- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Marine Room Restaurant
Category: Restaurants French French [Edit]
2000 Spindrift Dr(between Roseland Dr & Paseo Dorado)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Neighbourhood: La Jolla Shores
(858) 459-7222
Announcement
View special menus and upcoming events! http://bit.ly/oB19Lq
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 6 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat 6 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
317 reviews for Marine Room Restaurant
Review Highlights
-
"Amazing crab cakes and lobster bisque." In 37 reviews -
"I usually get the filet mignon, which is always great." In 40 reviews -
"This still seems like a special occasion place to me." In 21 reviews
Loading...
316 reviews in English
-
Review from Brian K.
5/12/2012
In summary, French fare in a simple but beautiful restaurant replete with scenic, panoramic views and good food.
We came in during High Tide Dinner when the waves literally crash against the windows.
At many La Jolla restaurants, it seems as if a dish's price overly reflects the rent a restaurant pays but the courses were delicious. The wine pairing was decent.
Service was unsatisfactory even with our Saturday 8:30pm reservation. The wait and bus staff seemed frantic and the gf and I could easily see other diners grabbing the bus staff (or other servers) for requests.
If you can't make it for dinner, try happy hour - for the quality, it's one of the best deals in town. You won't find rolled tacos, calarmari, or jello shots but quality food at $7/plate during happy hour. -
Review from Ngo L.
San Diego, CA
5/10/2012 2 photos
Just arrived right before sunset...such an awesome view!!! The place is very dark just like I remembered it. The overall service was good as expected but nothing out of the ordinary. My wife and I normally don't take recommendations from waiters but this time we did as the chef's special was lobster/steak. Had the following:
Wine: Various choices
Main Entree: Surf and Turf (main lobster/filet mignon)
Dessert: Spindrift Cobblestone Pie
Extras: Cappuccino
The lobster and filet was perfect! Super soft meat and definitely one of the best entrees I've had (totally worth the $60). The cobblestone pie was delicious if you have a sweet tooth like I do. The butterscotch and chocolate in the dessert went very well together. Finishing off the meal with a cup of cappuccino was a great idea also.
Can't give this place 5 stars because the hostess chose NOT to seat us at a better table when there was clearly availability for better. The view still wasn't bad but just sayin =)
Still an overall nice job by MR. -
Review from April M.
Marine Room: More than just a pretty face..
YAY: Making reservations at 8:30pm. 1) 1,000 points via OpenTable. 2) Perfect timing for high tide dinner (9:15pm). Watching the waves crash against the floor to ceiling windows was a spectacular sight.
YAY: Taste of the Season tasting menu. $50 per person + $20 for wine pairing.
YAY: Remarkable, innovative food. Surprising for a La Jolla restaurant as most tend to use the view, location (zip code) as a lame excuse to throw down crummy, barftastic food.
YAY: Kurobuta Pork Cheeks - Even though I was stuffed, I wanted mmmore. Oink.
YAY: Stiff drink - Drunken Mint ($14). Yowza!
YAY: Parking on the street. Screw you, valet!
NAY: Horrendous service. It took 20 minutes to get any kind of help + other mishaps. Terrible showing for a fine dining restaurant.
NAY: Meh-worthy wine pairing. *Tear*
Note: Summer high tide season at Marine Room runs through the end of August.Listed in: I always leave satisfied and…
-
Review from Vanessa W.
Escondido, CA
5/24/2012
Great restaurant experience! Very fun and romantic, great for a date night!
-
Review from Natalie K.
San Diego, CA
4/29/2012
To celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary we went to the Marine Room. I had a couple of specific requests before arriving and the staff took care of each one.
The food was absolutely amazing and our server never rushed us and allowed us to enjoy our meals.
Thank you Marine Room!!! I have dinned with them on multiple occasions and have never been disappointed. -
Review from Suzy H.
We went for dinner to celebrate a birthday. This place definitely has the ambiance and the view. Service was excellent. They brought over a complimentary dessert for our special occasion. The food was presented so artistically.
I might be a tad spoiled being able to have dined at many fine dining restaurants, so I guess I felt Marine Room was just missing that last magical thing, the experience that would have made it a 5-star review. Maybe it was the food or menu. As well as it was plated, it was all preset, the accompaniments that came with our lobster and filet. It was very tasty and cooked well, yet it lacked that "oh my gosh" factor at the first bite.
I definitely had a great dinner. Just wasn't blown away. Would I recommend this restaurant? Definitely! Would I try a different place on my next visit? Yes. -
Review from P. K.
San Diego, CA
4/20/2012
My significant other made reservations for 7:00pm on a Saturday, which was not the best idea because that is apparently the middle the restaurant's dinner seating, so we were not able to get seated at one of the tables by the windows (which obviously have the best ocean views). If you plan to go there, I would recommend making an early reservation for 5:00-6:00pm or a later reservation at 8:00-8:30pm (but you will likely miss the sunset with a later reservation). On to the food:
Ocean Trilogy Tasting--Vanilla Lobster topped with Spanish Trout Caviar, Plum Tuna Tartare in Sesame Cone, Yellowtail Sashimi, and Lemon Myrtle Aioli. The tuna tartare was probably my favorite tasting, followed by the yellowtail sashimi and then the lobster. The tuna tartare was prepared impeccably--each piece of tuna was diced perfectly; the plum sauce had the perfect sweet and salty balance; and the sesame cone provided a tasty, crunchy vessel for the tartare.
Ancho Cacao Rubbed Brandt Farm Beef Carpaccio served with Winchester Cumin Gouda, Watercress, Fig Vincotto, Tamarind Pate de Fruit, and Horseradish Oil (there was also a toasted rye cracker and cocoa nibs): The presentation is impressive--there were so many unique components on the dish that you don't usually see with beef carpaccio. But once you put them all together, each bite was amazing and flavorful.
Lemon Verbana Annatto Basted Lobster Tail, served with Plaintain Timbale, Habanero Mango Sausage, Tangerine Lace Canton Ginger Butter, and seasonal vegetables: The lobster was cooked just right, and the ginger butter was absolutely delicious and well-balanced. The dish was not as innovative as the appetizers, but really well executed.
Midwestern Center Cut Filet Mignon, served with Hazelnut Potato Pie, Tilston Point Blue Cheese, Moutain Berry Chutney, all atop Mustard Seed Garnacha Sauce. He was initially going to order a halibut daily special, but they were out by the time we ordered. The filet mignon was cooked to a perfect medium, and the sauce was deliciously savory with a hint of sweetness.
Of course, we couldn't pass up desserts. We ordered the Spindrift Cobblestone Pie, which is definitely their most popular dessert item. It is essentially a gelato pie with a chocolate cookie crust, layers of Vanilla and Espresso Gelato, topped off with toasted hazelnuts and Myer's Rum Butterscotch. The pie was good, but nothing to write home about--and the butterscotch made the dessert too sweet.
We also ordered the Organic Cordillera Chocolate Bomb with Gianduja Crunch Crust, Griottes, and Red Currant Coulis, served with a shot of Pomegranate Aquavit. This is definitely the dessert for chocolate lovers--it was deep, rich, dark chocolate--and the more sophisticated dessert of the two we ordered. We took sips of the Aquavit, but it was powerful and had a really strong taste of cardamom.
Worth noting that, of course, The Marine Room has an impressive wine list with many wines by the glass and bottle, as well as classic cocktails.
The Marine Room is one of the most romantic and best fine dining restaurants in San Diego, so Mr. Tall and I definitely had high expectations. Our waitress was knowledgeable, friendly, but not intrusive, and the service was first-class as expected. The Marine Room didn't exceed my expectations because I was expecting perfection, and The Marine Room was perfect. -
Review from Vanessa M.
San Diego, CA
3/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for restaurant week and made reservations early enough to where we could watch the sunset. Luckily, we were seated right next to the window which had beautiful ocean views... not unlike a cruise ship, as others have mentioned.
The service was top notch and the food was good. I really enjoyed the mushroom bisque and the filet was cooked to perfection.
The dining room feels very similar to any high end steak house, catering more to an older crowd, but you know its a classic. Not an every day restaurant, but we would come back for a special occasion or their high-tide brunch. -
Review from Redford J.
San Diego, CA
5/9/2012
The view here is 10 Stars. You are directly right above the water on the La Jolla Coast.
The food here was good maybe 4 stars.
This is a high dollar restaurant that to me feels stuffy. The server seemed to have his nose in the air. Other high end restaurants have a more welcomed feel. It almost felt like he was doing me a favor. I dont know, maybe he was just having a bad day. We all do.
I think this is worth a try if nothing else just to see the amazing view. -
Review from Amy L.
San Diego, CA
5/13/2012 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
The view while eating here is gorgeous!!! The food is good. I ordered the taste of the season with the wine pairings so here is what I think. The Maine Lobster bisque is yummy but very creamy so I couldn't finish it. The pancetta or pecan twist, which are the little crunchy pieces in the soup made it all the better. The Smoke Almond Berbere Prawn cocktail is the best I had ever had because of the sauces that came with it. The M'Ocean Fennel Pollen Spiced Maine Diver Scallops were okay. I have had better scallops but the Corn Carrot Risotto is Delicious!! Best Risotto! The Apricot Pistachio Crusted Steelhead Salmon was better than the scallops. The trilogy of desserts were okay. I love the Cordillera Chocolate Pot de Creme. I didn't like the Hibiscus Lemon tart or Ginger gelato. I don't think I will ever eat ginger gelato again. It taste like as if I was in a Spa. I am not a wine connoisseur so I don't think I should tell you about the wine pairings that came with the dishes.
-
Review from Randy B.
El Cajon, CA
12/29/2011
I first came to the Marine Room over 30 years ago and have eaten here many times since then. Of course, the ocean view has never changed & that was always the biggest draw & I've celebrated many special occasions here. There was a time where the food almost rivaled the setting on the ocean front, but now it seems the cuisine at the Marine Room is stuck in the past, with less than stellar attempts to modernize their offerings.
I recently had dinner here with my wife & though the Fennel Escargot Casserole was very good, and my Pompano was tasty (but somewhat of a 'clunky' dish with overly large vegetables served over it which made eating them kind of challenging - Do I just spear the whole veggie & start eating it, or do I awkwardly try to cut it in the bowl that the dish was plated where there isn't much of a flat surface to effectively use?)
My wife ordered the seared ahi & with a $40+ plate I was shocked at what was served.
As a long time fisherman & amateur chef I know quite a bit about fish anatomy & tuna in particular. Whether I've caught the tuna or purchased a loin portion from my local fishmonger, I know to look at how the 'grain' is running & where the sinew lines are. When I am using the tuna for sashimi or to sear, I select & trim it in a manner that has no sinew or dark blood lines running in it - the best trimmed portion. When I go out to eat & a restaurant wants to charge me top dollar for 'sashimi grade' ahi, I expect at least that kind of care in selecting & prepping the tuna.
Back to my wife's seared ahi ... you guessed it, there was a huge white line of sinew running the whole length of the tuna. Impossible to miss, and in a rare/raw seared tuna very unappetizing. Of course the waitress (who was great as a server) offered to have a new one prepared, but came back soon afterwards to tell us that all the pieces of ahi were like that. You might get away serving something like that at one of the many cheap sushi places or somewhere that is offering it at $8, but when you are charging top dollar? Someone was trying to cut corners here. Interesting enough, afterwards they did pull the ahi off the menu because I heard a table nearby order it and the server said it was no longer available.
Mistakes like that should not come out of a kitchen that is 'fine dining'. I am not one to become an a** in situations like that & demand some kind of compensation as long as I see matters are handled properly & promptly. My wife got a seabass dish as a replacement which they obviously put a priority on firing & without asking they provided dessert on the house.
The view & the server pulled the rating up to 3 stars. Imo, they need to unstick their cuisine from the 80/90's & pay more attention to details on the plate. -
Review from Helen H.
San Marcos, CA
1/1/2012
My husband took me here for our New Year's Eve dinner and it was amazing from start to finish. Our server was very attentive. Our food was amazing from the prix fixe menu they had planned for the evening. I ordered the prawn and scallop appetizer - to die for with a lemony beurre blanc that was absolutely divine; the lobster tail followed accompanied with a saffron risotto that was simply mouthwatering...and the dessert, the chocolate bombe...was the bomb!
The ocean view was definitely a nice touch. I highly recommend this place for a special dinner out. Loved it! -
Review from Seph G.
Marietta, GA
2/29/2012
Simply put (due to time crunch right now)... AMAZING! I've dined here on several different occasions and each time I have been very pleased and impressed. I've enjoyed having David as my waiter on at least two occasions, and his professionalism and attention to service was spot on.
If you are in the area, do yourself the gracious favour of dinning here... especially in the evening, when the tide is high. Trust me... you'll be impressed with both the food, and the ambiance. -
Review from Artchie Q.
San Diego, CA
4/17/2012
Extremely good food with a romantic ambiance. Most seats are right in front of a large window that has a view of the water (they turn the lights on at night). The food is pricey so be prepared to shell out quite a bit, or wait until restaurant week.
I preferred the wild prawn duet versus the winter forest mushroom soup. The filet mignon was cooked perfectly and the trilogy of desserts was a decadent way to end the meal. The portions are what you expect - small in size, but big in quality. I recommend this place for a special occasion. -
Review from james w.
Moorpark, CA
12/21/2011 Seated via OpenTable
5 of us went to the Marine Room for my daughter's graduation from USD Law School this past Thursday.
The restaurant is definitely off the beaten path, but well worth the search as it was a great "special occasion" restaurant.
From the moment we arrived we were pampered with attentive service from our server, Megan.
We started with the Forest Mushroom Torte and the Maine Lobster Bisque. Both were amazing, with a burst of flavors from the Mushroom Torte.
Our entrees were the Plum Wine Braised Free Range Veal Osso Bucco which was very good, although I'm not a great fan of veal.
I had the Sea Salt Crispy Skin Market Sea Bass that was perfectly cooked and very tasty.
The only mediocre meal was the Midwestern Center Cut Filet Mignon, that just didn't justify the $ 42.00 price tag; it was okay but not spectacular like everything else was.
All in all a great meal, in a wonderful location, with views of the ocean.
I wouldn't go there every week as it was very expensive, but this is a great restaurant, with great service and wonderful ambiance for a special occasion! -
Review from Hal S.
San Diego, CA
4/13/2012
I went here on Valentines day about a year ago. It's definitely one of those special occasion places (unless you are uber rich). But if you are like the average American right now it's definitely pricey. However, I highly recommend it for a special occasion like Valentines Day, an anniversary, or even a proposal! I say this because the atmosphere is very romantic, it's not really somewhere you just go with your family. I had the lamb which was incredible and cooked to perfection. However nothing beat the dessert! I had the Trilogy, and the Hibiscus Blood Orange Tarte was amazing, pretty much everything was. I am however not the pickiest of eaters but I can tell you, you definitely get what you pay for, and I still remember the taste of the amazing 5 course meal a year later! I really need to find a boyfriend again so I can have an excuse to eat here again hahaha.
-
Review from sally y.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 1/23/2012
I've been here twice and the food is incredible. I had the surf and turf the first time.
Second time was for restaurant week, I had the Angus filet mignon medium, mushroom bisque and trilogy for dessert. Everything was perfect. Great presentation, service and well staff. The view of la jolla shores made the ambiance even more romantic. Mushroom soup was very tasteful, my filet was more rare then medium but wasn't a big deal to me, it was still good. I wish they would of cooked it a little more. Overall, I will recommend this place.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
6/10/2009
I had the surf and turf it was incredible. Not a place to go if your on a budget. I had a great time… Read more »
-
-
Review from Ms. M.
Orange County, CA
1/9/2012 13 photos
We just went to the High Tide Breakfast this past weekend. The view of the high tide was not nearly as spectacular as they made it out to be in their advertising -- the waves did not really crash up against the window, and certainly not at the height shown in their email newsletter. Still, the view there is always enjoyable, since it is waterfront.
We were happy with the breakfast buffet spread. There was a chef-operated omelet station, your typical French toast/crepes/eggs (including Benedict)/breakfast meats & potatoes area, some bagels & lox, charcuterie and cheese spreads, platters of melon fruits, a dessert table, and some other random dishes (e.g., couscous). There was unlimited coffee/tea and orange juice as well.
All in all, we enjoyed ourselves, but we probably wouldn't go back again as the high tide part of the experience was a bit of a disappointment, and there is otherwise no need to spend $40/person on a fancy breakfast buffet. -
Review from Nick L.
San Diego, CA
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
One word will sum this all up: mediocre.
After hearing a lot about the Marine Room, I was expecting a mind-blowing experience, but now it just seems that everyone gets wrapped up in the views and the price tags on their meals. Is a $100 meal better than a $50 one? At the Marine Room, the answer is a resounding "no" with a little red flower poking out the top (check out the pictures if you don't get the reference).
What should you expect from your meal at the Marine Room?
- A calamity of flavors on every dish (what happened to keeping things simple?).
- Eclectic presentations that should have been done away with more than a decade ago.
- An ambiance that challenges only the finest funeral homes.
- A pitiful bar selection if you want anything that's not called cognac.
- A bill with enough zeros on it to make your butt pucker.
There were a few good dishes that seemed like home runs (the lobster bisque, beef carpaccio, and the flat iron steak), but everything else was maddeningly underwhelming. My elk was overcooked, dry, and came as a laughably small portion. Our dessert, again, was only fine, and that's a damn shame for a dessert that costs just as much as an entree at most restaurants.
To tip the scales, we made the mistake of ordering a downright horrid pinot noir with our meal that tasted like musty dingleberries. Our waiter kindly went to consult the sommelier, who came out and began instructing us that this was just how the wine was supposed to taste. Fine, we'll keep it. But instead of leaving, she insisted that we get a history lesson on the winemaker and the Burgundy region of France because something about my look of "leave me alone with my gross bottle of wine" said "please tell me more".
Even though I give the Marine Room three stars, I'd say it's two- or one-star value given the prices you pay. The food isn't bad, per se, but it just isn't very good. When I first sat down I noted how empty the restaurant was on a Friday night during peak dinner hours, but now I know why.
Bottom line: go here if you're looking to impress someone special with how much money you can spend. -
Review from C H.
Castle Rock, CO
5/6/2012
Wonderful experience! They treated us well from start to finish. This restaurant knows how to serve customers. The wine list was wonderful, the food was delicious and wonderfully prepared, and we were well treated throughout the meal. The staff know when to approach and when to let us have our space. I can't say enough about this restaurant. If you are looking for a wonderful meal with an ocean view, this is the restaurant to eat at in La Jolla!
-
Review from H L.
Lexington, KY
3/26/2012
3 1/2 stars, but I'm not into grade inflation.
I wanted to take my wife to one of the best restaurants in SD for her birthday. After reading many reviews and opinions, I settled on The Marine Room. I took a conservative approach - good reviews, established chef, and right on the water. What could go wrong?
Really nothing went wrong. My only real disappointment was that we requested a table by the window and they did not accommodate.
First, the food. Both of us had the offerings on the "Taste of the Season" menu. To start, my wife had the lobster bisque (good) and I had the goat cheese brulee (Unique. Sweeter than I anticipated.) For our main course, she had the scallops (outstanding) and I had salmon (good). Of the dessert trio, I thought the lemon tart with the fresh mint drizzle was the best. My wife particularly liked the chocolate pot. Portions were not large, nevertheless, we were quite full at the end.
The atmosphere is quite cozy and intimate. I thought they should have turned down the lights on the wall to cut down the glare and accentuate the ocean just outside of the window. The dining room was only 1/2 full, so noise was not an issue.
Overall a nice dining experience. I probably would try something different before going back to The Marine Room. However, if you want to treat, I'm there. -
Review from Kenny O.
9/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm surprised I've never reviewed this place until now.
I've been here a total of three times (twice for Restaurant Week and once for a prix fixe seasonal menu).
Ambiance:
First of all, the view? Gorgeous. If you can get lower-level seating, please do so. If you have to make reservations a few more weeks in advance. Do so. It's really well-worth it, and you'll make whomever your date is croon. The atmosphere is warm, intimate, and great for a romantic night out. The general age demographic around here seems to be early 30s-late 40s, so people like me stick out like a sore thumb on regular nights (during Restaurant Week, it's mostly college-age kids).
Food:
Always order the lobster bisque. Is it my favorite in San Diego? No -- Milles Fleur does a tremendous job at taking that title; however, Marine Room's take on the creamy decadent soup is no slouch. It's sweet and savory and rich. Some other notables are their seared Diver Scallops (which I've found to be on the Restaurant Week Prix Fixe menu quite often); if you're a fan of scrawny scallops you find at places like Costco or even some 'upscale' American, Spanish, and French restaurants, you'll be a lover of the diver scallops (note: diver scallops are hand-harvested instead of net harvested, and because of this are typically 2-3 the thickness, and subsequently that much richer, than normal scallops). If they have razor clam on the menu, get that. It's a treat that isn't seen much in any San Diego menu, and this is really to die for.
Service:
Service is prompt, but the wait-staff's knowledge on wines is lacking. I don't expect a sommelier to come to my table, but at least have something to talk to when I ask which wines are better to pair with which main course.
Anyway, Marine Room is one of my personal favorite Restaurant Week destinations and is a highly recommended venue for a quiet intimate date. Enjoy.Listed in: San Diego
-
Review from Katherine S.
La Jolla, CA
11/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food here is great, and the presentation of the food is OUTSTANDING. Each dish is like a work of art. I had the veal, and it was tender, flavorful, and delicious. I also tried the lobster bisque and was very happy with it.
It was my mother's birthday, and they gave us a creme brulee with a candle for her :) Very sweet of them, and the dessert itself was quite tasty
The only downside is that this place is incredibly expensive,so we only go with family for very special occasions, but the view is gorgeous, and the food is great, so its worth it for a treat! -
Review from Adeline C.
Encinitas, CA
11/2/2011
I took my bf and his parents here for the high-tide breakfast over the weekend. $32 for a very high-quality breakfast buffet with an amazing view... what a deal!
As my bf said "I'm going to eat until I'm full, and then I'm going to eat a LOT more". With food so delicious, it's definitely worth gaining a few pounds, or 20 :P
After our meal, I asked everyone what their favorite dish was. Instead of naming 1 or 2 dishes, I got a list of what everyone ate. It was way too difficult to choose just one or even a couple. The shrimp and crab cous cous salad, the tabouli, the omelet station, the bread pudding, the black forest ham quiche, the mushroom frittata, the bread pudding, the ginger something french toast... all so goooood!!!!!
The service was very attentive also. It far exceeded my service expectations.
The only down-side was that the tide wasn't really very high that morning. I've been here for a high tide dinner before, and the water crashing up onto the top of the windows was such an amazing experience. Oh well. The restaurant can't control the tides though. I will just have to come back :) -
Review from J. M.
San Diego, CA
9/27/2011
I really wanted to like The Marine Room.
People rave about this place because of the amazing view. Yes, it is quite beautiful to see the waves crashing as you eat, giving you the feeling like you're on a fancy cruise - but I'd also like to enjoy an A++ meal for what I'm paying!
Restaurant Week gives everyone a chance to check out different restaurants in San Diego, and what I love about it is discovering new dishes and unique flavors. Yes, the lobster tail was very good, but everything else was pretty mediocre. The mushroom bisque - at least garnish it to make it look prettier and more appetizing. I didn't really taste strong flavor in the bisque. I'd also probably want a bit of a larger portion. I'm a petite girl, but I'd like to get my money's worth! My filet mignon was good, but not amazing. I feel like, I could've gone to a $$ restaurant and got the same thing instead of at this $$$$ restaurant! Lastly, at least gives us a full loaf of bread instead of walking around replenishing our plates w/ 2 small pieces of cold bread each time... I will give it this: food presentation was wonderful, especially the dessert.
I'll stop here. Overall, I'd like to take friends & family there to see the view. As for the food & for the amount that I paid, not again. -
Review from Lindsay L.
San Diego, CA
4/8/2012
Today, my husband and I went to the Marine room for Easter Brunch. He wore a nice dress shirt, jeans and some high-quality flip flops. One of the waiters there looked at him up and down and with a very degrading look when he asked him a question- like he was not dressed appropriately enough. My husband definitely noticed this and it made him feel bad. it actually ruined what we had hoped to be a nice Easter meal for the both of us with this man always standing near our table veering at us with his consistent indignant and disapproving look. I think this kind of behavior is unacceptable- especially for a place that is supposed to pride itself on high-quality and excellent service. We were very disappointed today. I do know the waiter's name but do not want to embarrass him like he did my husband. I think some re-training is necessary for the wait staff.
-
Review from Lisa W.
9/25/2011 7 photos
Great experience for restaurant week! This was my 2nd restaurant after a really bad experience at The Prado, made me really enjoy this restaurant.
Reservations at 7pm, came in got seated right away. Service was excellent! I sat down and the server gave me water right away (unlike The Prado) and she took our orders at the right time as well. It was a great view of the ocean, they shine a light on it at night time so you can still have that ocean view. Pretty dark in the restaurant, very classy, big, and a more sophisticated crowd.
Food: Appetizer I got the prawns, really good, then I got the fillet mignon, which was delicious, cooked right, and had a good sauce with it. Dessert was my favorite! They have 3 desserts that you can try, mini versions though, which was just enough because they all were very rich and creamy.
A really good experience for restaurant week, I would definitely come back for the regular menu. -
Review from Laura B.
Murrieta, CA
9/7/2011
I ate here last night with my husband for our 3rd anniversary. We were down in San Diego (from Temecula) and were originally planning on going somewhere in the gaslamp, but then at the last minute I remembered this place and how I'd always wanted to go there. Needless to say we were both probably sorely under-dressed.
I called at 4:30 and made a reservation for 6. It just so happened that high tide started at 5:58. We totally lucked out! The hostess asked if it was a special occassion and I said it was our anniversary.
When we arrived we were seated right at the window (didn't have to ask), and there was an anniversary card from the restaurant. I initially felt really out of place. My husband and I were the only people under the age of 50 and he was wearing plaid shorts and I had a tulle skirt and purple hair. So I was worried we would be treated like 2 hooligan kids out for a meal we couldn't afford. But I was wrong!
We ordered a bottle of sparkling wine (ok ok, so we have money but not enough for a $200 bottle of champagne). I was completely taken aback by the pomp and circumstance necessary to open a bottle of wine: present wine, uncork, pour taste, present wine again, fill glasses. I've been to some upscale restaurants in my day but none that went to THAT much trouble.
We had a mushroom casserole as an appetizer. I'm a vegetarian and asked the waiter if it had meat in it. He said it did and that it was made with veal broth, but he also said he would tell the chef to make it vegetarian. I sure hope they complied and I trust that they did (otherwise I would be way pissed), and it tasted awesome! I love mushrooms!!
My husband ordered a steak and I had an organic tofu entree. My husband said his steak was awesome and I really liked my tofu. Then for dessert our waiter brought us out a complimentary strawberry tart with a mango ice cream. I swear to God the ice cream was spicy! I think it had cayenne in it, which was a very interesting effect and actually quite nice.
The total for all of our shit was $150. Sooo ya, a bit pricey but not too bad, plus the free dessert and the window seat.
The only downside is that their menu is COMPLETELY contrived. I don't even know what half the stuff listed even is, as they use a lot of confusing french culinary terms. -
Review from Erin K.
2/13/2012
I have no clue how anyone would not love this restaurant. We came here on Saturday night and it was fantastic. Our server Megan was great as was the rest of the staff throughout the evening. I requested a table as close to the front as possible (ideal for tables of 2) and it was perfect. For apps we ordered the Goat Cheese Brule and Lobster bisque, both were fantastic. If you love goat cheese you must try this. For dinner my husband ordered the Sea Bass and I ordered the Trilogy special which was one of the best meals I have had, scallop, shrimp, and lobster tail. After all that we didn't have room for dessert but just relaxed and finished our bottle of wine while enjoying the waves coming in. I would highly recommend for a special occasion because it is a little pricey but worth every penny.
-
Review from Rigo H.
San Diego, CA
3/9/2012
Still amazing after all these years... It's been a while and I don't know why. The best views of the cove and city scape around. Made reservations with Matt and he did not dissapoint. Every detail was taken care for my girlfriends birthday dinner. From drinks in the lounge to the service Rich gave us, AMAZING. Thanks to the whole Marine Room team for another memorable expierence. And the food, perfect in every way. Chicken and fish cooked to perfection, seasoned and presented elegantly. Thanks to all the Chef's in the kitchen.
-
Review from Catherine Q.
Irvine, CA
11/5/2011
The restaurant got a great view.
Service is excellent! Our waiter have this "Ken" smile all the time. Actually he looks like a tanned Ken as well;)
We both ordered scallop and lobster, it was fresh, the meat is juicy and sweet.
The food were not too salty compare with the average CA restaurants.
Food presentation looks pretty.
Dessert looks amazing and it has this full flavor as well.
We had a quiet romantic night. -
Review from veronica f.
La Jolla, CA
1/5/2012
Okay the view to this place is absolutely jaw dropping. They also charge big bucks to be dining here so it's not an everyday experience. I had the lobster bisque as a soup and crab cakes for appetizer to share with my friend. Both items were good but portions weren't that large for the price. What I did like was their filet mignon which was surprising and perfectly cooked. Their definitely using a higher grade of meat because the texture was much softer than regular.
-
Review from Tina H.
Goleta, CA
10/15/2011
I came here for restaurant week a while ago with 12+ people and the food was amazing! I got the crab cakes, filet mignon and dessert sampler that they had on menu for restaurant week. I had a taste of someone else's lobster bisque which was just as heavenly. Probably the best crab cakes I've ever had :)
The service was impeccable and very accomodating for our large group which was a huge plus.
Bummer that we came after the sun set, but you can still look out onto the beach and see the waves come up to the windows in the dark :) -
Review from Melissa N.
San Diego, CA
My bf and I celebrated our 1 year anni here, and it was suave! Pourquoi?
+ live piano music (I could've sworn it was a professor at my school.. Kamau is that you?)
+ beautiful beach view from huge windows
+ very polite servers (he took a picture for us!)
+ DELICIOUS mushroom appetizer (I forgot what it was called?)
To be honest, I didn't like my entree (their ONLY vegetarian entree..). It was a tofu dish and I ate around the tofu.... hehe.
Their creme brulee was amazing though!
I probably won't come back here due to their lack of vegetarian entrees, but it was nice! Just nice. -
Review from Tiffany Y.
Dublin, CA
8/16/2011
This restaurant has a breath taking view, I only wish that I was able to come during high tide. I went with one of my friends whom works for the La Jolla Beach Club so we were able to receive a generous discount :). We both ordered the lobster prix fixe course.
The lobster bisque is delicious!!!! I could smell the lobster in the soup from a foot away. LITERALLY. it is probably the best smellest thing i've ever smelt. It is so creamy and filling that I could only finish half of it.
I had the pistachio butter basted lobster tail, the sauce went with the lobster very well but I didn't expect the huge pistachio nut chunks. Nonetheless, it was amazing
For the "Journey's End" we had a trilogy of dessert which included a hibiscus lemon tart with a mango puree, an acai chocolate sorbet, and a rich Colombian chocolate mousse?? The mouse was so creamy and the chocolate was used was definitely of an exceptional quality. The mousse had a very strong cocoa flavor however it wasn't so sweet that I was choking on it. We ordered 2 double espressos which went very well with the dessert trio.
P.S. there are some pretty funny pictures right next to the entrance that shows the marine room flooded. heheheListed in: Top Restaurants
-
Review from Kristine P.
La Jolla, CA
I honestly don't know how else to describe this restaurant except one word: INDESCRIBABLE!
A group of my girl friends and I decided to dress up nicely and eat out at this restaurant and let me tell you, we do not regret spending $171 on our dinner... That amount was so worth it.
We made a reservation but it was not that packed. We got seated right away and served instantly, without any delays. Their service was so kind, so a big plus! We ordered:
-Lemon Verbena Annatto Glazed Lobster Tail
-midwestern center cut filet mignon
-Pistachio Cumin Crusted Colorado Lamb Noisettes
-Fleur de Sel Thyme Rubbed Free Range Veal Tenderloin
These dishes are pretty self-explanatory and all these were super super good! I loved that filet mignon just melts in my mouth without having to chew too much. Perfect portion, perfect meal.
One thing about this place is that the view is to die for. The restaurant is built right by the water, LITERALLY by the water, so you feel like you are floating in the water. We went there during the sunset so we got to see a beautiful sunset. Marine Room is the perfect place to come with your boyfriend! -
Review from Gelene V.
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
A friend of mine recommended this place to me as a nice date location. Since we were celebrating our 2.5 years anniversary (and my graduation) early, my boyfriend and I didn't mind splurging a little if it meant a good place to dine.
We reserved a spot next to the window (you need to specifically ask for this) so we can see the sunset and the tides. Near the end of the night, the waves were crashing onto the windows..
Seeing how this concerned me a little, our waiter informed us that the glass were made out of the same glass material as the tanks holding killer whales (they had an unfortunate disaster years ago where the waves hit the windows so hard it flooded the restaurant, which they gladly displayed pictures of near the exit)
For our meal, we got the Ocean Trilogy Tasting appetizer (which was good, but a little small to share) & the Cashew Kashi Crusted Blue Crab Cake (DELICIOUS!!! It was so good my boyfriend ate 7/8 of it by himself because he couldn't stop after the first bite!)
For our entrees, he ordered the Free Range Veal Tenderloin (Fleur de Sel Thyme Rubbed Free Range Veal Tenderloin) and I the Special: A combo of the filet mignon and the lobster tail. The lobster tail was SOOOOO good because it was so sweet and simply melted in my mouth! My dish ended up being twice as expensive as his (haha, but I'M the guest of honor no?)
We didn't get the chance to try dessert because our stomachs were already so full (I usually never skip dessert because I always have room.. so to say I was THAT full is pretty impressive for a restaurant) -
Review from Brad B.
San Diego, CA
8/24/2011
Not sure quite how to rate this past experience.....
Anniversary dinner...I .called ahead requesting special dessert, treatment etc... arrived..nice atmosphere..view wine etc.. notified server that my wife is Allergic to chicken or ANY kind of beef.. hoofed animals and can really only have halibut ,crab and salmon. After about 10 min of questions.. waiter assured us that he would make sure that there was no meat in the softshell crab plate... it read:
Soft Shell Crab Beignet and Donut Peach
Sweet Corn Tomato Relish, Field Peas, Fennel Remoulade, Spanish Caviar
Sake Saffron Emulsion .. (nothing about ham etc...)
food is delivered.. my wife is about half way through her meal when she notices her stomach feeling "gurgully".. we asked the waiter if there was ham in the dish,.. after about 10 min... he came back and admitted that it was ham.."but very little"...wife got more "gurgully" worse..had to request the check and leave... Dimitri did me a big favor by "taking the Crabcakes off of the bill".
we ended up going home immediately,wife throwing up in a bag in the car and is still sick as we speak...
what started out as a nice 11th anniversary celebration.... has turned rather sour........
Not going back anytime soon....
My rack of lamb was actually quite good! -
Review from Sagy A.
Chula Vista, CA
8/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have to first say that this is the first bad review i ever wrote to any establishment. But, the Marine room deserves that.
I admit, I came from a casual daily activity so i was not dressed to impress, but from the moment i walked in, I felt this place was pretentious and i am judged by my clothes...
Didn't let that bother me, i ordered the Filet-Mignon and a glass of wine.
The wine had black charcoal pieces in it so i asked the server to get me a new glass. Instead of apologizing and getting me a new glass of wine, he started educating me about how normal it is to have pieces of charcoal in the wine glass, a residue from the wine bottle. Since i worked as a bar tender in my younger days, I smiled at him and told him that the occasional cork also falls into the glass occasionally, but it is the job of the server to strain that out...(;
I asked for the manager when I realized the server wants to argue with the customer...surprisingly, I got into the exact same argument with her.
At that point I just said: here is the deal, I am the customer, and I don't like to have charcoal in my wine! you are the manager and your job is to make sure i am happy and get me a new, clean glass of wine with no charcoal in it.
Bottom line, the place is nice, the ocean view is great BUT, the food is OK but the service is horrible. By the way, the friend I dined with was a chef from NYC and he was far from impressed by the food, so it wasn't just my own grumpy day..(: -
Review from Chi D.
Fountain Valley, CA
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here during restaurant week for dinner. Just to preface, I've come to the realization that restaurant week is not appropriate in displaying a restaurant's full potential and gives customers a watered version of what they originally serve. Also, with a restaurant of high esteem, they should live up to their reputation.
The good: great location right on the beach. Nice atmosphere for an intimate setting.
I tried the Sunflower Zaatar Coated Wild Prawn Duet, Winter Forest Mushroom Soup,
Pomegranate Macadamia Crusted Steelhead Salmon, the Black Angus Center Cut Filet Mignon, and the trilogy of desserts. All the dishes scored high on presentation. However, I wasn't impressed with most of the meal in terms of taste. I was only impressed by Chocolate Pistachio Dacquoise Torte and mushroom soup. I did not like the flavors of my Pomegranate Macadamia Crusted Steelhead Salmon. The macadamias were left partially whole (I expected a nice crust of macadamias) and difficult to eat. The pomegranate was overly sweet and did not go well with salmon. I got the salmon medium and the texture kept on sticking to the back of my teeth. The filet was well executed but the sauce and the vegetables detracted from the taste of the meat. Everything else was "fine" but for a restaurant of that caliber I expected more and was left dissatisfied and with a good portion of my entree untouched.
The service: it was "ok". Our server forgot to introduce himself so we asked the busboy and he said he was named "Jimmy". Jimmy described our menu and did check in with us once. I have had better service at places like whisknladle and maestro's. Also, my friend did not like how the busboys made us feel uncomfortable when clearing our table. We had to dodge them numerous times as they were removing our plates and two times they kept on running into my friend's ponytail.
Would I come back? Definitely not during restaurant week. I'd rather try other restaurants around the area.
Read more reviews for this business:
French (1)
