Top Soup Restaurant in Solana Beach
California Pizza Kitchen at Solana Beach
437 Hwy 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075, United States
This used to be a nice establishment. We went last week to take my mom out for her birthday and had some of the worst service I have had in recent memory. Upon arrival our hostess sat us at a table directly by the busy pathway for the servers, not optimal, but we could deal with it. She had made the mistake of seating individuals in the big booths so full parties had to be seated at the small tables, poor planning. Then after about 10 minutes of waiting without a server coming to our table I flagged the hostess down again and asked if she could send our server over since nobody has come by yet. She went to the server, who clearly could not be bothered from standing in the corner and avoiding his job, but still he would not come to our table. After another 5 minutes I went and got the manager since we didnt even have waters 15 minutes into our meal. He proceeded to roll his eyes and slowly walk to get our waters since this was clearly beneath him. Once he got involved we at least got another server to finally come by our table and take our orders. As if we had not waited long enough at this point our drinks took another 10 minutes to arrive. Let me also point out that the restaurant was only at about 50% capacity and they had plenty of staff so its not like that was the issue. So at about the 25 minute mark we got our first drink and we quickly put our orders in as we had no idea how much longer this was going to take. Overall the food was average, definitely not the quality it used to be, but for the price I was expecting more. To top it off, at no point during the meal did the manager ever come by and apologize for the experience, pointing out that maybe it is his leadership that is at the epicenter of the poor service at this location. Either way, this is the last time that we will eating here due to the HORRIBLE SERVICE! The only shining grace of this experience was an older gentleman that worked there that was really working hard. He was easily the oldest team member and was outworking everyone by a lot. That man is a gem of an employee and is the only reason why this isnt a 1 star review.
Panera Bread
667 San Rodolfo Dr Suite 130, Solana Beach, CA 92075, United States
I recently visited this Solana Beach, CA Panera store after not having visited for a long time. I placed my order with a woman at the counter and was presented with a terminal that asked what size tip I wanted to leave. Since my order was for a take-out order, I declined to leave a tip. The woman taking my order must have seen that because she was not very friendly and did not say anything. My order included a coffee but she did not say to wait, or that shed prepare my coffee, so I went to the other end of the store to pick up my order. Eventually the bagel came, but no coffee.I asked someone behind the pickup counter where my coffee was, and she came back a bit later with my coffee. The coffee cup had a lid loosely placed on top. I tried to push the lid on tighly but it would not stay on. The rim of the paper cup was kind of crushed all around. This should never be the case with a new cup. I took a new cup from the pick up area and went over to the sugar area and poured my coffee into a new cup, unfortunately creating more waste to end up in a landfill.Upon reflection, I firmly believe the woman I paid was angry or annoyed that I didnt leave a tip (for a take-out order!) and didnt tell me whether or not I should wait there for my coffee. Then when I had to ask for it at the pickup counter, she squeezed the rim of the cup so the lid would not stay on and Id spill the coffee all over myself in the car. Nice.She was short, kind of round shaped, hispanic, borwn hair, in her 40s or 50s. I hope the manager can use this info to fire her for her very awful behavior. I do not feel I need to leave tips for take-out orders. Its the businesss job to provide a living wage, not mine. If I had eaten in the establishment, I would have left a tip, but having a tip expected for a take-out order is just extortion, and I will not be intimiated. Buyer beware. For all I know, she may have also spat in my coffee. Poo-nera!
Top other services in Solana Beach:
Tonys Jacal
621 Valley Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075, United States
We went there on a rainy Monday. Not the best time for a restaurant. The margarita was weak. I asked for a spicy one at the bar. But he gavel me a regular one. I then ordered the Tortilla soup. It was tasteless. Not much chicken in it. Very little avocado. My husband liked his enchilada. The place close at 2.00pm. We were kind of rushed out. We have been here previously when the owners are here. Its a better place ...it has been in Solana Beach a long time. We will give them another chance.
Ranch 45 Local Provisions
512 Via De La Valle #102, Solana Beach, CA 92075, United States
Best dinner of the year! AND we eat out every night, so saying this was the best dinner this year... thats saying something. Came here last night for a date night. We have been a few times previously. My wife wanted the surf and turf for two. So, thats what we ordered. At $60 it seemed like a bargain. It featured ribeye steak, crab cake, cauliflower, green beans, rainbow carrots and garlic mashed potatoes. It was served with sides of remoulade, bearnaise and demiglaze. First off nothing was pedestrian about this plate of food. I have no idea what kind of green beans they were. They were long, flat and wide. Kind of like a Lima beans in its shell, but tender and sweet. There was cauliflower that had bright white tops but green stems. Never seen that before. Carrots were rainbow colors. The steak was seasoned perfectly, maybe had even been brined. Tender to the point I didnt need a knife. The star of the show was the demiglaze. Literally the best I have ever had. So good that I asked the chef if he made it himself. I was disappointed to find out the answer was yes. I was hoping it was something that I could procure from some specialty shop. But no. Only a chef with extreme pride in the craft would go to all the effort to make a demiglaze like that. That same pride echoed throughout the plate. The mashed potatoes as included. Not too rich or fat laddened, yet full of flavor and a perfect accompaniment to the veggies and the steak. We ended up having an apple crisp for dessert. It came straight from the oven with a big scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. It gilded the lily. Everything was amazing. And, I got a small amount of demiglaze to go. In the end, I found the specialty shop I was looking for. ?
Pillbox Tavern
117 Plaza St, Solana Beach, CA 92075, United States
My wife and I went here before a show at the Belly Up and had a dreadful experience from the moment we arrived. It was President's Day at about 7pm, and there was no hostess to seat us (even though they had a sign that instructed to wait to be seated) and the one server we saw ignored us. After seating ourselves 10 minutes later, I asked that our table be cleaned and we get menus. The annoyed waitress ( who later exclaimed to the whole restaurant “I'm grumpy!”) sent someone else out 5 minutes later who took our order but had to come back twice to confirm what we ordered. (She hadn't written it down at all.) The food arrived and was fine (for fried bar food) but my request for a coke was forgotten three times, and when I said I no longer wanted it and asked for a water instead, that was also forgotten three times and only came with the check. Our waitress apologized for all the wait and mistakes and gave us $7 off the check (10% I believe), but it doesn't help to be sorry at the end of a bad experience when there were plenty of times during our meal when things could and should have been corrected or regret expressed. We will never eat or drink here again, and I would advise you choosing literally anyplace else-the food and service can't be any worse anywhere else, and Solana Beach has plenty of places that deserve your business.
Chiefs Burgers & Brew
124 Lomas Santa Fe Dr #108, Solana Beach, CA 92075, United States
Tried to go here on 5/1/2024 and who ever the blonde girl was that was working with knock off daisy duke pony tails was super rude she tells us sit down where we like so we go to sit down and then she comes over takes the drink menu that is clearly in front of me and puts it back on the stand its on I look past that thinking maybe she didnt realize I was looking at them comes back with menus and literally throws them on the table and doesnt say a thing and walks away. We walked out immediately these people want to be tipped but this is the type of service that they give out its crazy I dont understand who trains these people but whoever does needs to teach them if your having a bad day leave it at the door you are either here to make a check or just go home definitely wont be going back
Bangkok Bay Thai Restaurant
731 S, Hwy 101 # 1B1, Solana Beach, CA 92075, United States
Went with a group of 8 people on a Thursday night. This is a small restaurant in a small mixed use strip mall and it was packed. Be prepared for a 30 -45 minute wait, which can be tempered by purchasing some adult beverages at the small liquor/deli next door. The restaurant decor is pleasant and relaxing, the service was friendly and the food was spectacular. we ordered some appetizers and then 8 entrees to share. The appetizers were OK but not great, the Larb which is a favorite of mine was simply not good at all. They made up for it with the entrees which were exceptional. the portions were generous and the ingredients top notch. everything was well prepared and delivered hot. The sea food soup hot pot and the duck curry were both standouts. Certainly one of the better Thai restaurants in the San Diego area.
Solana Beach Kitchen
437 Hwy 101 #301, Solana Beach, CA 92075, United States
A Gem in Solana Beach: Where Culinary Excellence Meets Warm Hospitality!From the moment you step into Solana Beach Kitchen, youre not just a customer; you become part of a story thats been carefully crafted by the most personable and intelligent owners you could hope to meet. Their passion for culinary excellence and genuine hospitality shines through every aspect of this charming establishment.The menu is a testament to their commitment to quality and innovation. Each dish, curated with an intelligent touch, offers a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate, showcasing a perfect balance of traditional and contemporary cuisine. The selection is impressive, not just for its diversity, but for how each meal tells a story of locally sourced ingredients, transformed into culinary masterpieces.The atmosphere at SBK is nothing short of magical. Its a space where the warmth of the owners is mirrored by the inviting ambiance, creating a cozy yet vibrant setting thats perfect for any occasion. Whether youre here for the celebrated brunch, enjoying the lively comedy nights, or simply savoring a meal under the soft glow of evening lights, the environment is always welcoming and filled with positive energy.Beyond the delicious meals and beautiful setting, what truly sets Solana Beach Kitchen apart is the owners intelligence and personability. Their attentiveness and genuine interest in every guests experience elevate dining here to more than just eating out; its a memorable encounter with people who care deeply about food, their community, and making every visit special.In conclusion, Solana Beach Kitchen is a standout gem in Solana Beach, offering an unforgettable dining experience that combines great food, a fantastic atmosphere, and the most engaging owners youll ever meet. Its a place where every visit leaves you looking forward to the next, not just for the delicious meals, but for the warmth and charm that make SBK truly exceptional.
Solana Beach Fish House
124 Lomas Santa Fe Dr, Solana Beach, CA 92075, United States
Cozy little restaurant. Excellent seafood soups. Service is friendly and efficient. Good for kids, too.
The Naked Cafe
106 S Sierra Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075, United States
Asian Fusion? The only thing Asian is in the names of some dishes.A few things i like are the healthy options like quinoa, egg whites, soy chorizo and very good home backed breads. Quality coffees and teas, fresh squeezed OJ, grapefruit and lemonade. Pesto egg white scramble, spinach and whole grain tortillas. Heaps of black beans.A few things i found lacking was a salad with breakfast (albeit a variety of garden greens). Come on, I eat a lot of health food to counter my moments of weakness and gluttony, but the salad does nothing, but detract from the great meals, it adds nothing to the overall taste of the dishes and they dont offer a variety of dressings (raspberry vinaigrette)Things i didnt factor into this rating, but thought you all should know. My party of 3 had a long wait due to it being a Saturday morning and they have some12 2 person tables, 7 4 person and a few larger, but youll wait much longer than if you had 2 people. Its small and outside(covered it can be cold), no parking lot (3 spaces). The fresh squeezed OJ is 8 oz and $3 dollars. I really wanted the french toast, pesto egg scramble and beef hash, but i went for the pesto scramble, 1 piece of french toast, herbed potatoes and avo slices. Many tofu options, but many vegetarian options.I found the french toast good, but nothing special, good bread and tasty coconut, but i found the wash didnt have nutmeg and cinnamon they way Im used to, very little complexity. the syrup bottles poured painfully slow. Glad i only got 1 piece. The avo really was fresh, but the herbed potatoes i thought overdone and they may have used fresh herbs for plating and garnish, but i sure didnt taste them in the eating.You want real Asian fusion breakfast go to Orange Countys Break of Dawn Cafe. Their are much better breakfast/brunch places, but i truly like the options they offer.