Shores Restaurant

Date of visit: 5÷8÷2016
Cam and I aren’t always the best planners when it comes to his family coming into town, which usually results in me trying to get a last minute reservation someplace. Hence, for Mother’s Day, I was scrambling on OpenTable for a decent restaurant that would seat 10 people. Luckily the Shores had some availability at 8:30 AM and didn’t mind that half of our party was late due to trying to rein in the kiddos.
Parking is always hit or miss here. We got lucky enough to find a spot in the neighborhood that was only a couple of blocks away, but the rest of our family decided to park in the underground parking lot. I think it’s complimentary if you eat at The Shores, but I didn’t confirm this with anyone.
Another plus of this restaurant is its proximity to a very kid friendly playground. Cam took our nephew there while he was having a tantrum so that his sister could relax while we were waiting for our food to come out. Of course, the biggest plus of this restaurant is its proximity to the ocean. The entire restaurant basically has a beautiful view of the ocean — and that’s what you’re paying for.
I’ve been on a simplistic breakfast kick, so I got the Two Eggs Plate and Waffles to split with my mom. The hash browns were great, but you really can’t go wrong with potatoes. Everything else was pretty mediocre. I shared my scrambled eggs with the kiddos and couldn’t even stomach the last piece of waffle. The fruit that came with the dishes was kind of depressing due to the large quantities of honeydew.
Overall, the Shores is a great place to take out of town guests if they want a sit down experience near the ocean. However, there are definitely better breakfast spots with ocean views in the La Jolla area. Lunch or dinner may be better here, but breakfast was just okay.

We came here for dinner continuing our anniversary celebration. This classy elegant restaurant has a great view of the ocean. Our reservations were for 6:30pm and upon arriving we were seated immediately, by a window of course.
The menu choices were not as inviting as the menu from the Marine Room but once I saw the Maine Diver Scallops I was sold. Our waitress was super friendly and seemed happy to serve us.
I began my dinner with a yummy bowl of Split Pea Soup and a Grapefruit Collins. My husband enjoyed the sourdough bread and butter with a Margarita. I ordered the Maine Diver Scallops and my husband ordered a Shrimp Dinner.
My meal was beautiful and delicious. I enjoyed the petite vegetables and the scallops were tender and tasty. I think I enjoyed my dinner a bit more than my husband enjoyed his because he didn’t care for the vegetables (he is the same way at home).
Overall, I totally enjoyed my meal and the service was awesome.

This review is for Sunday brunch. Very disappointing. Should have know from the lack of customers. Waitress was just adequate… not friendly… just doing her job. Ordered grapefruit juice and after a wait found out they didn’t have any. Ordered orange blood mimosa… came with just regular orange juice and no explanation. The California lobster wrap was pretty good… if maybe a little watery. Parked under the building and had my parking ticket validated for one hour… trying to figure out the parking machine when it went one minute past my hour… cost me $ 4!!! Won’t be back.

It was a great thing that me and my boyfriend went here for our very first date during restaurant week in San Diego because if we didn’t, we would’ve became bankrupted college students. The fancy dim atmosphere along with a beautiful view of the La Jolla shore, makes this place very romantic. So for all you love birds out there, make sure you check out this place!
It’s fine dining was excellent as well! I can’t really recall what I ordered, but I just know that the appetizers, entrees, and especially the dessert platter was delicious! Recommend college students to go during restaurant week though! I would be more than delighted to visit this place once more again!

Two stars, all for the view. Restaurant outdated and tired, food highly overpriced. Mussels were outstanding, in fact, some of the best I’ve had. But the entrees were blah. Preparation all very similar, sautéed fish fillets with steamed vegetable medley. Very, very basic for the price. There is no outdoor seating area, which was a disappointment. For this price point, there are many better options. I would not return unless I heard of significant interior remodeling, menu overhaul and price adjustment.

Super disappointing AND expensive. Made a reservation but had to wait for almost ½ an hour. Was seated without any set ups– tables were uneven and rocked (till we requested it to be fixed). All the meat was over-​cooked sadly, food was super under impressive, and the childrens buffet table even my daughter didn’t want to eat. REALLY not worth it. Dining room ambience was super depressing as well– Thank goodness there was an ocean view.

My girls and I decided to try the shores for brunch since we’ve never been here before, and as soon as we came in we were greeted by the host. I believe her name was Nilo. She was so sweet and welcoming and started our experience off great. The food was amazing, the service was great and the view was beautiful. Definitely coming back soon!

You get an unsurpassed view of the Shores beach complete with surfers kayackers, snorkelers and sand lovers.
You also get an extraordinary menu from exceptional soups, fresh seafood, salads lunch sandwiches perfectly prepared to wonderfully varied deserts.
The service more than matches the view and food.
An excellent experience for all.

I have been frequenting this restaurant/​bar for years. The last time I went there for Happy Hour, they had raised their prices and limited their offers, ie, little to choose from the happy hour menu. Tricky way to get you to order from regular menu. Today, I went for lunch. They’ve raised their prices!!! $ 19.50 for a cobb salad. $ 16.25 for a pastrami sandwich. $ 13.25 for an angus burger. Coffee $ 4. Food and service were fine but I won’t ever go back at those prices. Plus, 1^st hour of parking is free, then it’s $ 4 (an hour, I think); used to be free for however long I was there. I live around here, so I don’t need to pay higher menu prices for the view.

Quite disappointed with the service. Was really excited about this place. We made a reservation, got sat, and then didn’t see anyone for a good ten minutes. Arrived during happy hour, but had to ask the table next to us (who was sat after us, and got his drink long before we even saw our server) if we could look at the happy hour menu. Almost gave up waiting for our server to acknowledge our existence after 15 minutes before she came to our table.
Good wine list, food was good, and the location excellent.

Always love this place. The Lemon Drops are delicious. Britney is an excellent bartender! The Nachos and the Potatoe Skins are both tasty. The view from the bar is perfect.

Very run down and old looking interior and service is very mediocre or maybe I was expecting too much. Came here for drinks and appetizers and the only great thing was the view. Service, food and drinks were all just subpar.

I think most people come here for the view or proximity, but not the food.
The view:
This place is right on the beach, with water and sand in front of you. I had an early dinner watching sunset here with a friend, pretty nice. But you know what it is missing? Patio! Can’t sit outside to smell the ocean breeze. Sad!
Service was good, our waitress checked up on us a couple times to make sure we were okay. Very attentive as well.
The food here was mehhhh, had the mahi here and it was so dry and bland. Also, had the mussels appetizer which was not bad.
The price here is actually really reasonable considering that it’s so close to the water. But the food is not that great. Try the Marine Room, they have decent food with a great view!

Breakfast + ocean view = a wonderful morning.
We had a group of 4 + toddler. There wasn’t a wait and we had a table one back from the window. The view was beautiful.
I ordered a spinach omelet with potatoes, sourdough toast, and coffee.
The portion was generous and the jam offered with the toast had a unique tropical flavor, perhaps some guava?
The ambience and décor was pleasant. The staff was friendly and helpful.
My sister is vegetarian and has to avoid gluten, soy, and dairy. She had plenty to choose from and was very pleased with her meal.

Came here for restaurant week. Got a window seat! Yeah!
It’s nice that it’s right on the shore (well duh!), but it’s not the best view. There are plenty of restaurants on the shore in the Del Mar area too, and those. you’re really ON the shore.
Best friend and I were seated immediately and given water and menu’s. Good service and everything.
Appetizers — duck confit ravioli, pretty dry… one of the three raviolis actually had some kind of moisture. Wasn’t too impressed by this. Nicely plated though.
Entrée — snowcrab risotto. Simply one of the best risotto’s I have had so far in San Diego. Not too rich, and flavored just right.
Desserts — the three taster: almond gelato, chocolate truffle, and key lime pie. I liked the gelato the best. The truffle flavor was too intense and dense. The key lime pie had an interesting texture… but didn’t seem to fit the plate right. Almost a jello consistency. Desserts lost my favor.
Overall, an OK experience.

Review based on San Diego Restaurant Week 2015.
The boyfriend must have been in a fancy schmancy kind of mood to have taken me to this gorgeous place right on the beach. We were seated in a comfy booth right next to a window, perfect for people and doggy watching.
I went with the duck confit ravioli for my appetizer. It was only three pieces, so I made to savior each bite. The flavor of the duck was excellent, but the overall temperature of the ravioli was a bit too room temperature for me. The outer pasta shell could have been a little more al dente.
For my main entrée, I went with the stone crab risotto. The flavor was a tad bland, and I was a little disappointed that there was no pepper on the table. My main issue with this dish is the lack of stone crab. Seriously… where was it? I guess I was expecting small chucks, it was more like small flakes that disappeared in the cremini sauce.
Dessert was tasty. The fudgy chocolate drop in the center of the dish was my favorite with the almond gelato coming a close second. The mini key lime tart wasn’t my thing. (A little too limey for my liking.)
I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but the free bread was probably the best part of the meal. It was really delish, with the crispy outer shell and the soft chewy insides. I’m sorry, I forgot to take a picture of it.
The service as expected was excellent and friendly, but I think I’ll skip this one the next time San Diego Restaurant comes around.

#SDRW 2015 Yum! I read the reviews about the mediocre food and the bad service, but I came any way. I’m so happy I did! Started with the ahi poke and duck ravioli. yum! For our entrées we had the lobster tail, pork shank, and sirloin steak. yum! We had a trio of lil desserts that were so gooood. Our service by Kelsen was beyond amazing. She was very attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. Did I mention the ½ wine bottles? Overall I had a great time with delicious food, awesome company, and wine!
Oh yeah, it’s by the beach!

This place used to be awesome! They had a blue crab quesadilla to die for!
I took the fam here and it was so bad we never even ordered lunch.
We waited 45 for our appetizer I’m freaking serious! Forty flipping five minutes. We were given the appetizer for free and our drinks (sodas and lemonade) because they realized how long we were waiting. I know other people were waiting longer then us too.
People were walking out pissed it was a complete disaster. They were under staffed, and packed full.
When we got our appetizer half was missing.
I asked her where it was and once again she realized they messed up and felt bad.
I did tip her but let me just say I won’t be coming back to this place anymore and feel bad for the people staying here. This hotel has really gone down hill and certainly isn’t up to the La Jolla standards anymore.

Super cute old school California style. This place is super mission style from the 1940s but it’s not run down or cheesy. The breakfast was good. It was quiet because it’s inside a hotel and the view is amazing. I will definitely be back.

Came here for restaurant week with my boyfriend. The place can be a little tricky to find due to construction, but it has a great location!
We made a reservation for 7:45 and arrived a minute early. Unfortunately our table was not ready. While more and more people congregated in the waiting area, the hostess disappeared for over 5 minutes. Other staff breezed through but no one seemed to stop to see what was going on. We were finally seated 15 minutes later. The hostess was apologetic.
Luckily, our server moved quickly so we weren’t derailed for our movie start time. We ordered the wine parodying and service was prompt.
I got the watermelon arugula salad which was pretty good – had a nice variety of textures. My boyfriend got the brown sugar salmon, but the portions were pretty small so he ended up eating all our rolls in addition that were pretty good.
For the main, I had the short rib with cheddar polenta. The polenta and au jus was great, but I had better short ribs elsewhere in restaurant week. He had the mahi mahi and really wasn’t a fan. The fish was okay, but the green noodles weren’t very good.
The trio of desserts was really the highlight of the meal. One of the best desserts I’ve had in a while and the wine pairing with the chocolate was to die for. Also, it was totally manageable and light so you didn’t feel incredibly full after eating it. If someone picked this place for dinner I’d go again, but it’s not worth going out of the way for (except the dessert course maybe)