Okay, so I've been a fan (or a supporter? maybe "supporter" is more accurate) of Terra since the olden days when they were in Hillcrest. It was a good, solid neighborhood eatery and every time I went there it was fairly empty and I feared its closing, so I tried to go there more often to give it some business. Then I moved away, and then they moved away, and it's been awhile. Sorry, Terra. So I decided to try them today in their new location for lunch. Saw some familiar faces on the staff, and that made me happy. And I ordered their "special salad," smoked salmon with Israeli cous cous on a bed of salad greens. Honestly, I've had better for $18 (the salad, a soda, and tip) and should rightly give them a 2 stars for such an uninspired salad. Listen, it was a generous portion, the greens were fresh and lovely, the dressing wasn't overwhelming, but it just wasn't much of anything special. And I guess I still hold out that for $18 for lunch, I'll get something special. Call me a dreamer, I know in that neighborhood it's very nice to have a restaurant that is farm to table, so I'm pleased about that. I just wish that the food was more consistently outstanding for the price, that's all. I've had outstanding meals there in the past, I know they can do it.
(3)
Chris G.
I went in to Terra with some friends on a Friday morning. The atmosphere was ok, if not a little upscale for El Cajon blvd. I had the flank steak and eggs with some mimosas. The steak was bland and overcooked. Not that impressed. What makes this place worse was the next day our stomachs felt weird. I'm talking, going to the bathroom every hour kind of "weird". So I'm not sure what they put in our plates/drinks, but all of us experienced a bit of food poisoning that night. Mix that with the attitude that the owner/manager and the greeter and I will never come back to this place. I'd say stay away from this place unless you want to naturally cleanse your bowels.
(1)
Brad T.
I had the Turkey Melt during restaurant week. This is a pretty nice restaurant in an unexpected area. The service was great and the atmosphere was very comfortable. I will definitely return to Terra!
(4)
Lynn J.
Was excited to find a well-reviewed restaurant in the area as there are so few that aren't taco stands... Apparently others agree as the place was packed - reservations recommended. Unfortunately, the ambiance is a bit cafeteria-like, and our food was decent but nothing special. Meat undercooked for everyone, sauces good but not exceptional, and the salads are plain and boring. The soup was quite good, and my husband enjoyed the mussel appetizer. Summary: not bad, but probably won't return.
(3)
Jon W.
the food was great but I had parked behind the restaurant and when I left the smell from all of the spilled grease in the alley almost made me lose my very expensive lunch.
(2)
Lise J.
My family had a decent dinner here. They ran out of all the specials, but overall it was a good night.
(3)
Jeff T.
If this place was in walking distance from my house I would be in serious, serious trouble. My wife and I were huge Terra fans when it was in Hillcrest and were anxious to see how the new location planned out. The verdict: even better. PROS The service is terrific. I dine out to relax and have a good time, so I appreciate it when my server takes a moment to chat. It was fun learning about the new restaurant and getting the inside scoop on some of our new menu items. The food is also amazing. Some of our favorites from Terra Restaurant are still on the menu (the pot roast is spectacular) along with a lot of new items. You can go for a light meal, a three course dinner, or enjoy a family-style meal by ordering several small plates or flatbread pizzas. Perhaps the best feature is the price. Nothing over $20. Put this restaurant in a different neighborhood and you'll pay 20-30% more easy. Sure you can nitpick the restaurant ("They didn't sprinkle rose petals at my feet."), but did I mention the price? CONS There are a few things worth mentioning. First, Terra Bistro is definitely a pioneer in the neighborhood. It will take some time for their neighbors to catch up. In the meantime, look past the empty buildings and bail bonds storefront across the street and you'll be fine. It's nice inside. Second, it's a bit loud in there. That's the point of being a neighborhood bistro, but the old Terra was ghostly quiet by comparison. Finally, they are still working out the kinks on a few dishes. Nothing is going to be perfect, but I sitll give them five stars based on the total experience. THE SKINNY Awesome place for a great meal with great service that won't kill your wallet. Make a reservation and give yourself a couple of hours to enjoy the dining experience.
(5)
Anne M.
My husband and I have been waiting for Terra on El Cajon to open - I didn't know that it is a transplant from Hillcrest until logging on to write a review just now. Makes sense on a few levels. Food =good. Service= weird. Just like at the old location. The prices seem a bit cheaper, though, which is nice. The good: - Veggie Benedict. I think this is the first veggie Benedict I've had with caramelized onions. Delicious! The thyme hollandaise and biscuit were good, too. - Short Rib Hash was great, per my husband. I thought the mushrooms in it were chewy. But he was happy with it and pulled them out. - Complimentary sweet rolls. I love when brunch spots give you a little sweet to eat with your coffee. Timing was off- they came after our main food arrived, but will still give credit on this. The weird: - Staffing. Too many workers for the customer level, so they were milling around and cleaning stuff with Lysol wipes. Glad stuff is clean, but it just wasn't discreet and I felt like the big Costco-sized Lysol wipes were weird, like home convenience cleaning vs. expectations of a restaurant's standards. - Attire. The management seemed the most dressed down - two older ladies in unflattering track suits. Pink velor does not say "professional". Overall, I will be back as the food was really good and La Mesa needs more tasty spots to eat. I hope it stays - try it out La Mesa people!
(4)
LJ L.
I made reservations well in advance, and on the day of my reservations I spoke with someone in the a.m. that the afternoon call asked the same questions. We were six mamas out for a night to chat and catch up without the loudness of our kids. This place disappointed me on many levels. First, I always arrive before the group so that I can "breathe" as I'm the hostess and I want to relax a bit and not worry. So I like to go to the table and have a drink first. I wasn't able to sit at the table until a majority had arrived. Mind you I was only 15 mins early. The good news is that I finally got a drink at the very busy bar before I went to the table. The drink service at the table was ridiculously slow. Only one bartender for a packed bar and restaurant. Drinks ordered at the table took over 20 minutes to arrive. When I spoke with Suzie and Emily, they suggested the Farmer's Table for us so that we could hear each other and have a nice night. Then when four of us where there, I was informed by a gentleman host that the OWNER has some policy about having sit for service at that table from 5:30 - 7:30. It still doesn't make ANY sense to me, because then we were seated at a table right in the middle of the restaurant, NOT the farm table and we were seated at 6:35! At 7 ish a family of five was seated at the farm table. DOES that make any sense to you? It didn't to me, but I moved on and enjoy what conversation I could hear. The fruit and herb infused water was REALLY nice! Good touch. Our table ordered: Squash blossom appetizer too heavily battered for my taste, but the sauce was nice. @ $9 it was bland (without sauce) and overpriced. Go for the fresh local seafood of the day/week, two folks ordered that and it was a winner. Also the Amber Lagger Pot Roast was a winner. Other than that .... everything was just under seasoned in the opinion of four of us. Pumpkin ravioli, good, sauce under whelming. Beet salad, good. Burger deal filling, but come on, it's a not a burger joint. But it was a good deal on Tuesday night $14 for burger, fries and beer. I had the flat iron steak, which tasted much more like a top sirloin, and was not trimmed properly as I had grizzle. Another mama ordered the Paella, she didn't like it, but the taste buds of this diner are vastly different than mine. We skipped dessert because it was after 8 p.m. before our meals arrived. Then we waited for a replacement order from the Paella so we were sitting there well after 9 p.m. I had ordered another glass of wine, that was completely forgotten about. I took it as a sign to just have a drink at home, since most glasses of wine are $11 each. I'll go again, BUT never with a group. IT TOO loud in this place. Then need either open windows to let the sound out or something on the ceilings. Must be addressed I think. I'll go and try some seafood only. I'm just happy to see a restaurant in the area and I hope they stay open and adjust a bit on the rigid drama of reservations/tables.
(3)
Deitre C.
Awesome hospitality, great food. The pancakes are a must and the freshness of the food is easily recognized in each bite. Had a little hiccup with one dish being cold but they took care of it immediately and adjusted the bill. Definitely will be back.
(4)
Christianna O.
Yum! I'm so glad this restaurant moved into this neighborhood! It's so nice to have a great dining option here, it's a hidden gem. Brunch: The Sunday brunch is awesome, and a great deal too. The pancakes (with pecan butter, yum!) are really good, the bacon is great (and I'm picky about bacon). The stuffed french toast is... meh, i think the menu oversold it a little ;) But it was still tasty. The potatoes are good too, gotta have good breakfast potatoes! I love the champagne brunch idea - you get a glass of champagne or mimosa free with your brunch. Or is it three glasses? I don't know for sure, it wasn't explained very clearly, but I do know we had four mimosas and there was no charge for them. The bloody mary's are excellent! And only $3! they're small, but at $3, totally worth it. I hope they open on Saturday for brunch some day! I'd totally be in. Dinner: I've only been once for dinner, but will be going back for sure. I liked the gyoza... no, actually i LOVED the gyoza. That dipping sauce is way too good! We ordered the pizza, which isn't my thing, but it was good too. The menu says carmelized onions, but they seemed more like sauteed onions to me. The pumpkin ravioli was very good. And we had a nice salad, I think it was the beet salad. Next time I'll do a proper entree, we were doing more of a small bites thing that night. Service: Good service, pleasant people who try hard to make it a good experience for everyone. They have a rewards program, but the wait staff doesn't seem to ask if you're a member when you're checking out, so you have to remember yourself and make sure your purchase counts. I forgot at our last brunch, sigh. Ambiance: Cute decor! They did nicely with the coffee bean bags - decorative AND lessens the noise. Someone took some extra time with the decorations too, love the metal and rock ants. And last, but soooo not least, farm to table :) I love to see "free range' and "organic" on menus, just makes the whole experience better.
(5)
Katie K.
My cutie pie and I always eat at Terra for brunch on Sundays. We've also gone several times for dinner. This place is wonderful. The staff is amazing and personable. Janie is amazing. Today the place was absolutely packed and she was running around like crazy, but maintained a pleasant attitude as she went about her work. We know many of the servers by their first name. They know about our lives outside of food and often ask about our families. If you think this place "sucks" (get a vocabulary) or is "pretentious" then, DON'T come. We don't want to see you there. We LOVE the food and the people. They are inventive and the cook continues to amaze me. If you go there ONCE and your food was not up to your expectation, go a second or third time before you judge! People have bad days, make mistakes and act like HUMAN BEINGS. If the owner is "hovering"- THANK GOD. He wants to improve. Keeping track of your business with a hands on approach is the way to please customers. Don't be a damn brat. Be constructive, not insulting. All that does is piss the rest of us off. If you are constructive- they may actually be interested in your thoughts.
(5)
Kristina B.
Just returned from a wonderful dinner. Decided to give this place a try during restaurant week and was not disappointed! This place is easy to find and has its own parking lot. There were plenty of empty of tables (we arrived before 6) but opted for a couple seats at the bar to take advantage of the happy hour $4 drafts. The atmosphere is warm and casual. Simple lighting fixtures including a mason jar chandelier. Deciding on a first course was a tough decision but I went with the beet and goat cheese salad. It was as pretty as it was delicious. My friend went with mussels and was sopping up the broth afterwards. Oh yeah, the complimentary bread and hummus was a nice surprise. The bread was warm and the hummus was fluffy without being dry. We asked our bartender for seconds and he didn't bat an eye. I'm guessing this happens a lot. My entree was a stir fired medly of tofu, vegetables (including some kind of squash wedge still in the rind) and quinoa. It was smoky and savory and had a mild citrus tone. I was pleased but I couldn't finish because I knew dessert was coming. My friend ordered the braised pot roast and it was served without a knife on a mound mashed potatoes. He didn't need a knife and was also impressed. For dessert we went for skillet bread pudding which was divine. It wasn't mushy, it wasn't bready. It was perfect! The chipotle chocolate cake was also good and had a nice kick to it but was underneath some kind of mint infused compote which we agreed was a bit distracting from the spicy chocolate. After dinner we talked about what we plan to order next time. I would give this place another star if it had more vegetarian entree options. The appetizers and salads are plentiful but just one main dish without meat is not enough. I recommend this place with strong confidence. It's the ideal spot for quality farm to table dishes without the pretentiousness or attitude of swanky, trendy places. I will definitely go back! And when I do, I'm having the skillet mac n cheese.
(3)
Robb G.
I've never been to the restaurant, but we get their catering for lunch at work sometimes. It's TERRAble. The chicken is always dry. The fish tastes like a block of salt. The only thing that is actually edible is the desserts.
(1)
Chrystal E.
Who knew El Cajon BLVD would become a spot for foodies.... move over hookers, foodies are taking over! I had dined at Terra in Hillcrest many years ago and loved it... it wasn't until this weekend that a friend of mine mentioned that Terra had reopened literally in my backyard... I never think to look at restaurants near me on El Cajob BLVD...but I braved 'the BLVD' for some scrumptious cuisine. I love restaurants that support local, organic farmers - and Terra is just this place. Everything is fresh, beautiful and oh so flavorful. I had this amazing pepper turkey sandwhich with brie cheese and roasted pepper aioli...mmMMmmM! My hubby and I shared their citrus and chicken salad - the strawberries were so ripe and sweet and the salad dressing was sweet and tangy and not overbearing where it removes the taste of fresh organic greens (or turns them soggy). Then for a sweet treat we split the berry crisp - sooOOoo good, the graham cracker crust was perfection and the berries simply delicious. We were served by the manager, Laurie - who was so helpful, attentive, and knowledgeable. We event got the rewards card and plan to come back often to redeem some terra points/coupons/etc. Can't wait to bring my girlfriends here for happy hour - the mac and cheese and ginger pot stickers are calling my name!
(4)
L. D.
Terra has the potential to be a true destination restaurant. It's food is already superb and deserving recognition. The service is spotty and brings down the total enjoyment. I dined with a group of eight and everyone's meal was eye appealing and delicious. It was a Friday night and the place was hopping with people waiting in the bar for a dinner table to open. I really like the energy in the place - it's alive and happening! Yet I had to ask for a glass of water three times over fifteen minutes before finally receiving this simple request. If Terra is able to improve service I believe this small restaurant in a spotty location could become a real draw of patrons from throughout the region.
(4)
Alan G.
This was my first visit to the new Terra. I had lobster shells in my lobster salad. When I told my waitress she said "Oh", and that was the last I heard of it. No apology, no visit to the table by Chef Jeff. Nothing! Not a good beginning. Your walk in customers are important as well as your catering clients. I do like the farm to table philosophy and the new location.
(2)
Michelle Z.
I've lived most of my life in San Diego and have had my fill of nachos at a variety of authentic Mexican restaurants. I don't know how Terra did it but they have the best nachos I've ever tasted. The calamari on the appetizer menu is delicious, and the chocolate cigar is heavenly. The chocolate is creamy and addictive. I love this farm to table restaurant. The ambiance is intimate, the staff are friendly and the food is fresh.
(4)
Bucky R.
I have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Terra in Rolando. The decor and staff is more casual than the previous incarnation in Hillcrest, but this in no way detracted from the food .The staff were genuinely friendly and were very helpful with their recommendations. I think previous reviewers have missed the fact that these guys aren't going for a traditional fine dining experience, but rather are doing something more like Urban Solace, C Level, or the Kensington Grill... just with much better food. My wife and I tried the farm salad, the tater tots, the ginger pot stickers, the beef sliders, and the cigar desert. The sliders and the desert were by far the best. In fact, it was hard not to order another serving of the sliders! Overall the food quality, presentation, and service were excellent. The prices were very reasonable and the happy hour specials on drinks were good.
(5)
serina c.
The mac and cheese seriously could be the best in town. I also had the flat iron steak with chimmichurri sauce which was also good. The short rib sliders were delicious but not over whelming with BBQ sauce. The only thing I didn't care for was the Tuscan flat bread. The 2 outside (end piece's) were nice and crispy but the rest of it was soggy. I would be making this place my monthly rotation since I just moved to lovely La Mesa. I wish they had complementary bread cause I do love my carbs. Awesome service from start to finish!
(4)
Brandon B.
I've really enjoyed everything I've ordered here, breakfast or lunch. Food is always fresh and the ingredients are as local as possible. They follow the "Farm to Table" concept and also give you 3 free mimosa's with Sunday brunch! Prices are fair and the staff is very friendly and attentive.
(5)
Mishel F.
I really wanted to like this restaurant, as there aren't many options in the La Mesa area but they fell short in both food and service so I cannot recommend them. They were quite busy on a recent Wednesday evening and there were long gaps between the time we were seated until we received water. Our server didn't seem to know much about the menu and kept having to go back to the kitchen with any questions we might have on the dishes. We each ordered a basil martini which had way too much sweet and sour mix to be drinkable, I do love the idea of house-infused vodkas, but this just didn't work. Food wasn't much better, organic salad was overdressed. Nachos didn't have enough of anything, most of the chips were dry. Ahi tuna sliders were the best dish of the bunch. Terra bills itself as a farm to table restaurant, however they serve feedlot meat which was a huge turnoff for me. I understand the majority of their customer base may be price sensitive, but the farm-to-table advertising felt misleading. Next time, try Starlite, Barrio Star or The LInkery all of which have great food at reasonable prices.
(2)
Chris N.
Terra American Bistro is one of the best places to eat in La Mesa. Not the best location in town, but a clean and well appointed establishment. The interior decor is a bit off the shelf, obviously no designer was hired to give the place a touch of panache. But what matters most in a restaurant is the food and this is where Terra get my applause. The chef can cook. My friend had the flank steak and I the fish of the day. We ordered off the special menu and got soup/salad, main course and desert for 20 dollars. We also ordered the mushroom/jalapeno pillows. We were a little disappointed with the salad, which, though fresh, lacked color and we had to ask for additional dressing. When the "pillows" arrived our approval was well earned. These little bites were delicious. The main course flank steak, was masterfully prepared and beautifully presented. It tasted like a fine cut of beef and not the "carne asada" I was expecting. The fish was exquisite, tender, flaky and flavorful. A dessert to note was the mango sorbet. WOW. The "no bake chocolate cake" was divine, except for the crumbly cookie on the side (make it a wafer next time) . The executive chef made the rounds to speak with everyone and listen to our praise and suggestions. The wait staff was attentive and personable. I give this establishment a four stars.There are so few great eateries in La Mesa. This one deserves your support. ---GET A RESERVATION, the place fills up quickly.---
(4)
Brittany H.
This is a place I could spend my whole day in. I have been hoping and searching for a restaurant with the feel and coziness that it has and my dreams have come true! It has such amazing food and feel to this bistro and makes me feel like I'm in heaven. I have not eaten or had a drink I did not like, everything is beyond amazing and especially my favorite waiter Nick Berry. He is so helpful and knowledgeable on everything he never steers me wrong. I have a great experience every time he is my waiter and I usually always hope to be served by him. All in all I give this place an A+++++++ and cannot wait to go back as soon as possible. Thanks Terra !
(5)
Betsy C.
I had been to Terra twice before, enjoyed the food, the fresh menu items and convenience to my house. However, my recent (and probably last) visit to Terra was horrible. I wanted to take my boyfriend to this special place and excited to share this unique restaurant with him. We entered an almost empty restaurant on Tuesday night and were told by the hostess that it would be a 5 minute wait! Seriously? So we wandered down the hall to the waiting area not wanting to sit at the bar when the hostess approached us and asked us for our phone number? Whaaat??? I asked her why she needed it and she said it was no big deal, they never call people, it would just make our next "reservation" easier? Huh? My boyfriend gave her a bogus number, we proceeded to wait the full 5 minutes before being seated. Our server was adequate but announced to us as we were seated that they did not have any chicken. Empty restaurant early in the evening already out of a major menu item- not a good sign. My boyfriend ordered the special and it was tasty; the Fish & Chips I ordered-not so tasty. First off it was served in a basket- a narrow basket lined with paper. (Health inspectors please take note: how do they clean them?) The fish and fries closer to the bottom were over fried and lacked flavor. At the end of the meal the check was presented in a tacky little burlap bag. Pretentious? Just a bit. So sad that a truly great concept- fresh local food doesn't really provide a nice dining experience consistently.
(1)
Kev G.
This place has a great vibe and the food is amazing. Everyone at my table loved everything they ordered. I can't remember the last time that happened. To top it off, the server was as good as they get. A+ to the owner of this place.
(5)
Diane L.
My boyfriend and I were lured to this place because it is in walking distance from our house and they offer free mimosas with your meals for brunch. The hostess was a middle eastern Avril who took 5 minutes to seat us even though the restaurant was quite empty. When we got seated we mentioned that we wanted to share our meals and prefer to be seated next to each other. The hostess told us we couldn't because it may get busy to be relocated to a larger table. When our meals came, we asked one of the waitresses (or maybe even the manager) if we could sit next to each other since they had at least 12 empty tables after 40 minutes of being seated. She replied "no, it may get busy later." It is sad that there were worried about future customers rather than taking care of satisfying current customers that were already there. We were not so much bothered by that. What really disappointed us was the food. My boyfriend ordered the french toast breakfast that came with sausage and bacon. The french toast was dry and bland and the crust was hard. I ordered the chilaquiles because it was the special of the day. To my disappointment, it was sour and was not very tasty at all. The salsa, guacamole, and beans were all separated as if they were scooped from cans. They serve better dishes, sadly to say, at taco bell. And I hate taco bell. The cooking was so amateur, we are surprised they even had 3 stars. I cannot even justify coming here even with the free mimosas offered and a two minute walk. I am saddened by such horrible customer service and disgusting meals. Obviously we will never return and will not recommend this place to any neighbors, roommates or friends. Wish there was less than one star because they do not even deserve one!
(1)
Theresa A.
What a wonderful place! I was visiting two of my very close friends in San Diego and we were celebrating because it's been a while since we have been together. They brought me here because they both know that I enjoy restaurants that incorporate the whole "Farm to Table" concept. Elinor was our waitress and she was great- Very friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable of the menu. My two friends, Michael and Norman, have been to this place quite a few times already and it was nice to see the waitstaff that had waited on them on previous visits come over and say hello. Everything we ate was delicious and of course we saved room for dessert-flourless chocolate cake with sea salt caramel sauce- heaven. Next time I'm in town I hope to go back.
(4)
Dana B.
Sunday brunch is delicious! The short rib hash was Amazing. Would have given 5 stars but service was poor.:(
(4)
Anne B.
East County needs more restaurants and what a great addition Terra is to the East. We shared the house salad, 3 appetizers, (calamari, short rib sliders, scallops) bottle of wine and dessert. It was all delicious, best calamari I have ever had. I do not know anyone who has tried Terra, that did not like it. The owner came around and introduced himself to all of the tables. It was an overall great experience.
(5)
Renee S.
This place was amazing! We went on a whim & were so impressed we will be back. The appetizer flat bread pizza was big enough for an entree, they weren't joking when we were told the Maine lobster was 1.5 lbs, I think it was closer to 2lbs & cooked perfectly. Our entrees took a bit longer to come out before some of our neighbors but before we thought to say anything the manager came over to apologize, comp a round of drinks & our appetizer. We will be sure to bring our daughter next time too.
(5)
lcny C.
Amazing! We just bought a house close by, and there is nothing like Terra around. -locally sourced ingredients, farm to table style. I wish more places like this would start opening up here (-everyone in this neighborhood would go). The staff is super helpful, the atmosphere is nice, and the food was great. We ordered the skirt steak and lobster mac & cheese. Both were fantastic!
(5)
Susan W.
Terra catered at our wedding a few months ago. Pros: delicious food...really delicious...we got lots of comments like "best food I've had at a wedding" from our guests; they really worked with us to put together a creative menu that fit in our budget; the catering manager used her no-nonsense-ness to negotiate some great prices for us with our rental companies because we had to get everything down to the chairs, tables, linens, etc.; Chef Jeff (the executive chef/owner) is your actual chef on the day of your event!; and best "pro" of all -- love their emphasis on locally grown, organic foods! Cons: the catering manager's no-nonsense-ness was a bit rude at times and some of our other vendors and a hard time working with her on the day of; also, they lost our cake topper :( Overall though, we were quite satisfied!
(3)
Lia T.
We went for brunch on Father's Day. We took G's Mom since she is a widow. We had a reservation and were seated quickly. The server wished us a happy Father's Day. I muttered that there were no fathers at the table and she said "Well, everyone has one." I thought that was insensitive since G no longer does. On to the food. I was excited to see a breakfast quesadilla on the menu because I love the one at Indigo Cafe. This one had short ribs on it (?) so I ordered it without. The meat must be an essential ingredient because the quesadilla was dry and bland. I can't remember what G had, but his Mom had stuffed French toast. She said it was dry but hated to add syrup because it was over the top sweet already. Although Terra strives to serve natural, farm to table food, I was horrified to see the packets of Smuckers high fructose corn syrup jellies and jams on the table. It's not that hard to find the real deal. So the food was disappointing. Perhaps we should go back for a meal other than breakfast. However the setting/ decor didn't make me want to rush back. Staring out the window at a cheap beauty parlor and check cashing joint with barred windows was hardly inspiring. Oh well, I checked it off the list.
(3)
Cheryl A.
Went here for lunch after reading the reviews on Yelp. Lot was full...good sign. Was greeted by the hostess who was very friendly and was seated right away. The reviews raved about the house salad, but when I ordered it I was told they hadn't received they're fruit delivery and didn't have strawberries to make the salad...bummer. So, I ordered the roasted beets and goat cheese salad along with their seafood chowder. While waiting, I was given a plate of fresh bread and hummus...yum. Didn't love the salad, even with the addition of lobster, but it was good. The chowder, however, tasted like dressed up canned vegetable soup. It was served in one of those bowls with enormous brims and a regular spoon instead of a soup spoon...this wasn't the greatest combination as I am short and unable to hover over my bowl and when I'd spill soup from my spoon onto the brim of the bowl, it splattered onto my white top. I used the offer from Yelp for the bread pudding...thankfully it was free because I like my bread pudding more like a custard instead of a fancy cinnamon bun. I wasn't impressed by the food, but the hostess and wait staff are wonderful. I may try this place again, but not anytime soon.
(3)
Sue C.
Dinner was wonderful. The waitress made a recommendation from the fresh specials and it was terrific. The puree that was paired with my fish was magical.
(5)
Joshua M.
The pot roast is excellent. I wasn't super impressed with the lobster mac and cheese, but the bread pudding more than made up for it. The ginger lemonade is also pretty good.
(4)
Jennifer E.
I really wanted to like this place. Been here 4 times now. It's in my neighborhood and, yes the "concept" is great. Food was just ok, though, and a bit too much $ for the level of quality.
(3)
Lynn R.
Mixed review, but less than positive, unfortunately. Summary: best place in the area, but expected so much more. While Terra is new to this neighborhood, it is NOT a new restaurant. I won't compare it to the Hillcrest location, will just review it as it was last evening. Reservations: Had reservations for 5:30 on a Saturday night. 5:30. On arrival, we were told by three people standing at the hostess stand that we would have a 15-minute wait, which turned out to be 25. There were many open tables, but the triplet hostesses explained that staff had been overwhelmed with a big party that was still there. As other reviewers have noted, there were other staff members hanging around. (couldn't one of them have set up our table so we could have sat there instead of at the bar?) Bar: Ordered a $10 mojito and it came filled-to-the-rim and overly sweetened. It was impossible to take a first sip without spilling some. Asked for a napkin, and the bartender slapped it on the spill on the bar (thank you, but I wanted it for my fingers - I could have slid the coaster over the bar) and walked away. When we received the call to be seated, they asked that we settle-up at the bar instead of carry a tab. I stood there with cash in hand for several minutes while both bartenders walked by a number of times, cleaning and chatting with the other two people at the bar. At least the TV wasn't on then. Table service: friendly but somewhat weird. Bubbly but overly talkative. Definitely knowledgeable about the food and made suggestions even when not asked (not good or bad). Described the specials deliciously. Dinner experience: Tasty. Small portion size. No vegan entree options on the menu, although several vegetarian. Teeny tiny bread, but excellent spread. Even at 6:30, the place was full and brimming over (standing room only) and so loud that we couldn't hear each other. Bottom line: Hope it's successful here - know it will be - this area needs more places like this. Will be a delightful place, if you can put up with the quirks. But it's difficult for me (a vegan) to find much to eat, even though it's farm-to-table. I will eat a good appetizer before I go next time so I'm not as hungry, and won't expect to be able to converse with my dinner companions.
(2)
Terri H.
Thrilled to have this in east county since we followed it in Hillcrest. Dinner was terrific and service friendly. The flat iron steak with chimichurri was fabulous and myhusband loved his bistro burger. When the waitress learned that my husband brews his own beer, she brought him a sample of another to try. We will return both for the food and to support the advent of finer dining our way east - keep it coming!
(5)
Deanna M.
The best place to eat in La Mesa!! I loved thi splace when it was in Hillcrest and was sooooo happy to hear they moved to my side of town. Their seafood is great...and I love their Chimichuri Steak! Their bread pudding is fabulous!!
(5)
Chuck B.
As a gift for watching a friends kid for a week they gave us a gift card for Terra. They explained the farm-to-table format to us and it sounded like the perfect place for us. We went this past Friday at 5:15 for dinner. Everything was amazing. The Chef was at the front desk when we arrived and we were promptly seated. Our waitress (Diana?) was super cool and definitely added to our experience. My brother and I ordered a couple of beers. The selection is nice and it is all local brew, which is perfect because San Diego has become a mecca for hand crafted beers. My wife had a martini which was made with one of their infused vodkas and basil. She said it was delicious. The food was beyond great. Our pumpkin ravioli did not disappoint at all. My brother had the pot roast, I had the fish and chips, and my wife had the yellow tail. For dessert we went with our servers suggestion of bread pudding. It was amazing! If you're looking for a quick meal... this may not be your place. The pace of service wasn't slow by any means but they definitely weren't bringing our entrees while we were still working on our appetizer. I didn't mind it at all because the atmosphere and our server made for a great experience. I'm glad our friends introduced us to Terra. We will be coming back for sure!
(5)
ashley j.
The food was amazing the atmosphere was top notch. It's always great to have the chef come out and great everyone just to get to know his customers better. I'm so glad this has moved into my neighborhood and am really glad to see that it is doing well so that it will stay.
(5)
Hypocritic A.
My wife and I had a great dinner at this place. I have to say I'm a bit of a west of the 5 guy and coming all the way out past SDSU was a stretch for me mentally (especially dealing with all those stop lights off the 8). Anyhow the menu had lots of interesting things on it. My wife ordered something that was basically completely different than the way it was listed on the menu and they had no problem with it. Very clean, easy parking, and despite being surprisingly crowded wasn't noisy. Definitely going back...
(4)
P G.
Food was good. We had chicken and sausage pasta, sliders, lobster mac, and salmon. We all liked our food but the portions were a bit small for price. The drinks were good. Good beer selection. We didn't get any wine but they seemed to have a good selection. I would have gave it 5 stars if the portions were a bit larger. A bit pricey for the amount of food, but everything was tasty. Good service! I think the earlier bad reviews had more to do with the service which seemed to be good for us. I assume it had to do more with the restaurant just opening.
(4)
Jennifer F.
Waste of money - my hubby and i had reservations for restaurant week at 7pm, we did arrive a little early, checked in and decided to have a drink at the bar.it took a while for the bartender to serve us and the wines by the glass list was extremely lacking - not very many reds to choose from by the glass, and the one beer my hubby wanted they were out of. the glass of wine i ordered was sour so i did not drink it. we waited and waited for our table, and when we were seated at 7:20pm, the hostess did aplogize that they were running 10 minutes behind, funny because every single party that came in after us had already been seated. i didn't want to make a fuss that my glass of wine was not right, yet when we were seated the hostess insisted and insisted, and she was nice enough to bring me another glass, but at that point, we knew they had messed up on the seating and the vibe was weird. we did receive water right away, but the table who ordered right before us had bread, their first course and had started on their second course when we finally received our bread, which i had to request from the bus boy. by the way, the bus boy was the nicest person, gave the best service out of everyone in the entire restaurant. the waiter, who definitely had too many tables, passed by our table four times while my hubby had nothing to drink. my salad was under-dressed, my hubby scallops - or lack their of - were completely un-seasoned. my mac and cheese was a joke, the lobster was boiled and not seasoned at all, my hubby's roast was over cooked and the edges were hard. oh and the cheese had not melted together on my mac and cheese and it was "juicy." my dessert was the best thing about the entire situation. complete waste of time and money, i dont know if its because i expect really good food, or everyone else there is completely un -educated on what really good food is.
(1)
Debbie W.
Had the most delicious brunch, with no long lines like so many weekend breakfast places. Both of us ordered off of the specials menu and practically licked our plates. A great place for a brunch date.
(4)
Laura S.
A friend introduced me to this restaurant last week. I met her for an early dinner on a weeknight so it wasn't terribly crowded. Our waiter was friendly, very informative about the menu and provided great service. I had the citrus chicken with couscous and squash. So good. My friend had the butternut squash and fell in love with it. They serve flavored waters there and that night it was strawberry-orange infused. Yum! We shared the apple crisp w/oatmeal crust for dessert. It was topped with butternut squash ice cream which we were a bit unsure about but it turned out to be very good. I enjoyed it so much that I brought Boyfriend there for dinner on Friday night. We had a 7:00 reservation but had to wait a short time beyond that for a table. It was quite crowded. Our waitress was friendly and helpful but service was a fair amount slower due to the crowd. They did keep us supplied with water (basil citrus this time) and bread while we waited though. We shared the mac-n-cheese as an appetizer. We weren't that impressed with it as there wasn't much flavor to it. For main dishes we had a halibut dish that was one of the specials of the day and the Chipotle skirt steak. Both were excellent. We were so full by that time that we didn't have room for dessert. During both visits the chef came out and walked around the room speaking to guests. We will definitely be back though we will probably try to go earlier to avoid some of the crowd. We noticed on the menu that they also cater and are even considering looking into that as an option for our wedding.
(4)
Jennie O.
Delicious. When we walked in, we weren't sure if we were going to get a table because they were pretty busy. But I find that when a manager or owner will step in and take your order and be attentive without being pushy, this is a place I will come to again. Because they care whether or not you had a good meal and a good time. We had the salmon cakes, house salad and bistro burger, very tasty. Yes, the salmon cakes were small, but if you're getting wild caught Alaska smoked salmon, you should check out the prices in the grocery store. The service, yes, I think she was an owner or manager, was excellent. The dessert: A flourless chocolate chipotle cake with salted caramel drizzled over. The prices for what we had, considering their farm to table approach, seemed reasonable enough to me. Yes, we'll be back.
(5)
Shanah C.
Met a date here for lunch. He arrived first, and even though there were only 2 other people in the restaurant, they asked him if he had a reservation??? Wasn't really impressed with the decor, but the food made up for it. I ordered the pumpkin raviolis (DELICIOUS!!) and a salad. My date had the sausage chicken pasta (good, but not as good as mine!!) Our waiter was very attentive and had a good knowledge of the menu. While we were there, the owner/head waiter came around to our table and asked how we enjoyed our food. We also looked a the dinner menu which had alot of great looking choices!! I will definately be back to try other dishes on the menu!! Not a huge fan of the location (not sure why they moved from Hillcrest after 20 yrs??) but glad they are closer to my house so I can visit them often. Noticed their happy hour specials looked pretty good too!!
(4)
Kris E.
Place just not worth going since they moved to La Mesa. I have gone many times when they were in Hill crest and always had a good experience with the food and the service. However since they moved to a seedy part of town along El Cajon Blvd. the attitude in there has changed to down right rude. This was my third time going to this location. The first time, I went for their Sunday brunch, and we walked in at 1:55 PM. Apparently they close at 2:00PM. They still had about 8 or 9 tables eating, but we were told they were closing so we could not dine for Brunch, but we could go back for dinner in the evening when they reopened. I pointed out that since it was not 2:00 yet, and they still seemed to have a lot of people eating, that it seems they should seat people up till 2:00 PM. The hostess was rather blunt and said no we are closed. I tried to be nice and said we promise to order quickly, and eat fast, so that we were not the last ones there so as not to hold up the place from closing. Then she said flatly, no all the cooks went home in a rude tone. So we left, but I thought about it after realizing that was probably not true because what if the people still eating wanted to order dessert. I don't think the waiter would be the one to go cook and plate the deserts. However, I decided that I had always liked their food, so I would return and not let the hostess spoil it for me. But the next time I went the hostess was just as rude when I asked for a different table so as not to be crowded between the two that were seated, and there were many other tables open. She told me they were all reserved. Yet most of them were not seated the whole time we were there. The food was good, but the prices were way to high for that part of town, and the portions were small leaving you a bit hungry. They obviously moved from an expensive lease to one far less, yet did not adjust their menu prices to reflect that, which is surprising considering it's an area where the street hookers hang out. This can be verified by the arrest records for the area, also be careful where you park, dark areas get their cars broken into. But once again, I thought, I like the food, so I will take a friend there because she likes fresh farm raised and organic food. I know they use hormone free beef and chicken, and fresh herbs, and I always get my favorite coveted desert, the chocolate cigar. We arrived at 5:10 PM on a Thursday evening. There were only two other tables sat, yet we were told we could not sit where we would like because they were reserved. When I questioned her on that, she told me that we were only a party of two, and that all the ones I wanted to sit at were only for patties of four. We were there for an hour and a half, yet half of the four top tables were never sat. clearly they knew that it was unlikely that that many parties of four would come without a reservation, so not allowing dinners to be comfortable is just bad service. By the time you have your wine bottle, wine glasses, bread plates, bread basket, spread dish, water glasses, appetizer and appetizer plates and silverware, there is barely an inch left on the table. The rim of the rim glass gets caught under the plates as you try to pick up your wine glass. It's just very uncomfortable. Before placing our order we asked the server to divide the checks with wine and desert on one, and the entrees on the other. She told us it is company policy not to allow split checks. What kind of business does that? We both ordered the sea bass specials. My guests portion looked like a nice size piece of fish, but there were not very many vegetables. We both found her dish not very flavorful, and a bit too sweet. My fish portion was very small, and they left the skin on the fish. It was easy to remove, but I just find it unappetizing, and some people don't know to remove the skin. The flavor was very goo though. Food was over priced for portions and area. Wine was expensive too. Then after I raved about the Choc cigar, I was disappointed to get it and the choc was still very cod and not melted inside. They did not cook the phillodough long enough. Needless to say, rudeness and ridiculous rules will not bring return customers even if the food is good. Our bill was over $70.00. Probably won't return, so you have lost another.
(1)
JC F.
Tried Terra again but for dinner about a month ago. Now that's what I'm talking about! I'm so glad I went back! They serve bread and a delicious hummus while you are waiting for your entree. I had the fish on a bed of seasonal veggies and couscous that was delicious. This fish was PERFECTLY cooked as I am particular about this. The service is still a bit quirky - bartender less than enthusiastic and waiter was dripping sweat as he took our order but the food overshadowed these minor details. I will definitely be back to support this local eatery.
(4)
Matt D.
Lobster Mac n Cheese is the fan favorite! Great customer service.
(5)
Melissa S.
Great drinks! Great food! Nick was my server and he really made my dining experience better. The intimate setting makes it feel welcoming and at home. The food was great! The chef/owner came up to me and personally asked me how my food was. I really appreciate when the owner is on site and cares about their customers. I recommend this restaurant to anyone. It's hard to find exceptional food in the college area and it is a diamond in the rough. Thank you nick and thank you terra!
(5)
Jason D.
Very average food. Very high priced. In another review the chef commented that there is no such thing as organic meat. That should speak very loudly about the establishment. I would not recommend dining here. According to the USDA[1] rules passed on October 22, 2002, certified organic beef must come from a fully verifiable production system that collects information on the history of every animal in the program, including its breed history, veterinary care, and feed. Further, to be certified as organic, all cattle should meet the following criteria: Born and raised on certified organic pasture Never receive antibiotics Never receive growth-promoting hormones Are fed only certified organic grains and grasses Must have unrestricted outdoor access Sorry Chef.
(2)
Dawn S.
Really love this farm to table! A strange location for it, but well worth it!! Haven't had anything I didn't like...and their gluten free menu is extensive! Their gf flat bread is amazing! Nick was one of the best waiters we have had! Can't wait for our next visit! To many good things to try....
(4)
Amy P.
We had a great experience here for our first time. We decided to go for brunch. I would suggest a reservation -open table. All the breakfast choices come with 3 mimosas or champagne. Yes you heard me right! I had the special - smoked salmon, with eggs over a bed of potatoes with hollandaise. My partner had Short Rib Hash with 2 poached eggs and rosemary hollandaise. The brunch plates were large, delicious, and filling. The environment is cosy and warm, nice tables and long booths against walls. Theres a nice nice bar in the restaurant, so if theres just two dining you may be able to just walk in and eat there. We noticed they have specials almost every day and a social time(happy hour) for two hours during the week. They also have a date night. If you haven't ate brunch here, definitely try it out! We going to go back and have dinner soon.
(5)
Rachael C.
We had a mixed bag of experiences from Terra when we dined there recently for dinner I like that places such as this are making their way into parts of La Mesa not really know for finer dining, but it still needs some work The lobster ragoons were not good. They were way over fried. The lobster bisque was equally as bad. It tasted like nothing but watered down cream, and nothing else. This item was returned I had a starter scallop dish that was nice, but the scallops were super small. Not what I was expecting. The sauce was very good though, and the scallops seemed fresh The potato, brie and red onion quesadilla was pretty good, if not just a tad too spicy, but that is more on a level of my taste. My other half had a salad as well as said it was good, but how do you mess up that? I suppose you could We got a lava cake for dessert which was actually quite good I am not sure if I would come back to Terra or not, but I was glad to finally try it out. Service was decent, but at the times the server talked like a buddy would on a lunch break, and not exactly professional. She was understanding of the soup, and agreed it tasted bad
(3)
Cel P.
Great service!!!! Come see Stephanie & (Magic) Mike! What we had: -Brussel Sprouts - YUM my fave! -Calamari -Chicken lettuce wraps What we drank: -Strawberry Smash -Terra Sangria -Kentucky lemonade *** Sunday brunch includes 3 mimosas! *** Make a RSVP (per Stephanie)
(4)
Allyson L.
If you are in the El Cajon/La Mesa area and are looking for a nice restaurant, this is a great place to try! I had their sangria. Watch out, it is good but pretty strong! I highly recommend the Brussel Sprouts to start, they were probably my favorite part of the meal! For dinner we had the garlic and cheese flatbread and the salmon, both were very good! If you are celebrating a birthday, let your server know and they will bring out a little dessert. The best part of our experience was probably the friendly and accommodating staff!
(4)
Omar S.
Terra American Bistro is surrounded by garages and a beauty supply shop, but it isn't what you think it is, if you think it's an innovative chef winning a round of Next New Thing: Real Estate Edition. Taking those things backwards: Terra's neighborhood is dodgy, but not in a good way. Being next door to a candy factory, now that would be cool. Terra is just in a ghetto, and unless the owner knows something about the City's development plans that the rest of us have missed, he's not likely to see UCSD and La Mesa's hidden money meeting in the middle, bellied up to his bar. While Terra's owner waits, those people are growing attached to good restaurants in their own safe and visually appealing back yards. Location aside, if Terra's food was stellar, it might serve as an attractant. But the food is just not very good. Here are some culinary fails that Terra has served up; I note that some of these items don't appear on Terra's current menus, but it's the same kitchen, so... Terra Newly Fashioned. Think I'm kidding? Check the Drinks menu. Terra seriously uses this name for an Old Fashioned, and no one, neither the servers nor the bartenders, snickers when they say it. The drink includes: sage-infused bourbon; tarragon; terra citrus bitters; simple syrup; orange; and brandied cherries. It tastes like Pine-Sol smells. And no one snickers when they serve it. Margherita Flatbread with Smoked Tomato. Good tomatoes. Good Cheese. It was a trick, however, to lift the tomatoes and cheese from that rock-solid board of a bread/plate it was served on. Just kidding. I know it was flatbread. It just seemed like the other thing. Achiote BBQ Chicken Breast with Peach-Serrano Salsa. Dry, flavorless chicken - except for the achiote, which, instead of being a light enhancement to the meat, was its theme. This was buried in an oversweet and unfortunate combination of flavors that never met before, for good reason. "Right Coast" Lobster Roll. It's hard to screw up lobster; Terra, rising to the challenge, caked on mayonnaise as though it were delicious sauce, though, thinking about it, the mayo was useful in softening the dried out bread/roll on which the sandwich was served. Special mention for the side of soggy, sour coleslaw that some genius decided would be incomplete unless he added... ginger. Ever have food that made you angry because you couldn't figure out how to remove all traces of it from your plate? This was that. Roasted Beets and Goat Cheese with Toasted Chipped Hazelnuts. These were good. I can't imagine how they could be otherwise. So were the Roasted Brussels Sprouts, for the same reason. I note that, since first tasting toasted chipped hazelnuts at Terra American Bistro, I have shamelessly stolen the idea for my own home-roasted Brussels sprouts and other dishes. So thanks, Terra; the hazelnut idea cost me about $200 and several hours of my life, but it was worth it; people love my Brussels sprouts. One final note: Terra has offered a Yelp checkin special, a slice of bread pudding, that was, in fact, a burnt and dry, gnarled little corner of the pan. As I captioned my photo of the treat, "Guess that'll teach me to use a checkin offer at Terra American Bistro." ********** I heard from Terra's owner, who repeated a snippet of my review, pointing out that the menu has changed. Here was my response: "I noted that many of the items I described aren't on your current menu. You haven't added new information here. Perhaps if you could speak to the problems the kitchen had, and what you've done to address those issues, your comments would prove useful. I'll modify my review to reflect this exchange. Thanks for any productive information you can contribute."
(2)
Sydney N.
This place was absolutely amazing. Great service great food and an awesome atmosphere.
(5)
Shirley R.
LOVE this place! Came here for brunch on Easter Sunday with reservations made at 9am. I called in to move it to 9:30 and they moved it with no problem! The parking lot is fairly small, but there is some street parking and a few spaces toward the back side of the restaurant. Doesn't look like anything spectacular from the outside, so don't judge this book by it's cover! The interior decor is pretty cute with i think it was large ground coffee bags attached to the ceiling roof. Upon looking at the brunch menu, the very top of the menu (you can't miss it) is your meal comes with free mimosas! WHAT?! Well, it said 3, but WHAT?! Unfortunately I only had one ): but what an awesome offer. Before I was able to ask our waitress what was popular, she told us. And right before I could ask what her favorite items were, she told us. Mind reader! I ordered the breakfast quesadilla subbing my eggs for egg whites. It was divine! Crispy 4-slices of quesadilla filled with gooey cheese, egg whites, and tasty/savory/tender short ribs! Props to the chef who put this together. It came with a palm size scoop of sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo. I didn't eat the sour cream, but the guacamole was tasty and the pico de gallo had a minor kick to it. My table split the stuffed french toast... bad and good decision. Good because it was delicious, bad because we wanted more! Fairly thick slices of bread (about one slice was equivalent to a general slice of sandwich bread) crusted with cooked down cornflakes (obviously) but still maintained a nice, sweet crunch, as if it was caramelized (which it might have been?). Two slices of bread weren't stuffed, but was spread with strawberry cream cheese. I'd say it's more like strawberry cream cheese spread french toast, but clearly that makes no sense nor does it sound appealing. Regardless, it was deliciously served with syrup poured on it already and it wasn't eye-tweaking sweet, but it was a general sweet like any other type of french toast served with syrup. Also, there is an offer through Yelp for a free bread pudding with a check-in. Yes, please! I got it to go because there was no way I, or my table, was able to eat that after our 1.25 meals. Take advantage of the offer and mimosas! Definite must!
(5)
Ella D.
Sunday brunch includes 3 glasses of mimosas!! Now that that's out of the way, I should mention the food is great too. Awesome service, always. Friendly staff and even the other diners are in good spirits. Must be the mimosas, ;). My glass always looks different than others because mine is really just orange juice (I don't drink alcohol.) My friends will often drink my #2 and #3 glasses while I eat their extra food as portions are so big. I love the short rib hash.
(5)
Chtoya D.
Great place for brunch !! Ellie at the bar is sweet and very attentive. Food is fresh and locally grown. Can't wait to try it for dinner.
(5)
Antonio R.
Every one that works here is so nice and friendly but the food is only so so, a little to salty. Ambience is nice and the atmosphere is friendly.
(4)
Christina D.
Wanted to love this place and didn't. Food is ok...I won't say mediocre but almost. Service was incredibly slow. -highs: house salad dressing and ketchup -lows: small portion of steak with salad, greasiness of truffle fries Everything else was forgettable. Aside from the food being below my expectations, a bigger disappointment was the service. We arrived at 12:30 on a Thursday during lunch and the restaurant was not incredibly busy and we were seated immediately. Got our orders in very quickly and then we had to wait. We gave them our card for payment when our server brought the food and didn't get the card back with ticket for another 20+ minutes even though we asked multiple times and our server came to our table multiple times. Also one order came out wrong and we spoke with a manager who was quite rude although she returned to our table and was more kind the second time. Overall it was just a disappointment. Not really worth a trip back for me.
(2)
Tracy S.
A breakfast entree that comes with 3 glasses of champagne... that they really dont keep track of? COUNT ME IN! Iver been wanting to dine at Terra since I tried their food ona Taste of College Area. my friend was having a birthday brunch there and there was a group of 20 of us. It is a great brunch spot for large groups! I would def go back for my own birthday! I ordered the chicken chorizo in a skillet, I was a bit skeptical cause I have only tried Soyrizo, not the real deal, but this chicken chorizo was tasty!! The flavors or the meat were great and it came with fresh veggies, amazing potoates and eggs.. for an entree for under $15 with booze, this was friggin awesome!! The champagne isnt Andre either, it was decent for the price and the experience. The waitress was super helpful and provided recommendations and answered a ton of my many questions. My hubby ordered the bloody marys for 2 for $20. It came with a ton of toppings to make the perfect bloody mary, he was a big fan. Super cute place, super good food, nice staff, and included booze.. what more could you want for a weekend brunch?
(5)
Kim P.
Really good food and the bar inside is positioned like an island style table in the middle of everything. This is great because it's super easy to get drinks. They'll also bring them to your table obvs. The staff are excellent too and they can do private parties. They can book the whole place out for you to host your event for maybe up to 50 or 80 people. It's an intimate venue with really trendy decor as well. I'll be back because it's awesome here. They also do a great brunch from what I hear. Don't be scared off by the El Cajon location. It's as classy and nice as anything in the Del Mar.
(5)
Hilary S.
They are always accommodating to our special orders. We are gluten-free and dairy free. The chicken sausage pizza was great with the gluten-free crust!
(4)
Brenda G.
Dinner menu is OK and a bit overpriced. I get that it's organic, $100 for dinner for two is a LOT. However, brunch here is great!
(2)
Carla G.
We came here for Sunday brunch around 10:30. I liked the reviews and thought it was worth checking out. We were greeted very kindly and were quickly seated at a two top table. The restaurant is well decorated and has a pleasant enough environment. The outside of the restaurant does not match the interior decor. I personally like the concept of the restaurant... Farm to table ... They make their own bacon... That was yum.. I think they may have had an off day...Our food took over 20 minutes to be delivered, our waitress was non existent and my husband meal was not prepared well 2xs. However my Eggs Benedict were excellent and the complimentary mimosas were a neat touch. Manager was doing her best but her passion for doing a good job could not save poor execution. We will be back to give it another shot.
(3)
Alyssa V.
Lunch was awesome! 5 Star lunch & 5 star service! I didn't take any photos this time, but I will add them after my next visit!
(5)
Vincent C.
From the outside it doesn't look like much but the inside is pretty nice. I would say it's an upscale country vibe/decor but done very nice. I got a turkey melt, salad with garlic fries and a Kentucky Lemonade. The service was good but the hostess was very nice and helpful. It may be a little pricey but the food was good and the drink was tasty. They have a small bar but the restaurant itself is a little small but cozy. They have some pretty cool sodas from ginger, basil I think and some other different ingredients. I will come here again asap.
(4)
Bernard J.
I love this place! The mimosa brunch is an absolute favorite, along with everything else I've enjoyed at this establishment. My wife and I will continue to return here again and again! One of the best places to eat in the San Diego, hands down!
Went for brunch August 16, as always wonderful service and delicious food! Their brunch menu is excellent and you get 3 glasses of champagne or mimosas, your choice!
(5)
Fed B.
Stuff porkchop was delicious!!! Happy hour awesome! Good atmosphere, good variety of wine and spirits. Perfect for a good night in town.
(5)
Alan T.
Really love the staff, this is very welcoming place. Try the flat bread .... Yum
(5)
Brandy B.
Unfortunately my family's meal at Terra tonight has been a perfect storm of "we probably won't be going there again". While I would say the staff and management were entirely accommodating and understanding of our disappointment there just isn't enough to go back again for. We have two children and at first I was happy with the children's menu. More choices than one might normally find at an establishment such as this one. The disappointment came in the disproportionate sizes of menu choices that were perplexing and caused drama between our two children. One kid's choice (Chicken Tacos & Fresh Fruit) amounted to a "Small Plate" meal meant for a child but what kid needs a "Small Plate"? Little one didn't want to share her rather large choice of kids "Flatbread Pizza" and so the craziness started. Food was OK. My veggies were rather raw and parts were inedible due to the extreme crunchiness. Flavors were ok but not as savory or fulfilling as I wanted. Husband had the Friday night Fish & Chips that had coleslaw with absolutely no dressing. A missed chance for some added flavor? Drinks were good. Better than the food which was why I had two ;) We were offered a complimentary dessert which we passed on due to the fact that our kids were loosing their sh*t already and it wouldn't have helped matters much. The funny thing is that we have been to Terra a couple times before and our last visit resulted in an extremely long wait for aaaaaaaaa....dessert! We were given a "Complimentary Dessert" coupon that has long ago been misplaced but really supplying a coupon for the very thing that caused disappointment was strange. I personally wouldn't take my kids here again after the problems that the menu choices caused. But without a regular babysitter and lack of local family willing to babysit that limits me. In the wild circumstance that I DO have a babysitter I would rather go someplace with tastier and more exciting food.
(2)
Jeremy C.
I had the Scottish salmon and it was nothing to write home about. For $23 it was a rip off. The vegetables were undercooked and the quinoa was downright bad. At these prices there is no way I will be back. I can make better dishes at home.
(2)
Cynthia A.
Been regulars here for a while. The service is spectacular, they really know their stuff. Food always interesting usually delicious :) bar scene fun for 30+ social atmosphere
(4)
HarryandJean A.
Excellent food great calamari & muscles for appetizers and the Halibut was fantastic. Deserts were great. Chipotle Bacon, Maple ice cream unbelievable. Bread pudding great, Our waiter Nick was awesome highly recommend
(5)
Andrea P.
Always a favorite go to. Had the burger on the brunch menu and it was very tasty! Grilled onions, blue cheese, flavorful beef with the truffle fries and mimosas! Shout out to our server Nick, thanks for providing the great service! ;)
(4)
Darlene B.
I found Terra via Open Table as I was trying to find a place that was near home, could accommodate a party of 7, kid friendly, and takes reservations. It was the perfect combination -- to celebrate my dad's Medicare birthday with my family :) i noted on the reservation that we were celebrating the birthday and they did NOT forget it! This place is a located on the different side of La Mesa -- going back toward SDSU, looked more dive bar-ish from the outside, but then when you get in, it had a great intimate feel. The adorable mason jar chandelier and coffee bag ceiling, very trendy. Not going to lie, it was pricier than what we usually do for large-party birthday dinners, but I think it was worth. Started with a glass of wine, went with a cheap glass, and it was drier than how I usually like it. Yelp allowed us a free bread pudding after check in, and my dad got a free one for his b-day, love that! My actual dinner was O-M-G jaw dropping good. Pulled short rib + spinach pappardelle pasta...I cleared my entire plate because it was THAT good. I couldn't get enough. In addition to my dish, they have this extensive menu with great options! Definitely want to come back for brunch. My dad enjoyed his b-day dinner and that's all that matters.
(4)
Phillip D.
It's all about brunch at this place. I honestly haven't been here for dinner. It seems busy every time I go by and gets great reviews so I'm guessing they do a good job with that. Anyways, Brunch. You get three mimosas with your breakfast. Everything on the menu has been cooked perfectly with no complaints. There are also great brunch specials that fit with the already somewhat original menu. Everything has bacon and avocado. Locally grown veggies are worth paying for and with the mimosas brunch turns into a deal. The staff has always been great and if you're a local that stops in a lot you can sign up for their rewards program. I'm going to have to edit my review once I go to dinner here.
(4)
Jessica R.
Love this place!!! Gamma the server is the best and always offers great service. The food is just plain amazing. My all time favorite here is the strawberry crunchy French toast!!! Total GAME CHANGER!!!!- it heaven in your mouth!!! This place is top notch
(5)
Vanessa D.
Had a wonderful lobster Blt, tomato basil soup for lunch. Tori took great care of my friend and me, and my 3Yo was very happy.
(5)
jessica m.
I've been here a few times for brunch and dinner and is always been a hit with everyone I take..however, the waitress that we had today wasn't great at all. Not attentive at all. Our food took forever to get there and the people next to us got there food first even though they had ordered way after us. Maybe it's time I go somewhere else for brunch...
Never really noticed this place off El Cajon Blvd, but a friend wanted to try it out for their birthday, so we decided to go in and have lunch. The staff was great and greeted us right when we came in the door. We were seated immediately and the server came right up to introduce themselves. The server did an awesome job at making sure we were happy with our food/orders, and suggesting good items on the menu. We decided to try out the bowls with protein / rice. The food here is simply great, the black beans were freaking amazing and had great seasoning. I had ordered the steak in my bowl, I asked for medium done, and it came well done unfortunately and was kind of tough. The meat didn't completely ruin the dish, it still tasted great and everything had a perfect balance to it. The huge problem and issue with this restaurant is the food is horribly overpriced. $16 for a bowl that you can get at Chipotle for 6 bucks? Then you charge $1 for a little scoop of guacamole? Give me a break. Look at my picture, the portion is absurdly small. The steak was like a couple pieces, and yet the dish was super expensive. Looking at the menu also, a lot of their food was super expensive, especially for "lunch" time. You guys have a good restaurant, great atmosphere, the food tastes great and the service is really good. Your prices are just out of control for what you get, I know your rent isn't crazy high like you are in downtown or la jolla either. Your place is smack middle of a not so great neighborhood.
(3)
Robin M.
June 5th, 2015, my husband and I dropped in at Terra. No reservations, which is not recommended, but were seated shortly after arrival. We had the Fish and Chips. The tender batter of the fish was melt in your mouth delicious. The fish was also hearty and did not flake apart like some white fish does. The truffle fries were plentiful and delicious. The homemade ice-cream, maple, bacon, chocolate chip and chipotle was heavenly. And to make our dinner even better, our waiter, Mike, was kind, courteous and attentive. What a great time that was had on our impromptu Friday date night!
(5)
R F.
We've been here about 10 times over the past few years. Mostly for dinner, but we stopped in for brunch once and for lunch a couple of times as well. I've got to say I've always been happy with each visit. The last time was for my partner's birthday a couple of weeks ago. Our server was very friendly and attentive (my apologies for not getting his name to give him credit), and the food was delicious. It was a busy Saturday evening, but everything arrived at the table in a timely fashion. The decor is upscale, but not cold or uninviting. I'd say my only gripe is that it can get loud when the place is busy and the tables are so close together it almost feels as if you're dining with the people next to you. But I do understand that it's a relatively small space and they want to get as many patrons seated as possible. I've never personally interacted with the owner, but have seen his responses to some negative reviews here on yelp. Although some replies can appear confrontational and potentially off-putting, I think his central message is a valid one and it's caused me to delete negative reviews on other establishments that I've written in the past. The message is this: give the establishment the chance to make things right before going home & writing a scathing review. I'll be the first to admit that I don't like confrontation and I don't like to complain, BUT I've quietly seethed over a sub-par meal only to vent my frustrations in an online review. That's not fair to the establishment at all. Regardless of your trepidations, most restaurants really want to please their customers. So if you have an issue with your meal and don't speak up, the only person to blame is yourself because you haven't given the place a chance to make things right. If you give them that chance and they still screw it up, then by all means tell others about it; but at least give them a chance before assuming they don't care or won't fix the issue. Again, I hope this doesn't come across as affiliation with the owner, because I've never even met him. However, his responses to other reviews made me realize how tough it must be to be for an independent restaurant owner in an age where everyone thinks they're a restaurant critic and their feeling of self-entitlement commands them to bash a place just because their water wasn't refilled every two seconds or whatever. I've only had positive experiences with my multiple meals at his location, and my star rating reflects that.
(5)
Michelle C.
Came here for dinner! We ordered the stuffed pork chops and pot roast! The sauce for the stuffed pork chop was great! The place is cute. A lot of couples were eating at the bar and there was a sign that says come and socialize! They do early dinner from 4:30pm to 6pm! They have 4 options of daily specials. They have a lot off options for desserts! We got the free bread pudding with the yelp check in! There's not a lot of parking, but you can park across the street too since the auto shop was already closed.
Quality food and atmosphere. Try the early dinner special for the best value. The bread pudding is amazing and all the ingredients are fresh and natural. The service was also great! This is a very nice dinner place in the area.they also have happy hour specials which I did not try
(5)
Liz B.
Quality of food is great. Atmosphere is casual. Staff is friendly. Prices are very reasonable. I can't believe it took me so long to make it in here
(5)
Amanda J.
Who knew La Mesa could have yummy organic places to eat? Terra must have gotten new owners because it's much better than it used to be. Things I love GF hummus, their chicken and their spicy margaritas mmmmm one of the best meals we've had in a while!
(5)
Heather C.
We came here for Sunday brunch, in an attempt to find a new "spot." We were seated fairly quickly, as it was not busy at all. They brought us menus right away, and we noticed that 3 glasses of champagne are included in the brunch cost, which seemed cool! Service was very very slow. Nobody came to take our order for about 20 minutes. The restaurant was not busy at all, but our server's mom was seated behind us. I think she was just chatting and not paying attention, which is kind of lame. She was nice, and came to take our order and I asked about the GFO (gluten free option) that was listed for the steak & eggs. She said "you don't get the quesadillas." Ok...Do I get something else? Haha. I asked if I could get potatoes instead, and she said yes. I also got an iced tea, under the assumption that if I opted to not get champagne that my drink would be included. This was an incorrect assumption. I paid $3.25 for an iced tea that never got refilled once, though it sat empty for half an hour. We got our food pretty quickly. It doesn't say on the menu that the steak arrives covered in pico de gallo and a sticky sweet red sauce. Meh. I wouldn't have ordered it if I knew. The steak was overly sweet and SUPER chewy. I didn't eat much. My drink was never refilled, the food was meh, and the service was slow. I paid way too much money for what I got. I felt bad leaving a crappy tip, but the girl did nothing. I was a server for 10 years. You have to work for your tips, girl. Its not a given. She didn't get me tea, didn't comp the tea though neither of us got champagne, my food was blah, and service was super slow. I WANTED to love Terra. Maybe I'll give it another shot, but I was not impressed at all.
I've been to Terra a number of times and more often than not have an awesome all around experience. Went their Pre-Valentine's day for din din, thought it was solid food. Had the calamari and potato-cheese quesodillas. Both were delicious but I have to give the edge to the calamari, personal preference. For the main course we had the surf n turf and some type of seafood curry. Both were excellent! Service was good as usual and I'll be back. Always nice to support our local chefs that can cook solid food :)
(4)
Shannon R.
Nom, Nom, Nom... Love this place. :) The hubby and I love eating here. We always receive a warm welcome and great food.
(4)
Cara G.
So good! Delicious filling portions but not wasteful. Great service topped off our brunch-thank you Terra!
(4)
Nici G.
Brunchening! This place delivered. 3 complimentary glasses of champagne or mimosas with entree purchase. Definitely recommend the short rib hash or one of the specials. I had the Smoked Gouda Bennies on a corn bread pudding with potatoes. So good. Make a reservation in advance. Limited parking but you can find something on the street. Definitely going back.
(5)
Zillah S.
Loved the pulled short rib rigatoni. Tried the pub steak on special and it was s huge portion. Very yummy. Ellie was our sever and was very pleasant. Love dining here!
(5)
Michele K.
We went for valentines day. Fixed menu which had good choices but the whole event was over priced for a place close college ave. The atmosphere was very nice. Very clean establishment and the servers were very friendly and attentive. Food was cooked very well and timed even better. We hope to go again for the regular menu, hoping it is not as expense live as what they offered for valentines day.
(4)
CoCo A.
Early dinner special ends @ 6p even though their website says 6:30p, and they won't honor the later time! Food was good, but menu was rather limited. I had a taste of the lobster bisque & thought it was too salty--I don't recommend it! Service was great & personable. The restaurant is a good place overall that I would recommend if your in the area, but not worth a special drive out!
(3)
Leah Marie T.
Ive dined-in and have tasted their food to go. Either way Chef Jeff produces sensational farm to table creations, and is polite enough to show face and ask how we enjoyed his food. My to go order was their pulled short rib and spinach pappardelle pasta with an incredible marriage of mushrooms, roasted garlic, smoked tomato, caramelized onion, and gorgonzola cheese. Its a large order, an tasted just as good the day after. While dining-in we started with the wedge salad comprised of little gem lettuce,bacon, gorgonzola cheese, tomato marmalade, and a creamy buttermilk dressing( gluten-free). I ordered the californian bowl with chicken. It arrived with quinoa ,roasted garlic oil, shitake mushrooms , local fresh vegetables , garlic , basil, and tomatoes. There food is fresh, tastes amazing and fills you up! A beautiful place to have a well priced whole meal, that contributes to our local farmers.
I waited 2 weeks to get everybody together, so we could come here. It was the best restaurant experience I've ever had. I had the chipotle skirt steak, and it was delicious beyond words. I'll be back for more real soon.
(5)
Anne E.
Delightful lunch here. Lovely spot in which to sit and chat. Innovative menu choices, presentations and tastes. Left satisfied -- and with plenty to take home, too. Our wait person Stacy was delightful -- so personable and helpful. We will come back for sure.
(5)
Kat R.
Amazing food! Loved this spot. I went here with on of my best friends for dinner on a Tuesday evening. We ended up getting a few small plates to share. We shared two tacos (2 for $2 on Tuesday), the rotating hummus (which was roasted tomato), fried calamari, and macaroni & cheese. It was all yummy. A lot of food but so good! My favorite was the hummus, I wanted more. We also shared the bread pudding for dessert which hit the spot. I can't believe that this place is so close and I've never tried it until now! It's a really cute spot and delicious food to boot. I will be back =)
(5)
Rosemary W.
Wide range of choices, including several cuts of steak, cooked perfectly. Delicious and unusual appetizers and sides. Our waiter, Vince, was very knowledgeable and guided us with good suggestions. Portions are generous enough for sharing. Don't miss the huge and delicious lemon meringue pie for dessert.
(4)
Christina M.
We're always looking for places that have a mimosa Sunday brunch and decided to try this place out. It's not exactly bottomless like some places where they are always pouring, but you get 3 with an entree order. Works for me! They also have the Bloody Mary 4 Two which my husband and father in law shared and seemed to enjoy! Our food was pretty good and we savored every bite. Between the six of us, there wasn't any complaints about the food, considering we can be very particular about our food. Our orders consisted of the short rib hash, which is their most popular entree, breakfast skillet, farmers omelette and chocolate chip pancakes. My son and husband both ordered off the specials of the day, I can't remember the exact names, but my husband's entree consisted of pork cubes, potatoes, jalapeños, eggs and I believe a poblano sauce. I think my son had a penne pasta with sausage. My issues: It can get pretty loud in there. There was a big party when we went and it was hard to hear the person across from you. Our server, who was very friendly, seemed to have her hands full that day and we spent a lot of time waiting for her. It took about 10 minutes before we could even place our drink order. The food was served pretty quickly after we finally ordered it. If you have a yelp account, don forget to check-in to get the free bread pudding! It was delicious!! Overall food: 4 Service: 3
(4)
Cory M.
Nick our server was awesome!!! Food was equally great! Definitely a must eat in La Mesa. Also great for kids!
(5)
Joanne L.
Still awesome with lots of yummy healthy offerings. They create their own everything. That's what counts. The lavender Creme Brule is amazing. The best sinful kind of indulgence.
(5)
Dolores R.
Omg!!! This ground beef breakfast pasta is to die for.. Amazing dish, finished and I want More. On another note, Gamaliel our server is so good, he really cares about his tables. He is so nice and sweet always asking if we are need anything. 5 stars and coming back next Sunday. Maybe you can keep that pasta in the menu forever :)
(5)
Stacie S.
I had one of the BEST dinners ever!! Chipolte skirt steak, on a quesdilla stuffed with brie/red onion mashed potates (YES potatoes inside a quesdilla-just say carb overload) it was heaven on a plate. If your ever in the area and need a delicous place to eat- try Terra Bistro, you will not be disappointed- you will leave happy
(5)
Joe M.
Excellent American cuisine. Had the baby back pulled pork tacos for lunch and they were superb to the max. Wife had the carved turkey sandwich, and loved it.
(5)
Ceni L.
Good place for kids! My 18 months son was so happy after the food arrived... Nice place to hang out. Good breakfast and mimosas. They give you 3 mimosas or champagne on any breakfast order. I definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Elizabeth B.
I loved the gluten free flatbread selection. The ingredients were fresh, and the dough was tasty which is a feat for anything gluten free. Because the flatbread was so awesome I decided to go ahead and order an entree which I wasn't impressed with. I got the cornbread stuffed porkchop. I have made a rendition of this recipe myself at home so was sort of expecting the same thing. The cornbread was undercooked, the porkchop was overcooked, and the potatoes were overcooked. I wasn't impressed and felt it was overpriced. Fortunately I had a gift card, so that was cool. The service was friendly but a bit slow. I don't know that I'll go back, but who knows. The GF flatbread was REALLY good.
(3)
Kelly P.
Been here twice, crab cakes are a must. I forget what sauce is at the bottom but I would like to bathe in it. I've had the skirt steak and the pot roast (meat n potatoes is my thang) super tender and delicious, enjoyed both, although brown rice was a bit dry. That came with skirt steak, but it's brown rice and not worth tossing it back for. My bf has had the bistro burger and lobster roll, both came with truffle fries that will make you look down on every other french fry on the planet. House salad is delectable, our waitress, Ellie, even split it on two plates because she knew we were sharing. Drinks are strong as hell, specifically lemon ginger mule and their mojitos, coming during happy hour may be the best/worst decision you can make(but mostly best if you're not driving). Bread pudding is insane, although it is rich and filling, lavender creme brulee comes with a little lavender biscotti which was so adorable I didn't want to eat it. Desserts aren't skimpy or one bite like, they're made for sharing. Yes, the area surrounding this place is questionable if you're not used to it. But they have their own parking and the atmosphere makes you feel like you've escaped the limbo of El Cajon Blvd and dove into a quaint, cozy, and personable dining experience that you would expect to find only on the coast. Ellie is a doll and takes great care of you. Can't wait to come on Sunday brunch
(5)
Aaron H.
Best food in the neighborhood...great attention to detail and the fresh ginger ale was amazing!
(4)
David W.
Started out with some tastey drinks at the bar, my girlfriend had a strong and delicious mojito. I had a ginger bourbon mix aptly named 'the remedy'. Started with a flat bread margharita, very good. Fresh mozzarella, a light marinara presence and what tasted like wood fired flatbread. My lovely date had the house famous pot roast, falling apart at the touch of a fork, quite delicious. As for myself, I had the new York strip steak, rare (and actually got it rare, usually place will cook it one up) great color and the gristle left on the edges with a slight char was so good!
(4)
John M.
Used to be regulars. Won't be back. Hostess was un-inviting and awkward during the last visit. My poor wife was served chicken that was cold and pink in the middle. (She could teach the chef to prepare chicken.) When the manager came to "apologize" she said she was sorry she didn't like the chicken. Hmmm ya we don't like raw chicken cause we're super picky? What happened to this place? It's sad because the food is usually tasty.
(1)
Tim A.
Finding this place among the restaurants of East County is sort of like coming across Aladdin's lamp at a garage sale: it's mostly all junk, but the one find makes you glad you came to play. Growing up in Santee, I always thought the best the area had to offer was Black Angus (don't worry - I'll always have a soft spot for you, B.A.), but apparently life gets a whole lot better on the other side of I-8. Literally every dish my party had knocked my socks off. Since it's farm-to-table and they change their menus frequently, I'm probably wasting my time mentioning the items, but the Bacon Apple flatbread, the goat cheese chutney in a jar thing, the crab cakes...all knockout appetizers. But then came the Short Rib Pappardalle, the Lobster Mac, and the walnut fettucine thingy...yowza. And while I didn't "leave room" for dessert in the traditional sense, I sure as heck made room, because the banana bread pudding was otherworldly. All this downtown- or La Jolla-quality dining without the snootiness, the parking issues, or the price. A real gem.
(5)
Miranda O.
I came in for the brunch and I had the most amazing experience. The waitress was incredibly nice and made sure my friend and I were well taken care of. We ordered the Bloodys 4 Two, which basically is fixings for two bloody marys, but everything was on the side so that you could create it to your liking. The fixings had bacon, cheese, a green olive and a pepperchini. The manager came to check on us too, to make sure everything was to our likings. (Love that!) My friend ordered the French Toast, while I ordered the Banana Chocolate Chip pancakes. The food was amazing! I can't wait to have time to go back again. I was a very happy girl :)
(5)
Christy D.
best steak sandwich EVER - at 1st I was cranky because I paid 17 bucks for the sandwich and a coke and they didn't even give me napkins - sad face (because I ordered it to go) BUT then I "tasted" the sandwich - SO GOOD! Soft tender steak, mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese and a creamy horseradish sauce, HELLO sandwich I'm in love - I will be back :)
I had given previously given Terra's a a 5 star rating but it seems to be slipping and I am changing to 3 stars. I would like to move to 21/2 but that is not available. The food seems to very depending on who is preparing it and the service is not what it used to be. They seem to have a bit of an attitude. At any rate it went from being our favorite neighborhood restaurant to we are not going back.
(3)
Will K.
I'm very mixed on Terra American Bistro, thus the long delay between eating and writing a review. This is, absolutely what San Diego needs as far as food goes to define it as the unique and wonderful city that it is. The food was good. Very good. The service was great. We came on a resturaunt week deal, and the selection for this event was varied and not a paired down to make it economical for them. Thier choice of location also reaches into an east county-ish location, helping fill the general desert once you cross the 805. Why mixed? It seemed almost if the resturaunt was a second thought addition to the building, and if it were sort of a by product. I'm lacking, but just can't put my finger on it, and they don't seem to excel as much as they could. The lay out makes you feel as if they simply "found a building" and put good food in it. The service was great, but it seemed the servers didn't have that pride that many farm to table restruants have.
(4)
Rida A.
Honestly, the food was far better than I expected it to be. I ordered the top sirloin, medium rare, and it was cooked to perfection. The steak was so tender and seasoned so well, it just melted in my mouth, which is a lot to say about a top sirloin steak. On top of that, the service was fast, and the desserts were delectable. The food was even presented in such a wonderful manner, I had a hard time tearing it apart. I had a few of their specialty cocktails as well, and they were not only unique, but very good tasting! On top of that, the price was very reasonable for what I got. The atmosphere is nice, and great for a date night or going out with a friend, or a group for that matter. It's very chic and sophisticated, which says a lot in comparison to how it looks on the outside. It's a very unassuming restaurant, and parking could be better, but it's a whole 'nother world on the inside. The proximity to my home makes this place a new favorite, and I can't wait to keep coming back and trying out their other offerings.
(5)
Paige V.
I would say the food here was mediocre. Nothing terrible, but nothing memorable. What WAS memorable, however, was the owner Jeff. As you can see just by the way he responds to his poor yelp ratings, he is hostile, confrontational, and downright RUDE. As a business owner myself, I cannot begin to fathom conducting myself the way he does or treating customers/ clients in a way that is anything but warm and accommodating. I used to come once a month or so due to limited options in the area, and I would often meet a business associate there for lunch. This is not the type of business I wish to support. And I can't say I'll miss the food either. We will not be back!!
(1)
Delphine R.
Just came back from Valentine's dinner and what a disappointment . The restaurant inside is very cute , full bar . The hostess was very nice . So they a prefix menu . We started with a shared fondue , it was ok , just 4 pieces of bread and pieces of green apple. Then we had the arugula salad with shaved asparagus and quinoa , it had no dressing at all, 2 small pieces of Parmesan. I didn't like it at al. As an entree, we went for the filet mignon and shrimps , it came with fingerling potatoes and brussel sprouts . It was so salty, the brussel sprouts were dry and not fully cooked. The desert was 2 strawberries covered with chocolate and some type of peanut butter with marshmallows .Best part of the meal my drink , strawberry, basil, gin and egg white . Bill was $135, really not worth it .
(2)
Chris S.
We yelped and this restaurant came up first so we decided to try it. I would suggest reservations as this is a smaller place. The service is excellent from everyone. They are all friendly and personable. It's nice inside with cloth napkins and wood chairs and tables. We started with the Calamari which came in a fried shell which was delicious. I had the Lobster roll sandwich with fries and cole slaw. The bun the lobster came in was especially good. My husband had the Pot Roast with vegetables and potatoes. They do have a nice wine selection and lots of different beers. If you check in with yelp you get a free bread pudding. I would go back again. The owner came out to ask how we found them and thank us for coming. That was a nice touch.
(4)
Michael C.
Went to dinner last night at Terra and it was amazing!! Food and drinks were great, and our server Nick was even better! Love the old tractor out front and the decor inside! Great place cant wait to go back!
(5)
Jen W.
I'm not sure why I haven't already written a review for Terra...I guess when we first started going there Yelp didn't exist yet! We've been loyal customers since shortly after they first opened in Hillcrest (about 1999-2000) and gladly followed them to their current location. Chef Jeff Rossman has always been wonderful at what he does, but it seems like the menu gets better and better every time we dine at Terra. We just had dinner there last night and the short rib tacos were nothing short of amazing. The calamari was wonderful, the flatbread was also great. My kids wanted dessert so we ordered the banana bread and OMG it was to die for. They have a great menu of craft cocktails, many using their house infused spirits. They have a good selection of wines and local craft beers too. The service is always friendly and last night was no exception. From the hostess to our server, to Jeff walking around and talking with each table, the restaurant staff really makes you feel welcome. This is also a great place if you have kids in tow. The dining room is one big room that has a nice high energy level, so if your kids are babbling noisily nobody really notices. Or, in our case, everyone comes by and chats with them! The even have little magna doodle toys for the kids to play with while they wait for their food and one of the best kids menus I've ever seen! We are looking forward to hitting up the Sunday brunch at Terra again soon too, that is something not to be missed!
(5)
Faye H.
Always great food, and love that it's farm to table in La Mesa! This place is popular with all of us crunchy folks at the nearby Waldorf charter school. :)
(5)
frank b.
Emily give us a 5 stars service The food it was fantastic Thank chef Jeff for the great exspirience
(5)
Sue D.
Terra never dissapoints! Today we tried Sunday Brunch, we had the Bloody's 4 Two - a personal bloody mary bar at your table, messy-fun-delicious hand crafted mary's (if you don't like what you create you can only blame yourself), the base mix was good on it's own and you get two generous shots of vodka (one pepper). If you order off the brunch menu 3 mimosa's come with your order (score) and the food is amazing. We tried the stuffed french toast with bourbon maple syrup (on the brunch menu) and I had the pulled pork and eggs with jalapeno corn bread (special). Both were so good we cleaned our plates. The Chef/Owner stopped by to see how everything was which was also a nice touch. Usually we go for dinner, the Pot Roast being one of our all time favorite dishes and I also love the beet salad and little pots of deliciousness. Sit at the bar and Evan will take great care of you, although, we've never had bad service at a table either. They have different house infused gourmet flavored cocktail's and good beers on tap too. High standard for food quality & freshness with thoughtful, simple yet intriguing and delicious preparation. Once you go to Terra , you crave Terra!
(5)
Whatda F.
Im so happy this restaurant the bomb!!!! end of story. i love the american breakfast & asian chicken bowl. service is excellent Gam was the coolest, thanks for the great food. You will see this face more often.
(5)
Steve E.
Great selection for Brunch. Recommend the short rib hash, stuffed French toast, and the pork belly corn bread cake with smoked Gouda chipotle sauce. The only thing that would have made it better is if the poached eggs were runny and not hard.
(4)
Nina M.
We really like it here. The food was really good. The food that they serve were really hot. Seem like they really care about there food. We would come back next time to try different food on the menu.
(4)
Julio R.
Nick was an awesome waiter. He provided my date and I with excellent service. The food was also delicious. I would definitely recommend the lobster Mac and cheese.
(5)
David M.
Everything was perfect here, I must say. From the service to the dishes, everything was excellent. The sign outside is a little old school, but please try this place out!
(5)
Randy B.
3.5 stars actually. I have to say that the decor of this place is a little outdated for the modernized treatment of their menu offerings. Hence 3.5 stars instead of 4. But the food has been very good with everything I have tried an item that I would order again. Truffle fries, burger, potstickers, flat breads, specials, etc., all prepared with skill & execution. Nice flavors, good use of spices, nothing i've tried is overpowering or bland. Interesting choice of location, but seems to always have a crowd, so people are finding it. A place I will be back to many times as long as they keep the standards of their food where it is now.
(3)
Allison J.
Terra is a very welcoming restaurant. They are kid friendly, offering etch-a-sketches for every kid (they must have a stack of them because as we dined, they passed out at least 4 of them). The service was excellent (with the exception of the wait time for food, but I'll let this one slide as it was restaurant week and they were steadily busy). Food portions were very generous for lunch. Also, the selections were very healthy and promoted their theme of farm to table fresh items. The hubby opted for the burger and added a fried egg (for an additional $1). He's not a man of many words and described it as "not bad." I tried his fries which were delicious and I loved their housemade ketchup. I would suggest anyone order the brussel sprouts. It had a nice lemon and garlic tone and was cooked perfectly. My asian bowl with chicken was just okay. The sweet chili sauce was a little too much. If it was lighter in flavor, it would've paired well with the seasonal vegetables (broccolini and cauliflower) and chicken. I don't know that I would order this dish again but I would try their other bowls. And I'm disappointed the manager wouldn't honor the yelp check in for the bread pudding. There was no stipulation or fine print but the manager advised our waiter that since it was restaurant week, they couldn't honor it. And it's also disappointing that you can't order off their regular menu as it was restaurant week. They have a great brunch menu and regular menu so I would like to try that. Parking consists of a small lot in the back or street parking.
(4)
Tamberly B.
This place has quickly risen to the top of my "yummiest restaurants in San Diego" list! My husband and I wanted to try something different for date night and he found this little gem on Yelp. Truly DELICIOUS food! We started off with the avocado and artichoke dip. A winning combination! So, so good. We also ordered garlic fries which were the BEST I've ever had. The garlic fries at Petco Park previously held that position, but these were easily much better than those. Plus they were served with homemade ketchup. I ordered the pot roast which came with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. I thought I made a pretty mean pot roast, but this one put mine to shame! We got a free bread pudding for dessert for checking in on Yelp and it was MORE than enough for my husband and I to share. SO GOOD. I was absolutely stuffed - in the best way possible - by the time we left this place. We will most certainly be back!
(5)
Laura J.
My first time here and it was not a good experience. The food was under cooked. My boyfriend had the stuffed pork chops and I had the lobster mac & cheese. I had a couple of bites of the stuffed pork chop only to realize it was raw & not fully cooked. It was pink, not rare but raw! The top was cooked but the bottom was not done at all. We told the waiter and showed him & he apologized and took it back. The waiter offered him an appetizer while a new pork chop was being made. My boyfriend got the pumpkin ravioli but the edges were tough, it wasn't fully cooked. We didn't say anything because we didn't want to cause another problem. The new pork chop arrived and it was great and fully cooked. However when the bill we were still charge for the pork chop which I think should've been comped because it was rare and I finished my meal before my boyfriend got the new pork chop so we had to eat separately & had to be there longer than planned. The waiter was VERY friendly so positive for that and the atmosphere was great. Negative was the food being undercooked. Which lead to both my boyfriend & I getting upset stomachs. Nope, not a good experience.
(2)
Dana F.
Service was okay, the waiter seemed like he had too many tables and was a little stressed out which made him forget about us and our order a few times. The table next to us got sat like 10 minutes after us and got their food before ours was out. One out items was the breakfast bowl which was good but was missing something. We also got the bacon avocado omelette which also was lack luster. The third thing our tae got was the short rib hash which was good but wouldn't come back for it. The last item we got was Terra's stuffed french toast which was good, crunchy, and sweet but the bourbon butterscotch syrup was too sweet for me so I asked for maple syrup and I liked it more. Overall it was okay but I would have rather went to Denny's and was disappointed that we didn't. Probably won't return.
(3)
Denise T.
I've eaten here three times and have enjoyed each one. The first time was for dinner, I had the house salad and pumpkin ravioli appetizer. They were both delicious! The server was attentive and friendly. The second and third times were for lunch. I had a turkey sandwich with a salad. Pretty good, a little bland. Service was very slow unfortunately. Today I had the salmon special and it was really flavorful and nicely cooked. The polenta cakes weren't hot but I was too full to finish them anyway. The server was so friendly and attentive. Even brought my husband's iced tea without a lemon as requested which usually never happens and always annoys him. Lol. We will continue to enjoy this place. I'd love to see the menu change seasonally.
(4)
Gladys G.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. I went in for appetizers and drinks one night and fell in love. They made an amazing lavender creme brulee and skillet Mac and cheese. You can not go wrong with any dish you choose and always pair with one of their infused vodka, mixed drinks.
(5)
K Y.
I like this place. The food seems fresh. They have healthy options. The brussel sprouts with asiago cheese are great! The salads are great! This is a lunch spot for those that work at the university nearby. But, they were a little slow the last time I went. Service is friendly though.
(4)
RM M.
The food is always great and I'm so disappointed in the way we were treated by our waiter. At first he was fun, cool and accommodating. Toward the end of our meal, he told us we needed to "check out" due to reservations. There were open tables so not sure why we had to leave. Then he asked if that was "PC" enough. So we called the manager over and she wasn't any better. Not sure who the owner of this great place is but you definitely need a new waiter and a new manager. It's almost like she (the manager) didn't care how we were treated as she made excuses for him.
(2)
Loree D.
What an amazing experience!! We had a large party, celebrating a birthday. This can sometimes be a problem, slow service, separate checks etc.... Our server was excellent and exceeded our expectations. Then the food came, INCREDIBLE!! Everyone at the table was raving about their dish, we were all sharing and trying many items on the menu. They were all exceptional. I will be going back soon!!
(5)
Ching-Yun L.
My mother and I came in here to try their $15 prix-fixe lunch menu because she was interested in trying the Asian organic rice bowl. We have come here once before, also for restaurant week. Last time, I remember the portions being small, food taking a long time to arrive, and it was nothing special. The only "memorable" thing I remember was that the host was wearing a really trashy-looking ripped up tank top with her undergarments on display. Hmmm...unprofessional doesn't even cut it. On top of that, parking is not very good. The lot can park about 10 cars total, so be prepared to look for parking on the street. No meters, though, which is good. The restaurant was nearly empty, as it just opened up for the day. It was a little before noon and they open at 11:30. I walked in and were surprised to see a few women sitting in the waiting area. As a party of two, we were told to wait "5 minutes" although it was obvious that there were plenty of tables open. We decided to wait. A few moments later, an gentleman by the bar area (perhaps the owner/manager) told the host to "seat the clients" but for some reason, even after a few more minutes, no one came by for us. Looking around at the seated tables, I noticed no one had any food yet. Since it was lunch time, and both my mother & I needed to get back to work after our break, we could not wait any longer. Call us impatient, but we only have an hour for lunch...so we thanked them and left. I definitely do not think that this type of service is normal. I did not feel welcomed at all and the server + food seemed to move very slowly. This place is totally understaffed. I think only 3 or 4 people work at this entire restaurant. So, instead, we took our business to Gingham, which had a better value for their $15 menu and wonderful service. The one redeeming factor for Terra is that everything is sustainable, organic, and farm fresh, which is an awesome philosophy. I really dig that and had high hopes for this place. I genuinely wanted to like it b/c as you know from my other reviews, I have a green thumb. I'm hoping the service at Terra will improve so that I can try it again.
(2)
Anne Marie B.
Great food! Service a little slow when busy but waitress and hostess awesome. Great with kids.
(4)
Jacquelyn L.
I tried to like Terra when it was in its former location, but I could never develop an affection for the place. The food was...OK. The service was...OK. The ambiance was...OK. But all those OKs didn't add up to enough to make me want to go there after the first few times. However, since Terra relocated to La Mesa, I've been there for both lunch and dinner several times because it's a great halfway spot between East County friends and me on the coast. Gotta tell ya, the improvement is remarkable. I've sampled several different dishes (flatbread and crab cakes are the stars), and it seems as though they've really stepped up their game. The dining room has a cozy feel to it, and the service is spot-on. My only complaints are that the noise level rivals that of a rock concert when it's busy. And here's what I wish the chef would quit doing: I love, love, love fish tacos, but yellowtail tuna should NEVER be in a taco. It's way too fishy and off-putting. I took one bite, removed the fish from the tacos, and finished them fish-less. That same night, my friend ordered fish and chips, and the fish was, again, yellowtail. He couldn't eat it. I hope the chef will catch on that a much milder fish (like cod) is far more appropriate. Still, that won't keep me from coming back. I'll just make sure I know what kind of fish the chef is sticking into his tacos before I order them!
(4)
Lisa S.
Went to Terra tonight for their restaurant dinner menu. Overall, it was a good experience. Between my party we had the following: App - cheesy garlic flatbread, pumpkin ravioli, and wedge salad. The flatbread was the clear winner. Very cheesy and so flavorful. The ravioli were good...but nothing special. The creamed corn sauce tasted like it was out of can and the whole dish was luke warm. The salad was again, nothing special. Not your typical wedge salad and not really a good "different" take on it either. Entree - pot roast, chipotle skirt steak, and lobster mac and cheese. I might be biased here but the steak, which I ordered, was definitely my favorite! All the flavors melded together so well and the steak was cooked perfectly! The pot roast was very tender and also delicious. The lobster mac n' cheese was served with a whole lobster tail, great presentation, and good flavor. Dessert - (this is why I knocked off a start) eggnog creme brulee, banana bread pudding, and peach-champagne sorbet. The creme brulee was great, strong eggnog flavor. The banana bread pudding was a huge serving, served warm, and very good/rich. The sorbet has a very strong champagne flavor, if you aren't a fan of champagne, I'd steer clear of this option, but if not, my aunt loved it. I knocked off a star because as soon as we sat down our waitress informed us they were out of the truffles, sorbet, and had switched from persimmon creme brulee (what their online menu said) to eggnog. Our question was, if you're only going to prepare a limited menu, shouldn't you have enough ingredients on hand to meet demand??? My aunt expressed her disappointment in the lack of sorbet and somehow, magically during the course of our dinner, the restaurant had found a secret stash wayyyy in the back of the freezer... Anywho, my aunt got her sorbet but it just seemed like poor planning on their part. The restaurant is cute however, like another reviewer said, the restaurant can get quite loud with a packed house. The acoustics aren't great so I would not recommend Terra for an intimate date, or with guests that are hard of hearing. Also, parking is awful. Good luck on that front. Overall, the food was fresh, and mostly flavorful, and the service was good. A great neighborhood find. I will be back.
(4)
Gil G.
I've been to Terra a number of times and more often than not have an awesome all around experience.For the main course we had the surf n turf and some type of seafood curry. Both were excellent!
(4)
Kristen G.
My in-laws, husband and I came here to make up for our not-so-great experience at Bo Beau's Kitchen + Garden on News Year Eve. My hubby and I have been to Terra before and always had a good experience. Wedge salad is ok, it is literally a head of lettuce that you need to cut. It was good, just needed a little more dressing for such a large head of lettuce. We also ordered calamari, lobster mac + cheese, honey miso glazed fish, bistro burger and pork chops which were all hot and tasty. Desserts were delicious, I recommend the banana bread pudding. Will return in the future.
(4)
Fernanda H.
What an amazing restaurant! The staff is so friendly and welcoming. The food is amazing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, they have it all. By far, one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. You should try it!
(5)
Kris A.
Jeff, Why would I mention anything to my server or manager? The best opportunity to make it right was the first one. And they have no control over what comes out of the kitchen. Now, the only bitters I like are in my Old-Fashioned, so this is a response with hope: What exactly is "Farm-To-Table" about sad, old frozen (Reagan-era?) lobster sent here from Maine, when we're in San Diego? And the vegetables on my plate were like they had been scooped out of a bin swiped from a school --- the day before. (I'm serious.) My spouse (this was our anniversary dinner, by the way) had an entree off the daily specials menu. Given the same attention as the afore-mentioned vegetables. Maybe less.... We actually went and had another dinner for our anniversary at another restaurant a few days later just because the food that night was so disappointing. Want to make your restaurant reviews better? Get off the keyboard, and back in the kitchen. As it is now, you're simply killing your brand. I look forward to giving you a 5-star review someday....
(2)
Angela B.
Came here for Mother's Day on a recommendation from a co-worker and I was not disappointed! The pot roast with mashed potatoes is to die for! One of my son's had the skirt steak and he devoured it within minutes. Although the place was busy, our waitress was very attentive and really nice. Customer Service is a huge thing for me. The price for the quality of food you get here is not bad at all! I have eaten at way more expensive restaurants and was not impressed! I'll be back!!
(5)
Lee G.
To start off the food here is normally good. My reveiw is based on the service. Seated right away for our 8pm reservation by a freindly hostess. Good start. From 8-830 when we left not one person in the restaurant came over to our table. No water, no "we will be right with you", nothing. Both tables around us sat at about the same time and both had their food starting to come out before we left. Walked right past the waiters and not one of them acknowledged us as we left either. I would have gave it a 1 star rating but i have been here before and the food is normally good.
(2)
Robert Q.
Food and service were excellent. Dinner was little crowded and noisy.
(4)
chuck p.
Holy smokes, this place has great food. The location is a bit odd, but worth seeking out. Try their fish of the day dishes, so amazing!!! The only downside is they need to be bigger, because it's always busy with people wanting some good eats.
(5)
Kurt K.
As a vegan, I enjoyed the cool, healthy options on the menu. Food was well done, atmosphere was enjoyable and staff was very friendly. I live just around the corner and plan to make this one of my regular places to dine.
(4)
Renee O.
Yum! Everything tastes super fresh. I've come here once for breakfast and once for dinner now. Breakfast was great and it came with three free mimosas! Dinner tonight was really good. Nick was our waiter and he was great. His recommendations were totally on point. The basil martini was fabulous and if you like ginger, get the mule (but only if you really like ginger). The short rib anything I found is also a safe bet for dinner or breakfast. Overall, easy to park, good food and really friendly staff!
(4)
Deb S.
Happy Hour at Terra. Honestly the food is good, but the portions are minuscule. Calamari and hummus appetizers were great, but such small portions. Potstickers looked ample, which is what my dining partner had. Maybe I'm just tight fisted when it comes to eating out but I hate to spend $5 for a 1/3 glass of wine, and $6-7 for appies that would not even fill a 3 year old. Sorry Terra.
(3)
Laurie B.
I woke up thinking about last nights dinner! It was our first visit to Terra after hearing from friends how good the food was. Well worth the jaunt over to La Mesa...I had the pulled short rib tacos, which were filled with a plethora of tastes that were awe insuring! Finishing off with a desert called "Chocolate Grenache Cigar"...that is what I woke up thinking about! Wow! Our server Nick was a pleasure as well...highly recommend this place!
(5)
Erica D.
We were extremely upset when we came this morning for an early lunch. After waiting to be seated the waitress didn't greet or even bother to acknowledge us. Finally when we were next to be seated - her menus in hand decided to pick up the phone and take a reservation - again Didn't acknowledge us didn't excuse her self and didn't even bother to tell the person on the phone please hold one moment. The whole experience was unappealing and in poor taste. This hostess obviously doesn't know common courtesy nor the basics of customer service.
(1)
Peter S.
Love it! Service can get a little slow when it gets busy, but it is worth the wait.
(5)
Suzanne R.
Love love love Terra! They have the most amazing, fresh, homemade foods! We love their weekend brunch. They actually make pre poured mimosas the right way! Just a splash of OJ, not the other way around. And let's hear it for ELLIE!!!!!!! Best bartender/server around! Always with a smile and talks to every single patron around her bar area! Oh and the bread pudding....ridiculous! So good! So glad Terra is now in our neighborhood!
(5)
Jeremy S.
Wow, what a great restaurant! We found this place while scanning yelp and decided to try it out while my sister was in town from Vegas. We were immediately impressed by the look/decor and atmosphere. Very relaxed. Our server was Ellie, and she was awesome! Extremely funny and attentive, she wasn't afraid to flirt with me even when my wife was right there, haha! Mary's chicken was delicious, very moist and flavorful. We got some truffle fries, which were very yummy, my sister had the fish (sea bass), which she loved, and my wife tried the short ribs + spinach pasta. The last dish wasn't as good as the others... We ended with the bread pudding (free with yelp check in!) and it was delicious as well. I would highly recommend this place! Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Christine V.
So good! So fresh!
(5)
Michael L.
Family took me here for a birthday dinner. They had been there before and thought the place was amazing. Well not so much this time. Service was slow and the portions were small compared to the price. The menu appears to be a copy of Deborah Scotts C Level. Well next time folks go to the original. Terra is not worth the drive. I can see why they left Hillcrest. We wont be going back.
(1)
Doug R.
Great meal! Fantastic service! Beer was very cold and good beers on tap! The people there are very happy too! Miss Ellie was the best server we had in a long time! The staff was on their toes! Service, Food Beers, 9 out of 10 just because of the location! If you guys moved to La Jolla I would be there a lot! The best bread pudding I have ever had too! I cleaned and licked my plate! I will be back! Thanks again for a great dinner to remember
(5)
BCatherine N.
I love this restaurant. It is close to home for us, and is an "old reliable" for my husband and I. We have been here about 10 times now and have yet to have a bad experience. The food is always amazing, the servers are always energetic and in great moods and more than half the times we've been there the chef/owner has come out to ask us how we enjoyed our experience. We love farm-to-table on top of the fact that every single thing they serve there is made from scratch, including all the condiments. Being that I am now pregnant, I've missed out on all their delicious signature cocktails that I use to indulge in and now make sure to order dessert. I love, love, love the ricotta cheesecake and chipotle chocolate cake. No matter how full I am, I must get one of the two. We have a two year old daughter who isn't easy to take out to any restaurant, but they we are comfortable taking her here, for they are very accommodating to her restlessness. We have also brought other couple's to this restaurant on a "double date", which has been a great atmosphere for the occasion, not to add, that the other couple's have left very pleased with their experience as well.
(5)
Bama C.
This place has amazing Pot Roast!!!! OMG it was amazing. The drinks are pricey but worth it. Me and the wife go here to blow 100 dollars for dinner and LOVE IT everytime!!
(5)
Kayla C.
We ordered the coconut crab cakes, they had been cooked really well. I had the pot roast which was lean and tasty. My friend had the Tilapia which was a highlight for the evening and it was remarkable also.The costs had been decent and not overly high. Its a really cute spot and I know we'll be back to taste other things on the menu!
(4)
Bridget S.
Food was delicious, happy hour $4 drinks were great but BEWARE of hidden charges and not-so accomodating staff. That place was bumpin' for a Wednesday night, but it was definitely an older crowd. Us late 20-somethings were an anomaly there. We sat at the bar and our bartender was friendly-enough. However, we asked if we could substitute more vegetables for our potatoes and the bartender responded only "sure no problem". Once we got the bill we noticed a $2.50 misc charge, when I asked her what this was for she went into a long rant of how vegetables are more expensive than potatoes so "of course they'd cost more money". I gave her some "feedback" telling her that she should tell customers that in advance instead of leading us to believe it was not a problem. She then responded with a big attitude, did not apologize or offer to remove it from our bill. This was also after she pushed us to order ice cream, meanwhile she at first said "i'll try and sneak you a taste of it". Overall, excellent food but this place gets only 3 stars due to the rude staff and the bartender's attitude and how she was not forthright with charges.
(3)
L K.
I really loved the ambiance of this place. The neighborhood is nondescript, residential and then you step into this really well put together space which was packed but not overly noisy where you couldn't just slip into your own conversation at your table. We tried the melon infused water (delish and light), charcuterie (some sausages, cheeses, cured roe --very tasty), top sirloin with avocado mash and chimichurri and the "Karl Straus" pot roast which our server said was one of the house favorites. The meat was soooo unbelievably tender on the sirloin and pot roast. And though we barely had room we also had the chocolate cigar and banana bread which were incredible. Compliments to the chef!! Worth the drive from LA, and facing 405 closure on the way back :) would definitely come back again for food and service.
(5)
Donna L.
OK... Loved it! Terra was recommended to me by a friend with the same cuisine tastes. Another friend was visiting from the Corona area, I had always wanted to try Terra's so off we went. She loved it too! Great selection of unique foods, very reasonably priced. The staff was EXCELLENT and the atmosphere was very relaxing. Oh yes, and a nice wine selection. Even the house salad was far above an expected "house" salad. Highly recommend Terra.
(5)
Casey B.
One of my favorite brunch places! Do not miss their stuffed French toast; THE BEST. I can't eat stuffed French toast anywhere else without thinking to myself that Terra's is better. Complimentary mimosas, fresh food, amazing prices, not as crowded as other popular brunch places. Even though we had a large party we had amazing, accommodating service. I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Dan H.
Although the food and atmosphere were good, the service is what stood out to me. Not only the hostess taking extra time despite a very busy restaurant but the owner/manager visiting each table was a nice touch. The Acai water was amazing as were the desserts.
(4)
Sonia W.
I work in SDSU area and had a craving for organic veggies (which are more difficult to come by than I'd realized in this area). After searching online and making some calls I landed on Terra American Bistro. Although they didn't have exactly what I was looking for on the short menu that they offer between lunch and dinner, they were happy to make me up a dish with seasonal organic veggies (squash, tomato, brussel sprouts, onions, bok choy, and apples) cooked in garlic and olive oil over a bed of quinoa. It was delicious and totally hit the spot. I am happy to know of another place close-by that serves food that is locally sourced, organic, sustainable, and treated lovingly. Just switched my 4 stars to 5 to skew the average in their favor since they get extra credit for being proper (organic/grass fed/farm to table).
(5)
amy h.
We eat mostly vegetarian so excited to find another restaurant with enough vegetarian choices in La Mesa. The food was dynamite - try the tofu bowls with either quinoa or brown rice ( you can have fish or chicken instead too). Also great desserts! Nice place-very comfortable. You could even have a date here - fancy enough.... Hope lots of people come so will stay open. We eat out a lot.
(5)
m w.
Food was delicious. I loved the salad of mixed green, sliced root veggies, kumquats in a Thai-tasting, lemongrass dressing. Mmm. Mmm. The restaurant is new to this location and you can still feel that some of the staff is still getting used to stuff. The hostess never greeted us, but kept her nose in the computer as she looked kinda stressed out and asked if we had reservations. Also our cocktails took a while to come to the table. I think these things will get better over time. My only real complaint is that there are televisions in the bar and dining areas. I don't pay $20 an entree to watch tv. I can do that at home (or in a sports bar if I were a sports-bar type.) I dine out to get away from the electric buzzes of life. (I hope the owner reads this and thinks about a change.) I will definitely be back.
(3)
Janice B.
The food here is very good. I would like to make this a regular place for lunch and/or dinner and drinks. There is a man working there that almost seems as if he'd rather not have any customers. He was our waiter when we went for lunch a few months back, and our bartender the other night. He was not very friendly, and seemed downright irritated with the pesky chore of retrieving drinks and taking food orders.
(3)
Matty C.
TERRABLE should be the name because that's exactly what this place is! I should of realized when I walked in on a Saturday night at 730 and there were 7 tables of people in the restaurant but oh well on to everything else. We sat down and were handed 5 different menus! Really 5? Can I just have 2 food and a drink menu? So we started off with three appetizers the skillet fries with short rib, the calamari and the short rib sliders which were all good. The fries could have a little less truffle on them and a little more cheese. The other two appetizers were good and nice presentations. Now let's get to the worst part of the meal the entrees. We ordered the chicken with quinoa, the chipotle skirt steak, the pork chop, and the pot roast. Pot roast- no flavor at all horrible dish. Chicken- something was off about the dish, I can't really put my finger on it but the flavors just didn't mesh. Pork chop- had excellent flavor and was cooked perfectly the problem with this dish? The beet risotto was just gross. Risotto is one of my favorite foods but this was just awful Chipotle skirt steak- looked like crap on a plate. Way to much going on on that plate and I have no idea what that potato quesadilla was? Mexican knish? Now to service server was nice but I noted in my reservation that it was my mothers bday and it was noticeable with the cards on the table. But she was knowledgable on the menu so that's a plus Note to the chef- use salt and do simple food. You can't execute fancy dishes so please stop End result i shouldnt have spent 160 on a bad dinner!will I go back here? Probably not and if I do only for the appetizers but that's it.. I'd much rather go to Coronado to Leroy's where they have excellent food for the same price point!
(2)
Terri M.
Service was horrible. Our reservations were for 6:45, but we were not seated until after 7:05, even though there were at least 8 empty tables. We had told them right away that we had show tickets at 8, so we ordered as soon as we sat down. (having looked at the nenu in the bar). It took 30 minutes to get our meals an we purposely ordered salads, due running so late. Nothing had to be cooked! We will not be going back. No ambience, very loud and quite expensive.
(1)
Greg W.
First time there last Friday night Not much to look at from the street, but a trendy atmosphere inside. My girlfriend and I shared seafood soup, chipotle seasoned scallops, and a skirt steak with vegetables. All of the flavors were very good, but a couple of the scallops were overcooked and the veggies varied as to how much they were cooked. Still a pretty nice meal overall, just not as good as I had hoped for.
(3)
Mary H.
The food is superb. An unexpected jewel on El Cajon Blvd. Nick served us and didn't miss a beat; knows the dishes well and took care of us. Flavorful, fresh food with fair prices. The ambiance is refreshing too; no airs, nothing ostentatious, no gimmicks...just great food that speaks for itself. The chef should be proud. Again, it's a jewel.
(5)
Joanne S.
Freaking amazing food! So so good! We come here on dates, or with our son, it's good for both. I love the organic and conscious food choices. Absolutely the best food, great atmosphere, comfortable and not snobby. A gem once you find it!
(5)
J R.
O.k. this place is out in no mans land between the city and east county...culinary wild west...reminds me of 30th st ten years ago. Chef Jeff is the vangard and Terra is well worth the short trip. Food is better than DT or LaJolla, half the cost and none of the pomp. This is farm to table ground zero....infused spirits, inventive from srt to finish. Had scallops ina fig sauce that was out ot sight. Figs? Go figure...had a building heat that left me wanting more....the farm salad has a keefer line dees that is best of the year...took a bottle hm. Yellow tail for main course w/ lobster risotto....seriously, Jeff brings heat, bite and zip to everything....Terra has some subtle touches usually found only in higher end places,,,like a choice of plain or flavored water...On Fri it was mango...light touch and refreshing...this place is drawing, so make a reso...getting shut out is a drag
(5)
Boss C.
hands down best breakfast place in la mesa. and best breakfast place in san diego to give complimentary mimosas on SUNDAYS with every breakfast dish ordered. i mean just delicious, i love their breakfast skillets. superb!
(5)
Ilene Z.
I would give 2.5 stars for service and 4 for the food. It took a while ( more than 5 minutes) to be greeted by the waiter on a Tuesday evening. Our water glasses, beer glasses, wine glasses and cocktail glasses were forever empty and we had to ask for refills. Aren't they interested in selling drinks and increasing check averages....you'd think. The waiter who took the order is not the person who delivered anything and they apparently have no system for seeing that the right person gets the right item. It sounded like the manager/runner/whoever the guy was delivering stuff was auctioning off the items we ordered.......who gets the beer, who gets the wine etc.... Not professional. It is easy enough to have a system so that the person delivering the items knows who gets what. What happened at Terra I would expect at Applebee's. The appetizers tasted great but the pot stickers and calamari were not hot enough, like they sat in the kitchen window for a couple minutes too long. Beet salad was great other than some grit in the lettuce.....In fact the waiter told us the longer than expected wait for the salad was due to grit in the lettuce another table had informed him of. Well, they still hadn't cleaned it well enough for our order. We ordered fish and it was excellent and hot. The sculpin with thai noodles was delicious and plenty of food. The halibut special was also delicious and plenty of food. For $24-ish, I thought the value was definitely there. You would easily pay $35 for these dishes downtown or in Hillcrest. The showstopper was the bread pudding, also very hot. Unbelievably delicious, I would have ordered another one. The chocolate cigar is a disappointment but it did go well with the bread pudding. I don't get the appeal of phyllo dough filled with melted chocolate. Most of it just ends up in a pool on your plate. But soak it up with bread pudding and you've got something special.
(3)
Erica F.
Terra is my favorite restaurant. They are truly a leader in sustainable restaurant practices and that is why I will continue to give them my business. The service is outstanding every time I go. I do recommend reservations because it can get busy. Pros: *Nightly specials for dinner and dessert. *Great Service!! *Staff is knowledgeable about the menu and will happily find out answers to any dietary questions. *Homemade Ricotta cheese... Yumm.... *Fresh Daily Made Soups, *Their Brie quesadilla-- To die for. *Lemongrass Lemonade *Fresh Infused Waters *Small Portions (a Pro because it reduces waste, no need for to-go containers. It also reduces the cost. I don't want to pay for leftovers.) Cons: *I never hear any Vegetarian specials! So I am limited to the menu items. I haven't asked yet if they have a day that they include a Veggie Special. If they do, then I would no longer count this as a con. *No breakfast?! I will gladly sacrifice breakfast at Terra, if they truly need that time to prepare fresh offerings for their lunch and dinner menu. I just think that they could do an awesome job with a breakfast menu, and I hope one day to see it. :) *Truffle Oil (only a con if you hate it) Watch out for this menu item. It is a delicacy, but one my palate cannot appreciate. It just smells/tastes like feet to me. It made an appearance in the Mushroom Soup I ordered. So be sure to ask before ordering, because they have it in the kitchen and will use it! *For their lobster offering, they offer Maine Lobster. According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, it is a 'Good Alternative' to the worst choices possible, but it is not one of the 3 'Best Choices' possible. Maine Lobster is classified as a 'Good Alternative' because there are concerns with how they're caught or farmed--or with the health of their habitat due to other human impacts. The 'Best Choice' Lobsters are abundant, well-managed and caught or farmed in environmentally friendly ways. Hopefully someday, Terra could use a 'Best Choice' Option.
(5)
Liz B.
Really was hoping to be able to give more stars, since I am so happy they opened out here, but didn't love the unfriendly manager who gave us serious attitude when the waitress had problems splitting our check. He was at our table twice and neither time was he friendly, helpful or professional in attitude. Decent food, GREAT new location, probably won't make a return visit after the way we were treated.
(2)
Nathan H.
I wish I could remember our waitress' name. damn...
(5)
Moris A.
An absolute delicious lunch!!! Take time to taste the full favors of American food made to order !
(5)
Kimberly S.
This was our first visit to Terra and what a pleasure it was! Great food, great drinks, and excellent service by our waitress Emily. She was so gracious and knowledgeable....a refreshing change after having had a couple visits to other restaurants (not related to this one) where we received poor service. My steak was perfectly cooked & the garlic mashed potatoes were buttery & super yummy. We ordered two desserts, both of which were spot-on. We're SO EXCITED this restaurant is in our neck of the woods. We always wanted to go to the Hillcrest location but didn't want to deal with parking. We already plan on going back this coming week. This was our best SD dining experience in quite awhile!
(5)
Sharon J.
My friend and I entered Terra at 6 p.m. on a Sunday night. Asked if we had reservations and were told we would have to wait at least 10 min since we did not. When we ck'd back and were then seated there were 3 groups of people at various sized seating arrangements. We counted 16 empty tables. At seeing we were being seated at a 2-person table we asked for the 4-seater next to it. Oh no, we were told, that one is reserved. We left at 9 . . . the table was still vacant. The waitperson asked us if this was our 1st time. My friend said yes. The waitress turned to me w/the same question; i replied I had been here before. From that point on she did not acknowledge my friend's presence. I said to her "you must be invisible." It was NOT funny!! I have been to Terra several times since their move bc I keep hoping I can like it again as I did when it was in Hillcrest. Alas, such is not the case. The service was poor, their policies weak, the food was good but pricey, and the list could go on. HOWEVER, note as you browse through the other reviews that there are great inconsistencies in diner experiences. Nothing could be more fitting!! It is the most inconsistent service, food and user-friendliness that I have encountered throughout the year it has been in business in La Mesa . . . and THAT is consistent when dining at TERRA. Skip it. I will from now on!!
(1)
Daniel L.
No essay here. Great food, Great service, Great price. We started with three appetizers, then Seared Sea Scallops and Chicken, and finished of with some bread pudding. We were full, happy, and were going back 100%!
(5)
Dave W.
This is actually a comment on the recent review of Terra that appeared in the U-T. For some unknown reason I wasn't able to post this directly on the U-T site: I've been to the "Terra-in-the-wilderness" location several times for lunch, and a few times for dinner. I tend to agree with most of the other commentators--our beloved U-T critic is showing her "west-of-the-805" snobbery about eating out here in "East SD." For the Del Cerro-College Area-La Mesa-and-points-east crowd, Jeff's relocation is a godsent. Sure, it has it's little glitches, but overall it continues the terrific tradition of the Hillcrest location. Recreated on the site of a very old, and very red sauce Italian restaurant, Terra East has a great and refreshing ambience, and the same menu is tweaked to a more casual experience. Please Missy, stay west of us Eastsiders (as a certain population in the LA area describes itself). ....and, yes, it's that kind of place where making a reservation for dinner is a really good idea...it's that popular.
(4)
Martha M.
A group of 11 of us dined at Terra on Sat. night 1/25/14. It was a special event. All was going well until an older guy (manager?) approached our table in a rather hostile tone saying that we could not sit where we were because the wait staff couldn't get in to process their tickets. He wanted our large group to all be squeezed together. He made some remark about the chairs were too big. I asked about moving us to another table and he said all of them were reserved. Well, we had a reservation too! He was quite unpleasant and seemed unwilling to accommodate us, even though the restaurant staff had seated us there. We considered leaving and going elsewhere because of his attitude. Fortunately, the hostess quickly came over and we just moved the table down a few inches and all was well. Although he still complained that then we were blocking the Emergency Exit door, which we weren't. This guy should not be allowed to deal with customers. He is bad news. Our waiter was wonderful and the food was delicious but I'm not giving the best rating because of the old, negative, confrontational guy. Watch out for him! :(
(3)
Sarah E.
Terra Restaurant was far more than I had hoped for, they went above and beyond for Restaurant Week. I've ate there just before and that is why I took benefit of the week specials. Service was outstanding and food was just the proper serving size. Undoubtedly might be back.
(4)
Wendy H.
I love this restaurant! My husband and I went to dinner here after a recommendation from a friend that raved about it. They have great dinner specials, such as 3 courses for $20.00. The food was great, the ingredients were organic and the meat was humanely raised. Each dish was unique, fresh and delicious. The drinks were great too, loved the flavored water. The restaurant is cozy and intimate and nicely decorated. Kind of a diamond in the rough as far as the neighborhood goes. They have off street parking which was nice. We will be going back.
(5)
Nicole P.
So I was struggling with giving this place 5 stars because El Cajon/La Mesa REALLY needs places like this so we don't have to drive down to North Park or Hillcrest, but there were just a couple of things that bugged me. The b/f and I were looking for a new brunch spot today (I wanted to try Tractor Room but too far) and I stumbled upon this place on Yelp, quick look at the online menu and off we went. I called ahead to make sure they were still serving breakfast (it was 1130) and also if they were serving lunch (the b/f had spotted some things on the lunch menu). Yes on both. Yay!!! Arrived at noon, there were 3 or 4 couples seated along the wall with the booths, a couple at the bar, and an elderly couple right in the middle of the restaurant in a tiny two top. So the hostess sits us literally two feet away from the elderly couple with a tiny table. This probably wouldn't bother most people but the place was almost empty and I would prefer a decent size table (the b/f is a big guy) and a little privacy if the place isn't packed. So I asked if we could take one of the booths on the wall (there was a four top in the corner and a couple of two tops). I was told they were "reserved" but the hostess probably sensed my unhappiness and let us move to one of the two tops. We had a young man as our server (I'm pretty sure he was new) he was a little nervous but extremely polite and attentive. We started off with mimosas made by our server. $3, not bad. Plus I think the juice was fresh. I really would have liked less OJ more champagne but I can't minus a star because I'm sure if I would have asked the server he would have been ok with that. We were given breakfast menus and a "specialty weekend lunch" menu. When I asked about the regular lunch menu we were told it was only served during the week. Bummer. They had some interesting items we were hoping to try and the "specialty" menu only had about 5 items. I ordered the veggie benedict. The eggs were cooked to perfection. It was delicious. A little overload on the potatoes, but hey, leftovers! The only thing that bummed me out was that I didn't really taste the thyme hollandaise sauce. The b/f ordered the short rib hash. Again, overload on the potatoes, we would have LOVED more meat and possibly another egg to balance out the ratio. The dish was delicious though. Tons of flavor (rosemary I think). Eggs, again cooked perfectly. We also ordered the Lobster BLT sliders off the specialty menu as an appetizer. It just looked too good to pass up. This is the only dish I was disappointed with. They were 13.50, which is ok, but we were told it was 3 sliders. It was only 2, the lobster was EXTREMELY dry and we couldn't even taste it. A lady had come by earlier and told us about their nightly specials, which included Friday night Lobster and corn on the cob for $19. I was really looking forward to trying that, but not if it is dry like today. Overall: Seating issue aside, extremely friendly staff. Mimosas were refilled as needed. Food came out fast, and it was fresh and hot. Loved the poached eggs! Will def be back to try dinner sometime!
(4)
Matt M.
I really enjoyed the food, atmosphere and service. Great selection of beer. Lobster mac was good and hummus was wonderful. We didn't have any issues with service nor did it appear anyone around us had issues.
(4)
Anita Y.
So I have had great experiences here for both breakfast and dinner. Everything is local and somewhat organic depending on whats in season and believe me you can taste the difference in the food. I went here with my sister yesterday and they offer a WHOLE lobster, side salad, and corn on the cob for 23.99 and it was amazing!! My sister ordered the sea bass which I tried also amazing. Also check out their seafood chowder it was just the right texture not to creamy at all which is what I prefer. This place gets 5 stars not only because of the great customer service but because i haven't gone to a restaurant where my appetizer, entree and dessert were all simply extraordinary! Def. going to be back here soon!!
(5)
Kenny H.
For the record. Terra is awesome. The food is out of this world and its at normal prices that make me wonder why the heck places that don't serve local/organic foods charge me so much for my meals. I always made fun of my wife for eating organic food and would get frustrated when she came home with it when it costs twice as much as other food at the grocery store. I was skeptical when our neighbors recommended Terra but went to humor my wife. After eating there it has become our favorite restaurant in San Diego with easily the best tasting food. Next time you are about to drop 15 to 20 bucks on a plate at Chili's or Friday's do something new and don't listen to whoever on this site allowed Terra to get a 3.5 star rating. Hah it's actually after seeing that rating that I had to put a review on here. Also, get either of the steaks they serve here. They are out of this world. -Converted ex-hippie-food hater This place is the Bomb
(5)
Patricia P.
My husband/son took me here for Mom's day. The food was so fresh. I had the sea bass and it was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the freshest and best meals I have had in a long time.
(5)
Laura K.
We went for Sunday brunch. The omelet with fresh veggies and homemade sausage was to die for! The best omelet ever! The potatoes were perfect...crispy brown on the outside, moist on the inside...delicious! And....mimosas included with brunch! Who could ask for more?
(5)
Susan M.
We are thrilled that Terra has moved to the Rolando neighborhood, much nearer to us--the area needs a restaurant like this, with great food and super friendly service. The chocolate cigar dessert is to die for. The place has become so popular that you almost have to have reservations, especially on weekends. Our only complaint is that it is quite noisy; when we were there on a Saturday evening we were with someone who is very soft spoken, and it was very hard to carry on a conversation. I wish they could do something (carpet, perhaps) to deaden the noise a bit. From now on we plan to go early or on weeknights.
(5)
K M.
Noisy, noisy, noisy, and really.... who serves french fries with fish tacos? I miss the old Terra restaurant.
(1)
natasha h.
Service here was excellent. Hostess was super friendly chatting it up with everyone she sat and explained the difference between all of the menus. We arrived around 4:45 pm and it was empty but by the time we left the restaurant was full. The menu really had a little bit of everything...red meat, seafood, pasta, veggie dishes. Our server was very helpful and honest. She knew everything about the dishes and when I asked her about a specific drink she was honest and said she'd never had it before but has heard good things. That was nice to hear because most servers would just say "ya that's great, its my favorite". The bf got the skirt steak with some weird potato quesadilla thing underneath which was great. For the price he definitely expected a little more meat though. I got the salad (house i believe?) with feta, candied pecans (best i've ever had) and a vinagarette. It tasted great but very difficult to eat! Might sounds ridiculous but the leaves were so huge i had to cut the leaves in thirds just to fit it in my mouth which i'm not used to doing with a salad. I also got the white truffle flatbread which was great. Overall our experience was great, the food and service was excellent, until we got our bill. WHOA. $62 for 2 people. Now i'm not cheap or anything, but i've never paid that much for a meal...IN LA MESA. Not even at Gingham. We were both a little blown away. I'd expect a bill like that maybe downtown but not on El Cajon Blvd. With a bill like that we usually have enough leftovers for lunch the next day but we left with no leftovers. I admit it is our fault for not really checking the prices before we ordered but we kind of figured hey how expensive can it be its on El Cajon Blvd...We'll be back because the service and food were great, but next time we'll pay a little more attention to the prices. Overall Terra is a great farm to table restaurant with an attentive staff and simple decor...with a downtown price.
(4)
Brittany S.
Loved it! Cute inside! Food is amazing! We will be going back. Service was great! We ordered fish and chips & pork roast....delicious! Nice find in La Mesa!
(5)
Josh N.
Honestly one of my favorite places to eat! You might have been to Terra before back when it was in hillcrest (hidden next to Trader Joes)... it was good but nothing to write home about. They seem to have revamped everything. New place (on el cajon bld), new staff, new creations, everything is "seasonal fresh" on the menu. Everyone is very friendly (even the chef/owners come around to talk to everyone), waitstaff is on point, and I don't think i've had something there I don't like. I would recommend something on here, but when you read this and go in; the menu will be different again. (except the chocolate cigar for dessert - which has always been there and is awesome) The only thing that kind of makes me laugh is that Terra is a hipster borderline restaurant, hence you will see things like water infused with i don't know... mint, mango, basil, cambodian thyme, Tibetian peach leaves... (ok i'm just making things up now... but you get the idea); which is really cool and good, but funny to see along el cajon blvd. Oh yea, and this place can get pretty booked up, so I recommend making a reservation.
(5)
Diana C.
Be aware that this place does not take the Entertainment Card 2012 even though they are in the book. The people were pretty nice, nice ambiance, but as the manager explained the Entertainment dilemma she called me a liar. That made us more upset than the original problem.
(3)
maryann r.
we have been several times and as someone else stated it is up and down and some things are great and others barely make it. I don't understand it. the bread, the hummus spread are so good. the food is good but it just lacks something. such a great start and then it just sort of fades out. 5 of us were for dinner the last visit and only one of us really cleaned the plate. that was the lobster mac and cheese. the brisket was way past tender and good but was tasty and the latkes on the plate were awesome. the service is spotty. not sure if that is the fault of the waiter or the kitchen. the soups and bisques are really good. we really want this place to succeed but some things just need to come up a bit. the flavored water is a big hit and so good and the one quesadilla on the menu is just great. the lavender creme brulee is just exceptional. they are so close to being really good and it will be such a shame if they can't just get over that hump. it is always crowded when we are they so people are appreciating their effort. first of all for just coming to this neighborhood they deserve much applause. we keep going back because it is so nice to have a restaurant of this quality but they need to just kick it up a bit. EACH item on the menu needs to be great. some of the wait staff is a bit slow and that drags the meal on to very long lengths. too long between courses. the noise level is pretty high when full so doubt it would be good for a large group. very hard to hear each other talk.
(4)
Linda S.
We 've been to Terra Bistro a number of times. It's one of the few good places to eat in East County. I started out loving the place, but the attitude of hostess/owner/staff turned me off, especially when I shared difficulties with seating on two occasions. That said, we took my father-in-law there for his 90th birthday. Alison, our server, redeemed Terra and we will time our visits to her schedule. She served our table of seven with personableness, efficiency and candor. As soon as we placed our orders, she summed them up for confirmation, simply from memory. She checked frequently, in an unobtrusive way, to see what we needed (water, dessert menu, bill). My father was in the restaurant business in the '30's and he trained me to understand what to look for and expect in staff. I have to say for a young woman, Alison hit all those checkpoints with exceptional marks. I haven't seen a server as gifted as she for a very, very, very long time! Thank you, Alison :-) Perry Sr. loved the breakfast! Linda Shipman Lakeside
(5)
Nicole R.
Such enjoyable tastes for the tongue, a yummy experience! Portions aren't big, so don't go in expecting to pig out, but the taste will more than make up for it.
(5)
Ed T.
The VERY Worst restaurant experience I have ever had. Rude wait staff and manager. Way overpriced. Has a $4.00 per person charge to share a pizza. Spoke to manager regarding the price gouging of the $4.00. Manager was VERY rude and could have cared less. I walked out along with my dinner party. I will Never recommend this restaurant, However I will be sure to tell everyone I know to NEVER eat there. I will go to a restaurant where my business is appreciated. Hopefully they won't be is business long. Rating F-.
(1)
Adrienne S.
I've been wanting to go here for awhile now and yesterday decided I'd try it out! So, I went for lunch and O.M.G. I loved every aspect of it. I walked right in, no reservation and was sat practically immediately. The staff was very friendly, everyone smiled, my server rattled off the specialties flawlessly and offered suggestions (all of which I think is important since I work in the industry as well). I ordered the Peppered Turkey Melt and chose the handcut Bistro fries. I about died when I bit into the sammy... the chipotle aioli, brie, and peppered turkey combo is awesome! The ketchup is insane, it tasted like there was cinnamon or nutmeg in it, which was so surprisingly good! The atmosphere was a little cookie cutter, but I still think it was done well. It wasn't too loud or crowded at 2pm when I arrived. I will definitely be suggesting it to everyone I know to try it!!
(4)
Sohiroshi C.
I am generally not a fan of American restaurants because the food is usually the same and the flavors are mediocre. However, the dishes we had at Terra were surprisingly good. I didn't expect much but I have to say my experience here was great. Opened only for two weeks at this new location, the restaurant was packed at 7pm on a Saturday. I am not sure if it's the location or the price range, but the crowd at the restaurant was mid-age or older. We were the only young group in the entire restaurant and the chef and servers checked back frequently to chat with us. Definitely worth trying if you're in the area. BTW, there is parking in the residential area just behind the restaurant so parking is a breeze.
(4)
Amy L.
The service was a little slow, but the staff was amazing! Food was to die for! Lobster mac and cheese is a for sure!
The food is excellent, though a bit pricey as indicated. The owner/chef is clearly proud of the restaurant's commitment to local farmers and sourcing, and has schooled his staff in pointing out that fact to diners. Taste and presentation lived up to expectations; the atmosphere is simple, as suggested by other reviewers, and the full bar helpful for parties that include lovers of beer and wine along with those committed to the harder stuff. What would I change here? The pour on the wines -- way too little -- and the choice of wine glasses. A restaurant with such good food and a decent wine list should muster a more elegant glass and a much more aggressive pour!
(4)
Gina P.
My friend and I had Appetizers and drinks there on Saturday night and OMG this place is Amazing the food is out of this world!!!! We had the Pumpkin Raviolis and the Potato Brie Quesadillas are a must we will definitely be back!!
(5)
Skip F.
my wife and i went on a Saturday nite and they were busy we made a reservation with our yelp app (open table) so were seated with in a few minutes of arriving at the restrauant...everyone is very friendly...decor was nice...as others have said not big fan of the TVs but i understand why they have them....they noise level is pretty high but that is sort of normal for a open dining area next to there bar....service was good our waiter was knowledgeable and friendly now the food wine selection was good... pumpkin ravioli: great dish really liked the flavor combo.. taste like a savory pumpkin pie... very nice beets and greens salad: great dressing wasn't crazy about the way the beets were prepared but over all very good. lobster mac n cheese pretty good.... lobster bits were a little on the fishy side but slipper lobster tails aren't Maine lobster... good portion over all good dish fish and chips.... just fish and chips ...great portion chocolate cigar: wife liked it ...i thought it was okay overall Terra is a good solid restaurant with some quality dishes and is a great addition to the Rolando area i will be back
(4)
David C.
We used Terra to cater our wedding at DiamondView Tower this past weekend. The food and service were terrific. They helped us create an Asian and Mexican station and all the guests absolutely loved both. Thanks Terra!!
I had been to Terra many times in Uptown for breakfast, but never for lunch - and never in their new location in La Mesa. From the exterior, the building looks like just any other ordinary building in a commercially zoned district - then you enter in to an entirely new world with tasteful decor, great ambiance, and more! The salads we ordered were amazing...(I had the Farmer's Organic Salad with grilled fish...perfect who knew you could do THAT with a salad...but Jeff Rossman did! I highly recommend patronizing Terra - a terrific addition to the Blvd. We are so happy to have you in this neck of the woods!!! I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Alley M.
PROS: I went here for my birthday and really enjoyed my meal. -We made reservations and were seated as soon as we got in the door. -Decor is rustic and charming. It looks like Terra has been in this location for a long time...in a good way! -Our waiter was extremely courteous and attentive. -They focus on local, sustainable ingredients. -Water provided (as requested) is "snazzed up" by infusing fresh fruit flavors. We had canteloupe-mint water. I almost liked it more than my wine. -TRY THE SANGRIA! Original, fresh and tasty! -The lobster mac and cheese was very very good! -My husband LOVED his miso seared fish (I think it was Ahi). CONS: -It's pricey so I cannot go all the time. -Parking lot is tiny and street parking is crowded. -The lobster is flown in from Maine! Come on- use local CA lobster! It's got a smaller carbon footprint, is sustainable and fits in better with the ideals that Terra promotes! Thanks to the owners for replying to my review. I had to try with the local lobster plug. :D
(4)
James A.
This review is for both Terra's catering service and restaurant. Terra was our caterer for our wedding and we were blown away by the creativity and quality of the food that was served at our wedding. My wife and I wanted a menu that symbolized both our heritage and we gave Terra some idea of what we wanted. Chef Jeff came up with an incredible menu that surpassed what our original ideas were. From the hor d'oeuvres (Lumpia, Diver Scallops, Truffle Mac & Cheese) to the soup course (She-Crab Soup which was a favorite amongst the majority of the wedding guests) to the dinner course (Portuguese Prawns, Short Ribs), everybody had quite a unique and delicious dining experience on our big day. The wait staff was extremely attentive and as a really nice touch, they had one waiter specifically assigned to my wife and I. Lisa, our catering contact with Terra, was a pleasure to work with and handled a very nervous groom superbly! As for the restaurant, my wife and I love the new location and look of the restaurant. We started with the Steamed Carlsbad Black Mussels, which were well-portioned and delicious. Next time, we going to order one each since we had a hard time sharing just one bowl! My wife had the Iron Steak for dinner and she enjoyed tremendously especially the Yukon Mashed Potatoes. As a burger fanatic, I had the Bistro burger and it was delicious, especially the use of the brioche bun and the homemade ketchup that came with the fries. It was definitely a pleasureable experience that we'll be coming back for more soon!
(5)
Su B.
I have to say, the food here is wonderful. It is a shame the waiters and waitresses are horrible!!!!!! It is sad that this restaurants food is so high quality but the staff is ruining the place. On 3 separate occasions, i had an absolutely horrible experience. The 3rd time was the charm and my party and I ended up walking out of the restaurant after ordering our drinks. The restaurant was not busy one bit, as a matter of fact, half of the table were unoccupied. We had to wait 15 minutes for a table, then once seated the waiter came to our table with a very rude and unprofessional attitude. As much as I love the food there, I just cannot deal with the service. I went as far as to email the owner and he was very nice in his response. I hope the owner can get his staff in order because they are doing no justice to his business!!!!
(2)
Walker S.
If you are a "foodie" this place is heaven but, sadly, Terra's is on a downward path. Thankgiving day, four of us shared a prix fixe, 2:30 seating. I had the cold rice salad, turkey ala king and coffee with my mini-trio dessert for $55 per person including tip. A full crowd filled small tables, packed tightly together at Chef Jeff Rossman's new location in La Mesa. While waiting to be seated I read his awards on the wall, restaurant of the year in 2010, and admire his cookbook for sale, and see his upcoming "cruise" experience you can join. The delightful hostess calls us forward to be seated next. No, a mistake, sorry, not ready, go back and wait. Ten minutes later we are seated, butcher paper, real cloth napkin, cafeteria spoon & fork. Tables are as close as Junior's in Grand Central Station; be careful about swinging your elbows too wide less you hit the water glass at the next table. Regardless we are here for the food experience so on to the first choice, soup or salad. I had the "salad", a small bib lettuce leaf covered with a cup of cold rice veggie mixture. I'm hungry, it goes down fine as I think of all the great salads I've had and those I will be having somewhere else. Then the main course, a small plastic plate, one scoop of mashed potatoes, one scoop of dressing, all covered with a turkey ala king mixture. The transparent gravy glaze shines as it covers the holiday food mass turning everything into one single taste note that lingers even now, 12 hours later. I pick through the pile of foods finding bones, gristle and other things to push to the side. Even so, while eating, some bones and gristle actually make it into my mouth and must be removed. I wonder what Jeff was thinking; he was tweeting from the kitchen; too late to ask for the gravy on the side, no this is a dish to remembered and to tell others about and to be very very sure to avoid. Oh but dessert, yes; three small delightful creations with a taste and texture that simply could not fight through the grave aftertaste. Good lord, I am thankful that this Thanksgiving meal is finally over. Jeff, you get two stars because (1) you were restaurant of the year last year and (2) there is always hope.
(2)
Kevin O.
I came here today for my first visit to Terra. We came for brunch and it was really very good. I had the Breakfast Quesadilla and my mom had the American Breakfast. My dish was good though not something I would rush to order again. It needed a little more "umph" to it -- it was a little bland. However... the service was excellent and the coffee was really tasty! I'm looking forward to coming back and trying other items on the menu since so many of them looked really interesting. I may even come for dinner tonight! ;)
(4)
Erika O.
Great neighborhood restaurant and although it is a little more upscale, I still okay bringing my 2 year old daughter and 2 month old son. Love how they have grilled chicken, veggies and mashed potatoes on the kid menu and the menu is a magna-doodle :). Had the chef's salad a few months ago and it was one of the best salad's I have ever had. Ordered it again a month later and not as good as I remembered, but it was okay. Love the nachos - kind of random, I know, but the cheese is amazing. They took them off the menu for awhile and my husband and I were super bummed. Glad to see they are back!!!
(4)
Christine S.
Friendly staff when you walk in and at bar. Only down side its you need a reservation to be seated. The food is hearty but not huge portions.
(4)
Melissa S.
This place offers so many amazing options it was nearly IMPOSSIBLE to decide what to get. I ended up getting the Tuscan pizza, side of mashed potatoes, and the lavender creme brulee. I nearly died it was so good. The staff were so nice (we came right before closing, not knowing the closing times) and they didn't seem to mind one bit. Our glasses were never empty because the wait staff kept refilling it (HUGE PLUS!!!) and the waitress only had great recommendations for what to order. I was surprised to learn that they get their ingredients from local farmers and they had so many vegetarian options. I wish I lived in San Diego just so I could go here for dinner every night! If you are thinking about coming here, DO IT! You won't regret it.
(5)
Keith H.
Our first experience here was pretty good, but the last one was pretty bad. Unfortunately, we also had a guest from out of town and he shared our disappointment. When you order medium rare and it comes out well done, there is really no excuse. Also, the lobster in the lobster mac and cheese was actually bad, like rancid bad. I will never go back.
(2)
Lauren C.
I'm on the fence about this place. The food seems to range from ok to good. The desserts on the other hand are consistently very good. The hostesses here are rude. One in particular needs to be fired and is hurting business. The atmosphere is fine, but I feel like they are rushing you - overall, the people aren't very welcoming. I may return to Terra, but for now I've had my fill.
(3)
Ken M.
Tired of driving downtown or La Jolla to get a better than typical East County coffee shop faire, I Googled Quality Dining East San Diego County and got Terra. So, skeptical, we went last Thursday night and were floored to find fresh and great food in.... La Mesa! Or is 7100 block of El Cajon Boulevard San Diego? Don't know, don't care, the experience was great. I had the Skirt steak with quesidilla and it was FABULOUS. My wife had the Pot Roast and reluctantly shared a bite with me as she was declaring it too FABULOUS. And fall off the fork tender. Great food in a casual atmosphere ten mintes from the house and no tourists! I have a new favorite restaurant and will be working my way through the menu over the next few weeks. Did I mention the parking is easy, staff not pretentious, atmoshere kitchy and the salds were good? I could go on and on but..........I gave them four stars only beacues it was a bit loud. They could use some noise deadening soft goods hanging around, or perhaps some carpeting. But.... no place is perfect. I give the food a five and the space a 4 which would be a four and a half but Yelp does not offer a half star.
(4)
Shannon D.
The service was ok, not fantastic, but ok. They serve a lot of organic vegetables and "free range" meats, but not organic and my friend took me here for the purpose that it is farm to table. Farm to table does not mean organic and free range has nothing to do with organic. The pumpkin ravioli was delicious! We shared that as an appetizer, and then the citrus chicken and quinoa for dinner. It was good, but nothing that can't be duplicated at your home. It was just good and the chicken plate was 19.00, which is a little expensive for what you get, it is just a chicken breast. The vegetable serving (the only organic part of the dinner) was SMALL, four small slices of squash. The quinoa was good, but it is quinoa, not exactly difficult to prepare and it came bare, did I mention it was plain.... For those not familiar with quinoa pretend someone slapped some plain white rice next to your chicken and then expected someone to say WOW DELICIOUS! Nothing wrong with either but not a taste sensation. It was a nice meal, but not worth the price, and we were a little mislead, I expected more of an organic selection other than vegetables. The top of the menu states that their meats are humanely slaughtered which has nothing really to do with the raising nor the diet of the animal. I would go back to try other things on the menu in order to give it a fair shot, but my first time going was really just ehhhh, not great, but not bad. Have to add this in, is it possible that a chef cannot know that poultry and beef can be certified organic?????? His response to me was that there is no such thing....Really? Try Google big guy........There are much, much better options in nicer parts of town where you dont have to park your car down the street and tip a local crack head to watch it for you, but if you like that kind of thing tubs n suds is a hop away.
(2)
John P.
We were guests for a Christmas Day dinner and were disappointed in the entire scenario, especially the food. The lobster bisque was thin, watery, fishy and tasteless. Certainly not a proper lobster bisque. The prime rib was tough, fatty and not prepared as ordered, medium and medium well, not rare. It was covered with a thick white goo, that was advertised as horseradish sauce, but was merely a coverup of not-well-prepared beef. Another guest at our table had the ham, which arrived cold. Yet another had the porkchop, but no steak knife to cut it and it too was tough. No bread or rolls were served with the appetizer or the meal.When asked, the waitress unbelievably said the "bread was all used for the stuffing" for the roast goose. Water and wine glasses had spots on them and were being washed by the bar staff and waitresses as we watched. Some of the still-spotted glasses were placed on our table. Then, after this dismal food experience and finally enjoying tiny dessert portions, we were being rushed out to make room for the next seating. All in all, a poor experience at a restaurant that allegedly prides itself for good food and service. They did not appear to be prepared for a festive event, to be enjoyed by their patrons. The meal was not worth the price on the menu. A good restaurant doesn't have a bad day, but this one did. We won't be back and won't recommend it.
(1)
Lisa T.
Rolled in on a Sunday evening after a 3 day bender only to see that the place was PACKED, but the incredibly cute hostess offered us seats at the bar and we were starvin so we bellied up. Orded beer and the tots...oh yummy yum they were delish! then came the 'chick pea spread' aka HUMMUS, scrappy coco LOVES the hummus and this was about the creamiest best version EVER...and the bread was soft with a chewy crust, although I would've eaten that hummus off of a piece of cardboard it was THAT GOOD! Bestie ordered the pot roast and when I say it was as good as my moms, then you know it was damn good cuz if you know my moms, then you know! Kept seeing the chefy-owner greeting the tables and schmoozin',which I thought was awesome, he's super cute too. I ordered the flatbread bbq chicken pizza and was happy to actually taste the chicken. Any version of this pizza at other establishments tends to be too saucy or cheesy and the chicken tasteless so I was beyond happy that the chicken flavor sang through...the dough was simplistic and tasty, with just enough crisp. I am seriously lovin this place....sorry for hillcrest's loss and rolando's gain. Score one for my hood! p.s. props to the bartender who was super nice and friendly and to the cutest bus boy ever who shared our affection for clase azul....
(4)
Lis D.
I stopped by Terra's for lunch yesterday at their new location on El Cajon Blvd. I never knew of this restaurant when it was in Hillcrest (I guess I live under a rock). We split the Veggie Cobb Sliders and their special of the day, a Salmon Wrap. Both were TO...DIE...FOR!!! Each came with a delicious side - their hand cut bistro fries arrived with a homemade ketchup (sweet and tomatoie), and the fruit salad, which consisted of blueberries, cantaloupe, melon, strawberries, was fresh, none of that gooey fruit you sometimes get at restaurants. We also had the orange flavored water... water never tasted so good! I can't remember the name of the dessert we ordered but it was full of berries, ice cream and deliciousness. We met the nice and friendly chef who I hear always introduces himself to his clientele (nice touch). The only thing that bums me out is that I couldn't fit in anymore food, but I plan to return tomorrow for the breakfast, and on Sunday, 4/17 for the College Area Taste. I don't care if I sound like a fanatic, I really loved this place!
(5)
Aaron L.
Fresh, fresh, fresh. Delightful lunch with 2 other friends. The food was amazingly fresh. We all got different selections. My BBQ rib sliders were tasty. French fries crispy and seasoned just right. 2nd friend got chicken pasta special with peppers. It was just the right amount of "spicy-ness" that gave it a rich flavor but did not burn you mouth when you ate it (she let me taste). 3rd friend got seared ahi tuna salad that she said was the best she ever tasted. I didn't taste her's because I am not a seafood lover. Probably my favorite was the skillet mac-n-cheese. We ordered it as an appetiezer but I could have eaten the whole thing and been satisfied. Their lemongrass lemonade was very refreshing. All in all a great dining experience. Will definitely return with husband and other family members.
(5)
Ali J.
I must preface this review by saying my boyfriend and I are VERY into spices and add a lot to all our dishes we make at home so this review may be a little subjective based on that knowledge. We walked in for our 7:30 reservation a little late but the hostess was very nice and took us right to the table. We loved all the decorations, the farm tools on the walls and canvas art (not sure 100% if that's the right material) on the ceilings. Nicely done so far! Our waiter was Steve and he was very attentive, very helpful, and prompt. Gave us lots of good suggestions and some delicious guava flavored water. Hello why didn't we think of that!?!? We started out with an appetizer - the spicy peppery calamari. The spices and sauce were absolutely delicious and loved the presentation on the slate plate. We thought it was the best thing we had all night. The salad was just a house salad, plain and simple. We loved the dressing but thought it could be a little more exciting. That would be our fault for not ordering a more exotic looking salad, so no points off there. Steve suggested the lobster mac and cheese and honestly I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. I think it was the fact that is boasted asiago, brie, and havarti cheese sauce so maybe I was looking for more of a cheesy bite (I lived in France for awhile so my palette may be skewed to French tastes) but the sauce that was on there had NO flavor. I felt bad adding salt and pepper since this was supposed to be an amazing dish! The local veggies were my favorite part, but I don't think that was supposed to be the take home impression. The lobster bits were good, but small-ish (maybe its not lobster season- my fault again). My boyfriend ordered one of the specials, the banana leaf baked fluke or summer flounder as we were told. I tasted it and it was ok, I liked that it was moist but again, flavor just lacking here. We tasted a little bit of the preserved lemon but definitely no sun-dried tomatoes in the couscous. We ended with the vanila creme brulee (I loved it, BF not so much, said it was too sweet but he's more of a savory guy). Granted, it could've been one of those nights they were a little off so we are planning on coming again to see if things get better...maybe the burger and beer night on Tuesday (come on Chef Jeff, we need a veggie burger addition!). We will definitely be back since we live so close but going to try new things next time.
(3)
Jennifer B.
Went there for the first time to their new location over the weekend. It is a cute little place with a small menu but it does offer variety. Everyone I went with was happy with their dishes. I had the sea bass which was good. It wasn't anything out of this world and was a little on the dry side but still pretty good. I liked that they served it with brown rice and a muted wasabi sauce drizzled on the fish. The sauce is what saved the fish. The ahi appetizer was good and my friend who had the veggie penne enjoyed it. They serve the table warm bread with a hummus spread which was very good. I do like how every weekday they have a dinner special ranging from lobster night to build your own burger night. I will go back to give something else a whirl but it is not on the top of my list to immediately return to. Overall it is a good restaurant and will give it another shot to hopefully "wow" me with the next go around. Oh, and a suggestion to the management, you may want to invest in a couple dozen black linen napkins to accommodate the guests who are wearing black and wish to avoid having white napkin fuzz all over them for the remainder of the evening.
Great service, satisfying food. A great place to relax with friends or family. Good to have Terra in the La Mesa neighborhood.
(4)
Paulette G.
My new favorite restaurant. I am one-by-one taking all of my friends to Terra to experience the wonderful food and friendly atmosphere and of course the Chocolate Cigar!!!!
(5)
Noel F.
I came here for Restaurant week on Thursday night and couldn't have been happier with Terra. The service was amazing. The hostess/waitress kept coming up to us and making sure everything was great throughout our meal. The portions were more than generous. Both the steak and the yellowtail entrees that we ordered were amazing! Will definitely be back!!
My wife and I went to Terra American Bistro for the first time tonight and we were very impressed. The staff is amazing and extremely knowledgeable about the menu and the whole mission behind Jeff's vision. I thought the prices were reasonable for the quality of the food we were served. My wife had the pot roast and the meat was extremely moist (which is a problem with most eateries) she loved everything but the gravy. I think the stout beer was too much for her. I had the Grilled Flatiron steak with the Port wine reduction ordered medium. It came out a little less than medium rare and in most cases I would have sent it back but it was so tender and flavorful I couldn't do it. Not only that, you could tell the quality of the cut of meat. The wine reduction sauce was absolutely PERFECT. We both started with a cup of the Fish Chowder that was extremely flavorful and we split a house salad that in most places would be a premium salad. No iceberg and shredded carrots here, Cranberries, nuts, crumbled bleu cheese and an absolutely wonderful light dressing. Here is the thing that really impressed the two of us the most. When food is cooked right with proper seasoning before it is served there is never a need for salt and pepper. We have been to restaurants that didn't even have it on the table you had to ask for it. We never touched the salt or the pepper. I had a chance to talk with Jeff's Aunt and am looking forward to the day I can talk with him. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen at home and love talking with chefs who have the passion for food that he obviously does. If I can update the rating after a few visits and they are as good as to days it will be 5 stars for sure.
(4)
Jeff C.
The food was amazing and the service just as good. I found the resturant to be clean and welcoming. This would be a great place for a date or even a business dinner.
(5)
T B.
We were really sad when they moved from Hillcrest because Terra was one of our favorite restaurants to pop into when we are out shopping in Mission Valley with our dog. The food is amazing and always cooked perfectly, especially the seafood. The lobster mac and cheese is out of this world! I also LOVE how dog friendly all the staff is, they even have a "dog menu" so you can order treats for your canine pal too! We will definitely be going to check out their new location in El Cajon soon!
(5)
Jason H.
Farm to Table...ok, I get it. Exciting right? Finally a restaurant that has the right idea. However, I guess my expectations were set too high. I've known of Terra for years but have never dined. When they moved out to the La Mesa area there was all this hype surrounding it. I get that too. Our reservation was at 6:00pm on a Thursday, we arrived 10 minutes early and approached the hostess stand to inform the hostess that we had arrived early for dinner. She was very flustered (sp.), hands full of menus sliding down her arms as she walked away from us as if we had inconvenienced her by arriving 10 minutes early. When our table was ready we were sat. Our two boys were each given an etch-a-sketch which had the kids' menu attached to the back, clever. Nice touch, keeps the kids busy. After reviewing the kids' menu they decided on the pizza and my wife and I began looking over our menus anticipating great things. When our server arrived at the table we ordered the pizza for the boys. She stated, "Oh, well we uh just changed the recipe for our pizza dough so it's a little different and we don't have any sauce for the pizza so it'll just be cheese and dough. Is that ok? No, that is not okay I thought to myself. Shouldn't the hostess have let us know when she handed us the menus that the kids' pizza would not be available this evening? We asked her to give us a few more minutes so the boys could make their second choice. They decided on the grilled cheese sandwich. My wife had a question about the Thursday Night Special, the Rib dinner that came with freshly made onion rings and grilled romaine salad. "How is it? What do you think about this dish?", my wife asked.The server stated, "I don't like ribs so I couldn't tell you. I hear it's good, but if you want to order that you'd better do it soon because we're almost out." Hmmm. So, Thursday night. Should be a decent night as far as level of business. It's only 6:00pm. There are only maybe 4-5 other tables in the restaurant that have been sat. Almost out of the Nightly Special? Poor planning on the Chef's part. She ended up ordering the Ribs and I ordered the Yellowtail, it sounded good. I asked if I could replace the brown rice with extra vegetables...Server,"Well, we don't make any substitutions on the menu. If you want extra vegetables you have to pay $3.00. Organic vegetables are three times as expensive as regular vegetables so it'll be an extra $3.00." I said, "You know what, just leave the rice off of the plate. Thank you." The food arrives...BHUM, BHUM, BHUM. Grilled Cheese, made with what appeared to be bread you could pick up at your local grocery store. Not even cut in half just sitting there on the plate hardly toasted with too much cheese, made for a soggy sandwich with below standard effort on presentation. Ribs, nice. Done well. Great seasoning, salad and onion rings were perfect. Yellowtail, guess what was on the plate? You guessed it. Rice. I flagged down our server and reminded her that I had asked for no rice. Her reply was, "Oh I thought you said you wanted the rice." By the time my Yellowtail made it back to me my wife and kids were almost finished with their meals. I felt like I was going insane. One thing after another. I have been in the food industry for 15 years and I must say that this was one of the biggest let downs. We will not be back. I do hope, for the sake of longevity that the operators of Terra take a step back and make the proper adjustments in the level of service they provide as well as take a look at the overall message they are sending to the customer that allows them to keep their doors open.
(1)
Phyllis S.
My husband and I were excited that a restaurant had opened in the La Mesa area and we decided to give it a try. We made a reservation and decided to go early for a cocktail. The bartender was very unfriendly, the dirty martini was a combination of old olives and old olive juice and the request for cocktail onions was met with a glare and a delivery of teeny onions with no taste. The hostesses were unable to seat us until the wordy waitress was finished with another party. When questioned why we couldn't just be seated and enjoy a bit of bread with our cocktail she told us they did not do seating that way. We ordered an appetizer but after waiting a bit our waitress told us our order had been over cooked but she would "steal" another and get it to us asap; the manager would give us a "surprise" on our bill. The food was pleasant but the rating this restaurant received was puzzling. We won't be going back.
(2)
Bernadette J.
It surprises you with it's location, but Hilcrest and Downtown SD are so over-saturated with restaurants. It's so refreshing to see this farm-to-table dining in our neighborhood! The lobster mac and cheese is amazing and so is the strawberry-basil crust-less cheescake. The cocktails are also quite delish! The chef comes around and visits each table, too, which is pretty cool. And we know they get their produce locally because our friend who works for Suzie's Farm delivers it! Last thing... for what it is, the pricing is really reasonable.
(5)
Betty W.
I noticed one of the reviewers mentioned that as older people move out of the Rolando area and younger ones move in, this restaurant is perfect. Well, I am an older person who moved to the Rolando area 3 years ago and I love Terra. Don't assume this is just for the young set, as a matter of fact most of the customers when we went (early on a Friday) were older. We enjoyed the ambiance, the service and the food. We will certainly return. I also noticed many people mentioned noise. Perhaps it was because we were there VERY early that noise was not an issue. When we walked in there were some people seated at the bar, none at the dining tables. We were the first to be seated, and yes, as others came in they were put immediately to our right and left, but that did not bother me, though my partner was a bit put off by the people with a young child sitting on my right. Kids don't bother me as I used to be one myself. I would say, go here and support a place we are fortunate to have in the Rolando area.
(4)
Scott M.
I cannot say enough on how Terra went above and beyond our expectations. We had Chef Jeff cater our wedding this past weekend and the food could not have been better. Everyone was ranting and raving on how great the food tasted and how impressed they were. Between the appetizers, the salad, the pastas, the seafood, the chicken, the steak, and the desserts...EVERYTHING was absolutely PERFECT!! Aside from the food, we worked with Lisa to develop our menu and set everything up and she was THE BEST! From Day 1 she was so personable and really got to know us and our particular tastes and the theme we were going for. She was there at the reception to make sure everything ran smoothly and she was terrific. I feel like this review does not even give them the justice they deserve so in closing I will say that if you are ever looking to have an event catered, you would be doing yourself a huge diservice not to hire Chef Jeff, Lisa, and the rest of the Terra crew!
(5)
A. B.
Tried Terra for the first time this evening,with my wife, to celebrate a promotion. We were greeted nicely, but were told we couldn't sit at a window table because we were a party of two. There were not many occupied tables and it was only 6:00, but whatever. Ordered drinks, my beer came in minutes, the waitress said my wife's wine was not poured yet, so my wife sat for at least ten minutes with no wine. I asked the waitress again for our wine and she repeated, in a rude and snippy tone, "He hasn't poured it yet!" and went on her way. We sat for a minute or two, put money on the table to pay for my now warm, untouched beer and left. Very disappointing since we had heard from friends how nice Terra was. Had the waitress apologized for the delay in a pleasant tone, we would have stayed even if the wine took a little longer. Sadly, not a good first impression and we will not return. Had a great meal and service in a little Italian restaurant in downtown La Mesa instead. Celebration dinner salvaged!
(1)
Jonathan L.
Great La Mesa spot for lunch. A little higher-priced than your average El Cajon Blvd. fare, but amazingly fresh, great chicken sandwiches, and amazing iced tea. Great spot for any special occasion or nice farm fresh and organic night out
(5)
Robin K.
What a great place! Quite a bit of variety, too. From the pork belly appetizer, the miso-glazed tilefish, beer and goat cheese salad....to the wonderful wines by the glass. Staff is very welcoming too!
(4)
Nancy B.
What a fabulous meal. The pot roast was tender and very tasty. The service was friendly and the atmosphere was energetic. The chef even came out and chatted with us. I will definitely be back. A real gem in East County.
(5)
Lauren H.
What a great hidden gem! Found this place on yelp and decided to meet a client here for a lunch meeting. Driving here I got a little nervous because of its location but as soon as I got in the door, I knew the place was legit. Awesome fresh local food with a decent beer selection. The staff was very nice and recommended some good dishes. I ended up getting the turkey melt and was not disappointed. Great Yelp find!!
(5)
Brittany M.
I really like Terra! From the ambiance to the service, everything is really nice. Location might throw you off a little, but the inside is lovely. Mac and cheese is so delish. I had The Bistro flatbread and it was perfection. I love all things chorizo. It took a while to get our food, but this was my 2nd visit and I will be back.
(4)
Sharon G.
We had a very nice lunch at Terra today. Chef Jeff came over and said hello. I had the fish bowl which is wonderful and Alan enjoyed his burger with a salad. He cleaned his plate.
(3)
Mary H.
I've been here twice now. We started off with the brussels sprouts. Nicely done and very flavorful. As my entree, I had the salami flat bread. I thought it was a bit bland and needed a little something else. My partner had the stuffed pork chop. It was moist and perfectly done. There was plenty of food left over for tomorrow. Great selection of wine and cocktails, too.
(4)
Keechi K.
This place is really great, the service is amazing also. I would recommend trying the garlic fries with homemade ketchup sooooo great,huge amazing turkey leg yummm and the skillet mac n cheese (heavenly). The flat breads are verrrry tasty also, another customer recommended i try the pork chop, so i will get that next time. The entire experience was awesome.
(5)
C M.
I dined here with a foodie friend for lunch on 4/2. The whole experience, service and food, was excellent and we will be coming back for sure! We started with an order of the garlic hummus which came out in a small jar, on a wood board with a generous portion of toasted bread. This was an exceptional bargain, at $2 or $3! And the flavor was fantastic! The lemon really made this extra delicious! For our main entrees, I had a steak fettuccine that was a special that day. A generous portion of sliced steak, great flavor, perfectly cooked (just under medium). Top notch, I would absolutely order it again if it were on the regular menu. My friend had the California chicken sandwich with truffle fries, which was also outstanding. The crushed avocado was an especially unique and flavorful touch. We shared a bowl of the tomato basil soup which was good, but nothing to write home about. We finished off our meal with the banana bread pudding with bourbon butterscotch sauce... WOW.... highly recommended. I want to mention our wonderful waiter Nick. He was beyond super! Made wonderful recommendations, and even pointed out that if I did a yelp check-in, the banana bread pudding was free! SO AWESOME! We enjoyed our meal way past the close of lunchtime (lunch service ends at 2), and at 3:00 there were still a few tables occupied and we were not ever encouraged to leave so they could prep for dinner. That's the way to do it. Great food, great service. Nice ambiance too... especially for the neighborhood...it was a very nice surprise. We'll be back!
(5)
Erica M.
Fabulous, creative food and drinks. Non-boring, gourmet vegetarian options!
(5)
Paul M.
I've been going to this location and it's many different businesses for as long as I can remember (my parents tell stories about me going in as baby and making a cracker mess around my high chair). I have to say Terra is probably the best restaurant I've been to there. I moved away from the college area a couple of years ago and was in the area so I thought I'd check out what restaurant was in the old location. I'm soooo glad I did. I really don't know where to start. Let's do service first because everyone there was extremely friendly and helpful. Our waiter Gamaliel was not only helpful, but made several suggestions and recommendations that were spot on and exactly what I was looking for! My iced tea was never empty (a requirement for anything over 3 stars for me) and he actually seemed to have passion for the food and his job! He even offered a sample of the soup of the day....something I've never been offered before. We were there for the lunch menu so I don't know how different it is a dinner. I had the California Chicken with the truffle fries. The chipotle spread was so good I didn't need ketchup or any other garnish with me sandwich or the Fries. My wife had the turkey sandwich and she loved every bite! I really have to recommend the bread pudding. Now I should mention I usually HATE bread pudding but I took advantage of a Yelp Check-In special for a free one. IT was the perfect end to an awesome lunch!!! All in all, EVERYTHING at this restaurant was amazing and VERY fresh. I might actually make the drive out there one night just to check out the dinner menu!
(5)
Christie B.
My friend and I both really enjoyed every item on our plates. My friend is hard to please, so the fact that she raved about it is saying a lot. The ambiance is simple and comfy. The bartender is personable and helpful. The manager came by to check on our experience which always speaks volumes about an establishment. Thank you for a solid experience, Terra.
(5)
Mark B.
We came in for the sunday brunch and ordered the stuffed french toast and the buffalo chips. Liked the food and service was good too, our waitress Ellie was great. We shall return another day for the champagne brunch.
(4)
maria b.
I decided to take off my previous review, it was not fair and I did it out of anger. Initially some friends were saying their food was hard and cold, but it's a wedding not everyone is going to like the food. I loved the staff, Lisa was amazing and helpful. I was a little upset at some of the food but over all it was okay.
This place is always nice! We have been here several times and this place is quite good. Certainly top shelf for La Mesa. Wine flights, beer flights, steaks to desserts, I would say give this place a go!
Amazing restaurant. Great seasonal food. Tasted like farm to table. Very affordable. Free bread pudding with check in. Warm bread pudding was one of the best I've ever had! Great restaurant, Great dinner, great experience. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Erin D.
A friend from out of town was visiting, so we decided to try someplace new. Terra is close to my house but I'd never been, so we decided to give it a shot. We're so glad we did! We started with the artichoke avocado dip and it was delicious. I usually don't even like avocado, and it's creaminess was just the right balance to the sharpness of the artichoke. My friend ordered the pulled short rib pappardelle pasta dish. It was served perfectly al dente, fresh and light next to the richness of the meat. I ordered the burger and opted for the bacon and fried egg on top. It was amazing! I was impressed that my medium rare burger was in fact medium rare and not overcooked, and the Gorgonzola and caramelized onions were a perfect compliment to the proteins. We checked in on yelp and took advantage of the banana bread pudding offer. It was delicious, but we each could only eat a couple of bites. We left completely satisfied. I will definitely be returning ASAP! The service was stellar and attentive without being cloying. Nick was great, and definitely deserved his tip.
(5)
Danielle N.
Really impressed by the atmosphere, food and service. The cocktails are delicious and unique. Definitely coming back!
(5)
B A.
Hold up?! I get 3 mimosas with my brunch order?! Yes please!!!! Is there anything else you need to know? Well ok. The food is delicious and the coffee is great and the staff is sweet and they have a parking lot. Any other questions? Answer - see point number 1.
(5)
Jack M.
I came to Terra for some good morning brunch. To my surprise, they were giving complimentary glass of champagne or mimosa which I gratefully turned down and opt for coffee instead. The place is very nice and comfortable. I had some coffee while I cruised through the menu. I decided to order the Farmer's Omelet which was accompanied with potatoes and a smidgen of fruit for garnish. I noticed my order did not come with toast, a must for me, so I asked the waitress if I could had some wheat and she said sure. The omelet was a generous size ( yelp.com/biz_photos/nlCP… ) and was covered in cheddar and Monterrey Jack. It was filled with caramelized onions, sauteed broccoli, and some kind of root vegetable that, honestly, I could not figure out what it was. All I know, it was edible and good. Over all my omelet was very good and deserved four stars. The potatoes that came with my meal were awesome. They had a nice rustic coating of spice and were properly cooked. The smaller pieces where nice and crispy and the larger pieces where tender. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/nlCP… ) I liked them very much. The toast, which was given to me at no charge, was your regular wheat toast. I guess after my omelet and great potatoes, I was expecting something more eventful with the bread. The service was great! The young lady I had, Jackie, was polite, helpful and attentive. I enjoyed this place and plan to bring some friends next time to try. The Meal was $10.50
(4)
Kathryn C.
I LOVED this. We just came in on a whim to try it out, and I got the wedge salad with sliced steak, and it was mouth watering. Definitely the type of thing I will crave and come back for. The craft cocktails looked fantastic, but I wasn't drinking so I didn't get one. The calamari was really greasy, so I wasn't a huge fan of that, but overall it was pretty great. We'll have to come back!! It looks like it would be a good place to get wine and small plates too.
(4)
Jessica F.
The food and service is always delightful when we dine here. The staff is always accommodating and the food is beyond amazing. A great place for an intimate dinner or gathering with friends.
(5)
Lisa D.
Nice place to eat if you are in the neighborhood. Fresh local and sustainable produce and meats. Great cocktail list. Pleasant knowledgable staff. We had a nice flatbread appetizer. Enjoyed the beet salad and the house made ginger lemongrass lemonade. My friend had the pot roast and loved it. We will be back when we are in the area.
(4)
Dan D.
We like this place for breakfast and dinner. Dine on a Sunday between 9am and noon and drink mimosas for free. Zero dollars, people. We've been here several times and I swear it's just getting better. As an example, I offer this recent experience: We met another couple here this past Sunday @ 10am. Per the menu, the breakfast I ordered came with pecan pancakes, an egg and 2 pieces of bacon. Fine. What I received was a huge plate of flapjacks, two eggs and a boatload of bacon. No kidding, there were 6 or 8 pieces. What gives? Far from complaining, I washed it down (most of it, anyhow) with "a few" more mimosas. Free mimosas, I should add...in case I hadn't mentioned it. The rest of the group was equally pleased. Really good food, excellent service, friendly waitstaff. Prices are more reasonable than that Denny guy's place. Ask for Emily---she's nice and efficient and very cool. Yeah, I dig this place.
(5)
Sara D.
Oh my god. You guys are so good!! They even have little play toys for the little ones. There food is just over amazing!! I loved there food. Every bite you can taste the amazing flavor that they put in there!! There service is so fast! There food is so filling!! I love there food!!!!!!!
(5)
Stephanie D.
Came here for Father's Day with the family - nice service, family friendly atmosphere, and the food was a solid four stars. Got the farmer's omelette, steak and eggs, French toast and pancakes - all great! Next time we'll try the Bloody Marys :)
(4)
Norman B.
I've eaten here 3 or 4 times and the food is good. Tonight (Sundays) they offered 1/2 off any bottle of wine over $40 - something I didn't know about. It is a good deal but when the check came they wouldn't accept my Passport dining card because we had ordered a bottle of wine, which we got for 1/2 price. They wouldn't honor the Passport discount because we were already given 1/2 off the wine. I felt that wasn't fair because that caveat isn't mentioned on the Passport website nor in the restaurant. Had I known, I would have foregone the wine. They should honor the Passport discount regardless of the special they are offering.
(3)
Victoria S.
Their food is always delicious, fresh, and flavorful. My only issue - which is very minor, is that if you love a special, you might not get to eat it again because they use seasonal items.
(5)
V R.
This place is in my neighborhood, went here for Thanksgiving dinner and it was an okay experience. The family and I decided to come here for breakfast on Sunday morning because we like farm-to-table restaurants and supporting neighborhood business. Unfortunately, they do not seem too interested in keeping customers happy and so I don't think we plan on coming back. We arrived right when they opened at 9:00 a.m. and were the second group to arrive. The first thing the hostess did was wave her hand around her face for about two minutes talking about how she smelled something spicy. While I waited for her to finish with the theatrics thinking to myself that we are in a restaurant and you ARE going to smell something! I then asked the hostess if it were possible to sit in the far corner at a four-top (we were a party of three) and was told that it was going to be a busy morning and that that table was reserved. She then took us to a two-top table right near the kitchen and pulled up a third chair for us to cram around. Half an hour goes by and it is still just us and the other party in the restaurant. Whatever. So, I try to move on and order drinks. Husband and I order Mexican Mochas after asking if they have those and after awhile, waitress brings us coffee drinks in tall glasses. I just though, "Hmmm, they are being fancy with their coffee drinks". I take a sip and it tastes like alcohol. So, I try to get the hostesses attention who walks right past me and finally get the waitress' attention. She says, "Nooo, those are Mexican mochas! Maybe it is the coffee that you are tasting". Great. She doesn't believe us. So, I reaffirm that both my husband and I have tasted the drinks and that they do in fact have alcohol in them. Finally, she takes the drinks away talks to some other waitstaff and discovers that they did in fact mistakenly make alcoholic coffee drinks. So, now she believes us. What if we were alcoholics or had an allergy to alcohol? Not the best thing to be bringing alcohol to a table without knowing it. So, I move past that too and sit there while only a couple other guests come in and the table I requested sits empty the entire time we are there. When we are done with our meal, the hostess actually happens to ask how everything was and so I tell her about how that table sat empty the entire time while we were cramped into this small table meant for two people. In fact half of the restaurant was empty. She replies that she has to keep tables reserved for reservations and I point out half of the restaurant is empty. There was no offer to take the coffee drinks off our bill or to remedy the situation, just a shrug of the shoulder. so, with a shrug of my shoulder we left and won't be coming back.
(2)
K V.
Amazing food, great ambiance and dynamic menu ! This is our favorite local spot for date night and it doesn't disappoint. The menu always features fresh, healthy, unique and well thought out dishes. Our favorite is the pot roast, and oh my goodness how do you rave about pot roast right ? It melts in your mouth and it's pretty much pointless to even bother trying to ever make it at home again ! We particularly enjoy sitting at the bar with our favorite bartender Evan. He always make it a great experience and ensures you are pleased with your food, drinks and experience there. The chef frequently rounds from the kitchen and talks with guests, very nice and he ensures your meal was everything you hoped it would be ... And it always is :) then top of the meal with the chocolate cigar ... Delicious !!
(5)
Daniel C.
Just can't seem to hit the mark. Sometimes good staff and sometimes good food. But never the whole package. I've eaten at Terra a couple dozen times in the the past year and a half. At first it was pleasant, but no wow factor. Then it became the place we went when we didn't want to go far and have a half way decent meal. Don't get me wrong I've had some good meals here but it was my experience with the flat breads that drove me to write this review. I sent back the apple and bacon flatbread because it was gross. It had a terrible mouth feel and the flavor was seriously unbalanced and lacking. So, I thought I would be safe in ordering the Margarita flatbread. I was wrong and it was wrong. The smoked tomato that it is stated on the menu is referring to the sauce... There were no tomatoes at all. The smoked flavor did not taste "smoked" it tasted like burt paper. Is the chef even in the kitchen anymore?? Both of my flatbreads were absolutely disappointing. Toppings were extremely bare and the flavors were just disgusting. I can't imagine a professional chef would create such awful flatbreads. Maybe there is a disconnect between concept and execution. I am not hard to please when it comes to flavors or textures and I am not one to send back food especially twice, so instead I took the entire Margarita flatbread home to doctor up with my own ingredients to make it eatable. I will not be ordering any of their flatbreads again. On another note, the server handled my issue with the flatbread well. That being said, we typically enjoy our experience more when we sit at the bar. Although he wasn't there this time, the bartender that is usually there (Evan) takes great care of us and is the only reason we keep coming back.
(2)
Drew H.
Dont waste your money! I feel robbed because the food was so horrible. Im a horrible cook yet I know I can make a better chicken with asparagus than the chef here can. The manager was completely rude and petty when I complained about the food. You're better of getting fast food compared to this dump!
(1)
Raquel R.
Wonderful blend of urban comfort and homemade chic. The ingredients are fresh and innovative. Cant find places like this east of Hillcrest and North Park, but what a delicious lunch! I had the lobster blt and it was ridiculously amazing! The banana bread pudding has a naughty bourbon sauce...dang! & that's free with my Yelp! Check in!!
(5)
TF L.
Go out for dinner here. Don't pass go, forget the $200, grab your date and have a really nice meal with fresh ingredients, well prepared at reasonable prices. You won't be sorry!
(5)
Daniel D.
I just had the folks from Terra cater a baby shower for my wife. We had it in our backyard. They came right on time with everything that we needed, the staff member was courteous, hard-working, and friendly. We couldn't have asked for more. We love this restaurant and their catering was top notch as well. Price was very agreeable as well. Five stars!
(5)
Christa S.
I definitely dig the farm-to-table concept (one of my favorite restaurants in Austin is of the same vein) and when I found this gem listed on Open Table tucked away in a quieter part of San Diego, I was interested in giving it a go. So, found myself in the SD Thanksgiving weekend and looking for a place for some grub (you can only have so many leftovers!) and scored a table for three (my parents joined me) for Saturday night. So, off we went (mind you, I typed the address wrong into the GPS and we ended up at a Pollo Loco multiple blocks down the street, but quickly re-routed and made our way to Terra). They were ready for us when we arrived...even had a spot available in the parking lot just outside the front door (score!)...with a shiny "reserved" sign on our table. We sat down and took in the atmosphere...very homey, almost as if you are in a farmhouse kitchen. There was a bit of a draft in the air (this becomes important later on in my review), but all in all we were pleased with the looks of the place. Our server, Diana, arrived to take our wine order and very knowingly helped us choose between the two bottles we were pondering (Note - on Saturday nights, bottles $50+ are $10 off), and she was spot on with her description of the wine's taste...we enjoyed it. To start, we split the House Salad filled with field greens, Gorgonzola, candied pecans, local strawberries, honey walnut dressing - a perfect balance of flavors. The draft hadn't stopped and my Mom put on her scarf (and behind our table, there were a couple of other women with their coats on). Service-minded Diana didn't miss a beat...came up and asked my Mom if she was cold and promptly went to turn off the air conditioning...my Mom removed her scarf and the ladies behind us also removed their jackets. That definitely was the icing on the cake that they are VERY service oriented! For entrees, we were all pleased. Again, Diana came through in describing the dishes to perfection and helping us to make our final decision. My Dad went for the Karl Strauss Amber Lager Braised Pot Roast and basically licked his plate clean. My Mom went for the Lobster Macaroni 'n Cheese and had a healthy portion of lobster to accompany the delicious blend of cheeses on her noodles (I snuck a bite). I decided on the Grilled Flat Iron Steak and was not disappointed - it basically melted in my mouth. We all shared some of the fresh bread with the addictive Parmesan garlic butter spread (I WISH I had the recipe!). Sadly, we did not save room for dessert, so I can only imagine that they were equally as delicious. Insider tip: They have a frequent diner's rewards club...you join on your first visit and start accumulating points for restaurant dollars on your second visit (and also receive birthday bonuses). Thank you Terra American Bistro for living up to the farm-to-table promise/expectations I have grown accustomed to!
(5)
Chancie P.
After hearing good things about this local restaurant, I decided to pop in for sunday brunch. The food, the service, and the atmosphere all exceeded expectations. I was deterred from dining here, like most I am sure, due to their higher menu prices relative to the neighborhood. After visiting, I found the value beyond compare. The brunch menu items came with 3 free mimosas! I had the steak and eggs which was heavenly. This restaurant is definitely a gem! I look forward to exploring their many menu items.
(5)
Debra D.
Last Thursday the owner of my company surprised a colleague and me with lunch at Terra. A step inside the door greeted us with a cool, mellow ambiance that was a welcome change from the bright, hot, humid day. We were graciously greeted and escorted to a table that was on the other side of the room from a clean, well appointed bar. I ordered the California bowl and selected chicken as the protein accompaniment. The bulgar and roasted vegetables were perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the chicken pieces were of ample size and also cooked to perfection. I am definitely going to re-visit Terra and have a glass of wine at the bar with friends before adjourning to the dining room for another scrumptious meal to include the roasted Brussel Sprout appetizer, the warm beet salad and a yet-to-be-decided upon entree. PS: Huge plus...Terra has its own parking lot!
(5)
Donelle H.
Sunday brunch with complimentary mimosas is a real treat. The stuffed French toast is to die for (that bourbon butterscotch-yum!). Try any dish with the chicken chorizo and you won't be disappointed. Lastly, I recommend sitting at the bar; Ellie serves up mimosas all morning and is absolutely wonderful.
(5)
Ellison A.
First time after a long time waiting for the opportunity. This used an old family style Italian joint many moons ago... Great farm to table grub, I think it does matter what you order and on what night. I had the pappardelle which was very good. Wife had the bistro burger and truffle fries, which the rest off us managed to steal off her plate. I'm coming back for that. Decent wine menu and pretty kid friendly. Hostess made my 7-year old feel very welcomed and entertained. Had a waiter-in-training who was very friendly but a bit nervous with his trainer shadowing her all night.
(4)
Monique M.
I will give a five star to the bartender who was super sweet on 9/7/2014...I don't remember her name but she was amazing. We were the first guests at the bar that day and it was my first time at this place. I loved it! The food was okay but the bartender was what made it for me. She was friendly and so nice! She told us about the specials and went beyond the act of service when she talked to us about the company. I was feeling "okay" about the food but I would go back just for her! I told my husband all about her and now he wants to visit hoping she will be bar tending again! BTW Her Drinks Were Awesome!
(5)
Richard G.
This popular spot has achieved good reviews for a long time. Tonight was an exercise in plain fare. Cesar salad with shredded, almost taco style romaine? A tiny side cup of dressing? Same for my daughter's plate, but at least her mahi-mahi addition was well prepared. One person ordered soup of the day, and reported it as just OK. The birthday person's dessert was excellent. An uneven experience.
(3)
Root C.
I drove 30 minutes out of my neighborhood to eat here for a friend's birthday. And now?? I wish this restaurant was in my neighborhood. It is good American bistro food. I was delighted with the food and service and look forward to the next time. What I ordered: - Pot Roast - super super tender and flavorful - Halibut Give it a try and don't worry about driving 30 minutes. It's worth it.
(5)
Amy G.
What a gem! Based on location you might not guess it, but inside lays one of the area's best restaurants. My BF and I have been several times and never had a disappointing bite of food. We enjoy sitting at the bar, ordering a bottle of wine, and working our way through the appetizer menu. We ALWAYS start with the Carlsbad mussels as those are my BF's favorite; I am a big fan as well. Last time we were there they had a lobster and quinoa appetizer that was out of this world. Who would have thought to put the two together?? Not me, but I'm glad someone else did. The potato and brie quesadillas are always good as well as the wedge salad. When we have gotten entrees the Chipotle Skirt Steak was a real winner!! The short rib pappardelle was amazing, but not a light dish by any means. I recommend sharing, or bringing a big appetite. We have only ever sat at the bar and the service as always been top notch, friendly, knowledgeable and well-paced. It is definitely one of our go to spots and we highly recommend you give it a try.
(5)
Susan R.
I made reservations for four people at 5:00 PM on February 25, 2015. We got there 30 minutes after the first two people arrive. We ordered drinks, which took 20 minutes, and ordered our food. When we got the bill they put everything on one ticket. The lady that was serving us said they could not split the bill, but came back with two separate checks that had the bill split exactly in half. We didn't ask to be put on one check, and our total was more then the other couple that was with us. One of our party paid both bills, And even left a tip on the payment. The next day, I received a phone call stating that half the bill had not been paid. I texted the first party who said that they would take care of it. They had charge his card twice, and had the nerve to complain that there was no tip included on the payment. He had to submit his credit card for a $20 tip. The food was ok, but after all that, I will NEVER return to this place. I can't believe this is the first time this has ever happened at Terra American Bistro.
(1)
Corie B.
Came back for Restaurant Week Jan. 2013....still awesome. Had the lunch special, $15 for an app and entree. Had the pumpkin ravioli and the bistro burger. The Ravioli's were really tasty, though, there were only two (yes, I know, it is an appetizer but they were so yummy I wanted more haha). The bistro burger, though VERY rich, was absolutely delicious and HUGE. The white truffle flavor was amazing. Had the same server as I did when I came for brunch--latino guy (I'm sorry, forgot the name) and he was really sweet again. I tried the ginger-lemongrass lemonade with some champagne in it and omfg YUM! Furthermore, the Chef walked around and made very friendly conversation, which I loved. One more thing.....the homemade catsup is sooo yummy. I am so happy I live only 5 mins away :) :) Oh, and as a fellow restaurant industry worker (& not to offend anyone) but to comment on the review below by Lisa SD, the reason why the hostess probably did not seat you at the window like you would have wanted was because, for example, if the reservation was at 7:30, and by chance you had stayed an extra 30 mins (many people do dine for 2 hours or longer) the hostess would've had to 1) either tell the people with reservations that they had to wait or 2) seat them somewhere else when they clearly requested a window seat. Hence why it is always best to make reservations :)
Had dinner here tonight. It was amazing. What a gem. We started with spinach/avocado dip which was fantastic. It didnt seem to have much of the typical mayo taste. Very fresh and the jalapeños are a great touch. My main course was the pot roast which was extremely tender and just exploding with flavor. We checked in with Yelp and got a free bread pudding. Amazing.
(5)
Jennifer H.
We wanted to go to Brunch somewhere close by. I had been to Terra a couple times before for Lunch and the food has always been good. But Brunch was amazing!!! The portions are perfect not too big. The food is, as always, delicious! The service was great. The only complaint I could have was the noise level but then again there were 3 large parties in the restaurant at the time that we were there.
(5)
jasmine w.
Looking forward to our second meal this week prepared by Chef Jeff (or "Cheffrey", as we've dubbed him)
(5)
Amelia L.
This place is amazing. The food is not only farm to table but there are so many GF options which I am a huge fan of. Not to mention there deserts are delicious! Our server was great. He knew what he was talking about, was on top of coming back and making sure we were okay and if he didn't know something he would ask (unlike some wait staff who just bull shit you). Not to mention he was super cute! The ambiance is adorable to. They have great decor and the bathrooms were clean. I will go back again!
(5)
Ty S.
This place is amazing... I've been here several times and the food, especially the burger and service are always great. The bartenders are amazing too!
(5)
Kristen S.
Love this place for Sunday brunch. Some friends took me here last time I was at their house. Service was good, food was better. Got the pancakes with marmalade, the bomb. Highly recommend it.
(4)
Jimmy N.
San Diego Burger Week (3) I was around the area looking for the next place to eat for Burger Week, so I came here not only for the burger, but they also had truffle fries that I absolutely needed to try (two birds with one stone!). As I was finding it, it didn't stick out too much, but I did end up finding it early enough that I waited a bit for them to open at 11:30. The first thing I see when I come in are cookbooks and products by a renowned chef that works here as well as the awards given to them. There were about 5 groups of us being seated (including myself), so it wasn't too busy from the start. I enjoyed the interiors, where the seating arrangements seemed organized in a grid-like way, except for the large dining table that stood out mainly due to the chandelier of really cool jar lights. The waiter promptly went up to serve me after I was seated, although he served the other couple after me when they came in before me; he didn't know. No worries, since I already knew what I wanted to order, which was the $13 special (The Smokey Pig burger with Truffle Fries and a Manzanita Riverwalk Blonde Draft, but I substituted the beverage with soda). He sounded about 80% fluent with English, but he knew the menu really well that he was able to describe the things that I asked on the menu. After he happily took my order, he got the soda right away and started taking orders from the same couple, who were still deciding what they wanted. Not too long later, I got my burger and the waiter showed it to the couple, and they were sold. The lady who decided to order it had a special request on the burger and he happily noted it. When she got her burger, the waiter forgot to satisfy her request, but he happily took it back to get it fixed. The only suggestion I would have for the waiter is to mention that the food is made from farm to table. I don't think I would've known that if I hadn't checked out the website. On to my burger. My burger and truffle fries in a bucket was served on a slab of rock. That was awesome. I took a bite into the burger, and the patty was boldly charred. I'm a fan of eating things with char to it. I thought the char on this burger was perfect and represented the whole plate well. The other fix-ins in the burger made it taste really well together, especially with the bacon aioli. The fries were crispy and delicious, and the house-made ketchup worked well with it! Overall, I was really satisfied with this place. The burger had a great execution, the hostess and waiter was great, and my check came in a pouch. I would like to come back here to try other things. Also, I just found out that Bunz is the sister restaurant to Terra; I need to try that place as well. P.S. Looking through reviews for this place, I really appreciate the chef responding to some of these reviews!
(5)
Scott W.
Love the locally sourced veggies and care in their prep and presentations. Every fish served has been scrumptious, and often new and different. Great choice for quality food.
(4)
Cassandrea M.
Sorry for the delay of this review, but life gets in the way. We were in San Diego on a vacation and was staying in El Cajon. Driving around looking at the sights and got hungry. My son didn't want the usual fast food and we saw this place and stopped in. We had great food and a great waitress. My son is a little (haha) picky and they got his order right and the waitress was very patient. If we get back to San Diego, we will stop by and we will also recommend to anybody that will be visiting there.
(4)
Jennifer K.
I've dined at Terra twice. My first visit was 5 stars - great food, great service. I met up with my girlfriends last night there as Terra is a central location for us. I ordered exactly what I had my previous visit - pulled short rib rigatoni. It was not as expected. After a few bites, I realized that my plate must have been under lamps for a long time - the mushroom cream sauce had separated from excess heat. I had a dish full of oil, no cream. I would have mentioned this to my waiter right away but he did not ask about our meal until he presented the check. I told my waiter about my dish & he asked if I wanted it boxed. I told him I wasn't happy with my dish in the first place and he said the kitchen could "whip up another one". At this point, my girlfriends were done eating & my appetite was gone. We paid & he came back....he informed me "that the kitchen had started adding truffle oil to the dish". I'm sure the kitchen added 1/3 of a cup of truffle oil to this dish . I won't be going to Terra again. The restaurant is on an unsavory block of El Cajon Blvd. The food is what keeps people coming back. Mine was awful as was the service.
(1)
Becca D.
NOM NOM NOM... 3 words. Lavender Creme Brule'... Did I spell that right? LOL I was taken here by a friend visiting from out-of-town who was searching for a restaurant that had GLUTEN-FREE and SUSTAINABLE aka Organic/HEALTHY food! This place hit the spot!! I was able to munch down on a delicious angus burger for once since they had a Gluten-Free bun! What a treat! The thai-chicken wraps and beet salad were also amazing. My bf's pot roast shredded apart with a fork. Even the grilled tofu looked like a fish steak! This place reminded me of all the gourmet, wholesome goodness of a restaurant you'd find on 30th and University, but right down the street. BEST restaurant I have found in this neighborhood yet! Yummm
(5)
Jasmine M.
The food was great, our server was extremely friendly and I loved the atmosphere. I will most definitely be coming back
(5)
Micah G.
Had the asian bowl with chicken, amazing! Sweet chili sauce is always the bomb! I checked-in here to get a free bread pudding and it was delicious! Careful though, ITS HOT! Don't forget to order a lemongrass-ginger lemonade, so refreshing!
(5)
jed p.
Good service and good food. My gf ordered the steak and eggs and I ordered the short rib hash. Both were delicious, portions were good, the steak had a good char taste to it. The free bread pudding was good to! This place is really close to my gfs house so it was very convenient.
(5)
Brittney B.
This place is awesome. The food that they serve is farm to table. Because of that, everything is very fresh and tastes great. They have unique choices and good service. I've been here twice, both times on a Sunday and they serve 3 compimentary champagne glasses or mimosas if you order certain meals. I ordered the breakfast quesadilla each time and it is very good.
(5)
Veronica H.
Amazing food. Great environment for adults. My kids weren't too excited about their food though.
(5)
Tim S.
The food here is amazing. By using fresh and local veggies the flavor is increased, which makes no need to add a bunch of random spices. The meats are always cooked to perfection as well. The chef and his team are doing it right.
(5)
Linda L.
Not a fan.Dined here on NYE which was probably a mistake to begin with. The service: our waiter was trying to be cool but wasn't. It seemed as though he didn't know the menu and when we ordered appetizers, they were out....twice. He also forgot to bring a beverage. He was not very attentive and seemed like he was bored. The food: the potato, onion, brie quesadillas were weird....think poland pierogies meet mexican food. Basically they were mashed potatoes in a baked tortilla with salsa on top. The main entrees were fair at best. My fish tacos were very run of the mill...nothing special and the fish was very fishy tasting. The hamburger came out on a burnt bun. The fries were good along with the homemade catsup. Will not be back.
(2)
Margaret D.
I came here during Restaurant Week for lunch with five other friends. I had the miso fish of the day with wasabi sauce and steamed veggies. My friend across the table got the same thing. The steamed veggies were shredded red cabbage (I think) and my friend and i wished that there had been more veggie, or at least more of a variety. The server was very friendly, the chef came out to say hi, and the atmosphere was comfortable and not too loud.
The food and the service were both great. I don't know what else to say. Five of us were there for dinner, each had something different, and we were all raving about how good it was at the end. We'll be back.
(5)
Amy C.
Came here for Sunday brunch. Place was packed yet service and food were excellent. I'm very excited to have such a terrific place to eat in la Mesa. Can't wait to return for dinner. We had breakfast bowl and steak and eggs. Both were absolutely fabulous. The bread pudding is a favorite of the locals and yes, yum!
(5)
Cv D.
Love Terra and the Chef is terrific. Very local, family feel. Excellent service and outstanding food. Good prices.
(5)
L M.
Everything here is amazing!!! I would recommend having a reservation because they get busy.
(5)
Jim D.
I was really looking forward to this place all the accolades and zagat rated. Maybe I went on an off day. My son had the steak it was ok, we have taken him to McCormick's, Ruth Chris, Island Prime you get the idea. It could have been better. My wife got the fish it was ok. The drinks were awesome. They have this Julian Apple pie drink that was a home run! Service is terrific. I will come back for brunch to see how that is but for dinner I'll go to Bo Beau's.
(3)
Sara O.
Ate here for the first time last night with a friend and left feeling happy and so full I was going to burst. Great things: 1) The cocktails! 2) Baked brie - omg. I knew I liked baked brie, but this was way better than expected. 3) Very vegetarian friendly, which I appreciated 4) Great atmosphere and friendly staff Really fresh food, wonderful service, and a nicely sized table for 2. Will be going back!
(5)
Chi V.
Love this restaurant! Food is always excellent, service is fabulous, friendly and knows their menue, ingredients and specials for the eve. It's our go to restaurant for out of town guests or when we just don't feel like eating in. Highly recommended and so glad that it's in the east county where we live.
(5)
Barb F.
Finally, an awesome restaurant right near La Mesa! The knowledge level of the wait-staff is amazing...our first waitress was so eloquent with her descriptions that I was tempted to ask her about everything on the menu! The salmon was incredible, and we asked for seconds on the hummus. And it got even better-- the bread pudding was perfect...save room for it.
(5)
Lynn B.
My life has changed since Terra opened in the College area and I discovered it about a year ago-- I'm a moderate foodie who had long despaired of finding a GOOD restaurant in my neighborhood. Then came Terra! It has great atmosphere, intriguing food flavor combinations, an array of good wines by the glass, craft cocktails for when I feel adventurous, decent prices, and great staff. I am comfortable going there alone (when craving their amazing cheeseburgers with truffle fries!), whether eating at a table or their bar. Most recently, I celebrated a friend's Bday there and got to enjoy Terra's free-corkage wine night, shared all kinds of fabulous dishes, and topped it off with my favorite dessert in almost the entire world-- the bread pudding. Our waiter, Nick, displayed perfection in that fine art of checking in on us without interrupting us too often.
(4)
Angelica B.
Ahhh, real food! Had the chicken lettuce cups with a fabulous sauce and mint? Yummy! Crabcakes with cilantro sauce and lemon chutney- Mmmmm! I got the salmon fish tacos and my husband got the short rib sliders- each new dish was our new favorite! Definitely going back!
(5)
Kathleen A.
The food was great, our waitress was friendly. The manager earned the restaurant one star. We were escorted to the middle of the restaurant where the tables are places at least 4 inches apart. I wear hearing aides and knew this table would be hard. I asked for one of the individual tables and the manager said those were reserved. I had made a reservation! Her response was that The reservations are computer assigned on a first come, first serve basis and there was nothing she could do about it. One of these tables sat open for 45 minutes!! After paying our bill I asked about the open table. She responded the customers had called and said they were running late and we looked "already engaged". When I complained about the fact that they held a late reservation over my reservation, refused accommodations for a disability, and spoke rudely to me, she replied they were very busy and they are unable to respond to my requests because "it is what it is". Wow, talk about customer service!
(1)
Taylor P.
This place was heaven. In the middle of a shit town comes and amazing restaurant. $5 bottomless mimosas during Sunday brunch and great food. We ordered the rosemary hash and breakfast quesadilla. It was more than enough food and delish. I would recommend sharing a dish if you are going with friends and take advantage of the bottomless!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Esteban V.
Very good food, good service.. They sre improving the area with good quality food.. Great place to grab a delicius meal at any time..
(4)
Cassie S.
Ellie, our server, was amazing! Very knowledgable and hilarious sense of humor! Efficient service and put us all in a great mood, I bursted out laughing a few times. haha. I liked the ambience and decor, and the food of course was delicious and fresh farm to table style. The presentation of the dishes was impressive as well. Free bread pudding with yelp check in!
(5)
Abe F.
Really really good food. A bit pricey, but worth it. Worth the wait too. Make a reservation, it's not a very big place and fills up fri and sat. Great dessert, a handful of beers on draft and good wine.
(4)
cynthia m.
I've been here a few times. The time at the bar was fun and I found the food to be good despite the small happy hour portions. On a very special occasion we sat at a table and were pretty much IGNORED by all the staff. I had to go to the bar to ask for water! And they were not busy at all. It can really ruin your night to be ignored at a restaurant when you are there to celebrate. We will not be going back.
(2)
Rain B.
Adorable resturaunt with fresh, delicious food! I love they offer a reward card as well. We went here for the first time when our son was newborn and we couldn't travel for Christmas. We had Christmas dinner here from their set menu and our baby slept through the whole meal! It was wonderful! If you have children you know what I'm taking about! We were so happy with the food, the service and atmosphere! Highly recommend!
(5)
Carlee Z.
I'm a big fan of Terra. I have now been there about 6 times. Every time ordering something different and always super pleased. The drinks are great too. I love farm to table and am so glad this place is sticking! I have also brought my kids a couple of times. Love how they give each child a etch a sketch to play with. It livens things up from the usual boring crayons and a sheet of paper. My only negative would be at times the service has been a bit slow, especially with big groups.
(4)
Gerardo G.
Found out about this place thanks to my in-laws and decided to meet them there. We ordered chicken, fish and beef, my chicken was dry and the rest of the dishes not really memorable but not bad. Our server, Shawn, was as dry as my chicken and nothing that great. At the end, we tried using a google deal, and Shawn informed us we can't use it since it only applies to a certain menu, so we tried to see if they'll give us at least credit for our meal, and Shawn will interrupt us every time (very frustrating) saying "it can't be done". Long story short, we asked for the manager who, in a very professional and sweet way, managed our situation. Sucks that our whole experience was spoiled by terrible customer service, but I hope they step it up and improve how customers are dealt. Not really sure if I'll ever be back, but I'm sure we'll ask anyone but SHAWN to be our server.
(1)
Valerie D.
I really do love this place still.. even though they have moved. downside is there is no privacy and its pretty loud inside now. FOOD AND SERVICE is always amazing though...
(4)
Roxanne P.
The food is consistently very good, and often great. I've had so many delicious dishes here. Everything is fresh and seasoned to perfection. The service is always top notch.
(5)
LudicRuss W.
I love this place. Perfect place for a quiet adult family birthday (not mine) dinner. I had the pot roast (again) and it was awesome (again). Chef Jeff came over and said hi. He is such a nice guy and obviously works hard at his craft. I ordered the Gramercy Cellars 2009 vintage off the wine list but was pleasantly surprised when the waitress presented the 2010 vintage. The producers changed to strictly Walla Walla vines in this vintage. The Walla Walla wine is more black fruit dominant - richer and more full bodied which paired fantastically with the pot roast. Thanks TAB staff for another excellent night out.
(5)
Nicki V.
Great place to take out of towners out for brunch. Food is always good and so are the breakfast drink specials. Staff is very friendly as well.
(4)
Joe D.
You've got to be kidding me??? All of you people are fake as hell. This place is horrible. Not only did my plate smell rotten, but after I told them I didn't want to eat it, they didn't offer me another option, only asked me why I didn't like it. After I told them it smelled rotten they just removed it from my table and still charged me. A place trying to be too fancy when it's a garbage restaurant. 90% of the people there looked like they had a stick stuck up their ass too. I've been to better restaurants with better food in worse areas. Pathetic...
(1)
Liz F.
Love this place for dinner... The brunch is good but the manager is crotchety and very unpleasant.
(3)
Mike P.
EXCELLENT!!! Great food, great service, great value. We had difficulty deciding on what to order and our server Brinton was very helpful and knowledgeable of the menu options. He made helpful recomendations that we gladly accepted. My wife had the Chipotle Skirt Steak, and I had the Seafood Cioppino. We shared a famous Chocolate Cigar for dessert and it was "to die for". Overall we were very pleased with our dining experience.
(5)
May V.
Let me preface this by saying that the food was great. Too bad the service lacked. My friend and I popped in, reservationless, at 5 p.m. on a Friday and with only 4 tables filled, were told that we wouldn't be able to be seated in the restaurant at any time. The hostess told us to have a seat at the bar and she would come back to us after she looked at the reservations to see what she could move around. She passed us about 10 times on our bar stools but didn't even acknowledge us. So reservations filled up the restaurant while my friend and I started with cocktails at the bar but even at the bar, we had to wave down the bartender to get another drink. The owner/head chef was there and busy signing books but couldn't give a hoot if customers came or went. We even tried to talk to him but he didn't care. It's a bummer that I had a bad experience because this place came highly recommended. I really wanted to like it but I'm not sure if I'll be back without a reservation...or go back at all. Great food but definitely be prepared to do some work and bring your patience when it comes to service.
(3)
Delci E.
Can't believe all the negative reviews! Came here my first time for Fathers Day brunch. It looked pretty empty at first, and within 15 minutes it was a full house! (Glad we had reservations) The host was friendly, and our server Adrienne was amazing! She was friendly, attentive, and a genuine person. It made for a great experience! The head chef also came around asking about the food, and the foh manager was also walking around checking on people. I appreciate how on top of it they are! I had the smoked turkey scramble which was a special that day, delicious! My bf got the stuffed french toast, also delicious! His parents got omelets and were also very pleased, they go there often. Mimosas absolutely delicious, nice n strong! I will definitely come back here. Loved the decorations, burlap on ceilings, little tin containers for sugars, the chandelier of mason jars. Really great place! :)
(5)
Brian B.
We have been to Terra several times and always have a wonderful experience. On a recent Tuesday we had the pleasure of bring served by Ellie. She was probably the best waitress we have ever had! She absolutely made the experience for my mom and an out-of-guest.
(5)
Julie A.
Such a hidden gem in La Mesa. If you've ever lived near the area, you'd know it's not the most inviting part of town, but this restaurant is amazing! They have fresh, local ingredients and amazing unique dishes, like pumpkin ravioli. They have a large selection of wine and great dessert! The bread pudding is a must try! It is a little pricey for the area, but definitely worth it!
(5)
Danielle M.
-I love their specialty cocktails! Try the Pomegranate Caipirinha, so delicious! Another favorite is the basil martini! -Definitely try the beet and goat cheese salad for an appetizer, very tasty! -I've tried both the Chipotle skirt steak and the filet ti
(5)
Leslie G.
The boss took me here for a holiday celebratory lunch. It was great! We started with the brie/potato quesadilla ($8.95), and I loved it. I had the veggie cobb sliders for my entree - greens, avocado, gorgonzola, red onion, tomato, chipotle aioli on delicious little buns. With fries for $8.95, this is a steal. I ordered some kind of a poached pear cocktail, but when I tasted it it was super salty. I asked the server if it was supposed to be salty, and he said no and went to check and realized they had just made their syrup and must've used salt instead of sugar. The salt-bomb was promptly replaced with a mai-tai, which was much better. Terra has high-quality, fresh, mostly local/sustainable/humane food at very reasonable prices. Most restaurants trying to go the local food route have tiny portions for a lot of money, so then you have to sneakily go to In-N-Out on the way home because you are broke and still hungry. Not the case with Terra. They also have plenty of vegetarian options that are actually good - not just a vegetarian option for the sake of a vegetarian option. Highly recommend.
(5)
Duane D.
Awesome food and service! A great experience with the flavors. Small portions. Update: Jeff, we do a lot of fine dining. We had the third fish special on the menu. I don't remember the name of the local fish (lobster like), but the fish portion was very small for the price and type of fish. Maybe I felt this way because it was so darn good. I would love to eat there weekly, but it is very pricey for our budget and fixed income. Your food is delicious!
(5)
dawn e.
I don't get it, maybe its me but i think this place is over hyped. I saw the great reviews and expected a much better experience. The thing that turned me off right away was the smell of Terra. It smelled weird, but i figured oh well maybe its just an old building i can get past that. Our server was alright, not much of a personailty really, but she did her job okay. I thought the food was very expensive but i figured it had to be worth it right. Meh... it was alright. And let me tell ya i had lobster mac and that should never be considered meh. I love mac n cheese and i adore lobster. The mac n cheese was just okay. My husband got duck two ways. He said he loved it one way it was cooked (cant remember which way that was) but the other way was much to dry. So overall i think this place is just alright, not worth the money!
(2)
Laura Z.
Nice atmosphere, very friendly and attentive servers, excellent food and drink. We came for Sunday brunch and it was very tasty! Each brunch comes with 3 mimosas or champagne, which is a nice touch. They have unique flavor pairings and infused liquors (we didn't try those this time) . The buffalo chip breakfast was very tasty. The homemade ketchup was good, the short rib hash with rosemary was excellent. We plan on coming back often!!
(5)
Ray T.
This is one of those places that you drive by a hundred times and never notice. It was getting close to 9 PM, and I was craving truffle fries. I show up shortly before closing, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. This place looked nice and relaxed. I felt a little under dressed wearing basketball shorts and a t shirt, but i was only picking up something to go. I checked out the menu, and some of the items on the menu were a little bit pricy, but not unreasonable. This is the type of place you go if you want to treat yourself. The bartender asked me if I wanted something to drink while I waited. I delved deep into my brain to think of a classy type of drink to give off an impression that I had any business in this somewhat fancy place. And as an amateur alcoholic with a vast catalog of alcoholic beverages, all I could come up with was "Do you have Guinness?" She told me that they didn't have any stouts but they had a Stone Smoked Porter. Even better! The truffle fries were ok. Probably not one of their better menu items, but I didn't get a chance to have anything else. I'm definitely going to give this place another try. Oh yeah, check in for your 10% discount.
(4)
Meghan D.
I love the food here, but am always put in a bad mood when I enter because the hostess is so ridiculous. She oblivious to patrons entering and standing right in front of her to check in for their reservations. I want to support my local business but sometimes it's not worth it to be annoyed by the staff.
(3)
Dana I.
My boyfriend and I have gone to Terra for brunch and then for dinner last night. We LOVED brunch. The food was fresh and I so appreciate the local farm ingredients. The staff there was helpful and informative. I follow a plant-based diet, but will eat meat on rare occasion if I know where it comes from so I was very excited to come back for dinner. I'm sad to say we were disappointed. After ordering a few starters (brussel sprouts- way too lemony, Fish tacos-very dry, Calamari- your usual fried squid), we decided not to stay and spend money on entrees. We will be back for brunch again though.
(3)
Jeni K.
Went for Sunday brunch and it was delicious! Generous portion sizes, fresh food and fabulous flavor. Not to mention excellent friendly service. Highly recommend!!
(4)
Anjelica M.
My husband and I decided to go here for brunch this morning. We usually have breakfast at a little Mom and Pop place right next to our apartment, but today we thought we'd venture out. Terra is about a 10 minute walk from our home and we were very pleased. I love the decor; it's called an "American Bistro" and there is a lot of beautiful, dark wood, which gives it a hint of that cowboy feel. There are wooden chairs and tables and the space is small and cozy. They have TVs in the bar and in the restaurant area, which meant that my husband wouldn't miss any of the Colts/Saints' game. And here is the most important part: each breakfast order comes with three mimosas or three glasses of champagne! It's an excellent deal. We spent just $23 for the two of us and left with a nice buzz. Our server was lovely and on top of our drink refills. My husband ordered the breakfast burrito and I ordered the All-American Breakfast (two eggs any style with bacon or sausage and potatoes). The bacon and potatoes were nice and crispy without being burnt.
(4)
Daniele B.
So happy to have Terra in La Mesa! They have great food (LOVE their chipotle skirt steak), a wonderful atmosphere, and local and sustainable ingredients. I love this place!
(5)
Christina F.
We used to live right next to this hidden gem. The food here is absolutely amazing. Mimoas on sunday mornings doesn't get any better than that. to top it off the service is top notch. a few of my favorites: Steak and eggs, pancakes with pecan butter amazing. The bloody marys are so yummy their mix is fabulous. We need to go back asap. we have never had a bad experience in all the times we have visited. they always make us excited to return!
(5)
Kristine T.
We have been trying for years to get in to this restaurant for dinner. Reservations are the ticket! Just trying to walk in for dinner doesn't work here. But, the food was delicious! Portion size was excellent--not huge, like many restaurants in town. Flavors were amazing. We will definitely be back. The one criticism I have is that it seemed like the restaurant was understaffed the night we went. The time we waited between appetizers and dinner, then dinner and dessert seemed a bit long. But overall, we had a great experience and will be back!
(4)
Carlie S.
This place was so bomb. The only reason for 4 stars is that it's expensive (for me as a college student) and it's not exactly in a nice area of San Diego. My aunt and uncle took me there which was such a great choice. We went last week during restaurant week so there was a prefixed menu but everything on the regular menu looked just as amazing. I had the house salad which was delicious and simple. The sliced top sirloin was a great pick and was on the prefixed menu. For dessert, I had the truffle sample. Really great choices. So fresh and for food this fresh it is a really great price, just a little out of my price range ATM. Overall experience was amazing. Try this place.
(4)
Jaime E.
I took my parents here for dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday, and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Everything was so thoughtfully prepared and fresh! Pot roast is one of my favorite things to eat, and I hadn't found a restaurant in San Diego to rival my all-time favorite pot roast (from Celebrations restaurant in Fort Worth, TX) until TERRA. It was melt-in-your-mouth tender and full of flavor. I think we all actually stopped talking for awhile because we just had to concentrate on the deliciousness of the food! The waitress was friendly and attentive, and even brought out a complimentary dessert in honor of my mom's birthday. The location isn't gorgeous, but the inside has been decorated with a relaxing color palette. Some reviews mention an odd smell to the place; I didn't notice this at all. My parents and I all agreed we will be back!
(5)
Sumi P.
This was my first visit to Terra since they moved out of Hillcrest. Thanks to my fellow Yelpers for the Pot Roast recommendation it was so tender, perfectly seasoned, just delicious! The server (who looks & sounds like Ryan Gosling btw...sorry I didn't keep my receipt so I don't know his name but he was great) recommended the bread pudding...thank you Sir! It was also really good! I will skip the salad next time (bland & underdressed or no dressing) and just order the Pot Roast & Bread Pudding again....I wish Yelp would allow 1/2 stars....3.5 stars for Terra for my meal!
(3)
CJ B.
One of my favorite restaurants in San Diego and I'm a wannabe foodie. The menu does change from time to time, but if you see the pumpkin ravioli or the crab cakes they are a must have.
(5)
Nick L.
Quite simply: Hillcrest/North Park caliber dining in East County. Service: Excellent and attentive. It was extremely busy when I visited, but everything was great. Only thing I can suggest is that they remember who ordered the dishes they bring out. Atmosphere: Rustic and relaxed. Great food doesn't have to be wrapped up in a stuffy air of pretense. Speaking of which... Food: Really, really good. The duck was wonderful. The apple and bacon chutney on the pork porterhouse is just perfect. Everything is cooked well, sized well, and priced well. Drinks: Poor. To be fair, I didn't order anything -- it's a rule of mine not to order a cocktail from a menu that calls something a "martini" but includes neither gin nor vermouth. A member of our party ordered a lemongrass drop, and it just tasted like Pine Sol with a sugar rim. The beers are good though! Desserts: Kill me now, I'm ready for Heaven. Seriously. The three-star review is a little misleading because I'd like to give this place an extra half-star. If you don't want to drive out west too far, Terra American is a great spot to grab a bite to eat. You won't be disappointed.
(3)
Cravo E C.
I've had dinner twice now and I've enjoyed it. The service is good and although it's a little loud, the atmosphere is pleasant. The Short Rib Pappardelle was tasty although it could have used more of the gorgonzola to add a bit more flavor and saltiness. The persimmon chutney was a bit too desert-like to be an appetizer, for my taste.
(4)
Jackie H.
Amazing food and service!!! We didn't realize they closed from 2:00-4:30pm to prep for dinner. We arrived at 2pm and they served us an incredible meal anyway. The peppered turkey melt is fabulous! Definitely check this place out.
(5)
Lori H.
What an amazing time we had the other night. Started the meal off with infused liquor - I had some yummy lemon and something-else vodka, and husband had infused tequila. Our meals were spectacular - I had the chipotle skirt steak with a mind-blowing potato and Brie (!!!) quesadilla and yummy fresh salad. At our wonderful waiter's recommendation (thank you, BRINTON), we topped it off with bread pudding. Crazy good. Thank you, thank you, thank you for a memorable evening. GO HERE!!!
(5)
Jay C.
The entrees are excellent, the sides are superb. Excellent restaurant and well worth the price (not expensive). I'm not an organic aficionado but i do respect a small local restaurant that works with small farms to produce fabulous dishes. I'm not even sure if its classified as organic anyways. It's just nice to see a great restaurant working with small industry to produce a greater dining experience than those that use big industry products. Get the citrus cole slaw. I hate cole slaw. Get the citrus cole slaw ( and lobster Mac).
(5)
Pamela G.
My husband and I liked this place so much that after we were in for dinner, we brought our parents in the next day for brunch. The first time we were in, it was the fourth night of being open and it was so wonderful to see that they were busy. I had never visited the Hillcrest location, but Terra Bistro opened 5 blocks from our house so it was a no-brainer to try the place out. FOOD: Pumpkin Raviolis-this is the ish. Great flavors, great texture. My husband is still talking about this Short Rib Sliders: Fun presentation, delicious bbq sauce, fresh bread. I die. Farmer's Organic Salad: Ridiculously fresh and the dressing is possibly the best dressing I've ever had. Berry Crisp: Holy hell, I've gone to heaven. The coriander ice-cream on this was AMAZING. SERVICE: Really, really, really friendly. I had the same server both times and he was fantastic. He genuinely wanted to make sure we enjoyed our experience. And now, my issues-Almost all my issues (unsure hostesses and the food took a little while to come out) were due to the fact that the place had been open for only four days. I completely understand that the first few weeks of a new restaurant opening will inevitably have hickups. The only thing I hated was the TV in the restaurant. It was awkward to me being in a farm to table restaurant that focuses on sustainability and locally farmed food and then seeing ESPN on a huge screen. BUT, that's just my personal issue... This place is legit. I loved that both times I was here, the owner/chef came and talked to our tables. It is completely apparent that he truly cares about his business and he's putting his SOUL into everything. And seeing that it's only been open for a few days, they're pretty on point.
(5)
Miss A.
Never judge a book by its cover! I moved to the area a year ago and drive by Terra almost every day. It's very plain on the outside, therefore, I had no interest of checking it out. When you walk inside, it's a whole new world. We didn't have reservations, but were sat within about 5 minutes (and the place was packed). Our waitress was great. We felt very welcomed and because of her attentiveness and great service we will be back (she was an older blond woman, don't know her name!) The food was served almost immediately and everything was fresh and delicious. I ordered a rosemary lemon Italian-type soda and it was surprisingly refreshing and delicious! In response to the douchey comment that "Angelo D." left below: I dined at Terra the same night he did. I watched the staff the whole night (well, more like I was staring at everyone's amazing food) - I didn't see one server "literally" throwing food at anyone's table and I highly doubt his meal was as sub par as he was describing. He also mentioned the serving size was too small and the prices were too high. Why don't you go to Marie Calendar's for sh*tty cheap food and huge portions then, Angelo D? :) Thanks again Terra! We will be back soon!
(5)
Rich B.
My first time there at Terra, I know there is a following for this restaurant from the Hillcrest crowd and those who like artsy food, which can look good, but is it good and is it enough? There were eight in our party, and yes all tables were reserved on a Friday evening. I ordered the Pot Roast as it sounded good. It even looked good and yes it tasted very good, but for $22 I just didn't get enough, I was expecting a nice bowl full of goodies and got a plate with a smidgen of food. So keep that in mind. Three of us ordered the Fish & chips with no compliments. Three others ordered other plates and all liked them and want to come back. Looks like they have a full bar and it was full also. Our waiter was very obliging and friendly and pretty much on top of everything.
(2)
John G.
Ate here again a couple weeks ago. EVERY time we've been here, they have not had something we wanted from the menu. This night, they didn't have the mussels, which frankly, was why we decided to go there. We just wanted to sit at the bar, have a bowl of mussels and maybe something else, and enjoy a light, easy meal. Not in the cards, again. Decent meal, but nothing spectacular. I think we'd go more often if they could consistently serve what's on the menu. After going 3 - 4 times and not having the dish that we had on our minds, I'm not inclined to go back any time soon.
(3)
Greg M.
Went to Terra last night with my wife and another friend for dinner about 6:30 - 7:00pm. They were crowded however, we were seated immediately, no reservations. My wife started with the risotto of the day it was tasty but the rice was under cooked and a little crunchy for me. I ordered the lentil soup which was good! Our friend had a salad and he enjoyed it. When the entrees came our friend ordered a glass of wine, however, it never made it to the table. I ordered the grilled fish of the day (yellow tail), I thought it was excellent. My wife had the pot roast good flavor a little fatty, but overall very tasty. Our friend ordered the chicken pasta, again good. The dessert menu has changed much like the dinner menu however, we really wanted the carrot cake which is no longer on the menu so we skipped desserts. Last night I thought the food at Terra was good, some issues, however, I would still come back, which is why I give them the 3 stars! The Good Service Areas The food runner African - American man, tall with large black framed glasses very friendly and polite. Another lady (perhaps Hispanic) kept the waters and my iced tea full, very nice. The Bad Service Areas I think the weakness is the actual server. He seemed distracted and not really enjoying his job. He also had a large table about the same time we sat down, which is more of an excuse for him, perhaps that is why he missed the wine sale! Maybe add another server? or find one who can handle it? He seemed to have a lot of help with the food runner and some else refilling waters. I had trouble with everyone reaching across my wife to serve me. Seemed there was plenty of room to move to the other side of the table and serve me from the empty seat area, why so much reaching across the table, it is just plain rude. I have lived in this area for over 20 years and I am thrilled to have a nice restaurant close by, I only wish the service and food could be a touch better!
(3)
don b.
Thank you for moving out close to La Mesa . Came out to visit my Dad and was a little worried about food in La Mesa area. We came twice for lunch and dinner , from when you first come into restaurant the hostess greets you promptly. The waitstaff are helpful and have good knowledge of food on menu. Now the food everything we tried was 5 stars for frites w truffles,chicken liver pate,beet and goat cheese salad, papperdelle w short ribs, skirt steak, special chicken pasta dish, and the bread pudding. A couple days later went for lunch everything we ordered again top notch. We had the lobster b.l.t., crab cake sliders, Salmon al pastor, and the dessert trio again everything was excellent. Will be back when I'm back in La Mesa.
(5)
Amiee H.
My friend and I went here for a lazy Sunday brunch. I put much more weight on food than anything else, so even though this place was pretty impressive in all aspects, aside from the food, I am forced to give a lower rating. Food: 1) California Omelet: The cheese was pretty good but I think the chilies were kinda bland and too limp. There wasn't much to the omelet. I think a third of the food is based on presentation and this just didn't do it for me. When the omelet came, I didn't even think there was anything inside. It just looked like a folded over piece of egg. The side potatoes were pretty good and fried really well. 2) Veggie Omelet: Again, similar to the California omelet, not too impressive. Omelet lacked filling. Ambiance: It was a really hot day outside so when we went inside, it was nice and cool. Very tall, broad ceilings and expansive dining area. Really open and had good lighting. I liked the decor. Even the ceiling had some decorations. It really reminded me of the down to earth vibe that Berkeley has. Service: Really nice and friendly waiter. The hostess must have been the owner. She was super friendly. Price: Reasonable for brunch food and the amount of food but not for the presentation or the taste of the food. The menu is online so you can check out the prices there. Overall: I think I saw other people ordering things that looked a LOT better, I must have just had an off day and ordered the wrong stuff. I would love to come back to try other things and find something I do like at this place. I'll give it another chance the next time I'm in town.
(3)
Kirby W.
I had dinner here tonight and was delighted with the food and the service. I ordered salmon and was surprised and pleased when the waitress asked where I wanted it on the range from seared to well-done. It came crispy, moist and flavorful with a pleasant sauce and a white corn garnish. My companion ordered the tomato sea bass special and also said it was crispy yet moist and delicious. Nice wine selection. We split the banana bread pudding with butterscotch bourbon and pecans for dessert. It was very good, not too sweet and very satisfying. Between the two of us we couldn't finish the large dessert portion. Great friendly service with frequent water and coffee refills. Overall a wonderful experience.
(5)
Amiee L.
I happened to find myself in La Mesa last night on "date night" with my boyfriend and decided to check this place out based on Yelp reviews. The area is off El Cajon Blvd., and though I wouldn't say it's exactly shady, it's just a really weird scene when you look out the window of the restaurants; run down commercial lots, etc. The restaurant itself has a very nice ambiance; it was dark and candlelit; the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. We were seated and the waitress was great, very friendly, making lots of helpful suggestions about the menu and specials. The restaurant serves an organic menu with lots of local fare, and the menu was nice and though there weren't a ton of options, what was there was pretty good. We don't eat carbs, including breads and potatoes, and the one thing I had wished to see was more salad/protein options, though they were willing to work with us on some of the sides and let us substitute more health conscious options. I ended up ordering the chipotle skirt steak and my boyfriend ordered the burger; we also had the salmon cake appetizer. The salmon cakes tasted amazing..but they only came with two extremely small cakes, about the size of small breakfast sausages. It was hardly more than a teaser, so that was a little disappointing, but the flavor was great. For the burger, it came with an amazing cheese crumble and on a fresh roll, which we didn't eat, but they also make their own ketchup which has a nice sweet flavor to it. It was a nice mix with the meat of the burger (the burger itself was great). It is served with french fries, but they let us substitute white bean chili instead, which tasted just ok. For the chipotle steak, the meat itself was tender and amazing, however it was loaded with salt (as was all the food) and everything was drenched in a ton of different sauces that ended up running all together, so that basically the entire dish tasted the same. As we left the restaurant, the takeaway we had was that it was ok, but not great. The food is fresh and has lots of potential, but way too many sugary sauces and salt and the portions are not enough to justify the prices. We live in Hillcrest, so don't make it over to La Mesa too often, but if we did, we MAY eat here again, but it would definitely not be our first choice.
(3)
Christopher F.
You seriously can not go wrong with any pick on their menu. But the lobster mac really hits the spot and is so over the top delicious you will be craving it on a weekly basis. Their Sunday brunch is a must, with up to 3 complimentary glasses of mimosa per entree....it is the wife and I's favorite Sunday brunch spot in town. The stuffed french toast and buffalo chips are muy excellente! Thanks for moving out east Terra!
(5)
Jenna and Mason M.
We came to Terra to celebrate my husband's birthday. He wanted to go to a farm to table restaurant, so I made a reservation for Wednesday night at 6pm for a party of 7 people. We were immediately seated upon arrival. Our waitress introduced herself and took our drink orders. We really enjoyed the house made non-alcoholic beverages, which included the "Boulevard" (house-made fresh strawberry and mint soda) and a Lemongrass-Ginger lemonade. For our dinner order, 3 people ordered the flat iron steak, 2 ordered the grilled fresh fish of the day, 1 ordered the porterhouse, and I ordered the Moroccan Salmon Special. After about 5 minutes, our waitress returned to tell us that there were only 2 flat iron steaks available, so one person needed to change their order. My father-in-law opted to have the skirt steak instead. 15 minutes later the manager came to our table. She said that there were no more flat iron or skirt steaks, so all 3 people would need to change their order. She explained that the menu was changing the next day, so the kitchen was out of many dishes- especially those involving steak or chicken. In the end, she offered that they could substitute some Porterhouse or Chimichurri steaks from the new menu that would be offered tomorrow. All 3 people chose to have the Chimichurri steak. 2 of those orders asked that fries and extra vegetables be included. 30 minutes later the steaks came out. Unfortunately only 1 had fries and extra vegetables, so they took it back to add the fries and extra veggies. Then came the fish dishes, and the final steak dish came 5 minutes later. The grilled fresh fish of the day, steaks, vegetables, and fries were good. We also enjoyed the beet salad and lobster bisque soup. The Salmon Special was the one disappointing dish. While it was supposed to be seared, the outside was burnt and the interior flesh cold and raw. The accompanying spinach gnocchi and vegetables were also overcooked. What was most difficult to overlook was the attitude and service of both the waitress and manager which really spoiled the dining experience of the table. Both waitress and manager were frustrated with the lack of communication between the front of house and kitchen, however the handling of this breakdown was executed with little professionalism. The waitress was clearly angry that things were not going well, and was unable to prevent her feelings from overshadowing her service. Her demeanor became increasingly more hostile as the evening progressed, sighing when requesting drink refills or asking to add a side order of french fries, and ignoring attempts to get her attention. When the manager first approached the table half way through service, she shared a similar sentiment to the server, but exuded a very condescending tone, seemingly inconvenienced by explaining the reasons why some of our entrees were no longer available and what the possible substitutions were. She seemed disinterested in rectifying the problem herself, instead passing it back to the server to sort out. At the end of service the manager re-approached the table with a more positive attitude and apologized for the quality of service, and compensated two of the meals assuring us that our experience wasn't representative of Terra American Bistro. Unfortunately, at this point it was difficult to really enjoy the quality and beauty of our farm to table meal. It is disheartening to see a restaurant with such great potential and the highest quality ingredients perform so poorly, with service outweighing the dining experience. It undermines the farm to table movement in a community that still struggles to gain traction with local, organic food. Breakdown: Ambiance- 3 stars Service- 1 star Food- 2.5 stars Overall- 2 stars
(2)
Susana W.
This is probably our favorite restaurant in SD. Love this place! We've eaten here many different times and every time it's been great. Love Sunday Champagne brunch, so reasonably priced and delicious! Dinner is our usual pick though and it never disappoints. Their custom drinks are so yummy...my only request would be to bring back the cinnamon pear cocktail, it was the best drink I've ever had!
(5)
Sarie K.
Terra's is great. The prices may seem expensive, but the food, service, and ambiance are superb. I have been amazed by every dish I have ordered from here, including something as simple as a wedge salad, which, by the way is made with romaine rather than useless iceberg lettuce! Menus helpfully denote whether each dish is vegetarian and/or gluten-free. I absolutely love that. The desserts are pretty amazing. Thus far, the most impressive dessert I have had the pleasure to enjoy is the flourless chocolate cake. They also have a good selection of loose-leaf teas, including one of my favorites, the fruity herbal tea Kir Quincy (which I believe comes from Pannikin Coffee and Tea).
(5)
lynnda s.
Visited Terra Bistro tonight with some friends who had been there a few times before. I will be going back. The food was excellent. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food is farm to table and you can taste the freshness. Very very good. We sat and talked for quite awhile and never felt rushed or in the way. The tables are far enough apart that you don't feel you are eavesdropping on other conversations or that they are listening to you.. The restaurant, itself, was not too loud or too quiet. We had a few appetizers (the pumpkin ravioli - YUM) I had swordfish and veggies - it was all cooked perfectly and tasted delish. It is the perfect neighborhood joint. Wish we had one in MY neighborhood..
(4)
Harvey W.
Ideally I give this place 2 stars so I'm not written off as a hater, but then I realize my objective is to lower the overall as much as possible to warn away any potential diners, so I have to go with 1 star. The food here is excellent. The immature service, the (lack of any enjoyable, relaxed dining) experience, the attitude, over-do up-sells, and the turn-and-burn rhythm ruin any value the nearly exceptional food provides. We were repeatedly rushed through our experience from the get-go until we were finally and abruptly MOVED without our consent just after ordering a second bottle of wine, finishing up our dinners, and awaiting desserts - to the FARM TABLE in the back near the exit - all celebrating a much anticipated 40th birthday evening out. We were shocked and disgusted, and then the owner, who had been by the table previously to say, "Happy birthday," had the audacity (after we'd sent the desserts back) to come with a TEN DOLLAR coupon which he made clear could not be used tonight, but for NEXT TIME! UNBELIEVABLE. It could have been handled gracefully by anyone worth their salt in service; somehow the FARM TABLE could have been the funniest and most enjoyable part of a night had it been at a different restaurant that treated their guests with care. When I saw the 3.5 star average for such a hyped place here, I knew we weren't alone. Phils BBQ a Top Ten in the Nation and Terra just languishing at 3.5 in La Mesa. Long may you languish, Terra, because languish you will.
Just moved in down the street. Tried this place and fell in love! The Mac and Cheese is good and the baked Brie was good as well! The sirloin was really great as well as the salad. Desert is being Cooked as we speak!
(5)
Owen C.
DELISCH!!!! a bit pricey, but very tasty food. I have gotten something different every time, and always good. Very good service... EXAMPLE: I ordered a burger medium rare, it came completely cooked through, I just ate it because I am not a complainer, and didn't want the rest of my party to wait for me. The waitress asked how my burger was at the end of the meal, I told her it was cooked all the way... my meal was free. The is customer service. I didn't ask for it, and it was still given to me. I will always go there and eat, and worth the extra dinero.
(5)
Richard C.
When Terra moved from Hillcrest to the College area we in the East County gained a great place to eat and drink. Chef Jeff and his kitchen staff are creative and know their way around a grill and a smoker and a fryer. Think fresh, innovative food in a French country bistro with fair prices and a customer base that appreciates what this place offers. Excellent and favorable soups, eclectic salads, full wine list and attentive service. Especially Emily. Has a big farm table for large groups (10), a bar that serves food, and lots of well situated tables. Jeff was doing farm to table before it was labeled as such and combining foods and textures that constantly amaze. Did I mention Wednesday nights offer no corkage for that excellent, tasteful bottle of wine that you have been saving. Bring it in and bring it on.
(4)
Bill R.
My Girlfriend and I went there tonight for a early dinner and they were still having restaurant week. The food was incredible. The portions were perfect. They just presented there fall menu. Everything was soooo delicious. Top billing was their pumpkin raviolis, braised beef with mashed yukon potatoes, and pumpkin bread dessert. And to top it off, the service was impeccable. I Think I want to go back there tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow etc....
Lunch was great. Nice atmosphere. Friendly waiter. Free appetizer when I checked in on Foursquare! Yummy FARM-to-TABLE meal. ___ I was driving, driving, driving ... and not in the most picturesque part of El Cajon Boulevard. All that didn't matter when I walked in the doors of Terra. Beautifully decorated. Great lighting. Not overdone. Many other people dining but not a loud buzz. We had wine with lunch and enjoyed our FREE appetizer, Calamari with garlicky sauce. I ordered a Lobster BLT. Loved it! My friend ordered the Ravioli and they were delicious. Our waiter was happy-go-lucky and very attentive. It was perfect for lunch. Probably just as nice for dinner. It is out of the way unless you live in the SDSU College area/La Mesa. It's worth a visit. I heard they relocated here from Hillcrest.
(5)
David B.
great place, a bit overpriced but the food is great
(4)
Lynne B.
Just left Terra's restaurant where the coke was flat and the potatoes with breakfast were less than fresh. I was all excited about going to a new restaurant especially one that uses farm fresh produce. It all started with an explanation of the brunch and endless champagne. Too early to drink so we ordered diet cokes with lime. I will say one word: FLAT! So I returned the coke and decided water would be fine since they informed me that they couldn't fix the problem. The breakfast burrito was pretty good, but my husband's avocado bacon omelet wasn't fresh. The potatoes on both plates were a bit tough and over done. High point of the breakfast a visit with good friends.
Went in for lunch today. It was bomb as usual. Hopefully you get Adrienne as your server. She's dope!
(5)
Tina H.
Came here on a whim with Bestie and I'm glad we did! So we walk in and sit at the bar and wait for a few minutes, which I thought- OH GREAT. We got a menu and I was pleasantly surprised with the selections. The staff was ample and helpful and very very nice-especially the bartender. I forget his name but he was very nice and helped me when I was torn between the chicken and the pot roast. We decided on the tots for our appetizer and HOLY HAYZOOOS they were out of this MF world! Went with the pot roast for my entree and was VERY GLAD I did. So delish. Large piece of tender meat on a bed of mashed potatoes and luscious gravy, ugh-the gravy was dreamy. I left here a happy camper. --------------------------------------------------Â----------------------------------------------- SO, the shit was so good I had to take my babe there because he's a pot roast fan and the place didn't disappoint! He practically licked the plate clean. I got the chicken breast which was huge with vegetables, potato fritters-which were the tots that were still yummy! After dinner we each ordered dessert, I got the berry crisp and BF got the mango sherbert. Both were very tasty and out of this world. My berry crisp was warm, sweet and tart and just delicious! The mango was equally tart and like nothing I've ever had. I highly recommend all! Having been there twice inside a week, I was delightfully full and happy both times!
(4)
Maija G.
I just wrote a review about Gingham in East County and I knew I had to write a review about Terra next because THIS is the place to go in La Mesa, not that Brian Malarkey-mess. I've eaten at Terra at least 10 - 15 times over the past year and it is quickly becoming my "go to" spot. The BF and I hit up Terra nearly every other Friday to indulge in their seafood menu. Their fish is always fresh and prepared fabulously. The menu is creative and I love how they take customer feedback seriously. There was a "test" appetizer on the menu one night (an heirloom tomato, tofu, trumpet mushroom salad) that we couldn't stop raving about. It made it to the menu as a permanent guest about a week later. THE GOOD: The food here is simply fabulous. My favorites are the fish tacos, nachos, heirloom tomato and tofu salad, scallops, cheese plate, catch of the day, pumpkin ravioli, and the bread pudding. The bread pudding dessert is the most indulgent combination of sticky sweet sugar and oaky bourbon and makes for such a good "morning after" breakfast that I always take a few bites to go. The service is fast and knowledgeable. They are willing to customize items to make them fit for you. My BF and I do not eat meat, so they put these amazing champagne grapes on the cheese plate for us instead of prosciutto. THE BAD: I can't really come up with anything sub-par at Terra. The decor is nothing to write home about and sometimes there is a long wait, but the food is worth it. If I was forced to come up with ONE complaint, it would simply be that there are too many things on the menu to choose from and I want to order them all. I also love the Friday seafood menus (which change weekly) and wish some of those items (like the scallops) would become permanent menu options. Terra is by far the best fresh food establishment east of the 15. I hesitate giving it a 5-star rating because I want to hoard it all for myself!
(5)
Paula D.
Amazing food, how sweet the sound that saved a tongue like miiiiiiine. Yep, I mangled that song all over the place but when get a Cobb salad that is so good you want to sing and you have ADD and dyslexia, you sing and mangle lyrics. Sue me. The cobb salad was to die for. The vinaigrette could have been served in a glass and I would have consumed it with a slice of lime and a smile. Bacon....the bacon. The avocado? the greens? The delicate but tangy goat cheese? Hallelujah! Speaking of grace, the servers are excellent and the chef popping by to see if you like your eats is a classy touch. It was clear that everyone working there wants the customers to have a great experience. Finally the tractor in front. My Dad has a fascination with tractors and that was a driving force in picking this place. The lovely weldments with rocks that were made to look like ants were really fun as well. Can't wait to come back with friends!
(5)
Erik K.
Come for the calamari, stay for the skirt steak, and unwind with a chocolate cigar. Make reservations, this place gets busy. I can't wait to go back for the fourth time!!! Great service, smart servers, locally grown produce. Yummy cocktails....
(5)
Jonathan L.
Just came from eating here for Restaurant Week. I've had excellent dinners here before, but this was my first lunch experience. My friends and I had the Pumpkin Bisque and the Scallops to start. The bisque was flavorful and the scallops were plentiful and delicious. For the main meal we had the Lobster Mac and Cheese and the Chipotle Skirt Steak. Both were to die for. The Lobster M&C was especially buttery and delicious. The steak was perfectly proportioned for a lunch dish, perfectly cooked, and everything on the plate complimented it. I especially love the honey-glazed, potato quesadilla -- the perfect alternative to the standard mashed potatoes. For dessert we had the flourless chipotle chocolate cake w/ basil cream and salted caramel. It was the perfect ending to the perfect meal. Everything here is so elegantly thought-out and prepared. All the veggies are farm-fresh, and the restaurant as a whole has such a great local feel to it. I will be coming back to this place again and again and again...
(5)
Courtney C.
We came here with a large group for Restaurant Week. Although there was an initial problem with our reservation, they rectified it by supplying us with two complementary bottles of wine at our table. We were seated fairly quickly, our server was knowledge and friendly, food was served st a good pace. We began our meal with an apple cinnamon flavored water (yum!) and some garlic chickpea hummus and bread (yum again!). We each had an appetizer (quesadilla with brie, red onion, and potato, pumpkin bisque [which my husband said was awesome], and scallops). All were good. Among us we ordered the yellowtail grilled fish, porkchops, the filet, lobster mac n' cheese, and a vegetarian stir fry. Not one of us was disappointed. Chef Jeff did a great job! They were low on some desserts, but we tried the chocolate lava cake with basil creme freiche and the banana bread pudding. The bread pudding was heavy but delicious! We live down the road and will definitely be heading back!
(5)
Erin P.
I took my foodie friend from LA here for brunch on Sunday. It's in my old neighborhood, which is kinda spotty...not the most picturesque! However, I assured her I knew the food would be good and we were not disappointed. She had an omelet and potatoes. I had the salmon and eggs and potatoes. My daughter had pancakes which were fluffy and good. The only thing I wished was that the eggs would've come with toast. I also wished there were more fruit on the side. My salmon was very good, but the description said there were red peppers and onion and I didn't have any peppers. I asked my server and she said, "They must've forgotten it..." Hmmm. I didn't care though because even without it, my dish was delish. My girlfriend's omelet was fantastic! Complimentary champagne was a bonus... The only picky thing I would've changed was the manager, or someone who appeared to be a manager, came to our table and stood there for quite some time clearing it. I felt like she was pushing us to leave even though the restaurant wasn't that crowded yet (it really filled up as we were leaving though, which was around 11 am). I'm an ex-server so I get that table turnover is important. However, I didn't feel like we were lingering too long. I still was finishing up my champagne and my girlfriend her tea. I made a comment that we were almost finished and she could have the table pretty soon. She was very nice about it, but we still felt pushed. I would suggest the sweeping clearing doesn't happen until the guest actually gets up! I've eaten here for dinner and lunch, too. Jeff, the owner, is always very creative and the food is always, always very good. Super fresh ingredients and nicely flavorful and pretty. They have good wine specials and their appetizer specials are good. The check for brunch was very reasonable, as has been the cost of both dinner and lunch in the past. I would recommend this restaurant for sure. It's a gem in East County and we NEED nice restaurants out here. Patronize so they stay, people!
(4)
Jonnie O.
Fantastic cocktails, delicious food, unassuming decor...no attitude...just great food!
(5)
Suzy C.
Heard some good things about this place from some colleagues so when a friend's birthday came around we decided to check it out! We hoped to try the Early Dining 3 Course Tasting Menu but found out when we got there that we missed it! The website said it was from 4:30p-6:30p but they recently changed it to end at 6p and had not updated the website! Needless to say we were disappointed, but we stayed and chose items off their regular dinner menu. To start, we were offered cinnamon water or regular water and those of us who tried the cinnamon water did not like it! We were disappointed again to find out that the hostess misinformed us that they had lobster bisque when they had mushroom bisque instead. We shared the Hand Cut Bistro Fries with Truffle and Asiago Cheese & Chives and seafood courses which were very tasty! The place is dimly lit and big enough to accommodate a big group if needed. Service was good, but we wish we had a better 1st time experience!
(2)
Neil B.
Delicious! So stoked to have a place in East County that serves such culinary delights. I've lived near this neighborhood for over 30 years and it's always had a reputation for being shady. I'm glad that a place like Terra exists in this neighborhood because maybe it'll help rejuvinate the area. My favorite was that it's nice and contemporary, yet not pretentious as they accomodate families. The fact that the kids menus are on the back of drawing toys (think etch-a-sketch) I got the sense that the chef/owners empathize with parents that don't get out as much since having kids. If you don't have kids then you don't know what I'm talking about, but trust me once you have kids you'll find that going out to a nice dinner is stressful and you end up settling for chain restaurants. The food was good. I usually stick with the daily specials and it was really good. The one thing that I remember everyone enjoying was the chocolate cigar, so save room for dessert. Looking forward to coming back here.
(4)
Robin W.
I loved them in Hillcrest and I love them now in the college area!
(4)
Jim F.
A very solid 4 stars. Service was 5 stars. Very attentive waitress and cordial hostess at the front who acknowledged everyone at the front of the restaurant even as she was juggling to get several people seated. Big kudos to her professionalism and doing it with a smile. Food was delicious. Nice bread with yummy hummus. Citrus brined chicken was very tasty and the romaine salad with smoked tomato dressing and asaggio cheese was delicious. My partner also raved about the Angus burger and the delicious ketchup served with the fries. I'd have given five stars if the restaurant hadn't been out of several items (flatbread pizzas. mac and cheese), but perhaps that wasn't entirely the restaurant's fault since they were really slammed on a Thursday night. I'll be back to try those pizzas and maybe dessert next time, especially since the restaurant is two minutes from my house.
(4)
Ash R.
Damn, this place is good. Everything from the coffee bean bags that decorate the ceilings to the upcycled light fixtures makes you feel cozy and happy (and hungry!) Melon-infused water, delicious vegetarian options (I WILL be back to try the pumpkin ravioli!), and a chef that personally visits your table to ask if you're enjoying your dinner -- who could ask for more? My toasted quinoa in acorn squash was perfect! Who thought kalamata olives and golden raisins could blend into such a beautiful concoction? Um, definitely not me. They make it work. Also loved the brie, potato and red onion quesadilla served with chipotle honey! It definitely has a spicy kick to it which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I can't say enough good things about the Cinnamon-Anise Budino Jar. Think old-fashioned cinnamon flavor.... but add creaminess. Yup. Incredible. Can't wait to head back!
(5)
Ryan F.
Terra is an amazing restaurant. The atmosphere is excellent and the food is so delicious. My wife and I love calamari and Terra's is excellent. Their menu is great as their are so many great dishes to choose from. I really like how the chef comes out and checks on the guests occasionally. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
jayna k.
Going to Terra last night was the best experience. We had Nick as a server. You will find him warm, friendly, polite, and gracious. He checked on my table constantly and made sure we were happy, and doing well. We were never ignored. Nick made our night. We had the bread pudding for dessert which was delicious and the Cobb salad had a nice light dressing, nice portion size and fresh tasting. Happy to come in, felt good to know that I will be back!!! No complaints from this happy person :)
(5)
Roz O.
Went back again for restaurant week...Yum! A big improvement over the last visit. Although we had to wait awhile (it was restaurant week...) our party of 6 was very happy with the service and the food. I had mahi mahi w/ a fabulous mustard sauce, and mussels as an appetizer...delish:) They allow you to bring your own wine, and because they were running late they waived the corkage fee...very nice..we will definitely go back sooner than later.
I could not be happier to have Terra added to the East County restaurant scene. I used to frequent the restaurant when they were in Hillcrest, but the food here is better and more reasonably priced! We go there for brunch frequently, and the food is amazing. Their mimosas and bloody marys are outstanding, the burgers are AWESOME and their breakfast skillet hits the spot. We have not had a dish here that we didn't like. Also, do not skip dessert. I'm not even a big fan of bread pudding, but theirs A-MAZING. An absolute must. I've also been for happy hour a couple of times, and it was nice. The house cocktails are good, but tend to be a little sweet for my taste, so I usually opt for a martini. Servers and host staff have always been very friendly and accommodating. We love taking people here, and have not had a disappointing experience yet. Thank you for being a wonderful addition to our community!
(5)
Pj B.
I was told by the gf that she wanted to take me here so i could sample some good ol close to home grown produce. Well whatdoyaknow we made it! The place looks cool for starters, We were meeting up there to chow down on some food. So upon sitting down i can not judge how attentive the server was before we got there. It did seem like a good long minute before she came to ask for drinks, THAT said, afterward she was around all the time, so that's good! I like the fact that it's local fair, locally grown and locally chopped up from what i understand. Keeps the good local people employed. on to the food, there were a few different things ordered up at the table, i did not sample all of them but got to sample a few. The Local fish of the day just so happen to be yellow tail served up Asian style. Not too impressed with the size of the fish for the price you pay but it was tasty. I got the 16oz. porter chop, again the portion vs price is a bummer. The taste however is pretty good. Wasn't a fan of the greens the the SLAB of sweet potato was damn good. I got a sample of a potato something or other quesodilla and that was pretty good as well. The deserts were all pretty good, they have a bite sized sample platter a $5 each or two for $12. they had three of them. So we ordered up all three and of course they ran out of one but they gave us some of the SAN DIEGO's best banana bread pudding. There was a creme brule type thing which was alright, and a tequila lime cheeses cake that was AWESOME. Also ordered was a chocolate cigar which looked like a GD cigar. It was just ok. All in all the meal was good, i didn't leave hungry but i didn't leave stuffed. good times were had and I've been told i should go back and try the POT ROAST.
(4)
James M.
What a fantastic addition to the neighborhood. Terra uses the best ingredients, treats them with respect, but sometimes gives them a twist to keep things interesting. WIthout doubt, Terra has the best burger in the city (and I mean San Diego, not La Mesa). EVERYTHING about it works - it approaches an umami flavor that can be very elusive and taste horrendous if it misfires. The fries are the perfect size (not shoestring, but not too thick), and the - again, umami quality of the house made ketchup seals the deal. The skirt steak is not to be missed - perfectly charred, filled with flavor, and tender but retaining a nice chew. The quesadilla that comes with it is rich, rich, rich, but I finished the whole thing and wanted another. Brunch is also worthy of your attention: again, nothing too avant garde, but perfectly cooked eggs and proteins - and if you roll with carbs, the french toast is for you. Although Terra is justifiably proud of its farm-to-table heritage, it doesn't have that precious, haughty, aren't-we-fabulous, in-your-face attitude that infects a lot of other places with the same heritage. In other words, Terra is a restaurant that takes (justifiable) pride in the ingredients it uses without scaring off people who might find those places pretentious (or overpriced). Add to that a bustling dining room and competent service, and you've got a restaurant that deserves the attention it gets. A note about the location: no, it's not the Gaslamp or Hillcrest, but don't let that deter you. It's La Mesa, for God's sake, not Mars. The residents of La Mesa, Rolando and College love this place, and you will too. You're here to eat, not to look at the twee boutiques and wine bars outside the window. Pick up the phone, reserve a table, get in your car, and go. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Andrea M.
Bought a Groupon for me and my brother for the chefs summer tasting menu. Our waitress was VERY knowledgeable and explained the entire menu to us, as we were first timers to the restaurant. The bread and garlic hummus spread they brought out to us was AMAZING. I also ordered The Boulevard (drink). I little too sweet for me, felt like I was drinking strawberry syrup. First course I had the mussels and bro ordered the beet and goat cheese salad. Being the first time I've ever had mussels, cant say I'm a big fan. Just personal taste though, they looked gorgeous and seemed to be cooked properly and with care. My brother enjoyed his salad. Second Course we both had salad. The soup of the day was a BBQ meat soup. Didn't sound appealing to either of us. Entree: Both ordered the pot roast. Beautiful presentation again, you can tell each plate is presented with love. The roast was cooked great, moist, soft, and an okay sized chunk. Maybe a little too small for a die hard carnivore. However the real star of the plate, for me, was the wilted greens with the gravy and mashed potatoes. DELICIOUS! Not enough gravy though, just a little splash. But I would buy the entire plate again just for those. Dessert: We both ordered the lavender creme brulee. So yummy! Enough said haha Wish there was more though! It was only a little larger than an oreo! :( My expectations were so high for this place but I was a little disappointed.
(4)
Theresa G.
My husband and I had high hopes when we made reservations to eat at Terra. Once we arrived we waited a short while to get our table. The hostess was pleasant and our waiter was nice. We started with the calamari, which we found to be rather fantastic, well seasoned, the sauce was tasty, and nothing was fishy nor too chewy. This lead us to expect even more from the rest of our meal. Unfortunately my chimichurri sauced steak tasted severely burnt and I continued to get a burnt flavor in my mouth the rest of the night. My husbands lobster mac and cheese had an awful sweet flavor to it that progressively got worse as he ate it. Had it been my dish I would not have eaten more then a few bites before I sent it back. In the meanwhile our waiter hadn't been back once to replenish our drinks, and thus, we were also unable to speak up about our meals. By the time he did come by we were ready for our check and when asked how our meal was we politely let him know our issues with it and mentioned that maybe it was just our pallets that the food didn't work for. We were then spoken to by the manager, who was very nice about the ordeal, and gave us a free dessert of our choosing. But, we were also then subjected to speaking our concerns to the owner/chef, which in my opinion was unnecessary. We only spoke up in the first place because we were asked by the waiter about our meal and we otherwise would have just left things as they were since we were ready to leave at that point. The chef went on to tell us that the richness of the lobster mac and cheese should make it creamier and in no way sweet. It just felt like he was telling us we were both nuts since we both tasted the same and was completely discounting how we felt. Oh well, we won't be going back there again.
(1)
linda s.
The hostess and waiter were amazing. Truly. I ordered the pumpkin ravioli and right away liked the presentation. The corn sauce was yummy as was the pumpkin filling that tasted as if it had cooked for a long time, achieving a dark, rich flavor. So, why only three stars? Well, I'm a discerning diner and the "pasta" component tasted like pot sticker wrappers. Could it be? When the server asked how it was, I was honest. I also said up-front that I didn't want to try something else, I was finished. He thanked me for my input and said he would mention it to the chef. Later, the chef was chatting up another table but didn't visit us. Could it be he is taking that "wrapper" short cut and doesn't think we'll notice?
(3)
Matt S.
I'm afraid I have to downgrade Terra. My first visit was awesome; great food, great service. The flavored water is cool and the hummus dip is way better than butter. On my second trip I had the pumpkin ravioli which is possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten. But the other dishes were just ok. Also, on the first visit the menu said they had Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, but when I ordered it it was Ballast Point Big Eye IPA. I asked the waiter and he gave me a ring-around story about the menu and the kegs being changed, mistake, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, my second visit was 5-6 weeks later and the menu still said Sculpin and when I ordered it it was once again Big Eye. Something about that bothers me, not quite responsive or accurate enough to show true dedication to seasonal/high quality ingredients. Also, this is San Diego, you better get your beers right. Third visit service was absolutely terrible. After being seated we waited 20 minutes before anyone even acknowledged us. We finally got water, and ordered, and it was another 30 minutes before the food came out. It was sunday brunch so there was no bread while we waited. When the food finally came, 3 out of the 4 orders were wrong. We told them we would eat it anyway because we were starving. They played some game where they charged us for cheaper versions of the things we ate. It was weird, basically like 8 bucks off the bill after all that. I feel like that could have been handled way better, and the restaurant wasn't even that busy (only 5 tables full). All that said, Terra is still one of the best restaurants in East County, so it's only a matter of time before I go back. I just wish they could tighten it up a little.
(3)
Anna C.
My husband and I just ate here for the first time and it was so great I had to write a review! We were recommended to try Terra from several friends and finally had the opportunity to go for breakfast a few weeks ago. It was AMAZING! First off, when you go for Sunday brunch, anything you order off the menu comes with three mimosas so high five to that. Second, the food was so so so delicious! My husband had one of their hashes and everything was cooked and seasoned deliciously. I had the stuffed french toast and it was to die for, I practically licked my plate clean. Lastly, the service was top notch and the decor was very welcoming and fun. Out the door with tip we spent $33, which seems like a steal for two great plates of food and four mimosas [we couldn't drink all six! Haha!]. I'm so happy such a great restaurant opened so close to home. I'm looking forward to trying them for dinner soon.
(5)
frank b.
Just got home from Terra and I puked my guts out. Lobster Mac and cheese. Do not try it!!!!
(1)
Deb Z.
We came for the early dining meal starting at 4:30 --choice of salad or soup, and because I can get a salad any time, I chose the melon soup, and was I glad! 3 melons together with mint, vanilla bean, and lemongrass drizzled over. In love! Then meat/ tofu choice and choice of 3 styles. I chose tofu marinated in balsamic vinegar, etc. done very well [it's hard to find excellent tofu] in Asian style, with fresh vegetables and spicy sauce. Oh more love.....http://www.terrasd.com/early_dining/ Friendly staff, and homey atmosphere. Awards on the wall. I am glad they relocated to East county. Only $17.95. Customer card -- you spend 100+ get 10 back....
(5)
Larry J. W.
Good service, decent food. Dissapointed that they would not take separate checks for more than1 couple at a table and that they charged extra for salsa
(3)
Jennifer G.
Terra is located close to our home. We've been there half a dozen times so far, the ambiance is fantastic. It has a rustic feel. Staff is friendly and the chef will come out and greet guests on occasion. The food has been good, the appetizers always have a fun presentation. My favorite so far is the lobster mac n' cheese and the pot roast. The lemon grass ginger martini is delicious! I'm normally a fan of sweeter drinks and I love this! They make their own house infused vodka but they have been out on occasion (I've been able to order it 3/6 times?). My husband really likes the local craft beer selection. I would have given Terra a 5/5 but I feel it's a bit pricy, I always tell others it if were a little cheaper or had a bigger portion size I would be more apt to make it a regular spot. It's great for special occasions and restaurant week is an awesome deal! We'll be there twice this week!
(4)
Aimee W.
My husband I and just moved to La Mesa from North Park - We were pleasantly surprised to find out that Terra had moved right down the street! The decor was simple but very warm and inviting - the service was really friendly ... and the food! YUM. I had the lobster mac and cheese - which had half a lobster tail and a huge chunk of what I would imagine came from the claw - so much more lobster than I would have imagined - I thought it was just going to be chopped up and thrown in with the pasta. The lobster was perfectly cooked possibly some of the best lobster I have ever had. My hubby got the citrus chicken and was moaning throughout the meal at how delicious it all was. 2 delicious and filling meals & 2 glasses of wine for $50 not bad! So happy to have a place like this in La Mesa! We will definitely come back!
(5)
Pete M.
I have been to Terra a few times since opening weekend, and they are now the Terra I remember in Hillcrest. Quality of Food is always 1st Class. The Wine bar is really nice and fun to sit around.
(4)
Joe F.
Apparently this restaurant is by reservation only. We got there at around 5:30pm on Thursday 6/9 , told the hostess "Two" and she promptly asked "Do you have a reservation?", we tell her No and she said "Ok, it will be just a few minutes". Meanwhile, another couple comes in and apparently they don't have reservations either, yet they're explained to that they can sit at some "community table" or whatever the hell that might be and she promptly seats these people. At this point, I'm completely irked because 1) Why didn't she offer this to us? and 2) Why didn't she come and grab us first as we had been waiting several minutes. And during all of this other people are coming in and sitting at the bar. When we first got there, we saw empty bar stools. And now that I'm reading other reviews, apparently you can eat at the bar. Why this option was not offered, I have no idea. So finally after about 5 mins, hostess comes over and tells us she doesn't have a table, but we can sit at the "community table" or wait for the manager to come out. I said to her "You said it would be a few minutes, do you have a table or not?" she said "no" and we promptly stormed out. Completely wasting our time. I really can't remember the last time I went to a restaurant, let alone a relativity cheap restaurant (this is not what I would call a fine dining establishment) and be told basically "We're reserved for the entire night. No amount of waiting will get you in, sorry about your bad luck". I see nothing on their webpage that says "Reservations Recommended". They have a section to make them, but like I said we got there at 5:30 on a Thursday to a $17 avg entree restaurant. To not have the capacity to accept walk-ins is preposterous. So reservations or not, we'll never be back to this pretentious establishment. Also, I think this blog entry "Dining Etiquette in Restaurants" sums up the pretentiousness I'm talking about: terrasd.com/category/blog Chef, going to a restaurant for the first time is a lot like a first date. If things are going really bad, do you tell the person how much they suck and that you never want to see them again? I guess if you're an asshole, sure! But most people would say thanks for the night and never speak to them again. Now, if you had a great night, and met this person again several times, and on the 5th date she farts loudly during dinner, you might mention to her, "hey, what the hell what that about???" Just after laughing hysterically. So the problem is, I don't care about your restaurant enough to complain. If you look at one of my reviews, the owner of that establishment contacted me and because I frequent the place, I cared enough to let him know what was going on (Which by the way was the place went to after leaving yours, which amazingly seated us right away AND accepted our money!). First impressions are everything, Chef. And by the way, I would have never even known about your establishment if it weren't for Yelp. So to bash it and the reviewers here is extremely pompous. I'm sure for every bad review you're getting several good ones and people who want to try your restaurant, like me. However, with me, you failed.
(1)
Margaret D.
Every meal I've had at Terra American Bistro has been first class. The fish, which I usually order, is never overcooked and is first-class. The salads and desserts are wonderful. The service is almost always great. My only reservation is that the champagne by the glass pick is not so great: only Freixenet, yuck. I know there are other options during the brunch, but I'd like to have a kir royale as an aperitif. when I'm dining at night.
(5)
michael r.
I wish I could give Terra 100 stars! Everything about Terra is perfect. Easy parking right outside the front door. The hostess was friendly and welcoming. Our waitress was as good as it gets. She knew to immediately ask for our order for our 2 year old. She explained the menu perfectly and checked on us often. The staff were all very attentive. The food arrived quickly and was incredible! We were also pleasantly surprised that our appetizer was free with our check-in on Foursquare. I was expecting the bill to be much more than it was, but it was very reasonable. One of the best restaurants in San Diego. It was especially nice that you would feel comfortable in a t-shirt or a suit. It was not at all pretentious, even though with the quality of food, it has every right to be. Fantastic!!
(5)
Jenna P.
The mimi desserts are my favorite part of the menu at Terra's. Especially the Tres Leches special. The staff is really friendly at Terra's as well!
(5)
Tiffany H.
I wanted to try Terra because it is close to my house and has gotten excellent reviews from Yelp and "word of mouth." Myself and four girlfriends decided to give it a go last night (Saturday). I had no problem making a reservation online and we had no problem getting seated. We orders nachos to share as a starter. The nachos were amazing - absolutely amazing! I ordered a wedge salad and it honestly tasted like nothing. I also ordered the potstickers and those were VERY good. My friends each ordered a flat bread and enjoyed it. I did not try it but it did not look very good to me. The flat bread I have always had was cracker crust thin. This was more of a thin/hand tossed bread. They did like it though but from the appearance I would not enjoy it. The evening got very strange when my girlfriend sent her yellowtail cakes back. She took one bite and said they were extremely fishy. When she told the waiter, he argued with her. The "manager/hostess" came over and also proceeded to argue about the yellowtail cakes. I'm not sure what school of hospitality management she went to but I have generally always been treated with the customer is always right approach. Had we been treated that way, the night would have been great. Instead, my friend was never asked if she wanted anything else and the waiter came over and put the check down without asking if anyone wanted anything at all (dessert, coffee, etc...). The yellowtail was no taken off the check. It finally was credited but the staff was angry about it. I'm disappointed over the experience because I loved some of the food I had there. I hope the owner gives some necessary training on how to treat customers.
(2)
Heather S.
I'm so glad I have Terra another chance. Lunch today was outstanding! The bowl was abundant and fresh, the service was great, and the bread pudding was delicious. This experience echoes what others have said: excellent fresh food and a welcome addition to the area. You now have a fan in me!
(5)
James P.
We went to Terra for breakfast and had a great experience. This is not Denny's so you need to realize you are paying for a more inventive menu and some quality ingredients. Personally, I ordered the breakfast quesadilla with short rib and it was excellent!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Dana W.
Okay, so I've been a fan (or a supporter? maybe "supporter" is more accurate) of Terra since the olden days when they were in Hillcrest. It was a good, solid neighborhood eatery and every time I went there it was fairly empty and I feared its closing, so I tried to go there more often to give it some business. Then I moved away, and then they moved away, and it's been awhile. Sorry, Terra. So I decided to try them today in their new location for lunch. Saw some familiar faces on the staff, and that made me happy. And I ordered their "special salad," smoked salmon with Israeli cous cous on a bed of salad greens. Honestly, I've had better for $18 (the salad, a soda, and tip) and should rightly give them a 2 stars for such an uninspired salad. Listen, it was a generous portion, the greens were fresh and lovely, the dressing wasn't overwhelming, but it just wasn't much of anything special. And I guess I still hold out that for $18 for lunch, I'll get something special. Call me a dreamer, I know in that neighborhood it's very nice to have a restaurant that is farm to table, so I'm pleased about that. I just wish that the food was more consistently outstanding for the price, that's all. I've had outstanding meals there in the past, I know they can do it.
(3)Chris G.
I went in to Terra with some friends on a Friday morning. The atmosphere was ok, if not a little upscale for El Cajon blvd. I had the flank steak and eggs with some mimosas. The steak was bland and overcooked. Not that impressed. What makes this place worse was the next day our stomachs felt weird. I'm talking, going to the bathroom every hour kind of "weird". So I'm not sure what they put in our plates/drinks, but all of us experienced a bit of food poisoning that night. Mix that with the attitude that the owner/manager and the greeter and I will never come back to this place. I'd say stay away from this place unless you want to naturally cleanse your bowels.
(1)Brad T.
I had the Turkey Melt during restaurant week. This is a pretty nice restaurant in an unexpected area. The service was great and the atmosphere was very comfortable. I will definitely return to Terra!
(4)Lynn J.
Was excited to find a well-reviewed restaurant in the area as there are so few that aren't taco stands... Apparently others agree as the place was packed - reservations recommended. Unfortunately, the ambiance is a bit cafeteria-like, and our food was decent but nothing special. Meat undercooked for everyone, sauces good but not exceptional, and the salads are plain and boring. The soup was quite good, and my husband enjoyed the mussel appetizer. Summary: not bad, but probably won't return.
(3)Jon W.
the food was great but I had parked behind the restaurant and when I left the smell from all of the spilled grease in the alley almost made me lose my very expensive lunch.
(2)Lise J.
My family had a decent dinner here. They ran out of all the specials, but overall it was a good night.
(3)Jeff T.
If this place was in walking distance from my house I would be in serious, serious trouble. My wife and I were huge Terra fans when it was in Hillcrest and were anxious to see how the new location planned out. The verdict: even better. PROS The service is terrific. I dine out to relax and have a good time, so I appreciate it when my server takes a moment to chat. It was fun learning about the new restaurant and getting the inside scoop on some of our new menu items. The food is also amazing. Some of our favorites from Terra Restaurant are still on the menu (the pot roast is spectacular) along with a lot of new items. You can go for a light meal, a three course dinner, or enjoy a family-style meal by ordering several small plates or flatbread pizzas. Perhaps the best feature is the price. Nothing over $20. Put this restaurant in a different neighborhood and you'll pay 20-30% more easy. Sure you can nitpick the restaurant ("They didn't sprinkle rose petals at my feet."), but did I mention the price? CONS There are a few things worth mentioning. First, Terra Bistro is definitely a pioneer in the neighborhood. It will take some time for their neighbors to catch up. In the meantime, look past the empty buildings and bail bonds storefront across the street and you'll be fine. It's nice inside. Second, it's a bit loud in there. That's the point of being a neighborhood bistro, but the old Terra was ghostly quiet by comparison. Finally, they are still working out the kinks on a few dishes. Nothing is going to be perfect, but I sitll give them five stars based on the total experience. THE SKINNY Awesome place for a great meal with great service that won't kill your wallet. Make a reservation and give yourself a couple of hours to enjoy the dining experience.
(5)Anne M.
My husband and I have been waiting for Terra on El Cajon to open - I didn't know that it is a transplant from Hillcrest until logging on to write a review just now. Makes sense on a few levels. Food =good. Service= weird. Just like at the old location. The prices seem a bit cheaper, though, which is nice. The good: - Veggie Benedict. I think this is the first veggie Benedict I've had with caramelized onions. Delicious! The thyme hollandaise and biscuit were good, too. - Short Rib Hash was great, per my husband. I thought the mushrooms in it were chewy. But he was happy with it and pulled them out. - Complimentary sweet rolls. I love when brunch spots give you a little sweet to eat with your coffee. Timing was off- they came after our main food arrived, but will still give credit on this. The weird: - Staffing. Too many workers for the customer level, so they were milling around and cleaning stuff with Lysol wipes. Glad stuff is clean, but it just wasn't discreet and I felt like the big Costco-sized Lysol wipes were weird, like home convenience cleaning vs. expectations of a restaurant's standards. - Attire. The management seemed the most dressed down - two older ladies in unflattering track suits. Pink velor does not say "professional". Overall, I will be back as the food was really good and La Mesa needs more tasty spots to eat. I hope it stays - try it out La Mesa people!
(4)LJ L.
I made reservations well in advance, and on the day of my reservations I spoke with someone in the a.m. that the afternoon call asked the same questions. We were six mamas out for a night to chat and catch up without the loudness of our kids. This place disappointed me on many levels. First, I always arrive before the group so that I can "breathe" as I'm the hostess and I want to relax a bit and not worry. So I like to go to the table and have a drink first. I wasn't able to sit at the table until a majority had arrived. Mind you I was only 15 mins early. The good news is that I finally got a drink at the very busy bar before I went to the table. The drink service at the table was ridiculously slow. Only one bartender for a packed bar and restaurant. Drinks ordered at the table took over 20 minutes to arrive. When I spoke with Suzie and Emily, they suggested the Farmer's Table for us so that we could hear each other and have a nice night. Then when four of us where there, I was informed by a gentleman host that the OWNER has some policy about having sit for service at that table from 5:30 - 7:30. It still doesn't make ANY sense to me, because then we were seated at a table right in the middle of the restaurant, NOT the farm table and we were seated at 6:35! At 7 ish a family of five was seated at the farm table. DOES that make any sense to you? It didn't to me, but I moved on and enjoy what conversation I could hear. The fruit and herb infused water was REALLY nice! Good touch. Our table ordered: Squash blossom appetizer too heavily battered for my taste, but the sauce was nice. @ $9 it was bland (without sauce) and overpriced. Go for the fresh local seafood of the day/week, two folks ordered that and it was a winner. Also the Amber Lagger Pot Roast was a winner. Other than that .... everything was just under seasoned in the opinion of four of us. Pumpkin ravioli, good, sauce under whelming. Beet salad, good. Burger deal filling, but come on, it's a not a burger joint. But it was a good deal on Tuesday night $14 for burger, fries and beer. I had the flat iron steak, which tasted much more like a top sirloin, and was not trimmed properly as I had grizzle. Another mama ordered the Paella, she didn't like it, but the taste buds of this diner are vastly different than mine. We skipped dessert because it was after 8 p.m. before our meals arrived. Then we waited for a replacement order from the Paella so we were sitting there well after 9 p.m. I had ordered another glass of wine, that was completely forgotten about. I took it as a sign to just have a drink at home, since most glasses of wine are $11 each. I'll go again, BUT never with a group. IT TOO loud in this place. Then need either open windows to let the sound out or something on the ceilings. Must be addressed I think. I'll go and try some seafood only. I'm just happy to see a restaurant in the area and I hope they stay open and adjust a bit on the rigid drama of reservations/tables.
(3)Deitre C.
Awesome hospitality, great food. The pancakes are a must and the freshness of the food is easily recognized in each bite. Had a little hiccup with one dish being cold but they took care of it immediately and adjusted the bill. Definitely will be back.
(4)Christianna O.
Yum! I'm so glad this restaurant moved into this neighborhood! It's so nice to have a great dining option here, it's a hidden gem. Brunch: The Sunday brunch is awesome, and a great deal too. The pancakes (with pecan butter, yum!) are really good, the bacon is great (and I'm picky about bacon). The stuffed french toast is... meh, i think the menu oversold it a little ;) But it was still tasty. The potatoes are good too, gotta have good breakfast potatoes! I love the champagne brunch idea - you get a glass of champagne or mimosa free with your brunch. Or is it three glasses? I don't know for sure, it wasn't explained very clearly, but I do know we had four mimosas and there was no charge for them. The bloody mary's are excellent! And only $3! they're small, but at $3, totally worth it. I hope they open on Saturday for brunch some day! I'd totally be in. Dinner: I've only been once for dinner, but will be going back for sure. I liked the gyoza... no, actually i LOVED the gyoza. That dipping sauce is way too good! We ordered the pizza, which isn't my thing, but it was good too. The menu says carmelized onions, but they seemed more like sauteed onions to me. The pumpkin ravioli was very good. And we had a nice salad, I think it was the beet salad. Next time I'll do a proper entree, we were doing more of a small bites thing that night. Service: Good service, pleasant people who try hard to make it a good experience for everyone. They have a rewards program, but the wait staff doesn't seem to ask if you're a member when you're checking out, so you have to remember yourself and make sure your purchase counts. I forgot at our last brunch, sigh. Ambiance: Cute decor! They did nicely with the coffee bean bags - decorative AND lessens the noise. Someone took some extra time with the decorations too, love the metal and rock ants. And last, but soooo not least, farm to table :) I love to see "free range' and "organic" on menus, just makes the whole experience better.
(5)Katie K.
My cutie pie and I always eat at Terra for brunch on Sundays. We've also gone several times for dinner. This place is wonderful. The staff is amazing and personable. Janie is amazing. Today the place was absolutely packed and she was running around like crazy, but maintained a pleasant attitude as she went about her work. We know many of the servers by their first name. They know about our lives outside of food and often ask about our families. If you think this place "sucks" (get a vocabulary) or is "pretentious" then, DON'T come. We don't want to see you there. We LOVE the food and the people. They are inventive and the cook continues to amaze me. If you go there ONCE and your food was not up to your expectation, go a second or third time before you judge! People have bad days, make mistakes and act like HUMAN BEINGS. If the owner is "hovering"- THANK GOD. He wants to improve. Keeping track of your business with a hands on approach is the way to please customers. Don't be a damn brat. Be constructive, not insulting. All that does is piss the rest of us off. If you are constructive- they may actually be interested in your thoughts.
(5)Kristina B.
Just returned from a wonderful dinner. Decided to give this place a try during restaurant week and was not disappointed! This place is easy to find and has its own parking lot. There were plenty of empty of tables (we arrived before 6) but opted for a couple seats at the bar to take advantage of the happy hour $4 drafts. The atmosphere is warm and casual. Simple lighting fixtures including a mason jar chandelier. Deciding on a first course was a tough decision but I went with the beet and goat cheese salad. It was as pretty as it was delicious. My friend went with mussels and was sopping up the broth afterwards. Oh yeah, the complimentary bread and hummus was a nice surprise. The bread was warm and the hummus was fluffy without being dry. We asked our bartender for seconds and he didn't bat an eye. I'm guessing this happens a lot. My entree was a stir fired medly of tofu, vegetables (including some kind of squash wedge still in the rind) and quinoa. It was smoky and savory and had a mild citrus tone. I was pleased but I couldn't finish because I knew dessert was coming. My friend ordered the braised pot roast and it was served without a knife on a mound mashed potatoes. He didn't need a knife and was also impressed. For dessert we went for skillet bread pudding which was divine. It wasn't mushy, it wasn't bready. It was perfect! The chipotle chocolate cake was also good and had a nice kick to it but was underneath some kind of mint infused compote which we agreed was a bit distracting from the spicy chocolate. After dinner we talked about what we plan to order next time. I would give this place another star if it had more vegetarian entree options. The appetizers and salads are plentiful but just one main dish without meat is not enough. I recommend this place with strong confidence. It's the ideal spot for quality farm to table dishes without the pretentiousness or attitude of swanky, trendy places. I will definitely go back! And when I do, I'm having the skillet mac n cheese.
(3)Robb G.
I've never been to the restaurant, but we get their catering for lunch at work sometimes. It's TERRAble. The chicken is always dry. The fish tastes like a block of salt. The only thing that is actually edible is the desserts.
(1)Chrystal E.
Who knew El Cajon BLVD would become a spot for foodies.... move over hookers, foodies are taking over! I had dined at Terra in Hillcrest many years ago and loved it... it wasn't until this weekend that a friend of mine mentioned that Terra had reopened literally in my backyard... I never think to look at restaurants near me on El Cajob BLVD...but I braved 'the BLVD' for some scrumptious cuisine. I love restaurants that support local, organic farmers - and Terra is just this place. Everything is fresh, beautiful and oh so flavorful. I had this amazing pepper turkey sandwhich with brie cheese and roasted pepper aioli...mmMMmmM! My hubby and I shared their citrus and chicken salad - the strawberries were so ripe and sweet and the salad dressing was sweet and tangy and not overbearing where it removes the taste of fresh organic greens (or turns them soggy). Then for a sweet treat we split the berry crisp - sooOOoo good, the graham cracker crust was perfection and the berries simply delicious. We were served by the manager, Laurie - who was so helpful, attentive, and knowledgeable. We event got the rewards card and plan to come back often to redeem some terra points/coupons/etc. Can't wait to bring my girlfriends here for happy hour - the mac and cheese and ginger pot stickers are calling my name!
(4)L. D.
Terra has the potential to be a true destination restaurant. It's food is already superb and deserving recognition. The service is spotty and brings down the total enjoyment. I dined with a group of eight and everyone's meal was eye appealing and delicious. It was a Friday night and the place was hopping with people waiting in the bar for a dinner table to open. I really like the energy in the place - it's alive and happening! Yet I had to ask for a glass of water three times over fifteen minutes before finally receiving this simple request. If Terra is able to improve service I believe this small restaurant in a spotty location could become a real draw of patrons from throughout the region.
(4)Alan G.
This was my first visit to the new Terra. I had lobster shells in my lobster salad. When I told my waitress she said "Oh", and that was the last I heard of it. No apology, no visit to the table by Chef Jeff. Nothing! Not a good beginning. Your walk in customers are important as well as your catering clients. I do like the farm to table philosophy and the new location.
(2)Michelle Z.
I've lived most of my life in San Diego and have had my fill of nachos at a variety of authentic Mexican restaurants. I don't know how Terra did it but they have the best nachos I've ever tasted. The calamari on the appetizer menu is delicious, and the chocolate cigar is heavenly. The chocolate is creamy and addictive. I love this farm to table restaurant. The ambiance is intimate, the staff are friendly and the food is fresh.
(4)Bucky R.
I have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Terra in Rolando. The decor and staff is more casual than the previous incarnation in Hillcrest, but this in no way detracted from the food .The staff were genuinely friendly and were very helpful with their recommendations. I think previous reviewers have missed the fact that these guys aren't going for a traditional fine dining experience, but rather are doing something more like Urban Solace, C Level, or the Kensington Grill... just with much better food. My wife and I tried the farm salad, the tater tots, the ginger pot stickers, the beef sliders, and the cigar desert. The sliders and the desert were by far the best. In fact, it was hard not to order another serving of the sliders! Overall the food quality, presentation, and service were excellent. The prices were very reasonable and the happy hour specials on drinks were good.
(5)serina c.
The mac and cheese seriously could be the best in town. I also had the flat iron steak with chimmichurri sauce which was also good. The short rib sliders were delicious but not over whelming with BBQ sauce. The only thing I didn't care for was the Tuscan flat bread. The 2 outside (end piece's) were nice and crispy but the rest of it was soggy. I would be making this place my monthly rotation since I just moved to lovely La Mesa. I wish they had complementary bread cause I do love my carbs. Awesome service from start to finish!
(4)Brandon B.
I've really enjoyed everything I've ordered here, breakfast or lunch. Food is always fresh and the ingredients are as local as possible. They follow the "Farm to Table" concept and also give you 3 free mimosa's with Sunday brunch! Prices are fair and the staff is very friendly and attentive.
(5)Mishel F.
I really wanted to like this restaurant, as there aren't many options in the La Mesa area but they fell short in both food and service so I cannot recommend them. They were quite busy on a recent Wednesday evening and there were long gaps between the time we were seated until we received water. Our server didn't seem to know much about the menu and kept having to go back to the kitchen with any questions we might have on the dishes. We each ordered a basil martini which had way too much sweet and sour mix to be drinkable, I do love the idea of house-infused vodkas, but this just didn't work. Food wasn't much better, organic salad was overdressed. Nachos didn't have enough of anything, most of the chips were dry. Ahi tuna sliders were the best dish of the bunch. Terra bills itself as a farm to table restaurant, however they serve feedlot meat which was a huge turnoff for me. I understand the majority of their customer base may be price sensitive, but the farm-to-table advertising felt misleading. Next time, try Starlite, Barrio Star or The LInkery all of which have great food at reasonable prices.
(2)Chris N.
Terra American Bistro is one of the best places to eat in La Mesa. Not the best location in town, but a clean and well appointed establishment. The interior decor is a bit off the shelf, obviously no designer was hired to give the place a touch of panache. But what matters most in a restaurant is the food and this is where Terra get my applause. The chef can cook. My friend had the flank steak and I the fish of the day. We ordered off the special menu and got soup/salad, main course and desert for 20 dollars. We also ordered the mushroom/jalapeno pillows. We were a little disappointed with the salad, which, though fresh, lacked color and we had to ask for additional dressing. When the "pillows" arrived our approval was well earned. These little bites were delicious. The main course flank steak, was masterfully prepared and beautifully presented. It tasted like a fine cut of beef and not the "carne asada" I was expecting. The fish was exquisite, tender, flaky and flavorful. A dessert to note was the mango sorbet. WOW. The "no bake chocolate cake" was divine, except for the crumbly cookie on the side (make it a wafer next time) . The executive chef made the rounds to speak with everyone and listen to our praise and suggestions. The wait staff was attentive and personable. I give this establishment a four stars.There are so few great eateries in La Mesa. This one deserves your support. ---GET A RESERVATION, the place fills up quickly.---
(4)Brittany H.
This is a place I could spend my whole day in. I have been hoping and searching for a restaurant with the feel and coziness that it has and my dreams have come true! It has such amazing food and feel to this bistro and makes me feel like I'm in heaven. I have not eaten or had a drink I did not like, everything is beyond amazing and especially my favorite waiter Nick Berry. He is so helpful and knowledgeable on everything he never steers me wrong. I have a great experience every time he is my waiter and I usually always hope to be served by him. All in all I give this place an A+++++++ and cannot wait to go back as soon as possible. Thanks Terra !
(5)Betsy C.
I had been to Terra twice before, enjoyed the food, the fresh menu items and convenience to my house. However, my recent (and probably last) visit to Terra was horrible. I wanted to take my boyfriend to this special place and excited to share this unique restaurant with him. We entered an almost empty restaurant on Tuesday night and were told by the hostess that it would be a 5 minute wait! Seriously? So we wandered down the hall to the waiting area not wanting to sit at the bar when the hostess approached us and asked us for our phone number? Whaaat??? I asked her why she needed it and she said it was no big deal, they never call people, it would just make our next "reservation" easier? Huh? My boyfriend gave her a bogus number, we proceeded to wait the full 5 minutes before being seated. Our server was adequate but announced to us as we were seated that they did not have any chicken. Empty restaurant early in the evening already out of a major menu item- not a good sign. My boyfriend ordered the special and it was tasty; the Fish & Chips I ordered-not so tasty. First off it was served in a basket- a narrow basket lined with paper. (Health inspectors please take note: how do they clean them?) The fish and fries closer to the bottom were over fried and lacked flavor. At the end of the meal the check was presented in a tacky little burlap bag. Pretentious? Just a bit. So sad that a truly great concept- fresh local food doesn't really provide a nice dining experience consistently.
(1)Kev G.
This place has a great vibe and the food is amazing. Everyone at my table loved everything they ordered. I can't remember the last time that happened. To top it off, the server was as good as they get. A+ to the owner of this place.
(5)Diane L.
My boyfriend and I were lured to this place because it is in walking distance from our house and they offer free mimosas with your meals for brunch. The hostess was a middle eastern Avril who took 5 minutes to seat us even though the restaurant was quite empty. When we got seated we mentioned that we wanted to share our meals and prefer to be seated next to each other. The hostess told us we couldn't because it may get busy to be relocated to a larger table. When our meals came, we asked one of the waitresses (or maybe even the manager) if we could sit next to each other since they had at least 12 empty tables after 40 minutes of being seated. She replied "no, it may get busy later." It is sad that there were worried about future customers rather than taking care of satisfying current customers that were already there. We were not so much bothered by that. What really disappointed us was the food. My boyfriend ordered the french toast breakfast that came with sausage and bacon. The french toast was dry and bland and the crust was hard. I ordered the chilaquiles because it was the special of the day. To my disappointment, it was sour and was not very tasty at all. The salsa, guacamole, and beans were all separated as if they were scooped from cans. They serve better dishes, sadly to say, at taco bell. And I hate taco bell. The cooking was so amateur, we are surprised they even had 3 stars. I cannot even justify coming here even with the free mimosas offered and a two minute walk. I am saddened by such horrible customer service and disgusting meals. Obviously we will never return and will not recommend this place to any neighbors, roommates or friends. Wish there was less than one star because they do not even deserve one!
(1)Theresa A.
What a wonderful place! I was visiting two of my very close friends in San Diego and we were celebrating because it's been a while since we have been together. They brought me here because they both know that I enjoy restaurants that incorporate the whole "Farm to Table" concept. Elinor was our waitress and she was great- Very friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable of the menu. My two friends, Michael and Norman, have been to this place quite a few times already and it was nice to see the waitstaff that had waited on them on previous visits come over and say hello. Everything we ate was delicious and of course we saved room for dessert-flourless chocolate cake with sea salt caramel sauce- heaven. Next time I'm in town I hope to go back.
(4)Dana B.
Sunday brunch is delicious! The short rib hash was Amazing. Would have given 5 stars but service was poor.:(
(4)Anne B.
East County needs more restaurants and what a great addition Terra is to the East. We shared the house salad, 3 appetizers, (calamari, short rib sliders, scallops) bottle of wine and dessert. It was all delicious, best calamari I have ever had. I do not know anyone who has tried Terra, that did not like it. The owner came around and introduced himself to all of the tables. It was an overall great experience.
(5)Renee S.
This place was amazing! We went on a whim & were so impressed we will be back. The appetizer flat bread pizza was big enough for an entree, they weren't joking when we were told the Maine lobster was 1.5 lbs, I think it was closer to 2lbs & cooked perfectly. Our entrees took a bit longer to come out before some of our neighbors but before we thought to say anything the manager came over to apologize, comp a round of drinks & our appetizer. We will be sure to bring our daughter next time too.
(5)lcny C.
Amazing! We just bought a house close by, and there is nothing like Terra around. -locally sourced ingredients, farm to table style. I wish more places like this would start opening up here (-everyone in this neighborhood would go). The staff is super helpful, the atmosphere is nice, and the food was great. We ordered the skirt steak and lobster mac & cheese. Both were fantastic!
(5)Susan W.
Terra catered at our wedding a few months ago. Pros: delicious food...really delicious...we got lots of comments like "best food I've had at a wedding" from our guests; they really worked with us to put together a creative menu that fit in our budget; the catering manager used her no-nonsense-ness to negotiate some great prices for us with our rental companies because we had to get everything down to the chairs, tables, linens, etc.; Chef Jeff (the executive chef/owner) is your actual chef on the day of your event!; and best "pro" of all -- love their emphasis on locally grown, organic foods! Cons: the catering manager's no-nonsense-ness was a bit rude at times and some of our other vendors and a hard time working with her on the day of; also, they lost our cake topper :( Overall though, we were quite satisfied!
(3)Lia T.
We went for brunch on Father's Day. We took G's Mom since she is a widow. We had a reservation and were seated quickly. The server wished us a happy Father's Day. I muttered that there were no fathers at the table and she said "Well, everyone has one." I thought that was insensitive since G no longer does. On to the food. I was excited to see a breakfast quesadilla on the menu because I love the one at Indigo Cafe. This one had short ribs on it (?) so I ordered it without. The meat must be an essential ingredient because the quesadilla was dry and bland. I can't remember what G had, but his Mom had stuffed French toast. She said it was dry but hated to add syrup because it was over the top sweet already. Although Terra strives to serve natural, farm to table food, I was horrified to see the packets of Smuckers high fructose corn syrup jellies and jams on the table. It's not that hard to find the real deal. So the food was disappointing. Perhaps we should go back for a meal other than breakfast. However the setting/ decor didn't make me want to rush back. Staring out the window at a cheap beauty parlor and check cashing joint with barred windows was hardly inspiring. Oh well, I checked it off the list.
(3)Cheryl A.
Went here for lunch after reading the reviews on Yelp. Lot was full...good sign. Was greeted by the hostess who was very friendly and was seated right away. The reviews raved about the house salad, but when I ordered it I was told they hadn't received they're fruit delivery and didn't have strawberries to make the salad...bummer. So, I ordered the roasted beets and goat cheese salad along with their seafood chowder. While waiting, I was given a plate of fresh bread and hummus...yum. Didn't love the salad, even with the addition of lobster, but it was good. The chowder, however, tasted like dressed up canned vegetable soup. It was served in one of those bowls with enormous brims and a regular spoon instead of a soup spoon...this wasn't the greatest combination as I am short and unable to hover over my bowl and when I'd spill soup from my spoon onto the brim of the bowl, it splattered onto my white top. I used the offer from Yelp for the bread pudding...thankfully it was free because I like my bread pudding more like a custard instead of a fancy cinnamon bun. I wasn't impressed by the food, but the hostess and wait staff are wonderful. I may try this place again, but not anytime soon.
(3)Sue C.
Dinner was wonderful. The waitress made a recommendation from the fresh specials and it was terrific. The puree that was paired with my fish was magical.
(5)Joshua M.
The pot roast is excellent. I wasn't super impressed with the lobster mac and cheese, but the bread pudding more than made up for it. The ginger lemonade is also pretty good.
(4)Jennifer E.
I really wanted to like this place. Been here 4 times now. It's in my neighborhood and, yes the "concept" is great. Food was just ok, though, and a bit too much $ for the level of quality.
(3)Lynn R.
Mixed review, but less than positive, unfortunately. Summary: best place in the area, but expected so much more. While Terra is new to this neighborhood, it is NOT a new restaurant. I won't compare it to the Hillcrest location, will just review it as it was last evening. Reservations: Had reservations for 5:30 on a Saturday night. 5:30. On arrival, we were told by three people standing at the hostess stand that we would have a 15-minute wait, which turned out to be 25. There were many open tables, but the triplet hostesses explained that staff had been overwhelmed with a big party that was still there. As other reviewers have noted, there were other staff members hanging around. (couldn't one of them have set up our table so we could have sat there instead of at the bar?) Bar: Ordered a $10 mojito and it came filled-to-the-rim and overly sweetened. It was impossible to take a first sip without spilling some. Asked for a napkin, and the bartender slapped it on the spill on the bar (thank you, but I wanted it for my fingers - I could have slid the coaster over the bar) and walked away. When we received the call to be seated, they asked that we settle-up at the bar instead of carry a tab. I stood there with cash in hand for several minutes while both bartenders walked by a number of times, cleaning and chatting with the other two people at the bar. At least the TV wasn't on then. Table service: friendly but somewhat weird. Bubbly but overly talkative. Definitely knowledgeable about the food and made suggestions even when not asked (not good or bad). Described the specials deliciously. Dinner experience: Tasty. Small portion size. No vegan entree options on the menu, although several vegetarian. Teeny tiny bread, but excellent spread. Even at 6:30, the place was full and brimming over (standing room only) and so loud that we couldn't hear each other. Bottom line: Hope it's successful here - know it will be - this area needs more places like this. Will be a delightful place, if you can put up with the quirks. But it's difficult for me (a vegan) to find much to eat, even though it's farm-to-table. I will eat a good appetizer before I go next time so I'm not as hungry, and won't expect to be able to converse with my dinner companions.
(2)Terri H.
Thrilled to have this in east county since we followed it in Hillcrest. Dinner was terrific and service friendly. The flat iron steak with chimichurri was fabulous and myhusband loved his bistro burger. When the waitress learned that my husband brews his own beer, she brought him a sample of another to try. We will return both for the food and to support the advent of finer dining our way east - keep it coming!
(5)Deanna M.
The best place to eat in La Mesa!! I loved thi splace when it was in Hillcrest and was sooooo happy to hear they moved to my side of town. Their seafood is great...and I love their Chimichuri Steak! Their bread pudding is fabulous!!
(5)Chuck B.
As a gift for watching a friends kid for a week they gave us a gift card for Terra. They explained the farm-to-table format to us and it sounded like the perfect place for us. We went this past Friday at 5:15 for dinner. Everything was amazing. The Chef was at the front desk when we arrived and we were promptly seated. Our waitress (Diana?) was super cool and definitely added to our experience. My brother and I ordered a couple of beers. The selection is nice and it is all local brew, which is perfect because San Diego has become a mecca for hand crafted beers. My wife had a martini which was made with one of their infused vodkas and basil. She said it was delicious. The food was beyond great. Our pumpkin ravioli did not disappoint at all. My brother had the pot roast, I had the fish and chips, and my wife had the yellow tail. For dessert we went with our servers suggestion of bread pudding. It was amazing! If you're looking for a quick meal... this may not be your place. The pace of service wasn't slow by any means but they definitely weren't bringing our entrees while we were still working on our appetizer. I didn't mind it at all because the atmosphere and our server made for a great experience. I'm glad our friends introduced us to Terra. We will be coming back for sure!
(5)ashley j.
The food was amazing the atmosphere was top notch. It's always great to have the chef come out and great everyone just to get to know his customers better. I'm so glad this has moved into my neighborhood and am really glad to see that it is doing well so that it will stay.
(5)Hypocritic A.
My wife and I had a great dinner at this place. I have to say I'm a bit of a west of the 5 guy and coming all the way out past SDSU was a stretch for me mentally (especially dealing with all those stop lights off the 8). Anyhow the menu had lots of interesting things on it. My wife ordered something that was basically completely different than the way it was listed on the menu and they had no problem with it. Very clean, easy parking, and despite being surprisingly crowded wasn't noisy. Definitely going back...
(4)P G.
Food was good. We had chicken and sausage pasta, sliders, lobster mac, and salmon. We all liked our food but the portions were a bit small for price. The drinks were good. Good beer selection. We didn't get any wine but they seemed to have a good selection. I would have gave it 5 stars if the portions were a bit larger. A bit pricey for the amount of food, but everything was tasty. Good service! I think the earlier bad reviews had more to do with the service which seemed to be good for us. I assume it had to do more with the restaurant just opening.
(4)Jennifer F.
Waste of money - my hubby and i had reservations for restaurant week at 7pm, we did arrive a little early, checked in and decided to have a drink at the bar.it took a while for the bartender to serve us and the wines by the glass list was extremely lacking - not very many reds to choose from by the glass, and the one beer my hubby wanted they were out of. the glass of wine i ordered was sour so i did not drink it. we waited and waited for our table, and when we were seated at 7:20pm, the hostess did aplogize that they were running 10 minutes behind, funny because every single party that came in after us had already been seated. i didn't want to make a fuss that my glass of wine was not right, yet when we were seated the hostess insisted and insisted, and she was nice enough to bring me another glass, but at that point, we knew they had messed up on the seating and the vibe was weird. we did receive water right away, but the table who ordered right before us had bread, their first course and had started on their second course when we finally received our bread, which i had to request from the bus boy. by the way, the bus boy was the nicest person, gave the best service out of everyone in the entire restaurant. the waiter, who definitely had too many tables, passed by our table four times while my hubby had nothing to drink. my salad was under-dressed, my hubby scallops - or lack their of - were completely un-seasoned. my mac and cheese was a joke, the lobster was boiled and not seasoned at all, my hubby's roast was over cooked and the edges were hard. oh and the cheese had not melted together on my mac and cheese and it was "juicy." my dessert was the best thing about the entire situation. complete waste of time and money, i dont know if its because i expect really good food, or everyone else there is completely un -educated on what really good food is.
(1)Debbie W.
Had the most delicious brunch, with no long lines like so many weekend breakfast places. Both of us ordered off of the specials menu and practically licked our plates. A great place for a brunch date.
(4)Laura S.
A friend introduced me to this restaurant last week. I met her for an early dinner on a weeknight so it wasn't terribly crowded. Our waiter was friendly, very informative about the menu and provided great service. I had the citrus chicken with couscous and squash. So good. My friend had the butternut squash and fell in love with it. They serve flavored waters there and that night it was strawberry-orange infused. Yum! We shared the apple crisp w/oatmeal crust for dessert. It was topped with butternut squash ice cream which we were a bit unsure about but it turned out to be very good. I enjoyed it so much that I brought Boyfriend there for dinner on Friday night. We had a 7:00 reservation but had to wait a short time beyond that for a table. It was quite crowded. Our waitress was friendly and helpful but service was a fair amount slower due to the crowd. They did keep us supplied with water (basil citrus this time) and bread while we waited though. We shared the mac-n-cheese as an appetizer. We weren't that impressed with it as there wasn't much flavor to it. For main dishes we had a halibut dish that was one of the specials of the day and the Chipotle skirt steak. Both were excellent. We were so full by that time that we didn't have room for dessert. During both visits the chef came out and walked around the room speaking to guests. We will definitely be back though we will probably try to go earlier to avoid some of the crowd. We noticed on the menu that they also cater and are even considering looking into that as an option for our wedding.
(4)Jennie O.
Delicious. When we walked in, we weren't sure if we were going to get a table because they were pretty busy. But I find that when a manager or owner will step in and take your order and be attentive without being pushy, this is a place I will come to again. Because they care whether or not you had a good meal and a good time. We had the salmon cakes, house salad and bistro burger, very tasty. Yes, the salmon cakes were small, but if you're getting wild caught Alaska smoked salmon, you should check out the prices in the grocery store. The service, yes, I think she was an owner or manager, was excellent. The dessert: A flourless chocolate chipotle cake with salted caramel drizzled over. The prices for what we had, considering their farm to table approach, seemed reasonable enough to me. Yes, we'll be back.
(5)Shanah C.
Met a date here for lunch. He arrived first, and even though there were only 2 other people in the restaurant, they asked him if he had a reservation??? Wasn't really impressed with the decor, but the food made up for it. I ordered the pumpkin raviolis (DELICIOUS!!) and a salad. My date had the sausage chicken pasta (good, but not as good as mine!!) Our waiter was very attentive and had a good knowledge of the menu. While we were there, the owner/head waiter came around to our table and asked how we enjoyed our food. We also looked a the dinner menu which had alot of great looking choices!! I will definately be back to try other dishes on the menu!! Not a huge fan of the location (not sure why they moved from Hillcrest after 20 yrs??) but glad they are closer to my house so I can visit them often. Noticed their happy hour specials looked pretty good too!!
(4)Kris E.
Place just not worth going since they moved to La Mesa. I have gone many times when they were in Hill crest and always had a good experience with the food and the service. However since they moved to a seedy part of town along El Cajon Blvd. the attitude in there has changed to down right rude. This was my third time going to this location. The first time, I went for their Sunday brunch, and we walked in at 1:55 PM. Apparently they close at 2:00PM. They still had about 8 or 9 tables eating, but we were told they were closing so we could not dine for Brunch, but we could go back for dinner in the evening when they reopened. I pointed out that since it was not 2:00 yet, and they still seemed to have a lot of people eating, that it seems they should seat people up till 2:00 PM. The hostess was rather blunt and said no we are closed. I tried to be nice and said we promise to order quickly, and eat fast, so that we were not the last ones there so as not to hold up the place from closing. Then she said flatly, no all the cooks went home in a rude tone. So we left, but I thought about it after realizing that was probably not true because what if the people still eating wanted to order dessert. I don't think the waiter would be the one to go cook and plate the deserts. However, I decided that I had always liked their food, so I would return and not let the hostess spoil it for me. But the next time I went the hostess was just as rude when I asked for a different table so as not to be crowded between the two that were seated, and there were many other tables open. She told me they were all reserved. Yet most of them were not seated the whole time we were there. The food was good, but the prices were way to high for that part of town, and the portions were small leaving you a bit hungry. They obviously moved from an expensive lease to one far less, yet did not adjust their menu prices to reflect that, which is surprising considering it's an area where the street hookers hang out. This can be verified by the arrest records for the area, also be careful where you park, dark areas get their cars broken into. But once again, I thought, I like the food, so I will take a friend there because she likes fresh farm raised and organic food. I know they use hormone free beef and chicken, and fresh herbs, and I always get my favorite coveted desert, the chocolate cigar. We arrived at 5:10 PM on a Thursday evening. There were only two other tables sat, yet we were told we could not sit where we would like because they were reserved. When I questioned her on that, she told me that we were only a party of two, and that all the ones I wanted to sit at were only for patties of four. We were there for an hour and a half, yet half of the four top tables were never sat. clearly they knew that it was unlikely that that many parties of four would come without a reservation, so not allowing dinners to be comfortable is just bad service. By the time you have your wine bottle, wine glasses, bread plates, bread basket, spread dish, water glasses, appetizer and appetizer plates and silverware, there is barely an inch left on the table. The rim of the rim glass gets caught under the plates as you try to pick up your wine glass. It's just very uncomfortable. Before placing our order we asked the server to divide the checks with wine and desert on one, and the entrees on the other. She told us it is company policy not to allow split checks. What kind of business does that? We both ordered the sea bass specials. My guests portion looked like a nice size piece of fish, but there were not very many vegetables. We both found her dish not very flavorful, and a bit too sweet. My fish portion was very small, and they left the skin on the fish. It was easy to remove, but I just find it unappetizing, and some people don't know to remove the skin. The flavor was very goo though. Food was over priced for portions and area. Wine was expensive too. Then after I raved about the Choc cigar, I was disappointed to get it and the choc was still very cod and not melted inside. They did not cook the phillodough long enough. Needless to say, rudeness and ridiculous rules will not bring return customers even if the food is good. Our bill was over $70.00. Probably won't return, so you have lost another.
(1)JC F.
Tried Terra again but for dinner about a month ago. Now that's what I'm talking about! I'm so glad I went back! They serve bread and a delicious hummus while you are waiting for your entree. I had the fish on a bed of seasonal veggies and couscous that was delicious. This fish was PERFECTLY cooked as I am particular about this. The service is still a bit quirky - bartender less than enthusiastic and waiter was dripping sweat as he took our order but the food overshadowed these minor details. I will definitely be back to support this local eatery.
(4)Matt D.
Lobster Mac n Cheese is the fan favorite! Great customer service.
(5)Melissa S.
Great drinks! Great food! Nick was my server and he really made my dining experience better. The intimate setting makes it feel welcoming and at home. The food was great! The chef/owner came up to me and personally asked me how my food was. I really appreciate when the owner is on site and cares about their customers. I recommend this restaurant to anyone. It's hard to find exceptional food in the college area and it is a diamond in the rough. Thank you nick and thank you terra!
(5)Jason D.
Very average food. Very high priced. In another review the chef commented that there is no such thing as organic meat. That should speak very loudly about the establishment. I would not recommend dining here. According to the USDA[1] rules passed on October 22, 2002, certified organic beef must come from a fully verifiable production system that collects information on the history of every animal in the program, including its breed history, veterinary care, and feed. Further, to be certified as organic, all cattle should meet the following criteria: Born and raised on certified organic pasture Never receive antibiotics Never receive growth-promoting hormones Are fed only certified organic grains and grasses Must have unrestricted outdoor access Sorry Chef.
(2)Dawn S.
Really love this farm to table! A strange location for it, but well worth it!! Haven't had anything I didn't like...and their gluten free menu is extensive! Their gf flat bread is amazing! Nick was one of the best waiters we have had! Can't wait for our next visit! To many good things to try....
(4)Amy P.
We had a great experience here for our first time. We decided to go for brunch. I would suggest a reservation -open table. All the breakfast choices come with 3 mimosas or champagne. Yes you heard me right! I had the special - smoked salmon, with eggs over a bed of potatoes with hollandaise. My partner had Short Rib Hash with 2 poached eggs and rosemary hollandaise. The brunch plates were large, delicious, and filling. The environment is cosy and warm, nice tables and long booths against walls. Theres a nice nice bar in the restaurant, so if theres just two dining you may be able to just walk in and eat there. We noticed they have specials almost every day and a social time(happy hour) for two hours during the week. They also have a date night. If you haven't ate brunch here, definitely try it out! We going to go back and have dinner soon.
(5)Rachael C.
We had a mixed bag of experiences from Terra when we dined there recently for dinner I like that places such as this are making their way into parts of La Mesa not really know for finer dining, but it still needs some work The lobster ragoons were not good. They were way over fried. The lobster bisque was equally as bad. It tasted like nothing but watered down cream, and nothing else. This item was returned I had a starter scallop dish that was nice, but the scallops were super small. Not what I was expecting. The sauce was very good though, and the scallops seemed fresh The potato, brie and red onion quesadilla was pretty good, if not just a tad too spicy, but that is more on a level of my taste. My other half had a salad as well as said it was good, but how do you mess up that? I suppose you could We got a lava cake for dessert which was actually quite good I am not sure if I would come back to Terra or not, but I was glad to finally try it out. Service was decent, but at the times the server talked like a buddy would on a lunch break, and not exactly professional. She was understanding of the soup, and agreed it tasted bad
(3)Cel P.
Great service!!!! Come see Stephanie & (Magic) Mike! What we had: -Brussel Sprouts - YUM my fave! -Calamari -Chicken lettuce wraps What we drank: -Strawberry Smash -Terra Sangria -Kentucky lemonade *** Sunday brunch includes 3 mimosas! *** Make a RSVP (per Stephanie)
(4)Allyson L.
If you are in the El Cajon/La Mesa area and are looking for a nice restaurant, this is a great place to try! I had their sangria. Watch out, it is good but pretty strong! I highly recommend the Brussel Sprouts to start, they were probably my favorite part of the meal! For dinner we had the garlic and cheese flatbread and the salmon, both were very good! If you are celebrating a birthday, let your server know and they will bring out a little dessert. The best part of our experience was probably the friendly and accommodating staff!
(4)Omar S.
Terra American Bistro is surrounded by garages and a beauty supply shop, but it isn't what you think it is, if you think it's an innovative chef winning a round of Next New Thing: Real Estate Edition. Taking those things backwards: Terra's neighborhood is dodgy, but not in a good way. Being next door to a candy factory, now that would be cool. Terra is just in a ghetto, and unless the owner knows something about the City's development plans that the rest of us have missed, he's not likely to see UCSD and La Mesa's hidden money meeting in the middle, bellied up to his bar. While Terra's owner waits, those people are growing attached to good restaurants in their own safe and visually appealing back yards. Location aside, if Terra's food was stellar, it might serve as an attractant. But the food is just not very good. Here are some culinary fails that Terra has served up; I note that some of these items don't appear on Terra's current menus, but it's the same kitchen, so... Terra Newly Fashioned. Think I'm kidding? Check the Drinks menu. Terra seriously uses this name for an Old Fashioned, and no one, neither the servers nor the bartenders, snickers when they say it. The drink includes: sage-infused bourbon; tarragon; terra citrus bitters; simple syrup; orange; and brandied cherries. It tastes like Pine-Sol smells. And no one snickers when they serve it. Margherita Flatbread with Smoked Tomato. Good tomatoes. Good Cheese. It was a trick, however, to lift the tomatoes and cheese from that rock-solid board of a bread/plate it was served on. Just kidding. I know it was flatbread. It just seemed like the other thing. Achiote BBQ Chicken Breast with Peach-Serrano Salsa. Dry, flavorless chicken - except for the achiote, which, instead of being a light enhancement to the meat, was its theme. This was buried in an oversweet and unfortunate combination of flavors that never met before, for good reason. "Right Coast" Lobster Roll. It's hard to screw up lobster; Terra, rising to the challenge, caked on mayonnaise as though it were delicious sauce, though, thinking about it, the mayo was useful in softening the dried out bread/roll on which the sandwich was served. Special mention for the side of soggy, sour coleslaw that some genius decided would be incomplete unless he added... ginger. Ever have food that made you angry because you couldn't figure out how to remove all traces of it from your plate? This was that. Roasted Beets and Goat Cheese with Toasted Chipped Hazelnuts. These were good. I can't imagine how they could be otherwise. So were the Roasted Brussels Sprouts, for the same reason. I note that, since first tasting toasted chipped hazelnuts at Terra American Bistro, I have shamelessly stolen the idea for my own home-roasted Brussels sprouts and other dishes. So thanks, Terra; the hazelnut idea cost me about $200 and several hours of my life, but it was worth it; people love my Brussels sprouts. One final note: Terra has offered a Yelp checkin special, a slice of bread pudding, that was, in fact, a burnt and dry, gnarled little corner of the pan. As I captioned my photo of the treat, "Guess that'll teach me to use a checkin offer at Terra American Bistro." ********** I heard from Terra's owner, who repeated a snippet of my review, pointing out that the menu has changed. Here was my response: "I noted that many of the items I described aren't on your current menu. You haven't added new information here. Perhaps if you could speak to the problems the kitchen had, and what you've done to address those issues, your comments would prove useful. I'll modify my review to reflect this exchange. Thanks for any productive information you can contribute."
(2)Sydney N.
This place was absolutely amazing. Great service great food and an awesome atmosphere.
(5)Shirley R.
LOVE this place! Came here for brunch on Easter Sunday with reservations made at 9am. I called in to move it to 9:30 and they moved it with no problem! The parking lot is fairly small, but there is some street parking and a few spaces toward the back side of the restaurant. Doesn't look like anything spectacular from the outside, so don't judge this book by it's cover! The interior decor is pretty cute with i think it was large ground coffee bags attached to the ceiling roof. Upon looking at the brunch menu, the very top of the menu (you can't miss it) is your meal comes with free mimosas! WHAT?! Well, it said 3, but WHAT?! Unfortunately I only had one ): but what an awesome offer. Before I was able to ask our waitress what was popular, she told us. And right before I could ask what her favorite items were, she told us. Mind reader! I ordered the breakfast quesadilla subbing my eggs for egg whites. It was divine! Crispy 4-slices of quesadilla filled with gooey cheese, egg whites, and tasty/savory/tender short ribs! Props to the chef who put this together. It came with a palm size scoop of sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo. I didn't eat the sour cream, but the guacamole was tasty and the pico de gallo had a minor kick to it. My table split the stuffed french toast... bad and good decision. Good because it was delicious, bad because we wanted more! Fairly thick slices of bread (about one slice was equivalent to a general slice of sandwich bread) crusted with cooked down cornflakes (obviously) but still maintained a nice, sweet crunch, as if it was caramelized (which it might have been?). Two slices of bread weren't stuffed, but was spread with strawberry cream cheese. I'd say it's more like strawberry cream cheese spread french toast, but clearly that makes no sense nor does it sound appealing. Regardless, it was deliciously served with syrup poured on it already and it wasn't eye-tweaking sweet, but it was a general sweet like any other type of french toast served with syrup. Also, there is an offer through Yelp for a free bread pudding with a check-in. Yes, please! I got it to go because there was no way I, or my table, was able to eat that after our 1.25 meals. Take advantage of the offer and mimosas! Definite must!
(5)Ella D.
Sunday brunch includes 3 glasses of mimosas!! Now that that's out of the way, I should mention the food is great too. Awesome service, always. Friendly staff and even the other diners are in good spirits. Must be the mimosas, ;). My glass always looks different than others because mine is really just orange juice (I don't drink alcohol.) My friends will often drink my #2 and #3 glasses while I eat their extra food as portions are so big. I love the short rib hash.
(5)Chtoya D.
Great place for brunch !! Ellie at the bar is sweet and very attentive. Food is fresh and locally grown. Can't wait to try it for dinner.
(5)Antonio R.
Every one that works here is so nice and friendly but the food is only so so, a little to salty. Ambience is nice and the atmosphere is friendly.
(4)Christina D.
Wanted to love this place and didn't. Food is ok...I won't say mediocre but almost. Service was incredibly slow. -highs: house salad dressing and ketchup -lows: small portion of steak with salad, greasiness of truffle fries Everything else was forgettable. Aside from the food being below my expectations, a bigger disappointment was the service. We arrived at 12:30 on a Thursday during lunch and the restaurant was not incredibly busy and we were seated immediately. Got our orders in very quickly and then we had to wait. We gave them our card for payment when our server brought the food and didn't get the card back with ticket for another 20+ minutes even though we asked multiple times and our server came to our table multiple times. Also one order came out wrong and we spoke with a manager who was quite rude although she returned to our table and was more kind the second time. Overall it was just a disappointment. Not really worth a trip back for me.
(2)Tracy S.
A breakfast entree that comes with 3 glasses of champagne... that they really dont keep track of? COUNT ME IN! Iver been wanting to dine at Terra since I tried their food ona Taste of College Area. my friend was having a birthday brunch there and there was a group of 20 of us. It is a great brunch spot for large groups! I would def go back for my own birthday! I ordered the chicken chorizo in a skillet, I was a bit skeptical cause I have only tried Soyrizo, not the real deal, but this chicken chorizo was tasty!! The flavors or the meat were great and it came with fresh veggies, amazing potoates and eggs.. for an entree for under $15 with booze, this was friggin awesome!! The champagne isnt Andre either, it was decent for the price and the experience. The waitress was super helpful and provided recommendations and answered a ton of my many questions. My hubby ordered the bloody marys for 2 for $20. It came with a ton of toppings to make the perfect bloody mary, he was a big fan. Super cute place, super good food, nice staff, and included booze.. what more could you want for a weekend brunch?
(5)Kim P.
Really good food and the bar inside is positioned like an island style table in the middle of everything. This is great because it's super easy to get drinks. They'll also bring them to your table obvs. The staff are excellent too and they can do private parties. They can book the whole place out for you to host your event for maybe up to 50 or 80 people. It's an intimate venue with really trendy decor as well. I'll be back because it's awesome here. They also do a great brunch from what I hear. Don't be scared off by the El Cajon location. It's as classy and nice as anything in the Del Mar.
(5)Hilary S.
They are always accommodating to our special orders. We are gluten-free and dairy free. The chicken sausage pizza was great with the gluten-free crust!
(4)Brenda G.
Dinner menu is OK and a bit overpriced. I get that it's organic, $100 for dinner for two is a LOT. However, brunch here is great!
(2)Carla G.
We came here for Sunday brunch around 10:30. I liked the reviews and thought it was worth checking out. We were greeted very kindly and were quickly seated at a two top table. The restaurant is well decorated and has a pleasant enough environment. The outside of the restaurant does not match the interior decor. I personally like the concept of the restaurant... Farm to table ... They make their own bacon... That was yum.. I think they may have had an off day...Our food took over 20 minutes to be delivered, our waitress was non existent and my husband meal was not prepared well 2xs. However my Eggs Benedict were excellent and the complimentary mimosas were a neat touch. Manager was doing her best but her passion for doing a good job could not save poor execution. We will be back to give it another shot.
(3)Alyssa V.
Lunch was awesome! 5 Star lunch & 5 star service! I didn't take any photos this time, but I will add them after my next visit!
(5)Vincent C.
From the outside it doesn't look like much but the inside is pretty nice. I would say it's an upscale country vibe/decor but done very nice. I got a turkey melt, salad with garlic fries and a Kentucky Lemonade. The service was good but the hostess was very nice and helpful. It may be a little pricey but the food was good and the drink was tasty. They have a small bar but the restaurant itself is a little small but cozy. They have some pretty cool sodas from ginger, basil I think and some other different ingredients. I will come here again asap.
(4)Bernard J.
I love this place! The mimosa brunch is an absolute favorite, along with everything else I've enjoyed at this establishment. My wife and I will continue to return here again and again! One of the best places to eat in the San Diego, hands down!
(5)Shadia A.
Went here last night and received excellent service (especially from the hostess) and even better food! My fiancé and I ordered the brie/potato/red onion quesadilla and truffle fries to start. The fries were the greatest I've EVER had. I ended up ordering the seafood sauté (a special which may or may not be available in the future) which was to die for! We will definitely be back :)
(5)Martha H.
Went for brunch August 16, as always wonderful service and delicious food! Their brunch menu is excellent and you get 3 glasses of champagne or mimosas, your choice!
(5)Fed B.
Stuff porkchop was delicious!!! Happy hour awesome! Good atmosphere, good variety of wine and spirits. Perfect for a good night in town.
(5)Alan T.
Really love the staff, this is very welcoming place. Try the flat bread .... Yum
(5)Brandy B.
Unfortunately my family's meal at Terra tonight has been a perfect storm of "we probably won't be going there again". While I would say the staff and management were entirely accommodating and understanding of our disappointment there just isn't enough to go back again for. We have two children and at first I was happy with the children's menu. More choices than one might normally find at an establishment such as this one. The disappointment came in the disproportionate sizes of menu choices that were perplexing and caused drama between our two children. One kid's choice (Chicken Tacos & Fresh Fruit) amounted to a "Small Plate" meal meant for a child but what kid needs a "Small Plate"? Little one didn't want to share her rather large choice of kids "Flatbread Pizza" and so the craziness started. Food was OK. My veggies were rather raw and parts were inedible due to the extreme crunchiness. Flavors were ok but not as savory or fulfilling as I wanted. Husband had the Friday night Fish & Chips that had coleslaw with absolutely no dressing. A missed chance for some added flavor? Drinks were good. Better than the food which was why I had two ;) We were offered a complimentary dessert which we passed on due to the fact that our kids were loosing their sh*t already and it wouldn't have helped matters much. The funny thing is that we have been to Terra a couple times before and our last visit resulted in an extremely long wait for aaaaaaaaa....dessert! We were given a "Complimentary Dessert" coupon that has long ago been misplaced but really supplying a coupon for the very thing that caused disappointment was strange. I personally wouldn't take my kids here again after the problems that the menu choices caused. But without a regular babysitter and lack of local family willing to babysit that limits me. In the wild circumstance that I DO have a babysitter I would rather go someplace with tastier and more exciting food.
(2)Jeremy C.
I had the Scottish salmon and it was nothing to write home about. For $23 it was a rip off. The vegetables were undercooked and the quinoa was downright bad. At these prices there is no way I will be back. I can make better dishes at home.
(2)Cynthia A.
Been regulars here for a while. The service is spectacular, they really know their stuff. Food always interesting usually delicious :) bar scene fun for 30+ social atmosphere
(4)HarryandJean A.
Excellent food great calamari & muscles for appetizers and the Halibut was fantastic. Deserts were great. Chipotle Bacon, Maple ice cream unbelievable. Bread pudding great, Our waiter Nick was awesome highly recommend
(5)Andrea P.
Always a favorite go to. Had the burger on the brunch menu and it was very tasty! Grilled onions, blue cheese, flavorful beef with the truffle fries and mimosas! Shout out to our server Nick, thanks for providing the great service! ;)
(4)Darlene B.
I found Terra via Open Table as I was trying to find a place that was near home, could accommodate a party of 7, kid friendly, and takes reservations. It was the perfect combination -- to celebrate my dad's Medicare birthday with my family :) i noted on the reservation that we were celebrating the birthday and they did NOT forget it! This place is a located on the different side of La Mesa -- going back toward SDSU, looked more dive bar-ish from the outside, but then when you get in, it had a great intimate feel. The adorable mason jar chandelier and coffee bag ceiling, very trendy. Not going to lie, it was pricier than what we usually do for large-party birthday dinners, but I think it was worth. Started with a glass of wine, went with a cheap glass, and it was drier than how I usually like it. Yelp allowed us a free bread pudding after check in, and my dad got a free one for his b-day, love that! My actual dinner was O-M-G jaw dropping good. Pulled short rib + spinach pappardelle pasta...I cleared my entire plate because it was THAT good. I couldn't get enough. In addition to my dish, they have this extensive menu with great options! Definitely want to come back for brunch. My dad enjoyed his b-day dinner and that's all that matters.
(4)Phillip D.
It's all about brunch at this place. I honestly haven't been here for dinner. It seems busy every time I go by and gets great reviews so I'm guessing they do a good job with that. Anyways, Brunch. You get three mimosas with your breakfast. Everything on the menu has been cooked perfectly with no complaints. There are also great brunch specials that fit with the already somewhat original menu. Everything has bacon and avocado. Locally grown veggies are worth paying for and with the mimosas brunch turns into a deal. The staff has always been great and if you're a local that stops in a lot you can sign up for their rewards program. I'm going to have to edit my review once I go to dinner here.
(4)Jessica R.
Love this place!!! Gamma the server is the best and always offers great service. The food is just plain amazing. My all time favorite here is the strawberry crunchy French toast!!! Total GAME CHANGER!!!!- it heaven in your mouth!!! This place is top notch
(5)Vanessa D.
Had a wonderful lobster Blt, tomato basil soup for lunch. Tori took great care of my friend and me, and my 3Yo was very happy.
(5)jessica m.
I've been here a few times for brunch and dinner and is always been a hit with everyone I take..however, the waitress that we had today wasn't great at all. Not attentive at all. Our food took forever to get there and the people next to us got there food first even though they had ordered way after us. Maybe it's time I go somewhere else for brunch...
(3)Justin J.
One of the pioneers in San Diego of the farm to table eatery. I used to go often to get the Lobster Macaroni and Cheese at the former locale in hillcrest. The new location in La Mesa can be tricky at times for parking, small lot and crowded residential streets in the evening time. I am happy to report that the mac and cheese is still superb, and I have gotten the short rib pappardelle and pumpkin ravioli for take out and they were both delicious. I came in for lunch and ordered the wedge salad to begin. Fresh crispy romaine lettuce with bacon, tomato marmalade, gorgonzola, and a house buttermilk dressing. A step away from the norm of bleu cheese and it was wonderful. For my meal I ordered an asian bowl. Brown rice topped with sautéed local veggies with my choice of protein (locally fished yellowtail) tossed in a sweet chili sauce for $16. A good nutritious lunch full of vitality. Sadly I was too gorged for sweets but with a Yelp check in you can receive a free bread pudding. The chef greeted me on the way out as I ended lunch. Will return for my bread pudding.
(4)Joseph Y.
Never really noticed this place off El Cajon Blvd, but a friend wanted to try it out for their birthday, so we decided to go in and have lunch. The staff was great and greeted us right when we came in the door. We were seated immediately and the server came right up to introduce themselves. The server did an awesome job at making sure we were happy with our food/orders, and suggesting good items on the menu. We decided to try out the bowls with protein / rice. The food here is simply great, the black beans were freaking amazing and had great seasoning. I had ordered the steak in my bowl, I asked for medium done, and it came well done unfortunately and was kind of tough. The meat didn't completely ruin the dish, it still tasted great and everything had a perfect balance to it. The huge problem and issue with this restaurant is the food is horribly overpriced. $16 for a bowl that you can get at Chipotle for 6 bucks? Then you charge $1 for a little scoop of guacamole? Give me a break. Look at my picture, the portion is absurdly small. The steak was like a couple pieces, and yet the dish was super expensive. Looking at the menu also, a lot of their food was super expensive, especially for "lunch" time. You guys have a good restaurant, great atmosphere, the food tastes great and the service is really good. Your prices are just out of control for what you get, I know your rent isn't crazy high like you are in downtown or la jolla either. Your place is smack middle of a not so great neighborhood.
(3)Robin M.
June 5th, 2015, my husband and I dropped in at Terra. No reservations, which is not recommended, but were seated shortly after arrival. We had the Fish and Chips. The tender batter of the fish was melt in your mouth delicious. The fish was also hearty and did not flake apart like some white fish does. The truffle fries were plentiful and delicious. The homemade ice-cream, maple, bacon, chocolate chip and chipotle was heavenly. And to make our dinner even better, our waiter, Mike, was kind, courteous and attentive. What a great time that was had on our impromptu Friday date night!
(5)R F.
We've been here about 10 times over the past few years. Mostly for dinner, but we stopped in for brunch once and for lunch a couple of times as well. I've got to say I've always been happy with each visit. The last time was for my partner's birthday a couple of weeks ago. Our server was very friendly and attentive (my apologies for not getting his name to give him credit), and the food was delicious. It was a busy Saturday evening, but everything arrived at the table in a timely fashion. The decor is upscale, but not cold or uninviting. I'd say my only gripe is that it can get loud when the place is busy and the tables are so close together it almost feels as if you're dining with the people next to you. But I do understand that it's a relatively small space and they want to get as many patrons seated as possible. I've never personally interacted with the owner, but have seen his responses to some negative reviews here on yelp. Although some replies can appear confrontational and potentially off-putting, I think his central message is a valid one and it's caused me to delete negative reviews on other establishments that I've written in the past. The message is this: give the establishment the chance to make things right before going home & writing a scathing review. I'll be the first to admit that I don't like confrontation and I don't like to complain, BUT I've quietly seethed over a sub-par meal only to vent my frustrations in an online review. That's not fair to the establishment at all. Regardless of your trepidations, most restaurants really want to please their customers. So if you have an issue with your meal and don't speak up, the only person to blame is yourself because you haven't given the place a chance to make things right. If you give them that chance and they still screw it up, then by all means tell others about it; but at least give them a chance before assuming they don't care or won't fix the issue. Again, I hope this doesn't come across as affiliation with the owner, because I've never even met him. However, his responses to other reviews made me realize how tough it must be to be for an independent restaurant owner in an age where everyone thinks they're a restaurant critic and their feeling of self-entitlement commands them to bash a place just because their water wasn't refilled every two seconds or whatever. I've only had positive experiences with my multiple meals at his location, and my star rating reflects that.
(5)Michelle C.
Came here for dinner! We ordered the stuffed pork chops and pot roast! The sauce for the stuffed pork chop was great! The place is cute. A lot of couples were eating at the bar and there was a sign that says come and socialize! They do early dinner from 4:30pm to 6pm! They have 4 options of daily specials. They have a lot off options for desserts! We got the free bread pudding with the yelp check in! There's not a lot of parking, but you can park across the street too since the auto shop was already closed.
(4)Jorma T.
Came here with the wife recently and was pleasantly surprised! Mostly because it's hard to find a good restaurant in the east county. We were on our way to a meeting and had an hour to eat. Luckily this location is close to La Mesa The restaurant was quiet on a Wednesday evening which was perfect for us to get in and out. Our server greeted us quickly and had our drinks started right away. Since we were in a rush, we shared a couple of salads and 3 small plates. Everything was tasty and my wife especially enjoyed the butternut raviolis. I ordered the charcuterie board and it was just ok. Before ordering it, I asked the server which meats and cheeses were on it and she didn't know? We didn't have time for dessert but we will Def be back to try some entrées!
(4)Zeek D.
Quality food and atmosphere. Try the early dinner special for the best value. The bread pudding is amazing and all the ingredients are fresh and natural. The service was also great! This is a very nice dinner place in the area.they also have happy hour specials which I did not try
(5)Liz B.
Quality of food is great. Atmosphere is casual. Staff is friendly. Prices are very reasonable. I can't believe it took me so long to make it in here
(5)Amanda J.
Who knew La Mesa could have yummy organic places to eat? Terra must have gotten new owners because it's much better than it used to be. Things I love GF hummus, their chicken and their spicy margaritas mmmmm one of the best meals we've had in a while!
(5)Heather C.
We came here for Sunday brunch, in an attempt to find a new "spot." We were seated fairly quickly, as it was not busy at all. They brought us menus right away, and we noticed that 3 glasses of champagne are included in the brunch cost, which seemed cool! Service was very very slow. Nobody came to take our order for about 20 minutes. The restaurant was not busy at all, but our server's mom was seated behind us. I think she was just chatting and not paying attention, which is kind of lame. She was nice, and came to take our order and I asked about the GFO (gluten free option) that was listed for the steak & eggs. She said "you don't get the quesadillas." Ok...Do I get something else? Haha. I asked if I could get potatoes instead, and she said yes. I also got an iced tea, under the assumption that if I opted to not get champagne that my drink would be included. This was an incorrect assumption. I paid $3.25 for an iced tea that never got refilled once, though it sat empty for half an hour. We got our food pretty quickly. It doesn't say on the menu that the steak arrives covered in pico de gallo and a sticky sweet red sauce. Meh. I wouldn't have ordered it if I knew. The steak was overly sweet and SUPER chewy. I didn't eat much. My drink was never refilled, the food was meh, and the service was slow. I paid way too much money for what I got. I felt bad leaving a crappy tip, but the girl did nothing. I was a server for 10 years. You have to work for your tips, girl. Its not a given. She didn't get me tea, didn't comp the tea though neither of us got champagne, my food was blah, and service was super slow. I WANTED to love Terra. Maybe I'll give it another shot, but I was not impressed at all.
(3)Maylynne R.
This place was so deceiving! My sister chose this place for my dad's birthday dinner and the outside was... mmmm... let's just say "not so easy on the eyes". BUT, when you walk in, it's adorable! the décor was awesome! They had mason jar lights and coffee bags on their ceilings. The table we sat at was huge and had a lot of space. Rarely do I see restaurants that use their space well! The food was pretty amazing. A little pricey for my taste, but worth it. I would eat here for special occasions for sure! They had an awesome yelp offer for a free bread pudding dessert, and it was delicious! I would def go here again! Oh! One more thing! If you have Foursquare, you can get 10% off your bill for checking in there too!
(4)Pedro S.
I've been to Terra a number of times and more often than not have an awesome all around experience. Went their Pre-Valentine's day for din din, thought it was solid food. Had the calamari and potato-cheese quesodillas. Both were delicious but I have to give the edge to the calamari, personal preference. For the main course we had the surf n turf and some type of seafood curry. Both were excellent! Service was good as usual and I'll be back. Always nice to support our local chefs that can cook solid food :)
(4)Shannon R.
Nom, Nom, Nom... Love this place. :) The hubby and I love eating here. We always receive a warm welcome and great food.
(4)Cara G.
So good! Delicious filling portions but not wasteful. Great service topped off our brunch-thank you Terra!
(4)Nici G.
Brunchening! This place delivered. 3 complimentary glasses of champagne or mimosas with entree purchase. Definitely recommend the short rib hash or one of the specials. I had the Smoked Gouda Bennies on a corn bread pudding with potatoes. So good. Make a reservation in advance. Limited parking but you can find something on the street. Definitely going back.
(5)Zillah S.
Loved the pulled short rib rigatoni. Tried the pub steak on special and it was s huge portion. Very yummy. Ellie was our sever and was very pleasant. Love dining here!
(5)Michele K.
We went for valentines day. Fixed menu which had good choices but the whole event was over priced for a place close college ave. The atmosphere was very nice. Very clean establishment and the servers were very friendly and attentive. Food was cooked very well and timed even better. We hope to go again for the regular menu, hoping it is not as expense live as what they offered for valentines day.
(4)CoCo A.
Early dinner special ends @ 6p even though their website says 6:30p, and they won't honor the later time! Food was good, but menu was rather limited. I had a taste of the lobster bisque & thought it was too salty--I don't recommend it! Service was great & personable. The restaurant is a good place overall that I would recommend if your in the area, but not worth a special drive out!
(3)Leah Marie T.
Ive dined-in and have tasted their food to go. Either way Chef Jeff produces sensational farm to table creations, and is polite enough to show face and ask how we enjoyed his food. My to go order was their pulled short rib and spinach pappardelle pasta with an incredible marriage of mushrooms, roasted garlic, smoked tomato, caramelized onion, and gorgonzola cheese. Its a large order, an tasted just as good the day after. While dining-in we started with the wedge salad comprised of little gem lettuce,bacon, gorgonzola cheese, tomato marmalade, and a creamy buttermilk dressing( gluten-free). I ordered the californian bowl with chicken. It arrived with quinoa ,roasted garlic oil, shitake mushrooms , local fresh vegetables , garlic , basil, and tomatoes. There food is fresh, tastes amazing and fills you up! A beautiful place to have a well priced whole meal, that contributes to our local farmers.
(4)M K.
I have been here a couple of times, first time was okay, second time i felt really disappointed. I had the beat & goat cheese salad, the beats were undercooked, bland. The salad was not seasoned very well. Also tried the calamari dish which was too salty, and so greasy that the calamari did not crisp up. The tofu dish was just average as well. The beans and sautéed greens were too salty, the quinoa not seasoned at all. I don't doubt that they use farm fresh ingredients, but the taste of everything was either too salty or too bland. Maybe the meat dishes are better, but since i am vegetarian i left dissapointed.
(3)Curt V.
I waited 2 weeks to get everybody together, so we could come here. It was the best restaurant experience I've ever had. I had the chipotle skirt steak, and it was delicious beyond words. I'll be back for more real soon.
(5)Anne E.
Delightful lunch here. Lovely spot in which to sit and chat. Innovative menu choices, presentations and tastes. Left satisfied -- and with plenty to take home, too. Our wait person Stacy was delightful -- so personable and helpful. We will come back for sure.
(5)Kat R.
Amazing food! Loved this spot. I went here with on of my best friends for dinner on a Tuesday evening. We ended up getting a few small plates to share. We shared two tacos (2 for $2 on Tuesday), the rotating hummus (which was roasted tomato), fried calamari, and macaroni & cheese. It was all yummy. A lot of food but so good! My favorite was the hummus, I wanted more. We also shared the bread pudding for dessert which hit the spot. I can't believe that this place is so close and I've never tried it until now! It's a really cute spot and delicious food to boot. I will be back =)
(5)Rosemary W.
Wide range of choices, including several cuts of steak, cooked perfectly. Delicious and unusual appetizers and sides. Our waiter, Vince, was very knowledgeable and guided us with good suggestions. Portions are generous enough for sharing. Don't miss the huge and delicious lemon meringue pie for dessert.
(4)Christina M.
We're always looking for places that have a mimosa Sunday brunch and decided to try this place out. It's not exactly bottomless like some places where they are always pouring, but you get 3 with an entree order. Works for me! They also have the Bloody Mary 4 Two which my husband and father in law shared and seemed to enjoy! Our food was pretty good and we savored every bite. Between the six of us, there wasn't any complaints about the food, considering we can be very particular about our food. Our orders consisted of the short rib hash, which is their most popular entree, breakfast skillet, farmers omelette and chocolate chip pancakes. My son and husband both ordered off the specials of the day, I can't remember the exact names, but my husband's entree consisted of pork cubes, potatoes, jalapeños, eggs and I believe a poblano sauce. I think my son had a penne pasta with sausage. My issues: It can get pretty loud in there. There was a big party when we went and it was hard to hear the person across from you. Our server, who was very friendly, seemed to have her hands full that day and we spent a lot of time waiting for her. It took about 10 minutes before we could even place our drink order. The food was served pretty quickly after we finally ordered it. If you have a yelp account, don forget to check-in to get the free bread pudding! It was delicious!! Overall food: 4 Service: 3
(4)Cory M.
Nick our server was awesome!!! Food was equally great! Definitely a must eat in La Mesa. Also great for kids!
(5)Joanne L.
Still awesome with lots of yummy healthy offerings. They create their own everything. That's what counts. The lavender Creme Brule is amazing. The best sinful kind of indulgence.
(5)Dolores R.
Omg!!! This ground beef breakfast pasta is to die for.. Amazing dish, finished and I want More. On another note, Gamaliel our server is so good, he really cares about his tables. He is so nice and sweet always asking if we are need anything. 5 stars and coming back next Sunday. Maybe you can keep that pasta in the menu forever :)
(5)Stacie S.
I had one of the BEST dinners ever!! Chipolte skirt steak, on a quesdilla stuffed with brie/red onion mashed potates (YES potatoes inside a quesdilla-just say carb overload) it was heaven on a plate. If your ever in the area and need a delicous place to eat- try Terra Bistro, you will not be disappointed- you will leave happy
(5)Joe M.
Excellent American cuisine. Had the baby back pulled pork tacos for lunch and they were superb to the max. Wife had the carved turkey sandwich, and loved it.
(5)Ceni L.
Good place for kids! My 18 months son was so happy after the food arrived... Nice place to hang out. Good breakfast and mimosas. They give you 3 mimosas or champagne on any breakfast order. I definitely recommend this place.
(4)Elizabeth B.
I loved the gluten free flatbread selection. The ingredients were fresh, and the dough was tasty which is a feat for anything gluten free. Because the flatbread was so awesome I decided to go ahead and order an entree which I wasn't impressed with. I got the cornbread stuffed porkchop. I have made a rendition of this recipe myself at home so was sort of expecting the same thing. The cornbread was undercooked, the porkchop was overcooked, and the potatoes were overcooked. I wasn't impressed and felt it was overpriced. Fortunately I had a gift card, so that was cool. The service was friendly but a bit slow. I don't know that I'll go back, but who knows. The GF flatbread was REALLY good.
(3)Kelly P.
Been here twice, crab cakes are a must. I forget what sauce is at the bottom but I would like to bathe in it. I've had the skirt steak and the pot roast (meat n potatoes is my thang) super tender and delicious, enjoyed both, although brown rice was a bit dry. That came with skirt steak, but it's brown rice and not worth tossing it back for. My bf has had the bistro burger and lobster roll, both came with truffle fries that will make you look down on every other french fry on the planet. House salad is delectable, our waitress, Ellie, even split it on two plates because she knew we were sharing. Drinks are strong as hell, specifically lemon ginger mule and their mojitos, coming during happy hour may be the best/worst decision you can make(but mostly best if you're not driving). Bread pudding is insane, although it is rich and filling, lavender creme brulee comes with a little lavender biscotti which was so adorable I didn't want to eat it. Desserts aren't skimpy or one bite like, they're made for sharing. Yes, the area surrounding this place is questionable if you're not used to it. But they have their own parking and the atmosphere makes you feel like you've escaped the limbo of El Cajon Blvd and dove into a quaint, cozy, and personable dining experience that you would expect to find only on the coast. Ellie is a doll and takes great care of you. Can't wait to come on Sunday brunch
(5)Aaron H.
Best food in the neighborhood...great attention to detail and the fresh ginger ale was amazing!
(4)David W.
Started out with some tastey drinks at the bar, my girlfriend had a strong and delicious mojito. I had a ginger bourbon mix aptly named 'the remedy'. Started with a flat bread margharita, very good. Fresh mozzarella, a light marinara presence and what tasted like wood fired flatbread. My lovely date had the house famous pot roast, falling apart at the touch of a fork, quite delicious. As for myself, I had the new York strip steak, rare (and actually got it rare, usually place will cook it one up) great color and the gristle left on the edges with a slight char was so good!
(4)John M.
Used to be regulars. Won't be back. Hostess was un-inviting and awkward during the last visit. My poor wife was served chicken that was cold and pink in the middle. (She could teach the chef to prepare chicken.) When the manager came to "apologize" she said she was sorry she didn't like the chicken. Hmmm ya we don't like raw chicken cause we're super picky? What happened to this place? It's sad because the food is usually tasty.
(1)Tim A.
Finding this place among the restaurants of East County is sort of like coming across Aladdin's lamp at a garage sale: it's mostly all junk, but the one find makes you glad you came to play. Growing up in Santee, I always thought the best the area had to offer was Black Angus (don't worry - I'll always have a soft spot for you, B.A.), but apparently life gets a whole lot better on the other side of I-8. Literally every dish my party had knocked my socks off. Since it's farm-to-table and they change their menus frequently, I'm probably wasting my time mentioning the items, but the Bacon Apple flatbread, the goat cheese chutney in a jar thing, the crab cakes...all knockout appetizers. But then came the Short Rib Pappardalle, the Lobster Mac, and the walnut fettucine thingy...yowza. And while I didn't "leave room" for dessert in the traditional sense, I sure as heck made room, because the banana bread pudding was otherworldly. All this downtown- or La Jolla-quality dining without the snootiness, the parking issues, or the price. A real gem.
(5)Miranda O.
I came in for the brunch and I had the most amazing experience. The waitress was incredibly nice and made sure my friend and I were well taken care of. We ordered the Bloodys 4 Two, which basically is fixings for two bloody marys, but everything was on the side so that you could create it to your liking. The fixings had bacon, cheese, a green olive and a pepperchini. The manager came to check on us too, to make sure everything was to our likings. (Love that!) My friend ordered the French Toast, while I ordered the Banana Chocolate Chip pancakes. The food was amazing! I can't wait to have time to go back again. I was a very happy girl :)
(5)Christy D.
best steak sandwich EVER - at 1st I was cranky because I paid 17 bucks for the sandwich and a coke and they didn't even give me napkins - sad face (because I ordered it to go) BUT then I "tasted" the sandwich - SO GOOD! Soft tender steak, mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese and a creamy horseradish sauce, HELLO sandwich I'm in love - I will be back :)
(5)Cassie J.
My experience at Terra American Bistro was pretty fantastic. The host and waitress were both extreme friendly and we were able to be sat right away. Even better than the service was the food! There is a variety of fresh, locally grown options that are deliciously prepared. As an appetizer we had the calamari which was amazing. I ordered the skirt steak and my boyfriend ordered the chicken and both were incredibly delicious with so much flavor. I have to say the highlight of the meal was the creme brûlée. The entire meal was so delightful that I will most definitely be back for more.
(4)Ron R.
I had given previously given Terra's a a 5 star rating but it seems to be slipping and I am changing to 3 stars. I would like to move to 21/2 but that is not available. The food seems to very depending on who is preparing it and the service is not what it used to be. They seem to have a bit of an attitude. At any rate it went from being our favorite neighborhood restaurant to we are not going back.
(3)Will K.
I'm very mixed on Terra American Bistro, thus the long delay between eating and writing a review. This is, absolutely what San Diego needs as far as food goes to define it as the unique and wonderful city that it is. The food was good. Very good. The service was great. We came on a resturaunt week deal, and the selection for this event was varied and not a paired down to make it economical for them. Thier choice of location also reaches into an east county-ish location, helping fill the general desert once you cross the 805. Why mixed? It seemed almost if the resturaunt was a second thought addition to the building, and if it were sort of a by product. I'm lacking, but just can't put my finger on it, and they don't seem to excel as much as they could. The lay out makes you feel as if they simply "found a building" and put good food in it. The service was great, but it seemed the servers didn't have that pride that many farm to table restruants have.
(4)Rida A.
Honestly, the food was far better than I expected it to be. I ordered the top sirloin, medium rare, and it was cooked to perfection. The steak was so tender and seasoned so well, it just melted in my mouth, which is a lot to say about a top sirloin steak. On top of that, the service was fast, and the desserts were delectable. The food was even presented in such a wonderful manner, I had a hard time tearing it apart. I had a few of their specialty cocktails as well, and they were not only unique, but very good tasting! On top of that, the price was very reasonable for what I got. The atmosphere is nice, and great for a date night or going out with a friend, or a group for that matter. It's very chic and sophisticated, which says a lot in comparison to how it looks on the outside. It's a very unassuming restaurant, and parking could be better, but it's a whole 'nother world on the inside. The proximity to my home makes this place a new favorite, and I can't wait to keep coming back and trying out their other offerings.
(5)Paige V.
I would say the food here was mediocre. Nothing terrible, but nothing memorable. What WAS memorable, however, was the owner Jeff. As you can see just by the way he responds to his poor yelp ratings, he is hostile, confrontational, and downright RUDE. As a business owner myself, I cannot begin to fathom conducting myself the way he does or treating customers/ clients in a way that is anything but warm and accommodating. I used to come once a month or so due to limited options in the area, and I would often meet a business associate there for lunch. This is not the type of business I wish to support. And I can't say I'll miss the food either. We will not be back!!
(1)Delphine R.
Just came back from Valentine's dinner and what a disappointment . The restaurant inside is very cute , full bar . The hostess was very nice . So they a prefix menu . We started with a shared fondue , it was ok , just 4 pieces of bread and pieces of green apple. Then we had the arugula salad with shaved asparagus and quinoa , it had no dressing at all, 2 small pieces of Parmesan. I didn't like it at al. As an entree, we went for the filet mignon and shrimps , it came with fingerling potatoes and brussel sprouts . It was so salty, the brussel sprouts were dry and not fully cooked. The desert was 2 strawberries covered with chocolate and some type of peanut butter with marshmallows .Best part of the meal my drink , strawberry, basil, gin and egg white . Bill was $135, really not worth it .
(2)Chris S.
We yelped and this restaurant came up first so we decided to try it. I would suggest reservations as this is a smaller place. The service is excellent from everyone. They are all friendly and personable. It's nice inside with cloth napkins and wood chairs and tables. We started with the Calamari which came in a fried shell which was delicious. I had the Lobster roll sandwich with fries and cole slaw. The bun the lobster came in was especially good. My husband had the Pot Roast with vegetables and potatoes. They do have a nice wine selection and lots of different beers. If you check in with yelp you get a free bread pudding. I would go back again. The owner came out to ask how we found them and thank us for coming. That was a nice touch.
(4)Michael C.
Went to dinner last night at Terra and it was amazing!! Food and drinks were great, and our server Nick was even better! Love the old tractor out front and the decor inside! Great place cant wait to go back!
(5)Jen W.
I'm not sure why I haven't already written a review for Terra...I guess when we first started going there Yelp didn't exist yet! We've been loyal customers since shortly after they first opened in Hillcrest (about 1999-2000) and gladly followed them to their current location. Chef Jeff Rossman has always been wonderful at what he does, but it seems like the menu gets better and better every time we dine at Terra. We just had dinner there last night and the short rib tacos were nothing short of amazing. The calamari was wonderful, the flatbread was also great. My kids wanted dessert so we ordered the banana bread and OMG it was to die for. They have a great menu of craft cocktails, many using their house infused spirits. They have a good selection of wines and local craft beers too. The service is always friendly and last night was no exception. From the hostess to our server, to Jeff walking around and talking with each table, the restaurant staff really makes you feel welcome. This is also a great place if you have kids in tow. The dining room is one big room that has a nice high energy level, so if your kids are babbling noisily nobody really notices. Or, in our case, everyone comes by and chats with them! The even have little magna doodle toys for the kids to play with while they wait for their food and one of the best kids menus I've ever seen! We are looking forward to hitting up the Sunday brunch at Terra again soon too, that is something not to be missed!
(5)Faye H.
Always great food, and love that it's farm to table in La Mesa! This place is popular with all of us crunchy folks at the nearby Waldorf charter school. :)
(5)frank b.
Emily give us a 5 stars service The food it was fantastic Thank chef Jeff for the great exspirience
(5)Sue D.
Terra never dissapoints! Today we tried Sunday Brunch, we had the Bloody's 4 Two - a personal bloody mary bar at your table, messy-fun-delicious hand crafted mary's (if you don't like what you create you can only blame yourself), the base mix was good on it's own and you get two generous shots of vodka (one pepper). If you order off the brunch menu 3 mimosa's come with your order (score) and the food is amazing. We tried the stuffed french toast with bourbon maple syrup (on the brunch menu) and I had the pulled pork and eggs with jalapeno corn bread (special). Both were so good we cleaned our plates. The Chef/Owner stopped by to see how everything was which was also a nice touch. Usually we go for dinner, the Pot Roast being one of our all time favorite dishes and I also love the beet salad and little pots of deliciousness. Sit at the bar and Evan will take great care of you, although, we've never had bad service at a table either. They have different house infused gourmet flavored cocktail's and good beers on tap too. High standard for food quality & freshness with thoughtful, simple yet intriguing and delicious preparation. Once you go to Terra , you crave Terra!
(5)Whatda F.
Im so happy this restaurant the bomb!!!! end of story. i love the american breakfast & asian chicken bowl. service is excellent Gam was the coolest, thanks for the great food. You will see this face more often.
(5)Steve E.
Great selection for Brunch. Recommend the short rib hash, stuffed French toast, and the pork belly corn bread cake with smoked Gouda chipotle sauce. The only thing that would have made it better is if the poached eggs were runny and not hard.
(4)Nina M.
We really like it here. The food was really good. The food that they serve were really hot. Seem like they really care about there food. We would come back next time to try different food on the menu.
(4)Julio R.
Nick was an awesome waiter. He provided my date and I with excellent service. The food was also delicious. I would definitely recommend the lobster Mac and cheese.
(5)David M.
Everything was perfect here, I must say. From the service to the dishes, everything was excellent. The sign outside is a little old school, but please try this place out!
(5)Randy B.
3.5 stars actually. I have to say that the decor of this place is a little outdated for the modernized treatment of their menu offerings. Hence 3.5 stars instead of 4. But the food has been very good with everything I have tried an item that I would order again. Truffle fries, burger, potstickers, flat breads, specials, etc., all prepared with skill & execution. Nice flavors, good use of spices, nothing i've tried is overpowering or bland. Interesting choice of location, but seems to always have a crowd, so people are finding it. A place I will be back to many times as long as they keep the standards of their food where it is now.
(3)Allison J.
Terra is a very welcoming restaurant. They are kid friendly, offering etch-a-sketches for every kid (they must have a stack of them because as we dined, they passed out at least 4 of them). The service was excellent (with the exception of the wait time for food, but I'll let this one slide as it was restaurant week and they were steadily busy). Food portions were very generous for lunch. Also, the selections were very healthy and promoted their theme of farm to table fresh items. The hubby opted for the burger and added a fried egg (for an additional $1). He's not a man of many words and described it as "not bad." I tried his fries which were delicious and I loved their housemade ketchup. I would suggest anyone order the brussel sprouts. It had a nice lemon and garlic tone and was cooked perfectly. My asian bowl with chicken was just okay. The sweet chili sauce was a little too much. If it was lighter in flavor, it would've paired well with the seasonal vegetables (broccolini and cauliflower) and chicken. I don't know that I would order this dish again but I would try their other bowls. And I'm disappointed the manager wouldn't honor the yelp check in for the bread pudding. There was no stipulation or fine print but the manager advised our waiter that since it was restaurant week, they couldn't honor it. And it's also disappointing that you can't order off their regular menu as it was restaurant week. They have a great brunch menu and regular menu so I would like to try that. Parking consists of a small lot in the back or street parking.
(4)Tamberly B.
This place has quickly risen to the top of my "yummiest restaurants in San Diego" list! My husband and I wanted to try something different for date night and he found this little gem on Yelp. Truly DELICIOUS food! We started off with the avocado and artichoke dip. A winning combination! So, so good. We also ordered garlic fries which were the BEST I've ever had. The garlic fries at Petco Park previously held that position, but these were easily much better than those. Plus they were served with homemade ketchup. I ordered the pot roast which came with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. I thought I made a pretty mean pot roast, but this one put mine to shame! We got a free bread pudding for dessert for checking in on Yelp and it was MORE than enough for my husband and I to share. SO GOOD. I was absolutely stuffed - in the best way possible - by the time we left this place. We will most certainly be back!
(5)Laura J.
My first time here and it was not a good experience. The food was under cooked. My boyfriend had the stuffed pork chops and I had the lobster mac & cheese. I had a couple of bites of the stuffed pork chop only to realize it was raw & not fully cooked. It was pink, not rare but raw! The top was cooked but the bottom was not done at all. We told the waiter and showed him & he apologized and took it back. The waiter offered him an appetizer while a new pork chop was being made. My boyfriend got the pumpkin ravioli but the edges were tough, it wasn't fully cooked. We didn't say anything because we didn't want to cause another problem. The new pork chop arrived and it was great and fully cooked. However when the bill we were still charge for the pork chop which I think should've been comped because it was rare and I finished my meal before my boyfriend got the new pork chop so we had to eat separately & had to be there longer than planned. The waiter was VERY friendly so positive for that and the atmosphere was great. Negative was the food being undercooked. Which lead to both my boyfriend & I getting upset stomachs. Nope, not a good experience.
(2)Dana F.
Service was okay, the waiter seemed like he had too many tables and was a little stressed out which made him forget about us and our order a few times. The table next to us got sat like 10 minutes after us and got their food before ours was out. One out items was the breakfast bowl which was good but was missing something. We also got the bacon avocado omelette which also was lack luster. The third thing our tae got was the short rib hash which was good but wouldn't come back for it. The last item we got was Terra's stuffed french toast which was good, crunchy, and sweet but the bourbon butterscotch syrup was too sweet for me so I asked for maple syrup and I liked it more. Overall it was okay but I would have rather went to Denny's and was disappointed that we didn't. Probably won't return.
(3)Denise T.
I've eaten here three times and have enjoyed each one. The first time was for dinner, I had the house salad and pumpkin ravioli appetizer. They were both delicious! The server was attentive and friendly. The second and third times were for lunch. I had a turkey sandwich with a salad. Pretty good, a little bland. Service was very slow unfortunately. Today I had the salmon special and it was really flavorful and nicely cooked. The polenta cakes weren't hot but I was too full to finish them anyway. The server was so friendly and attentive. Even brought my husband's iced tea without a lemon as requested which usually never happens and always annoys him. Lol. We will continue to enjoy this place. I'd love to see the menu change seasonally.
(4)Gladys G.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. I went in for appetizers and drinks one night and fell in love. They made an amazing lavender creme brulee and skillet Mac and cheese. You can not go wrong with any dish you choose and always pair with one of their infused vodka, mixed drinks.
(5)K Y.
I like this place. The food seems fresh. They have healthy options. The brussel sprouts with asiago cheese are great! The salads are great! This is a lunch spot for those that work at the university nearby. But, they were a little slow the last time I went. Service is friendly though.
(4)RM M.
The food is always great and I'm so disappointed in the way we were treated by our waiter. At first he was fun, cool and accommodating. Toward the end of our meal, he told us we needed to "check out" due to reservations. There were open tables so not sure why we had to leave. Then he asked if that was "PC" enough. So we called the manager over and she wasn't any better. Not sure who the owner of this great place is but you definitely need a new waiter and a new manager. It's almost like she (the manager) didn't care how we were treated as she made excuses for him.
(2)Loree D.
What an amazing experience!! We had a large party, celebrating a birthday. This can sometimes be a problem, slow service, separate checks etc.... Our server was excellent and exceeded our expectations. Then the food came, INCREDIBLE!! Everyone at the table was raving about their dish, we were all sharing and trying many items on the menu. They were all exceptional. I will be going back soon!!
(5)Ching-Yun L.
My mother and I came in here to try their $15 prix-fixe lunch menu because she was interested in trying the Asian organic rice bowl. We have come here once before, also for restaurant week. Last time, I remember the portions being small, food taking a long time to arrive, and it was nothing special. The only "memorable" thing I remember was that the host was wearing a really trashy-looking ripped up tank top with her undergarments on display. Hmmm...unprofessional doesn't even cut it. On top of that, parking is not very good. The lot can park about 10 cars total, so be prepared to look for parking on the street. No meters, though, which is good. The restaurant was nearly empty, as it just opened up for the day. It was a little before noon and they open at 11:30. I walked in and were surprised to see a few women sitting in the waiting area. As a party of two, we were told to wait "5 minutes" although it was obvious that there were plenty of tables open. We decided to wait. A few moments later, an gentleman by the bar area (perhaps the owner/manager) told the host to "seat the clients" but for some reason, even after a few more minutes, no one came by for us. Looking around at the seated tables, I noticed no one had any food yet. Since it was lunch time, and both my mother & I needed to get back to work after our break, we could not wait any longer. Call us impatient, but we only have an hour for lunch...so we thanked them and left. I definitely do not think that this type of service is normal. I did not feel welcomed at all and the server + food seemed to move very slowly. This place is totally understaffed. I think only 3 or 4 people work at this entire restaurant. So, instead, we took our business to Gingham, which had a better value for their $15 menu and wonderful service. The one redeeming factor for Terra is that everything is sustainable, organic, and farm fresh, which is an awesome philosophy. I really dig that and had high hopes for this place. I genuinely wanted to like it b/c as you know from my other reviews, I have a green thumb. I'm hoping the service at Terra will improve so that I can try it again.
(2)Anne Marie B.
Great food! Service a little slow when busy but waitress and hostess awesome. Great with kids.
(4)Jacquelyn L.
I tried to like Terra when it was in its former location, but I could never develop an affection for the place. The food was...OK. The service was...OK. The ambiance was...OK. But all those OKs didn't add up to enough to make me want to go there after the first few times. However, since Terra relocated to La Mesa, I've been there for both lunch and dinner several times because it's a great halfway spot between East County friends and me on the coast. Gotta tell ya, the improvement is remarkable. I've sampled several different dishes (flatbread and crab cakes are the stars), and it seems as though they've really stepped up their game. The dining room has a cozy feel to it, and the service is spot-on. My only complaints are that the noise level rivals that of a rock concert when it's busy. And here's what I wish the chef would quit doing: I love, love, love fish tacos, but yellowtail tuna should NEVER be in a taco. It's way too fishy and off-putting. I took one bite, removed the fish from the tacos, and finished them fish-less. That same night, my friend ordered fish and chips, and the fish was, again, yellowtail. He couldn't eat it. I hope the chef will catch on that a much milder fish (like cod) is far more appropriate. Still, that won't keep me from coming back. I'll just make sure I know what kind of fish the chef is sticking into his tacos before I order them!
(4)Lisa S.
Went to Terra tonight for their restaurant dinner menu. Overall, it was a good experience. Between my party we had the following: App - cheesy garlic flatbread, pumpkin ravioli, and wedge salad. The flatbread was the clear winner. Very cheesy and so flavorful. The ravioli were good...but nothing special. The creamed corn sauce tasted like it was out of can and the whole dish was luke warm. The salad was again, nothing special. Not your typical wedge salad and not really a good "different" take on it either. Entree - pot roast, chipotle skirt steak, and lobster mac and cheese. I might be biased here but the steak, which I ordered, was definitely my favorite! All the flavors melded together so well and the steak was cooked perfectly! The pot roast was very tender and also delicious. The lobster mac n' cheese was served with a whole lobster tail, great presentation, and good flavor. Dessert - (this is why I knocked off a start) eggnog creme brulee, banana bread pudding, and peach-champagne sorbet. The creme brulee was great, strong eggnog flavor. The banana bread pudding was a huge serving, served warm, and very good/rich. The sorbet has a very strong champagne flavor, if you aren't a fan of champagne, I'd steer clear of this option, but if not, my aunt loved it. I knocked off a star because as soon as we sat down our waitress informed us they were out of the truffles, sorbet, and had switched from persimmon creme brulee (what their online menu said) to eggnog. Our question was, if you're only going to prepare a limited menu, shouldn't you have enough ingredients on hand to meet demand??? My aunt expressed her disappointment in the lack of sorbet and somehow, magically during the course of our dinner, the restaurant had found a secret stash wayyyy in the back of the freezer... Anywho, my aunt got her sorbet but it just seemed like poor planning on their part. The restaurant is cute however, like another reviewer said, the restaurant can get quite loud with a packed house. The acoustics aren't great so I would not recommend Terra for an intimate date, or with guests that are hard of hearing. Also, parking is awful. Good luck on that front. Overall, the food was fresh, and mostly flavorful, and the service was good. A great neighborhood find. I will be back.
(4)Gil G.
I've been to Terra a number of times and more often than not have an awesome all around experience.For the main course we had the surf n turf and some type of seafood curry. Both were excellent!
(4)Kristen G.
My in-laws, husband and I came here to make up for our not-so-great experience at Bo Beau's Kitchen + Garden on News Year Eve. My hubby and I have been to Terra before and always had a good experience. Wedge salad is ok, it is literally a head of lettuce that you need to cut. It was good, just needed a little more dressing for such a large head of lettuce. We also ordered calamari, lobster mac + cheese, honey miso glazed fish, bistro burger and pork chops which were all hot and tasty. Desserts were delicious, I recommend the banana bread pudding. Will return in the future.
(4)Fernanda H.
What an amazing restaurant! The staff is so friendly and welcoming. The food is amazing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, they have it all. By far, one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. You should try it!
(5)Kris A.
Jeff, Why would I mention anything to my server or manager? The best opportunity to make it right was the first one. And they have no control over what comes out of the kitchen. Now, the only bitters I like are in my Old-Fashioned, so this is a response with hope: What exactly is "Farm-To-Table" about sad, old frozen (Reagan-era?) lobster sent here from Maine, when we're in San Diego? And the vegetables on my plate were like they had been scooped out of a bin swiped from a school --- the day before. (I'm serious.) My spouse (this was our anniversary dinner, by the way) had an entree off the daily specials menu. Given the same attention as the afore-mentioned vegetables. Maybe less.... We actually went and had another dinner for our anniversary at another restaurant a few days later just because the food that night was so disappointing. Want to make your restaurant reviews better? Get off the keyboard, and back in the kitchen. As it is now, you're simply killing your brand. I look forward to giving you a 5-star review someday....
(2)Angela B.
Came here for Mother's Day on a recommendation from a co-worker and I was not disappointed! The pot roast with mashed potatoes is to die for! One of my son's had the skirt steak and he devoured it within minutes. Although the place was busy, our waitress was very attentive and really nice. Customer Service is a huge thing for me. The price for the quality of food you get here is not bad at all! I have eaten at way more expensive restaurants and was not impressed! I'll be back!!
(5)Lee G.
To start off the food here is normally good. My reveiw is based on the service. Seated right away for our 8pm reservation by a freindly hostess. Good start. From 8-830 when we left not one person in the restaurant came over to our table. No water, no "we will be right with you", nothing. Both tables around us sat at about the same time and both had their food starting to come out before we left. Walked right past the waiters and not one of them acknowledged us as we left either. I would have gave it a 1 star rating but i have been here before and the food is normally good.
(2)Robert Q.
Food and service were excellent. Dinner was little crowded and noisy.
(4)chuck p.
Holy smokes, this place has great food. The location is a bit odd, but worth seeking out. Try their fish of the day dishes, so amazing!!! The only downside is they need to be bigger, because it's always busy with people wanting some good eats.
(5)Kurt K.
As a vegan, I enjoyed the cool, healthy options on the menu. Food was well done, atmosphere was enjoyable and staff was very friendly. I live just around the corner and plan to make this one of my regular places to dine.
(4)Renee O.
Yum! Everything tastes super fresh. I've come here once for breakfast and once for dinner now. Breakfast was great and it came with three free mimosas! Dinner tonight was really good. Nick was our waiter and he was great. His recommendations were totally on point. The basil martini was fabulous and if you like ginger, get the mule (but only if you really like ginger). The short rib anything I found is also a safe bet for dinner or breakfast. Overall, easy to park, good food and really friendly staff!
(4)Deb S.
Happy Hour at Terra. Honestly the food is good, but the portions are minuscule. Calamari and hummus appetizers were great, but such small portions. Potstickers looked ample, which is what my dining partner had. Maybe I'm just tight fisted when it comes to eating out but I hate to spend $5 for a 1/3 glass of wine, and $6-7 for appies that would not even fill a 3 year old. Sorry Terra.
(3)Laurie B.
I woke up thinking about last nights dinner! It was our first visit to Terra after hearing from friends how good the food was. Well worth the jaunt over to La Mesa...I had the pulled short rib tacos, which were filled with a plethora of tastes that were awe insuring! Finishing off with a desert called "Chocolate Grenache Cigar"...that is what I woke up thinking about! Wow! Our server Nick was a pleasure as well...highly recommend this place!
(5)Erica D.
We were extremely upset when we came this morning for an early lunch. After waiting to be seated the waitress didn't greet or even bother to acknowledge us. Finally when we were next to be seated - her menus in hand decided to pick up the phone and take a reservation - again Didn't acknowledge us didn't excuse her self and didn't even bother to tell the person on the phone please hold one moment. The whole experience was unappealing and in poor taste. This hostess obviously doesn't know common courtesy nor the basics of customer service.
(1)Peter S.
Love it! Service can get a little slow when it gets busy, but it is worth the wait.
(5)Suzanne R.
Love love love Terra! They have the most amazing, fresh, homemade foods! We love their weekend brunch. They actually make pre poured mimosas the right way! Just a splash of OJ, not the other way around. And let's hear it for ELLIE!!!!!!! Best bartender/server around! Always with a smile and talks to every single patron around her bar area! Oh and the bread pudding....ridiculous! So good! So glad Terra is now in our neighborhood!
(5)Jeremy S.
Wow, what a great restaurant! We found this place while scanning yelp and decided to try it out while my sister was in town from Vegas. We were immediately impressed by the look/decor and atmosphere. Very relaxed. Our server was Ellie, and she was awesome! Extremely funny and attentive, she wasn't afraid to flirt with me even when my wife was right there, haha! Mary's chicken was delicious, very moist and flavorful. We got some truffle fries, which were very yummy, my sister had the fish (sea bass), which she loved, and my wife tried the short ribs + spinach pasta. The last dish wasn't as good as the others... We ended with the bread pudding (free with yelp check in!) and it was delicious as well. I would highly recommend this place! Can't wait to go back!
(4)Christine V.
So good! So fresh!
(5)Michael L.
Family took me here for a birthday dinner. They had been there before and thought the place was amazing. Well not so much this time. Service was slow and the portions were small compared to the price. The menu appears to be a copy of Deborah Scotts C Level. Well next time folks go to the original. Terra is not worth the drive. I can see why they left Hillcrest. We wont be going back.
(1)Doug R.
Great meal! Fantastic service! Beer was very cold and good beers on tap! The people there are very happy too! Miss Ellie was the best server we had in a long time! The staff was on their toes! Service, Food Beers, 9 out of 10 just because of the location! If you guys moved to La Jolla I would be there a lot! The best bread pudding I have ever had too! I cleaned and licked my plate! I will be back! Thanks again for a great dinner to remember
(5)BCatherine N.
I love this restaurant. It is close to home for us, and is an "old reliable" for my husband and I. We have been here about 10 times now and have yet to have a bad experience. The food is always amazing, the servers are always energetic and in great moods and more than half the times we've been there the chef/owner has come out to ask us how we enjoyed our experience. We love farm-to-table on top of the fact that every single thing they serve there is made from scratch, including all the condiments. Being that I am now pregnant, I've missed out on all their delicious signature cocktails that I use to indulge in and now make sure to order dessert. I love, love, love the ricotta cheesecake and chipotle chocolate cake. No matter how full I am, I must get one of the two. We have a two year old daughter who isn't easy to take out to any restaurant, but they we are comfortable taking her here, for they are very accommodating to her restlessness. We have also brought other couple's to this restaurant on a "double date", which has been a great atmosphere for the occasion, not to add, that the other couple's have left very pleased with their experience as well.
(5)Bama C.
This place has amazing Pot Roast!!!! OMG it was amazing. The drinks are pricey but worth it. Me and the wife go here to blow 100 dollars for dinner and LOVE IT everytime!!
(5)Kayla C.
We ordered the coconut crab cakes, they had been cooked really well. I had the pot roast which was lean and tasty. My friend had the Tilapia which was a highlight for the evening and it was remarkable also.The costs had been decent and not overly high. Its a really cute spot and I know we'll be back to taste other things on the menu!
(4)Bridget S.
Food was delicious, happy hour $4 drinks were great but BEWARE of hidden charges and not-so accomodating staff. That place was bumpin' for a Wednesday night, but it was definitely an older crowd. Us late 20-somethings were an anomaly there. We sat at the bar and our bartender was friendly-enough. However, we asked if we could substitute more vegetables for our potatoes and the bartender responded only "sure no problem". Once we got the bill we noticed a $2.50 misc charge, when I asked her what this was for she went into a long rant of how vegetables are more expensive than potatoes so "of course they'd cost more money". I gave her some "feedback" telling her that she should tell customers that in advance instead of leading us to believe it was not a problem. She then responded with a big attitude, did not apologize or offer to remove it from our bill. This was also after she pushed us to order ice cream, meanwhile she at first said "i'll try and sneak you a taste of it". Overall, excellent food but this place gets only 3 stars due to the rude staff and the bartender's attitude and how she was not forthright with charges.
(3)L K.
I really loved the ambiance of this place. The neighborhood is nondescript, residential and then you step into this really well put together space which was packed but not overly noisy where you couldn't just slip into your own conversation at your table. We tried the melon infused water (delish and light), charcuterie (some sausages, cheeses, cured roe --very tasty), top sirloin with avocado mash and chimichurri and the "Karl Straus" pot roast which our server said was one of the house favorites. The meat was soooo unbelievably tender on the sirloin and pot roast. And though we barely had room we also had the chocolate cigar and banana bread which were incredible. Compliments to the chef!! Worth the drive from LA, and facing 405 closure on the way back :) would definitely come back again for food and service.
(5)Donna L.
OK... Loved it! Terra was recommended to me by a friend with the same cuisine tastes. Another friend was visiting from the Corona area, I had always wanted to try Terra's so off we went. She loved it too! Great selection of unique foods, very reasonably priced. The staff was EXCELLENT and the atmosphere was very relaxing. Oh yes, and a nice wine selection. Even the house salad was far above an expected "house" salad. Highly recommend Terra.
(5)Casey B.
One of my favorite brunch places! Do not miss their stuffed French toast; THE BEST. I can't eat stuffed French toast anywhere else without thinking to myself that Terra's is better. Complimentary mimosas, fresh food, amazing prices, not as crowded as other popular brunch places. Even though we had a large party we had amazing, accommodating service. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Dan H.
Although the food and atmosphere were good, the service is what stood out to me. Not only the hostess taking extra time despite a very busy restaurant but the owner/manager visiting each table was a nice touch. The Acai water was amazing as were the desserts.
(4)Sonia W.
I work in SDSU area and had a craving for organic veggies (which are more difficult to come by than I'd realized in this area). After searching online and making some calls I landed on Terra American Bistro. Although they didn't have exactly what I was looking for on the short menu that they offer between lunch and dinner, they were happy to make me up a dish with seasonal organic veggies (squash, tomato, brussel sprouts, onions, bok choy, and apples) cooked in garlic and olive oil over a bed of quinoa. It was delicious and totally hit the spot. I am happy to know of another place close-by that serves food that is locally sourced, organic, sustainable, and treated lovingly. Just switched my 4 stars to 5 to skew the average in their favor since they get extra credit for being proper (organic/grass fed/farm to table).
(5)amy h.
We eat mostly vegetarian so excited to find another restaurant with enough vegetarian choices in La Mesa. The food was dynamite - try the tofu bowls with either quinoa or brown rice ( you can have fish or chicken instead too). Also great desserts! Nice place-very comfortable. You could even have a date here - fancy enough.... Hope lots of people come so will stay open. We eat out a lot.
(5)m w.
Food was delicious. I loved the salad of mixed green, sliced root veggies, kumquats in a Thai-tasting, lemongrass dressing. Mmm. Mmm. The restaurant is new to this location and you can still feel that some of the staff is still getting used to stuff. The hostess never greeted us, but kept her nose in the computer as she looked kinda stressed out and asked if we had reservations. Also our cocktails took a while to come to the table. I think these things will get better over time. My only real complaint is that there are televisions in the bar and dining areas. I don't pay $20 an entree to watch tv. I can do that at home (or in a sports bar if I were a sports-bar type.) I dine out to get away from the electric buzzes of life. (I hope the owner reads this and thinks about a change.) I will definitely be back.
(3)Janice B.
The food here is very good. I would like to make this a regular place for lunch and/or dinner and drinks. There is a man working there that almost seems as if he'd rather not have any customers. He was our waiter when we went for lunch a few months back, and our bartender the other night. He was not very friendly, and seemed downright irritated with the pesky chore of retrieving drinks and taking food orders.
(3)Matty C.
TERRABLE should be the name because that's exactly what this place is! I should of realized when I walked in on a Saturday night at 730 and there were 7 tables of people in the restaurant but oh well on to everything else. We sat down and were handed 5 different menus! Really 5? Can I just have 2 food and a drink menu? So we started off with three appetizers the skillet fries with short rib, the calamari and the short rib sliders which were all good. The fries could have a little less truffle on them and a little more cheese. The other two appetizers were good and nice presentations. Now let's get to the worst part of the meal the entrees. We ordered the chicken with quinoa, the chipotle skirt steak, the pork chop, and the pot roast. Pot roast- no flavor at all horrible dish. Chicken- something was off about the dish, I can't really put my finger on it but the flavors just didn't mesh. Pork chop- had excellent flavor and was cooked perfectly the problem with this dish? The beet risotto was just gross. Risotto is one of my favorite foods but this was just awful Chipotle skirt steak- looked like crap on a plate. Way to much going on on that plate and I have no idea what that potato quesadilla was? Mexican knish? Now to service server was nice but I noted in my reservation that it was my mothers bday and it was noticeable with the cards on the table. But she was knowledgable on the menu so that's a plus Note to the chef- use salt and do simple food. You can't execute fancy dishes so please stop End result i shouldnt have spent 160 on a bad dinner!will I go back here? Probably not and if I do only for the appetizers but that's it.. I'd much rather go to Coronado to Leroy's where they have excellent food for the same price point!
(2)Terri M.
Service was horrible. Our reservations were for 6:45, but we were not seated until after 7:05, even though there were at least 8 empty tables. We had told them right away that we had show tickets at 8, so we ordered as soon as we sat down. (having looked at the nenu in the bar). It took 30 minutes to get our meals an we purposely ordered salads, due running so late. Nothing had to be cooked! We will not be going back. No ambience, very loud and quite expensive.
(1)Greg W.
First time there last Friday night Not much to look at from the street, but a trendy atmosphere inside. My girlfriend and I shared seafood soup, chipotle seasoned scallops, and a skirt steak with vegetables. All of the flavors were very good, but a couple of the scallops were overcooked and the veggies varied as to how much they were cooked. Still a pretty nice meal overall, just not as good as I had hoped for.
(3)Mary H.
The food is superb. An unexpected jewel on El Cajon Blvd. Nick served us and didn't miss a beat; knows the dishes well and took care of us. Flavorful, fresh food with fair prices. The ambiance is refreshing too; no airs, nothing ostentatious, no gimmicks...just great food that speaks for itself. The chef should be proud. Again, it's a jewel.
(5)Joanne S.
Freaking amazing food! So so good! We come here on dates, or with our son, it's good for both. I love the organic and conscious food choices. Absolutely the best food, great atmosphere, comfortable and not snobby. A gem once you find it!
(5)J R.
O.k. this place is out in no mans land between the city and east county...culinary wild west...reminds me of 30th st ten years ago. Chef Jeff is the vangard and Terra is well worth the short trip. Food is better than DT or LaJolla, half the cost and none of the pomp. This is farm to table ground zero....infused spirits, inventive from srt to finish. Had scallops ina fig sauce that was out ot sight. Figs? Go figure...had a building heat that left me wanting more....the farm salad has a keefer line dees that is best of the year...took a bottle hm. Yellow tail for main course w/ lobster risotto....seriously, Jeff brings heat, bite and zip to everything....Terra has some subtle touches usually found only in higher end places,,,like a choice of plain or flavored water...On Fri it was mango...light touch and refreshing...this place is drawing, so make a reso...getting shut out is a drag
(5)Boss C.
hands down best breakfast place in la mesa. and best breakfast place in san diego to give complimentary mimosas on SUNDAYS with every breakfast dish ordered. i mean just delicious, i love their breakfast skillets. superb!
(5)Ilene Z.
I would give 2.5 stars for service and 4 for the food. It took a while ( more than 5 minutes) to be greeted by the waiter on a Tuesday evening. Our water glasses, beer glasses, wine glasses and cocktail glasses were forever empty and we had to ask for refills. Aren't they interested in selling drinks and increasing check averages....you'd think. The waiter who took the order is not the person who delivered anything and they apparently have no system for seeing that the right person gets the right item. It sounded like the manager/runner/whoever the guy was delivering stuff was auctioning off the items we ordered.......who gets the beer, who gets the wine etc.... Not professional. It is easy enough to have a system so that the person delivering the items knows who gets what. What happened at Terra I would expect at Applebee's. The appetizers tasted great but the pot stickers and calamari were not hot enough, like they sat in the kitchen window for a couple minutes too long. Beet salad was great other than some grit in the lettuce.....In fact the waiter told us the longer than expected wait for the salad was due to grit in the lettuce another table had informed him of. Well, they still hadn't cleaned it well enough for our order. We ordered fish and it was excellent and hot. The sculpin with thai noodles was delicious and plenty of food. The halibut special was also delicious and plenty of food. For $24-ish, I thought the value was definitely there. You would easily pay $35 for these dishes downtown or in Hillcrest. The showstopper was the bread pudding, also very hot. Unbelievably delicious, I would have ordered another one. The chocolate cigar is a disappointment but it did go well with the bread pudding. I don't get the appeal of phyllo dough filled with melted chocolate. Most of it just ends up in a pool on your plate. But soak it up with bread pudding and you've got something special.
(3)Erica F.
Terra is my favorite restaurant. They are truly a leader in sustainable restaurant practices and that is why I will continue to give them my business. The service is outstanding every time I go. I do recommend reservations because it can get busy. Pros: *Nightly specials for dinner and dessert. *Great Service!! *Staff is knowledgeable about the menu and will happily find out answers to any dietary questions. *Homemade Ricotta cheese... Yumm.... *Fresh Daily Made Soups, *Their Brie quesadilla-- To die for. *Lemongrass Lemonade *Fresh Infused Waters *Small Portions (a Pro because it reduces waste, no need for to-go containers. It also reduces the cost. I don't want to pay for leftovers.) Cons: *I never hear any Vegetarian specials! So I am limited to the menu items. I haven't asked yet if they have a day that they include a Veggie Special. If they do, then I would no longer count this as a con. *No breakfast?! I will gladly sacrifice breakfast at Terra, if they truly need that time to prepare fresh offerings for their lunch and dinner menu. I just think that they could do an awesome job with a breakfast menu, and I hope one day to see it. :) *Truffle Oil (only a con if you hate it) Watch out for this menu item. It is a delicacy, but one my palate cannot appreciate. It just smells/tastes like feet to me. It made an appearance in the Mushroom Soup I ordered. So be sure to ask before ordering, because they have it in the kitchen and will use it! *For their lobster offering, they offer Maine Lobster. According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, it is a 'Good Alternative' to the worst choices possible, but it is not one of the 3 'Best Choices' possible. Maine Lobster is classified as a 'Good Alternative' because there are concerns with how they're caught or farmed--or with the health of their habitat due to other human impacts. The 'Best Choice' Lobsters are abundant, well-managed and caught or farmed in environmentally friendly ways. Hopefully someday, Terra could use a 'Best Choice' Option.
(5)Liz B.
Really was hoping to be able to give more stars, since I am so happy they opened out here, but didn't love the unfriendly manager who gave us serious attitude when the waitress had problems splitting our check. He was at our table twice and neither time was he friendly, helpful or professional in attitude. Decent food, GREAT new location, probably won't make a return visit after the way we were treated.
(2)Nathan H.
I wish I could remember our waitress' name. damn...
(5)Moris A.
An absolute delicious lunch!!! Take time to taste the full favors of American food made to order !
(5)Kimberly S.
This was our first visit to Terra and what a pleasure it was! Great food, great drinks, and excellent service by our waitress Emily. She was so gracious and knowledgeable....a refreshing change after having had a couple visits to other restaurants (not related to this one) where we received poor service. My steak was perfectly cooked & the garlic mashed potatoes were buttery & super yummy. We ordered two desserts, both of which were spot-on. We're SO EXCITED this restaurant is in our neck of the woods. We always wanted to go to the Hillcrest location but didn't want to deal with parking. We already plan on going back this coming week. This was our best SD dining experience in quite awhile!
(5)Sharon J.
My friend and I entered Terra at 6 p.m. on a Sunday night. Asked if we had reservations and were told we would have to wait at least 10 min since we did not. When we ck'd back and were then seated there were 3 groups of people at various sized seating arrangements. We counted 16 empty tables. At seeing we were being seated at a 2-person table we asked for the 4-seater next to it. Oh no, we were told, that one is reserved. We left at 9 . . . the table was still vacant. The waitperson asked us if this was our 1st time. My friend said yes. The waitress turned to me w/the same question; i replied I had been here before. From that point on she did not acknowledge my friend's presence. I said to her "you must be invisible." It was NOT funny!! I have been to Terra several times since their move bc I keep hoping I can like it again as I did when it was in Hillcrest. Alas, such is not the case. The service was poor, their policies weak, the food was good but pricey, and the list could go on. HOWEVER, note as you browse through the other reviews that there are great inconsistencies in diner experiences. Nothing could be more fitting!! It is the most inconsistent service, food and user-friendliness that I have encountered throughout the year it has been in business in La Mesa . . . and THAT is consistent when dining at TERRA. Skip it. I will from now on!!
(1)Daniel L.
No essay here. Great food, Great service, Great price. We started with three appetizers, then Seared Sea Scallops and Chicken, and finished of with some bread pudding. We were full, happy, and were going back 100%!
(5)Dave W.
This is actually a comment on the recent review of Terra that appeared in the U-T. For some unknown reason I wasn't able to post this directly on the U-T site: I've been to the "Terra-in-the-wilderness" location several times for lunch, and a few times for dinner. I tend to agree with most of the other commentators--our beloved U-T critic is showing her "west-of-the-805" snobbery about eating out here in "East SD." For the Del Cerro-College Area-La Mesa-and-points-east crowd, Jeff's relocation is a godsent. Sure, it has it's little glitches, but overall it continues the terrific tradition of the Hillcrest location. Recreated on the site of a very old, and very red sauce Italian restaurant, Terra East has a great and refreshing ambience, and the same menu is tweaked to a more casual experience. Please Missy, stay west of us Eastsiders (as a certain population in the LA area describes itself). ....and, yes, it's that kind of place where making a reservation for dinner is a really good idea...it's that popular.
(4)Martha M.
A group of 11 of us dined at Terra on Sat. night 1/25/14. It was a special event. All was going well until an older guy (manager?) approached our table in a rather hostile tone saying that we could not sit where we were because the wait staff couldn't get in to process their tickets. He wanted our large group to all be squeezed together. He made some remark about the chairs were too big. I asked about moving us to another table and he said all of them were reserved. Well, we had a reservation too! He was quite unpleasant and seemed unwilling to accommodate us, even though the restaurant staff had seated us there. We considered leaving and going elsewhere because of his attitude. Fortunately, the hostess quickly came over and we just moved the table down a few inches and all was well. Although he still complained that then we were blocking the Emergency Exit door, which we weren't. This guy should not be allowed to deal with customers. He is bad news. Our waiter was wonderful and the food was delicious but I'm not giving the best rating because of the old, negative, confrontational guy. Watch out for him! :(
(3)Sarah E.
Terra Restaurant was far more than I had hoped for, they went above and beyond for Restaurant Week. I've ate there just before and that is why I took benefit of the week specials. Service was outstanding and food was just the proper serving size. Undoubtedly might be back.
(4)Wendy H.
I love this restaurant! My husband and I went to dinner here after a recommendation from a friend that raved about it. They have great dinner specials, such as 3 courses for $20.00. The food was great, the ingredients were organic and the meat was humanely raised. Each dish was unique, fresh and delicious. The drinks were great too, loved the flavored water. The restaurant is cozy and intimate and nicely decorated. Kind of a diamond in the rough as far as the neighborhood goes. They have off street parking which was nice. We will be going back.
(5)Nicole P.
So I was struggling with giving this place 5 stars because El Cajon/La Mesa REALLY needs places like this so we don't have to drive down to North Park or Hillcrest, but there were just a couple of things that bugged me. The b/f and I were looking for a new brunch spot today (I wanted to try Tractor Room but too far) and I stumbled upon this place on Yelp, quick look at the online menu and off we went. I called ahead to make sure they were still serving breakfast (it was 1130) and also if they were serving lunch (the b/f had spotted some things on the lunch menu). Yes on both. Yay!!! Arrived at noon, there were 3 or 4 couples seated along the wall with the booths, a couple at the bar, and an elderly couple right in the middle of the restaurant in a tiny two top. So the hostess sits us literally two feet away from the elderly couple with a tiny table. This probably wouldn't bother most people but the place was almost empty and I would prefer a decent size table (the b/f is a big guy) and a little privacy if the place isn't packed. So I asked if we could take one of the booths on the wall (there was a four top in the corner and a couple of two tops). I was told they were "reserved" but the hostess probably sensed my unhappiness and let us move to one of the two tops. We had a young man as our server (I'm pretty sure he was new) he was a little nervous but extremely polite and attentive. We started off with mimosas made by our server. $3, not bad. Plus I think the juice was fresh. I really would have liked less OJ more champagne but I can't minus a star because I'm sure if I would have asked the server he would have been ok with that. We were given breakfast menus and a "specialty weekend lunch" menu. When I asked about the regular lunch menu we were told it was only served during the week. Bummer. They had some interesting items we were hoping to try and the "specialty" menu only had about 5 items. I ordered the veggie benedict. The eggs were cooked to perfection. It was delicious. A little overload on the potatoes, but hey, leftovers! The only thing that bummed me out was that I didn't really taste the thyme hollandaise sauce. The b/f ordered the short rib hash. Again, overload on the potatoes, we would have LOVED more meat and possibly another egg to balance out the ratio. The dish was delicious though. Tons of flavor (rosemary I think). Eggs, again cooked perfectly. We also ordered the Lobster BLT sliders off the specialty menu as an appetizer. It just looked too good to pass up. This is the only dish I was disappointed with. They were 13.50, which is ok, but we were told it was 3 sliders. It was only 2, the lobster was EXTREMELY dry and we couldn't even taste it. A lady had come by earlier and told us about their nightly specials, which included Friday night Lobster and corn on the cob for $19. I was really looking forward to trying that, but not if it is dry like today. Overall: Seating issue aside, extremely friendly staff. Mimosas were refilled as needed. Food came out fast, and it was fresh and hot. Loved the poached eggs! Will def be back to try dinner sometime!
(4)Matt M.
I really enjoyed the food, atmosphere and service. Great selection of beer. Lobster mac was good and hummus was wonderful. We didn't have any issues with service nor did it appear anyone around us had issues.
(4)Anita Y.
So I have had great experiences here for both breakfast and dinner. Everything is local and somewhat organic depending on whats in season and believe me you can taste the difference in the food. I went here with my sister yesterday and they offer a WHOLE lobster, side salad, and corn on the cob for 23.99 and it was amazing!! My sister ordered the sea bass which I tried also amazing. Also check out their seafood chowder it was just the right texture not to creamy at all which is what I prefer. This place gets 5 stars not only because of the great customer service but because i haven't gone to a restaurant where my appetizer, entree and dessert were all simply extraordinary! Def. going to be back here soon!!
(5)Kenny H.
For the record. Terra is awesome. The food is out of this world and its at normal prices that make me wonder why the heck places that don't serve local/organic foods charge me so much for my meals. I always made fun of my wife for eating organic food and would get frustrated when she came home with it when it costs twice as much as other food at the grocery store. I was skeptical when our neighbors recommended Terra but went to humor my wife. After eating there it has become our favorite restaurant in San Diego with easily the best tasting food. Next time you are about to drop 15 to 20 bucks on a plate at Chili's or Friday's do something new and don't listen to whoever on this site allowed Terra to get a 3.5 star rating. Hah it's actually after seeing that rating that I had to put a review on here. Also, get either of the steaks they serve here. They are out of this world. -Converted ex-hippie-food hater This place is the Bomb
(5)Patricia P.
My husband/son took me here for Mom's day. The food was so fresh. I had the sea bass and it was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the freshest and best meals I have had in a long time.
(5)Laura K.
We went for Sunday brunch. The omelet with fresh veggies and homemade sausage was to die for! The best omelet ever! The potatoes were perfect...crispy brown on the outside, moist on the inside...delicious! And....mimosas included with brunch! Who could ask for more?
(5)Susan M.
We are thrilled that Terra has moved to the Rolando neighborhood, much nearer to us--the area needs a restaurant like this, with great food and super friendly service. The chocolate cigar dessert is to die for. The place has become so popular that you almost have to have reservations, especially on weekends. Our only complaint is that it is quite noisy; when we were there on a Saturday evening we were with someone who is very soft spoken, and it was very hard to carry on a conversation. I wish they could do something (carpet, perhaps) to deaden the noise a bit. From now on we plan to go early or on weeknights.
(5)K M.
Noisy, noisy, noisy, and really.... who serves french fries with fish tacos? I miss the old Terra restaurant.
(1)natasha h.
Service here was excellent. Hostess was super friendly chatting it up with everyone she sat and explained the difference between all of the menus. We arrived around 4:45 pm and it was empty but by the time we left the restaurant was full. The menu really had a little bit of everything...red meat, seafood, pasta, veggie dishes. Our server was very helpful and honest. She knew everything about the dishes and when I asked her about a specific drink she was honest and said she'd never had it before but has heard good things. That was nice to hear because most servers would just say "ya that's great, its my favorite". The bf got the skirt steak with some weird potato quesadilla thing underneath which was great. For the price he definitely expected a little more meat though. I got the salad (house i believe?) with feta, candied pecans (best i've ever had) and a vinagarette. It tasted great but very difficult to eat! Might sounds ridiculous but the leaves were so huge i had to cut the leaves in thirds just to fit it in my mouth which i'm not used to doing with a salad. I also got the white truffle flatbread which was great. Overall our experience was great, the food and service was excellent, until we got our bill. WHOA. $62 for 2 people. Now i'm not cheap or anything, but i've never paid that much for a meal...IN LA MESA. Not even at Gingham. We were both a little blown away. I'd expect a bill like that maybe downtown but not on El Cajon Blvd. With a bill like that we usually have enough leftovers for lunch the next day but we left with no leftovers. I admit it is our fault for not really checking the prices before we ordered but we kind of figured hey how expensive can it be its on El Cajon Blvd...We'll be back because the service and food were great, but next time we'll pay a little more attention to the prices. Overall Terra is a great farm to table restaurant with an attentive staff and simple decor...with a downtown price.
(4)Brittany S.
Loved it! Cute inside! Food is amazing! We will be going back. Service was great! We ordered fish and chips & pork roast....delicious! Nice find in La Mesa!
(5)Josh N.
Honestly one of my favorite places to eat! You might have been to Terra before back when it was in hillcrest (hidden next to Trader Joes)... it was good but nothing to write home about. They seem to have revamped everything. New place (on el cajon bld), new staff, new creations, everything is "seasonal fresh" on the menu. Everyone is very friendly (even the chef/owners come around to talk to everyone), waitstaff is on point, and I don't think i've had something there I don't like. I would recommend something on here, but when you read this and go in; the menu will be different again. (except the chocolate cigar for dessert - which has always been there and is awesome) The only thing that kind of makes me laugh is that Terra is a hipster borderline restaurant, hence you will see things like water infused with i don't know... mint, mango, basil, cambodian thyme, Tibetian peach leaves... (ok i'm just making things up now... but you get the idea); which is really cool and good, but funny to see along el cajon blvd. Oh yea, and this place can get pretty booked up, so I recommend making a reservation.
(5)Diana C.
Be aware that this place does not take the Entertainment Card 2012 even though they are in the book. The people were pretty nice, nice ambiance, but as the manager explained the Entertainment dilemma she called me a liar. That made us more upset than the original problem.
(3)maryann r.
we have been several times and as someone else stated it is up and down and some things are great and others barely make it. I don't understand it. the bread, the hummus spread are so good. the food is good but it just lacks something. such a great start and then it just sort of fades out. 5 of us were for dinner the last visit and only one of us really cleaned the plate. that was the lobster mac and cheese. the brisket was way past tender and good but was tasty and the latkes on the plate were awesome. the service is spotty. not sure if that is the fault of the waiter or the kitchen. the soups and bisques are really good. we really want this place to succeed but some things just need to come up a bit. the flavored water is a big hit and so good and the one quesadilla on the menu is just great. the lavender creme brulee is just exceptional. they are so close to being really good and it will be such a shame if they can't just get over that hump. it is always crowded when we are they so people are appreciating their effort. first of all for just coming to this neighborhood they deserve much applause. we keep going back because it is so nice to have a restaurant of this quality but they need to just kick it up a bit. EACH item on the menu needs to be great. some of the wait staff is a bit slow and that drags the meal on to very long lengths. too long between courses. the noise level is pretty high when full so doubt it would be good for a large group. very hard to hear each other talk.
(4)Linda S.
We 've been to Terra Bistro a number of times. It's one of the few good places to eat in East County. I started out loving the place, but the attitude of hostess/owner/staff turned me off, especially when I shared difficulties with seating on two occasions. That said, we took my father-in-law there for his 90th birthday. Alison, our server, redeemed Terra and we will time our visits to her schedule. She served our table of seven with personableness, efficiency and candor. As soon as we placed our orders, she summed them up for confirmation, simply from memory. She checked frequently, in an unobtrusive way, to see what we needed (water, dessert menu, bill). My father was in the restaurant business in the '30's and he trained me to understand what to look for and expect in staff. I have to say for a young woman, Alison hit all those checkpoints with exceptional marks. I haven't seen a server as gifted as she for a very, very, very long time! Thank you, Alison :-) Perry Sr. loved the breakfast! Linda Shipman Lakeside
(5)Nicole R.
Such enjoyable tastes for the tongue, a yummy experience! Portions aren't big, so don't go in expecting to pig out, but the taste will more than make up for it.
(5)Ed T.
The VERY Worst restaurant experience I have ever had. Rude wait staff and manager. Way overpriced. Has a $4.00 per person charge to share a pizza. Spoke to manager regarding the price gouging of the $4.00. Manager was VERY rude and could have cared less. I walked out along with my dinner party. I will Never recommend this restaurant, However I will be sure to tell everyone I know to NEVER eat there. I will go to a restaurant where my business is appreciated. Hopefully they won't be is business long. Rating F-.
(1)Adrienne S.
I've been wanting to go here for awhile now and yesterday decided I'd try it out! So, I went for lunch and O.M.G. I loved every aspect of it. I walked right in, no reservation and was sat practically immediately. The staff was very friendly, everyone smiled, my server rattled off the specialties flawlessly and offered suggestions (all of which I think is important since I work in the industry as well). I ordered the Peppered Turkey Melt and chose the handcut Bistro fries. I about died when I bit into the sammy... the chipotle aioli, brie, and peppered turkey combo is awesome! The ketchup is insane, it tasted like there was cinnamon or nutmeg in it, which was so surprisingly good! The atmosphere was a little cookie cutter, but I still think it was done well. It wasn't too loud or crowded at 2pm when I arrived. I will definitely be suggesting it to everyone I know to try it!!
(4)Sohiroshi C.
I am generally not a fan of American restaurants because the food is usually the same and the flavors are mediocre. However, the dishes we had at Terra were surprisingly good. I didn't expect much but I have to say my experience here was great. Opened only for two weeks at this new location, the restaurant was packed at 7pm on a Saturday. I am not sure if it's the location or the price range, but the crowd at the restaurant was mid-age or older. We were the only young group in the entire restaurant and the chef and servers checked back frequently to chat with us. Definitely worth trying if you're in the area. BTW, there is parking in the residential area just behind the restaurant so parking is a breeze.
(4)Amy L.
The service was a little slow, but the staff was amazing! Food was to die for! Lobster mac and cheese is a for sure!
(4)holly h.
LOVED this place. My husband and I bought a house out in the college/Rolando area last year after living at the coast for 5 years. We have been exploring the area trying to find something other than the local college dives and came across this place. First off, the location couldn't be better. I mean, this is an area that is going to be teeming with young adults as the older folks move on and out of the area. In our year of living here we have noticed many of our senior neighbors moving out and into retirement communities and young couples moving in and buying the affordable housing that is abundant in these neighborhoods. Having a restaurant like this, in this location, is a very smart move on Terra's part. Not only was the food and service amazing, but the vibe of the place is really cohesive to what is happening in this area. Also, the farm to table concept is always appealing and sustainable and organic food is very much sought after in our home, so we were very eager to eat here. Food: I am a vegetarian and it took me forever to decide what to try, the waitress was patient and knowledgeable and steered me in a fantastic decision on the "tator tots" (not at ALL what you would think of as the traditional "tator tots") and I chose the flatbread Bistro pizza (roasted pepper pesto, asiago, goat cheese, gorgonzola, mushrooms, basil) over the veggie sliders, but I WILL be back to try the sliders and the pumpkin ravioli and the ricotta crostini and the brie quesadilla and the salads...you get the point. There were lots of options. My husband had the fish with ginger-soy glaze, stir fried vegetables, wasabi aioli, brown rice pilaf, and he made the eye-roll he does when he tastes something fantastic. I tried some of his veggies and they tasted like had been grilled instead of stir fried, a big plus. He said the fish was so flaky and flavorful and would be ordering that again. For dessert we split the lavender crème brulee, which tastes as it sounds...the lavender was present and was very earthy in the crème brulee. I wouldn't say it was bad or amazing, but it was interesting. Drinks: We had some of their infused vodka drinks, both very good. I had the Kaffir Lime Cosmo and he had the Tamarindo, which is his new favorite drink. Spicy and sweet, a really good blend. I'm very interested to try the mango sorbet next time. Good local beers on draft and in bottle. Service: Outstanding, I said that earlier, the waitress was very attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. Food was fairly quick (not that we care too much about fast dining) and everyone was friendly. Ambiance: The only reason I give this 4 stars is that the ambiance was a bit open and loud...there wasn't a lot of buffer for noise so it kinda felt like a cafeteria. I don't mean they should get all "Shenanigans" on the place and hang crap all over the walls, but some type of cushion for the acoustics is needed as it was hard to have a discussion with all the other voices drowning out everyone else's voices. That's great that it was busy and they had a good crowd, but there was no blocking the noise and it seemed like we could hear every person's voice except our own. Maybe hang some fabrics or something? I don't know, I'm not a decorator or restauranteur, but some type of something is needed to make it a bit less acoustic and echo-y. Price: About typical to what you'd expect at a place like this, $10 for cocktails, 10-18 for meals and tapas, but they had some great happy hours deals and an early dining 3 course meal for $20 (no vegetarian options listed, but I am hoping they will let you substitute a veg entrée). We are also going to go back for brunch and will probably become regulars here due to the quality of the food, service, concept, location, and the fact that they give you a "rewards" card, so every $100 you spend you get $10 back as a credit to use on your next visit.
(4)Andi E.
The food is excellent, though a bit pricey as indicated. The owner/chef is clearly proud of the restaurant's commitment to local farmers and sourcing, and has schooled his staff in pointing out that fact to diners. Taste and presentation lived up to expectations; the atmosphere is simple, as suggested by other reviewers, and the full bar helpful for parties that include lovers of beer and wine along with those committed to the harder stuff. What would I change here? The pour on the wines -- way too little -- and the choice of wine glasses. A restaurant with such good food and a decent wine list should muster a more elegant glass and a much more aggressive pour!
(4)Gina P.
My friend and I had Appetizers and drinks there on Saturday night and OMG this place is Amazing the food is out of this world!!!! We had the Pumpkin Raviolis and the Potato Brie Quesadillas are a must we will definitely be back!!
(5)Skip F.
my wife and i went on a Saturday nite and they were busy we made a reservation with our yelp app (open table) so were seated with in a few minutes of arriving at the restrauant...everyone is very friendly...decor was nice...as others have said not big fan of the TVs but i understand why they have them....they noise level is pretty high but that is sort of normal for a open dining area next to there bar....service was good our waiter was knowledgeable and friendly now the food wine selection was good... pumpkin ravioli: great dish really liked the flavor combo.. taste like a savory pumpkin pie... very nice beets and greens salad: great dressing wasn't crazy about the way the beets were prepared but over all very good. lobster mac n cheese pretty good.... lobster bits were a little on the fishy side but slipper lobster tails aren't Maine lobster... good portion over all good dish fish and chips.... just fish and chips ...great portion chocolate cigar: wife liked it ...i thought it was okay overall Terra is a good solid restaurant with some quality dishes and is a great addition to the Rolando area i will be back
(4)David C.
We used Terra to cater our wedding at DiamondView Tower this past weekend. The food and service were terrific. They helped us create an Asian and Mexican station and all the guests absolutely loved both. Thanks Terra!!
(4)Mary D.
Four of us went to dinner the other night. The reservation I made on-line at their website did not work and the message I left on the reservation phone line was not returned. We were seated, however and the hostess was very nice. Our waiter was clueless. We had to ask for water and iced tea refills. He did not know the price of the special and never did find out the risotto special. I ordered the fish special, yellowtail, and it was really fantastic. My meal is why I rated this 2 stars instead of 1 star. Out of 4 meals my fish was the only good meal. My friend ordered the sea bass which was raw and cold in the middle. She sent it back and it took almost 45minutes for her to get her meal. When we asked the waiter about it he said it will come out when it is ready, My husband had a burger and fries, the burger as just ok and the fries were the worse fries we have ever had in a restaurant. He complained and they brought him more fries that were cold and small and just as bad. The last person in our party had the pot roast which was fair; salads were mediocre. The mini lavender creme brûlée was fantastic and should have been comped and was not. Overall our night was pretty disappointing.
(2)Megan B.
I had been to Terra many times in Uptown for breakfast, but never for lunch - and never in their new location in La Mesa. From the exterior, the building looks like just any other ordinary building in a commercially zoned district - then you enter in to an entirely new world with tasteful decor, great ambiance, and more! The salads we ordered were amazing...(I had the Farmer's Organic Salad with grilled fish...perfect who knew you could do THAT with a salad...but Jeff Rossman did! I highly recommend patronizing Terra - a terrific addition to the Blvd. We are so happy to have you in this neck of the woods!!! I will definitely be going back!
(5)Alley M.
PROS: I went here for my birthday and really enjoyed my meal. -We made reservations and were seated as soon as we got in the door. -Decor is rustic and charming. It looks like Terra has been in this location for a long time...in a good way! -Our waiter was extremely courteous and attentive. -They focus on local, sustainable ingredients. -Water provided (as requested) is "snazzed up" by infusing fresh fruit flavors. We had canteloupe-mint water. I almost liked it more than my wine. -TRY THE SANGRIA! Original, fresh and tasty! -The lobster mac and cheese was very very good! -My husband LOVED his miso seared fish (I think it was Ahi). CONS: -It's pricey so I cannot go all the time. -Parking lot is tiny and street parking is crowded. -The lobster is flown in from Maine! Come on- use local CA lobster! It's got a smaller carbon footprint, is sustainable and fits in better with the ideals that Terra promotes! Thanks to the owners for replying to my review. I had to try with the local lobster plug. :D
(4)James A.
This review is for both Terra's catering service and restaurant. Terra was our caterer for our wedding and we were blown away by the creativity and quality of the food that was served at our wedding. My wife and I wanted a menu that symbolized both our heritage and we gave Terra some idea of what we wanted. Chef Jeff came up with an incredible menu that surpassed what our original ideas were. From the hor d'oeuvres (Lumpia, Diver Scallops, Truffle Mac & Cheese) to the soup course (She-Crab Soup which was a favorite amongst the majority of the wedding guests) to the dinner course (Portuguese Prawns, Short Ribs), everybody had quite a unique and delicious dining experience on our big day. The wait staff was extremely attentive and as a really nice touch, they had one waiter specifically assigned to my wife and I. Lisa, our catering contact with Terra, was a pleasure to work with and handled a very nervous groom superbly! As for the restaurant, my wife and I love the new location and look of the restaurant. We started with the Steamed Carlsbad Black Mussels, which were well-portioned and delicious. Next time, we going to order one each since we had a hard time sharing just one bowl! My wife had the Iron Steak for dinner and she enjoyed tremendously especially the Yukon Mashed Potatoes. As a burger fanatic, I had the Bistro burger and it was delicious, especially the use of the brioche bun and the homemade ketchup that came with the fries. It was definitely a pleasureable experience that we'll be coming back for more soon!
(5)Su B.
I have to say, the food here is wonderful. It is a shame the waiters and waitresses are horrible!!!!!! It is sad that this restaurants food is so high quality but the staff is ruining the place. On 3 separate occasions, i had an absolutely horrible experience. The 3rd time was the charm and my party and I ended up walking out of the restaurant after ordering our drinks. The restaurant was not busy one bit, as a matter of fact, half of the table were unoccupied. We had to wait 15 minutes for a table, then once seated the waiter came to our table with a very rude and unprofessional attitude. As much as I love the food there, I just cannot deal with the service. I went as far as to email the owner and he was very nice in his response. I hope the owner can get his staff in order because they are doing no justice to his business!!!!
(2)Walker S.
If you are a "foodie" this place is heaven but, sadly, Terra's is on a downward path. Thankgiving day, four of us shared a prix fixe, 2:30 seating. I had the cold rice salad, turkey ala king and coffee with my mini-trio dessert for $55 per person including tip. A full crowd filled small tables, packed tightly together at Chef Jeff Rossman's new location in La Mesa. While waiting to be seated I read his awards on the wall, restaurant of the year in 2010, and admire his cookbook for sale, and see his upcoming "cruise" experience you can join. The delightful hostess calls us forward to be seated next. No, a mistake, sorry, not ready, go back and wait. Ten minutes later we are seated, butcher paper, real cloth napkin, cafeteria spoon & fork. Tables are as close as Junior's in Grand Central Station; be careful about swinging your elbows too wide less you hit the water glass at the next table. Regardless we are here for the food experience so on to the first choice, soup or salad. I had the "salad", a small bib lettuce leaf covered with a cup of cold rice veggie mixture. I'm hungry, it goes down fine as I think of all the great salads I've had and those I will be having somewhere else. Then the main course, a small plastic plate, one scoop of mashed potatoes, one scoop of dressing, all covered with a turkey ala king mixture. The transparent gravy glaze shines as it covers the holiday food mass turning everything into one single taste note that lingers even now, 12 hours later. I pick through the pile of foods finding bones, gristle and other things to push to the side. Even so, while eating, some bones and gristle actually make it into my mouth and must be removed. I wonder what Jeff was thinking; he was tweeting from the kitchen; too late to ask for the gravy on the side, no this is a dish to remembered and to tell others about and to be very very sure to avoid. Oh but dessert, yes; three small delightful creations with a taste and texture that simply could not fight through the grave aftertaste. Good lord, I am thankful that this Thanksgiving meal is finally over. Jeff, you get two stars because (1) you were restaurant of the year last year and (2) there is always hope.
(2)Kevin O.
I came here today for my first visit to Terra. We came for brunch and it was really very good. I had the Breakfast Quesadilla and my mom had the American Breakfast. My dish was good though not something I would rush to order again. It needed a little more "umph" to it -- it was a little bland. However... the service was excellent and the coffee was really tasty! I'm looking forward to coming back and trying other items on the menu since so many of them looked really interesting. I may even come for dinner tonight! ;)
(4)Erika O.
Great neighborhood restaurant and although it is a little more upscale, I still okay bringing my 2 year old daughter and 2 month old son. Love how they have grilled chicken, veggies and mashed potatoes on the kid menu and the menu is a magna-doodle :). Had the chef's salad a few months ago and it was one of the best salad's I have ever had. Ordered it again a month later and not as good as I remembered, but it was okay. Love the nachos - kind of random, I know, but the cheese is amazing. They took them off the menu for awhile and my husband and I were super bummed. Glad to see they are back!!!
(4)Christine S.
Friendly staff when you walk in and at bar. Only down side its you need a reservation to be seated. The food is hearty but not huge portions.
(4)Melissa S.
This place offers so many amazing options it was nearly IMPOSSIBLE to decide what to get. I ended up getting the Tuscan pizza, side of mashed potatoes, and the lavender creme brulee. I nearly died it was so good. The staff were so nice (we came right before closing, not knowing the closing times) and they didn't seem to mind one bit. Our glasses were never empty because the wait staff kept refilling it (HUGE PLUS!!!) and the waitress only had great recommendations for what to order. I was surprised to learn that they get their ingredients from local farmers and they had so many vegetarian options. I wish I lived in San Diego just so I could go here for dinner every night! If you are thinking about coming here, DO IT! You won't regret it.
(5)Keith H.
Our first experience here was pretty good, but the last one was pretty bad. Unfortunately, we also had a guest from out of town and he shared our disappointment. When you order medium rare and it comes out well done, there is really no excuse. Also, the lobster in the lobster mac and cheese was actually bad, like rancid bad. I will never go back.
(2)Lauren C.
I'm on the fence about this place. The food seems to range from ok to good. The desserts on the other hand are consistently very good. The hostesses here are rude. One in particular needs to be fired and is hurting business. The atmosphere is fine, but I feel like they are rushing you - overall, the people aren't very welcoming. I may return to Terra, but for now I've had my fill.
(3)Ken M.
Tired of driving downtown or La Jolla to get a better than typical East County coffee shop faire, I Googled Quality Dining East San Diego County and got Terra. So, skeptical, we went last Thursday night and were floored to find fresh and great food in.... La Mesa! Or is 7100 block of El Cajon Boulevard San Diego? Don't know, don't care, the experience was great. I had the Skirt steak with quesidilla and it was FABULOUS. My wife had the Pot Roast and reluctantly shared a bite with me as she was declaring it too FABULOUS. And fall off the fork tender. Great food in a casual atmosphere ten mintes from the house and no tourists! I have a new favorite restaurant and will be working my way through the menu over the next few weeks. Did I mention the parking is easy, staff not pretentious, atmoshere kitchy and the salds were good? I could go on and on but..........I gave them four stars only beacues it was a bit loud. They could use some noise deadening soft goods hanging around, or perhaps some carpeting. But.... no place is perfect. I give the food a five and the space a 4 which would be a four and a half but Yelp does not offer a half star.
(4)Shannon D.
The service was ok, not fantastic, but ok. They serve a lot of organic vegetables and "free range" meats, but not organic and my friend took me here for the purpose that it is farm to table. Farm to table does not mean organic and free range has nothing to do with organic. The pumpkin ravioli was delicious! We shared that as an appetizer, and then the citrus chicken and quinoa for dinner. It was good, but nothing that can't be duplicated at your home. It was just good and the chicken plate was 19.00, which is a little expensive for what you get, it is just a chicken breast. The vegetable serving (the only organic part of the dinner) was SMALL, four small slices of squash. The quinoa was good, but it is quinoa, not exactly difficult to prepare and it came bare, did I mention it was plain.... For those not familiar with quinoa pretend someone slapped some plain white rice next to your chicken and then expected someone to say WOW DELICIOUS! Nothing wrong with either but not a taste sensation. It was a nice meal, but not worth the price, and we were a little mislead, I expected more of an organic selection other than vegetables. The top of the menu states that their meats are humanely slaughtered which has nothing really to do with the raising nor the diet of the animal. I would go back to try other things on the menu in order to give it a fair shot, but my first time going was really just ehhhh, not great, but not bad. Have to add this in, is it possible that a chef cannot know that poultry and beef can be certified organic?????? His response to me was that there is no such thing....Really? Try Google big guy........There are much, much better options in nicer parts of town where you dont have to park your car down the street and tip a local crack head to watch it for you, but if you like that kind of thing tubs n suds is a hop away.
(2)John P.
We were guests for a Christmas Day dinner and were disappointed in the entire scenario, especially the food. The lobster bisque was thin, watery, fishy and tasteless. Certainly not a proper lobster bisque. The prime rib was tough, fatty and not prepared as ordered, medium and medium well, not rare. It was covered with a thick white goo, that was advertised as horseradish sauce, but was merely a coverup of not-well-prepared beef. Another guest at our table had the ham, which arrived cold. Yet another had the porkchop, but no steak knife to cut it and it too was tough. No bread or rolls were served with the appetizer or the meal.When asked, the waitress unbelievably said the "bread was all used for the stuffing" for the roast goose. Water and wine glasses had spots on them and were being washed by the bar staff and waitresses as we watched. Some of the still-spotted glasses were placed on our table. Then, after this dismal food experience and finally enjoying tiny dessert portions, we were being rushed out to make room for the next seating. All in all, a poor experience at a restaurant that allegedly prides itself for good food and service. They did not appear to be prepared for a festive event, to be enjoyed by their patrons. The meal was not worth the price on the menu. A good restaurant doesn't have a bad day, but this one did. We won't be back and won't recommend it.
(1)Lisa T.
Rolled in on a Sunday evening after a 3 day bender only to see that the place was PACKED, but the incredibly cute hostess offered us seats at the bar and we were starvin so we bellied up. Orded beer and the tots...oh yummy yum they were delish! then came the 'chick pea spread' aka HUMMUS, scrappy coco LOVES the hummus and this was about the creamiest best version EVER...and the bread was soft with a chewy crust, although I would've eaten that hummus off of a piece of cardboard it was THAT GOOD! Bestie ordered the pot roast and when I say it was as good as my moms, then you know it was damn good cuz if you know my moms, then you know! Kept seeing the chefy-owner greeting the tables and schmoozin',which I thought was awesome, he's super cute too. I ordered the flatbread bbq chicken pizza and was happy to actually taste the chicken. Any version of this pizza at other establishments tends to be too saucy or cheesy and the chicken tasteless so I was beyond happy that the chicken flavor sang through...the dough was simplistic and tasty, with just enough crisp. I am seriously lovin this place....sorry for hillcrest's loss and rolando's gain. Score one for my hood! p.s. props to the bartender who was super nice and friendly and to the cutest bus boy ever who shared our affection for clase azul....
(4)Lis D.
I stopped by Terra's for lunch yesterday at their new location on El Cajon Blvd. I never knew of this restaurant when it was in Hillcrest (I guess I live under a rock). We split the Veggie Cobb Sliders and their special of the day, a Salmon Wrap. Both were TO...DIE...FOR!!! Each came with a delicious side - their hand cut bistro fries arrived with a homemade ketchup (sweet and tomatoie), and the fruit salad, which consisted of blueberries, cantaloupe, melon, strawberries, was fresh, none of that gooey fruit you sometimes get at restaurants. We also had the orange flavored water... water never tasted so good! I can't remember the name of the dessert we ordered but it was full of berries, ice cream and deliciousness. We met the nice and friendly chef who I hear always introduces himself to his clientele (nice touch). The only thing that bums me out is that I couldn't fit in anymore food, but I plan to return tomorrow for the breakfast, and on Sunday, 4/17 for the College Area Taste. I don't care if I sound like a fanatic, I really loved this place!
(5)Aaron L.
Fresh, fresh, fresh. Delightful lunch with 2 other friends. The food was amazingly fresh. We all got different selections. My BBQ rib sliders were tasty. French fries crispy and seasoned just right. 2nd friend got chicken pasta special with peppers. It was just the right amount of "spicy-ness" that gave it a rich flavor but did not burn you mouth when you ate it (she let me taste). 3rd friend got seared ahi tuna salad that she said was the best she ever tasted. I didn't taste her's because I am not a seafood lover. Probably my favorite was the skillet mac-n-cheese. We ordered it as an appetiezer but I could have eaten the whole thing and been satisfied. Their lemongrass lemonade was very refreshing. All in all a great dining experience. Will definitely return with husband and other family members.
(5)Ali J.
I must preface this review by saying my boyfriend and I are VERY into spices and add a lot to all our dishes we make at home so this review may be a little subjective based on that knowledge. We walked in for our 7:30 reservation a little late but the hostess was very nice and took us right to the table. We loved all the decorations, the farm tools on the walls and canvas art (not sure 100% if that's the right material) on the ceilings. Nicely done so far! Our waiter was Steve and he was very attentive, very helpful, and prompt. Gave us lots of good suggestions and some delicious guava flavored water. Hello why didn't we think of that!?!? We started out with an appetizer - the spicy peppery calamari. The spices and sauce were absolutely delicious and loved the presentation on the slate plate. We thought it was the best thing we had all night. The salad was just a house salad, plain and simple. We loved the dressing but thought it could be a little more exciting. That would be our fault for not ordering a more exotic looking salad, so no points off there. Steve suggested the lobster mac and cheese and honestly I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. I think it was the fact that is boasted asiago, brie, and havarti cheese sauce so maybe I was looking for more of a cheesy bite (I lived in France for awhile so my palette may be skewed to French tastes) but the sauce that was on there had NO flavor. I felt bad adding salt and pepper since this was supposed to be an amazing dish! The local veggies were my favorite part, but I don't think that was supposed to be the take home impression. The lobster bits were good, but small-ish (maybe its not lobster season- my fault again). My boyfriend ordered one of the specials, the banana leaf baked fluke or summer flounder as we were told. I tasted it and it was ok, I liked that it was moist but again, flavor just lacking here. We tasted a little bit of the preserved lemon but definitely no sun-dried tomatoes in the couscous. We ended with the vanila creme brulee (I loved it, BF not so much, said it was too sweet but he's more of a savory guy). Granted, it could've been one of those nights they were a little off so we are planning on coming again to see if things get better...maybe the burger and beer night on Tuesday (come on Chef Jeff, we need a veggie burger addition!). We will definitely be back since we live so close but going to try new things next time.
(3)Jennifer B.
Went there for the first time to their new location over the weekend. It is a cute little place with a small menu but it does offer variety. Everyone I went with was happy with their dishes. I had the sea bass which was good. It wasn't anything out of this world and was a little on the dry side but still pretty good. I liked that they served it with brown rice and a muted wasabi sauce drizzled on the fish. The sauce is what saved the fish. The ahi appetizer was good and my friend who had the veggie penne enjoyed it. They serve the table warm bread with a hummus spread which was very good. I do like how every weekday they have a dinner special ranging from lobster night to build your own burger night. I will go back to give something else a whirl but it is not on the top of my list to immediately return to. Overall it is a good restaurant and will give it another shot to hopefully "wow" me with the next go around. Oh, and a suggestion to the management, you may want to invest in a couple dozen black linen napkins to accommodate the guests who are wearing black and wish to avoid having white napkin fuzz all over them for the remainder of the evening.
(3)Josie P.
Food was AMAZING!!!! I think it is important for the chef to know that we enjoyed his food. The service, however was disappointing. The waitress was very nice, but there are too may servers who did not know what they are doing. There were two people walking around; I think they were supposed to fill your water, we wouldn't know since that never happened. We were disappointed to have the entrée come out before the appetizer, then they ran out of the dessert without telling us. They assumed that we wouldn't know the difference between a berry crumble with coriander ice cream and an apple crumble with whipped cream. We tried to send back the dessert but the server didn't know what to do. She had to ask another server how to bring it back, it was weird and tense. Our waitress was apologetic but by that time we were ready to leave. A woman, probably the manager, came to our table asking if she could do anything for us, but we just felt that we were done. Food was great but the the service was a deal breaker. Sorry.
(2)Marcie B.
Great service, satisfying food. A great place to relax with friends or family. Good to have Terra in the La Mesa neighborhood.
(4)Paulette G.
My new favorite restaurant. I am one-by-one taking all of my friends to Terra to experience the wonderful food and friendly atmosphere and of course the Chocolate Cigar!!!!
(5)Noel F.
I came here for Restaurant week on Thursday night and couldn't have been happier with Terra. The service was amazing. The hostess/waitress kept coming up to us and making sure everything was great throughout our meal. The portions were more than generous. Both the steak and the yellowtail entrees that we ordered were amazing! Will definitely be back!!
(5)Joanne E.
Holy Scallops Batman! This Farm to Table Restaurant serves it up! Our server was knowledgeable and answered my many, many foodie questions with a smile, she did not rush us despite a packed restaurant. She made excellent recommendations. We started it off with Calamari served sweet, not rubbery, fresh and not deep fat fried, Mac and Cheese appetizer so cheesy perfect and nope it is not orange and out of a blue box. The drinks were infused vodka martinis, yummy and not overly sweet, Mai Tai's and beer. Our dinner part was SCALLOPS the size of a woman's palm with a delicious tangy mushroom sauce that balanced the sweet scallops, other diners had steaks both flat iron and skirt and a flat bread pizza with grilled onions and mozzarella cheese. And all declared them amazing with the skirt steak being called the best steak he'd ever eaten out. A highlight for me was the opportunity to chat with Chef Jeff about half way through our meal. BUT were we done? NO! If you go for nothing else go for the MOST amazing desserts. We shared lavender infused brûlée perfect in texture and flavor and Meyer lemon and strawberry angle food cake that came WITH salted caramel sauce AND a biscotti! This dessert is seriously not kidding and not exaggerating the BEST dessert I have EVER had in my life. It caused my non foodie husband to stop talking just have a moment to savor the taste. And YES this is a LOCAL Farm to Table Restaurant so you should expect to pay a reasonable amount of money to enjoy top cooking techniques with the BEST quality local food. Please consider that the money you spend that day or night is supporting a local east county restaurant, owner and employees, and local small farms within 60 miles of the restaurant. And those of you who live in east county know we do NOT have enough quality restaurants in our county and if you wanted a top meal you had to drive! So save your pennies, stay in east county, make a reservation and find a reason to celebrate perfectly prepared local food! I know I'll be back because this is my new favorite restaurant.
(5)Damon P.
My wife and I went to Terra American Bistro for the first time tonight and we were very impressed. The staff is amazing and extremely knowledgeable about the menu and the whole mission behind Jeff's vision. I thought the prices were reasonable for the quality of the food we were served. My wife had the pot roast and the meat was extremely moist (which is a problem with most eateries) she loved everything but the gravy. I think the stout beer was too much for her. I had the Grilled Flatiron steak with the Port wine reduction ordered medium. It came out a little less than medium rare and in most cases I would have sent it back but it was so tender and flavorful I couldn't do it. Not only that, you could tell the quality of the cut of meat. The wine reduction sauce was absolutely PERFECT. We both started with a cup of the Fish Chowder that was extremely flavorful and we split a house salad that in most places would be a premium salad. No iceberg and shredded carrots here, Cranberries, nuts, crumbled bleu cheese and an absolutely wonderful light dressing. Here is the thing that really impressed the two of us the most. When food is cooked right with proper seasoning before it is served there is never a need for salt and pepper. We have been to restaurants that didn't even have it on the table you had to ask for it. We never touched the salt or the pepper. I had a chance to talk with Jeff's Aunt and am looking forward to the day I can talk with him. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen at home and love talking with chefs who have the passion for food that he obviously does. If I can update the rating after a few visits and they are as good as to days it will be 5 stars for sure.
(4)Jeff C.
The food was amazing and the service just as good. I found the resturant to be clean and welcoming. This would be a great place for a date or even a business dinner.
(5)T B.
We were really sad when they moved from Hillcrest because Terra was one of our favorite restaurants to pop into when we are out shopping in Mission Valley with our dog. The food is amazing and always cooked perfectly, especially the seafood. The lobster mac and cheese is out of this world! I also LOVE how dog friendly all the staff is, they even have a "dog menu" so you can order treats for your canine pal too! We will definitely be going to check out their new location in El Cajon soon!
(5)Jason H.
Farm to Table...ok, I get it. Exciting right? Finally a restaurant that has the right idea. However, I guess my expectations were set too high. I've known of Terra for years but have never dined. When they moved out to the La Mesa area there was all this hype surrounding it. I get that too. Our reservation was at 6:00pm on a Thursday, we arrived 10 minutes early and approached the hostess stand to inform the hostess that we had arrived early for dinner. She was very flustered (sp.), hands full of menus sliding down her arms as she walked away from us as if we had inconvenienced her by arriving 10 minutes early. When our table was ready we were sat. Our two boys were each given an etch-a-sketch which had the kids' menu attached to the back, clever. Nice touch, keeps the kids busy. After reviewing the kids' menu they decided on the pizza and my wife and I began looking over our menus anticipating great things. When our server arrived at the table we ordered the pizza for the boys. She stated, "Oh, well we uh just changed the recipe for our pizza dough so it's a little different and we don't have any sauce for the pizza so it'll just be cheese and dough. Is that ok? No, that is not okay I thought to myself. Shouldn't the hostess have let us know when she handed us the menus that the kids' pizza would not be available this evening? We asked her to give us a few more minutes so the boys could make their second choice. They decided on the grilled cheese sandwich. My wife had a question about the Thursday Night Special, the Rib dinner that came with freshly made onion rings and grilled romaine salad. "How is it? What do you think about this dish?", my wife asked.The server stated, "I don't like ribs so I couldn't tell you. I hear it's good, but if you want to order that you'd better do it soon because we're almost out." Hmmm. So, Thursday night. Should be a decent night as far as level of business. It's only 6:00pm. There are only maybe 4-5 other tables in the restaurant that have been sat. Almost out of the Nightly Special? Poor planning on the Chef's part. She ended up ordering the Ribs and I ordered the Yellowtail, it sounded good. I asked if I could replace the brown rice with extra vegetables...Server,"Well, we don't make any substitutions on the menu. If you want extra vegetables you have to pay $3.00. Organic vegetables are three times as expensive as regular vegetables so it'll be an extra $3.00." I said, "You know what, just leave the rice off of the plate. Thank you." The food arrives...BHUM, BHUM, BHUM. Grilled Cheese, made with what appeared to be bread you could pick up at your local grocery store. Not even cut in half just sitting there on the plate hardly toasted with too much cheese, made for a soggy sandwich with below standard effort on presentation. Ribs, nice. Done well. Great seasoning, salad and onion rings were perfect. Yellowtail, guess what was on the plate? You guessed it. Rice. I flagged down our server and reminded her that I had asked for no rice. Her reply was, "Oh I thought you said you wanted the rice." By the time my Yellowtail made it back to me my wife and kids were almost finished with their meals. I felt like I was going insane. One thing after another. I have been in the food industry for 15 years and I must say that this was one of the biggest let downs. We will not be back. I do hope, for the sake of longevity that the operators of Terra take a step back and make the proper adjustments in the level of service they provide as well as take a look at the overall message they are sending to the customer that allows them to keep their doors open.
(1)Phyllis S.
My husband and I were excited that a restaurant had opened in the La Mesa area and we decided to give it a try. We made a reservation and decided to go early for a cocktail. The bartender was very unfriendly, the dirty martini was a combination of old olives and old olive juice and the request for cocktail onions was met with a glare and a delivery of teeny onions with no taste. The hostesses were unable to seat us until the wordy waitress was finished with another party. When questioned why we couldn't just be seated and enjoy a bit of bread with our cocktail she told us they did not do seating that way. We ordered an appetizer but after waiting a bit our waitress told us our order had been over cooked but she would "steal" another and get it to us asap; the manager would give us a "surprise" on our bill. The food was pleasant but the rating this restaurant received was puzzling. We won't be going back.
(2)Bernadette J.
It surprises you with it's location, but Hilcrest and Downtown SD are so over-saturated with restaurants. It's so refreshing to see this farm-to-table dining in our neighborhood! The lobster mac and cheese is amazing and so is the strawberry-basil crust-less cheescake. The cocktails are also quite delish! The chef comes around and visits each table, too, which is pretty cool. And we know they get their produce locally because our friend who works for Suzie's Farm delivers it! Last thing... for what it is, the pricing is really reasonable.
(5)Betty W.
I noticed one of the reviewers mentioned that as older people move out of the Rolando area and younger ones move in, this restaurant is perfect. Well, I am an older person who moved to the Rolando area 3 years ago and I love Terra. Don't assume this is just for the young set, as a matter of fact most of the customers when we went (early on a Friday) were older. We enjoyed the ambiance, the service and the food. We will certainly return. I also noticed many people mentioned noise. Perhaps it was because we were there VERY early that noise was not an issue. When we walked in there were some people seated at the bar, none at the dining tables. We were the first to be seated, and yes, as others came in they were put immediately to our right and left, but that did not bother me, though my partner was a bit put off by the people with a young child sitting on my right. Kids don't bother me as I used to be one myself. I would say, go here and support a place we are fortunate to have in the Rolando area.
(4)Scott M.
I cannot say enough on how Terra went above and beyond our expectations. We had Chef Jeff cater our wedding this past weekend and the food could not have been better. Everyone was ranting and raving on how great the food tasted and how impressed they were. Between the appetizers, the salad, the pastas, the seafood, the chicken, the steak, and the desserts...EVERYTHING was absolutely PERFECT!! Aside from the food, we worked with Lisa to develop our menu and set everything up and she was THE BEST! From Day 1 she was so personable and really got to know us and our particular tastes and the theme we were going for. She was there at the reception to make sure everything ran smoothly and she was terrific. I feel like this review does not even give them the justice they deserve so in closing I will say that if you are ever looking to have an event catered, you would be doing yourself a huge diservice not to hire Chef Jeff, Lisa, and the rest of the Terra crew!
(5)A. B.
Tried Terra for the first time this evening,with my wife, to celebrate a promotion. We were greeted nicely, but were told we couldn't sit at a window table because we were a party of two. There were not many occupied tables and it was only 6:00, but whatever. Ordered drinks, my beer came in minutes, the waitress said my wife's wine was not poured yet, so my wife sat for at least ten minutes with no wine. I asked the waitress again for our wine and she repeated, in a rude and snippy tone, "He hasn't poured it yet!" and went on her way. We sat for a minute or two, put money on the table to pay for my now warm, untouched beer and left. Very disappointing since we had heard from friends how nice Terra was. Had the waitress apologized for the delay in a pleasant tone, we would have stayed even if the wine took a little longer. Sadly, not a good first impression and we will not return. Had a great meal and service in a little Italian restaurant in downtown La Mesa instead. Celebration dinner salvaged!
(1)Jonathan L.
Great La Mesa spot for lunch. A little higher-priced than your average El Cajon Blvd. fare, but amazingly fresh, great chicken sandwiches, and amazing iced tea. Great spot for any special occasion or nice farm fresh and organic night out
(5)Robin K.
What a great place! Quite a bit of variety, too. From the pork belly appetizer, the miso-glazed tilefish, beer and goat cheese salad....to the wonderful wines by the glass. Staff is very welcoming too!
(4)Nancy B.
What a fabulous meal. The pot roast was tender and very tasty. The service was friendly and the atmosphere was energetic. The chef even came out and chatted with us. I will definitely be back. A real gem in East County.
(5)Lauren H.
What a great hidden gem! Found this place on yelp and decided to meet a client here for a lunch meeting. Driving here I got a little nervous because of its location but as soon as I got in the door, I knew the place was legit. Awesome fresh local food with a decent beer selection. The staff was very nice and recommended some good dishes. I ended up getting the turkey melt and was not disappointed. Great Yelp find!!
(5)Brittany M.
I really like Terra! From the ambiance to the service, everything is really nice. Location might throw you off a little, but the inside is lovely. Mac and cheese is so delish. I had The Bistro flatbread and it was perfection. I love all things chorizo. It took a while to get our food, but this was my 2nd visit and I will be back.
(4)Sharon G.
We had a very nice lunch at Terra today. Chef Jeff came over and said hello. I had the fish bowl which is wonderful and Alan enjoyed his burger with a salad. He cleaned his plate.
(3)Mary H.
I've been here twice now. We started off with the brussels sprouts. Nicely done and very flavorful. As my entree, I had the salami flat bread. I thought it was a bit bland and needed a little something else. My partner had the stuffed pork chop. It was moist and perfectly done. There was plenty of food left over for tomorrow. Great selection of wine and cocktails, too.
(4)Keechi K.
This place is really great, the service is amazing also. I would recommend trying the garlic fries with homemade ketchup sooooo great,huge amazing turkey leg yummm and the skillet mac n cheese (heavenly). The flat breads are verrrry tasty also, another customer recommended i try the pork chop, so i will get that next time. The entire experience was awesome.
(5)C M.
I dined here with a foodie friend for lunch on 4/2. The whole experience, service and food, was excellent and we will be coming back for sure! We started with an order of the garlic hummus which came out in a small jar, on a wood board with a generous portion of toasted bread. This was an exceptional bargain, at $2 or $3! And the flavor was fantastic! The lemon really made this extra delicious! For our main entrees, I had a steak fettuccine that was a special that day. A generous portion of sliced steak, great flavor, perfectly cooked (just under medium). Top notch, I would absolutely order it again if it were on the regular menu. My friend had the California chicken sandwich with truffle fries, which was also outstanding. The crushed avocado was an especially unique and flavorful touch. We shared a bowl of the tomato basil soup which was good, but nothing to write home about. We finished off our meal with the banana bread pudding with bourbon butterscotch sauce... WOW.... highly recommended. I want to mention our wonderful waiter Nick. He was beyond super! Made wonderful recommendations, and even pointed out that if I did a yelp check-in, the banana bread pudding was free! SO AWESOME! We enjoyed our meal way past the close of lunchtime (lunch service ends at 2), and at 3:00 there were still a few tables occupied and we were not ever encouraged to leave so they could prep for dinner. That's the way to do it. Great food, great service. Nice ambiance too... especially for the neighborhood...it was a very nice surprise. We'll be back!
(5)Erica M.
Fabulous, creative food and drinks. Non-boring, gourmet vegetarian options!
(5)Paul M.
I've been going to this location and it's many different businesses for as long as I can remember (my parents tell stories about me going in as baby and making a cracker mess around my high chair). I have to say Terra is probably the best restaurant I've been to there. I moved away from the college area a couple of years ago and was in the area so I thought I'd check out what restaurant was in the old location. I'm soooo glad I did. I really don't know where to start. Let's do service first because everyone there was extremely friendly and helpful. Our waiter Gamaliel was not only helpful, but made several suggestions and recommendations that were spot on and exactly what I was looking for! My iced tea was never empty (a requirement for anything over 3 stars for me) and he actually seemed to have passion for the food and his job! He even offered a sample of the soup of the day....something I've never been offered before. We were there for the lunch menu so I don't know how different it is a dinner. I had the California Chicken with the truffle fries. The chipotle spread was so good I didn't need ketchup or any other garnish with me sandwich or the Fries. My wife had the turkey sandwich and she loved every bite! I really have to recommend the bread pudding. Now I should mention I usually HATE bread pudding but I took advantage of a Yelp Check-In special for a free one. IT was the perfect end to an awesome lunch!!! All in all, EVERYTHING at this restaurant was amazing and VERY fresh. I might actually make the drive out there one night just to check out the dinner menu!
(5)Christie B.
My friend and I both really enjoyed every item on our plates. My friend is hard to please, so the fact that she raved about it is saying a lot. The ambiance is simple and comfy. The bartender is personable and helpful. The manager came by to check on our experience which always speaks volumes about an establishment. Thank you for a solid experience, Terra.
(5)Mark B.
We came in for the sunday brunch and ordered the stuffed french toast and the buffalo chips. Liked the food and service was good too, our waitress Ellie was great. We shall return another day for the champagne brunch.
(4)maria b.
I decided to take off my previous review, it was not fair and I did it out of anger. Initially some friends were saying their food was hard and cold, but it's a wedding not everyone is going to like the food. I loved the staff, Lisa was amazing and helpful. I was a little upset at some of the food but over all it was okay.
(3)Luke A.
We stumbled upon this place randomly looking for brunch in the Rolando/La Mesa area on yelp. I'm glad we checked it out. The food here is great! Everything is farm to table and really fresh. The service is on point always. Everyone is really friendly (especially the manager and bartender). I've only been for Sunday brunch, seeing as they offer complimentary mimosas or champagne with a purchase of an entrée, but have been meaning to come for dinner. I'm a huge fan of their veggies which are subject to season. They have rotating specialty cocktails that use home made infusions which I always love. There is nothing like this in the area and it's even worth coming from other parts of San Diego to check out. Dishes to try: -Steak and eggs: The Brie and potato quesadilla is a great added extra -Short rib hash: tender and flavorful I'm a creature of habit so I tend to get the same thing, but everyone we've come with enjoys it. Definitely check it out!
(5)Benjamin P.
This place is always nice! We have been here several times and this place is quite good. Certainly top shelf for La Mesa. Wine flights, beer flights, steaks to desserts, I would say give this place a go!
(5)Fadi A.
Don't let appearances fool you. The food might look great but the flavor and service are lacking. I ordered the seafood sautée while my girlfriend ordered the blackened salmon, the waitress had no idea if the dressing came on the side or on the salmon. Initially, the mussels in my seafood sautée were undercooked and disgusting. The only reason I'm giving this place 2 stars is because of the wine flight they have. It was acceptable.
(2)Andrew S.
Amazing restaurant. Great seasonal food. Tasted like farm to table. Very affordable. Free bread pudding with check in. Warm bread pudding was one of the best I've ever had! Great restaurant, Great dinner, great experience. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Erin D.
A friend from out of town was visiting, so we decided to try someplace new. Terra is close to my house but I'd never been, so we decided to give it a shot. We're so glad we did! We started with the artichoke avocado dip and it was delicious. I usually don't even like avocado, and it's creaminess was just the right balance to the sharpness of the artichoke. My friend ordered the pulled short rib pappardelle pasta dish. It was served perfectly al dente, fresh and light next to the richness of the meat. I ordered the burger and opted for the bacon and fried egg on top. It was amazing! I was impressed that my medium rare burger was in fact medium rare and not overcooked, and the Gorgonzola and caramelized onions were a perfect compliment to the proteins. We checked in on yelp and took advantage of the banana bread pudding offer. It was delicious, but we each could only eat a couple of bites. We left completely satisfied. I will definitely be returning ASAP! The service was stellar and attentive without being cloying. Nick was great, and definitely deserved his tip.
(5)Danielle N.
Really impressed by the atmosphere, food and service. The cocktails are delicious and unique. Definitely coming back!
(5)B A.
Hold up?! I get 3 mimosas with my brunch order?! Yes please!!!! Is there anything else you need to know? Well ok. The food is delicious and the coffee is great and the staff is sweet and they have a parking lot. Any other questions? Answer - see point number 1.
(5)Jack M.
I came to Terra for some good morning brunch. To my surprise, they were giving complimentary glass of champagne or mimosa which I gratefully turned down and opt for coffee instead. The place is very nice and comfortable. I had some coffee while I cruised through the menu. I decided to order the Farmer's Omelet which was accompanied with potatoes and a smidgen of fruit for garnish. I noticed my order did not come with toast, a must for me, so I asked the waitress if I could had some wheat and she said sure. The omelet was a generous size ( yelp.com/biz_photos/nlCP… ) and was covered in cheddar and Monterrey Jack. It was filled with caramelized onions, sauteed broccoli, and some kind of root vegetable that, honestly, I could not figure out what it was. All I know, it was edible and good. Over all my omelet was very good and deserved four stars. The potatoes that came with my meal were awesome. They had a nice rustic coating of spice and were properly cooked. The smaller pieces where nice and crispy and the larger pieces where tender. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/nlCP… ) I liked them very much. The toast, which was given to me at no charge, was your regular wheat toast. I guess after my omelet and great potatoes, I was expecting something more eventful with the bread. The service was great! The young lady I had, Jackie, was polite, helpful and attentive. I enjoyed this place and plan to bring some friends next time to try. The Meal was $10.50
(4)Kathryn C.
I LOVED this. We just came in on a whim to try it out, and I got the wedge salad with sliced steak, and it was mouth watering. Definitely the type of thing I will crave and come back for. The craft cocktails looked fantastic, but I wasn't drinking so I didn't get one. The calamari was really greasy, so I wasn't a huge fan of that, but overall it was pretty great. We'll have to come back!! It looks like it would be a good place to get wine and small plates too.
(4)Jessica F.
The food and service is always delightful when we dine here. The staff is always accommodating and the food is beyond amazing. A great place for an intimate dinner or gathering with friends.
(5)Lisa D.
Nice place to eat if you are in the neighborhood. Fresh local and sustainable produce and meats. Great cocktail list. Pleasant knowledgable staff. We had a nice flatbread appetizer. Enjoyed the beet salad and the house made ginger lemongrass lemonade. My friend had the pot roast and loved it. We will be back when we are in the area.
(4)Dan D.
We like this place for breakfast and dinner. Dine on a Sunday between 9am and noon and drink mimosas for free. Zero dollars, people. We've been here several times and I swear it's just getting better. As an example, I offer this recent experience: We met another couple here this past Sunday @ 10am. Per the menu, the breakfast I ordered came with pecan pancakes, an egg and 2 pieces of bacon. Fine. What I received was a huge plate of flapjacks, two eggs and a boatload of bacon. No kidding, there were 6 or 8 pieces. What gives? Far from complaining, I washed it down (most of it, anyhow) with "a few" more mimosas. Free mimosas, I should add...in case I hadn't mentioned it. The rest of the group was equally pleased. Really good food, excellent service, friendly waitstaff. Prices are more reasonable than that Denny guy's place. Ask for Emily---she's nice and efficient and very cool. Yeah, I dig this place.
(5)Sara D.
Oh my god. You guys are so good!! They even have little play toys for the little ones. There food is just over amazing!! I loved there food. Every bite you can taste the amazing flavor that they put in there!! There service is so fast! There food is so filling!! I love there food!!!!!!!
(5)Stephanie D.
Came here for Father's Day with the family - nice service, family friendly atmosphere, and the food was a solid four stars. Got the farmer's omelette, steak and eggs, French toast and pancakes - all great! Next time we'll try the Bloody Marys :)
(4)Norman B.
I've eaten here 3 or 4 times and the food is good. Tonight (Sundays) they offered 1/2 off any bottle of wine over $40 - something I didn't know about. It is a good deal but when the check came they wouldn't accept my Passport dining card because we had ordered a bottle of wine, which we got for 1/2 price. They wouldn't honor the Passport discount because we were already given 1/2 off the wine. I felt that wasn't fair because that caveat isn't mentioned on the Passport website nor in the restaurant. Had I known, I would have foregone the wine. They should honor the Passport discount regardless of the special they are offering.
(3)Victoria S.
Their food is always delicious, fresh, and flavorful. My only issue - which is very minor, is that if you love a special, you might not get to eat it again because they use seasonal items.
(5)V R.
This place is in my neighborhood, went here for Thanksgiving dinner and it was an okay experience. The family and I decided to come here for breakfast on Sunday morning because we like farm-to-table restaurants and supporting neighborhood business. Unfortunately, they do not seem too interested in keeping customers happy and so I don't think we plan on coming back. We arrived right when they opened at 9:00 a.m. and were the second group to arrive. The first thing the hostess did was wave her hand around her face for about two minutes talking about how she smelled something spicy. While I waited for her to finish with the theatrics thinking to myself that we are in a restaurant and you ARE going to smell something! I then asked the hostess if it were possible to sit in the far corner at a four-top (we were a party of three) and was told that it was going to be a busy morning and that that table was reserved. She then took us to a two-top table right near the kitchen and pulled up a third chair for us to cram around. Half an hour goes by and it is still just us and the other party in the restaurant. Whatever. So, I try to move on and order drinks. Husband and I order Mexican Mochas after asking if they have those and after awhile, waitress brings us coffee drinks in tall glasses. I just though, "Hmmm, they are being fancy with their coffee drinks". I take a sip and it tastes like alcohol. So, I try to get the hostesses attention who walks right past me and finally get the waitress' attention. She says, "Nooo, those are Mexican mochas! Maybe it is the coffee that you are tasting". Great. She doesn't believe us. So, I reaffirm that both my husband and I have tasted the drinks and that they do in fact have alcohol in them. Finally, she takes the drinks away talks to some other waitstaff and discovers that they did in fact mistakenly make alcoholic coffee drinks. So, now she believes us. What if we were alcoholics or had an allergy to alcohol? Not the best thing to be bringing alcohol to a table without knowing it. So, I move past that too and sit there while only a couple other guests come in and the table I requested sits empty the entire time we are there. When we are done with our meal, the hostess actually happens to ask how everything was and so I tell her about how that table sat empty the entire time while we were cramped into this small table meant for two people. In fact half of the restaurant was empty. She replies that she has to keep tables reserved for reservations and I point out half of the restaurant is empty. There was no offer to take the coffee drinks off our bill or to remedy the situation, just a shrug of the shoulder. so, with a shrug of my shoulder we left and won't be coming back.
(2)K V.
Amazing food, great ambiance and dynamic menu ! This is our favorite local spot for date night and it doesn't disappoint. The menu always features fresh, healthy, unique and well thought out dishes. Our favorite is the pot roast, and oh my goodness how do you rave about pot roast right ? It melts in your mouth and it's pretty much pointless to even bother trying to ever make it at home again ! We particularly enjoy sitting at the bar with our favorite bartender Evan. He always make it a great experience and ensures you are pleased with your food, drinks and experience there. The chef frequently rounds from the kitchen and talks with guests, very nice and he ensures your meal was everything you hoped it would be ... And it always is :) then top of the meal with the chocolate cigar ... Delicious !!
(5)Daniel C.
Just can't seem to hit the mark. Sometimes good staff and sometimes good food. But never the whole package. I've eaten at Terra a couple dozen times in the the past year and a half. At first it was pleasant, but no wow factor. Then it became the place we went when we didn't want to go far and have a half way decent meal. Don't get me wrong I've had some good meals here but it was my experience with the flat breads that drove me to write this review. I sent back the apple and bacon flatbread because it was gross. It had a terrible mouth feel and the flavor was seriously unbalanced and lacking. So, I thought I would be safe in ordering the Margarita flatbread. I was wrong and it was wrong. The smoked tomato that it is stated on the menu is referring to the sauce... There were no tomatoes at all. The smoked flavor did not taste "smoked" it tasted like burt paper. Is the chef even in the kitchen anymore?? Both of my flatbreads were absolutely disappointing. Toppings were extremely bare and the flavors were just disgusting. I can't imagine a professional chef would create such awful flatbreads. Maybe there is a disconnect between concept and execution. I am not hard to please when it comes to flavors or textures and I am not one to send back food especially twice, so instead I took the entire Margarita flatbread home to doctor up with my own ingredients to make it eatable. I will not be ordering any of their flatbreads again. On another note, the server handled my issue with the flatbread well. That being said, we typically enjoy our experience more when we sit at the bar. Although he wasn't there this time, the bartender that is usually there (Evan) takes great care of us and is the only reason we keep coming back.
(2)Drew H.
Dont waste your money! I feel robbed because the food was so horrible. Im a horrible cook yet I know I can make a better chicken with asparagus than the chef here can. The manager was completely rude and petty when I complained about the food. You're better of getting fast food compared to this dump!
(1)Raquel R.
Wonderful blend of urban comfort and homemade chic. The ingredients are fresh and innovative. Cant find places like this east of Hillcrest and North Park, but what a delicious lunch! I had the lobster blt and it was ridiculously amazing! The banana bread pudding has a naughty bourbon sauce...dang! & that's free with my Yelp! Check in!!
(5)TF L.
Go out for dinner here. Don't pass go, forget the $200, grab your date and have a really nice meal with fresh ingredients, well prepared at reasonable prices. You won't be sorry!
(5)Daniel D.
I just had the folks from Terra cater a baby shower for my wife. We had it in our backyard. They came right on time with everything that we needed, the staff member was courteous, hard-working, and friendly. We couldn't have asked for more. We love this restaurant and their catering was top notch as well. Price was very agreeable as well. Five stars!
(5)Christa S.
I definitely dig the farm-to-table concept (one of my favorite restaurants in Austin is of the same vein) and when I found this gem listed on Open Table tucked away in a quieter part of San Diego, I was interested in giving it a go. So, found myself in the SD Thanksgiving weekend and looking for a place for some grub (you can only have so many leftovers!) and scored a table for three (my parents joined me) for Saturday night. So, off we went (mind you, I typed the address wrong into the GPS and we ended up at a Pollo Loco multiple blocks down the street, but quickly re-routed and made our way to Terra). They were ready for us when we arrived...even had a spot available in the parking lot just outside the front door (score!)...with a shiny "reserved" sign on our table. We sat down and took in the atmosphere...very homey, almost as if you are in a farmhouse kitchen. There was a bit of a draft in the air (this becomes important later on in my review), but all in all we were pleased with the looks of the place. Our server, Diana, arrived to take our wine order and very knowingly helped us choose between the two bottles we were pondering (Note - on Saturday nights, bottles $50+ are $10 off), and she was spot on with her description of the wine's taste...we enjoyed it. To start, we split the House Salad filled with field greens, Gorgonzola, candied pecans, local strawberries, honey walnut dressing - a perfect balance of flavors. The draft hadn't stopped and my Mom put on her scarf (and behind our table, there were a couple of other women with their coats on). Service-minded Diana didn't miss a beat...came up and asked my Mom if she was cold and promptly went to turn off the air conditioning...my Mom removed her scarf and the ladies behind us also removed their jackets. That definitely was the icing on the cake that they are VERY service oriented! For entrees, we were all pleased. Again, Diana came through in describing the dishes to perfection and helping us to make our final decision. My Dad went for the Karl Strauss Amber Lager Braised Pot Roast and basically licked his plate clean. My Mom went for the Lobster Macaroni 'n Cheese and had a healthy portion of lobster to accompany the delicious blend of cheeses on her noodles (I snuck a bite). I decided on the Grilled Flat Iron Steak and was not disappointed - it basically melted in my mouth. We all shared some of the fresh bread with the addictive Parmesan garlic butter spread (I WISH I had the recipe!). Sadly, we did not save room for dessert, so I can only imagine that they were equally as delicious. Insider tip: They have a frequent diner's rewards club...you join on your first visit and start accumulating points for restaurant dollars on your second visit (and also receive birthday bonuses). Thank you Terra American Bistro for living up to the farm-to-table promise/expectations I have grown accustomed to!
(5)Chancie P.
After hearing good things about this local restaurant, I decided to pop in for sunday brunch. The food, the service, and the atmosphere all exceeded expectations. I was deterred from dining here, like most I am sure, due to their higher menu prices relative to the neighborhood. After visiting, I found the value beyond compare. The brunch menu items came with 3 free mimosas! I had the steak and eggs which was heavenly. This restaurant is definitely a gem! I look forward to exploring their many menu items.
(5)Debra D.
Last Thursday the owner of my company surprised a colleague and me with lunch at Terra. A step inside the door greeted us with a cool, mellow ambiance that was a welcome change from the bright, hot, humid day. We were graciously greeted and escorted to a table that was on the other side of the room from a clean, well appointed bar. I ordered the California bowl and selected chicken as the protein accompaniment. The bulgar and roasted vegetables were perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the chicken pieces were of ample size and also cooked to perfection. I am definitely going to re-visit Terra and have a glass of wine at the bar with friends before adjourning to the dining room for another scrumptious meal to include the roasted Brussel Sprout appetizer, the warm beet salad and a yet-to-be-decided upon entree. PS: Huge plus...Terra has its own parking lot!
(5)Donelle H.
Sunday brunch with complimentary mimosas is a real treat. The stuffed French toast is to die for (that bourbon butterscotch-yum!). Try any dish with the chicken chorizo and you won't be disappointed. Lastly, I recommend sitting at the bar; Ellie serves up mimosas all morning and is absolutely wonderful.
(5)Ellison A.
First time after a long time waiting for the opportunity. This used an old family style Italian joint many moons ago... Great farm to table grub, I think it does matter what you order and on what night. I had the pappardelle which was very good. Wife had the bistro burger and truffle fries, which the rest off us managed to steal off her plate. I'm coming back for that. Decent wine menu and pretty kid friendly. Hostess made my 7-year old feel very welcomed and entertained. Had a waiter-in-training who was very friendly but a bit nervous with his trainer shadowing her all night.
(4)Monique M.
I will give a five star to the bartender who was super sweet on 9/7/2014...I don't remember her name but she was amazing. We were the first guests at the bar that day and it was my first time at this place. I loved it! The food was okay but the bartender was what made it for me. She was friendly and so nice! She told us about the specials and went beyond the act of service when she talked to us about the company. I was feeling "okay" about the food but I would go back just for her! I told my husband all about her and now he wants to visit hoping she will be bar tending again! BTW Her Drinks Were Awesome!
(5)Richard G.
This popular spot has achieved good reviews for a long time. Tonight was an exercise in plain fare. Cesar salad with shredded, almost taco style romaine? A tiny side cup of dressing? Same for my daughter's plate, but at least her mahi-mahi addition was well prepared. One person ordered soup of the day, and reported it as just OK. The birthday person's dessert was excellent. An uneven experience.
(3)Root C.
I drove 30 minutes out of my neighborhood to eat here for a friend's birthday. And now?? I wish this restaurant was in my neighborhood. It is good American bistro food. I was delighted with the food and service and look forward to the next time. What I ordered: - Pot Roast - super super tender and flavorful - Halibut Give it a try and don't worry about driving 30 minutes. It's worth it.
(5)Amy G.
What a gem! Based on location you might not guess it, but inside lays one of the area's best restaurants. My BF and I have been several times and never had a disappointing bite of food. We enjoy sitting at the bar, ordering a bottle of wine, and working our way through the appetizer menu. We ALWAYS start with the Carlsbad mussels as those are my BF's favorite; I am a big fan as well. Last time we were there they had a lobster and quinoa appetizer that was out of this world. Who would have thought to put the two together?? Not me, but I'm glad someone else did. The potato and brie quesadillas are always good as well as the wedge salad. When we have gotten entrees the Chipotle Skirt Steak was a real winner!! The short rib pappardelle was amazing, but not a light dish by any means. I recommend sharing, or bringing a big appetite. We have only ever sat at the bar and the service as always been top notch, friendly, knowledgeable and well-paced. It is definitely one of our go to spots and we highly recommend you give it a try.
(5)Susan R.
I made reservations for four people at 5:00 PM on February 25, 2015. We got there 30 minutes after the first two people arrive. We ordered drinks, which took 20 minutes, and ordered our food. When we got the bill they put everything on one ticket. The lady that was serving us said they could not split the bill, but came back with two separate checks that had the bill split exactly in half. We didn't ask to be put on one check, and our total was more then the other couple that was with us. One of our party paid both bills, And even left a tip on the payment. The next day, I received a phone call stating that half the bill had not been paid. I texted the first party who said that they would take care of it. They had charge his card twice, and had the nerve to complain that there was no tip included on the payment. He had to submit his credit card for a $20 tip. The food was ok, but after all that, I will NEVER return to this place. I can't believe this is the first time this has ever happened at Terra American Bistro.
(1)Corie B.
Came back for Restaurant Week Jan. 2013....still awesome. Had the lunch special, $15 for an app and entree. Had the pumpkin ravioli and the bistro burger. The Ravioli's were really tasty, though, there were only two (yes, I know, it is an appetizer but they were so yummy I wanted more haha). The bistro burger, though VERY rich, was absolutely delicious and HUGE. The white truffle flavor was amazing. Had the same server as I did when I came for brunch--latino guy (I'm sorry, forgot the name) and he was really sweet again. I tried the ginger-lemongrass lemonade with some champagne in it and omfg YUM! Furthermore, the Chef walked around and made very friendly conversation, which I loved. One more thing.....the homemade catsup is sooo yummy. I am so happy I live only 5 mins away :) :) Oh, and as a fellow restaurant industry worker (& not to offend anyone) but to comment on the review below by Lisa SD, the reason why the hostess probably did not seat you at the window like you would have wanted was because, for example, if the reservation was at 7:30, and by chance you had stayed an extra 30 mins (many people do dine for 2 hours or longer) the hostess would've had to 1) either tell the people with reservations that they had to wait or 2) seat them somewhere else when they clearly requested a window seat. Hence why it is always best to make reservations :)
(5)Nice G.
This is a nice gourmet restaurant in terms of flavor, presentation and service. You can basically order anything at random and you will be pleased. I can not afford to over-indulge and order recklessly, but I've decided I'm going to eat everything they have to offer, one dish at a time :) Last night I ate the Carlsbad mussels in wine sauce with fresh baked bread. Together with the wine tasting flight of three delicious cabernet sauvignon's, it was superb. I normally don't eat desert, but everything was so good I decided to continue this hedonism with pumpkin crème brûlée, followed with a frothy strong and smooth double espresso. It was all pleasurable. Many thanks to Jeff Rossman and all the friendly, talented people who work with him.
(4)Daniel M.
Had dinner here tonight. It was amazing. What a gem. We started with spinach/avocado dip which was fantastic. It didnt seem to have much of the typical mayo taste. Very fresh and the jalapeños are a great touch. My main course was the pot roast which was extremely tender and just exploding with flavor. We checked in with Yelp and got a free bread pudding. Amazing.
(5)Jennifer H.
We wanted to go to Brunch somewhere close by. I had been to Terra a couple times before for Lunch and the food has always been good. But Brunch was amazing!!! The portions are perfect not too big. The food is, as always, delicious! The service was great. The only complaint I could have was the noise level but then again there were 3 large parties in the restaurant at the time that we were there.
(5)jasmine w.
Looking forward to our second meal this week prepared by Chef Jeff (or "Cheffrey", as we've dubbed him)
(5)Amelia L.
This place is amazing. The food is not only farm to table but there are so many GF options which I am a huge fan of. Not to mention there deserts are delicious! Our server was great. He knew what he was talking about, was on top of coming back and making sure we were okay and if he didn't know something he would ask (unlike some wait staff who just bull shit you). Not to mention he was super cute! The ambiance is adorable to. They have great decor and the bathrooms were clean. I will go back again!
(5)Ty S.
This place is amazing... I've been here several times and the food, especially the burger and service are always great. The bartenders are amazing too!
(5)Kristen S.
Love this place for Sunday brunch. Some friends took me here last time I was at their house. Service was good, food was better. Got the pancakes with marmalade, the bomb. Highly recommend it.
(4)Jimmy N.
San Diego Burger Week (3) I was around the area looking for the next place to eat for Burger Week, so I came here not only for the burger, but they also had truffle fries that I absolutely needed to try (two birds with one stone!). As I was finding it, it didn't stick out too much, but I did end up finding it early enough that I waited a bit for them to open at 11:30. The first thing I see when I come in are cookbooks and products by a renowned chef that works here as well as the awards given to them. There were about 5 groups of us being seated (including myself), so it wasn't too busy from the start. I enjoyed the interiors, where the seating arrangements seemed organized in a grid-like way, except for the large dining table that stood out mainly due to the chandelier of really cool jar lights. The waiter promptly went up to serve me after I was seated, although he served the other couple after me when they came in before me; he didn't know. No worries, since I already knew what I wanted to order, which was the $13 special (The Smokey Pig burger with Truffle Fries and a Manzanita Riverwalk Blonde Draft, but I substituted the beverage with soda). He sounded about 80% fluent with English, but he knew the menu really well that he was able to describe the things that I asked on the menu. After he happily took my order, he got the soda right away and started taking orders from the same couple, who were still deciding what they wanted. Not too long later, I got my burger and the waiter showed it to the couple, and they were sold. The lady who decided to order it had a special request on the burger and he happily noted it. When she got her burger, the waiter forgot to satisfy her request, but he happily took it back to get it fixed. The only suggestion I would have for the waiter is to mention that the food is made from farm to table. I don't think I would've known that if I hadn't checked out the website. On to my burger. My burger and truffle fries in a bucket was served on a slab of rock. That was awesome. I took a bite into the burger, and the patty was boldly charred. I'm a fan of eating things with char to it. I thought the char on this burger was perfect and represented the whole plate well. The other fix-ins in the burger made it taste really well together, especially with the bacon aioli. The fries were crispy and delicious, and the house-made ketchup worked well with it! Overall, I was really satisfied with this place. The burger had a great execution, the hostess and waiter was great, and my check came in a pouch. I would like to come back here to try other things. Also, I just found out that Bunz is the sister restaurant to Terra; I need to try that place as well. P.S. Looking through reviews for this place, I really appreciate the chef responding to some of these reviews!
(5)Scott W.
Love the locally sourced veggies and care in their prep and presentations. Every fish served has been scrumptious, and often new and different. Great choice for quality food.
(4)Cassandrea M.
Sorry for the delay of this review, but life gets in the way. We were in San Diego on a vacation and was staying in El Cajon. Driving around looking at the sights and got hungry. My son didn't want the usual fast food and we saw this place and stopped in. We had great food and a great waitress. My son is a little (haha) picky and they got his order right and the waitress was very patient. If we get back to San Diego, we will stop by and we will also recommend to anybody that will be visiting there.
(4)Jennifer K.
I've dined at Terra twice. My first visit was 5 stars - great food, great service. I met up with my girlfriends last night there as Terra is a central location for us. I ordered exactly what I had my previous visit - pulled short rib rigatoni. It was not as expected. After a few bites, I realized that my plate must have been under lamps for a long time - the mushroom cream sauce had separated from excess heat. I had a dish full of oil, no cream. I would have mentioned this to my waiter right away but he did not ask about our meal until he presented the check. I told my waiter about my dish & he asked if I wanted it boxed. I told him I wasn't happy with my dish in the first place and he said the kitchen could "whip up another one". At this point, my girlfriends were done eating & my appetite was gone. We paid & he came back....he informed me "that the kitchen had started adding truffle oil to the dish". I'm sure the kitchen added 1/3 of a cup of truffle oil to this dish . I won't be going to Terra again. The restaurant is on an unsavory block of El Cajon Blvd. The food is what keeps people coming back. Mine was awful as was the service.
(1)Becca D.
NOM NOM NOM... 3 words. Lavender Creme Brule'... Did I spell that right? LOL I was taken here by a friend visiting from out-of-town who was searching for a restaurant that had GLUTEN-FREE and SUSTAINABLE aka Organic/HEALTHY food! This place hit the spot!! I was able to munch down on a delicious angus burger for once since they had a Gluten-Free bun! What a treat! The thai-chicken wraps and beet salad were also amazing. My bf's pot roast shredded apart with a fork. Even the grilled tofu looked like a fish steak! This place reminded me of all the gourmet, wholesome goodness of a restaurant you'd find on 30th and University, but right down the street. BEST restaurant I have found in this neighborhood yet! Yummm
(5)Jasmine M.
The food was great, our server was extremely friendly and I loved the atmosphere. I will most definitely be coming back
(5)Micah G.
Had the asian bowl with chicken, amazing! Sweet chili sauce is always the bomb! I checked-in here to get a free bread pudding and it was delicious! Careful though, ITS HOT! Don't forget to order a lemongrass-ginger lemonade, so refreshing!
(5)jed p.
Good service and good food. My gf ordered the steak and eggs and I ordered the short rib hash. Both were delicious, portions were good, the steak had a good char taste to it. The free bread pudding was good to! This place is really close to my gfs house so it was very convenient.
(5)Brittney B.
This place is awesome. The food that they serve is farm to table. Because of that, everything is very fresh and tastes great. They have unique choices and good service. I've been here twice, both times on a Sunday and they serve 3 compimentary champagne glasses or mimosas if you order certain meals. I ordered the breakfast quesadilla each time and it is very good.
(5)Veronica H.
Amazing food. Great environment for adults. My kids weren't too excited about their food though.
(5)Tim S.
The food here is amazing. By using fresh and local veggies the flavor is increased, which makes no need to add a bunch of random spices. The meats are always cooked to perfection as well. The chef and his team are doing it right.
(5)Linda L.
Not a fan.Dined here on NYE which was probably a mistake to begin with. The service: our waiter was trying to be cool but wasn't. It seemed as though he didn't know the menu and when we ordered appetizers, they were out....twice. He also forgot to bring a beverage. He was not very attentive and seemed like he was bored. The food: the potato, onion, brie quesadillas were weird....think poland pierogies meet mexican food. Basically they were mashed potatoes in a baked tortilla with salsa on top. The main entrees were fair at best. My fish tacos were very run of the mill...nothing special and the fish was very fishy tasting. The hamburger came out on a burnt bun. The fries were good along with the homemade catsup. Will not be back.
(2)Margaret D.
I came here during Restaurant Week for lunch with five other friends. I had the miso fish of the day with wasabi sauce and steamed veggies. My friend across the table got the same thing. The steamed veggies were shredded red cabbage (I think) and my friend and i wished that there had been more veggie, or at least more of a variety. The server was very friendly, the chef came out to say hi, and the atmosphere was comfortable and not too loud.
(4)Sharon V.
We've dined at Terra about 6 times. Liked their food and presentations. Last visit and I do mean last was, well, sad. The Mahi Mahi was over cooked. The vegetarian offering was squash over a purée of squash, broccolini and spinach. The favors did not complement one another. The coup de grac'e was a Raw pork chop. My stepdad ate a third of it before I noticed. The sad desert and lukewarm old coffee brought the ordeal to an end. The service was good.
(1)Charles G.
The food and the service were both great. I don't know what else to say. Five of us were there for dinner, each had something different, and we were all raving about how good it was at the end. We'll be back.
(5)Amy C.
Came here for Sunday brunch. Place was packed yet service and food were excellent. I'm very excited to have such a terrific place to eat in la Mesa. Can't wait to return for dinner. We had breakfast bowl and steak and eggs. Both were absolutely fabulous. The bread pudding is a favorite of the locals and yes, yum!
(5)Cv D.
Love Terra and the Chef is terrific. Very local, family feel. Excellent service and outstanding food. Good prices.
(5)L M.
Everything here is amazing!!! I would recommend having a reservation because they get busy.
(5)Jim D.
I was really looking forward to this place all the accolades and zagat rated. Maybe I went on an off day. My son had the steak it was ok, we have taken him to McCormick's, Ruth Chris, Island Prime you get the idea. It could have been better. My wife got the fish it was ok. The drinks were awesome. They have this Julian Apple pie drink that was a home run! Service is terrific. I will come back for brunch to see how that is but for dinner I'll go to Bo Beau's.
(3)Sara O.
Ate here for the first time last night with a friend and left feeling happy and so full I was going to burst. Great things: 1) The cocktails! 2) Baked brie - omg. I knew I liked baked brie, but this was way better than expected. 3) Very vegetarian friendly, which I appreciated 4) Great atmosphere and friendly staff Really fresh food, wonderful service, and a nicely sized table for 2. Will be going back!
(5)Chi V.
Love this restaurant! Food is always excellent, service is fabulous, friendly and knows their menue, ingredients and specials for the eve. It's our go to restaurant for out of town guests or when we just don't feel like eating in. Highly recommended and so glad that it's in the east county where we live.
(5)Barb F.
Finally, an awesome restaurant right near La Mesa! The knowledge level of the wait-staff is amazing...our first waitress was so eloquent with her descriptions that I was tempted to ask her about everything on the menu! The salmon was incredible, and we asked for seconds on the hummus. And it got even better-- the bread pudding was perfect...save room for it.
(5)Lynn B.
My life has changed since Terra opened in the College area and I discovered it about a year ago-- I'm a moderate foodie who had long despaired of finding a GOOD restaurant in my neighborhood. Then came Terra! It has great atmosphere, intriguing food flavor combinations, an array of good wines by the glass, craft cocktails for when I feel adventurous, decent prices, and great staff. I am comfortable going there alone (when craving their amazing cheeseburgers with truffle fries!), whether eating at a table or their bar. Most recently, I celebrated a friend's Bday there and got to enjoy Terra's free-corkage wine night, shared all kinds of fabulous dishes, and topped it off with my favorite dessert in almost the entire world-- the bread pudding. Our waiter, Nick, displayed perfection in that fine art of checking in on us without interrupting us too often.
(4)Angelica B.
Ahhh, real food! Had the chicken lettuce cups with a fabulous sauce and mint? Yummy! Crabcakes with cilantro sauce and lemon chutney- Mmmmm! I got the salmon fish tacos and my husband got the short rib sliders- each new dish was our new favorite! Definitely going back!
(5)Kathleen A.
The food was great, our waitress was friendly. The manager earned the restaurant one star. We were escorted to the middle of the restaurant where the tables are places at least 4 inches apart. I wear hearing aides and knew this table would be hard. I asked for one of the individual tables and the manager said those were reserved. I had made a reservation! Her response was that The reservations are computer assigned on a first come, first serve basis and there was nothing she could do about it. One of these tables sat open for 45 minutes!! After paying our bill I asked about the open table. She responded the customers had called and said they were running late and we looked "already engaged". When I complained about the fact that they held a late reservation over my reservation, refused accommodations for a disability, and spoke rudely to me, she replied they were very busy and they are unable to respond to my requests because "it is what it is". Wow, talk about customer service!
(1)Taylor P.
This place was heaven. In the middle of a shit town comes and amazing restaurant. $5 bottomless mimosas during Sunday brunch and great food. We ordered the rosemary hash and breakfast quesadilla. It was more than enough food and delish. I would recommend sharing a dish if you are going with friends and take advantage of the bottomless!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Esteban V.
Very good food, good service.. They sre improving the area with good quality food.. Great place to grab a delicius meal at any time..
(4)Cassie S.
Ellie, our server, was amazing! Very knowledgable and hilarious sense of humor! Efficient service and put us all in a great mood, I bursted out laughing a few times. haha. I liked the ambience and decor, and the food of course was delicious and fresh farm to table style. The presentation of the dishes was impressive as well. Free bread pudding with yelp check in!
(5)Abe F.
Really really good food. A bit pricey, but worth it. Worth the wait too. Make a reservation, it's not a very big place and fills up fri and sat. Great dessert, a handful of beers on draft and good wine.
(4)cynthia m.
I've been here a few times. The time at the bar was fun and I found the food to be good despite the small happy hour portions. On a very special occasion we sat at a table and were pretty much IGNORED by all the staff. I had to go to the bar to ask for water! And they were not busy at all. It can really ruin your night to be ignored at a restaurant when you are there to celebrate. We will not be going back.
(2)Rain B.
Adorable resturaunt with fresh, delicious food! I love they offer a reward card as well. We went here for the first time when our son was newborn and we couldn't travel for Christmas. We had Christmas dinner here from their set menu and our baby slept through the whole meal! It was wonderful! If you have children you know what I'm taking about! We were so happy with the food, the service and atmosphere! Highly recommend!
(5)Carlee Z.
I'm a big fan of Terra. I have now been there about 6 times. Every time ordering something different and always super pleased. The drinks are great too. I love farm to table and am so glad this place is sticking! I have also brought my kids a couple of times. Love how they give each child a etch a sketch to play with. It livens things up from the usual boring crayons and a sheet of paper. My only negative would be at times the service has been a bit slow, especially with big groups.
(4)Gerardo G.
Found out about this place thanks to my in-laws and decided to meet them there. We ordered chicken, fish and beef, my chicken was dry and the rest of the dishes not really memorable but not bad. Our server, Shawn, was as dry as my chicken and nothing that great. At the end, we tried using a google deal, and Shawn informed us we can't use it since it only applies to a certain menu, so we tried to see if they'll give us at least credit for our meal, and Shawn will interrupt us every time (very frustrating) saying "it can't be done". Long story short, we asked for the manager who, in a very professional and sweet way, managed our situation. Sucks that our whole experience was spoiled by terrible customer service, but I hope they step it up and improve how customers are dealt. Not really sure if I'll ever be back, but I'm sure we'll ask anyone but SHAWN to be our server.
(1)Valerie D.
I really do love this place still.. even though they have moved. downside is there is no privacy and its pretty loud inside now. FOOD AND SERVICE is always amazing though...
(4)Roxanne P.
The food is consistently very good, and often great. I've had so many delicious dishes here. Everything is fresh and seasoned to perfection. The service is always top notch.
(5)LudicRuss W.
I love this place. Perfect place for a quiet adult family birthday (not mine) dinner. I had the pot roast (again) and it was awesome (again). Chef Jeff came over and said hi. He is such a nice guy and obviously works hard at his craft. I ordered the Gramercy Cellars 2009 vintage off the wine list but was pleasantly surprised when the waitress presented the 2010 vintage. The producers changed to strictly Walla Walla vines in this vintage. The Walla Walla wine is more black fruit dominant - richer and more full bodied which paired fantastically with the pot roast. Thanks TAB staff for another excellent night out.
(5)Nicki V.
Great place to take out of towners out for brunch. Food is always good and so are the breakfast drink specials. Staff is very friendly as well.
(4)Joe D.
You've got to be kidding me??? All of you people are fake as hell. This place is horrible. Not only did my plate smell rotten, but after I told them I didn't want to eat it, they didn't offer me another option, only asked me why I didn't like it. After I told them it smelled rotten they just removed it from my table and still charged me. A place trying to be too fancy when it's a garbage restaurant. 90% of the people there looked like they had a stick stuck up their ass too. I've been to better restaurants with better food in worse areas. Pathetic...
(1)Liz F.
Love this place for dinner... The brunch is good but the manager is crotchety and very unpleasant.
(3)Mike P.
EXCELLENT!!! Great food, great service, great value. We had difficulty deciding on what to order and our server Brinton was very helpful and knowledgeable of the menu options. He made helpful recomendations that we gladly accepted. My wife had the Chipotle Skirt Steak, and I had the Seafood Cioppino. We shared a famous Chocolate Cigar for dessert and it was "to die for". Overall we were very pleased with our dining experience.
(5)May V.
Let me preface this by saying that the food was great. Too bad the service lacked. My friend and I popped in, reservationless, at 5 p.m. on a Friday and with only 4 tables filled, were told that we wouldn't be able to be seated in the restaurant at any time. The hostess told us to have a seat at the bar and she would come back to us after she looked at the reservations to see what she could move around. She passed us about 10 times on our bar stools but didn't even acknowledge us. So reservations filled up the restaurant while my friend and I started with cocktails at the bar but even at the bar, we had to wave down the bartender to get another drink. The owner/head chef was there and busy signing books but couldn't give a hoot if customers came or went. We even tried to talk to him but he didn't care. It's a bummer that I had a bad experience because this place came highly recommended. I really wanted to like it but I'm not sure if I'll be back without a reservation...or go back at all. Great food but definitely be prepared to do some work and bring your patience when it comes to service.
(3)Delci E.
Can't believe all the negative reviews! Came here my first time for Fathers Day brunch. It looked pretty empty at first, and within 15 minutes it was a full house! (Glad we had reservations) The host was friendly, and our server Adrienne was amazing! She was friendly, attentive, and a genuine person. It made for a great experience! The head chef also came around asking about the food, and the foh manager was also walking around checking on people. I appreciate how on top of it they are! I had the smoked turkey scramble which was a special that day, delicious! My bf got the stuffed french toast, also delicious! His parents got omelets and were also very pleased, they go there often. Mimosas absolutely delicious, nice n strong! I will definitely come back here. Loved the decorations, burlap on ceilings, little tin containers for sugars, the chandelier of mason jars. Really great place! :)
(5)Brian B.
We have been to Terra several times and always have a wonderful experience. On a recent Tuesday we had the pleasure of bring served by Ellie. She was probably the best waitress we have ever had! She absolutely made the experience for my mom and an out-of-guest.
(5)Julie A.
Such a hidden gem in La Mesa. If you've ever lived near the area, you'd know it's not the most inviting part of town, but this restaurant is amazing! They have fresh, local ingredients and amazing unique dishes, like pumpkin ravioli. They have a large selection of wine and great dessert! The bread pudding is a must try! It is a little pricey for the area, but definitely worth it!
(5)Danielle M.
-I love their specialty cocktails! Try the Pomegranate Caipirinha, so delicious! Another favorite is the basil martini! -Definitely try the beet and goat cheese salad for an appetizer, very tasty! -I've tried both the Chipotle skirt steak and the filet ti
(5)Leslie G.
The boss took me here for a holiday celebratory lunch. It was great! We started with the brie/potato quesadilla ($8.95), and I loved it. I had the veggie cobb sliders for my entree - greens, avocado, gorgonzola, red onion, tomato, chipotle aioli on delicious little buns. With fries for $8.95, this is a steal. I ordered some kind of a poached pear cocktail, but when I tasted it it was super salty. I asked the server if it was supposed to be salty, and he said no and went to check and realized they had just made their syrup and must've used salt instead of sugar. The salt-bomb was promptly replaced with a mai-tai, which was much better. Terra has high-quality, fresh, mostly local/sustainable/humane food at very reasonable prices. Most restaurants trying to go the local food route have tiny portions for a lot of money, so then you have to sneakily go to In-N-Out on the way home because you are broke and still hungry. Not the case with Terra. They also have plenty of vegetarian options that are actually good - not just a vegetarian option for the sake of a vegetarian option. Highly recommend.
(5)Duane D.
Awesome food and service! A great experience with the flavors. Small portions. Update: Jeff, we do a lot of fine dining. We had the third fish special on the menu. I don't remember the name of the local fish (lobster like), but the fish portion was very small for the price and type of fish. Maybe I felt this way because it was so darn good. I would love to eat there weekly, but it is very pricey for our budget and fixed income. Your food is delicious!
(5)dawn e.
I don't get it, maybe its me but i think this place is over hyped. I saw the great reviews and expected a much better experience. The thing that turned me off right away was the smell of Terra. It smelled weird, but i figured oh well maybe its just an old building i can get past that. Our server was alright, not much of a personailty really, but she did her job okay. I thought the food was very expensive but i figured it had to be worth it right. Meh... it was alright. And let me tell ya i had lobster mac and that should never be considered meh. I love mac n cheese and i adore lobster. The mac n cheese was just okay. My husband got duck two ways. He said he loved it one way it was cooked (cant remember which way that was) but the other way was much to dry. So overall i think this place is just alright, not worth the money!
(2)Laura Z.
Nice atmosphere, very friendly and attentive servers, excellent food and drink. We came for Sunday brunch and it was very tasty! Each brunch comes with 3 mimosas or champagne, which is a nice touch. They have unique flavor pairings and infused liquors (we didn't try those this time) . The buffalo chip breakfast was very tasty. The homemade ketchup was good, the short rib hash with rosemary was excellent. We plan on coming back often!!
(5)Ray T.
This is one of those places that you drive by a hundred times and never notice. It was getting close to 9 PM, and I was craving truffle fries. I show up shortly before closing, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. This place looked nice and relaxed. I felt a little under dressed wearing basketball shorts and a t shirt, but i was only picking up something to go. I checked out the menu, and some of the items on the menu were a little bit pricy, but not unreasonable. This is the type of place you go if you want to treat yourself. The bartender asked me if I wanted something to drink while I waited. I delved deep into my brain to think of a classy type of drink to give off an impression that I had any business in this somewhat fancy place. And as an amateur alcoholic with a vast catalog of alcoholic beverages, all I could come up with was "Do you have Guinness?" She told me that they didn't have any stouts but they had a Stone Smoked Porter. Even better! The truffle fries were ok. Probably not one of their better menu items, but I didn't get a chance to have anything else. I'm definitely going to give this place another try. Oh yeah, check in for your 10% discount.
(4)Meghan D.
I love the food here, but am always put in a bad mood when I enter because the hostess is so ridiculous. She oblivious to patrons entering and standing right in front of her to check in for their reservations. I want to support my local business but sometimes it's not worth it to be annoyed by the staff.
(3)Dana I.
My boyfriend and I have gone to Terra for brunch and then for dinner last night. We LOVED brunch. The food was fresh and I so appreciate the local farm ingredients. The staff there was helpful and informative. I follow a plant-based diet, but will eat meat on rare occasion if I know where it comes from so I was very excited to come back for dinner. I'm sad to say we were disappointed. After ordering a few starters (brussel sprouts- way too lemony, Fish tacos-very dry, Calamari- your usual fried squid), we decided not to stay and spend money on entrees. We will be back for brunch again though.
(3)Jeni K.
Went for Sunday brunch and it was delicious! Generous portion sizes, fresh food and fabulous flavor. Not to mention excellent friendly service. Highly recommend!!
(4)Anjelica M.
My husband and I decided to go here for brunch this morning. We usually have breakfast at a little Mom and Pop place right next to our apartment, but today we thought we'd venture out. Terra is about a 10 minute walk from our home and we were very pleased. I love the decor; it's called an "American Bistro" and there is a lot of beautiful, dark wood, which gives it a hint of that cowboy feel. There are wooden chairs and tables and the space is small and cozy. They have TVs in the bar and in the restaurant area, which meant that my husband wouldn't miss any of the Colts/Saints' game. And here is the most important part: each breakfast order comes with three mimosas or three glasses of champagne! It's an excellent deal. We spent just $23 for the two of us and left with a nice buzz. Our server was lovely and on top of our drink refills. My husband ordered the breakfast burrito and I ordered the All-American Breakfast (two eggs any style with bacon or sausage and potatoes). The bacon and potatoes were nice and crispy without being burnt.
(4)Daniele B.
So happy to have Terra in La Mesa! They have great food (LOVE their chipotle skirt steak), a wonderful atmosphere, and local and sustainable ingredients. I love this place!
(5)Christina F.
We used to live right next to this hidden gem. The food here is absolutely amazing. Mimoas on sunday mornings doesn't get any better than that. to top it off the service is top notch. a few of my favorites: Steak and eggs, pancakes with pecan butter amazing. The bloody marys are so yummy their mix is fabulous. We need to go back asap. we have never had a bad experience in all the times we have visited. they always make us excited to return!
(5)Kristine T.
We have been trying for years to get in to this restaurant for dinner. Reservations are the ticket! Just trying to walk in for dinner doesn't work here. But, the food was delicious! Portion size was excellent--not huge, like many restaurants in town. Flavors were amazing. We will definitely be back. The one criticism I have is that it seemed like the restaurant was understaffed the night we went. The time we waited between appetizers and dinner, then dinner and dessert seemed a bit long. But overall, we had a great experience and will be back!
(4)Carlie S.
This place was so bomb. The only reason for 4 stars is that it's expensive (for me as a college student) and it's not exactly in a nice area of San Diego. My aunt and uncle took me there which was such a great choice. We went last week during restaurant week so there was a prefixed menu but everything on the regular menu looked just as amazing. I had the house salad which was delicious and simple. The sliced top sirloin was a great pick and was on the prefixed menu. For dessert, I had the truffle sample. Really great choices. So fresh and for food this fresh it is a really great price, just a little out of my price range ATM. Overall experience was amazing. Try this place.
(4)Jaime E.
I took my parents here for dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday, and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Everything was so thoughtfully prepared and fresh! Pot roast is one of my favorite things to eat, and I hadn't found a restaurant in San Diego to rival my all-time favorite pot roast (from Celebrations restaurant in Fort Worth, TX) until TERRA. It was melt-in-your-mouth tender and full of flavor. I think we all actually stopped talking for awhile because we just had to concentrate on the deliciousness of the food! The waitress was friendly and attentive, and even brought out a complimentary dessert in honor of my mom's birthday. The location isn't gorgeous, but the inside has been decorated with a relaxing color palette. Some reviews mention an odd smell to the place; I didn't notice this at all. My parents and I all agreed we will be back!
(5)Sumi P.
This was my first visit to Terra since they moved out of Hillcrest. Thanks to my fellow Yelpers for the Pot Roast recommendation it was so tender, perfectly seasoned, just delicious! The server (who looks & sounds like Ryan Gosling btw...sorry I didn't keep my receipt so I don't know his name but he was great) recommended the bread pudding...thank you Sir! It was also really good! I will skip the salad next time (bland & underdressed or no dressing) and just order the Pot Roast & Bread Pudding again....I wish Yelp would allow 1/2 stars....3.5 stars for Terra for my meal!
(3)CJ B.
One of my favorite restaurants in San Diego and I'm a wannabe foodie. The menu does change from time to time, but if you see the pumpkin ravioli or the crab cakes they are a must have.
(5)Nick L.
Quite simply: Hillcrest/North Park caliber dining in East County. Service: Excellent and attentive. It was extremely busy when I visited, but everything was great. Only thing I can suggest is that they remember who ordered the dishes they bring out. Atmosphere: Rustic and relaxed. Great food doesn't have to be wrapped up in a stuffy air of pretense. Speaking of which... Food: Really, really good. The duck was wonderful. The apple and bacon chutney on the pork porterhouse is just perfect. Everything is cooked well, sized well, and priced well. Drinks: Poor. To be fair, I didn't order anything -- it's a rule of mine not to order a cocktail from a menu that calls something a "martini" but includes neither gin nor vermouth. A member of our party ordered a lemongrass drop, and it just tasted like Pine Sol with a sugar rim. The beers are good though! Desserts: Kill me now, I'm ready for Heaven. Seriously. The three-star review is a little misleading because I'd like to give this place an extra half-star. If you don't want to drive out west too far, Terra American is a great spot to grab a bite to eat. You won't be disappointed.
(3)Cravo E C.
I've had dinner twice now and I've enjoyed it. The service is good and although it's a little loud, the atmosphere is pleasant. The Short Rib Pappardelle was tasty although it could have used more of the gorgonzola to add a bit more flavor and saltiness. The persimmon chutney was a bit too desert-like to be an appetizer, for my taste.
(4)Jackie H.
Amazing food and service!!! We didn't realize they closed from 2:00-4:30pm to prep for dinner. We arrived at 2pm and they served us an incredible meal anyway. The peppered turkey melt is fabulous! Definitely check this place out.
(5)Lori H.
What an amazing time we had the other night. Started the meal off with infused liquor - I had some yummy lemon and something-else vodka, and husband had infused tequila. Our meals were spectacular - I had the chipotle skirt steak with a mind-blowing potato and Brie (!!!) quesadilla and yummy fresh salad. At our wonderful waiter's recommendation (thank you, BRINTON), we topped it off with bread pudding. Crazy good. Thank you, thank you, thank you for a memorable evening. GO HERE!!!
(5)Jay C.
The entrees are excellent, the sides are superb. Excellent restaurant and well worth the price (not expensive). I'm not an organic aficionado but i do respect a small local restaurant that works with small farms to produce fabulous dishes. I'm not even sure if its classified as organic anyways. It's just nice to see a great restaurant working with small industry to produce a greater dining experience than those that use big industry products. Get the citrus cole slaw. I hate cole slaw. Get the citrus cole slaw ( and lobster Mac).
(5)Pamela G.
My husband and I liked this place so much that after we were in for dinner, we brought our parents in the next day for brunch. The first time we were in, it was the fourth night of being open and it was so wonderful to see that they were busy. I had never visited the Hillcrest location, but Terra Bistro opened 5 blocks from our house so it was a no-brainer to try the place out. FOOD: Pumpkin Raviolis-this is the ish. Great flavors, great texture. My husband is still talking about this Short Rib Sliders: Fun presentation, delicious bbq sauce, fresh bread. I die. Farmer's Organic Salad: Ridiculously fresh and the dressing is possibly the best dressing I've ever had. Berry Crisp: Holy hell, I've gone to heaven. The coriander ice-cream on this was AMAZING. SERVICE: Really, really, really friendly. I had the same server both times and he was fantastic. He genuinely wanted to make sure we enjoyed our experience. And now, my issues-Almost all my issues (unsure hostesses and the food took a little while to come out) were due to the fact that the place had been open for only four days. I completely understand that the first few weeks of a new restaurant opening will inevitably have hickups. The only thing I hated was the TV in the restaurant. It was awkward to me being in a farm to table restaurant that focuses on sustainability and locally farmed food and then seeing ESPN on a huge screen. BUT, that's just my personal issue... This place is legit. I loved that both times I was here, the owner/chef came and talked to our tables. It is completely apparent that he truly cares about his business and he's putting his SOUL into everything. And seeing that it's only been open for a few days, they're pretty on point.
(5)Miss A.
Never judge a book by its cover! I moved to the area a year ago and drive by Terra almost every day. It's very plain on the outside, therefore, I had no interest of checking it out. When you walk inside, it's a whole new world. We didn't have reservations, but were sat within about 5 minutes (and the place was packed). Our waitress was great. We felt very welcomed and because of her attentiveness and great service we will be back (she was an older blond woman, don't know her name!) The food was served almost immediately and everything was fresh and delicious. I ordered a rosemary lemon Italian-type soda and it was surprisingly refreshing and delicious! In response to the douchey comment that "Angelo D." left below: I dined at Terra the same night he did. I watched the staff the whole night (well, more like I was staring at everyone's amazing food) - I didn't see one server "literally" throwing food at anyone's table and I highly doubt his meal was as sub par as he was describing. He also mentioned the serving size was too small and the prices were too high. Why don't you go to Marie Calendar's for sh*tty cheap food and huge portions then, Angelo D? :) Thanks again Terra! We will be back soon!
(5)Rich B.
My first time there at Terra, I know there is a following for this restaurant from the Hillcrest crowd and those who like artsy food, which can look good, but is it good and is it enough? There were eight in our party, and yes all tables were reserved on a Friday evening. I ordered the Pot Roast as it sounded good. It even looked good and yes it tasted very good, but for $22 I just didn't get enough, I was expecting a nice bowl full of goodies and got a plate with a smidgen of food. So keep that in mind. Three of us ordered the Fish & chips with no compliments. Three others ordered other plates and all liked them and want to come back. Looks like they have a full bar and it was full also. Our waiter was very obliging and friendly and pretty much on top of everything.
(2)John G.
Ate here again a couple weeks ago. EVERY time we've been here, they have not had something we wanted from the menu. This night, they didn't have the mussels, which frankly, was why we decided to go there. We just wanted to sit at the bar, have a bowl of mussels and maybe something else, and enjoy a light, easy meal. Not in the cards, again. Decent meal, but nothing spectacular. I think we'd go more often if they could consistently serve what's on the menu. After going 3 - 4 times and not having the dish that we had on our minds, I'm not inclined to go back any time soon.
(3)Greg M.
Went to Terra last night with my wife and another friend for dinner about 6:30 - 7:00pm. They were crowded however, we were seated immediately, no reservations. My wife started with the risotto of the day it was tasty but the rice was under cooked and a little crunchy for me. I ordered the lentil soup which was good! Our friend had a salad and he enjoyed it. When the entrees came our friend ordered a glass of wine, however, it never made it to the table. I ordered the grilled fish of the day (yellow tail), I thought it was excellent. My wife had the pot roast good flavor a little fatty, but overall very tasty. Our friend ordered the chicken pasta, again good. The dessert menu has changed much like the dinner menu however, we really wanted the carrot cake which is no longer on the menu so we skipped desserts. Last night I thought the food at Terra was good, some issues, however, I would still come back, which is why I give them the 3 stars! The Good Service Areas The food runner African - American man, tall with large black framed glasses very friendly and polite. Another lady (perhaps Hispanic) kept the waters and my iced tea full, very nice. The Bad Service Areas I think the weakness is the actual server. He seemed distracted and not really enjoying his job. He also had a large table about the same time we sat down, which is more of an excuse for him, perhaps that is why he missed the wine sale! Maybe add another server? or find one who can handle it? He seemed to have a lot of help with the food runner and some else refilling waters. I had trouble with everyone reaching across my wife to serve me. Seemed there was plenty of room to move to the other side of the table and serve me from the empty seat area, why so much reaching across the table, it is just plain rude. I have lived in this area for over 20 years and I am thrilled to have a nice restaurant close by, I only wish the service and food could be a touch better!
(3)don b.
Thank you for moving out close to La Mesa . Came out to visit my Dad and was a little worried about food in La Mesa area. We came twice for lunch and dinner , from when you first come into restaurant the hostess greets you promptly. The waitstaff are helpful and have good knowledge of food on menu. Now the food everything we tried was 5 stars for frites w truffles,chicken liver pate,beet and goat cheese salad, papperdelle w short ribs, skirt steak, special chicken pasta dish, and the bread pudding. A couple days later went for lunch everything we ordered again top notch. We had the lobster b.l.t., crab cake sliders, Salmon al pastor, and the dessert trio again everything was excellent. Will be back when I'm back in La Mesa.
(5)Amiee H.
My friend and I went here for a lazy Sunday brunch. I put much more weight on food than anything else, so even though this place was pretty impressive in all aspects, aside from the food, I am forced to give a lower rating. Food: 1) California Omelet: The cheese was pretty good but I think the chilies were kinda bland and too limp. There wasn't much to the omelet. I think a third of the food is based on presentation and this just didn't do it for me. When the omelet came, I didn't even think there was anything inside. It just looked like a folded over piece of egg. The side potatoes were pretty good and fried really well. 2) Veggie Omelet: Again, similar to the California omelet, not too impressive. Omelet lacked filling. Ambiance: It was a really hot day outside so when we went inside, it was nice and cool. Very tall, broad ceilings and expansive dining area. Really open and had good lighting. I liked the decor. Even the ceiling had some decorations. It really reminded me of the down to earth vibe that Berkeley has. Service: Really nice and friendly waiter. The hostess must have been the owner. She was super friendly. Price: Reasonable for brunch food and the amount of food but not for the presentation or the taste of the food. The menu is online so you can check out the prices there. Overall: I think I saw other people ordering things that looked a LOT better, I must have just had an off day and ordered the wrong stuff. I would love to come back to try other things and find something I do like at this place. I'll give it another chance the next time I'm in town.
(3)Kirby W.
I had dinner here tonight and was delighted with the food and the service. I ordered salmon and was surprised and pleased when the waitress asked where I wanted it on the range from seared to well-done. It came crispy, moist and flavorful with a pleasant sauce and a white corn garnish. My companion ordered the tomato sea bass special and also said it was crispy yet moist and delicious. Nice wine selection. We split the banana bread pudding with butterscotch bourbon and pecans for dessert. It was very good, not too sweet and very satisfying. Between the two of us we couldn't finish the large dessert portion. Great friendly service with frequent water and coffee refills. Overall a wonderful experience.
(5)Amiee L.
I happened to find myself in La Mesa last night on "date night" with my boyfriend and decided to check this place out based on Yelp reviews. The area is off El Cajon Blvd., and though I wouldn't say it's exactly shady, it's just a really weird scene when you look out the window of the restaurants; run down commercial lots, etc. The restaurant itself has a very nice ambiance; it was dark and candlelit; the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. We were seated and the waitress was great, very friendly, making lots of helpful suggestions about the menu and specials. The restaurant serves an organic menu with lots of local fare, and the menu was nice and though there weren't a ton of options, what was there was pretty good. We don't eat carbs, including breads and potatoes, and the one thing I had wished to see was more salad/protein options, though they were willing to work with us on some of the sides and let us substitute more health conscious options. I ended up ordering the chipotle skirt steak and my boyfriend ordered the burger; we also had the salmon cake appetizer. The salmon cakes tasted amazing..but they only came with two extremely small cakes, about the size of small breakfast sausages. It was hardly more than a teaser, so that was a little disappointing, but the flavor was great. For the burger, it came with an amazing cheese crumble and on a fresh roll, which we didn't eat, but they also make their own ketchup which has a nice sweet flavor to it. It was a nice mix with the meat of the burger (the burger itself was great). It is served with french fries, but they let us substitute white bean chili instead, which tasted just ok. For the chipotle steak, the meat itself was tender and amazing, however it was loaded with salt (as was all the food) and everything was drenched in a ton of different sauces that ended up running all together, so that basically the entire dish tasted the same. As we left the restaurant, the takeaway we had was that it was ok, but not great. The food is fresh and has lots of potential, but way too many sugary sauces and salt and the portions are not enough to justify the prices. We live in Hillcrest, so don't make it over to La Mesa too often, but if we did, we MAY eat here again, but it would definitely not be our first choice.
(3)Christopher F.
You seriously can not go wrong with any pick on their menu. But the lobster mac really hits the spot and is so over the top delicious you will be craving it on a weekly basis. Their Sunday brunch is a must, with up to 3 complimentary glasses of mimosa per entree....it is the wife and I's favorite Sunday brunch spot in town. The stuffed french toast and buffalo chips are muy excellente! Thanks for moving out east Terra!
(5)Jenna and Mason M.
We came to Terra to celebrate my husband's birthday. He wanted to go to a farm to table restaurant, so I made a reservation for Wednesday night at 6pm for a party of 7 people. We were immediately seated upon arrival. Our waitress introduced herself and took our drink orders. We really enjoyed the house made non-alcoholic beverages, which included the "Boulevard" (house-made fresh strawberry and mint soda) and a Lemongrass-Ginger lemonade. For our dinner order, 3 people ordered the flat iron steak, 2 ordered the grilled fresh fish of the day, 1 ordered the porterhouse, and I ordered the Moroccan Salmon Special. After about 5 minutes, our waitress returned to tell us that there were only 2 flat iron steaks available, so one person needed to change their order. My father-in-law opted to have the skirt steak instead. 15 minutes later the manager came to our table. She said that there were no more flat iron or skirt steaks, so all 3 people would need to change their order. She explained that the menu was changing the next day, so the kitchen was out of many dishes- especially those involving steak or chicken. In the end, she offered that they could substitute some Porterhouse or Chimichurri steaks from the new menu that would be offered tomorrow. All 3 people chose to have the Chimichurri steak. 2 of those orders asked that fries and extra vegetables be included. 30 minutes later the steaks came out. Unfortunately only 1 had fries and extra vegetables, so they took it back to add the fries and extra veggies. Then came the fish dishes, and the final steak dish came 5 minutes later. The grilled fresh fish of the day, steaks, vegetables, and fries were good. We also enjoyed the beet salad and lobster bisque soup. The Salmon Special was the one disappointing dish. While it was supposed to be seared, the outside was burnt and the interior flesh cold and raw. The accompanying spinach gnocchi and vegetables were also overcooked. What was most difficult to overlook was the attitude and service of both the waitress and manager which really spoiled the dining experience of the table. Both waitress and manager were frustrated with the lack of communication between the front of house and kitchen, however the handling of this breakdown was executed with little professionalism. The waitress was clearly angry that things were not going well, and was unable to prevent her feelings from overshadowing her service. Her demeanor became increasingly more hostile as the evening progressed, sighing when requesting drink refills or asking to add a side order of french fries, and ignoring attempts to get her attention. When the manager first approached the table half way through service, she shared a similar sentiment to the server, but exuded a very condescending tone, seemingly inconvenienced by explaining the reasons why some of our entrees were no longer available and what the possible substitutions were. She seemed disinterested in rectifying the problem herself, instead passing it back to the server to sort out. At the end of service the manager re-approached the table with a more positive attitude and apologized for the quality of service, and compensated two of the meals assuring us that our experience wasn't representative of Terra American Bistro. Unfortunately, at this point it was difficult to really enjoy the quality and beauty of our farm to table meal. It is disheartening to see a restaurant with such great potential and the highest quality ingredients perform so poorly, with service outweighing the dining experience. It undermines the farm to table movement in a community that still struggles to gain traction with local, organic food. Breakdown: Ambiance- 3 stars Service- 1 star Food- 2.5 stars Overall- 2 stars
(2)Susana W.
This is probably our favorite restaurant in SD. Love this place! We've eaten here many different times and every time it's been great. Love Sunday Champagne brunch, so reasonably priced and delicious! Dinner is our usual pick though and it never disappoints. Their custom drinks are so yummy...my only request would be to bring back the cinnamon pear cocktail, it was the best drink I've ever had!
(5)Sarie K.
Terra's is great. The prices may seem expensive, but the food, service, and ambiance are superb. I have been amazed by every dish I have ordered from here, including something as simple as a wedge salad, which, by the way is made with romaine rather than useless iceberg lettuce! Menus helpfully denote whether each dish is vegetarian and/or gluten-free. I absolutely love that. The desserts are pretty amazing. Thus far, the most impressive dessert I have had the pleasure to enjoy is the flourless chocolate cake. They also have a good selection of loose-leaf teas, including one of my favorites, the fruity herbal tea Kir Quincy (which I believe comes from Pannikin Coffee and Tea).
(5)lynnda s.
Visited Terra Bistro tonight with some friends who had been there a few times before. I will be going back. The food was excellent. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food is farm to table and you can taste the freshness. Very very good. We sat and talked for quite awhile and never felt rushed or in the way. The tables are far enough apart that you don't feel you are eavesdropping on other conversations or that they are listening to you.. The restaurant, itself, was not too loud or too quiet. We had a few appetizers (the pumpkin ravioli - YUM) I had swordfish and veggies - it was all cooked perfectly and tasted delish. It is the perfect neighborhood joint. Wish we had one in MY neighborhood..
(4)Harvey W.
Ideally I give this place 2 stars so I'm not written off as a hater, but then I realize my objective is to lower the overall as much as possible to warn away any potential diners, so I have to go with 1 star. The food here is excellent. The immature service, the (lack of any enjoyable, relaxed dining) experience, the attitude, over-do up-sells, and the turn-and-burn rhythm ruin any value the nearly exceptional food provides. We were repeatedly rushed through our experience from the get-go until we were finally and abruptly MOVED without our consent just after ordering a second bottle of wine, finishing up our dinners, and awaiting desserts - to the FARM TABLE in the back near the exit - all celebrating a much anticipated 40th birthday evening out. We were shocked and disgusted, and then the owner, who had been by the table previously to say, "Happy birthday," had the audacity (after we'd sent the desserts back) to come with a TEN DOLLAR coupon which he made clear could not be used tonight, but for NEXT TIME! UNBELIEVABLE. It could have been handled gracefully by anyone worth their salt in service; somehow the FARM TABLE could have been the funniest and most enjoyable part of a night had it been at a different restaurant that treated their guests with care. When I saw the 3.5 star average for such a hyped place here, I knew we weren't alone. Phils BBQ a Top Ten in the Nation and Terra just languishing at 3.5 in La Mesa. Long may you languish, Terra, because languish you will.
(1)sharon w.
Thank you so very much for the wonderful dining experience at your restaurant. WOW! The pictures do not do it justice. You have a really cool interior vibe! The décor is wonderful. The service was great! The food amazing. Our office struggled....literally struggled over what to order. Gama was our waiter and he did a great job of guiding us and we were completely satisfied. He was delightful. Wonderful lunch. We loved it. Thank you very much. Our office celebration (1 Birthday and 3 anniversary's) was really special.
(5)Luke M.
Just moved in down the street. Tried this place and fell in love! The Mac and Cheese is good and the baked Brie was good as well! The sirloin was really great as well as the salad. Desert is being Cooked as we speak!
(5)Owen C.
DELISCH!!!! a bit pricey, but very tasty food. I have gotten something different every time, and always good. Very good service... EXAMPLE: I ordered a burger medium rare, it came completely cooked through, I just ate it because I am not a complainer, and didn't want the rest of my party to wait for me. The waitress asked how my burger was at the end of the meal, I told her it was cooked all the way... my meal was free. The is customer service. I didn't ask for it, and it was still given to me. I will always go there and eat, and worth the extra dinero.
(5)Richard C.
When Terra moved from Hillcrest to the College area we in the East County gained a great place to eat and drink. Chef Jeff and his kitchen staff are creative and know their way around a grill and a smoker and a fryer. Think fresh, innovative food in a French country bistro with fair prices and a customer base that appreciates what this place offers. Excellent and favorable soups, eclectic salads, full wine list and attentive service. Especially Emily. Has a big farm table for large groups (10), a bar that serves food, and lots of well situated tables. Jeff was doing farm to table before it was labeled as such and combining foods and textures that constantly amaze. Did I mention Wednesday nights offer no corkage for that excellent, tasteful bottle of wine that you have been saving. Bring it in and bring it on.
(4)Bill R.
My Girlfriend and I went there tonight for a early dinner and they were still having restaurant week. The food was incredible. The portions were perfect. They just presented there fall menu. Everything was soooo delicious. Top billing was their pumpkin raviolis, braised beef with mashed yukon potatoes, and pumpkin bread dessert. And to top it off, the service was impeccable. I Think I want to go back there tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow etc....
(5)troy k.
Pros: Seated immediately, Lost of flavor in the food and extremely fresh. Nice atmosphere. Staff is friendly. Cons: Happy hour not offered at the table. Must eat at the bar for happy hour drinks and appetizers. We decided not to order any drinks and stuck to water due to this fact. Tips: Currently on Wednesdays, there is no corkage fees if you bring your own wine. We saw several folks bring their own. Price: We ordered for 2 (no alcohol) and the tab came to $42 with tax and tip (included a salad/soup and an entrée). We felt this was market priced for a restaurant of this caliber.
(3)Hollan M.
Lunch was great. Nice atmosphere. Friendly waiter. Free appetizer when I checked in on Foursquare! Yummy FARM-to-TABLE meal. ___ I was driving, driving, driving ... and not in the most picturesque part of El Cajon Boulevard. All that didn't matter when I walked in the doors of Terra. Beautifully decorated. Great lighting. Not overdone. Many other people dining but not a loud buzz. We had wine with lunch and enjoyed our FREE appetizer, Calamari with garlicky sauce. I ordered a Lobster BLT. Loved it! My friend ordered the Ravioli and they were delicious. Our waiter was happy-go-lucky and very attentive. It was perfect for lunch. Probably just as nice for dinner. It is out of the way unless you live in the SDSU College area/La Mesa. It's worth a visit. I heard they relocated here from Hillcrest.
(5)David B.
great place, a bit overpriced but the food is great
(4)Lynne B.
Just left Terra's restaurant where the coke was flat and the potatoes with breakfast were less than fresh. I was all excited about going to a new restaurant especially one that uses farm fresh produce. It all started with an explanation of the brunch and endless champagne. Too early to drink so we ordered diet cokes with lime. I will say one word: FLAT! So I returned the coke and decided water would be fine since they informed me that they couldn't fix the problem. The breakfast burrito was pretty good, but my husband's avocado bacon omelet wasn't fresh. The potatoes on both plates were a bit tough and over done. High point of the breakfast a visit with good friends.
(2)Natalie F.
Went last night for Easter dinner with my family. I really loved the grilled fish, which was yellowtail. Cooked to how I liked it with sautéed veggies. They also have Tobin James Zin, which is my favorite, so I was a happy girl! My husband ordered the roast. His first comment was "this is not worth $20". Said it tasted like a cheap fatty piece of meat. He wasn't impressed. Service - I rate a 2 or 3. My wine was sitting at the bar for a while and it wasn't busy. Also, when we were waiting to be helped there were 5 guys watching the basketball game by the bar, and NOT helping us. So they weren't terrible, but they definitely don't hire the best out there :) Overall, too pricey, but I would still go back... although I would have to convince my husband to! Not in the best area of town and old looking building. But I like the local food they serve there.
(4)Jules W.
We love having such a cute, delicious farm-to-table restaurant in our 'hood. It's always busy when we come in so making a reservation would definitely help. Perfect spot for a nice date night! Also, if they have the lavender creme brûlée... GET IT.
(5)Tim R.
Went in for lunch today. It was bomb as usual. Hopefully you get Adrienne as your server. She's dope!
(5)Tina H.
Came here on a whim with Bestie and I'm glad we did! So we walk in and sit at the bar and wait for a few minutes, which I thought- OH GREAT. We got a menu and I was pleasantly surprised with the selections. The staff was ample and helpful and very very nice-especially the bartender. I forget his name but he was very nice and helped me when I was torn between the chicken and the pot roast. We decided on the tots for our appetizer and HOLY HAYZOOOS they were out of this MF world! Went with the pot roast for my entree and was VERY GLAD I did. So delish. Large piece of tender meat on a bed of mashed potatoes and luscious gravy, ugh-the gravy was dreamy. I left here a happy camper. --------------------------------------------------Â----------------------------------------------- SO, the shit was so good I had to take my babe there because he's a pot roast fan and the place didn't disappoint! He practically licked the plate clean. I got the chicken breast which was huge with vegetables, potato fritters-which were the tots that were still yummy! After dinner we each ordered dessert, I got the berry crisp and BF got the mango sherbert. Both were very tasty and out of this world. My berry crisp was warm, sweet and tart and just delicious! The mango was equally tart and like nothing I've ever had. I highly recommend all! Having been there twice inside a week, I was delightfully full and happy both times!
(4)Maija G.
I just wrote a review about Gingham in East County and I knew I had to write a review about Terra next because THIS is the place to go in La Mesa, not that Brian Malarkey-mess. I've eaten at Terra at least 10 - 15 times over the past year and it is quickly becoming my "go to" spot. The BF and I hit up Terra nearly every other Friday to indulge in their seafood menu. Their fish is always fresh and prepared fabulously. The menu is creative and I love how they take customer feedback seriously. There was a "test" appetizer on the menu one night (an heirloom tomato, tofu, trumpet mushroom salad) that we couldn't stop raving about. It made it to the menu as a permanent guest about a week later. THE GOOD: The food here is simply fabulous. My favorites are the fish tacos, nachos, heirloom tomato and tofu salad, scallops, cheese plate, catch of the day, pumpkin ravioli, and the bread pudding. The bread pudding dessert is the most indulgent combination of sticky sweet sugar and oaky bourbon and makes for such a good "morning after" breakfast that I always take a few bites to go. The service is fast and knowledgeable. They are willing to customize items to make them fit for you. My BF and I do not eat meat, so they put these amazing champagne grapes on the cheese plate for us instead of prosciutto. THE BAD: I can't really come up with anything sub-par at Terra. The decor is nothing to write home about and sometimes there is a long wait, but the food is worth it. If I was forced to come up with ONE complaint, it would simply be that there are too many things on the menu to choose from and I want to order them all. I also love the Friday seafood menus (which change weekly) and wish some of those items (like the scallops) would become permanent menu options. Terra is by far the best fresh food establishment east of the 15. I hesitate giving it a 5-star rating because I want to hoard it all for myself!
(5)Paula D.
Amazing food, how sweet the sound that saved a tongue like miiiiiiine. Yep, I mangled that song all over the place but when get a Cobb salad that is so good you want to sing and you have ADD and dyslexia, you sing and mangle lyrics. Sue me. The cobb salad was to die for. The vinaigrette could have been served in a glass and I would have consumed it with a slice of lime and a smile. Bacon....the bacon. The avocado? the greens? The delicate but tangy goat cheese? Hallelujah! Speaking of grace, the servers are excellent and the chef popping by to see if you like your eats is a classy touch. It was clear that everyone working there wants the customers to have a great experience. Finally the tractor in front. My Dad has a fascination with tractors and that was a driving force in picking this place. The lovely weldments with rocks that were made to look like ants were really fun as well. Can't wait to come back with friends!
(5)Erik K.
Come for the calamari, stay for the skirt steak, and unwind with a chocolate cigar. Make reservations, this place gets busy. I can't wait to go back for the fourth time!!! Great service, smart servers, locally grown produce. Yummy cocktails....
(5)Jonathan L.
Just came from eating here for Restaurant Week. I've had excellent dinners here before, but this was my first lunch experience. My friends and I had the Pumpkin Bisque and the Scallops to start. The bisque was flavorful and the scallops were plentiful and delicious. For the main meal we had the Lobster Mac and Cheese and the Chipotle Skirt Steak. Both were to die for. The Lobster M&C was especially buttery and delicious. The steak was perfectly proportioned for a lunch dish, perfectly cooked, and everything on the plate complimented it. I especially love the honey-glazed, potato quesadilla -- the perfect alternative to the standard mashed potatoes. For dessert we had the flourless chipotle chocolate cake w/ basil cream and salted caramel. It was the perfect ending to the perfect meal. Everything here is so elegantly thought-out and prepared. All the veggies are farm-fresh, and the restaurant as a whole has such a great local feel to it. I will be coming back to this place again and again and again...
(5)Courtney C.
We came here with a large group for Restaurant Week. Although there was an initial problem with our reservation, they rectified it by supplying us with two complementary bottles of wine at our table. We were seated fairly quickly, our server was knowledge and friendly, food was served st a good pace. We began our meal with an apple cinnamon flavored water (yum!) and some garlic chickpea hummus and bread (yum again!). We each had an appetizer (quesadilla with brie, red onion, and potato, pumpkin bisque [which my husband said was awesome], and scallops). All were good. Among us we ordered the yellowtail grilled fish, porkchops, the filet, lobster mac n' cheese, and a vegetarian stir fry. Not one of us was disappointed. Chef Jeff did a great job! They were low on some desserts, but we tried the chocolate lava cake with basil creme freiche and the banana bread pudding. The bread pudding was heavy but delicious! We live down the road and will definitely be heading back!
(5)Erin P.
I took my foodie friend from LA here for brunch on Sunday. It's in my old neighborhood, which is kinda spotty...not the most picturesque! However, I assured her I knew the food would be good and we were not disappointed. She had an omelet and potatoes. I had the salmon and eggs and potatoes. My daughter had pancakes which were fluffy and good. The only thing I wished was that the eggs would've come with toast. I also wished there were more fruit on the side. My salmon was very good, but the description said there were red peppers and onion and I didn't have any peppers. I asked my server and she said, "They must've forgotten it..." Hmmm. I didn't care though because even without it, my dish was delish. My girlfriend's omelet was fantastic! Complimentary champagne was a bonus... The only picky thing I would've changed was the manager, or someone who appeared to be a manager, came to our table and stood there for quite some time clearing it. I felt like she was pushing us to leave even though the restaurant wasn't that crowded yet (it really filled up as we were leaving though, which was around 11 am). I'm an ex-server so I get that table turnover is important. However, I didn't feel like we were lingering too long. I still was finishing up my champagne and my girlfriend her tea. I made a comment that we were almost finished and she could have the table pretty soon. She was very nice about it, but we still felt pushed. I would suggest the sweeping clearing doesn't happen until the guest actually gets up! I've eaten here for dinner and lunch, too. Jeff, the owner, is always very creative and the food is always, always very good. Super fresh ingredients and nicely flavorful and pretty. They have good wine specials and their appetizer specials are good. The check for brunch was very reasonable, as has been the cost of both dinner and lunch in the past. I would recommend this restaurant for sure. It's a gem in East County and we NEED nice restaurants out here. Patronize so they stay, people!
(4)Jonnie O.
Fantastic cocktails, delicious food, unassuming decor...no attitude...just great food!
(5)Suzy C.
Heard some good things about this place from some colleagues so when a friend's birthday came around we decided to check it out! We hoped to try the Early Dining 3 Course Tasting Menu but found out when we got there that we missed it! The website said it was from 4:30p-6:30p but they recently changed it to end at 6p and had not updated the website! Needless to say we were disappointed, but we stayed and chose items off their regular dinner menu. To start, we were offered cinnamon water or regular water and those of us who tried the cinnamon water did not like it! We were disappointed again to find out that the hostess misinformed us that they had lobster bisque when they had mushroom bisque instead. We shared the Hand Cut Bistro Fries with Truffle and Asiago Cheese & Chives and seafood courses which were very tasty! The place is dimly lit and big enough to accommodate a big group if needed. Service was good, but we wish we had a better 1st time experience!
(2)Neil B.
Delicious! So stoked to have a place in East County that serves such culinary delights. I've lived near this neighborhood for over 30 years and it's always had a reputation for being shady. I'm glad that a place like Terra exists in this neighborhood because maybe it'll help rejuvinate the area. My favorite was that it's nice and contemporary, yet not pretentious as they accomodate families. The fact that the kids menus are on the back of drawing toys (think etch-a-sketch) I got the sense that the chef/owners empathize with parents that don't get out as much since having kids. If you don't have kids then you don't know what I'm talking about, but trust me once you have kids you'll find that going out to a nice dinner is stressful and you end up settling for chain restaurants. The food was good. I usually stick with the daily specials and it was really good. The one thing that I remember everyone enjoying was the chocolate cigar, so save room for dessert. Looking forward to coming back here.
(4)Robin W.
I loved them in Hillcrest and I love them now in the college area!
(4)Jim F.
A very solid 4 stars. Service was 5 stars. Very attentive waitress and cordial hostess at the front who acknowledged everyone at the front of the restaurant even as she was juggling to get several people seated. Big kudos to her professionalism and doing it with a smile. Food was delicious. Nice bread with yummy hummus. Citrus brined chicken was very tasty and the romaine salad with smoked tomato dressing and asaggio cheese was delicious. My partner also raved about the Angus burger and the delicious ketchup served with the fries. I'd have given five stars if the restaurant hadn't been out of several items (flatbread pizzas. mac and cheese), but perhaps that wasn't entirely the restaurant's fault since they were really slammed on a Thursday night. I'll be back to try those pizzas and maybe dessert next time, especially since the restaurant is two minutes from my house.
(4)Ash R.
Damn, this place is good. Everything from the coffee bean bags that decorate the ceilings to the upcycled light fixtures makes you feel cozy and happy (and hungry!) Melon-infused water, delicious vegetarian options (I WILL be back to try the pumpkin ravioli!), and a chef that personally visits your table to ask if you're enjoying your dinner -- who could ask for more? My toasted quinoa in acorn squash was perfect! Who thought kalamata olives and golden raisins could blend into such a beautiful concoction? Um, definitely not me. They make it work. Also loved the brie, potato and red onion quesadilla served with chipotle honey! It definitely has a spicy kick to it which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I can't say enough good things about the Cinnamon-Anise Budino Jar. Think old-fashioned cinnamon flavor.... but add creaminess. Yup. Incredible. Can't wait to head back!
(5)Ryan F.
Terra is an amazing restaurant. The atmosphere is excellent and the food is so delicious. My wife and I love calamari and Terra's is excellent. Their menu is great as their are so many great dishes to choose from. I really like how the chef comes out and checks on the guests occasionally. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)jayna k.
Going to Terra last night was the best experience. We had Nick as a server. You will find him warm, friendly, polite, and gracious. He checked on my table constantly and made sure we were happy, and doing well. We were never ignored. Nick made our night. We had the bread pudding for dessert which was delicious and the Cobb salad had a nice light dressing, nice portion size and fresh tasting. Happy to come in, felt good to know that I will be back!!! No complaints from this happy person :)
(5)Roz O.
Went back again for restaurant week...Yum! A big improvement over the last visit. Although we had to wait awhile (it was restaurant week...) our party of 6 was very happy with the service and the food. I had mahi mahi w/ a fabulous mustard sauce, and mussels as an appetizer...delish:) They allow you to bring your own wine, and because they were running late they waived the corkage fee...very nice..we will definitely go back sooner than later.
(4)S D.
I went here for Restaurant Week in January (yes I'm quite a laggy yelper) but I honestly believe that their ratings should be higher than 3.5 stars. The deal was $30 or $40 (depending on the main dish choice) for a 3 course meal. I started off with the steamed mussels, which were cooked to PERFECTION. I swear I have never ordered seafood that was cooked so well. It didn't have a seawater taste at all and it was super creamy. My friends got the calamari and those were cooked to perfection as well. It wasn't too battered, and it wasn't greasy, it literally was perfect. I had the pot roast for my main entrée. It was tender and delicious, but since I'm more of a fruit and veggies kind of person the serving size of meat was on the larger end. I only made it half way through the pot roast and had to take the rest home. For my dessert I had the crème brulee. It wasn't all too special, but it was still delicious. All in all, I would definitely recommend eating here. Order the seafood (mussels, calamari), it won't disappoint.
(5)Mira K.
I could not be happier to have Terra added to the East County restaurant scene. I used to frequent the restaurant when they were in Hillcrest, but the food here is better and more reasonably priced! We go there for brunch frequently, and the food is amazing. Their mimosas and bloody marys are outstanding, the burgers are AWESOME and their breakfast skillet hits the spot. We have not had a dish here that we didn't like. Also, do not skip dessert. I'm not even a big fan of bread pudding, but theirs A-MAZING. An absolute must. I've also been for happy hour a couple of times, and it was nice. The house cocktails are good, but tend to be a little sweet for my taste, so I usually opt for a martini. Servers and host staff have always been very friendly and accommodating. We love taking people here, and have not had a disappointing experience yet. Thank you for being a wonderful addition to our community!
(5)Pj B.
I was told by the gf that she wanted to take me here so i could sample some good ol close to home grown produce. Well whatdoyaknow we made it! The place looks cool for starters, We were meeting up there to chow down on some food. So upon sitting down i can not judge how attentive the server was before we got there. It did seem like a good long minute before she came to ask for drinks, THAT said, afterward she was around all the time, so that's good! I like the fact that it's local fair, locally grown and locally chopped up from what i understand. Keeps the good local people employed. on to the food, there were a few different things ordered up at the table, i did not sample all of them but got to sample a few. The Local fish of the day just so happen to be yellow tail served up Asian style. Not too impressed with the size of the fish for the price you pay but it was tasty. I got the 16oz. porter chop, again the portion vs price is a bummer. The taste however is pretty good. Wasn't a fan of the greens the the SLAB of sweet potato was damn good. I got a sample of a potato something or other quesodilla and that was pretty good as well. The deserts were all pretty good, they have a bite sized sample platter a $5 each or two for $12. they had three of them. So we ordered up all three and of course they ran out of one but they gave us some of the SAN DIEGO's best banana bread pudding. There was a creme brule type thing which was alright, and a tequila lime cheeses cake that was AWESOME. Also ordered was a chocolate cigar which looked like a GD cigar. It was just ok. All in all the meal was good, i didn't leave hungry but i didn't leave stuffed. good times were had and I've been told i should go back and try the POT ROAST.
(4)James M.
What a fantastic addition to the neighborhood. Terra uses the best ingredients, treats them with respect, but sometimes gives them a twist to keep things interesting. WIthout doubt, Terra has the best burger in the city (and I mean San Diego, not La Mesa). EVERYTHING about it works - it approaches an umami flavor that can be very elusive and taste horrendous if it misfires. The fries are the perfect size (not shoestring, but not too thick), and the - again, umami quality of the house made ketchup seals the deal. The skirt steak is not to be missed - perfectly charred, filled with flavor, and tender but retaining a nice chew. The quesadilla that comes with it is rich, rich, rich, but I finished the whole thing and wanted another. Brunch is also worthy of your attention: again, nothing too avant garde, but perfectly cooked eggs and proteins - and if you roll with carbs, the french toast is for you. Although Terra is justifiably proud of its farm-to-table heritage, it doesn't have that precious, haughty, aren't-we-fabulous, in-your-face attitude that infects a lot of other places with the same heritage. In other words, Terra is a restaurant that takes (justifiable) pride in the ingredients it uses without scaring off people who might find those places pretentious (or overpriced). Add to that a bustling dining room and competent service, and you've got a restaurant that deserves the attention it gets. A note about the location: no, it's not the Gaslamp or Hillcrest, but don't let that deter you. It's La Mesa, for God's sake, not Mars. The residents of La Mesa, Rolando and College love this place, and you will too. You're here to eat, not to look at the twee boutiques and wine bars outside the window. Pick up the phone, reserve a table, get in your car, and go. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Andrea M.
Bought a Groupon for me and my brother for the chefs summer tasting menu. Our waitress was VERY knowledgeable and explained the entire menu to us, as we were first timers to the restaurant. The bread and garlic hummus spread they brought out to us was AMAZING. I also ordered The Boulevard (drink). I little too sweet for me, felt like I was drinking strawberry syrup. First course I had the mussels and bro ordered the beet and goat cheese salad. Being the first time I've ever had mussels, cant say I'm a big fan. Just personal taste though, they looked gorgeous and seemed to be cooked properly and with care. My brother enjoyed his salad. Second Course we both had salad. The soup of the day was a BBQ meat soup. Didn't sound appealing to either of us. Entree: Both ordered the pot roast. Beautiful presentation again, you can tell each plate is presented with love. The roast was cooked great, moist, soft, and an okay sized chunk. Maybe a little too small for a die hard carnivore. However the real star of the plate, for me, was the wilted greens with the gravy and mashed potatoes. DELICIOUS! Not enough gravy though, just a little splash. But I would buy the entire plate again just for those. Dessert: We both ordered the lavender creme brulee. So yummy! Enough said haha Wish there was more though! It was only a little larger than an oreo! :( My expectations were so high for this place but I was a little disappointed.
(4)Theresa G.
My husband and I had high hopes when we made reservations to eat at Terra. Once we arrived we waited a short while to get our table. The hostess was pleasant and our waiter was nice. We started with the calamari, which we found to be rather fantastic, well seasoned, the sauce was tasty, and nothing was fishy nor too chewy. This lead us to expect even more from the rest of our meal. Unfortunately my chimichurri sauced steak tasted severely burnt and I continued to get a burnt flavor in my mouth the rest of the night. My husbands lobster mac and cheese had an awful sweet flavor to it that progressively got worse as he ate it. Had it been my dish I would not have eaten more then a few bites before I sent it back. In the meanwhile our waiter hadn't been back once to replenish our drinks, and thus, we were also unable to speak up about our meals. By the time he did come by we were ready for our check and when asked how our meal was we politely let him know our issues with it and mentioned that maybe it was just our pallets that the food didn't work for. We were then spoken to by the manager, who was very nice about the ordeal, and gave us a free dessert of our choosing. But, we were also then subjected to speaking our concerns to the owner/chef, which in my opinion was unnecessary. We only spoke up in the first place because we were asked by the waiter about our meal and we otherwise would have just left things as they were since we were ready to leave at that point. The chef went on to tell us that the richness of the lobster mac and cheese should make it creamier and in no way sweet. It just felt like he was telling us we were both nuts since we both tasted the same and was completely discounting how we felt. Oh well, we won't be going back there again.
(1)linda s.
The hostess and waiter were amazing. Truly. I ordered the pumpkin ravioli and right away liked the presentation. The corn sauce was yummy as was the pumpkin filling that tasted as if it had cooked for a long time, achieving a dark, rich flavor. So, why only three stars? Well, I'm a discerning diner and the "pasta" component tasted like pot sticker wrappers. Could it be? When the server asked how it was, I was honest. I also said up-front that I didn't want to try something else, I was finished. He thanked me for my input and said he would mention it to the chef. Later, the chef was chatting up another table but didn't visit us. Could it be he is taking that "wrapper" short cut and doesn't think we'll notice?
(3)Matt S.
I'm afraid I have to downgrade Terra. My first visit was awesome; great food, great service. The flavored water is cool and the hummus dip is way better than butter. On my second trip I had the pumpkin ravioli which is possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten. But the other dishes were just ok. Also, on the first visit the menu said they had Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, but when I ordered it it was Ballast Point Big Eye IPA. I asked the waiter and he gave me a ring-around story about the menu and the kegs being changed, mistake, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, my second visit was 5-6 weeks later and the menu still said Sculpin and when I ordered it it was once again Big Eye. Something about that bothers me, not quite responsive or accurate enough to show true dedication to seasonal/high quality ingredients. Also, this is San Diego, you better get your beers right. Third visit service was absolutely terrible. After being seated we waited 20 minutes before anyone even acknowledged us. We finally got water, and ordered, and it was another 30 minutes before the food came out. It was sunday brunch so there was no bread while we waited. When the food finally came, 3 out of the 4 orders were wrong. We told them we would eat it anyway because we were starving. They played some game where they charged us for cheaper versions of the things we ate. It was weird, basically like 8 bucks off the bill after all that. I feel like that could have been handled way better, and the restaurant wasn't even that busy (only 5 tables full). All that said, Terra is still one of the best restaurants in East County, so it's only a matter of time before I go back. I just wish they could tighten it up a little.
(3)Anna C.
My husband and I just ate here for the first time and it was so great I had to write a review! We were recommended to try Terra from several friends and finally had the opportunity to go for breakfast a few weeks ago. It was AMAZING! First off, when you go for Sunday brunch, anything you order off the menu comes with three mimosas so high five to that. Second, the food was so so so delicious! My husband had one of their hashes and everything was cooked and seasoned deliciously. I had the stuffed french toast and it was to die for, I practically licked my plate clean. Lastly, the service was top notch and the decor was very welcoming and fun. Out the door with tip we spent $33, which seems like a steal for two great plates of food and four mimosas [we couldn't drink all six! Haha!]. I'm so happy such a great restaurant opened so close to home. I'm looking forward to trying them for dinner soon.
(5)frank b.
Just got home from Terra and I puked my guts out. Lobster Mac and cheese. Do not try it!!!!
(1)Deb Z.
We came for the early dining meal starting at 4:30 --choice of salad or soup, and because I can get a salad any time, I chose the melon soup, and was I glad! 3 melons together with mint, vanilla bean, and lemongrass drizzled over. In love! Then meat/ tofu choice and choice of 3 styles. I chose tofu marinated in balsamic vinegar, etc. done very well [it's hard to find excellent tofu] in Asian style, with fresh vegetables and spicy sauce. Oh more love.....http://www.terrasd.com/early_dining/ Friendly staff, and homey atmosphere. Awards on the wall. I am glad they relocated to East county. Only $17.95. Customer card -- you spend 100+ get 10 back....
(5)Larry J. W.
Good service, decent food. Dissapointed that they would not take separate checks for more than1 couple at a table and that they charged extra for salsa
(3)Jennifer G.
Terra is located close to our home. We've been there half a dozen times so far, the ambiance is fantastic. It has a rustic feel. Staff is friendly and the chef will come out and greet guests on occasion. The food has been good, the appetizers always have a fun presentation. My favorite so far is the lobster mac n' cheese and the pot roast. The lemon grass ginger martini is delicious! I'm normally a fan of sweeter drinks and I love this! They make their own house infused vodka but they have been out on occasion (I've been able to order it 3/6 times?). My husband really likes the local craft beer selection. I would have given Terra a 5/5 but I feel it's a bit pricy, I always tell others it if were a little cheaper or had a bigger portion size I would be more apt to make it a regular spot. It's great for special occasions and restaurant week is an awesome deal! We'll be there twice this week!
(4)Aimee W.
My husband I and just moved to La Mesa from North Park - We were pleasantly surprised to find out that Terra had moved right down the street! The decor was simple but very warm and inviting - the service was really friendly ... and the food! YUM. I had the lobster mac and cheese - which had half a lobster tail and a huge chunk of what I would imagine came from the claw - so much more lobster than I would have imagined - I thought it was just going to be chopped up and thrown in with the pasta. The lobster was perfectly cooked possibly some of the best lobster I have ever had. My hubby got the citrus chicken and was moaning throughout the meal at how delicious it all was. 2 delicious and filling meals & 2 glasses of wine for $50 not bad! So happy to have a place like this in La Mesa! We will definitely come back!
(5)Pete M.
I have been to Terra a few times since opening weekend, and they are now the Terra I remember in Hillcrest. Quality of Food is always 1st Class. The Wine bar is really nice and fun to sit around.
(4)Joe F.
Apparently this restaurant is by reservation only. We got there at around 5:30pm on Thursday 6/9 , told the hostess "Two" and she promptly asked "Do you have a reservation?", we tell her No and she said "Ok, it will be just a few minutes". Meanwhile, another couple comes in and apparently they don't have reservations either, yet they're explained to that they can sit at some "community table" or whatever the hell that might be and she promptly seats these people. At this point, I'm completely irked because 1) Why didn't she offer this to us? and 2) Why didn't she come and grab us first as we had been waiting several minutes. And during all of this other people are coming in and sitting at the bar. When we first got there, we saw empty bar stools. And now that I'm reading other reviews, apparently you can eat at the bar. Why this option was not offered, I have no idea. So finally after about 5 mins, hostess comes over and tells us she doesn't have a table, but we can sit at the "community table" or wait for the manager to come out. I said to her "You said it would be a few minutes, do you have a table or not?" she said "no" and we promptly stormed out. Completely wasting our time. I really can't remember the last time I went to a restaurant, let alone a relativity cheap restaurant (this is not what I would call a fine dining establishment) and be told basically "We're reserved for the entire night. No amount of waiting will get you in, sorry about your bad luck". I see nothing on their webpage that says "Reservations Recommended". They have a section to make them, but like I said we got there at 5:30 on a Thursday to a $17 avg entree restaurant. To not have the capacity to accept walk-ins is preposterous. So reservations or not, we'll never be back to this pretentious establishment. Also, I think this blog entry "Dining Etiquette in Restaurants" sums up the pretentiousness I'm talking about: terrasd.com/category/blog Chef, going to a restaurant for the first time is a lot like a first date. If things are going really bad, do you tell the person how much they suck and that you never want to see them again? I guess if you're an asshole, sure! But most people would say thanks for the night and never speak to them again. Now, if you had a great night, and met this person again several times, and on the 5th date she farts loudly during dinner, you might mention to her, "hey, what the hell what that about???" Just after laughing hysterically. So the problem is, I don't care about your restaurant enough to complain. If you look at one of my reviews, the owner of that establishment contacted me and because I frequent the place, I cared enough to let him know what was going on (Which by the way was the place went to after leaving yours, which amazingly seated us right away AND accepted our money!). First impressions are everything, Chef. And by the way, I would have never even known about your establishment if it weren't for Yelp. So to bash it and the reviewers here is extremely pompous. I'm sure for every bad review you're getting several good ones and people who want to try your restaurant, like me. However, with me, you failed.
(1)Margaret D.
Every meal I've had at Terra American Bistro has been first class. The fish, which I usually order, is never overcooked and is first-class. The salads and desserts are wonderful. The service is almost always great. My only reservation is that the champagne by the glass pick is not so great: only Freixenet, yuck. I know there are other options during the brunch, but I'd like to have a kir royale as an aperitif. when I'm dining at night.
(5)michael r.
I wish I could give Terra 100 stars! Everything about Terra is perfect. Easy parking right outside the front door. The hostess was friendly and welcoming. Our waitress was as good as it gets. She knew to immediately ask for our order for our 2 year old. She explained the menu perfectly and checked on us often. The staff were all very attentive. The food arrived quickly and was incredible! We were also pleasantly surprised that our appetizer was free with our check-in on Foursquare. I was expecting the bill to be much more than it was, but it was very reasonable. One of the best restaurants in San Diego. It was especially nice that you would feel comfortable in a t-shirt or a suit. It was not at all pretentious, even though with the quality of food, it has every right to be. Fantastic!!
(5)Jenna P.
The mimi desserts are my favorite part of the menu at Terra's. Especially the Tres Leches special. The staff is really friendly at Terra's as well!
(5)Tiffany H.
I wanted to try Terra because it is close to my house and has gotten excellent reviews from Yelp and "word of mouth." Myself and four girlfriends decided to give it a go last night (Saturday). I had no problem making a reservation online and we had no problem getting seated. We orders nachos to share as a starter. The nachos were amazing - absolutely amazing! I ordered a wedge salad and it honestly tasted like nothing. I also ordered the potstickers and those were VERY good. My friends each ordered a flat bread and enjoyed it. I did not try it but it did not look very good to me. The flat bread I have always had was cracker crust thin. This was more of a thin/hand tossed bread. They did like it though but from the appearance I would not enjoy it. The evening got very strange when my girlfriend sent her yellowtail cakes back. She took one bite and said they were extremely fishy. When she told the waiter, he argued with her. The "manager/hostess" came over and also proceeded to argue about the yellowtail cakes. I'm not sure what school of hospitality management she went to but I have generally always been treated with the customer is always right approach. Had we been treated that way, the night would have been great. Instead, my friend was never asked if she wanted anything else and the waiter came over and put the check down without asking if anyone wanted anything at all (dessert, coffee, etc...). The yellowtail was no taken off the check. It finally was credited but the staff was angry about it. I'm disappointed over the experience because I loved some of the food I had there. I hope the owner gives some necessary training on how to treat customers.
(2)Heather S.
I'm so glad I have Terra another chance. Lunch today was outstanding! The bowl was abundant and fresh, the service was great, and the bread pudding was delicious. This experience echoes what others have said: excellent fresh food and a welcome addition to the area. You now have a fan in me!
(5)James P.
We went to Terra for breakfast and had a great experience. This is not Denny's so you need to realize you are paying for a more inventive menu and some quality ingredients. Personally, I ordered the breakfast quesadilla with short rib and it was excellent!
(4)