Imperial House Continental Restaurant
Categories: Lounges, Restaurants [Edit]
Neighborhood: Banker's Hill505 Kalmia St
(between 5th Ave & 6th Ave)
San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 234-3525
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Music: Live
- Best Nights: Sat
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Coat Check: Yes
26 Reviews for Imperial House Continental Restaurant
I come here way too often, & leave way too drunk. Coming to see Rick on Saturdays is pretty much as necessary as brushing my teeth in the morning.
I tried taking his framed photo off the wall to add to my "Lyon" shrine, but they bolted it down :(
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two reason this place is a great place to get your drink on:
1. Cheap Stiff Drinks
2. Rick Lyons!
The IH is very dated and most of the time the people that come in are dated as well but that's one of it's great characteristics. It's like stepping back into an old hip bar from yester-years.
Now, I've never eaten here or attended the Mystery Theater. But from what I've heard from word-of-mouth is that neither is any good. As for the liquor...you can't go wrong. You will guaranteed to leave with a good buzz and waking up with a mad hangover.
Rick Lyons is the bomb. He can play almost any pop song in the universe. He has this huge mirror that is set behind him so you know that his magical keyboard isn't playing the song for him. It's not exactly the best sounding music unless you like the sound of MIDI beats. I wonder if he can play the theme song to the Legend of Zelda? I might have to stump him the next time I get krunk at the ol' I.H.
This review is for the restaurant, not the bar. Please note that most of the 4 and 5 star reviews are for the bar and not the restaurant. Apparently, no one actually eats at the restaurant..I have no issue with the bar.
Anyhoo- Years ago I used to come here with friends and loved it.
The Beau and I needed a romantic spot for a date. Having fond memories of the place I suggested Imperial House. He had never been there.
We arrive, the decor is the same - We love it and are looking forward to a lovely meal..
We are seated at our table and notice that while the bar is packed the restaurant is pretty much entirely empty on a Friday night save for us. Red Flag.
I don't give it much thought as I am happy as a clam in our cozy booth and surrounded by snazzy, high end 70's coke dealer decor.
Our waiter is very sweet and I order the oysters as a starter.
The oysters arrive. I happily tear into one (without smelling first, my mistake) and for the first time in my entire life - I spit my oyster into my napkin and begin worrying about grave illness.
It tasted like death.
It is absolutely the WORST oyster I have ever tasted. We call the waiter over and I quietly and politely inform him that the oysters are bad and we would like them taken away. I rarely do this sort of thing and would normally just leave the plate untouched but this oyster was SO bad I felt I had to say something. I am not holding this against Imperial House at this point because, hey - stuff happens and that should have been it. Right? Wrong.
The waiter leaves the oysters and goes and gets the manager(?) who comes over and begins addressing my boyfriend, instead of me, and refers to me as "such a pretty lady", tells my date he is a lucky guy, that sort of crap. This seriously peeves me. My wonderful boyfriend tactfully explains to him that it is actually me who he should be addressing. The manager(?) then looks to me and begins speaking to me as if I am a 12 year old girl.
Instead of apologizing he sticky sweetly informs me that those are the best oysters in San Diego. Um. EXCUSE ME? Could you be a little more patronizing? Newsflash - I am from the Gulf Coast, spent the other half of my childhood in Alaska and on the Big Island and was practically weaned on fresh seafood. If I know anything , it's friggin' oysters. I have sampled raw oysters from all over the world.
The only thing that might cause the questioning of my credibility is that I have just ordered oysters HERE.
Stop insulting my intelligence and endangering my health and please just take them away.
He encourages me to try another one. No thanks , I don't want to die today. He then offers a new plate of oysters. UM, NO THANK YOU THEY ARE NOT SAFE TO EAT. Hospitalized customers are generally not happy customers, Genius.
Not the most perceptive guy...He finally apologizes and takes them away.
The rest of the meal was not very good and was hideously over priced. However the bananas foster was kick ass. I have to give them one star for that. I felt like a total muppet having recommended the place for our date. I guess you just can't go back...
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The Imperial House has been open for over 35 years. I have friends who are much older than I am and they tell me that in the 70's it was THE place to be. Still evident since it seems to be a hangout for judges and lawyers.
The decor of the IH is dated, to say the least but it's not trashy. The place is kept up very well and when I'm there I can imagine myself hanging out with the cool people back in the day. If it were not for the occasional pop song being piped in I might think I was sent back in time.
For lunch you can dine in the cocktail lounge and be seated and served by Nicole who is very sweet and attentive, In the evenings you are attended to by the lovely and ever fun Randy. She's been there for awhile and knows what you want before you do.
if you choose to dine in the dining room, you are in for a treat. It's formal but not stuffy and Felx will roll his R's until you're dizzy. He will also share some funny and interesting stories of all the famous folks (most of whom are now deceased) he's met and served.
If you really want to give the IH a shot before committing, stop in on Thursday evening and see Randy for 1/2 price appetizers. $6 shrimp cocktails and prime rib bits with garlic bread are a few of the offerings and do not disappoint.
So, stop in and enjoy a little bit of history.
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Calling all aficionados of cheese, this is a wonderful place indeed. That is, if you like to lurk in a corner and people watch. The Imperial House Bar is a fantastic little surprise in the heart of Banker's Hill. It's a restaurant, it's a murder/mystery theatre, it's a bar, it's an apartment complex. Lord, be thankful I don't live there. I'd never leave. The bar (my favorite place to lurk) is old, dark, and fantastically musty. The walls are wood, the booths are dark red pleather and overstuffed-with plenty of stories I'm sure. The drinks are stiff. The wait staff and manager are always hospitable and completely lit. They're of that old time variety. You know, with the east coast accents, old ladies with the big hair, the guys with slicked back dos and tacky gold chain jewelry, and they always call you honey or sweetie or something to that effect.
My favorite part however is the weekend entertainment and featured performer: Mr. Rick Lyons. Karoake keyboard/singer extraordinaire.
He looks a bit like an aged Milton Waddams with coke bottle glasses and a huuuuge combover. Don't laugh. I love him. He is fantastic.
His musical stylings on the karaoke keyboard are nothing short of glorious. A karaoke keyboard you ask? Well, it's a keyboard that has pre-programmed songs on in it. Lyrics come up on a screen and the keys actually light up the correct notes to play. How do I know this you ask? Ah, yes, well you see, our lovely Mr. Lyons has a mirror placed behind him so that the audience can catch a glimpse of his magical fingers at work. It's truly lovely.
Oh! I almost forgot! The scene, yes the scene. It's the sort of place that attracts all types believe it or not. I've seen it all: old couples slow dancing in the corner, punk rockers with Liberty Spikes and all downing coctails at the bar, regular joes, hipsters, you name it-
Despite its eclectic clientelle, the place remains surprisingly mellow.
So, if you dig dark bars, tall drinks, lounge acts, and diversity, all wrapped up in a ball o cheese, check it out.
BTW, the lounge act usually ends at 11, so its best to get there early.
Folks, this is really a great step back in time. I'd check it out, before all the hipsters get to it.
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Fuhgedabout the others! Are you rrrrrrrrrready to hear about the top secret lunch palace? This is the best value in town if service and quality food at reasonable prices is your thing. Sure, I've been there for drinks - it's well-known for all of that. I've been there for dinners, and the dinner theater. I've had the flambe desserts made tableside. But, what people like me enjoy the most is lunch!
Hush hush, let's make some offers you can't refuse. Clandestine rendezvous over lunch - this is your place. The DA and I seem to like the table for four, in the farthest corner. My posse and I always get there first.
From the moment you arrive, you know it's a step back in time. The free valet service, the canopied entryway. Swing open the big, dark doors, and you are greeted by a coat of armor and Felix, the matre de. Felix has been there since way back when. Check out his picture on the wall. That picture was from back in the day, he'll tell you. Try not to chuckle too much when he rrrrrrrrrrolls his r's.
Lunches tend to run anywhere from about $8 to $12. Each day there is a special posted on the inside cover of the menus. Each meal comes compete with sides. My faves are the fish, especially the Friday specials and clam chowder to die for. Mahi Mahi is great. Another good lunch is the Chicken Morengo, which has a couple of shrimp and a great sauce. Oh, be sure to ask for pesto sauce to use instead of butter on your pre-lunch bread. Mmmm!
When you get there, tell Felix or Hector that Alyssa sent you! Ciao!
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Like every other reviewer w/ a drinking problem, I have never eaten at the I-House but I love to drink there! It's a great, old-school lounge w/ plenty of room to move during Happy Hour. The drink specials aren't the best but the drinks are strong so you get your $$ worth. I've thrown a few happy hours there (20+ people) and the service has always been great...so great that Happy Hour can last from 5p-2am! Stay for the vocal stylings of Rick Lyon...he's highly entertaining.
I've only been to this place once and it was for their murder mystery dinner. I went with a big group of people and our table was right next to the main stage/floor. It's a little over $50 a person and that includes the dinner and show. It is definitely more of a comedy show and they have you do little quizes to win prizes. The setting is in the mobster days and you're supposedly attending a wake. During the wake, some of the family members of the deceased get killed and you have to guess who did it at the end. They involve the audience so be prepared to get picked on. I thought the show was pretty funny and overall I had a great time. The food wasn't sooo bad, I've definitely had worst at these shows and dinner combos. But I do recommend this place, just don't go with high expectations.
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I got introduced to this place before the St Pattys Day parade- lots of fun! It was so dark in there and full of police officers ready for the holiday... kinda a strange feeling when you are drinking at a bar at 1030am.
I cant wait to go back on a weekend night to check it out.
Ah, the good ole Impy! Always a safe bet. Be respectful of the regulars, & leave any attitude at the door. This isn't the Gaslamp yet it's hardly a dive. This is old school steakhouse lounge at it's best! David is the best bartender in town, the drinks are strong and affordable, and Rick sings all your favorite tunes. The crowd varies from weekend to weekend, but the people watching is always stellar. Cheers to the Impy!
This place is phenomenal! Walking in you feel like you're in a time warp. You expect to see shady characters like Tommy DeVito (I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to fuckin' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?), but you end up finding a mix of the regular older folk combined with fresh 20-somethings. The ultimate highlight of this place is Rick Lyon -- keyboardist extraordinaire. If you like singing Copa Cabana at the top of your lungs, this is the place for you. Another highlight is their Stella on tap, properly served in their iconic chalice. Bartending is great and the booths are the best spot in the house. Very small "dance floor" where people go crazy for the tunes from the past -- Sweet Caroline .... SO GOOD! SO GOOD!
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Like some others here, I can really only review Rick Lyon and his band of supporters (among which I count myself). The cheeseball hits of the 70s are fantastic, the drunken sing-alongs are vital for spritual survival, and the hair is immaculate. But I'll tell you what: becoming his MySpace friend really pushes things to another level. It's one of the only reasons I still have a profile there quite frankly... feeling that oneness with Rick Lyon.
Aside from that, the snack-ish food I've had here has been fine, the drinks are priced for a classier sort than I am but aren't outrageous, and I'll be back the next time I want to dive into an inebriated round of Margaritaville.
Now that I've said that though, I hope it's a little while. Just for my own self-respect.
I've been to Imperial House twice, but the best time was for a friend's birthday party. I guess you can eat at Imperial House, but I've only ever been to the bar area with the dancefloor and the piano, where this loungey singer, Rick Lyon, plays and sings. The people who go here range from young hipsters to your grandparents, but it's not a place to sit and watch -- dance! You'll see quite a few people showing off their ballroom dancing skills. I guess Rick Lyon's a bit of a local celebrity, because his song stylings are way in demand. My friends and I requested Eurythmics and he got down better than Annie Lennox! Highlight of the night? People ballroom dancing while he sang "Runaway Train" by Soul Asylum.
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i ate my first filet oscar (filet mignon with crab) at imperial house at a lovely dinner preceded by cocktails. I order the filet oscar each time we go back, always quite rare, which they are conssitenyl able to deliver unlike other ahem, medium rare to medium type places. they also make a lovely bananes flambes which you should, nay, you must order when you eat here. There's nothing better than sitting in the big wingback chair (or booth) sipping cocktails and being absolutely dotted upon by the maitre'd while eating rare steak. heaven. I just wish there were more modern versions of Imperial House around, I can't get enough. Even though its a little run down at the heels, do the Imperial House and the maitre'd a favor and wear that little black cocktail dress - somehow it just feels right.
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As said before, this place rules as does Rick Lyon.
I've actually eaten at the murder mystery dinner theater thing they do. Not that great, more of a comedy than a murder mystery and the food was a little cold.
Once again though the bar here is awesome.
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For years, I thought this was a Chinese joint. The name "Imperial" isn't Chinese but it is almost permanently associated with Chinese food for me. Finally I broke down and gave this place a go. I was surprised to find one of the last of the old San Diego style restaurants. When Mr. A's gave up its "family" decor for French chic, a piece of San Diego died. I-House has that same "family" feel. The waiters all wear tuxedos and they provide service. The kind you get south of the border not some kid who comes to your table with a goofy smile and promptly gives you his first name and explains the role he plays at the restaurant. These guys who serve clearly are there to serve so no need to explain their purpose.
The food is also old school. The kind that is getting hard to find. Everything I have had has been good, but I particularly enjoy the mock turtle soup that comes with a shot.
If you want a quiet lunch, this certainly is the place as it is rarely crowded and very quiet. Dinner has a larger crowd with people well oiled so they get louder but it still feels intimate in the dining room.
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My friends and I love to get wrecked here.
red vinyl booths, regular passes by the waitresses to freshen your drinks, and...Rick Lyon: God of the casio keyboard, playing all the hits from the 60's, 70's and 80's. (http://www.myspace.com...)
they also serve bar food till I think 11:30 or something.
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Granted I have never eaten here, but that's not why I frequent it. Imperial House has one of the best Lounges in the county. Fridays and Saturdays will become the best nights of your life if you go listen to the sensational styling of the mad keyboard animal that is Rick Lyon. A few bucks into the large glass and Rick will tickle the ivory's like nobodies business. He is well versed in all ranges of music, and recently got a new keyboard with some pretty hot tracks on it. A definite stop by for people looking to hang out and relax. The bar food is pretty good and their alcohol selection is stellar!
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like most others, i am afraid i cannot comment on the food, having never eaten there. the bar, though, i am all about.
I don't know the bartender's name anymore (I used to, back when my roommate was in the dinner theatre show there), but he is awesome. He still remembers me, too, after not going in for two years or so. He'll serve you up stiff drinks like nobody's business. But don't dare be on your cell phone. There are a few signs around with "cell phone rules" stating that no one should be on them, in or around the bar area at all. He'll let you get away with it, so long as you're not trying to flag him down at the same time. By god, I haven't seen any yelling, but trust me.
Rick Lyon is deifintely worth of a mention here, as well. He knows all the songs. ALL the songs. Still, try not to feel snubbed when he declines to play yours. Dancing is a must, and please feel free to tip him.
So, anytime you're feeling like pretending you're in another era (this place kind of reminds me of the lounge in the shining) stop by, but don't bring your PB friends, try to keep off your cell phones, and please- whatever you do- tip generously!
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Rick Lyon is the human jukebox. He's play just about anything on his keyboard which lives atop a piano. The atmosphere begs for a white russian or a snifter of congac. It's an all ages affair when the older residents who live above the bar are in attendance. I like the medieval decorations on the wall and the dark lighting.
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I am definitely a fan. In fact I am headed there tonight. Great circular leather/vinyl booths which facilitate good conversation. Decent crowd but never crowded. I have always been able to get seating and am definitely not an early comer. Fantastic selection of liquor, particularly scotch, the bartenders know their scotch as well and will even provide some tastings of some quality stuff if you engage them in conversation and show a little bit of knowledge(a little bit is all I have). Rick Lyon as previously mentioned in other reviews is the man, he looks a bit like Milton from Office Space, can be incredibly fickle on what he'll play and not play, but to hear him on that keyboard is a special experience.
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if you want to sit in a big, plush mafia booth, sip on a basic, stiff cocktail, and let yourself be enchanted by the melodic siren song of rick lyon, you'll love imperial house (i-house, for those "in the know.")
however, last time i was there, mr. lyon shot down my request... he said, "nah, i already played that. come earlier next time." nearly broke my heart...
why, rick? why??
but in time, after a little healing and soul searching, i'll be back, singing along to e.l.o, elton john, lionel richie, and the rest of the artists in rick lyon's magnificent repertoire.
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If you are on a date, and you want a nice, quiet romantic cocktail evening with your companion, plus a bunch of swinging seniors, this place is solid gold.
I'll admit, I haven't been here in ages, but I don't go out on dates anymore...
(i''ve never been for dinner)
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Imperial House - What a Place! A friend of ours lives in the apartments above the Imperial, so we naturally stopped down at this swanky lounge for a drink or two before heading out on the town.... and Boy, was I glad we did. Two Words: Rick Lyon. Piano man extraordinare. This guy is quite a character, to say the least. 2 of the 4 guys I was with threw some money into Rick's glass, laid down their requests and got straight up Denied. Apparently it was too early in the night for "Tiny Dancer"... In any case, the other reviewers touched on Rick and it's true: this guy is the man. Upon arriving, we piled ourselves into one of the dark leather booths in the corner, where we received superb cocktail service by a sassy senior and enjoyed a prime view of the piano, the bar, the dance floor.. and of course, all of Imperial House's pie-eyed patrons. A real mixed crowd, young and old alike. As the night wore on it seemed as if the crowd grew progressively younger... and the dancing styles turned from delightful swing and slow dancing, to silly party girl struts & group dancing. At some point in the evening I escaped our booth to use the ladies room in the lobby. On this short stroll, I came across a quiet section of the restaurant on the other side of this old building, where I saw an old man eating dinner alone.. donning nothing less than a full tuxedo.. Yes, on all accounts... my suspicion's were confirmed... this place rocks.
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holy judas priest...did i just stumble into the "regal beagal"? is jack tripper gonna come in with some ladies in his arm while i listen to this fanatastic piano singer (although i watched him play closely and i swear his fingers were not touching the keys!) Nice crowd, a little bit of a scene, but just enough locals from the area to be intriguing.
I've never really eaten at the restaurant, but I've seen the inside of their bar many times. Always on a Friday or Saturday night to catch the musical stylings of Rick Lyon. He provides lounge music for the bar on his keyboard and even takes request. He does a mean "Sweet Caroline", so be sure to ask for that one. My tip is to get there early-ish (9-9:30) to secure a booth, which also ensures table service and the ability to order food to your table if you get the drunk munchies.
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