Crafted Culture — Restaurant in San Diego

Happy Hour Menu Items Ordered: Ahi Tuna Tiradito Cuban Sandwich Halloumi Fries Margherita Flatbread Marinated Olives Truffle Mac & Cheese Wings Craft Meatball* Edamame Hummus* House Made Orange Ricotta* Whipped Miso Eggplant*

Happy Hour Cocktails Ordered: Espresso Manifesto Prickly Rose Queen Bee Spring Fling Glitz n’ Glam* Smoke Show* Everything, I mean EVERYTHING was delicious. Well, one exception was the Whipped Miso Eggplant. It wasn’t bad, I just wouldn’t order it again. Each cocktail was beautiful and tasted equally delicious! The Prickly Rose and Glitz n’ Glam came with specially molded ice cubes in the form of rose and diamond, nice touch! All items with * are dishes and beverages that I personally tried. Craft meatball had a very nice kick of spice that builds. Edamame hummus was creamy and delicious. The puffy chips made the perfect vessel for devouring! House made orange ricotta was probably my fave right next to the meatball. SO GOOD! Don’t sleep on that one, it’s an appetizer-dessert-party dish. As for all the other menu items ordered, everyone at the table raved over everything. Now onto drinks. I was going to order a different cocktail for my second, but that SMOKE SHOW!! If you’re a mezcal drinker, the smoky and sweet balance was on point. Ended up having two of those. I did have a sip of someone’s Glitz n’ Glam who substituted the gin for vodka. The bartender accommodated the liquor swap, and it was a very fresh tasting drink. Not too sweet – just perfect. I’ll make my way around the rest of the cocktail menu on my next visit because I WILL BE BACK!! Special note: we had 2 pups in attendance to our happy hour. Outdoor seating is perfect for anyone bringing their fur babies. Our party of 8 sat under the patio structure and it felt like semi-private dining. This would make a great location for small event...

TL:DR: Horrendous service, slightly overpriced meh food. I would avoid.

Been here twice. First time was a month and a half after they opened for lunch. Food took almost two hours to get out at which point we had to leave for a work meeting and had to take it to go. Server was very apologetic and offered a free jumbo cocktail to go. Food was bland and meh (especially for the price), but it was cold when we had it and it was clearly not intended for take out so we decided to give this place another shot.

Second experience was Valentine's day weekend in February of this year. Walked-In. We are told to wait 20 minutes. We wait 30, but it's understandable since we did not have a reservation. We are then seated and are told our server will be with us shortly. 10 minutes pass. All attempts to wave down the waiter are in vain. 20 minutes, 30 minutes. We don't have our menu, waters or anything else.

At this point I go to the front staff and ask if they communicated to a server that we have been seated in the first place. I also tell them how disappointed we are in this kind of service and that we are just going to leave. Ladies at the front don't even think to apologize and just tell us: "See you never". At this point I had to call the restaurant manager (who was only available by phone). She was understanding, and apologetic. She explained that girls working the front have never worked in the service industry or something to that extent. She then invited my wife and I to come back the following day and treat us on the house. This was an appreciated gesture that we never took her up on for...

Food was really tasty, ambiance and decor was amazing, service was friendly- but slow. My party and I were sat down immediately and given multiple opportunities to order drinks and food right away. We took our time deciding what to order and noticed some items, especially the main courses, seemed overpriced. After ordering we received our drinks promptly, but waited about a half hour for our appetizers and then our mains came out shortly after. Our waiter asked how the food was while we were still enjoying the appetizers. He didn’t come around again to refill our waters or ask if we wanted anything else such as drinks or dessert and we had a difficult time spotting him to ask for our check as we sat with our empty plates. Once the check arrived, it took at least 10 minutes for him to retrieve it and at least 5 mins before bringing it back. The restaurant was busy, but seemed adequately staffed. As for the food, everyone in my party enjoyed their food, but agreed it was overpriced. I ordered the seafood pasta which was delish, but felt it was a small portion for the amount paid ($29). It only had a few clams and mussels, 2 shrimp, and one serving of pasta. Most of my party ordered the flatbread and really enjoyed those so if I were to come back it would be to try those or if they offered...