Marketplace Café at Nordstrom — Restaurant in San Diego

I have been coming to this restaurant for over two decades. Love the food, service has always been great, even nowadays when it gets really crowded. Last time I dined here it was the exception. I had lunch with my 83-year-old mother. The line was quite long, considering it was a weekend and in December. No issues with that at all. After placing my order and paying for it, my mom asked if she could sit down. I told her to pick a table since I was just waiting for my receipt. It took a couple of minutes because two customers walked up and asked for to go cups. Meanwhile a female staff member walks up to my mom and very rudely tells her she can't sit, she has to stand in line, order and pay. She explained she had already done so. This female employee asks or demands proof. My mom points out to me, the employee insists she wants to see the receipt. Finally I guess she saw me walking towards the table and left before I got there. This person has absolutely no manners. Of course there are rules to enforce but not like this. The experience was so bad another server came up to us and apologized for the way this staff member talked to my mother. She was upset. Almost ruined our lunch that day. Had to get a slice of coconut-lemon cake to mix in some sweetness to this sour encounter with someone that clearly doesn't know how to...

I was here yesterday around noon just wanting something simple and a quick bite. Just a heads up that their menu is very limited compared to what it was a couple of years ago unfortunately. Upon walking in there is no food behind the plastic/ glass available except for names on Daily Soup specials and cakes. Esmeralda was my cashier very friendly and I ordered a cup of chicken noodle soup and a side salad. I did have to ask if I needed to come back and pick up my food or was it delivered to the table. She said it would be brought to my table. My friendly server Rafael brought me water as requested with lemon and about 10 minutes later my cup of soup. The soup was not chicken noodle and only a few tiny pieces of chicken tiny pieces of diced potatoes and carrots with two penne pasta. Oh well, the broth was good. I did have to ask for my salad and a receipt. It wasn't crowded when I arrive but, filled up quickly when I was ready to leave. I give Rafael 5 stars and the clean well-lit environment was relaxing. I really hope that they start adding more to their menu and it would be great if they opened up the...

Say what!@#!!! Been dining at this Cafe for years and typically get two things Roma Tomatoe Basil soup and Cilantro Lime Chicken salad. But suprise suprise they have a brand new menu which now includes a burgers! A double cheeseburger on a brioche bun with garlic aioli and thinly sliced light pickles. Served with a simple side salad.

I eat burgers maybe 4x a year, and this one was one of the best I've had in awhile. Perfectly cooked and seasoned, the aioli adds just the right flavor.

Usually my business partner won't eat lunch here, cause he doesn't care much for salad. But with this option looks like we will be dining here more often. Especially now that restaurant restrictions have been lifted.

What about the service you ask? It's Nordstrom - their servers are the best and always...