Bites
Modern California Bistro & Wine Bar in the heart of Hillcrest!
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Message from Bites
Chef Chris Walsh has a long history in Hillcrest and San Diego and hopes his newest creation will tantalize the taste buds in a whole new way. Bite's menu is influenced largely by Northern Italian and French Bistro fare, designed to be paired with a large selection of Italian, French and California Wines. One of the most exciting beverage enticements will be the daily champagne happy hour, offering several selections of bubbles by the glass, at very affordable prices. Bite features sidewalk patio dining, a contemporary lounge and a community/singles table that can accommodate up to 12 guests in addition to a dining room that incorporates tables close to the action as well as romantic hideaways. Bite is located on University Avenue in San Diego.
Editorial by Citysearch
The SceneLiving up to his reputation as one of San Diego's most beloved foodies and restaurateurs, Chris Walsh brings a pop of color to University Ave--not that the block containing Baja Betty's and Wine Steals needed any more drama. Bite is divided into a bar/lounge area on the left and more traditional dining room on the right with bright white tables, red accents and lots of candles.
The Food
Small plates menu is eclectic and divided into smaller starters, raw and other seafood items, poultry and game and then sweets. Braised short ribs are popular for good reason resting on creamy, cheesy polenta. Smoked salmon is safe but tasty, and the trio of cobblers for dessert is not to be missed. Extensive sake and specialty wine lists provide a funky, fun choice before or after dinner.
Hits: Fun sparkling wine menu; well-priced small plates
Misses: Concrete floors and hard surfaces echo and make for a noisy space when crowded; built-in light on the table is awkward
Key Points
- Tapas Style
- Wine Bar
- Patio Dining
Insider Pages Reviews for Bites
Bite has a lot of unique dishes and all their food seemed very healthy. definitely awesome choices. the pizza (i believe there was only one option on the menu) was great. it's good to order a bunch of dishes and just share. this place is really nice and the furniture, lighting, is awesome
Posted 12/03/08 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Great Experience
by klberndt
Wanted to take my brother out for nice meal before he flew back to Atlanta. Tapas sounded ideal, especially with our group of 6 (more dishes to share/taste). Brought my 3 children along (ages 7-9), and they were warmly welcomed to the upscale restaurant. We were seated promptly at the time of our reservations.
I felt the decor was needlessly overdone (what was that mirrored thing on the wall?). The food, though, was fantastic. By far the best was the Lobster Bisque, which is the best I've ever had anywhere in the country. The lamb meatballs and risotto cakes were also fantastic. My husband loved the angus beef sliders, and my oldest son raved about the crab pasta dish. Not quite as good were the flatbread with garlic hummus (very bland hummus) and the roasted chicken pizza (equally boring). The swordfish skewers were also dry and slightly overdone.
All of the other touches, however, made the evening well worth it. From blueberry soda for my daughter to gelatos for the boys, everyone enjoyed all of the recommendations and sharing food. The creme brulee was good, but not great, and the chocolate cheescake was good.
My children had a great time, and are already asking to go back. We certainly will!
Pros: Food
Cons: Server in the weeds, despite few tables
Posted 07/25/09
Great small plates to share
by als47
Hillcrest's Bite is the small plate brainchild of celebrated chef Chris Walsh (of Cafe W and Confidential) and partner Sam Cuevas. The cuisine here is a mixture of Northern Italian and French Bistro, but definitely with a touch of good old American comfort food. The dishes run from the typical yet scrumptious (the Fontina and Cremini Mushroom Grilled Cheese Baguette) to the interesting (the Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Scallops) to the straight up divine (the Lobster bisque). Bite also boasts a decent sized wine list along with several house infused sakes and some whimsical fruit sodas for mixing. Like to ask a lot of questions? The staff is not only friendly, but everyone from the bussers and runners to the host are knowledgeable about the menu. Not looking to spend a fortune? A four-course prix fixe menu is offered every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night for just over $20, as well as ? off bottles of wine on Mondays and a champagne happy hour every day. From amuse bouche to the very last bite of dessert, Bite will give you a meal that is fresh, comforting and, most importantly, delicious.
Posted 02/20/09
Fun Tapas in a modern setting
by madhatter74
The decor is crisp and modern. The staff was very attentive, but not pushy. As this is a Tapas restaurant there are a lot plates coming and going. The plate arrive at a good pace: not to fast so you are overwhelmed by food, and not to slow so you are starving.
I had the Cheese plate, squash soup, and braised rib ravioli. The cheese plate was very nice. It had 3 different cheeses: a hard cheese, brie like cheese, and a soft cheese. I liked the flavors and the presentation was great. I would recommend it. I have to admit the squash soup was my favorite - It was amazing. The flavor, consistency, and the pumpkin oil on top was fantastic. By the time the raviolis came I was not very hungry, so I didn't enjoy it as much as I think I would have if it was the first or second plate.
My boyfriend had the white bean hummus, the deconstructed nicoise salad, and the duck confit salad. He really enjoyed the pita that came with the hummus, but thought the hummus itself was not exciting. The deconstructed nicoise salad was presented on a long rectangular plate with the ingredients in separate rows. It was a nice presentation and it had a nice taste. His favorite was the duck confit salad, which consisted of duck, spinach, mango, in a hot bacon dressing - He raved about it.
With dinner I had 2 glasses of wine: Pepi Sangiovese and Dolcetto. The Sangiovese was nice, but the Dolcetto was amazing. Its flavor got better the more it breathed. I will be looking to buy a couple of bottles of that. My boyfriend got the Viognier from California. That was pretty amazing too, so we will by bottles of that too. My only frustration about the wine list is that it doesn't have the years listed on the menu. I would recommend that they rethink that decision.
And finally dessert. We shared the cream cheese bread pudding with blueberry buttermilk sorbet. It was presented very well, but tasted a lot like blueberry pancakes. It was a little disappointing.
I will go back.
Pros: Wine List, knowledgeable staff, nice decor
Cons: no reservations, loud, lack of parking
Posted 02/08/08