Per Diem: How to live it up on the company dime in San Diego

After reading about the popularity of this restaurant and the need to book two days in advance, I was suprised to find the restaurant almost empty...course, it was a Wednesday evening. Still, that just meant better service for us! Everything was top notch - absolutely delicious food, attentive service and good music completed the ambiance.

You won't be disappointed if you try this restaurant - though I'm not a popcorn person, even that was phenomenal!

Pros: Comfortable banquettes, phenomenal food and drink, attentive service, lovely ambiance
Cons: Unfortunately, no view of the water

I have visited San Diego a few times, and Blanca has by far been my favorite restaurant. As soon as you walk into Blanca, visitors are aesthetically pleased by well-done interior. Diners can either choose to sit in the lounge or fine dining area. Blanca is a preferable choice for either dates or if visitors coming in with a group from the races at Del Mar! Blanca definitely defines class without being too stiff. The staff is friendly, professional and experienced. The talented chef welcomed us with samples, and offers a diverse menu. I had the bacon-wrapped scallops, which I highly recommend. Guests will also be pleased with wine and cocktail options. My watermelon mojito was fresh and delicious. Blanca is moderately priced, and worth every single penny. I would definitely make Blanca your next restaurant visit!

My wife and I went to Blanca to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Fine dining is a rare occasion for us, and Blanca did not disappoint. I'm probably not the right person to notice if the sommelier rotated the bottle in the correct direction when pouring, nor am I someone who would be 100% comfortable with that waiter following me around holding my napkin for me. But I can tell you that the Blanca wait staff was extremely friendly and attentive, and that the food was amazing. We ordered the Chef's Tasting Menu, which really hit-the-mark in that each successive course kept us wanting more (from a quantity perspective), but left us completely satisfied at the end of the well-rounded, complimentary-yet-themed meal. Yes, we had our favorites (squash blossom soup), and not-so-favorites (crispy petaluma quail). But I think that the whole point of this little culinary adventure was to identify new and interesting flavor profiles that really worked for us. Blanca delivered on this objective, and we plan to return. Note - I recommend reserving a booth when planning for more intimate conversation, as the central tables seemed to be filled with larger parties and a little more "celebration and bustle".

To sum it up: a nice idea with a horrible execution. You have a decor following the latest trend of the Standard Hotel in LA paired with an excellent chef and superb menu. How could it go so very wrong? First of all, the Maitre 'di who is also the Manager, who loosely claims to also be a Sommelier is a rude, clueless blowhard with no apparent people skills or service experience whatsoever. Secondly, the waiters work so hard to pressure-upsell you on everything that you soon feel like you are at a used car lot. If anything goes wrong, don't expect any apologies from any of the staff, least of all the faux-sommelier Manager. You will probably be told it was somehow your own fault. Somebody please just close this place down and start over with something ANYTHING else.

My wife booked this restaurant via opentables. The parking lot is crowded, but there is valet parking available right in front of the restaurant for $3.00.

I ordered the Kobe Flat Iron Steak and my wife got the Day Boat Scallops. We shared Truffle Fries and Cauliflower soups Everything was excellent and I would definitely get the fries and soup again.

Pros: Excellent Food
Cons: Parking, Ice Tea was 4.75 per bottle.