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AVE 5 Restaurant & Bar
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
2760 5th Ave(between Nutmeg St & Olive St)
San Diego, CA 92103
Neighborhood: Banker's Hill
(619) 542-0394
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 4 pm - 10 pm
Sun 10 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Denise T. said: "I was able to dine here twice recently - once for brunch and once for dinner during their late night HH. Brunch was amazing! Yes, brunch is my favorite meal of the day and Currant did a great job in making the experience a good one.…" read more »
235 reviews for AVE 5 Restaurant & Bar
Review Highlights
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"For the food, I highly recommend the truffle fries." In 33 reviews -
"I'd like to try happy hour or dinner sometime soon." In 48 reviews -
"Their duck confit appetizer is a must-have." In 18 reviews
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235 reviews in English
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Review from Mac M.
San Diego, CA
4/29/2012
I was on a dessert kick tonight and wanted to try something new. I heard AVE5 had some amazing desserts.. So I gave them a shot. Im glad I picked this spot because i was not disappointed.
The new desserts on the menu are ridiculously good! Presentation and flavors were great and the portion was perfect!
First dessert was a Rum & poppy seed terrine which has a great presentation and the flavors are mind blowing! The prickly pear yolk and crystallized roses really send it over the top! When trying the dessert I definitely recommend breaking off a small piece of rose and getting a little bit of everything on your spoon. Your taste buds will love ya for it.
Second dessert was a Banana Lime panna cotta also great presentation with the eucalyptus cloud and Ganache covered in pop rocks.. WOW!!. Another amazing dessert! Definitely recommend when trying this dessert to get a small piece of ganache and a large piece of panna cotta / cloud and be sure you get some lime flakes. Seriously speechless....
Best desserts I have had in a long time.
Since the desserts where so great I decided to stay and have dinner.
Catch of the day was also unreal! So many flavors! Mahi fish was perfect and the vegetable gratin was delicious...
Hats off to the chef.
Dont forget their specialty drinks with their in house infused cucumber gin, green tea vodka and blueberry vodka drinks are fargin delicious!! Especially during HH $7 ea
Definitely recommend this place you will not be disappointed...Cheers!! -
Review from Lisa M.
San Diego, CA
5/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good food. I had the Wild Grilled Salmon and man, that dish was very good. I cleaned up the plate. That says a lot. Our table also had the truffle fries which was like shoe string fries. Pretty tasty. Crispy calamari was good as well. The boyfriend had the Pork Malinese and he wasn't too big on it. It came out looking like a country fried staek meal from a Denny's or IHOP. I sampled a bit of it and the pork was kind of dry. *sour face*
The service started out slow as in customer service wasn't that great but it got better throughout the evening. Our food server had some kind of attitude in the beginning. When he brought out the appetizers, he brought it around my side. There was still the bread basket and butter in the middle of the table but with 4 guests at a square table and all the drinks on the table, there wasn't much room for the appetizers so I helped out by moving the bread basket and said "you could put it here" pointing to where the bread basket was and he said "that's what I'm trying to do". Like "WHOA buddy". I was just trying to help out. He got better at the end of the evening so that made up for his remark he made earlier.
I would love to have given this place 4 stars but I'm anal on customer service and even though it got better, good customer service starts from the time a customer enters to the time a customer exits. Plain and simple. -
Review from Cheryl O.
San Diego, CA
4/30/2012
I've been to this restaurant twice and each time was a real treat (thanks boyfriend o' mine!).
Eclectic and interesting art cover the walls/bar, parking isn't a nightmare (because you're not in downtown), and the service is superb (food came out quickly and servers other than your main waiter/waitress continually walk around to make sure your drinks are full and the table is tidy).
I highly recommend the truffle fries: they are deliciously addicting (your waistline or cholesterol numbers can help decide if that's a good or bad thing :P). I've also had the lamb burger, the grilled wild salmon, and the duck confit. All very flavorful! I wouldn't recommend the short rib tacos though (small portion size for their price).
Their cocktails are also fun and interesting to try out (their signature drink is the Cotton Candy Cuban).
Tasty and hassle-free fine dining. I'll take it :) -
Review from Maria C.
Visit #2.
The last time I was here, I came for the molecular experience. I vowed I'd come back to wine and dine.
Ordered the following:
-Comp bread and butter
-Champagne: Wasn't dry and really liked whatever they served. Nice and cleansing to the palate.
-Lychee Cocktail ($10)
-Maddalena Cab ($11)
-Seabass ($23): The fish was moist and flaky. Loved the light herb buttery sauce that topped the seabass. They were really nice to accommodate my dislike for carrots so they gave me all asparagus for my side.
-NY Steak ($25): I like my steaks juicy and fatty. Unfortunately, NYs are a little too lean for me. Had good flavor, but I'm still lovin' my ribeyes and filets more.
Too stuffed for dessert, but didn't see anything that really stuck out that I needed to have.
There were several guys walking around checking up on us and to refill our waters. Service was great and the guys are really friendly.
A cute place for a date or a nice quaint dinner.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/3/2010
Came here with Andy for an event and had an awesome time!!! There were molecular cocktails and tasty… Read more »
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Review from Meghan M.
San Diego, CA
5/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place took a while to grow on me. After a few times sitting at the bar with Jonathan the bartender, this place is now my go to spot for dessert and drinks. The pecan pie is to die for. I've had a few great meals there as well. If you're there for apps get the meat and cheese board- it's huge and has a wonderful mix of bites.
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Review from Sioban K.
Lakeside, CA
4/28/2012
In response to the owner's comment, that maybe the Brig would be better for our patronage...again, a rather unprofessional reply similar to our experience at the restaurant. Perhaps it was an off-night for this restaurant but, rather than apologize and invite us back for, perhaps, a better experience, they chose to offend. I believe that says it all.
Comment from Colin M. of AVE 5 Restaurant & Bar 4/28/2012
we recall your table and spoke briefly about it at the end… More » -
Review from Sarah J.
San Diego, CA
5/12/2012
Service was poor, even on a night with what looked like average attendance. I was drinking only water and eventually had to resort to grabbing other waiters because my glass had sat empty for so long. We would have appreciated larger water glasses, a pitcher on the table, or ANYTHING to compensate for the lack of attention. My meal was horribly undercooked and, again, I had to grab another waiter because ours hadn't returned to check on us.
The good news is that my meal tasted great when it finally did arrive, but it arrived with dessert, so there's that. 2/3 of our party didn't like their food or felt that it was just average when they expected above-average. One other meal was cooked absolutely raw, enough so that our friend was sickened by it and wouldn't eat anything else.
Everything I tasted tasted great, but the appetizers were tiny portions and the cheese plates are definitely not worth it. As someone who is ridiculously easily excited by cheese, I was disappointed in both the size and the selection when our plate was brought to us.
Summary: Food is good, if they prepare it properly; service is poor; not worth the money spent. -
Review from Billy C.
San Diego, CA
3/23/2012
Visiting San Diego?
located a few minutes drive and about a 10-15 minute walk from Downtown.
Good food, not GREAT. This is a great mid level priced eating experience. Good for visitors.
Try the burger. -
Review from D L.
Carlsbad, CA
5/3/2012
A quaint restaurant nearby Balboa Park.
The Kyoto Connection is pretty good....:)
The barley risotto is decent....
The entrees: grilled salmon and steak are really tasty
Then we reviewed the dessert menu.....couldn't help. We ordered so-called "unreal" desert: Banana chocolate with something (sorry, forgot the name). It is really "unreal". The dark chocolate on the side, with the pop rocks that "sparks" in the mouth....and the banana flan.....yum :) -
Review from Sarah C.
San Diego, CA
4/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
My husband and I went to this restaurant after visiting Balboa Park because it was nearby and it had 4 stars. It was lunch time and they did have a few lunch items. My husband and I both ordered off of the lunch menu and the sandwich was small and was served with a very small salad (if a salad is just lettuce with a weird oily, salty dressing on it). The meal was way over-priced. This was not the best we have experienced.
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Review from Xtina C.
San Diego, CA
1/25/2012
I'm a little torn about this place. For ambiance, food, decor, this is a solid 4*. The service was more of a 1-2*.
I was at the bar waiting for the rest of my dining companions. The bartender was wonderful. He was friendly, helpful.. he made suggestions and was just the company you wanted in a relaxed, post-work day. I didn't drink, but my friends liked their drinks. Also, they are pretty.
Myself and 3 dining companions were here for restaurant week so between all of us we pretty much sampled everything on the menu. The food was great. I could appreciate that. I actually really liked the food - especially the appetizers. Which is great because they have $2 off select appetizers during happy hour. =)
The waiter was a bit creepy in his approach. He seemed nice at first (but no, he didn't tell us his name) but I'm pretty sure he had something against one of my dining companions. He forgot to bring his wine, twice. He didn't refill his water even when it was nudged in his direction, but did refill everyone else's. Also, there was a reeaaaally awkward pause between our dinner and our desert. So awkward that we finally flagged down someone (because waiter was nowhere to be found) whom told us the reason why our dessert was taking a while to come out (never mentioned to us beforehand). It kind of ruined the whole dining experience, which just made me sad.
I should also mention that the hostess and the bussers all provided great service. And the place was no where near busy on a Tuesday night.
I wouldn't mind coming here again, but I would really cross my fingers to make sure that we didn't get that same waiter. -
Review from Lalaine C.
San Diego, CA
Recessionista's Guide to Ballin' on Budget
Ok kids, the economy's getting a little better, but let's keep it real...we're not out of the woods YET (& Julius and I trying to save $ for a trip to Europe!) It's cool how being frugal is all the rage though (thrifting and extreme couponing is the new sexy!) But sorry guys, ordering off the 99 cent menu or buying me a 5 for 5 meal deal is so NOT. But here's how to land a nice dinner for two (including drinks and dessert) in a nice neighborhood on the cheap!
1) Get Your Coupon On. We found a LivingSocial deal- $20 for $45 worth of food AND drinks at Ave 5 - a cool restaurant in Bankers Hill with a hipster vibe. LivingSocial has deals like this daily, the trick is to read the small print. Some coupons don't include drinks or items on the Happy Hour menu. Caveat Emptor!
2) Three words: Cotton Candy Cuban. Get your iPhone camera ready - this rum concoction is poured over a cotton candy pouf sitting in a tall martini glass (as you watch the cotton candy disintegrate, mobile upload the photo to your Facebook and watch all the "Likes" come in from your fellow alcoholic buddies!) As fru-fru as this looks, this cocktail is no joke! It got me on a giddy drunk sugar high that lasted me all night long. So for only $9, I actually got TWO drinks (since our cool bartender gave me the shaker glass!) Was I a cheap date or what!
3) Order the Tortellini. Why? It's on the appetizer menu (ie, cheaper LOL) but never fear! It's delish (sweet & creamy), it's "something different"(filled with corn, mushrooms, & arugula), and it'll satisfy you, BUT you'll have plenty of room for dessert (the most important meal of the day!) BTW, hubby ordered a $12 Ave5 burger (he wasn't feeling the filet mignon, duck confit, or anything else on the menu). He liked it ok enough.
4) Bring on the Profiteroles! Sweet, dense, and the perfect size for sharing, it topped off a perfect evening. (Oh, I learned that night that profiteroles are cream puffs, not mini donuts. Fail when you were expecting mini donuts!)
So when the final bill arrived, even the Recessionista was shocked - only $3.23 (before the tip!) So with all the money we saved, we spent even more money at another bar. Hey, old habits die hard!!! -
Review from Melanio F.
San Diego, CA
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Restaurant week is almost always going to get new customers and of course the grunters (who think the Restaurants don't put their best foot forward with their menus ). I belong to the latter group in one sense but don't blame Restaurants if they choose to put their more standard fare on the RW menu.
2nd week for this event (RW) and after looking over various menus (my partner is pescaterian), I settled on Avenue 5 in Bankers Hill. First time for both of us, I have visited the sushi place next door and thought we would give this place a try. I have to say that I have been to only several restaurants over the years during RW and managed to get great meals at Bali Hai and Cucina Urbana. And some not so great meals (need not mention them).
For Avenue 5: Had the sangria (HH price 3 dollars) sweet but delicious.
1st Course:
Smoked Salmon Rillette
baby wild greens , champagne vinaigrette, toast points, roe
(salty because of the roe, my taste maybe not so much for other people)
Tortellini w/ Grapes
grilled corn, mushrooms, arugula, Maderia cream
(nice rich musroom taste)
we both finished our first course. good start.
wait for the next course is a bit longer than you expect after finishing your first course.
2nd Course:
Salmon braised portabello, wilted spinach, mushroom vinaigrette.
very good but (noticed a pattern...Mushroom again)
Pork Milanese, sweet potato gratin, baby wild greens, lemon segments, capers, lemon thyme vinaigrette
big piece, enjoyed the mixture of lemon, capers (mixed greens again), sweet potato gratin (not sure this is a sweet potato but rather a potato au gratin sweetened with the cream)
Brian finished his salmon and I finished my pork, i think finishing the mushrooms and greens was out of the question.
Dessert:
Crustless "Jameson" Pecan Pie -served warm with caramel sauce and Bailey's gelato
Liquid Ganache Cake-served warm, classic creme anglaise
Both this desserts were not named as you would think it would be, the pecan pie was more pecan than pie but delicious (just don't expect your traditional pecan pie). My Ganache was sweet but I enjoyed and finished it up (damn the diabetic shock that might come!jk) and it wasn't Liquid (i would think it would be at least creamier)
Overall the total bill came to about 65 bucks ($30 per person on the RW menu) and it was worth it for us because we enjoyed our meal, the waitress was wonderful. Service although slow (in serving only) was attentive(your water was filled up and your plates cleared as you finish).
Menu wise, i think having the wild greens and mushrooms repeated needs a bit of revision. I almost expected wildgreens with my dessert and mushrooms with Brian. I still recommend them for a good to great meal. Everything was prepared nicely and delicious.
Might even come back for Happy Hour next time at those prices and enjoy a nice meal out of the small plates.Listed in: As Peter Gabriel sang In My…
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Review from R K.
San Diego, CA
1/20/2012
I'm pretty torn on this. As far as food goes, it was fabulous. As far as customer service goes, it was pretty bad.
First, we had to park a few blocks away because nothing was available. No big deal. We get seated immediately, and then it takes literally 10 minutes before we are even poured water. Our waiter doesn't come over for another 5 minutes (the hubby didn't want me to say anything, he just wanted us to "wait it out.").
Finally, waiter comes over. Doesn't smile. Acts really snotty. Didn't even tell us his name. We barely order and then he literally walks away. Ridiculous!
Good thing the food was good. The butternut squash risotto was one of the best risotto's I've ever had. Honestly. The goat cheese tart salad was delicious as well. Hubby and I both ordered the lamb burger. Best decision. It was amazing, not gamey at all. The only complaint was that the truffle fries didn't resemble "truffle" at all. When we mentioned that to the waiter, he immediately said he would get us some more truffle oil, then he came back and poured on a healthy dose. THEN they were truffle fries.
I'm hard pressed to decide if I would come back. Everything but the $15 lamb burger was out-of-this-world expensive. $23 prawns? $27 steak? Um, no. If I wanted a lamb burger, or some risotto, I would go back. And hopefully get a better waiter!Comment from Colin M. of AVE 5 Restaurant & Bar 1/21/2012
We @ Avenue 5 would like to extend an apology for the wait ,… More » -
Review from Salina d.
Chula Vista, CA
4/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
This was my first visit and I was extremely pleased. Out waiter, the bartender Frank is outstanding!!!! He made several awesome recommendations. The ravioli was so delicious. My husband and I wanted to drink a glass of the sauce it was so tasty. We also ate shrimp, escargot, kale salad, prosciutto, truffle fries,(all small plates/tapas). It was all perfect! We had 4 cocktail (the cotton candy Cuban , kings cocktail, purple haze, and raspberry mojito) they were all amazing and reasonably priced. We also had two spiked cappuccino and a crust-less Jameson pecan pie to close the meal. All this food for around $120. They have a yelp check in deal and you can find deals on living social. This place is Great! I will go back with or without a deal!!!!
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Review from Andy A.
San Diego, CA
4/14/2012
I debated between a 3 and 4 star rating for this place. The server was extremely friendly and very helpful. However, the hostess didn't seem very welcoming. And since she is the first person who greets you when you walk into an establishment I felt she could have been a little more approachable or friendly. When we arrived she said it was a 40 minute wait even though the restaurant was more then half empty. We ended up waiting, mainly because we wanted to try their cotton candy drink which did not disappoint. My friends and I each tried a different cocktail and our favorite was the melon martini. The ravioli was delicious and perfect for vegetarians. The $7 cheese bread was a great deal however the calamari was "eh." I would definitely come back again for dinner however for the price I think you're better off going to the Tractor Room.
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Review from Liz R.
San Diego, CA
2/18/2012
AVE 5 always leaves me wanting more.....food. As in, I want to get a burrito on the way home because I'm still hungry, except now I'm too broke. That being said, if you go on the right night and order the right items, it's a great dining experience.
Food:
AVE 5 standouts include:
- Risotto. The special changes daily and it's always creamy and done just right. Mushroom and butternut squash are favorites.
- Hamburger with Brie cheese. A surprisingly tasty cheese pairing for this burger.
- Salmon. Flavorful on the outside, perfectly done inside.
- Mussels. Chili lime broth is so good that we ended up soaking it up with bread.
Service:
AVE 5 has a secret weapon: Frank the bartender. This guy keeps us coming back time after time because he's friendly, has built a relationship with us, and makes a wicked cocktail. I usually let him pick what I drink, and he doesn't let me down. (Melon Ball Martini & Georgia Peach are great.) We've even tried a few of his own creations and they've been tasty.
(Note: There's one cocktail that consists of liquid poured over cotton candy that melts dramatically. It tastes delicious and is especially fun to make my boyfriend order because it's so froofy.)
Ambience:
The copper tables and minimalist decor can feel a bit sterile, especially when the restaurant is half empty. A little bit of effort to cozy up the place would make it feel more friendly. Also, the plain white plates don't do the food justice.
Specials:
Wednesday night is all-night happy hour, and with some creative ordering, we can usually keep food and drinks for two people under $50. Usual menu is mussels, Hamburger (split), risotto, and a drink or two.
So, hit it up on Wednesday, say hi to Frank, and save $2-3 for that burrito on your way home. -
Review from Tiffany H.
La Jolla, CA
4.5 stars. All the potential to be a 5 star restaurant--I just need to come here again and make sure the quality and level of service is consistent.
We came here on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving and the restaurant part of AVE 5 was completely empty. The bar had a handful of patrons. Not surprising, given that most people were probably traveling to other cities or staying at home with their families.
Because it was so empty, we had the whole place to ourselves practically and the staff and chef(s) were so kind to us. I believe it was the chef who brought out our food on more than one occasion...I wasn't 100% sure but I just wanted to say that chef, if it was you, THANK YOU. Your food was AMAZING.
We ordered a cheese platter that had brie, humboldt fog (my most favorite cheese ever), and manchego. The platter came with jams, fruits, and small pieces of bread with which we could sample the cheeses. HEAVENLY. They did a great job with the pairings, including the classic pear + humboldt fog. Cheese already takes so good by itself but trust me, with the right pairing, it can be even better.
We also ordered from the $7 menu (which I'm not sure is a regular thing, but most likely it is). Hot artichoke and cheese dip with bread and an amazing shrimp risotto. The photos I've posted here don't do it justice. Both were delicious, but I was definitely partial to the creamy risotto. Yum!
For the entree, my boyfriend and I split the Atlantic salmon. Unfortunately, they charge you something like $3 for splitting but whatever. But the salmon really was cooked by a pro. The outside was slightly crunchy but the inside was perfect with just a hint of pink, exactly the way I like it, each bite tender and buttery. The salmon also came with some delicious greens and a hollandaise sauce dotted the plate, which also went well with the fish. Mr. Chef, again, my compliments to you!
I almost forgot the mention that I was so lucky we got a Groupon for this place ($20 for $40 worth of food). What a great deal, definitely one of the best Groupon purchases I've made for a restaurant! But my experience at AVE 5 was so good, I'd recommend coming here even if you don't have a coupon (it is a little pricey though, so save it for a special occasion!).Listed in: Groupon Deals
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Review from Stela M.
San Diego, CA
2/23/2012
By far my favorite restaurant in San Diego.
Never a problem parking, the decor is rad and the staff is top notch. The piece the resistance is of course the food! Calamari is to die for, the ravioli- never had anything like it! They change the menu monthly so it is always fun to try something new besides the regular goodies.. Really recommend it for Sunday brunch too! Cant go wrong with $10 bottomless mimosas! In my opinion, this is the perfect neighborhood restaurant. Whatever you do don't skip on the dessert, which I am told they are all "homemade" Go now. -
Review from Meek N.
San Diego, CA
1/24/2012
It was good. The food was great. I went there for restaurant week and had the salmon bruschetta, pork for the entree and pecan pie for the desert. All great food. But a bit pricey for what you get. I mean, judging from the bill, I've had plenty of nicer dinners.
The ambiance is nice and simple. Kind of industrial, kind of sleek, but not too exciting. Overall, good drinks, good food, but I wasn't blown away for the price of dinner and drinks for two.
Not sure I'd recommend, but I wouldn't yell stay clear either. Bleh. -
Review from Amy K.
San Diego, CA
5/7/2012
Simply one of the best restaurants in SD. From the creative drinks, to the atmosphere to the divine food, I love this place. The rose petal martini is a must-try although they can sneak up on you so imbibe responsibly! Some of my favorites are the burger, (best in town!) any of the seafood specials, the truffle fries, and the tortellini. For brunch, the soy-rizo and the nicoise salad are both amazing. A wonderful addition to the neighborhood. Love Ave 5!
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Review from Brent B.
San Diego, CA
2/2/2012
I went to this place for the first time yesterday. I give it 5 stars for cuisine, because everything that I had was superb, and I consider myself sophisticated to a degree when it comes to good restaurant fare.
It was a real pleasure to have the ravioli (not tortellini my time) with grapes. This contained corn, mushrooms, a Madeira sauce, various spices, and the ravioli were cooked al dente, which I prefer. This dish was fantastic, and the grapes complemented the appetizer.
I felt it was a complex, entertaining, and multi-flavored offering, and I was told it was the signature dish of this establishment. Get it-I don't believe you will be disappointed. (If the chef were competing on 'Rocco's Dinner Party' this signature dish would've kept him in the competition).
It was followed by the Kale with parmesan, great to cleanse the pallet and if you haven't had Kale I'd recommend it. The parmesan made the dish really work for me-it completed the kale.
The 'Asian Guy' there recommended the salmon as a main course but when I inquired as to the 'catch of the day' he said it was 'sea bass' so I went with that because salmon is rather common and I wanted the fresh sea bass, in spite of the fact that it wasn't Chilean.
The dish was prepared wonderfully and came out 'hot', fresh off the grill, with a slight crusty top and tender on the inside. It was cooked perfectly, I mean really perfectly, and was surrounded by a light balsamic sauce. This was another great offering.
The place blew me away. I will be returning soon. -
Review from Joyce T.
San Diego, CA
2/9/2012
I stumbled upon this through a Living Social I purchased. BEST. DEAL. EVER.
This place is great. I highly recommend their truffle fries and calamari. It's the best calamari I've ever had.
I wasn't all too impressed with my entree. I ordered their seafood special for the night, which I was told were "prawns." No, they were shrimp. They were small and there was only 6 of them. For +$20? I'll stick with the small dishes next time. -
Review from Leonard L.
San Diego, CA
11/16/2011 5 photos
Avenue 5 Restaurant
SD: Banker's Hill
Tuesday November 15, 2011
Four Stars
Its Kuo's birthday and we tried to go to Searsucker but they were having a private event and were not seating anybody - Jerks. We then tried Urbana Cucina but they were fully booked too - Double Jerks! We then settled on Avenue 5 which was not crowded at all. We sat at a nice quiet table. We ordered a round of cocktails and bottle of Seven Daughters Pinot Noir. The service was a bit on the slow side. The Sangria was great, the Old Fashion was good, and the Manhattan was decent. We ordered two date night meals - 4 appetizers, 4 Main Courses, and 2 desserts.
App #1: Fried Calamari with Arrabiata Sauce
App #2: Confit Duck Leg on the bone
App #3: Clams with Garlic Creamy Sauce
App #4: Beef Short Rib Lettuce Wraps
Entrees: 2 NY Steaks, Pork Cheeks, Yellowtail
Desserts: Lemon and Acai Meringue & Pear Sherbet.
All the food had a decent flavor.
The Pork Cheeks and Truffle Fries were amazing.Listed in: 5th Avenue, Beef Short Ribs
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Review from Christina B.
Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA
1/16/2012
Parking close by is tough. Unless you snag one of the spots on the side street you'll probably have to walk your sweet ass a couple of block. However, that's typical with Hillcrest/ Bankers Hill area. No biggie.
The exterior of the restaurant isn't much to look at and to be honest I've driven by this place a bajillion times and never noticed it! (The only reason I knew it existed is because I purchased a living social coupon) The interior was nice and I can tell they tried but it just feels a little bit off...like it's missing some mojo. It was funky but nothing spectacular. The artwork on the walls are interesting and make for good dinner conversation if you're on a date with someone and you have nothing to talk about or if you're high and you want to look at painting that reminds you of REM music videos in the 90's. J
Drinks: I don't remember what it was called but it was on the cocktail menu..some sort of martini with champagne and a raspberry floating in it. It was gimmicky and mildly reminiscent of that picture of champagne on the body spray bottle that 9th grade girls used to wear back in the day...champagne and strawberries from Victoria's Secret. I felt fancy.
Appetizers: Rosemary Goat Cheese that came with literally a dab of honey, apple chutney (tasted like homemade applesauce) and toasted slices of bread. The cheese was mild and deliciously flavored with rosemary, the honey and apple thing was a joke. While neither tasted bad, I was expecting the typical cheese accompaniments...at least a teaspoon of honey, fig jam or grapes. At least hit me up with some fresh apples, not some semi homemade cooked applesauce.
I also ordered the beet salad. It should be called "Salad with beets". I liked it but price to portion to taste comparison was off. The salad was on the small plates menu so obviously it's going to be small but come on $7 for arugula spring mix with sprinkles of beets and blue cheese? Get rid of the greens and give me more beets.
Dinner: The Lamb Burger. Soft, homemade tasting bun, a layer of cucumbers, no cheese, butter lettuce, pickled onions (wasn't a fan), tomato and some sort of yogurt sauce on the size. Really delicious and probably one of the best ones I've had. Not greasy or over cooked...I ordered mine medium but I could've gone with medium rare (those of you that like your meat well done don't get the lamb because it was be dry as a bone). I substituted the regular fries for truffle fries and glad I did. They weren't the most amazing truffle fries in the world and I've had better elsewhere but the good old American in me loves crispy strings of potatoes with French flavors on top.
Boyfriend ordered the Duck Confit with Spicy Andouille sausage. Duck is not my thang, but I tasted it anyway. It had a pleasant flavor. The meat itself was dark, moist and hearty. Not organ hearty but stick to your bones hearty and rightly so because duck confit is duck slowly cooked in its own fat. Yum! You can definitely tell you're eating a bird but it ain't no chicken. The andouille sausage was my thang. Spicy and bursting with deliciousness...they need to have an Andouille Sausage main.
Thursday night dinner for two at "casual" place was $89 buckaroos. Truth be told, I'd rather spend an extra $25 and go to Bankers Hill Bar and Restaurant down the ways. I like Ave 5's food but doubt I'll be back for dinner anytime soon...too expensive for what it is. Better off as a lunch spot when you're craving a lamb burger. -
Review from Lia T.
San Diego, CA
10/23/2011
Went on a Saturday before a show because we couldn't get in at Cucina Urbana. It was Just ok. Not really A-OK.
Service was kind of weird. The server told my husband he was going to buy him a drink. Huh? He didn't, but why even offer if he's not going to follow through?
There were three in our party and we said we were going to split the appetizers. So the salad comes out already split for us - nice - on TWO plates. Hm. The other appetizer was not split. Which was fine. We had no expectation of splitting and don't mind eating off one plate.
Again - only three in our party, but the server is writing down our orders, which were not complicated. Ok, maybe he's new and forgets, but the amount of writing made it seem like a novel would be the result, not three entrees.
All the food was just fine, nothing spectacular. G's bottled Duvel beer was off. We thought it was expired, but no the date was still far in the future, so we suspect the beer got warm and was re-cooled.
A number of desserts looked good, but on the server's advice, we went with the cheese plate. My friend exclaimed over the Humbolt Fog on the list. When the plate arrives - no Humbolt Fog. Seems like he might have mentioned there would be a substitution before before bringing it. Especially since he recommended it. That being said, the accompaniments were very good, but the herbed chevre was exactly like that sold at major chain grocery stores.
Nothing was terrible, but nothing would compel me to return either. -
Review from Jack M.
Rancho San Diego, CA
12/11/2011 2 photos
Stop by here for breakfast after my morning walk with a friend. I ordered the Hunter omelet which came with some country potatoes, and a few small slices of watermelon and oranges. I also ordered an espresso.
The omelet was nicely prepared and filled with bacon, sausage, onion, peppers, and cheese. However, it was quite undersized for me. Yes, yes, for most people it would probably be sufficient, but than again, I have quite the appetite. The potatoes where cooked properly but could of used more seasoning. Overall my brunch was very good and I enjoyed it very much. It was kind of strange that you had to order your toast separately and pay a dollar if you want some. I think we need to break them of that habit.
The service was great and attentive. I certainly want to return for lunch or dinner. I recommend this place.
Thank you YeLpEr Anh v. for recommending this place.Listed in: Did you say Sunday Morning…
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Review from Jas S.
San Diego, CA
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
The good: simple seasonal menu, which is good. We got beet salad, catch of the day, and lamb burger. The beet salad and catch of the day were good but the lamb burger was amazingly good, not gamey at all. Burger came with thin cut fries which were really good, just the right amount of crisp.
The bad: the salad portion was small. The place is pricey unless you take advantage of their happy hour etc.
Would definitely go back, especially for the lamb burger. -
Review from Jimmy D.
10/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went here for dinner after some drinking and was disappointed.
Appetizer
Duck Confit - Duck was not tender and was a real small portion. Not much of a salad.
Butter Leaf Salad - This just didn't hit the spot at all.
Entree
Kurobuta Pork Loin - Took like 25 mins to cook and came out over cooked. It was dry.
Local Yellowtail - Nothing mind blowing. Just typical yellow tail.
Our server was a bit rude and it almost it seem like he was trying to rush us out and encouraged us to not order the pork loin.
Usually going to a place already buzzed, the food would usually be "enhanced." This was not the case at all.Comment from Colin M. of AVE 5 Restaurant & Bar 11/1/2011
were you "buzzed" when you posted this ? More » -
Review from D P.
San Diego, CA
11/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went with a friend and we had the Salmon and chicken, Red Pepper soup and Spare-Rib lettuce wraps. Highly recommend to try the Spare-Rib lettuce wraps VERY_GOOD...
Chicken was very tender and favorable.
Red-Pepper soup was unique but delicious highly recommended to try.
The crusted salmon was delicious except the only fault was the fish was not warmed all the way through. -
Review from Baciula L.
San Diego, CA
3/4/2012
Great place! I went there for dinner with my boyfriend yesterday. We ordered a burger with fries, baked Camembert salad, truffle fries and artichoke dip. The food was delicious and made just right. The artichoke dip only came with 3 small pieces of toast, but without us even asking, we got an extra basket of bread to go with it! Very nice and friendly service and a cozy decor. Im definitely planning on going back there!
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Review from Kari H.
San Diego, CA
8/25/2011
It's incredibly rare that a place impresses me as much as this one did. Leaving the park with my mother, who was visiting from out of town, we were at a loss for where to get a late dinner. This place was open, but it looked from the outside like just a bar. Famished, when I saw someone at the bar had a burger, we decided to just go for it.
At first glance, the prices looked a bit high. $12 for a glass of wine? $15 for a salad? We were informed it was happy hour all night (Wednesday), so we both got a glass of wine. Their pour is incredibly generous--suddenly the price tag made sense when I got my fishbowl-sized glass of pinot noir.
To go with it, I had the duck confit salad, which seemed a bit small, but the presentation was beautiful. When I dug into the salad, it became clear that the chef had carefully considered each of the ingredients--the sweetness of the cherries, with the tartness of the wine reduction, bouncing off the mild creaminess of the cheese, counterbalanced with the tannins in the nuts, all harmoniously matched with the seasoning of the tender, perfectly cooked duck. The skin on the leg had been crisped to perfection without overcooking the meat underneath--I've still never figured out how they do that!
Mum had the burger, which was cooked to order on the rare side--amazingly juicy, and perfectly pink. Paired with elegantly cut skinny fries, I wish she'd opted to truffle 'em up--though I didn't really get a vote in what I'd be stealing off her plate. We chose to end with the sorbet of the day, which was a blackberry cabernet, garnished with basil and fresh berries--a very nice touch.
Everything was so thoughtfully prepared, and our server was helpful and attentive. My only real gripe with the place was the lack of local beers on tap. There were a few, including Stone IPA and the odd pilsner by Lightning (hint: people who care about drinking local craft beers generally aren't looking for yellow fizzy-water pilsners!) but they should definitely broaden their horizons there. Though I didn't get to try any while I was there, I will definitely be back for the cocktails, which sounded really interesting. Overall, we had a great experience, and I'm pleased to have discovered this little gem in Banker's Hill. -
Review from Erin H.
San Diego, CA
4/18/2012
Great martinis that are not the same old concoctions. Bartender jonathon or John? Was really nice and accommodating for a large group. Food was good, decor is cute. Would def recommend!!
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Review from Lindsey B.
San Diego, CA
10/3/2011
Considering the reviews this place had, I was excited to eat here but left slightly disappointed.
The service LACKED. It took way to long to even get water, let alone have our waitor come say hello. The overall experience was slow. It took an abnormally long time to bring out our appetizers and an even LONGER time to get our entrees. Not only did they not have the same menu as they show online, but they were OUT of NY Steak and short ribs! This was Saturday night, by the way.. who runs out of meat!? Their menu is already small to begin with but when you cut out both red meat dishes you're left with very, very little to chose from. They offered chicken in it's place... and I didn't even think to see if they charged my friend for the same price as the short rib.
My dish, however was actually very good. I had the pork loin which was grilled and seasoned perfectly and was super tender. It sat upon a corn and potato 'hash' and had a sauce drizzled over the meat. We also got the arugula/proscuitto salad and truffle fries to start. Fries = yummy. Salad = could have done without. Nothing special. -
Review from Krys G.
Long Beach, CA
8/26/2011 Seated via OpenTable
On recommendations from our San Diegan friends, we decided to go here for our anniversary dinner since we were vacationing in Mission Beach and had no idea what's good.
We ended up being 45 minutes early for our reservation -- we were eager; we don't get out much -- and pulled up a stool in the bar area for Happy Hour. We had two of their signature cocktails - mine with peach, his with strawberries, and they were delicious. We also had an order of the mussels, which were absolutely delicious. I highly recommend them to share over drinks. Perfection. Bar service was attentive and knowledgeable.
We seriously considered staying in the bar, but the stools weren't built for leisurely dinners, so we grabbed a table in the back. Again, great service, including a recommendation on the red zin that was amazing, and we really, really enjoyed ourselves. The hubs ordered the lamb burger, which he enjoyed, and I had the fish which was really fantastic.
Would highly recommend this place as a destination for great food and atmosphere with attentive service, but nothing stuffy or formal about it. You still feel like you're going someplace "nice" without all the pretense of white table cloths and playing dress up. Enjoy! -
Review from Anh V.
12/10/2011
boo!!!!!! they were out of the pumpkin cream soup and we were told after we placed our orders. boooo!!!!!!
toe curling:
garlic shrimp - be sure to dip bread into that magic sauce
slight toe curl:
housemade chicken liver mousse. large portion and definitely share!
ok: no curl
beet salad
mains: back to toe curling
lamb burger with mint yogo sauce was delicious! thin cut tasty fries
the yellowtail was also mucho bueno
note for next time:
good hh spot. $7 shared plates all night! and you don't have to squeeze into a small bar area. good for groups.Listed in: Happening Happy Hour Haunts
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Review from Reggie R.
6/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just missed happy hour, but probably worked to our advantage since the place was near capacity. Chic decor, live jazz musician and mellow atmosphere made it easy to have a conversation. The mussels, calamari and fries were a great prelude to my seafood main course. Can't recall the type of fish, but I believe it was trout wrapped in bacon. Full disclosure: I'm a swine junkie. If you wrapped a dog biscuit in bacon I'd devour it and give it high marks because the swine addiction is real. Nevertheless, the main course was delicious. Not a huge portion, with just a small portion of vegetables on the side. More than enough to satisfy, while leaving room for dessert. Unfortunately, can not include dessert in my review since Extraordinary is just a block down the street... We still drove... Don't hate. Besides, we carpooled it.
Our server was cool and there at the right times. He wrapped up an entreé to-go and we thought he forgot about it or threw it out. When we inquired, he said he had it waiting for us when we departed. Nice touch to keep the table uncluttered and also, potentially, a little snack for the "long" drive to the next destination. -
Review from Thomas M.
San Diego, CA
2/23/2012
Pleasant atmosphere, the servers and bartenders were all cool.
Jonathan was our bartender, and he was attentive and polite.
this place is smart enough to cater to other industry people, offering discounts and extended happy hour.
subtle art gives the place a unique identity, but nothing to make it seem iike they are trying too hard.
Rosey Goat cheese is amazing, plus they gave me more of it, whereas other places tend to be cheap with the cheese .
The owner is the head chef, so they do their food with pride. i cant wait to try other stuff.
i wish they offered some more beers, but other than that I see myself coming back here often. -
Review from Fikriye K.
San Diego, CA
1/21/2012
We sat at the bar. Our server was great. He immediately took our orders and being so thoughtful waited our main course as we ordered a ton of small plates. He knew what he was doing. We were full. We loved everything we had. The shrimp was absolutely fantastic. I can easily say the best I have ever had. Beet salad was just perfect. The desert (profiteroles) was OK. I was expecting a traditional one from a French chef but not a deal breaker. We will definitely come back and try that yummy lamb burger.
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Review from Jon W.
San Diego, CA
4/13/2012
I love this place! I've only come here during the day time, so I've never been here when packed. Everyone that works here is amazingly friendly and provides awesome service. My favorite thing to get is the bbq shrimp salad...best thing ever! The chef even prepared it for me even though it was not on that night's menu. This place rocks and if you haven't been here, you need to!
