Urban Solace

 

13

94

Mike Y.

San Diego, CA

A new favorite, it's very good though the food isn't as spectacular as some of the reviews here might suggest.

Great: Mac & Cheese, Fried Egg BLT, Sweet Potato Fries, Butternut Squash Dip, Chicken & Dumplings, Burger.

Nothing special: Spoonbread, cheese biscuits.

This place almost ALWAYS has a wait, which they've underestimated for me several times. Arrive early.

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Elite '08

60

182

Jen T.

San Diego, CA

I had heard good things about this place, so when I was finally in the North Park vicinity, I had to try it out. I was there on a Wednesday night, so we got a table within a few minutes. Tho the restaurant did look filled up even at 8:30lpm on a Wednesday night.

First off, everything on the menu was under $20!!! This place is cheap...I was worried that the portions would be tiny as I did not expect it to be so cheap. But no, they were good sized portions, not huge but filling and just enough.

I ordered one cheese bisquit and the pork chop entree. Both were very good. I was amazed at the quality of food and preparation since it was so cheap. My friend had the pulled chicken n dumplings, also very tasty. For dessert I was debating between the PB Creme Brule or the Velvet Cake. I decided to go with PB Brule. Um, it wasnt to my liking. I believe creme brule should be simple and left alone. The PB overwhelmed the taste. However, the sugar coating on top was burnt to perfection. So I sent it back and got the Velvet Cake. Wow!!! It is so moist. Its basically a chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. I was told the cake had pureed beets in it which tones down the sweetness. Anyways, it was a rich yet light deep chocolate cake and the cream cheese frosting was a good complement.

Overall, I would definately come back. Im still shocked at how cheap it is.

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5

2

Rishi S.

San Diego, CA

A Creole townhouse set in the heart of North Park--one of the most eclectic urban mesas of San Diego

the restaurant serves one of the best lamb meatloaves i've ever tasted. its wrapped in bacon and served with figs - such a great taste and amazing texture. the lamb just melts in your mouth!

i've also tried the burger - i heard somewhere urban solace won best burger in san diego and i can see why.  there was a little too much bun for me, but nonetheless the burger hit the spot.

what makes dining at urban solace even more enjoyable is the outdoor seating - the ambiance is great especially as San Diego warms up.  i overheard a waiter mention that they might have live jazz performances in the evenings which go perfectly with the food, the decor, and the ambiance of the restaurant.

also, after eating dinner you can go to some of north park's bars (pink elephant is next door) and if you're lucky you can catch ray street at night which is the second saturday of every month.

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Elite '08

122

46

Marisol C.

Oceanside, CA

I went here 2 nights ago with Tony, Marcela and Rich.

We ordered the house wine- my first time having wine...it was ok.
(Marcela, Tony and Rich enjoyed it, so i'm assuming it was good)

The cheese biscuits, mussels and sweet potato fries were yummy.

I ordered the Chicken and Dumplings (I *heart* Southern food),
but was disappointed because it was bland.
So I just stirred it around to make it look like I was eating.

When Brian (our server) came up and asked if I liked it,
I tried to b.s. and say it was alright, but everyone coerced me
into telling him it tasted like sh*t (not in those words exactly,
but you get my point).

Brian was really sweet and didn't charge us for my order.

Overall, it's a really great place to try at least once. :)
------------------------------------
Side note:

Ladies, wear slip resistant shoes. The floor leading to the restrooms
is kind of slippery and you wouldn't want to fall and crack your skull.
*just saying*

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Elite '08

85

94

Marcela G.

San Diego, CA

Yuuuuuuuum!
Steak, Mussels, Biscuits, and those fries?
What could else could you ask for?
Great company? Check!
Tall tales of Football and Bullfights? Cheeeck!
Awesome service? Ka-Chink!
Alcohol? Yup!

I looooove you US. I really really really do. You're pretty, and yummy and you smell nice too. Wanna go steady?

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6

11

Mike C.

San Diego, CA

Amazing!  I've been to Urban Solace no fewer than 5 times in the last couple months and every time it has been a wonderful experience.

The atmosphere is always fun.  In fact, last Tuesday I ate on the patio while a live New Orleans-style Jazz band played.

I've had their soups (Tomato Fennel is awesome!), sandwiches (Try the Monte Diego), salads and entrees and I've yet to have anything I didn't like.  It's awesome comfort food with a twist.

The prices are what make Urban Solace stand out.  I would expect to pay a lot more for far less (think Urban Solace as the opposite of Modus -- where you pay a lot for a poor dining experience.)

In short, it's one of the best values around.  Excellent food.  Great Service.  Fun atmosphere.  I will continue to take people to U.S!

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0

4

Paul S.

San Diego, CA

Step in, exhale and get ready for some good food.
For brunch I'd say expect to spend about $15/person including an entree and cocktail (mimosa, etc.). Good value and relaxing/refreshing ambiance.

I just checked out this spot for the first time this past Sunday for brunch after walking by it during my trip to Ray Street at Night. Being right off of 30th and University, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Once I stepped inside though I knew I had been guided to the right place. The first thing we found out when we arrived there at 1pm is that they were booked until 2:30pm for brunch reservations. Make sure you make your reservations in advance! Though you can do as we did and sit at the very comfy bar for your meal.

The Ambiance: Simplictic character full of rich, dark woods and contrasted by stark, off-white walls. The artwork is thoughtful for the space and brings it character. For brunch it is a striking difference from Mission down the street on University. This place has better ambiance and feels much less rushed. Like a place you wouldn't mind spending a couple of hours with friends over brunch and mimosas. Music was across the board from retro to folk. I think this place would be cool with some european lounge/house. Would make for an interesting mix with the laid back feel of the place. They also have a nice outside patio area that looks like it'd make a great setting for a dinner date.

The menu: Plenty of choices here. Each menu is catered to the meal it serves so I only had a chance to browse the brunch menu. There were several interesting finds including butter pecan french toast and brown sugar bacon. I ordered the scrambled eggs, substituted a turkey sausage for the brown sugar bacon, and grits. My friend ordered the EBLT. I had not one but two mimosas (hey, I'm a lush).

The service: Decent. The chick with the black & pink hair at the bar served us. It took her a minute to get around to us but once she got around to us, she was great. Very warm personality that almost made me feel like she was the heart of the bar she was serving. The servers were all North Park grunge/weird/eclectic. Cool by me and gave this otherwise traditional space an edge. Food came out within reason. Everyone seemed helpful.

The food/drinks: My meal was simple: scrambled eggs, grits and turkey sausage. Very difficult to mess that up and they didn't. Food tasted fresh. Presentation was cute with the grits served in a jelly jar. No complaints. My friend LOVED his EBLT (and he's a food snob). Said everything was fresh and flavorful. There was no entree over $10 which was impressive considering the portions were agreeable and food was good. Me and my friend both agreed if this same exact restaurant were somewhere else (like La Jolla or Gaslamp) they could easily charge more and still keep the crowd. Even here I think they could raise the price by a couple of bucks and people wouldn't complain because of the value.

Overall: Thumbs up! Easy to find, great relaxing ambiance, agreeable service, good prices = why not?! I'm definately down to go back here.. even with no reservations. I enjoyed sitting at the bar people watching as North Park draws an interesting mix of folks. I like this joint over Mission because Mission feels more like a brunch sweatshop. There you wait for your name to be called then scramble to eat your food because you know others are impatiently waiting. Here everybody makes it feel like you need take a chill pill (or smoke a joint) before entering. Come ready to relax and enjoy the simplicity of good company and good food on a Sunday afternoon.

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0

3

Shauna W.

San Diego, CA

Went for the Bluegrass brunch. The food was pretty good for the price, as were the drinks. Service was kind of lacking though. I liked it enough to come back for dinner.

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Elite '08

113

67

Tony N.

San Diego, CA

It's about time I wrote a review for this place...

Urban Solace has proved to be one of the best off the top of my head restaurants.  Like say when I want to take someone from out of town who doesn't want to eat pho/noodles/rice/sushi for the 45th time while they're in town.  They turn to me and I say "Let's go to Urban Solace."  Let me tell you:  it might be Neo-American/Comfort Food, but ASIAN FOLK BE ALL UP ON THIS FOOD, YO.

The food is always great.  The sweet potato fries have been talked about over and over again, but my favorite appetizer are the mussels in tomato garlic sauce.  Have MERCY.  Even people who aren't big on seafood/shellfish can't resist having more than one.

As for entrees, the pulled chicken and hangar steak are good choices, but the Duckaroni trumps everything on the menu.  Arrrrrrgh, just thinking about it makes me salivate, and I just had it last night.  And now that they have a full bar (I saw that bottle of Remy staring me in my face), it's only going to get that much better.

My only knock against Urban Solace is that when I did their call in service, I'd come in 15 minutes early and still have to wait about and hour and change.  One time I sat for an hour and a half as several other groups of people were seated.  Normally I would knock down at least two stars for that, but heck, most of the time I sat at the bar while I was waiting and they were just out of their mind busy.  Hopefully the reservation system will help alleviate a lot of these problems.

Aside from that, the wait staff is impeccable and very helpful.

Believe me when I say there is no way you can go wrong at Urban Solace.

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5

4

Sade W.

San Diego, CA

After sitting in the house eating cup-noodles and doritos, I lost it and went to Urban Solace. :)

My friend Scott and I met up to give it a whirl. He has eaten there previously and raves about their celery mash; I just keep reading blogs and reviews on the place and figured it was due time to try it myself.

I'm a T-Shirt and jeans type of girl, which this atmosphere ISN'T, by the way. It's a bit higher scale; good thing I actually had a blouse on....Uppity as it may seem, it's the perfect atmosphere for chatting, and the decor is beautiful.

We decided to order something hearty, and Scott was after the Braised Beef and Celery Mash he had before. However, their menu had changed and Scott mentioned that he only recognized a few of the entrees.

Note this: if you like an entree, let them know. If not, it could easily disappear. I asked the waiter how often they changed the menu. He wasn't sure. He said seasonal entrees come and go, but couldn't give us a straight answer for why Scott's favorite dish was gone.

Anyways, we decided to stick with red meat and we both ordered the Grilled Hanger Steak (I got a little cheese biscuit on the side).

After a small wait, our meal was brought to us. BEAUTIFUL Presentation! I couldn't wait to get into it!

As beautiful as it looked, with it's spinach and caramelized onion topping, and it's tasty mashed potato pairing, this dish needed A LOT of salt.

It was beautiful, but bland without it. They included this cute little salt and pepper dish pair, so that you could pinch up the spices and sprinkle it on your food, but I had to add salt 3 times. :(

The homemade steaksauce had a brown sugar sweetness to it as well; I was expecting something tangy along the lines of.....you know....STEAK SAUCE.

Scott made a good comment: there were a good variety of tastes in the dish, great presentation, great ingredients, but it tasted boring. What you see is what you get.

I guess I am a little biased; rarely do I EVER eat American Cuisine. Actually, I NEVER eat out at an American restaurant. I always crave thai, japanese, mexican, etc. That being said, I think I will have to come back and try another dish. I walked by in the afternoon and saaw a lunch special of theirs that caught my eye: Battered fish and sweet potato fries. Mmmmmm...next time.

On a positive note, the meat was everything red meat should be: cooked to perfection, juicy and FILLING. I don't know why I ordered dessert after eating the dish. I was full to the brim. Ugh. I would have enjoyed the dessert more on an empty stomach.

Scott made the wise choice and topped dinner off with a cup of tea. THIS was a high point: they serve Harney & Sons teas, wich is one of my absolute FAVORITE brands of tea. They have a tea called Bangkok, which is a green tea with coconut and lemongrass. It tastes even better than it sounds.

Scott opted for a cup of green; I tried the Peanut Butter & Chocolate Creme Brulee. Oh lord, how I love Peanut Butter & Chocolate....MILK chocolate. The chocolate in the dessert was of the dark variety, and the bitterness of the creme brulee topping wasn't helping me at all. I'm not much of a fan...It was alright.

Overall, I give it 3 out of 5. I'm sure that could easily change with the choice of a different dish. It was worth a try, and I will try again soon. :)

Urban Solace
3823 30th Street
San Diego, CA 92104

For Tomorrow,
Sade

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7

76

Surfer H.

San Diego, CA

Nice spot for brunch or dinner. Full bar now which is cool. Walking distance for those in North Park.  The menu speaks for itself. Worth a look see.

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6

6

Taylor F.

San Diego, CA

This place is bomb. If you're looking for a Sunday Brunch spot, look no further.
   They do a "blue grass" brunch. A blue grass band plays on the patio as you enjoy the meal and atmosphere. Normally I'm not a blue grass fan, but it does the trick on a relaxing Sunday 4 sho.
  The food is delicious. Everything I've had there has been good.  I don't remember them having a full bar thought. I've read some reviews that say they do. I think it's just beer and wine. They do make bloody marys, but it's with that weak wine vodka stuff. I'd stick to the beers.  Enjoy!

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1

58

mADDY j.

San Diego, CA

They now have a full bar  and more beer! Yay!  I went again last week and had the most incredible burger and sweet potato fries ever. They have updated their menu and had 2 versions of their famous mac n' cheese, one with blue cheese and duck, the  other is  traditional with bacon. My husband had chicken and dumplings which were fantastic as well.

My only gripe was that I had dry fries! They were hot, salty and tasty, but I need something for them.  I wish they had some homemade ketchup, salsa, relish, gravy (poutine maybe?) or even some  vinegar that they served with them.  Nonetheless I still want to eat here every day.

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26

33

Christine D.

San Diego, CA

Went here on a date and I must say that this place is pretty decent considering that it's San Diego. Honestly, SD doesn't have a great culinary scene to begin with so with this in mind I was pretty excited to dine here. This is definitely a go-to place that'll impress out of town guests. They even have a jazz band that plays around 7:30ish when the place is packed.

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1

7

sunny k.

San Diego, CA

The bf and I went to Urban Solace a few weekends ago.  We were looking for some good comfort food to warm us up.  Parking was easy to find.  We sat at the bar for a drink while we waited for our table.  Unfortunately, there were no tables available inside so we were sat outside.  Luckily, the weather was good and so it was fine out there.  We ordered the biscuits-delicious.  I ordered the leek/mushroom tart-pastry.  Also, delicious.  The bf ordered chicken and dumplings- he thought it was good.  We passed on dessert but we'll definitely be back for more food.

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2

17

Candice A.

San Diego, CA

I conform to an alarming number of stereotypical behaviors.  In that vein, I'm from the South.  And I love grits.  So this review is really all about how great I felt after Sunday brunch with grits...and cheese-y eggs.  Oh, and mimosas!  I felt pretty great, hence the 5 stars.  The grits were right on point, which is kinda amazing since it's all the way across the US in San Diego.

Even though they don't take reservations, they do allow you to phone ahead and put your name on the list up to 30 mins in advance, which is nice.  But plan to be on time, because they will cross your name off said list if you're late.  But, if you're nice, they will stick you back at the top of the list again once you arrive.  Or at least they did for me :)  

Go try some grits!

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2

14

Allison H.

San Diego, CA

Yo Yo I loved this place pre-flip, rather the sandwiches. I really did not expect such a grand renovation and complete dream come true scenario. It's really an inspiration, and so happy it's in North Park. Yeee Sonnn. But let me tell you. I am not a big meat eater. Every now and again I am down for the cause, but this place has awakened my inner love of hamburgers. Not saying I have one once a week, but when I gotta break out of Ranchos Market, and do it big, it's either Anthology or Urban Solace. They seem to truly care about their place, and it's evident in their food, details, and atmosphere. I have only had their burgers, but even the kid's meal was tight with apple slices and carrot sticks. Yo that's jammin. This place really makes me happy every time I visit.

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0

4

shane l.

San Diego, CA

Great outdoor deck feels like you're in New Orleans or at Disneyland. Service is a bit lacking. Sunday brunch is terrific with live music. Last time I went we had a bunch of appetizers. Mussels and artichoke were highlights. The Bloody mary's, sweet potato fries and salads were excellent as well. Mac and cheese wasn't quite as amazing as I had expected. Great local spot to grab a bite with atmosphere or before Ray at Night.

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Elite '08

14

64

Jonathan R.

San Diego, CA

I was tempted to give this place 4 stars because a recent dinner there was so much more enjoyable than my first experience there but then I realized that it wasn't really warranted.   Although much better than my first dinner there, my first dinner included some of the worst service I have had in SD.

So, for this meal I tried the butternut squash dip and albacore stack to start.  The dip was good, but not as good as I remember.  The albacore was decent but forgettable.  For our main course I had the meatloaf which was the best of the bunch.  We tried both versions of the mac n' cheese.  Each was unique but both were heavy, especially the duck version and a better side item than dinner.  The hanger steak was tough and not very flavorful.

On the upside, the service had gotten much better and the food came out fast...almost too fast.

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6

20

Sunaz S.

San Diego, CA

BF an I were catching a show at the theater so we decided to have dinner there, parking was easy and only a quick walk away from the theater, and a huge plus was that they didn't take forever on bringing out the food so we made it on time to the show  :)

I ordered the lamb meatloaf, a side of cheese biscuits and it was wonderful, even when I finished it I was craving it all over again.  My BF ordered a burger and a side of the sweet potato fries. His burger was alright (tasted like a regular burger) but the fries were so good!!

Only complaint I have is that our waiter wasn't attentive enough we had  to yell across the courtyard a few times to get his attention toward us and the seats to the table were a little funny, metal with holes in it which can get very uncomfortable esp when you're in mini dress.
Other than that, we sat outside and the ambiance was warm and inviting.

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70

23

lauren c.

San Diego, CA

Who needs gravy when you have orange honey butter? This citrus twist acted as wing man in America's answer to chips and salsa. An immediate call for cheddar cheese biscuits ($4) threw a hot ball of chive ridden dough in our grabby mitts before our hunger led to any dire dining decisions. Another pre-meal munching was the Sonoma goat cheese and squash spread ($5) whose buttery tang was only upstaged by the cornmeal fried delights that Solace referred to as "crackers".

Appetizers opened with a thick, potent Caesar ($6.50) boldly grabbing Romaine's whole leaf contours. Chewy croutons were soon forgiven for their true bread backgrounds (no pre-cut, box brand here) and as I find it nearly impossible to run across a decent Caesar, I was satisfied. Tender skillet shrimp ($7.50) had a strong side when it came to seasoning, but pearls of chili grit wisdom softened the blow with an unusual "Southern risotto" smoothness that occurs when grits are prepared correctly. Sweet potato fries* (SPF*) ($5) were hailed my new favorite snack as I gorged on fingers of candy, fried starch contrasted by the pungency of the blue cheese/ buttermilk dressing.
 
Macaroni and cheese ($10.50) made a headlining debut in entrees (with co-stars bacon and charred tomatoes as part of their entourage) and we enjoyed every creamy crescendo. Unfortunately, sour notes were hit with non-contenders (or "non-content-ers") in the entree arena. One companion wrestled with a cinnamon brined pork chop ( $15.25) that was one tough customer, while my chicken and dumplings ($13.50)longed for more simmer time and the usual "stick to your rib" thickness associated with the dish. Maine lobster and artichoke potpie with homemade, fennel infused crust ($15.75) sounded too good to be true since my east coast roots constantly have me longing for "the claw", but there wasn't much luck finding claw meat and when I did it was a bit rubbery. The crust was homemade and flaky, but wasn't enough to save the dish.

Amazingly enough, my favorite mainstay of the meal was their burger ($8.75) - Brandt Farms ground chuck married with a marinade that would surely provide many years of happiness to many loyal customers- white cheddar and sauted onions further ensured this happy union and I was already taking mental notes of all the lunches I would schedule here for the same price as fast food (not to mention it came with SPF*).

Desserts (all $6) ensnared us in a chocolate vice with the "warm and gooey chocolate cake" oozing cocoa lava from its porous shell. On the tart side, we puckered then perked to key lime pie accompanied by a butter cookie reminiscent of my grandmother's baking (with the addition of a clean, citrus finish).We weren't brave enough to test Solace's baked apple soaked in black cherry soda atop French toast- yet.

I would suggest sticking to appetizers, sandwiches and desserts for a taste of everything under $10 (not to mention a corking fee of $10 for two bottles- unheard of!)

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5

15

kwala t.

San Diego, CA

I reallllly reallllly want to give this place more stars.  I was so excited to eat there, and would definitely consider going back, but the service was awful enough I can't bring myself to give it a top-notch rating.  Also, the food was good...but not great.  

We shared a couple appetizers - shrimp with chili grit cakes and an albacore chopped salad.  they were actually quite good, well-seasoned and satisfying, but not overwhelmingly memorable.  I had the pork chop, which was nicely executed and incredibly filling.  Others had the meatloaf, which got top ratings, and the beef cheeks, which seemed rich but again nothing out of this world.  The mac and cheese is solid, but I'm a girl who likes a gooey, not creamy, mac, and it just didn't wow me.  

As I mentioned, the service was pretty poor.  Our server seemed annoyed and distracted, giving one of the worst performances of happiness I've ever seen.  It was tough to stomach, and the busboy's negligence (just a little water every now and then would have been nice) was unforgivable.  

Still, the ambience is pleasant and the experience certainly wasn't entirely negative.  While I may not return for dinner any time soon, I'd like to check out the brunch, and would keep my fingers crossed for a different server.  

But at least there's Pink Elephant next door to help smooth over a less than ideal dining experience...

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10

26

Erynne J.

Washington, DC

What an extraordinary place!

A friend and I, wandering the streets of North Park after Ray St at Night (which is also definitely worth checking out...second Saturday of every month), decided to take advantage of the nice weather and eat somewhere with outdoor dining.  After being assured by three different people that the only places with outdoor seating worth going to were in Hillcrest, we stumbled upon Urban Solace as we circled the block heading back to our car.

Bitches, please.  There is DEFINITELY outdoor seating in North Park worth experiencing.  And it's right here at Urban Solace.

Though it did take us a full 45 minutes before we could be seated, I felt it was definitely worth the wait.  As a side note, I'm one of those people that usually only eats about half the contents of my plate and then takes the rest home, but somehow, I was able to morph my stomach into a beast and inhale the entire contents of my plate.  I ordered the grilled cheese (added spinach and mushroom) that came with a tomato soup and sweet potato fries.  While I have to admit, the tomato soup looked (and tasted) like baby food, the sweet potato fries were BANGIN.  Oh man.  We got a side of blue cheese dressing to dip these heaven-sent food of the gods in all their french fried glory and I polished those suckers off like you wouldn't believe.  

The best part was that the ambiance of this place is such that they could definitely get away with charging about $10 more per plate than they do, and yet they are surprisingly affordable!  I paid about the same as I would at a local cafe for my meal.  

The only reason I didn't give five stars is because the waiter was pretty non-existant other than taking our order and eventually bringing the food out.  However, the bartender was fantastic.  He whipped up a mango martini for me made with fresh mango puree out of the blue that was AMAZING.

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2

12

John S.

San Diego, CA

They bill themselves as "Urban Comfort Food", but this is really just another way of saying the waiters are going to throw huge portions of unhealthy home cooking on the table.

I'm really surprised by how many 5 star reviews this place has gotten. I've eaten there 3 times now and I just haven't been that impressed with the food. For starters, their french fries suck a** and since I love good french fries I feel it's important to point that out. (The first problem is that they are using sweet potatoes. Some people may thing that's cool, but it's really just a novelty.)

Some of the things I've tried:

Butternut squash dip - not impressed

Biscuits  -  pretty damn good, especially the butter that comes with

Ice Berg Wedge -  It's just half of a head of lettuce with blue cheese on it?

Grilled Steak Salad  -  I liked it

Albacore tuna salad  -  nothing worse than dry tuna

Pacific Snapper Fish & Chips  -  I should have sent it back to the kitchen

Mac  & Cheese  -  Absolutely to die for. If you go here, order it, then take a pipe cleaner to your arteries.

Service is ok. It's not very fast which can be a real problem for lunch. One time I waited 20 minutes between ordering and getting my albacore sandwich.

One of my other big beefs with this place is the seating situation. The chairs are pretty uncomfortable and they don't have enough booths.

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13

39

John P.

San Diego, CA

was i on bourbon street or something?  

we had an excellent brunch.  sitting inside or outside is almost a night and day change....  the decor on the inside gives a very formal appearance, while the courtyard is casual and you get a sense of the wrought iron balcony & railings that is reminiscent of the French Quarter.  they play music that made me think i was sitting out by the bayou.  

you won't find much cajun type food though (i could be wrong), but it definitely has got the home comfort food thing going.  love the sweet potato fries ... maybe a bit too many flavors if anything.  not too pricey.

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1

19

nelson s.

San Diego, CA

this place serves the best grilled cheese sandwich i have ever had.  and i could probably eat a dozen of the cheese biscuits.

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Elite '08

78

35

brooke f.

San Diego, CA

RECIPE FOR AN AB FAB BIRTHDAY DINNER PARTY

Ingredients Needed:
1 birthday girl
25-30 guests
good food & drinkies (that won't break the bank)
a weeknight reservation

Instructions:
Call Chef Matt and ask nicely
Work with chef to create a special menu for the crew
Instruct your guests to bring cash (for easy billing)
Wine & dine them

Trying to find a venue for an affordable & delish dinner for a large group could have been a recipe for disaster. Thanks to gracious owners Matt & Scott it wasn't. They took care of everything and the guests drooled over every last bite.

I knew these guys were the real deal when we were invited to the Elite event and every visit since has been perfect. The food is always fresh and comforting. The service is always friendly and laid back. The atmosphere is cozy and charming. I have nothing but love for these peeps....

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18

102

O C.

Seattle, WA

Oobberly Delicious!  

I had the cider and molasses glazed free range chicken with yukon gold potato gratin and glazed carrots.  So yummy and filling.  I want to go back for more.

For dessert I got the black cherry soda icecream with french toast and apples....sounds weird huh....but soo good!  It made my taste buds start break dancing!  

I want to go back and try more dishes....it was hard to choose from the menu what I wanted to eat.  

Very cool atmosphere and our waiter (his name is Taylor), very cool guy.  Friendly and informative.  

As we walked out at the end of the meal I saw some burgers being served to others on the outside patio.  Boy did those look succulent, and those sweet potato fries looked scrumptious.  

I need more!  Next week anyone?

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Elite '08

34

98

Tania K.

San Diego, CA

My bf and I decided to eat dinner at the bar, at which they serve full menu. The bartender was really friendly and funny. We ordered their "famous biscuits," their much-raved-about Mac & Cheese, and the burger, which was voted CityBeat's "best burger," as the bartender gloated. Also got a bottle of the Leal syrah, which was recommended by another server.

The biscuits were good, but with the accompanied orange-honey butter, they were BOMB. We were too full after eating the burger to even START on the Mac & Cheese, so we packed it to go, I heated it up today, it was awesome! I don't think I've ever had Mac at a restaurant cooked perfectly al dente...it's always mushy. But Urban Solace mastered this home-y little dish and they made it their own with the bacon and red bell pepper and touch of goat cheese along with the white cheddar. If you like Mac & Cheese, you won't be disappointed!

The burger really was good, and I could see why it had been voted "best burger." Perfect meat to vege to bread ratio. Grilled perfectly to the requested "medium." The patty has parsley and other goodies mixed into the ground beef. Add-ons of the following are a dollar extra each: bacon, avocado, mushrooms. No complaints there.

I can't give this place the full 5 stars because I wasn't WOW-ed to the extent that would warrant 5 stars, but I will definitely be back to try out their other dishes!

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1

8

Emma C.

San Diego, CA

I'm already over the comfort food trend.  I'd rather have fresh food where I could actually taste the flavors of the ingredients.  That said, the menu at Urban Solace looked really good.  Keyword looked.

I went for Bluegrass Brunch last week with a couple girlfriends.  The environment itself was charming and we were all excited as we we perused the menu and placed our orders.  I had an unremarkable egg sandwich (garnished with strand of hair) and a glass of water (with lipstick on the rim).  Really, that wouldn't have fazed me as I work in a restaurant and those things happen from time to time.  The food just wasn't great.  We all liked the sweet potato fries, but how could you mess those up?  The service could have saved the situation, but was cold.  Our server could have smiled??  The only reason I would go back is the bluegrass band.

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Elite '08

24

35

Carmina K.

San Diego, CA

Pros: Really friendly and attentive staff, good lighting, next door to the Pink Elephant, reasonable prices.

I had the pork chops, not because I love the other white meat but because I watched a very tiny lady across the aisle devour her plate in a matter of moments. When my dinner arrived, I could see why, they were d.e.licious and my girlfriends agreed. We also tried the molasses chicken and enjoyed a side of mac and cheese that came out in a jar, pretty cute.

Cons: Can't really think of any, to be quite honest.

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2

26

Tim E.

La Jolla, CA

GREAT!!

Two words: Duck-a-roni!

Friendly staff with hardly a wait on a Saturday night.  Even had miller high life for us La Jolla snobs :)

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85

49

Anthony H.

San Diego, CA

We've all been through the regular addictions of life right? First it was BlowPops and Bubbaliscous bubblegum, then down the slippery slopes of life to crack and heroine...well, kick the slide ride and come here for their sweet potatoe fries...yum...

My better lookin' half brought me here on Sunday for some brunch because all the places that served lox were closed...shame on them...

Neither of us had actually been there, but as we were standing outside we were overcome with the flavorful descriptions listed on their menu and the faint up-beat music coming from their patio area.  

Led by our noses and imaginations we opened the door and waited to be seated.  A couple minutes later after the 2 couples in front of us were seated we were brought to our table outside.  

This is the place you want to be on a beautiful day...or anyday if you are hungry...

She ordered the Portabella Mushroom Benedict and I, the 4 cheese grilled cheese sandwich with tomato-bisque and sweet potato fries...

Our tastebuds jumped, stomachs sang, tongues jigged, noses lusted as we shared both plates in a feverish fashion...me thinks i may taste again for want of these tasteful morsels...

Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if their food could bring peace in the middle east...and for the future reference, "I told you so"

Thanks Urban Solace...may the ground you walk be worshipped by all those who use food for protien synthesis...

Also for you northerners (berkeley, SF, SJ, LG, et cetera), who may be familiar with Americana sundays at places like Jupiter up north, Sundays here have bluegrass...and it's alot harder to find down in SD...but the BG was pretty good when I was here...

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Elite '08

1356

139

ruggy j.

San Diego, CA

"Things that make you go mmmmm, things that make you go mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm."

Listen up all yallz, Urban Solace is the truth! 112 reviews can't be wrong, right? Right.

They must put crack in their sweet potato fries, because like Lays 'tater chips..."you can't eat just one." If I worked there, I'd be such a fat mess, because I'd be smuggling fries every time I strolled through the kitchen. They are SO good! Everything I've had at Urban has been grub-tastic.

Portabella mushroom sando-BOMB
Sonoma goat cheese app-BOMB
Grilled cheese-BOMB
Seared tuna sandwich-BOMB

I sound like John McCain..."bomb, bomb, bomb...bomb, bomb Iran."

Their beer and wine selection is pretty awesome as well. They've got 750ml bottles of Alagash White...enough to get you crunked with the quickness.

Urban Solace is a total home run. Everything about this place makes it my new favorite restaurant in the Nutty P. Boo-ya-ka-sha.

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2

4

francine r.

San Diego, CA

I've been eyeing this place for a long time and finally had dinner there last night. I honestly had no idea what to expect, except Urban Solace has received many positive reviews on Yelp, as well as from some of my friends that have already had the chance to eat there.

I found the restaurant to be welcoming, not only in decor, but in staff as well. The wait, we were told was only 5 to 10 mins, but we still decided to wait at the well-stocked bar. We paid just over $16 for three drinks (1 Guinness, 1 Ruby Red Absolute and soda, and 1 Tanqueray and tonic). I didn't feel that that was expensive at all. Our table was ready shortly after and even though we paid the bartender promptly without the hostess' knowledge, the hostess gave us the option to settle with the bartender or transfer the drinks to our dinner bill. I love when restaurants give you this option because of the convenience it gives the dinner guests.

We were seated near at the back of the restaurant, which I was quite happy about because it gave us privacy and I'm pretty sure that it was a bit quieter than the rest of the floor. When it was time to order, I asked our spunky and polite server, Kara, what were the hot ticket items on the menu. She instantly gave us about 5 of the most popular dishes. She was attentive, knew the menu well, and always seemed to check on us at just the right time intervals.

Between the four of us, we ordered:
Nosh Plate: House Mix Olives, Spiced Nuts, Pickled Mushrooms    $4
The Wedge and a side of Mac n' Cheese    $7.50 and $6.50
Two orders of the Pulled Chicken and Buttermilk Dumplings $14.95 each
and I had the Cinnamon Brined Center Cut Pork Chop, Braised Chard, Shallot Sauce and Sweet Corn Spoon Bread    $15.95

There was no room for dessert.

I'm a total sucker for olive plates and marinated mushrooms and the Nosh Plate was perfect for me. The Spiced Nuts were YUMMY.

I only got to taste the Mac n' Cheese, but I'm not going to lie. It was GOOD. The chef incorporates these cherry tomatoes, which are sliced in half, and they literally burst in your mouth. I love tomatoes and it goes perfectly with the white cheddar and juicy chunks of bacon.

My boyfriend ordered the Pulled Chicken, and I only thought that this was okay. I'm just not a fan of the whole biscuits and gravy concept. With that being said, I can see how someone would love it. I just was indifferent.

My Pork Chop entree was to die for. I LOVED it. I don't eat pork often, mainly because my boyfriend doesn't eat beef or pork, but I am thankful that I ordered this amazing dish. Any entree that has "brined" as a descriptor always catches my eye. I think brining meat is a great technique for keeping the meat moist and flavorful. This was no exception. The cut was rather large, so I wasn't able to finish the whole thing, but let's just say our dog was in heaven when we got home. The medley of flavors that accompanied the pork was perfect. The Chard was amazing. I wish there was more Chard and less Pork, but that's just because I'm a veggie lover. The accompanying Corn Bread wasn't too sweet, like so many that I've had at other restaurants. I also had a glass of the Ancient Peaks Syrah 2005 with dinner and for $7.50 per glass, I thought it was very, very good. I loved how they divided the wine menu in to medium- and full-intensity sections. It makes choosing a wine that much easier.

Well, that's about it. As previously mentioned, we had no room for dessert, though I must say that I will be sure to leave some room next time. And, there most definitely will be a next time! It also doesn't hurt that it's only 4 1/2 blocks away from my house.

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