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Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Banker's HillCome join us for our 3 course pixe-fixe dinner menu, Sunday-Tuesday, for only $40!
Mon-Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mon-Fri. 5:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
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My husband and I celebrated our 9th anniversary here on 9/10/09, and we were both totally blown away! The view, the service, and most importantly the food were all outstanding.
We arrived a bit early for our 6:30 reservation, and were seated right away. We got a table facing the airport and got a spectacular view of the sunset as well.
We ordered drinks, which were served promptly, followed by warm bread and butter, and then...the macaroni and cheese. Wow. This dish was smooth and creamy with a delicate flavor and a delicious crispy topping. It was perfection!
I ordered the seafood paella and my husband ordered the pan-seared tenderloin. Mine had a beautiful presentation and fresh, perfectly-cooked seafood. The tenderloin was cooked to order (medium rare), deliciously seasoned, and was truly melt-in-your-mouth tender. I enjoyed my dish, but ended up wishing I had ordered the tenderloin. My husband said his was the "best meal ever."
Since it was our anniversary, they brought out a lovely complimentary plate of cookies, with "Happy Anniversary" spelled out in chocolate. We didn't have room for the cookies, though, because we each ordered a dessert. I had the rhubarb and blood orange "tartelette" which was actually an assortment of small bites: blood orange sorbet (my favorite) with mini macaroons, the actual tart with rhubarb, and rhubarb "soup." It was all so delicious, and lovely to have different tastes to enjoy. My husband had the three s'mores, which looked delicious and which he enjoyed very much.
The staff allowed us out onto the patio to take pictures of the gorgeous sunset, and took our picture as well. They even offered to move us out to the patio half-way through the meal for a better view if we wanted! We declined, but appreciated the gesture.
It was obviously expensive, which we expected, but well worth every penny for a celebration meal. We will definitely go back next time we are in San Diego.
Enjoy watching airplanes fly over the San Diego Skyline day or night.
My most recent experience was fabulous and included; Seared New York Steak Carpaccio for an appetizer and Chilean Sea bass and Seafood Sausage Duo for my entree. I highly recommend my selections and suggest you avoid what my date ordered; the Butter Poached Lobster Tail and Souffle and Ravioli. It's an elegant and sophisticated way of saying overpriced food that doesn't taste very good.
Dinner can be quite expensive for an appetizer, entree, and drinks so I recommend coming in the late afternoon for some beer and appetizers to check this place out and catch the sunset.
$$$$$$$ 40.00$$$$$$$ RESTAURANT WEEK! $$$$$$$ 40.00 $$$$$$$
A lot of RestaurantWeek deals, if you look carefully at the regular menu vs the RW one, aren't that great of a deal. But here you are getting a great deal, in my case $75 worth of food for $40!
Beautiful classy environment, gorgeous views, and great, friendly, speedy service! Reminded of the movie "Pretty Woman" where Richard Gere takes the hooker Julia Roberts to that fancy dinner-business meeting, and she flings escargot at the waiter.
1st Course: Escargots and Frog Legs(regularly $15), hadn't had this in years so I just had to...it was soaked in bowl of liquified garlic, butter and herbs, deliciousness!
2nd Course: 8oz NY Steak(10oz version is regularly $49.50!)...I think this is quite possibly the best steak I've ever had...though I learned that I am not a fan of bone marrow...gross! Wife got the lamb...its was decent, but the steak is so much better!
3rd Course: Chocolate Fondant(regularly $10)...That Crazy Cheap Chocolate Whore(aka Julia Roberts) inside of me was more than satisfied...
I'll definitely be back for next Restaurant Week in September, I can't afford to eat here normally. You still have until Friday the 29th to get this offer...do it NOW! And invite me! ;-)
PS: Why is there an "EARTHQUAKE" BUTTON in the elevator? Claustophics might want to use the 12 flights of stairs!
PS2: "Did I mention, my leg is 44" from hip to toe. So basically we are talking about 88" of therapy, wrapped around you for the bargain price of $3000 dollars." - Vivian(Julia Roberts), Pretty Woman 1990
Having dinner at the top of this building watching the planes land over the skyline of San Diego is not something you get a chance to experience everyday.
This is a place to go for a special occasion. The food was good, the service was very very attentive and the decor was mature and classy. I remember the oysters I had for an appetizer was petit yet tasty and the dessert because they forgot to punch in the order and we were waiting there forever before they realized that they make a mistake. :0
...so to compensate they offered our dessert for free and we also received complimentary glasses of muscat to go with it. :) YAY!
Mr. A's embodies the classic San Diego fine dining experience. The 360 views are insane, you can see all of downtown, the bay, Coronado, Pt. Loma, planes flying by to land at the airport, and on a clear day all the way down to Mexico. If you want a taste of the life without shelling out half your rent, you can go sit at the bar or out on the patio on a sunny day and just have a drink and enjoy the view (note: avoid the outdoor patio if it's at all windy, because it will be ten times windier up there).
The food is always top notch. My dad likes his fine dining so we go here when he's in town and it never disappoints. If you're really going all out, their wine list is pretty amazing too. For some reason the appetizers and the desserts always seem to outshine my entrees here, but that's not to say that the entrees are bad AT ALL it just means that the appetizers and desserts are out of this world. Presentation and service are always incredible here.
This is a special occasion spot, somewhere to celebrate an anniversary or take your parents who are visiting from out of town. Think about timing your dinner with the sunset so you get the full experience of the view in daylight, at sunset, and at night.
Dear Mr. A's...may, I call you Bertrand?
I just wanted to say, that your pretentious ass, with your so fancifulnessly beautiful San Diego views, and your frou frou menus, and your haughty ambience, and your ridiculously decadently devilishly chocolate volcano, and your perfectly cooked crispy-yet-OHHH soo tender duck, and all of that are the absolute DEATH of me!
It's places like you that I despise!! I spend soo much of my hard earned money on places like you! and, and and I end up hurting in the end - i'm broke (then again, I was treated out to this place this time...but I do know how much it cost!!), and forlorn because I can never have you again. I hate my sister for introducing me to you. She tends to spoil me and now...now look at what happens when i'm set up with an AMAZING place, that I can't commit to seeing on a regular basis...
I don't do long distance relationships. Me, being the loyal nor cal woman, you being you...oh complicated situations.
I guess, when I'm in town....i'll call ya ;D
Yum!
Mac & Cheese was delicious.
View was breath-taking...
Beef Tenderloin with Gorgonzola topping... amazing!
to top it off I had the espresso creme brulee!
yum!
Worth the $250 bill... try it out...
Well first of all, I'd have to say this is hands down one of the best views of San Diego that I've seen. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant as well and felt that it suited the image of the place. The food was delicious and I thoroughly enjoyed my rack of lamb. We saw a recommendation for the truffle fries and those definitely are a MUST if you are heading to Mr. A's. It's a great place to go when you're celebrating with a loved one, if at least just for getting your picture taken on the patio of the priceless view.
I have eaten at Mister A's during the daytime with a big group and didn't have the same great experience. I think it's definitely more of a place to go during the evening and with a smaller more intimate group to really enjoy the fine cuisine and the breathtaking view.
I went again with my boyfriend and we requested a window seat and they gave us the best table in the house! The view at night is also unbelievable because you can see the whole city lit up. Our server was very energetic and helpful and we enjoyed every single one of our choices. My favorite part was definitely the truffle fries, which we devoured. If you have a special occasion, especially like Valentine's Day or an anniversary, I would definitely recommend Bertrand's because they provide a unique and delicious experience.
Yes, the coveted Mister A's...
Even with all the positive Yelp reviews backing the reputation of Mister A's, what really pushed me to drop bank at this restaurant were the rave reviews that two close friends gave of this very literal tower in the sky.
Needless to say, Dorothy and I came with very, VERY high expectations.
Initially, we even contemplated cancelling our reservation for dinner (which, there is a $25 dollar fee if cancelled too late) and just coming for happy hour, during which many of their famed appetizers are still served and at a much cheaper price. Fortunately, however, we decided to stick with our dinner reservations and weren't at all disappointed.
Appetizers:
1. Truffle Mac-n-Cheese - To die for. Honestly, if I were to find my way onto Death Row, this dish would make it on my last meal request. So. Good. God knows how many different types of cheeses are baked into this beauty, but along with truffle oil, bacon, and the perfect oven time that results in the perfect crisp top, every bite is an orgasm - no, multiple orgasm that even gives new meaning to what an orgasm is supposed to feel like - all in your mouth.
2. Beet Salad - A fairly minimalist dish that is very pleasing to look at. It's a small dunble of greens flanked by all sorts of different beets - you've got your reds, pinks, and yellows even. The lightness of the beets are well counterbalanced by goat cheese served on toast. Excellent pairing.
Main Entrees:
1. Rib Eye - Served with fried polenta and tempura vegetables. The meat was very obviously aged and comes through in the complexities of the flavor. I chose a Merlot to pair with the Rib Eye, but given how rich and full the flavor of the meat is, I'd advise a Carbonet for all you wine heads. And really, I highly advise taking it slow and really chew this meat - it may sound strange, but the flavors, along with a good glass of wine, really come out the more you chew and release all the different taste molecules. It was truly a pleasure to eat this rib eye - eyes closed and everything.
Overall, this was a night to remember for the rest of my life. The fact that this restaurant is on top of a high rise building says everything. There isn't much better in life than sharing good food and great scenery with the one you love. A must try date-spot!
Well it's been too long since I had returned to my favorite once again spot in San Diego to really get a great...I mean great meal. The service is still outstanding. The food to die for, and you just can't beat that view. Go early and have a cocktail on the patio....the weather was perfect when I was there and I can't wait to return again best view hands down I can't say enough. Also the price I didn't think was bad at all I had a 3 course Brunch and it was $35. More than enough food and I eat a lot.
I recommend the Bar menu too. Great selection and bunch of great things around ten bucks...they have a happy hour but it ends around 5:30 but a nice place to stop on the way home or even stay into the night.
Enjoy!
This is the sort of place I don't want to like...hoity toity, written up in shi shi tourist guidebooks, seemingly overhyped...but after having been here a few times, I gotta concede I see why it's popular amongst both locals and tourists and is an iconic San Diego institution. The service is flawless. The view cannot be beat. The food is good (not the best bang for your buck, but simply satisfactory).
Definitely call ahead for a patio table. There are certain nights of the week when they offer 3-course prix fixe menus for $40. It is a good deal for this place. If that is still spending too much for you, come here in the late afternoon for drinks and apps and watch the sunset from the patio at least once during your residency in this town.
Nothing beats a pleasant surprise, but Mr. A's is such a high stakes gamble, that it's better to he forewarned - this food is not innovative, exquisite, or especially tasty. Combining a $150 gift certificate and the Restaurant Week $40 price, we figured we could invite Hostage Gastronome's parents out to dinner; they accepted and kindly ordered from the prix fixe menu. The menu was my big chance to pick up the clues - words like "provencale", a proclivity towards Italian dishes, and mac & cheese is one of their most popular sides. Ohhhh, they've embraced the fancy comfort food trend... But how can I take blame for the confusion? The same menu offers frog legs & escargot and "profiteroles" instead of cream puffs... what should my expectations be?
HG and I agree that the frog legs were meaty, moist, and delicious, but the escargot just bland. We all sampled the mac & cheese, and yes, it was pretty exceptional - creamy exotica beneath a cheesy crust, but for $14.50 (the regular price)? The Crossings at Carlsbad serves a just as notable, much larger portion of truffled macaroni and cheese with sausage for $12. My mother-in-law's lamb was fine, and came with a hard mystery cube (fried polenta?). The "braised pork" in my cassoulet was two pieces of thick bacon, some of the cannellini beans were undercooked, and the duck confit's consistency reminded me of an overdone turkey drumstick. My father-in-law specifically asked that his salmon scallopini be cooked medium rare, but it came out completely done. When the waiter asked how everything was tasting, Dad said it was overcooked. He apologized, rather perfunctorily, and walked away. I'd like to think he asked in the kitchen if it could be remade, but we never heard anything more. HG didn't think it was overly dry, just nothing special.
I was surprised that the service wasn't more attentive. For Restaurant Week they add a 20% tip which I'm sure they're glad is the policy since at one point I exclaimed rather loudly, "Where's our waiter, and why have we been sitting here for 20 minutes with dirty plates in front of us?"
Luckily dessert stepped in to save the night (my hero). The chocolate sauce and strawberries brought just the right amount of sweetness to the fondant cake, and the elaborate plating also featured some salted chocolate bars and a chocolate cookie hosting a scoop of hazelnut (excuse me, gianduja) ice cream. HG loved his pear cake with pomegranate (?) sauce and peanut butter (?) ice cream. The espresso ice cream in Mom's cream puffs/profiteroles was OUTSTANDING!!!
San Diego has been our home town for 12 years now, and we never appreciated its scenic-ness until last night. Approaching the 12th floor restaurant through a lavender sunset, I was worried that we were missing it all - like being late to a fireworks show, but it lingered on, and the city lights that replaced it were absolute cosmopolitan elegance. Planes passing silently by lent a little edge of danger to it too. Well, maybe I'll still not appreciative because I was thinking that we need to travel more if that's the best restaurant view we've ever experienced. Actually, it's just that we're too cheap to pay extra for a view. Oh, here's a tip for a free view - Karl Strauss during a Legoland fireworks night.
The terrace would be fabulous during lunch or on a warm night - the one table brave enough to sit out there monopolized about five of the heat lamps. I thought the bar looked small and too exposed to the rest of the dining room. There are three sections to the indoor seating, and one area can be curtained off for a fairly large private party. Luckily the windows dominate the decor, or else you'd notice the 1960's white and gilt painted wood which is well maintained, but very old person-ish (no mildew smell though).
So I was disappointed because I expected ultra fancy food in accordance with the prices. Less the gift certificate, we owed $100 which I feel would have been about right for the food and service. If you don't let the French words mislead you, and are independently wealthy, there's nothing to mar your enjoyment of Mr. A's. I might return for dessert on the terrace if this review hasn't landed me on the Do Not Accommodate List a la Tucker Max.
Came here for my graduation dinner.
Let's be straightforward, shall we?
Food-wise: not the best I've had; nothing too outstanding or memorable, but nevertheless it was good. I didn't have any orgasmic experiences. Presentation, portions and tastes were all moderate. Desserts were just alright (sad face.)
Service-wise: attentive, friendly, professional and knowledgeable. You're well taken care of and won't be interrupted every 5 minutes and asked how everything is. During our visit, the owner even stopped by to say hello!
Setting-wise: absolutely beautiful during sunset - you can see SD downtown, Coronado Island and the airport...all gleaming under the sun. I loved how we were so high up above everything. However, I felt that the seating arrangement was a little cramped for fine-dining.
Everything else: parking is relatively easy, lots of street parking and I'm sure there's valet parking and/or a garage somewhere. It wasn't all that quiet, which is actually a good thing because I get self-conscious when it's super quiet. Good variety of menu items.
It was just okay. The food was mediocre and the price was too much. The view of downtown was nice, but the restaurant has too much light and it's not very romantic.
We happened to go there during the Restaurant Week.
We didn't have reservation for that, but they let us choose from Restaurant Week menu.
Carpaccio appetizer was my favorite but all the dishes were delicious. I would definitely go back, but it's not a must-try place.
The first time when my fiance and I went to Mr. A's, we had a 5-star experience; however, the second time, we were seated outside on the balcony and had an unpleasant experience with the service. Our server, Nicole, was curt, inflexible, and we had to waive her down constantly for service. Her attitude seemed to be "what now?". The Bus Server was great, so we tipped him very well.
We would go back to Mr. A's on special occasions, but we will definitely ask for another server besides Nicole.
One of the best restaurants in San Diego hands down. This is a place for celebrations, business meetings, and out of town guests who you are trying to show the best of San Diego.
The views here are tremendous -- floor to ceiling windows circle the restaurant and overlook the ocean, airport, and city. There's a wonderful patio where one can watch planes land and the sun set. Simply marvelous.
The service here is very good -- very attentive without being overbearing. The waitstaff makes sure that your meal is going according to plan and that you are satisfied, but they do not ask questions every couple of minutes. I like my space when I dine and Mister A's understands the concept of letting people enjoy their meal without constant interruption.
The food and drinks here are wonderful. Some of the shared dished I had were: 1) the mac and cheese which was excellent, very cheesy, and came truffled, 2) the young beet salad which was light, refreshing, and very flavorful, and 3) the baked mussels which were top notch -- a unique twist on traditional mussels. So good.
For the main dish I had the pan seared brandt beef tenderloin (basically, a filet mignon) which came with a Truffled Twice Baked Potato and Gorgonzola Cream Sauce. The beef was perfectly tender and cooked to my liking, and the baked potato was near heaven -- it's something about those truffles. The gorgonzola cream sauce packed a nice punch, though it may be a little too strong for those with more delicate tastes. That's not me though.
Everyone in the party was happy with their main dishes -- the lamb was excellent -- enough lamby flavor without being too gamey, and the rib eye and lobster tails all received high marks.
The desert menu isn't all that creative, but what is served up is quite tasty. The espresso creme brulee was fantastic and the suggested wine pairing matched up perfectly to complement the flavors. The most pleasantly surprising desert was the selection of ice creams which were served up in a rather impressive contraption.
One of the best dining experiences in San Diego. Worth every penny.
I guess once in a while, you've gotta splurge, right? Well for me, that once in a while happened at Mr. A's during Restaurant Week.
We had a party of 6, which is the maximum reservation they'll take. With the occasion came a special Restaurant Week menu, of which we tried pretty much every dish. Seeing dishes with such extravagant names as "CARPACCIO OF BRANDT FARM SEARED NEW YORK STEAK with WARM CANNELLINI BEANS IN ROSEMARY CREAM" and "FRESH LOCAL WHITE SEA BASS AND SEAFOOD SAUSAGE DUO ON A BED OF WHITE CORN WITH RIESLING CREAM", I never would have thought that my favorite dish would be...Mac & Cheese! (with comté cheese, émincé of black truffles and pancetta)
I never cook Mac & Cheese, nor have I ever been a fan of Mac & Cheese in restaurants, but this experience has made me a believer! I now realize the true potential of Mac & Cheese and am inspired to buy some truffle oil to try and re-create the dish at home.
But enough about Mac & Cheese, baked to perfection with bits of the most delicious ingredients. Overall, the entrees did not meet my expectations (which were, admittedly, sky high). I've had more tender and flavorful seabass, chicken, and lamb at less pricey restaurants.
So Mr. A, today you get get an A for Mac & Cheese, but you get a 4 stars for overall quality and value.
Restaurant week menu was awesome.... Brought guests from out of town and it was enjoyed by all...
So- the food at this location is overpriced- but the drinks and free view are not!
A great place for some romantic cocktails and taking in the view. You feel like you are sitting on top of the world. The equivalent of the "Rainbow Room" of San Diego.
OR try going for an after dinner drink.
The view is breathtaking, the service was first class, but everything else left a little to be desired. I almost feel bad because this restaurant has built such a reputation that it's hard not to go without scrutinizing everything.
Everything in this case was the food. The menu had been making me salivate for months online with words such as "truffle" this and "lobster" that. We did in fact choose the lobster strudel (strudal? streusal?), which by my estimate arrived about 15 minutes after it was probably plated, the yummy sounding cognac lobster sauce tepid at best. The duo of frogs legs and escargots were tasty, but they were also doused in garlic and herbs so its hard to really know how much effort went into them.
I will say that my duo of sea scallops and swordfish were good (and warm!), with a saffron sauce and little green nests of green spaghetti. My dates entree was the main failure of the night- overcooked venison .
Dessert was delicious, and both my partner and I were happy with our respective choices. Sadly, at that point the disappointment of a failed app and entree was irreparable. I think if I returned, I would go sit on the patio during happy hour and let myself bask in what is undeniably a million dollar view.
Happy Hour Review
We ordered about 4 items off the happy hour menu. All were good, however quite greasy. The pulled pork egg rolls were my favorite.
The waitstaff were excellent - polite and good lookin'!
If you sit outside go for the door further away from the bar as there is a loud air conditioner that ruins any conversation on the west side of the patio.
The restaurant is, as expected, a bit stuffy. You've got to try it - for the view alone. Gorgeous!
Wonderful food, service, drinks, and the view was absolutely amazing.
This place is A-OK. As others have stated the view alone is worth coming for and I can't wait to return for happy hour and enjoy cocktails on the deck. There really is not a bad table in the house, but we were fortunate enough to get a table right by the window, and wistfully watched the planes as they landed while the sun go down. The service was very attentive and well paced, no long awkward pauses between courses. The food however was just OK - nothing spectacular. The best dish was definitely the Mac n cheese. There were 4 of us at dinner, 2 of us ordered the Salmon and Halbut which we found too "fishy" for our liking. The vegetarian entree had many fried vegetables on the plate - not to my liking. Also, the corkage fee is outrageous.
All in all a great place to take folks from out of town to enjoy the view, but I was hoping for more. Will definitely come back for drinks and appetizers.
WOW!!
YEOW!!!
i couldn't have asked for a better friday evening.... no joke when i say this but i was extremely impressed with the overall experience... the service was simply incredible, from start to finish, but the food was a solid 4. normally, when a restaurant boasts a spectacular view, the food is mediocre, but mr. a's.. minus the halibut, i have to give it to ya!
modern American Cuisine with French and Mediterranean influences...
we started off by ordering the carpaccio ($17) which was SOO damn good! cannellini beans in rosemary and parmesan was driving me crazy!
he ordered the steak and i ordered the halibut... the alaskan halibut came with 2 sides of scallops which were a leetle bit salty ($34.50) and a side of angel hair pasta and braised fennel... the angel hair pasta... and the halibut ... this is where mr a's went wrong... the steak was perfect but mine was super bland... but the baked potato we ordered on the side ($7) was yummy... it seriously melted in your mouth! no joke* okay now his $50 grilled 10 OZ NY steak was super juicy... in fact, it was excellente!! :) damn, it should be, if you pay $50, right? :) with that, we ended the evening with this rich chocolate souffley cake with 2 sliced strawberries on top! muy bien!! :D
okay, now the ultimate highlight of the evening... which is worth mentioning, the view... was A*M*A*Z*I*N*G! i'm a sucker for views, and having to witness the sunset is double trouble... not only do you get this incredible view but you have this whole entire view of san diego. PERIOD. you even get to see all the planes arrive before your eyes ... it was soo cool!
the secret is to reserve a table on the deck! and lil did i know that they have happy hours... i hate to say it but this will be my new secret spot! :D
Bertrand at Mister A's is a triple threat: great views, outstanding food, and attentive service.
PROS
You notice the view right away, especially if you sit outside on their rooftop patio. The restaurant is on top of the Fifth Avenue Financial Center in Banker's Hill, so there aren't other tall buildings obstructing its view of San Diego. The planes heading into Lindbergh are at eye level which is very cool.
Many restaurants would be content with an amazing view and overpriced view, but Bertrand at Mister A's has outstanding food. I love the lamb and steaks, but their appetizers are also outstanding if you are just there for drinks. The staff is also wonderfully attentive and professional and make every visit feel like a special occasion.
CONS
It ain't cheap, but then again, what do you expect for a restaurant that offers so much? One small gripe - the $30 corkage fee is excessive, especially when most similar restaurants charge $20.
THE SKINNY
A wonderful pick for a special occasion, a date, or when you are trying to impress your in-laws who are visiting from out of town.
Excellent view, wonderful food and OK service. We went to Mr. As for Thanksgiving and had six people in our group. The View is worth every penny you pay. I found the food very good and well done. Our server was good in the beginning but once she realized we were going to drink tap water, have one bottle of wine and not have a bigger check she seemed to not be so attentive.
The food was served hot and very good. We will go back for special occasions.
5 stars for overall, 4ish for food..
The Place- VIEW, ambiance, everything you'd expect from fine dining. Comfortably elegant (biz casual would cut it). Happy hour on the patio- affordable decadence. Easy to park.
The Service- Great! Attentive but not hovering, helpful, friendly, personable. Not condescending in the least.
The Food- wait first, the DRINKS- creative, delicious, strong! If you have to wait, do it at the bar. Food was good/great, a solid B-plus/A-minus. Lobster strudel not worth it.
Recommended- Mac and cheese, paella, Cali rack of lamb.
This was our first visit to Bertrand at Mr. A's. Our entire experience was wonderful, and we will most definitely be returning. We would highly recommend the carpaccio and the Macaroni and cheese as appetizers. With regards to the main courses, my girlfriend had the rib-eye cap and it was amazing. I had the lamb and it was excellent, but I would find it hard not to order the rib-eye next time back. Dessert was a trio of coffee based dishes. There was a tiramisu, a coffee ice cream sundae and a coffee crème brulee. They were all amazing.
The staff was wonderful and very attentive. The view may be one of, if not the best view of San Diego.
It's a tradition for my husband and I to celebrate at Mister A's.
Started with an exceptional date, continued with my birthday and last (for now) we had our anniversary there.
Another tradition is to have our dessert outside after completing dinner inside. And the servers are always extremely accommodating with our request.
We love starting with their Mac'n'Cheese, Baby Vegetables salad or Carpaccio. For my maine course I go with seafood, always something different and all the time delicious, my husband takes Beef entrees - nothing to complain about either!
Our traditional finishing touch - dessert: Chocolate/Caramel Trio with dessert wine, cup of coffee or even cognac... whatever mood the weather puts us into.
Mister A's, get ready for our next visit! It'll be sooner then you think!
I have to admit I was a little skeptical about this place when I first got here. The restaurant is pretty much located on the top floor of an office building (totally unexpecting for me). However, once you exit the elevator and go into the restaurant, you will be shocked. This restaurant has a fabulous city view of Downtown SD. It was overcast the day that we went, but I can imagine the view is amazing during sunset on a clear day. This is definitely the place to go for a romantic date.
The food here was great and thoughtful but a little pricey for me. I had the lamb dish and the bf got the chicken dish. Both dishes were a little greasy for me but so delicious and totally worth it. The drink menu was awesome! The bf wanted to try some scotch and they had everything he wanted.
The service was awesome. Our server was professional but not so uptight that it made us feel uncomfortable. My favorite part of the meal was when they pulled out a rolly box to clean the crumbs off your table.
Hi All,
I really was excited to try this restaurant, but it left me completely unsatisfied! Being that I am not from San Diego, I can't appreciate the fact that this restaurant is ol' school and represents old money . Yes, Mr. A's has a distinguished charm, but if you were to ask me...I probably want to spend my money elsewhere (although this was a holiday luncheon, so I did pay so much). With that said, the view is incredible and from what the boss says...it is great for cocktails and happy hour.
As far as the food it was ok, a little rich and not special. Boss liked the Kobe beef burger but I wasn't down with the salmon with quinoa and other mysterious items on the plate.
The two main characteristics that I believe makes an establish "fine dining" are 1) please don't remove our dishes before we (all people in the party) are done dining. 2) please don't state, "Are you done working on this?" pointing at the plate. I honestly don't want to think I am working on something when I am enjoying or finished with something.
Maybe this is an experience but an experience I am willing to pass on.
1 star for the view
1 star for the food
1 star for the service
2 stars for my job that allows me to pay for expensive ass dinners!!
Took shorty doo wop here for our 4 yr anniversary (yes 4 years. I ask myself time after time how did I manage to do that!!..haha jk!!) I better erase that last comment or she's going on strike! This is the spot to bring your date to if you want to wine and dine her (Fellas if this doesn't get you some action afterwards, then give up NOW!!)
GOOD:
- awesome view of downtown SD. Got to see the sunset, can you say "breathtaking!?"
- MAC n CHEESE!! Gourmet mac and cheese baby!! I can eat that as my main course!
- Service (the servers know you about to drop some cash money if you come to eat here, so they give top notch service)
- free cookies ( a little sampler plate if you are celebrating an anniversary)
- desserts (fancy schmancy desserts tasted oh so good!)
BAD:
- a little bug flew into short stacks wine glass. instead of replenishing her cup, they just gave her a new glass with a little amount of wine in it.
- I was surrounded by snobby guests dining in as well. (they see a young couple and act like we don't belong there!!)
UGLY:
- yea, I apologize that shorty and I look super young. But just because we look young doesn't mean we are going to be shysty and leave a bad tip. I got that vibe from our server. It's a crappy stereotype and i just wanted to make our server think twice about his view on us.
I sign the bill and leave a generous tip. As we leave I see the server look at the bill and his eyes get big. Take that to the bank server!!
A nice anniversary dinner + nice view + big bill = GREAT DESSERT (and I'm not talking bout the creme brulee'!!)
Great food, service, decor, and view.
Took the Mom here for Mothers Day about a year ago. She was very happy and well cared for. Food was enjoyable and delicious; and would chose this destination restaurant again for a special occasion or high-end date. If nothing else try it once, as a longtime San Diego establishment.
Some of the best views in the city I must say. You don't have to be a "member" to get in which is nice and attire is really flexible. Just don't walk in looking like you just came from the beach in PB. Jacket not required but appreciated. Both times I've gone however, I've worn nice jeans and a nice button down. I figure...my money is green and my credit is good. So...
The food and service here are amazing and seriously the views both from the inside or outside are the best. 360 views of the city. The staff pamper you and make you feel like a million bucks even if you're just $300,000...LOL!! The wine list is huge and has everything from cheap to incredibly rare and expensive. If you're looking for something different, a change of pace and to see your city like you've maybe never seen it before I'd strongly recommend this place. I've not had a bad meal yet....and if you're lucky enough to eat here during "Restaurant Week" you can try it on a budget too!!
A dear and loving friend brought me to Mister A's on my birthday. I won't reveal how young I am but, here are my thoughts on the dining experience.
Parking:
No hassle. We were able to find street parking just a few steps away.
First Impression:
Initially confused by the office building the restaurant was atop of I thought, "Am I eating or meeting with an attorney?"
Ambiance:
Unpretentious elegance.
View:
We chose to be seated on their outdoor patio which afforded us panoramic views of SD. When the sun disappeared over the horizon the incandescent moon illuminated the city and as I sat back admiring the view with a glass of wine in hand it rekindled an appreciation for this city obscured by the everyday mundane.
Service:
Impeccable. The entire staff were amicable and efficient.
Wine:
Pinot Noir "The Hitching Post" from the movie "Sideways." It was soft in flavor and paired wonderfully with the meal.
Appetizers:
The black tiger shrimp risotto and lobster bisque were equally flavorful and rich.
Entree:
Pan seared beef tenderloin with Gorgonzola cream sauce and gratin dauphinois - the tenderloin was ordered rare and it was cooked perfectly. The color was ideal, it was tender and thoroughly delicious. My taste buds were in ecstasy. The Gorgonzola cream sauce was tasty however, I'm a purist when it comes to steak in a sense that "don't mess with a good thing." On the other hand, I thought the sauce paired well with the gratin which was also cooked wonderfully; Slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Dessert:
We were served a complimentary plate of various cookies for my birthday. I took a single bite of each cookie leaving room for my favorite dessert, creme brulee! Expectedly, the raspberry creme brulee was scrumptious.
Price:
Expect to pay a shiny penny but, it's well worth it.
My boyfriend surprised me and took me here for my birthday. I have to say...hands down... THE BEST FOOD EVER!
Everything was amazing!!
San Diego is a city with a split personality. On the surface, it tries so very hard to be a "big" city and yet, under that thin surface, a little city lives. Everyone can judge for themselves whether this is a good or bad thing, or whether it just is what it is.
Mr. A's* is one of the very few restaurants in San Diego, and I mean very few, which represents the "big city" aspect to the city's schizophrenic personality. The view, as everyone and their mother has noted, is the best in town. The food is extremely good and the service, from the host, to the waitstaff to the servers, are all on par with the best servers you will find in New York, New Orleans, and the other great eating cities in America.
Keep in mind that you will pay big city prices here, too, but that is to be expected and the establishment has earned the right to charge these prices given the extremely high quality of the food, service and location.
The crowd is a somewhat curious mix of blue blood La Jollans wasting the days (and nights) away, and just plain folks coming for that special occasion. But the good news is that the overall mood is not stuffy and regardless of your lineage or bloodline, you should feel right at home as long as you have enough credit on your Visa card to keep you from washing dishes before you leave.
Also, if you want to save a few bucks and skip the valet charge, parking is free and plentiful on the streets after 6 p.m. and you can stroll right into the building and take the elevator directly to the restaurant. It may not be the classiest way to go for you first or third daters, but it may save you enough for one more cocktail or appetizer on the patio before dinner, and you can't beat that.
*Sorry, Bertrand. To locals, the restaurant will always be known just as "Mr. A's," its original name for the last million years or so.
OH MY GOLLY GOLLY GOSH!
Haha yes, I really had to say that! The bf and I simply fell in love with this restaurant when we dined there last night.
The MACARONI AND CHEESE, A's Style is really as amazing as everyone says! Have you ever tasted something that you can eat a whole tub of but since you can't you want to eat it as slowly as possible so you can savor every moment you have with it? THIS IS IT! It had a fairly light cheese sauce but the powerful flavor from the truffle oil more than makes up for it. Throw in some panchetta and top it off with crisp parmesan and you've got yourself the perrrrfect mac and cheese!
I had the halibut and scallops duo. The scallops were good but a bit salty and I didn't like the sauce much. The halibut was okay, slightly overcooked. The spinach pasta was good.
The bf had the prime ribeye steak with this potato cake thingy, all of which left him speechless for a good 20 seconds. He said it was the best steak he had ever had and I must admit it was very good. Super tender steak and the sauce on top was great.
We also ordered a side of the famous truffled fries and they were also quite good. Tossed in lots of herbs and parmigiano reggiano. We came to a conclusion at the end of the night that everything truffled is good!
We decided to come here for dessert around 9:30. When we arrived the hostess looked at us funny wondering why we were there. Then we were told that the kitchen was closed. My date asked if the bar was still open because we wanted to see the view and they said yes. The place still had quite a few people there finishing dinner and eating desserts. We got a drink and went outside on the balcony. The views are outstanding! Another couple arrived after us and they ordered dessert. I thought that was strange so my date asked a waiter if we could order also, and he said of course! I don't understand why the hostess and another man who could have been a manager had told us originally that it was closed.
We ordered the smores dessert. It was good! I would have loved to try the creme brulee!
Neighborhood: La Jolla
Category: American (New)
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Category: French
Neighborhood: Del Mar
Category: American (New)
La Jolla, CA
Category: French
Neighborhood: La Jolla
Category: French
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