Farmer's Bottega — Restaurant in San Diego

4.5 stars

We came for a mid morning breakfast on possibly the craziest day to do it ... Thanksgiving. Most places would be swamped or produce not their best ... not here. Farmer's Bottega was just so good even on Thanksgiving.

So this restaurant is in Mission Hills and on a fairly busy street which seems to have a lot of other food places and brew halls to check out. The place is quite spacious with a large bar, nice dining room, and a great back patio. There's all types of tables for any group size.

The atmosphere was rustic chic, clean, and bright. I really felt comfortable immediately. Service here is super quick, friendly, and attentive. There kitchen staff must be hustling because we never had to wait long for any food. For delicious and hot plates, we got them so quickly.

French toast flight ... sampler of tiramisu, strawberry compote stuffed, and banana fosters. Yeah you read that right ... 3 french toasts! I was expecting a small single toast of each but when it arrived, it was amazing. I've seen family entrees smaller. The amazing part was that it was nicely plated and so sooooo well cooked. Crispy exterior with a soft custardy interior on each.

Banana Fosters - the table's favourite. This was a dessert for breakfast deal but I'm ok with it. The flavours were so good ... caramel and banana. The ice cream just pushed it over the top as it melted on top of the hot french toast. It was like a creamy vanilla custard. 5/5

Tiramisu - we had a really similar bad great one in Pittsburgh. This one was a touch more sweet and less coffee like but a delicious one still. The lady fingers was a nice nod to the original and could have used a bit more soaking. I do like how it wasn't overpowered coffee in this. 4/5

Stuffed Strawberry - another solid french toast. This one was just a little more mild in the fruit flavour ... hard to compare the strawberries to the caramel and bananas. I do appreciate that they used ripe strawberries though 4/5

Farmers omelette - though on the menu, it reads like a good balance between a carnivores plate and a vegetarian dream. In reality, this omelette was so generous in portion and meat ... it had a lot of great pieces of bacon and sausage. I think the chef and cooks definitely know how to cook a proper omelette. Light and tender ... this was very well done and nicely seasoned. God forbid i comment on too much bacon but if it had more rapini instead, this would have been my one of favourite omelette this year. 4.5/5

Coffee ... ehhhh not great. It was very acidic and bitter. 2/5

If I'm ever back in San Diego, I'm coming back to try their dinner menu. Service is quick and friendly. Food is great and very reasonably priced. Seeing how I came on possibly the worst day of Thanksgiving, I'm...

I would give 6 stars if I could! One of the best brunches my husband and I had in a while!

We shared all the food today, and it was all amazing! The vibe of the place was really cute and aesthetic too.

Farmer's Omelet with Egg Whites It was egg whites, spicy glazed bacon, broccoli rapini, spinach, fresno chili, smoked mozzarella (replaced fennel sausage with spinach) I haven't had such a good omelette in a while! Perfectly cooked Very good amount of all the ingredients Broccoli rapini was cooked just right And MAN that Spicy Glazed Bacon.... Perfect sweet and spicy combination going on. Mozzarella wasn't even needed I could see a lot of oil on there.. probably from the bacon, but no regrets. I would order a second one of these for sure!

Asked for roasted potatoes on the side, and side salad instead of toast. Potatoes were lovely! The flavor of the potatoes on their own was so good. Ketchup was not even needed. I don't know if it was oregano they used for seasoning but it was really nice. A little extra oily, so I used paper towel to press out the oil..

We also got the Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad (pecan crusted chicken, mixed greens, sliced pear, Gorgonzola cheese, balsamic vinaigrette). What PERFECT chicken! Oh my goodness! It was so crispy. The crust was actually so perfect. I asked the server about it and they said they bake it first and then flash fry. Filet wasn't too thick or thin, and just perfectly cooked. Surprisingly, it didn't feel as oily to touch. I was impressed. I could have totally had that chicken just by itself. It was so good. The pear and Gorgonzola and chicken and balsamic combination went really well together as well. Generous amount of greens too. We also asked for extra greens on the side and the server got us a really big plateful.

Dessert? Tiramisu French Toast Brioche French Toast with ladyfingers inside like a sandwich (lady fingers were dipped in coffee or whatever it it) And also had some amazing cream something on the inside and on top (something with mascarpone, Kahlua and espresso) This looked very big but went to a whole other stomach. We shared this, but I could have had a whole thing of it's own! French toast was perfectly cooked. Not super sweet or anything. Subtle coffee flavor with the soft + cruncy lady finger.. Everything was really good together. That cream on its own had a good strong coffee flavor too if you're into that.

So so many good options and the menu. I wouldn't mind going again to...

Farmers Bottega in Mission Hills is a charming spot for brunch, blending a rustic, farm-to-table ambiance with a cozy outdoor dining experience. My partner and I visited this past Sunday, January 5th, 2025, and were glad we had made a reservation through OpenTable, as the restaurant was busy with guests. Their outdoor seating is unique, featuring a gazebo-like structure adorned with an array of plants that create a peaceful and inviting atmosphere. It’s the perfect setting for a relaxed weekend meal.

For our meal, I opted for the Stay Fit Omelet with a side of turkey bacon, while my partner enjoyed a Ham Omelet paired with a Bloody Mary. The omelets were well-prepared, with fresh ingredients that reflected the restaurant’s commitment to quality. My Stay Fit Omelet was a hearty and satisfying choice, complemented nicely by the flavorful and crisp turkey bacon. My partner was equally pleased with the bold flavors of the Ham Omelet and the perfectly crafted Bloody Mary, which was a refreshing brunch cocktail.

While the food was enjoyable and reasonably priced, the service left something to be desired. The staff we interacted with appeared disengaged and lacked the enthusiasm you might expect in such a vibrant setting. Although they were polite and efficient in taking our orders, the overall energy felt subdued, which slightly detracted from the otherwise lively atmosphere.

Despite the service not meeting expectations, the ambiance and menu offerings at Farmers Bottega make it a worthwhile spot for brunch in San Diego. The outdoor dining space is truly a highlight, offering a unique and charming experience that sets it apart from other brunch destinations. The fresh and flavorful dishes also make it clear why the restaurant has garnered a steady following.

For future visits, I hope the staff energy aligns more closely with the welcoming vibe of the restaurant's environment. A more upbeat and engaging service experience would elevate the overall experience, making this spot even more memorable.

In conclusion, Farmers Bottega offers a delightful brunch experience with fresh, well-prepared dishes and a standout outdoor space. While there’s room for improvement in service, it’s still a great place to enjoy a leisurely meal with friends or loved ones. I’d recommend giving it a try, especially if you can secure a reservation to avoid the...