"Herringbone, the latest adventure from chef Brian M., is my favorite of this restaurant group. They've transformed a beautiful old La Jolla building into a wonderfully pleasant space filled with indoor olive trees and skylights surrounded by old brick. This creates a wonderful ambience for dining, drinking, or just enjoying life. The food and drink selections are delicious and reasonably priced, at least for lunch,and the service was excellent."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Love the food here (particularly Shrimp with Grits, Brussel Sprouts and the Ceviche) but making a reservation and being seated 30 minutes late wasn't a good start to a birthday celebration."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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"We arrived on time for our reservation, but waited 25 minutes for table. Fresh oysters, grilled scallops, pizza.....all were excellent. The place believes dining room and bar scene need to co-exist.....so it is uncomfortably loud, we were not able to have conversation without shouting."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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"Very disappointed. Food was good; service was good; llace was noisy.This is clearly a young, affluet peoples place. Being seen there seems more important than great food or a terrific setting.
My halibut was decent but clearly nothing to rave about. My guests complained that their food was grossly over-salted. Very high prices for very mediocre meal, ambiance and setting."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: hot spot
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"Great place BUT the music was too loud in the dining room. Could not have a normal conversation and could barely hear the person on the other side of the table."
Dined on 5/03/2013
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"Brian Malarkey's restaurants always dress to impress, and Herringbone was just as I had anticipated. Having eaten at Searsucker & Burlap many times before, I expected a great atmosphere and awesome design, and I was still really impressed and excited about the decor at Herringbone. It is a truly unique ambiance. The food was good. Not exceptional, but good. My scallops were done to perfection as was the bacon that accompanied it, however the dish may have done better without the bland risotto at the bottom. My friend had the halibut and I tried it; it was very well cooked but again the flavor did not knock my socks off. The brussel sprouts lived up to their hype; they were delicious, and the Burlap "house wine" was surprisingly exceptional."
Dined on 4/29/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, romantic, hot spot, special occasion
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"Went on Tuesday night which is half price wine night. 9 or 10 bottles, all cheap were the only ones that were half price. A bit deceiving. None of the wines were what I would expect for a restaurant of this group. The food was great though. The whole fish ceviche is my favorite!"
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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"Had the seafood stew and it was great. Chairs were very uncomfortable and noise level drowned out our table conversation. Will try lunch next to reassess the noise problem."
Dined on 4/29/2013
Special Features: good for groups
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"Food is good and the décor is wonderful. Very noisy for dinner on a Saturday night even though we were early at seven o'clock. Would not go back for dinner. Lunch is less noisy and menu good."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2007
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"It was decent food but not the best lamb shank I had. It was costly for the quality of food. The ambiance is interesting but a bit noisy even though it wasn't completely full."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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"The music is way too loud if you are looking for a place to actually talk with the people you came to dinner with. However, if you are just there for the bar, then the music is fine. The main dining area was removed from the bar by a big wall and the music could have been kept near the front of the place for just the bar area but it was set at top level for the entire restaurant. The food was too overpriced for the serving sizes and I would not recommend eating a full meal here. If you want a cocktail and some oysters or to share a flatbread (crust) then this would be a great place to do it. The place itself is awesome on the inside with live trees, high ceilings and the right kind of lighting."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, late-night find, hot spot
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"The ambience was nice and it felt like a restaurant in San Francisco. I had been expecting it to be loud and it wasn't until the evening got later and the bar filled up. We liked many items on the menu so decided to order a number of appetizers to share and then each couple split an entry and salad. All the food was very good and the presentation was lovely. The downside to the evening was the service. When it came to getting drink orders, the waiter was fine, but he disappeared for long periods of time, was not particularly friendly and made the evening last at least 1 -1 .5 hours longer than it should. Even before the restaurant got busy the service was spotty at best. Love the food, but they need to work on the wait staff attitudes."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2009
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"Great service wonderful ambience and very vibrant. Would recommend to anyone!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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"We had a great happy hour at Herringbone tonight. Oysters and Chardonnay, mussels and friend bread, $8 flatbread pizza, shrimp and grits, and a great ice crean sundae. Marvelous service from the wonderful waiter Zane, lovely seating on couches under the trees, and a good time had by all.
Thanks Herringbone!"
Dined on 04/15/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Another Brian Malarkey restaurant, this time with a seafood focus. I enjoyed Herringbone better than some of his other restaurants in San Diego, mainly because I'm a seafood guy. Space is very hip with indoor trees the size of outdoor trees. Rustic in design with Edison light bulbs (seems to be all the rage in decor right now).
Food was excellent. Do try the Whole Fish Ceviche, which is served sashimi style. Maine Diver Scallops w/ Bacon were to die for as was the Monk Fish Osso Bucco."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"The ambiance at this restaurant is fantastic; indoors with super high ceilings, but lots of LIVE olive trees in the restaurant. Also a nice fireplace where we sat at a zinc topped table for brunch. The music was nice jazz, but too loud. We had a beet salad and a mixed green salad with buttermilk, and they were great together. One of us had the french toast which was outstanding, but we also got a wild mushroom and cheese pizza and it was swimming in oil; not that good. Service was attentive but not pushy. This place can be over-crowded and extremely noisy on weekend nights, but for brunch it was really nice."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"I tried several things: the fish ceviche was the best I had, although I felt it required a bit more lemon. Fried oysters= a dream too. Normal oysters were fresh and delicious. However, the halibut was bland and overcooked, really nothing special than a mediocre restaurant. I find the food clearly overpriced. I'll go back anyway because the ambiance was wonderful and the service very pleasant."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"This is a happening place with a wonderful ambiance. The restaurant looks like an old warehouse and features bare bricks and high ceilings with exposed beams. Decorations, including a suspended wooden canoe as a light bar create a funky vibe. The dining area is broken-up by beautiful 100yo olive trees. One wall of the restaurant is taken-up by the glassed in kitchen so you can watch the chefs calmly, busily at work. There's a large bar and lounge area to relax for pre- & post- dinner drinks and a small open fire for cold winter nights.The service is impeccable--my glass was never more than half empty, dishes were served at good intervals to allow conversation. The variety and quality of dishes is excellent. Dress is casual."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Always incredible... Michael is tremendous server... whole baked fish to die for..."
Dined on 04/09/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"I've always liked the food here except for my most recent visit. We ordered the shrimp and grits, the seared albacore, brussel sprouts and the mushroom flatbread pizza. The shrimp was good but the grits that night was overloaded with butter. Each bite felt like I was chomping down on a stick of butter. The flatbread was also drenched in olive oil. Normally it's just drizzled but the other night I could have wrung out a liter of olive oil from such a small pizza. The only thing that was consistent that night was the albacore and brussel sprouts.
Off nights like this usually leave a bad taste in my mouth that tends to linger which means I won't be going back to this place anytime soon."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"As vacation travelers we research recommended restaurants to try and Herringbone's "TOP RATED RESTAURANT IN THE UNITED STATES" rating intrigued us. The historically preserved building belays the eye catching interior design of the former car dealership. Visual excitement to enjoy while eating your meal, full of flavor. The lobster roll and pork sammy were great and don't forget the triple fried potato fries. The restaurant provides a treat for the taste buds and the soul."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Easter Brunch was terrific...love the environment (trees, paintings, lighting, walls) and ambiance (fun, upbeat, chic)...and the food and drinks (Peter Rabbits--amazing!) were great! The wait staff is solicitous and charming, too...can't wait to return!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"Easter Brunch was very good and made for a memorable day. Kids could get simple eggs and bacon and adults could be more daring. You are sitting indoors but it feels like you are outdoors with multiple fireplaces, lounging areas, and an open concept. A DJ was even spinning music which did not detract but added to the atmosphere. It has such a great vibe and the food and drinks were very good. Service was attentive but not overbearing and we never felt rushed. We will be back!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Awesome dining experience. I love the relaxed atmosphere of this place - cozy and low lighting...trees inside the restaurant, which was very cool. It was a bit noisy, so if you are looking for a quiet dinner, this is probably not the best spot. I definitely would return to try more dishes. The beet salad was AMAZING and probably my most favorite dish of the evening! The staff was helpful and friendly. It's a bit pricey, but so delicious."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2009
Special Features: romantic
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"Loved the concept, the interior decoration, the view of the kitchen, the service, the originality of the dish presentation & flavor. It's a hit, congratulations!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"Food was delicious! Service was a little slow. We ate in bar area and the bar tender was a little too involved and distracted with two women at the bar. We were there for lunch - will definitely go back for dinner!"
Dined on 03/26/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Special restaurant with a nice lounge.... Your food was perfect cooked and we were surprised - in which different kind of ways you offered us your courses... We will recommend your restaurant - that's for sure!"
Dined on 03/18/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, late-night find, romantic, great for lunch
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"We had been to Herringbone before on a Sat. night. It was awful then -- bad service, badly prepared food, crowded, too noisy to converse. But Herringbone for Sat. lunch was wonderful. I recommend it highly for lunch (but not for weekend dinners)."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Wonderful ambiance for smaller groups - the old indoor olive trees were fantastic and the lighting really set the mood. The quality and attention to the balance in the food was excellent. Over the past four years, we picked Malarky resturants for special family occasions - this was our anniversary, but this time we didn't inform the resturant - and found that we recieved the same quality attention and service as we had in previous visits. We had made an early reservation so while we were one of the first guests, we were able to watch the resturant fill up as we ate and the service did not seem to lag as the place became busier. Another wonderful dinner. Thank you."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for brunch, late-night find, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"The ambiance and energy is awesome if you're looking for that quality. A huge turn off when we requested to be seated at a different table and the hostess gave us a burdensome look. I would check this out again."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2013
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"Oysters were awesome. Loved reach island oysters. Stripped bass was amazing. Props to the person who fillets this fish. Not bone to be found. Smoked haddock chowder was great. We'll be back."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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"Second time here and really enjoyed it both visits. Absolutely love the ambiance - nothing else like it in San Diego that I have visited. Fun to take visitors and great place to meet friends for a drink or evening out. Menu items seemed a little pricier second visit - maybe just the market costs of fish right now."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Vibrant atmosphere, excellent food and service. Dined in main dining area where there was very acceptable noise level for easy conversation. Louder atmosphere seemed to be up front by bar area. Definitely will dine here again."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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