Sirena Gourmet Latin Seafood Restaurant
1901 Columbia St, San Diego, CA, 92101
Sirena Gourmet Latin Seafood Restaurant Menu
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Address :
1901 Columbia St
San Diego, CA, 92101 - Phone (619) 564-8970
- Website https://sirenagourmet.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Paid
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Andrea L.
I saw a great review in San Diego Magazine so needed to try it out. The service was great the salmon was wonderful the brussels sprouts were awesome and the dessert was yummy I would definitely recommend giving this a shot!
(5)D A.
Hmmm...where should I start? First,make sure to check out the specials.The day I went,there was coconut milk ceviche,I was going to lick the plate clean if it was not a nice restaurant.Then we tried the tostado,again amazing taste.Latino oysters were bit salty so next time I ll try the other kind. Entrees:Grilled octopus-You get a great amount of octopus and presentation is amazing.Taste is a 4 out of 5 on this plate,I should have ordered some lemon to squeeze on it. Scallops:There is no bad scallop in the world,they should have seared them just couple of minutes longer tho.But they were still delicious Desert:Get the chocolate mango desert,come back to this review,like it and thank me for my time:)) Overall great experience and with bottle of wine ,all this food with tip was $150,not bad at all.
(5)Rachel J.
Everything was excellent. I had to refrain myself from licking every plate clean. The coconut milk ginger ceviche is a must try. So is their mango chocolate cake. I can't wait to come back to try even more as soon as possible.
(5)Eric P.
Really disappointed... Visited for out of town for Valentine's Day. Supposedly it was fully booked so I could only do 5p. It was dead. My date looked amazing but I think she felt awkward since it was only us and another couple with a screaming two year old. The food was average, the ambience was sloppy. The host/our waiter was very nice but this place was a huge disappointment. I would say this would be good for casual dinner, over 50 crowd.
(2)Aida G.
Mediocre food, fishy service. Everyone who works at this seafood joint seems to have a chip on their shoulder the size of Moby Dick. Hostess told us to "just sit down over there" by the door while she looked for our reservation on her iPad, even though the place was a ghost town on Valentine's Day. Then she led us to a table that hadn't been fully cleared. When we thanked him for our water, the server snapped, "I'll be with you in a minute." Tacos were minuscule, mushroom dish stringy and dessert was inedible. Server lavished free wine and fresh utensils on my husband and looked through me like I was a poltergeist. Well, the next day I was a poltergeist with a stomachache. The whole production feels amateur hour. There are much better places nearby.
(1)Mark Y.
Excellent Dinner. My wife had the scallop entree and I had the octopus entree. The best that we have ever had, and we dine out often. We also enjoyed the layered fruit dessert: different and fun. We will definitely be back.
(5)Laura G.
Sirena's is a great new addition to Little Italy - it is just a matter of time before there is a wait to get in to this place. The menu is great and every dish is well thought out and plated beautifully. Prices are very fair and the quality of the food is Excellent. The front of the house manager/bartender is Sean and he will do his very best to make you feel welcomed! They offer a Great Happy Hour from 5 - 7 PM and I must say their empanadas and fish tacos are off the charts. If you are looking for a delicious salad, their beet salad and their heirloom tomato salad are absolutely delicious. I am a local to Little Italy and visit weekly - 10 visits and I have never been disappointed. If I had to describe this place in a few words it would be: Delicious, Fresh, Beautiful Food!
(5)M K.
The 4 stars is for the berrygood ceviche which was so deliciously unexpected. Everything else I tried was equally tasty but it came at a cost : a really long wait time to get any food delivered to our table. We were a small group of 4 on a Wednesday night and the restaurant wasn't even half full yet we waited 35 for anything from our order of mostly appetizers to arrive. Although the food was good and I'd definitely like to try other things off the menu, a repeat visit is not likely.
(4)Liz M.
This place is off the charts, lick your plate delicious! The waiter accommodated our request for grilled fish tacos instead of batter dipped and the ceviche with the spicy red sauce was superb, and the tomato salad had a gluten free almond based cheese spread that had excellent flavor. The bottle of wine was fairly priced too. I live in the neighborhood and stumbled upon this place and was in the mood to try something other than Italian and my typical restaurant spots. We will be back and have added this place to my list of favorites for healthy, fresh fish with pleasant wait staff and cool, relaxed atmosphere. YUM!
(5)Christine B.
This place is solid and will get better as it works out the new restaurant kinks. We had the fish tacos (fabulous), the tostado (very good), the scallop salad (good) and the sudadito (yummy, but small). The portion size here is hard to figure out - the appetizers are about the same size as the main plates. Think of it as more tapas than entree and you'll have appropriate expectations. The service was charming and attentive, but not invasive - so perfect! One thing to be aware of is that there is no valet parking. I hate hunting for a spot in that neighborhood. Maybe as the restaurant gets more established they'll add that.
(4)Dave Z.
Sirena was simply amazing! Thank you. From service to the chef coming out to us and explaining all the terrific ceviches. We had: Lobster empanadas Peruano Ceviche El Chileno Ceviche Fish taco And Grilled Scallop Scallops were like candy and the ceviche sublime. This place will be my new home!
(5)Randall K.
Awesome ceviche and grilled octopus. I have been here 3-4 times, and every time it is outstanding. I am very picky on the octopus and this place rates high!!
(4)Christina G.
Went here with the family before a Sunday Padres game. The food was good. Everything was fresh, had good flavor, and was pretty healthy. That I liked! The ceviche was delicious! One of the best we've had. The fish tacos and empanadas were very good. My mom had the butternut squash pancakes and chilaquiles. Very tasty! And my sisters fish was super fresh, perfectly grilled and seasoned. I really only give the place 3 stars because of the service. The service could've definitely been better. The waiter, although sweet and good sense of humor, forgot to bring out waters for all of us after asking twice and forgot to put my sisters food order in so her plate didn't come till the very end. Other than that I would probably return just to try out their dinner.
(3)Cooper N.
Wow, what a great experience. It's clear that the chefs and minds behind Sirena have put a lot of time and effort into their business and cuisine. The food was excellent, I especially liked the Quinoa Beet salad, and my, was the food presentation something spectacular. I loved the atmosphere in the restaurant, it was cool and inviting. Overall, no complaints! I loved everything!
(5)Jenny G.
I came here for dinner and the chef treated our group to a tasting menu. Every dish was more creative and exquisite than the last. The flavors were very fresh and unique and the chef took great care with his plating (this is something that matters to me). I cannot emphasize enough how friendly the staff was in general. Definitely will be coming back!
(5)Nicole T.
I'm hoping it was truly an off-night for this place - our experience was a dining disaster. Saturday night around 7:30pm - about 4 tables were sat and the bar was empty. Our server was genuinely a nice guy - just a bit spacey and unprofessional. Ordered a bottle of Malbec - which was decent. The server brought the wine out to the table but had to go run food to another table before he corked and poured it. We were told it was a brand new menu - but the server had a difficult time explaining/recommending any of the dishes. For our food order (good to bad): El Chileno Ceviche which tasted fresh and flavorful, but the quality was lacking. The Fish Tacos were OK - the corn tortilla was not cooked enough. The Steak was awful. Asked for it to be cooked rare - served medium well with absolutely no red/pink inside. The potatoes were completely undercooked and hard. The restaurant overall, from the floor to kitchen staff, could use some skill refining and retraining. We unfortunately will not be coming back.
(1)Erikka B.
I came in for lunch Sunday and ordered the cechive campechano, seafood hash, and mango chocolate dessert. My friend had the steak and potatoes. All of it was amazing! Can't wait to come back and try more
(5)Candice L.
Eggs Benedict with scallops and beans as well as a side of salad was the perfect Sunday brunch. Since I do not eat meat; they were kind in substituting the bacon for scallops instead. Much appreciated. The hostess and waitress was friendly and kind. The location is great; comfy dining place to enjoy your Sunday afternoon.
(5)Meghana B.
We ordered baked oysters for appetizer. I tried oysters for the first time and honestly that dish really didn't help me become a fan of one - in spite of being baked it was pretty raw from inside. My entree was surprisingly tasty and filling - I ordered Seafood Susadido - it was a seafood soup with a nice filet of white fish(halibut i think), scallops, mussels and clams and the broth was delicious. My husband ordered grilled octopus - it was good in taste but not as amazing as the soup. The ambiance of this place is Ok and the service was good. We made a reservation before going here(Friday night 8 - prime time for dinner) but I din't see any waiting to get in the restaurant either.
(3)Edward D.
We live in Little Italy and Serena has become our go to place for getting together with our foodie friends. This morning, Father's Day, was our first time for their Sunday brunch. We had El Chileno Cerviche--a delightful mix of octopus, scallops, and shrimp, a first for us. Another first was the mushroom omelette w enoki mushrooms, dusted w finely ground charred onions and fennel--a favorite of the Peruvian Chef. We returned to one of the house specialties: Beet Salad, a mix of marinated beets, quinoa, mandarins, avocado, and finely sliced radishes. Every item of food here is lovingly prepared and seasoned so each and every taste comes through! There is not another restaurant like Sirena in San Diego.
(5)Joe S.
Decided to check out this new spot in Little Italy last week. The location and space are great, the chairs are very comfortable and it has a nice bar at the front. The fish netting on the pillar is a little tacky but the 80's neon water lamp lights have got to go in the front. I really liked the bar but instead of having a slide show of your own restaurant's food porn, why not put on something topical like a sporting event to appease anyone passing through for a drink or quick app. The server was very knowledgeable on the menu and recommended a great bottle to go with dinner. We ordered: Grilled Scallops Salad Empanada Spicy Scallop Roll Aguachile Grilled Octopus The Aguachile was very fresh and had a nice jalapeno kick to it. The empanada's were also very good but took a little too long(~20 minutes). I was really excited to try the Octopus, the spices on it were delicious but it was a little overcooked. This is a brand new place and will most likely check it again if I hear good things about any improvements.
(3)Ryan S.
What a great addition to Little a Italy. Beautiful decor, the staff are very friendly and attentive. You would never know they just opened- everything seemed to flow very smoothly. They have a small - concise menu but everything looked delicious. It was!! The shrimp empanadas were sooo good. Then came the scallop rolls. I don't know if I've ever had a better, fresher roll. Seriously good. The fish tacos amazing. The corn tortillas had to have been homemade!! I will be back and I'm so glad this place came to brighten Little Italy!!
(5)Eva C.
Delicious, delicious gourmet Latin seafood restaurant in Little Italy, a refreshing change from Italian. Put it on your must try list.
(5)Mel F.
This place has absolutely amazing food! The flavors are brilliant and delicious. Right off of the main drag of Little Italy, it has a cozy "neighborhood" feel. Paired with the excellent service and friendly staff, this place is very welcoming and makes you feel like family. I am not usually a big fan of ceviche, but this place absolutely NAILS IT with their unique twist to the traditional version of this dish. I wanted more!!! I did, however, leave happy and completely satisfied (without feeling absolutely gross by heavy/greasy food). These guys truly love what they do.......it shows in their beautifully plated and carefully thought-out menu. I would absolutely recommend this place for a twist to the usual taco tuesday, a cozy date-night or even a fun night out with friends. great atmosphere and great food!
(5)Jeanne D.
I ate here last night with two of my close friends and we loved it! The menu is very interesting, with so many delicious sounding items that I have to go back to try more. We were a little hesitant at first because there were so few people there, but I think it's a hidden gem that I hope gets discovered. There are at least five different ceviche dishes on the appetizer menu, even a vegetarian offering. We couldn't get past the salads and the appetizers, so I want to try one of the entrees. The beet salad was amazing, the Brussels sprouts appetizer was to die for, and the aquachile (shrimp marinated in spicy lime dressing) was our favorite. The wine list is very reasonable and features some South American selections that paired well with our food. The wait staff was awesome. I would highly recommend this place. One of my favorite seafood places now.
(5)Tiffany M.
Gourmet Latin Seafood isn't a type of cuisine one might venture to Little Italy to try. It's obviously much different then the authentic Italian restaurants found oversaturated in the area. Despite this, Sirena is worth the trip beyond India Street. I live right next door to this little gem and probably would not have tried it otherwise, but I am glad I did. The food, ambiance and service make it, in my opinion, one of the best restaurants in the area, especially for the price-point. The fish tacos made with home-made tortillas are worth coming here alone. The different variety of ceviche and fresh fish mimic the taste and freshness you would normally have to go south of the border to find. The ambiance is laid back but sophisticated. The service is extremely friendly. Don't be surprised if the chef personally asks you about the meal. It's obvious he genuinely cares about his patron's opinion of the food, regardless of if you're a one-time or frequent customer. I would highly recommend Sirena's, especially if you are looking to try something new in the area or are tired of waiting in line for your reservation on a usual busy Friday or Saturday night in this part of town. They also have great happy hour!
(5)Durty M.
Really hoped for more. Service was horrible and food was blah but had a lot of potential. I will give it one more chance before I consider them dead.
(1)Sim G.
Not impressed for overly priced seafood that is pretty mediocre in taste. I could get MORE portions of more flavorful food at the local ceviche spot in Los Angeles for cheaper. I dont mind dropping money on a good meal but this is straight up Dumshit dining.. Ps. My tacos sucked
(1)Brandon B.
Great happy hour menu, amazing service. The food was great and an awesome atmosphere.
(5)Dave C.
Just finishing our first meal here - fantastic. Mikey (who is great) recommended the octopus which is tender and delicious, and the root vegetables were perfect with it. And he recommended the Sadadito, thick shrimp broth with shrimp, mussels and a small corvina filet...so mouth wateringly good. And it's taco Tuesday, their first. They have carnitas made with mushrooms that's amazing, and chorizo made from pumpkin seeds and they're also amazing. Both are vegan, we're not but we loved them. Waiting on dessert now, chocolate mango. Just finished it - I'll have that again too; not too sweet, but really good. Portions aren't that big, so know that going in. We're bringing friends back here!
(5)Cathe A.
Wow! Such a cute and delicious find. This place never seems busy but I hope people will start coming here so it'll stay in business. Wow! The service is very hospitable and courteous! And the food is yummy! I had the fish tacos and braised scallops! & a thirst quenching sangria! The raw carrot cake was good too if you want something healthy and not too sweet.
(5)Jim C.
Excellent peruvian cevich and fish tacos! We ordered a bunch of appetizers and they were all 5 stars great. The entrees however were more like 3 stars good... my recommendation is to just order apps and drinks which I'll do the many times I return!
(4)Erica L.
Excellent service and great food. Presentation was very good as well. Ordered seared ahi tuna and it was delicious. The raw carrot cake was top notch!
(5)Ray S.
This place is amazing! Sirena's Gourmet Latin Seafood should be the standard for all restaurants. First of all the management, Sean, is very hospitable. As we walk in, he was behind the bar taking care of guests, but was still sure to welcome us with a smile. After we were seated, our Server Tyler greeted us letting us very kindly and informed us of all their different rotating specials. We were sure to take advantage of these and we were glad we did. It was the best dinner we had in a long time. We had the Crab Gratin Special and Ahi Poke as an appetizer. Both were out of this world delicious. After we finished both we were actually full. They were very generous portions, especially for specials. Next we had the special Chilean Po'Boy steak and 3 lightly friend sea bass tacos. So fresh and delicious. They have a way of elevating tacos like I've never tasted before. The freshness was so tasty and it is easily the best fish taco I've ever had. Hands down. After all that, we had a Chocolate mango brownie dessert. It had a custard in the middle and a passion fruit sorbet that was so good. The food was amazing, but the service was even better. Sean the manager, and Tyler our server mad us feel at home. The atmosphere is very relaxing and its a must try if your ever in the mood for delicious seafood.
(5)Sharon D.
If you want a break from italian in little italy, this is the place. Owner and staff helpful and friendly. I've been there a couple of times for a glass of wine and had wanted to try the kfood so I went with a couple of girl friends to celebrate a birthday. None of us can stop raving about it. We had the spicy scallop roll and a ceviche to start. The roll was OUTSTANDING. Then we split the salmon and scallop entrees, AMAZING. Entrees were very reasonably priced. Good wine selection at reasonable prices too. I have been telling everyone to go.
(5)James S.
My wife and I went to Sirena recently for dinner on our anniversary and it was amazing. The food was excellent (obviously gourmet implies small, so expect that) as was the wine (we had the Benziger Cabernet Sauvignon). The service wasn't quite as polished as I had expected, but it ended up feeling more homely than uncomfortable and I felt like it added to the experience. I would definitely recommend giving Sirena a try.
(5)Thuy T.
Went there for happy hour to cheer up a friend. It was delicious! The fish tacos are fresh! Must have. Sean our bartender is great! Very generous pours and kept it coming. The happy hour prices are great. Will be coming back!
(5)Kathy M.
Excellent restaurant in all ways! Great atmosphere and service and an amazing chef! Unusual and expertly prepared seafood dishes and the chicken was great too. We tried several dishes and shared and they were all the top ingredients, perfectly spiced-- subtle, delicious, with fun and flair. Great bar too! Recommend highly !
(5)Mallory G.
The food here is great! the ahi tacos are really good!
(5)Foodie1972 F.
What an awesome experience. When you go, make sure to sit in the chef's seating area. Great food and great atmosphere! What else could you ask for!? Give it a try. I assure you that you will not be disappointed!
(5)Carmen P.
You want something different besides italian in LIttle Italy? Give Sirena a try. I highly recommend as an appetizer the chilean ceviche. The tangy flavor from the lemon is very refreshing.. There was three in our party, and we decided to each order somehting different. We wanted to taste different dishes. Good thing we all love seafood. I ordered the braised scallops with cauliflower. The scallops were perfectly cooked and deicious. Someone else ordered the grilled octopus, which was also very good. Lastly, there was a special of pasta with seafood in a white sauce. I think this was one of my favorites. The sauce from the pasta was different. Not your typical white sauce. It had a lot of flavor and a kick to it. For dessert, we ordered the coyotas and carmel apples. Love both of them. Enough sweetness. I hate it when desserts are drowned in sugar. As I said, looking for something different in Little Italy? Give Sirena a try.
(4)Marta J.
We really really liked this place! My husband and I only live around the corner and we have been really excited to check this place out after watching it get put together. The only thing I'm sad about is that we waited this long to go inside. We're stoked to have a new go-to spot for some yummy food. Happy hour is 5-7 and really great. I recommend going, that way you can check it out and try a few things to see if you want to come back for dinner. $2 fish tacos and empanadas. Both were amazing and highly recommend them! We also had the octopus roll (which was not on the happy hour menu) and that was good as well. The ambiance was nice, relaxed and I love that it wasn't in the middle of the busy Little Italy rush, BUT close enough to everything if you wanted to be in the middle of it all. Great place for a snack, date, whatever. The service was wonderful and attentive. Overall we had a great experience and worth checking out.
(5)Matthew K.
We came here for lunch yesterday and were blown away. They made us an ahi salad by request that was not on the menu. The ingredients, balance, and presentation were all top-class. Delicious! We also had a salmon ceviche that was very fresh and tasty and a fruit platter, followed by a dessert that I can't remember the name of- some kind of fruit and chocolate cold stuff inside a hard brownie-type chocolate shell. I can't even begin to tell you how good everything tasted and was presented. The chef came by to chat with us following some of the dishes. The guy is very proud of his work and it shows. Great service as well. I know the restaurant business is tough so I really hope they stay around. I like having an alternative to Italian food in this neighborhood and Sirena does an amazing job. I'll be back soon!
(5)Sam H.
Everything about what I ate at Sirena was absolutely delicious! Great quality seafood and service.
(5)Jake A.
Awesome spot! Food is amazing! Ambiance is great too, even though we sat in the middle of the dining room. I don't remember the specific dishes names, but I had the steak and she had the salmon. I would order both again. I would like to give the server credit for choosing such wonderful dishes, but she looked confused and didn't really seem to know what she was talking about. She was also kind of rude as well. But everyone else was really nice and helpful. The service otherwise really made up for it so we didn't let it ruin the night. Def add to your list of must go to dinner spots in San Diego.
(4)Laura J.
Very enjoyable new restaurant find off the beaten path in little Italy. Different menu and great waitress! I had the braised scallops and heirloom tomato salad and my husband had the spicy scallop roll with oysters that he enjoyed!
(5)RENEE K.
No its not a 5 star restaurant yet, but they could easily be soon. I'd give them 4.5. This is true clean latin american cooking mostly from Peru. Simple flavors are layered together for complex dishes. San Diego restaurants may have access to some of the freshest fish in the world but most places overcook. The fish here was cooked to perfection. I started with 1 of there popular ceviches, Aguachile 6-8 fresh Baja shrimp marinated perfectlyu with jalapeno and cucmber than had the Salmon & Aji. The salmon was devine. Mys husband ordered a crab bake that wasnt on the menu and should be. Crab baked with a butter sauce and topped with cheese and a crsipy breadcrumbs. He had the Grilled octupus and loved it as well. The price range for dishes is so much lower than most places. Definitely worth a try for everyone in the neighborhood and worth a drive for those who aren't.
(5)Quan M.
Good food great service, finally something different than Italian in little italy. The scallops were really good!
(5)Thu K.
I really like this place, went here for brunch and the service was excellent, the chef came out to greet us and custom made my tuna dish! every thing was fresh and they even gave us a free dessert because they didn't have the croissant we wanted. excellent service and food! I hope more people come to this restaurant.
(5)Carolyn D.
Great find. Perfectly and deliciously prepared food. Easy to get into; nice wine selection by the glass.
(4)robin v.
When you aren't in the mood for a raucous happy hour crowd or an ear-shattering dinner, stroll over a block to Columbia Street for Latin seafood. The happy hour menu includes tiny, tasty fish tacos and tiny empanadas, so you probably want a salad or the octopus entree for 20.00. The wine list is limited, but the Nut Brown Ale for 3.00 at happy hour price is a deal. The service was disconnected. We thought we had a waitress but she vanished before our drinks were served. This establishment needs sophisticated service if they are going to serve gourmet food. They also need gourmet food.
(3)Elizabeth R.
Everything from tortillas to sauces are made in house. The empanadas were deliciously wonderful (albeit small). Tomato bisque soup, lobster tacos, and steak were great too. Great ambiance. Portions are small, which is the only reason for a four star, but food is delicious!
(4)P.C. K.
OMG! My husband and I are total foodies. This is our new favorite restaurant! We went for dinner with another couple. The food was to-die-for! Great taste, great service and beautiful presentation -with edible flowers. We had braised scallops, grilled octopus, New York steak, a ceviche dish, beet salad, wine and mimosas. The Chef even came to our table to introduce himself and explain the dishes. I recommend this 100%. Well worth it. We WILL return.
(5)Larry Z.
Outstanding new seafood restaurant in Little Itally on Coloumbia St and Fir. The food was delicious and reasonable priced. I had the Seafood dinner and the flavors were extraordinary with a variety of delicious vegetables and sauces - very unique presentation! The dessert special was absolutely delicious -and it was vegan - served with a variety of fresh fruit - and a multitude of wonderful flavors. One of the chefs, Pancho, gave us a wonderful explanation of the unique menu and preparation of the food. Many seafood and vegetarian choices that everyone loved! We will definitely be back!
(5)J M.
First visit to Sirena. The staff are very friendly and attentive. The food is very well prepared and well presented. The grilled octopus was very tasty. The tuna with jalapeño etc was bloody awesome. One thing of note is that they do not have a license to sell hard liquor. But their wine selection is good. Its places like this that makes me wish I lived in San Diego!!
(5)K W.
I was looking for a yummy seafood restaurant and since this place is only about a month old, we had not had dinner here yet. What a little jem! Everybody was very nice and our waiter was amazing and wonderfully helpful. The food was fabulous and the portions were just right (get the empanadas!). We will def go back!!
(5)Julia R.
Found this little place on opentable and set-up a lunch with some friends. We get there and the place is 100% empty. That should've been a clue. The waitress was sweet and got us to a table and setup with beverages. We look over the menu and all choose different options, all to have varying ranges of disgust and disappointment. I'll start we the best and go down. The Brioche seafood sandwich, the best of bad. A huge, giant sandwich served with fried avocados, which one would think would be good but are in fact kinda soggy and bland, it was weird because the sandwich itself was bland too, you could tast the sweetness of orange in the Brioche but the fish was flavorless. And you can't add salt or pepper because that's not on the tables. Then a friend got the daily special of ceviche. I'll just say she said the flavor was good but she would've liked more the 1/2 cup of food and four tiny slivers (literally) of bread. There was the seafood hash, which claimed to have seafood. It doesn't, it's octopus hash, and wre not talking loved, kneaded, well cared for octopus we're talking holy crap I'm crewing giant pieces of outopus gum. Reallly, who knows how to manage 2 inches of octopus tentacle. Don't do it. Seafood hash, not one shrimp, clam or piece of fish...this is the dish were the chef shops at the bargain fish basement and then covers he's or her ass with the vague generality of seafood. Lastly, the bacon and shrimp chiliquilles, chiliquilles are the greatest and I love trying fun iterations on them but my dish had 4 shrimp and no bacon but salt pork. Big hunks of fatty salty pork fat, very generously served but not what my american self considers bacon. It's texturally displeasing, inch chucks of fat in your food. Additionally, there was some spice, I wish I knew, that really upset my stomach. I can't in good conscious not write a review. Not good food.
(1)Jerry M.
The only thing possibly wrong with this place is the location, putting it a significant one block away from the Little Italy cattle trail. So please make the hike--it's well worth it! Cuisine is an interesting Latin American seafood, but they have steak, etc. other items for meat-eaters. The wife and I have been 4 times and loved each one. Service, food quality, preparation, etc. are all excellent for this tier. Food is universally seasoned well (not too much or too little) and cooked superbly. Octopus is grilled and great. My favorite dish that rivals the named restaurants. Scallops are exceptional. My wife's favorite dish, and she's always disliked scallops. Trio causa appetizer (3 different protein items over thick potato purée) is perfect, because the courses are a bit small so a little starch to pre-fill is a good thing. Wine selection is small but varied and tasty. Although we've had several staff that were all great, Michael gets the crown: attentive, helpful, and fastidious without being annoying, obvious, or hovering. Solid recommendations, pleasant, and cheerful. A+
(5)Gustavo B.
Well, the fish was definitely fresh. That was about all we could say about every plate that we tried. The fish sandwich, the fish tacos, an octopus roll, the ceviche and the tiradito. We tried them all and we didn't find any real pop of flavor. It seemed to me like everything needed a kick of spice or several kicks of spices. The best dish was probably the fish tacos, but even those were lacking something. Really wanted to like this place, but just couldn't recommend anything.
(2)Christina V.
I'm a big believer that it's not only the food, but the whole ambiance of a restaurant is important when dining out. Sirena captured both aspects. The decor can be described as grown up, yet whimsical with fishing nets, starfish, and octopus murals throughout the space...reminding you that this is a seafood restaurant. When it came to the food, our group decided on the tasting menu. Not only was every dish perfectly prepared, but almost look too good to eat.. almost. The seafood was fresh and flavorful. Sirena is definitely a good option if looking for a vegetarian and gluten-free option.
(5)Melinda M.
Sirena, I hope you read these reviews Sadly I feel this place isn't going to make it unless they do some kick ass happy hour specials or $5 food and $5 drink promos each night. Its just not busy. Ever. That block off Little Italy is killing them. I'd offer the old fashioned grasshopper or pink squirrel. I know these are old steak house cocktails and not latin, but damn I could use me a good cheap icecream + alcohol drink tonight.
(3)Kelly O.
I am torn between 2 and 3 stars for this place. I think--the food wasn't terrible, but at the same time, for the high prices, it should have been excellent. I think--maybe we shouldn't have ordered off the normal menu during brunch, but at the same time, if they aren't ready to serve certain food, they shouldn't serve it. Firstly, the blackberry mimosas were strange--a glass of champagne with a blob of frozen blackberry sorbet. We had to stick our flatware in the glasses to stir/break up the sorbet. It didn't taste that good either. Maybe this was our fault for not asking to better explain it before we ordered. I guess I expected fresh fruit? These mimosas were $10 and it was another $8 for the waiter to pour in more champagne. I studied their menu online before we went and was very excited to try some creative seafood dishes, many of which looked Peruvian. My husband is from Peru and we've both had lots of tasty food at his parents' house and in the country. But we went on a Sunday around lunchtime, so they only had their brunch menu, which was much less exciting. They did say we could order some items from the regular menu, so that was cool. The waiter explained that the night before they were super busy, so they only had 3 empanadas left. Literally, three! So we snatched 'em up! They were all veggie varieties and sadly, were a bit bland and not noteworthy. My eating partner got the brunch special of chilequiles and a small stack of sweet potato (I think?) pancakes. She said the pancakes were delicious and the chilequiles were just ok. If I went to Sirena again, I would order this. I ordered the Salmon & Ajà entree from the regular menu which came with ajà amarillo sauce, sweet potato, and mushrooms. It looked beautiful when it arrived. The fish was cooked nicely but the entire dish was bland. Even a touch of salt would have helped. It's strange to have a beautifully, well-cooked dish that does nothing for the taste buds. The portion size was appropriate, which was good. I liked the sweet potato, but overall, was disappointed. We got yellowtail tacos and somehow, again, they were bland and flavorless. A wedge of lemon and a bit of salt would have helped. They looked pretty but...that was it. On the bright side, my eating partner reported that the Peruvian ceviche was good, and he is a tough customer when it comes to ceviche. He enjoyed it. At the end of the meal, our waiter brought us a complimentary order of fish tacos (fried, this time). We hadn't expressed any displeasure in our meal, so this was an unexpected and nice gesture. Thank you! But I'm sorry to report that they tasted just like the yellowtail tacos--bland, desperately needing some lemon and salt, at least. The decor is hip, clean, and new--very nice. There is no outdoor seating at this time. I showed up that day, so excited to try these creative dishes, and instead we were left with a high bill for bland food. Portions are small on some dishes, and satisfactory on others. Maybe it was an off day, but I can't afford to give them another shot.
(2)Jack M.
This is not a well known seafood restaurant serving up Latin American seafood specialties, specifically from South America. I came in on a lazy warm Sunday after noon and the first thing I ordered was a refreshing Blood Orange Belgian White Ale, which came recommended by a super bar keep. For $8, I ordered trio of fish tacos, and I was very pleased when they agreed to grill them for me, instead of beer battering them. They used sea bass in this day so the fish was succulent and tender and came with a nice seasoning. The tacos came on a house made corn tortilla which were very soft, warm, and had a great fresh corn flavor. I liked the pico de gallo, compressed red onions, and cream avocados drizzled with sour cream. They rotate the types of fish, depending on what is available fresh at the local fish markets. Service was warm, provided by Yesenia, and the owner was well spoken regarding his menu and quality product. I would recommend the offer more fresh salsas with their foods. The one that was served to me, a jalapeno based, was okay, but missing that nice vibrant touch in flavor and color.
(4)Mkat W.
Every course I had surprised me in the most plesant way. The food was excellent and extremely flavorful. I would reccomend the braised scallops. The presentation was beautiful, but the food tasted even better! The scallops were very tender and they paired nicely with the califlower and pureed sauce. For dessert my favorite was the raw carrot cake.. definitely a must try! Tasted completely fresh and very clean, yet had a natural sweetness to it. Service was just as amazing- I can't wait to go back!
(5)Tiffany C.
This was my first time here and it certainly won't be my last! I have only great things to say, as I was more and more impressed with every course that came out. Our servers were very friendly and professional. They broke down each dish for us and described what everything was. The food here is simple but it is done so well and presentation was absolute perfection. The beet salad was almost too pretty to eat but way too delicious to not! The scallops were seared perfectly and super fresh. Everything on the plate complemented each other perfectly, from the charred onion to the cauliflower purée. So good! We'll most definitely be back for more!!
(5)Brian K.
This is my favorite restaurant in San Diego. Little Italy has much more to offer than Italian. Do yourself a favor next time you are in Little Italy and pay Sirena a visit. Service has always been top notch. On quiet nights the chef will come by and personally explain the dishes and make sure everything is perfect. This is also probably the best least know vegetarian and vegan restaurant in the city. Virtually everything on their menu can be made vegan. This is one of the most creative and original kitchens in the city. They should be getting much more attention. I've tried pretty much everything on the menu at this point and have loved it all. I highly recommend their octopus. The best in town! On off menu tip: ask for their fish tacos with Ahi Poke instead of the beer battered fish. This is one of the best things I have ever eaten! Their raw, organic, non dairy carrot cake and frosting made from cashews is unbelievable and if you are lucky they will have made their beer sorbet using Ballast Point beer. I could have eaten a bucket of that! Can't say enough good things about this place.
(5)Betsy S.
Honestly, I did not expect much from this place. We came after church and only chose this place because my roomie loves mermaids and I was craving seafood. The bunch menu was short. The specials didn't sound too impressive for the prices they had next to them. We were the first to come in. Very quite and serene atmosphere. Relaxing sounds. Big open space with high ceilings. Decor was minimal but nice. The color scheme was lovely. A slate grey and mahogany. Granite and black trimmings. (Not that it matters but it was cute. Taking notes for my house remodeling). The hostess/waitress was really nice and relaxed. Made some nice recommendations and attended to us timely. More people came so we weren't alone the whole time. She was just as nice and courteous to them. I got the seafood and Peruvian potato hash. Omg. It was amazing. There was so much variety. The flavor with 2 eggs on top. Not an overwhelming taste. It was perfect. Not too much food. Reasonable price for what it contained and lovely presentation. Completely made me rethink my opinions on this minimalist establishment. The experience was all around amazing. I also heard the consumers at the next table raving about whatever they got.
(5)Briana W.
I came to Sirena with friends the other night having no idea what to expect. I can honestly say that I had an AMAZING experience there. The staff was excellent, the interior design was unique, and the food....was delicious. The beet salad was incredible. The worst part was that I felt bad eating such a beautiful work of art, but I would definitely order it again. I'm craving it as I write this! I also ordered the scallops. Once again, the presentation was incredible, and was one of the best scallop dishes I have ever tasted. There were so many flavors, but none of them overpowered each other. Bravo to the Chef! This is an excellent seafood restaurant that you must check out. Hopefully my pictures will do their culinary creativity some justice. I will be back again soon!
(5)Elle J.
Camilla the Yelping Hen was feeling bored. Bored with her day (I was a bit under the weather and watched movies) and bored with the restaurants in our neighborhood. I could hear her furious pecking on my IPad and phone. "Camilla what are you up to in there?" Tap, tap, tap, tap...tap. "Camilla you better not be cooking anything up! I don't feel 100% and I'd rather go out tomorrow" Tappity, tap tap tap....Bing! Looking at my email I saw that Camilla had not only found an interesting new restaurant in our neighborhood but also had made reservations. I could hear her in the closet complaining loudly that she never has anything to wear. "Alright Camilla, you'll get your way but only because you're so cute!" Sirena is a little bit off the beaten path which I liked. The decor is sea inspired but not overdone so you don't feel out of place if say, you didn't have a trendy wooden leg. It is a great place to take a date or catch up with friends. The open floor plan makes this intimate restaurant airy and I liked that one could see into the kitchen. Sirena Fish Tacos $8: you get three fully loaded tacos that put other tacos to shame. The battered fish was fantastic! Cooked so the fish was crisp outside and moist inside. Yum! Empanadas $8: An order of these comes in 3. The fillings will change almost daily. Ours was supposed to have shrimp. It did not. They were actually a vegetarian filling of cooked onions and gruyere cheese. A sort of French onion soup in a wonderful shell. It was so yummy that when I reached my grabby paw for more Camilla pecked it away! Seriously they tasted so buttery and good! Aguachile $15: Because of the filling mix up the chef sent Camilla this wonderful ceviche on the house. The shrimp were large and packed with flavor. A wonderful fresh ceviche with fun little cucumber pearls! Spicy Scallop Roll $12: When it came out I didn't want to eat it because it was so pretty. That feeling lasted only long enough to snap a picture! The roll is a steal at this price. Fresh crab, avocado, and scallops artfully presented with a spicy drizzle of sauce. My only comment was that the crab was a bit too salty. I'd still order it but it's something that holds this roll from being my obsession. Limon dessert $8: An interesting dish that was a little too sweet for me. It had all these fun components. The stand out was this leaf that I ate a little to just see what it was like. At first it just tasted like a leaf, but the finish tasted just like a Granny Smith apple! Kinda awesome no? Wine and beer list is surprisingly affordable. We had the Grenache for $7 a glass. They have bottles and draft beers for about $7 as well as more expensive wine options. I felt the Grenache was a nice choice as it was light and held up to the food. Our waitress was really nice. She did a great job of keeping Camilla happy and making sure we had a nice experience. Final verdict? Give this place a try! Even if for a few small plates and wine. The food is fresh and artfully put together. Later that night Camilla perched on her nest to roost. Her feathers fluffed out as she settled in. Before I turned off the light I could here her whisper, "You're welcome."
(4)Carlo P.
I'm glad I found a place that serves fresh fish without making you pay exorbitant prices. I went there on a Wednesday and they had a special ceviche menu. I tried the octopus and grilles nectarines one and it a perfect mix of flavors. I also tried the albacore tacos and my girlfriend had the grilled octopus, which apparently is their signature dish. I highly recommend both of them as they were absolutely wonderful. Overall they don't have a lot main course options but I assuming it is because the use only fresh ingredients. I will definitely come back again
(5)Kat F.
Accommodates kids!!!! Luv that they were so easy on the menu with kids!!! Gave us WiFi to save our sanity!!! Everyone there was so friendly and understanding! 4 adults with 4 kids...great service and great food!
(4)Omar A.
I came here a couple of times and I wasn't impressed. Not as amazing as these initial reviews suggest. The manager recommended the pesce crudo, which I really did not enjoy. It had the texture of poke, but I didn't enjoy the flavor. At all. I threw it away. I am new to Latin food in general, and I explained that, and I think that recommendation was inappropriate for a newbie. The second time, I tried their fish tacos. They put a lot of toppings on them, which taste good, but the fish itself tasted very fishy. The tacos were very small, but they only cost $2 during happy hour. Service is very friendly. I might come back to try something else, but probably not soon.
(2)Tommy R.
Service was amazing Food was great Chef came out and talked to us and was really cool Prices were not so awesome. We paid $18 for 6 shrimp in a aguachile
(4)Eric L.
Just to be clear on the food was closer to 3 stars, but the service was outstanding so I'd say a four star rating is deserved. I came on ceviche day. Luckily i just happen to love ceviche. Anyways I started with the fish tacos appetizer. They looked great, but weren't very flavorful. Next I ordered the peruano ceviche and honestly I wasn't a fan. The chucks of sweet potato just didnt go. My friend had the chileno, which was pretty good. We decided to throw in an order of oysters as well. Those were nice and fresh. If you can grab a seat close to the kitchen. It's fun to watch the chefs work.
(4)Roy M.
I am hoping to be able to change this to 5 stars after another visit. But its hard to say. We first went there around a month ago and I think the dinner we had might have been one of the best dinners I've have ever eaten at a restaurant. The food was so bright and fresh and sophisticated we were blown away. The squid and artichoke salad was outstanding. And we also had the chicken and pea entree despite our waitresses suggestion that it wasn't very exciting. But it excited us in the sparkly freshness of the peas and other beautifully cut vegetables, and the perfectly cooked chicken. It was heaven. Delicious and beautiful. But we have gone back twice and ordered it for one of our entrees both times, its been variations on a less good to bad twice. Overcooked chicken, messy vegetables, dried out dead tasting peas. And both times the dish looked different. And we also got the squid salad again, with inedible artichokes. My hunch is that Sirena has a great vision for food, but very very sloppy and inconsistent preparations. Maybe the kitchen staff changes all the time. But isn't the ability to make a dish consistent the whole point of a good restaurant.... come up Sirena, every dish you serve matters. Had I got the food I got on my second or third time there I would never have gone back a second time. But because the first meal I had there was so good I will give it one more chance......but 3 strikes and you are out for me.
(3)Summer S.
Fresh, flavorful, and some of the best coastal Latin food I've had in a long time. We came for taco tuesday, and would highly recommend the Carne asada and shrimp tacos. The sauce on the shrimp tacos was addictively punishing - spicy enough to burn a bit, but so delicious I kept coming back for more. The ceviche was complex and citrusy without being overly acidic, and the oysters were fresh, sweet and briney. The service was also great - we sat at the bar and were served by the GM who was such a genuinely nice guy. One of our new favorite seafood spots.
(5)Katrina S.
This place is a little gem. The food is made with a lot of love. No corners are cut. It is delicious and presentation is a 10 !! One of the chefs even grows a lot of the produce. I love the tacos and all the ceviches. The Tina tartar is through the roof!!!! The bar tender Sean is very nice as well. He remembers what I like;) So happy this place finally opened.
(5)Juan Fran B.
It was such an experience for me, and I mean an amazing one! The staff was the nicest and the presentation of the meals was stunning, you can see that they care about every single detail. I tried a variety of plates there and my favorite was the Quinoa Beet salad, as for dessert it was really hard to choose one but I have to say I was impressed by their carrot cake.
(5)Vanessa B.
Great ambiance!! Service was awesome! Chef is from Chile and mentioned some of the produce is from local farms/growers. Fusion of Latin flavors!! Came for Aguachile which was really good, untraditional from the Mexican version. The fish tacos looked great. Will definitely come back to try more dishes! Prices a little on the higher-end. Aguachile (small shrimp appetizer) + small bottle Perrier + iced tea = $24
(4)Michael W.
The sirena fish tacos where good, about as good as you can get around a seaside city. Had a great sauce on them and very proportional which is always a good sign they know what their doing. The corn crab gratin was sweet and very very tasty. The light salad on top balanced very well and it was a delightful fresh light dish. Excellent I would say. I never knew how much I love cauliflower until I had the braised scallops. Delicious. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the cauliflower was soooo good. A must try. The spicy salmon roll was good according to wifey. And she was raving about her berry mamosa. Great atmosphere and kind and attentive staff. Great pricing as well. Definitely recommend. One take back is no bread. We didnt ask for it, but thought it would be supplied. Would have great to mop up the deliciousness left on the plate, the fork doesn't do a good job of it.
(5)Roy S.
Just back from dinner...WOW...I think we have a winner here on our hands....had the smoked tuna tiradito (much, much better than the tiradito I had at The Hake in LJ several months ago); followed that up with the braised scallops with coconut ginger sauce and cauliflower puree (excellent) and closed it out with a dessert consisting of something resembling a donut filled with chocolate sauce and accompanied with vanilla ice cream and raspberries...washed it down with a couple of glasses of Malbec and a dessert Malbec....excellent meal all around...small portions, but every bite was impactful and artfully presented. Chef is from Chile, had the feel of a very nice tapas joint in Barcelona (i.e. Cerveceria Catalana). They were having a special soft opening for local merchants between 5-7PM tonight... I arrived, casual, but sat at the bar...I agree, more of an adult hangout as opposed to the d-bag, wannabe Gaslamp crowd...was a tad noisy, but also a tad busier than a typical Wednesday night--did not really bother me and the GM said he will adjust the music depending upon the noise level of the crowd. Seats 65 people (not sure if that includes the bar seating), but overall great food, very nice ambiance, and good attentive service.
(5)D J.
In an open, airy space, Sirena is a comfortable and contemporary setting to enjoy some inventive seafood. The menu features a variety of ceviches, shellfish, raw and cooked, and some unique Latin dishes. My husband had the oysters of the day, with a spicy dressing, followed by the grilled octopus (which he hadn't had in many years) a little bland. I had the "Causa Trio" appetizer, pureed potatoes with different seasonings and topped with mushrooms, chicken, and crab (I had two of the mushrooms as I am allergic to crab). The seasoned potatoes had a nice consistency, and the toppings, especially the mushrooms were delicious. My entree was the Smoked Tuna Tiradito, which was terrific. Thin slices of roasted, smoked ahi, with thinly sliced tomato and avocado and topped with a mango habanero sauce. The service was attentive. The prices are very reasonable, the wine and beer lists have good selections. This is definitely a place for seafood lovers, but it is eclectic. You will not find the usual seafood and fish dishes here, which makes the dining out here special.
(4)Brandon H.
What a cute gem in Little Italy! Service and food was spectacular! My friends and I sat at the bar and ordered the fish tacos, the El Chileno ceviche, and an order of the charred brussel sprouts. The fish tacos tasted so fresh and light but most importantly flavorful! Loved the pico de gallo. Also, based on how good the El Chileno ceviche was I'm guessing that Sirena really excels at authentic ceviches. Loved the freshness and the abundance of different kinds of seafood that was incorporated. The presentation on all the dishes that I was served really made Sirena stand out to me. It was very well done. Tried the vegan carrot cake for dessert and it did not disappoint either! Can't wait to come back and try out more of the menu!
(5)Rita K.
Because this place is slightly off the beaten path, when there was an hour wait everywhere else on a Friday evening, we were able to come here and get seated right away. The servers were very friendly and the (I assume) chef came and asked us how everything was too. We got a few things and liked them all. The prices were a bit out of my personal price range, but were not at all unreasonable for good seafood in Little Italy ($17-22 an entree). All of the food we got was beautifully plated and tasted delicious. And though it's a seafood place, they did have a few vegetarian options. I was eying a beet and quinoa salad that looked especially good. For dessert, we got raw, vegan, gluten free carrot cake. I really like that they have an option like that for people with that dietary restriction. I also really like raw desserts in general, so it was great. They also have a bar area with TVs, if you're ever in need of a quiet place to drink a glass of wine and watch the Padres game.
(4)