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Name: Pamplemousse Grille
Address: 514 Via de La Valle, Solana Beach, CA, 92075
Telephone: (858) 792-9090
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.26

Pamplemousse Grille

514 Via de La Valle, Solana Beach, CA, 92075

(858) 792-9090
Store is closed

Pamplemousse Grille Menu

Starters - Raw

Selection of Oysters on the Half-Shell

Smoked Salmon

Asian-Style Tuna Tartare

Hamachi Sashimi

Selection of Oysters on the Half-Shell

Smoked Salmon

Asian-Style Tuna Tartare

Hamachi Sashimi
Starters - Soup

Roasted Tomato and Fennel Soup

Truffled White Asparagus Soup

Sweet Corn Veloute

Wild Mushroom Cappuccino

Roasted Tomato and Fennel Soup

Truffled White Asparagus Soup

Sweet Corn Veloute

Wild Mushroom Cappuccino
Starters - Salad

Salad of Seasonal Greens

Field Greens

Smoked Salmon Salad

Pamplemousse, Lobster and Avocado Salad

Arugula, Prosciutto, Fig and Orange Salad

Medley of Five Starters

Salad of Seasonal Greens

Field Greens

Smoked Salmon Salad

Pamplemousse, Lobster and Avocado Salad

Arugula, Prosciutto, Fig and Orange Salad

Medley of Five Starters
Traditional Foods - Meats

Lamb Stew

Crispy Shelton Chicken Breast

Veal Chop Milanese

Mixed Grilled of Lamb Chop

Mixed Grille of Game

Stilton-Crusted Rack of Lamb

Crispy Half Duck

Lamb Stew

Crispy Shelton Chicken Breast

Veal Chop Milanese

Mixed Grilled of Lamb Chop

Mixed Grille of Game

Stilton-Crusted Rack of Lamb

Crispy Half Duck
Traditional Foods - Fish

Nori-Crusted ahi

Basil-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass

Grilled Wild Salmon

Almond, Herb and Lemon-Crusted Alaskan Halibut French Beans

Mixed Grilled of Fish

Five - Sided Vegetarian Plate

Nori-Crusted ahi

Basil-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass

Grilled Wild Salmon

Almond, Herb and Lemon-Crusted Alaskan Halibut French Beans

Mixed Grilled of Fish

Five - Sided Vegetarian Plate
From the Grill

Meat - Prime Rib Eye

Meat - Certified Angus Beef New York Strip

Meat - Prime Filet of Beef

Sauces

Potatoes and Vegetables

Meat - Veal Chop

Meat - Prime Rib of Pork

Meat - Herb-Marinated Lamb Chops

Meat - Prime Rib Eye

Meat - Certified Angus Beef New York Strip

Meat - Prime Filet of Beef

Sauces

Potatoes and Vegetables

Meat - Veal Chop

Meat - Prime Rib of Pork

Meat - Herb-Marinated Lamb Chops
Featured Specials - Starters

Cajun Fried Oysters

Lobster Ravioli

osetra Caviar

Sauteed Jumbo Prawn Piccata

Kim Chee Seafood Martini

Cajun Fried Oysters

Lobster Ravioli

osetra Caviar

Sauteed Jumbo Prawn Piccata

Kim Chee Seafood Martini
Featured Specials - Entrees

Porcini-Dusted John Dory

Seared Day Boat Scallops

Grilled Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin

Grilled Prime Bone-in Cowboy Rib Eye Steak

Porcini-Dusted John Dory

Seared Day Boat Scallops

Grilled Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin

Grilled Prime Bone-in Cowboy Rib Eye Steak

Healthy Meal suggestions for Pamplemousse Grille

Starters - Raw

Selection of Oysters on the Half-Shell [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asian-Style Tuna Tartare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hamachi Sashimi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Selection of Oysters on the Half-Shell [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asian-Style Tuna Tartare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hamachi Sashimi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Starters - Soup

Roasted Tomato and Fennel Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Truffled White Asparagus Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Corn Veloute [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Mushroom Cappuccino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Tomato and Fennel Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Truffled White Asparagus Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Corn Veloute [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Mushroom Cappuccino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Starters - Salad

Salad of Seasonal Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Field Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pamplemousse, Lobster and Avocado Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arugula, Prosciutto, Fig and Orange Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Medley of Five Starters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salad of Seasonal Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Field Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pamplemousse, Lobster and Avocado Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arugula, Prosciutto, Fig and Orange Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Medley of Five Starters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Traditional Foods - Meats

Lamb Stew [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Shelton Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Chop Milanese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Grilled of Lamb Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Grille of Game [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stilton-Crusted Rack of Lamb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Half Duck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lamb Stew [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Shelton Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Chop Milanese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Grilled of Lamb Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Grille of Game [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stilton-Crusted Rack of Lamb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Half Duck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Traditional Foods - Fish

Nori-Crusted ahi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basil-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Wild Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Almond, Herb and Lemon-Crusted Alaskan Halibut French Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Grilled of Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Five - Sided Vegetarian Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nori-Crusted ahi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basil-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Wild Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Almond, Herb and Lemon-Crusted Alaskan Halibut French Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Grilled of Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Five - Sided Vegetarian Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
From the Grill

Meat - Prime Rib Eye [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat - Certified Angus Beef New York Strip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat - Prime Filet of Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauces [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potatoes and Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat - Veal Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat - Prime Rib of Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat - Herb-Marinated Lamb Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat - Prime Rib Eye [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat - Certified Angus Beef New York Strip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat - Prime Filet of Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauces [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potatoes and Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat - Veal Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat - Prime Rib of Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat - Herb-Marinated Lamb Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Featured Specials - Starters

Cajun Fried Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

osetra Caviar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Jumbo Prawn Piccata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kim Chee Seafood Martini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cajun Fried Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

osetra Caviar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Jumbo Prawn Piccata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kim Chee Seafood Martini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Featured Specials - Entrees

Porcini-Dusted John Dory [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Day Boat Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Prime Bone-in Cowboy Rib Eye Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Porcini-Dusted John Dory [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Day Boat Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Prime Bone-in Cowboy Rib Eye Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Solana Beach for healthy meals suggestion.

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Visit below restaurant in Solana Beach for healthy meals suggestion.

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 911 Lomas Santa Fe Dr )

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Write An Anonymous Review

Jon A.

What can I say? Top class!! I'm making my way through the menu and haven't been disappointed yet. The foie gras appetizers are amazing (traditional and the tacos) Bone in rib eye is to die for. Tomahawk pork chop is tender and flavorful. Sea Bass is as fresh as I've had. Sunday special meat balls are worth the week wait for them. I'm spoiled for sure having a restaurant of this caliber in my back yard when I spend the summer in San Diego. P.S don't forget the truffle fries!
(5)
Karlin B.

The food makes this place one of my favorites but the service is a little lacking unless you are a regular. The truffle menue is quite good, my favorite is the pasta appetizer with the shaved black truffles. Absolutely heavenly. The trio of game is also delicious but almost too much for me to eat alone, even though I try to anyway because it's so darn good. Be sure to make a reservation, it's usually close to full on most nights.
(4)
Alan M.

Had the special, Blue Fin Tuna Sandwich (with Kim Chi and Bacon). The best sandwich I ever had. Ridiculous! Best restaurant in San Diego County.
(5)
Jessica L.

This is my favorite restaurant in all of San Diego. If I could afford to eat here for every single meal, I would 100% do it. I'm not sure why people are complaining about the prices - it's $$$$ on yelp and it's not like there's not prices located next to the dish on the menu. CRISPY DUCK - Amazing portion - I couldn't finish this dish and ended up having to take it home. No complaints from me, this is honestly the best duck dish I've ever had in my life. Super moist yet with an amazingly crispy skin. PEAR TARTE-TATIN - Match made in heaven. I didn't expect this to be as delicious as it was but every component of this dish just seemed to work with each other to create an amazing flavor. It was warm and the match up of the berries and the gelato just complimented each other so well. TRUFFLE FRIES - Perfectly crispy with actual real truffles (not that truffle oil crap) sprinkled throughout. Not overpowering with truffle flavor yet the hints of truffle were perfect. Overall, this place is a must try if you're in San Diego.
(5)
Justin K.

The Pamplemousse Grill is probably my second favorite restaurant in San Diego. I started coming here for happy hours about 2 years ago and it has been my go to after work spot ever since. The main dining room offers some of the most delicious steak, lobster and gourmet burgers in San Diego. Being greeted by Francesca at the front is a treat. A genuine happy and caring hostess with a personality worth mentioning! This last visit I enjoyed a light dinner at the bar. Their Lolly Pop sushi roll is amazing. Crab surrounded in tuna topped with seaweed and fish eggs, 3 to a plate. Next came the wonton duck tacos. I am suppose to share these when I'm with people and never do. I believe they come 4 or 5 to a plate, but I recommend getting 2. And throughout the meal I was eating their truffle fries which are to die for. I don't understand how no one else can make their fries taste that good. Finished off everything with Kobe Beef sliders. Overall it was a successful outing. Mike at the bar is awesome. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Their cocktails are mixed well and very tasty. I recommend their signature Martini on a warm afternoon. It comes with a sugar rim which ads just enough sweet to compliment the grapefruit and alcohol. Check it out, happy hour is a must and the main dining for those special occasions!!
(5)
Alex G.

Pros: Great Food. The Seafood is out of this world! Steaks have amazing flavor and sides are well prepared. Cons: Serivce! For such a well known place and alot of history I was surprised how weak the service was. Even with Reservations its a hassle to get seated. The servers need to go through better training on menu and drink knowledge. The bar is also very limited and equipement needs to be updated. Such as a working blender.
(3)
Abbie H.

I've lived near Pamplemousse for three years now and had never made it in, but my friend's father visiting from Alabama decided it was where we needed to have a dinner. This was one of the best dinners I've had in San Diego! We started with gnocchi and truffle fries for appetizers, and I had a salmon dish for dinner. The fish was cooked perfectly and everything was on point. Service was fantastic and the atmosphere, although a bit dark, was great. We also had some amazing wine. The experience here is more than just food, it's a whole package. And we loved it!
(5)
Lydia T.

The first thing I noticed was the mini cornbread muffins in the breadbasket and almost overlooked the rosemary buttery mini biscuits. Yummmmmm. Had sashimi to start. Perfectly refreshing. Grapefruit sorbet palate cleanser. Our server Jerry was wonderful and explained all the things that were not on the written menu. There were exotic choices: truffle tasting and foie gras (legal again). My buddy talked me into splitting the bone-in-ribeye surf & turf. The rare ribeye was perfectly pink-red and marbled. **Truffle Fries** This is plenty for two. There was a family celebration at the table next to us and I found their speeches and love for one another very heart warming and humble. This is a nice restaurant that is not at all stuffy. I love horseshoe shaped booths. For dessert I had the lemon tart. The coconut meringue atop was particularly creamy, it would be tasty on its own and made even tastier with the toasted coconut shavings. The blackberry compote was so deeply berryish (the darker the berry... :) They give you cute little piggy cookies too!! Double dessert. Double piggy.
(4)
Jess L.

Honestly, with all of these "get the truffle fries" comments on yelp, the truffle fries were just.... okay. The main reason i gave this place 5 stars if for the service and the quality of our entrees! Even though I had dinner here over 3 months ago, i still reminisce about my fish dish. All the ingredients just worked with each other and it was probably one of the best meals I've had here in San Diego. - my compliments to the chef!
(5)
Kimmy N.

I have eaten in the bar area a handful of times over the past few years and never had a problem nor a complaint worth remembering. But this is a review of our experience in the main dining room... On a Friday night of a holiday weekend, Pamplemousse was able to accommodate our large party at a moment's notice. For that I was relieved, because the nearby restaurant where we'd had a reservation could not accommodate some last minute additions to the size of our party. Upon ordering, our food took an hour to arrive, and the two orders of tomahawks came out well done instead of medium as requested. (There was no pink left, and it had been overcooked to a dry crisp!) One of those tomahawks was taken off of our bill, but the other person in our party who ordered it was not only NOT asked how his order was, but was so hungry after the long wait for our food that he inhaled it and then good naturedly opted not to complain since he did in fact eat it all despite its overcooked texture. The servers seemed not to want to deal with our party nor did they even bother to walk around to inquire as to how everyone was doing, otherwise they might have known this. All in all, the food took forever to arrive and was unimpressive and overpriced compared to the service and attention our table received. I realize it's my bad in comparing it to the prices and speed of service as the happy hour menu and bar provides, but honestly the food and lack of attention to detail and service in the main dining room left a terrible impression on every person in our group. For the price point and the menu offerings, this restaurant should be rated far below the likes of the nearby Brigantine and Searsucker.
(1)
Lawrence H.

Not worth it for the price! I had brought my wife here for Valentine's Day, and the bill was $270 total, but I was a little disappointed the beef wasn't very tender at all and wasn't very flavorful either. I've had juicier Steak at aTexas RoadHouse! The waiter was great and very kind so that was one of the only reason that I felt happy with my experience there, besides being there it's my wife! They gave us a small box with 4 pieces of chocolate with salted caramel topping on it and that I gotta say was better than the whole meal my friends. This was a little disappointing but you know what it? It is what it is Jack! Next time my wife and I will be staying home watching a good movie with better takeout than what we got from this overrated Applebee's! BOO-YAH!!!
(3)
Matt Y.

One of the most high end restaurants I've ever had the experience of dining at. Saw Tim Conway here once. Mike the bartender will make the drink exactly how you want it or give you some great suggestions. The fois graie and the Kobe sliders are great. Sneak in the bar for happy hour and the Mike bartender recommendations.
(5)
Laura D.

This is fast becoming my favorite place, reminds me of my places in LA. The service is so friendly, the crowd is nice, and of course the food is the main draw. I don't usually like French restaurants (too many fussy sauces), but this one has a great menu that seems more "continental" rather than French. You need a res on the weekend and the place was pretty packed on a Saturday night. But we had a nice quiet table (you can talk comfortably in this place), and a great server. The special was a big ol' honking grilled lobster ($50--not bad) and it was yummy. Have had a hard time finding lobster in San Diego. Served with garlic mashed and beautiful sauteed veggies with a ginger cream sauce. Special and very tasty. Diane had grilled John Dory served over veggies ($42) and she said it was delicious. We controlled ourselves and didn't have dessert. Wines: a Russian River pinot noir, and a Napa Valley Merlot. $16 and $12. This place is right across from Del Mar racetrack and is probably mobbed during the season. One cute touch: If you get a to-go container, they give you a claim check and you pick up your package from the front desk when you leave, so you don't have the take out container sitting at the table. Classy.
(5)
Logan N.

RISOTTO WITH SHAVED TRUFFLES (5 stars) Truffles are in season so try this dish asap! This mushroom risotto comes with the option of white or black truffles (shaved in front of you). There must have been at least 5 different mushrooms in this dish. CRISPY DUCK Their portion size is perfect. The duck was perfect and it came with FRESH corn! SEA BASS The tuna dish was better than the sea bass and the tuna also seemed fresher. There was a lot of tomatoes in this dish and I didn't care for the polenta on the bottom even though it was good TUNA The tuna was so good but I didn't care much for the sides (lentils, poached egg). Service was great and parking plentiful. Will come by again!
(4)
Lucky D.

Was lucky enough to attend a friend's birthday here, and recently went for a second go around. The Kobe burger is hands-down the BEST burger I've ever eaten- It's simply scrumptious. I attempted to eat only half the portion of truffle fries- and wasn't very successful. This platter would be in serious consideration for part of a "last meal" type of deal. The Beef duo is also excellent- the short rib simply melts in your mouth. Chef Jeffrey is an absolute class act, and this restaurant is a must try when visiting San Diego. I hope to come back this year sometime when traveling for work.
(5)
Sebastian S.

Just to note, this review is only for happy hour at the bar, but it's a kickass happy hour! If you're like me you love great food and drinks, but can't always afford to enjoy top shelf all the time. Hence, my Huny and I tend to look for good happy hour spots at the better restaurants around SD. So it's our first happy hour here and it was really delicious. Do yourself a favor and come here when Mike and Bree (spelling?) are behind the bar, because they are super friendly, attentive, and just downright good peoples! We started with the Peartini and Classic Manhattan which are 40% off from their specialty cocktail list. They were both great and from there we moved to $5, very good well drinks of Tom Collins and whiskey soda. Now to the happy hour food we tried today. First of all the Kobe Sliders with onion strings are THE BEST sliders I've ever had, seriously. The only complaint is that there were only three, so we had to share the last one or fight to the death, better to share. We also had two plates of duck tacos and since we had two, you can guess they were really good too! Thank you and we'll be back soon!!!
(4)
Faye L.

We had a 7p reservation last Friday night during Restaurant Week. There were quite a bit of people waiting for a table that day night. It was the last night of that Restaurant Week so no one was surprised. The bar was packed and the front waiting area was busy as well. The hostess said it would a slight wait as people are taking longer than expected to eat and pay. It's sad to hear that because 1) why am I on time for my reservation and 2) you're probably going to rush my meal too then huh. After 20 min of waiting, I asked the hostess for an update and she said they're cleaning our table. We were seated probably around 7:30p. We ordered: - Kim Chee Seafood Martini with Lobster, Shrimp, Bay Scallops & Jumbo Lump Crab We both decided to try this 'martini' as the other two options (soup or salad) didn't appeal to either of us. Both seafood martinis came out quickly. It was dark inside the restaurant so forgive the pics. I enjoyed the lump crab and the lobster. It did taste quite fresh. But the 'kim chee' of this dish didn't do it for me. I didn't like the taste or texture of their kim chee with the fresh seafood . Their kim chee wasn't the Korean version I'm used to (which is probably a good thing b/c the Korean version would probably have been too strong/fermented for the seafood). - Duo of Filet of Beef & Braised Short Rib, Horseradish Mashed Potatoes & SautÃ©ed French Beans The waiter asked how I wanted the filet prepared which made me happy because I figured maybe each filet will be made to order. I asked for medium rare and it came out more medium. The meat was a bit tough and it just didn't taste like the type of filet you would imagine a restaurant like Pamplemousse serving. We both commented how the 'exterior' of the short rib was quite dark and 'dried out looking'. Perhaps they cooked it too long. Perhaps it sat out too long. I don't know. But what I do know is that both the filet and short rib that night didn't taste right and it was disappointing. The green beans were quite good: a bit of garlic, nicely seasoned, had a good crunch to it. - Crispy Half Duck with Sweet White Corn, SautÃ©ed French Beans & Cherry Balsamic Reduction A nice sized portion but the duck, in my opinion, was over cooked. A good quality duck can be served more rare and this duck was just cooked too long. The meat tasted dry to me. - Trio of Profiteroles Salted Caramel Mousse, Chocolate Mousse & Vanilla Bavarian Mousse The presentation was so plain, so sad. What a way to end a meal. The cream puffs tasted cold and stale. I opened the 'lids' of the profiteroles in the 2nd pic so you can see the mousse. The salted caramel tasted *too* salty to me. The other two flavors, unfortunately, were unmemorable. - Warm Chocolate Caramel Cake Salted Caramel CrÃ¨me Anglaise, Vanilla Gelato, Variety of Berries This was more of a molten lava cake and we both enjoyed this dessert. I'm not sure if I was just happy to see something served decently at that point or if I was just still hungry. The cake was indeed warm and the warm chocolate caramel that oozed from the middle was delicious. The vanilla gelato tasted cold and light paired with the oozing cake. So how was the overall experience. It was disappointing for me because *I* was the one that suggested this restaurant and the food, overall, just didn't meet my expectations. I know, I know - it was Restaurant Week. But can *that* be used as an excuse every time a meal disappoints during that special discounted week at restaurants. Perhaps. $45 might seem like a good deal but when you end the night with questions such as ' why did I pick this restaurant in the first place?' or ' I can't believe the filet and short ribs were that bad' - it's not a good feeling or a nice way to end a meal. I think it took us a little over an hour to eat. Service was quick and some what attentive. But it felt as if the food was served quickly so the next set of customers could sit. Understandable... because guess what... It's Restaurant Week. As much as I was let down by dinner, I'd like to be encouraged that Restaurant Week didn't showcase what Pamplemousse is capable of. I've read such great reviews about them and one of my friends swears Pamplemousse is the best restaurant this side of town.
(2)
Joel D.

Outstanding service and food. Our table enjoyed the Scottish Salmon and John Dory but the real hits of the night IMO were the starters. The Kim Chee Seafood Cocktail was outrageous! But, honestly I can't decide between this and the Seafood Trio - Ahi Tuna Tartare, Hamachi Sashimi, Lobster & Avocado Salad - really a meal more than a starter - depending on your appetite. They were literally packed - not an open seat in sight - and we did not wait long at all. Everything arrived with perfect timing. And, I think everyone at the table would agree that the wine selection was fantastic and had something for everyone's taste. A true gem - I look forward to my next dinner here.
(5)
Kathy M.

Great atmosphere, very select tasty wines. The food is always FAB! Kudos to the Chef.. LOVE this place.
(5)
Frederick H.

My wife and I spent a while trying to find a nice place to take her Mom for her birthday, and our 5th anniversary; it was our treat for once. I had been here once before, but it was for a special multi-chef tasting dinner about six years ago, so it didn't really count; except I remember it was the most expensive meal I'd ever picked up the check for; and this visit turned out to be the same! The four of us arrived early, with a reservation. The exterior of the place doesn't have much ambiance; it looks like an office building; the inside is a bit nicer. I was impressed the the server greeted us by name, though we were the first ones there so I guess it was obvious. As we came in we passed a baking station where they were making little muffins and biscuits that we had later with dinner - excellent (and a good appi-teaser!). The murals certainly are a big part of the interior design - be sure to check out the ones near and in the bathrooms. We shared the seafood appetizer - scallops, shrimp, tiny lobsters, salmon - this was my favorite dish. Also the thin-sliced Spanish ham - free-range, spending their happy lives dining on chestnuts, we were told - yum. I had a beer; father-in-law had a wine; both were fine. For dinner, I had the ribeye steak, and the rest of us had fish. The steak was actually somewhat disappointing - it was good, but not up to the level of what I've had at Argyle; and it was $61 with good fries and a small handfull of asparagus - and it was one of the specials read by the waiter so I didn't know and it would have been gouache to ask; the other dinners were around $40. My wife said her fish was a little bit dry; the in-laws loved theirs. Since it was an anniversary/birthday they gave us a couple of small creme brulee. All in all it was a very nice meal, but I felt it was just a bit too stuffy - I'm a little spoiled since the next night we went to Bo Beau ( yelp.com/biz/bo-beau-kitâ€¦ ) and LOVED it - this wasn't quite there, and it was a little more expensive.
(4)
Cindy T.

I came here for Restaurant Week. I was a little disappointed they changed their menu from the first week, but I went with it. I got the smoked salmon salad and it was good. You get A LOT of smoked salmon and the smoked salmon is very good so that's nice. It was a good salad. I got the duo of beef. The steak was very tender and well seasoned. Very good. The short rib agnolotti was kind of bland by itself but tasted great with the white corn. For dessert, I had the twinkie. The compote that came with the twinkie was nice, but not outstanding. The twinkie itself was nothing special. I think I would rather have an actual twinkie. The food was good but not exciting in any way. The overall feeling that I came away with was that the food was good but I didn't leave feeling that was money well spent.
(3)
Jamie P.

Service: Excellent. Food: Wonderful. Beet salad, duck & a chocolate cake. All were delicious.
(5)
Keith F.

What can I say... By far one of the best places I've ever eaten in my life. Enough said.
(5)
Erica L.

Fabulousness!! If you havent tried Pamplemousse Grille yet, you must...tasty!
(5)
Char S.

Wonderful service, fabulous food. You pay a little more, but the quality of the ingredients and food is definitely there. Open only on Fridays for lunch, so plan ahead.
(5)
serina c.

Love the lobster avocado salad. Yum I could eat that everyday. More of a older crowd at this restaurant so don't expect a "scene". Whatever you do don't forget to get the pear tart thingy its the best dessert ever!
(5)
Natalie S.

Overrated! Rude hostess. Long wait times despite reservations. Salty unedible food. I can't believe this place is in business.
(1)
Trang N.

I've been going to this place for years! Each time I come back I am reminded why I love it! Service is excellent and my water was never less than 1/2 full. The food! Yum! I had the lobster ravioli! Let's say this was the biggest ravioli I've ever seen and it was delish. I was practically full after it! Then my prime rib pork chops came with truffle mash potatoes! Let's say the mash was the best I've ever had and it went beautifully with the pork! Osso Bucco was tender and full of flavor. I think if it was paired with the truffle mash, it would have been perfect;) SUGGESTION!!!! For dessert, the pear tart was yummy and the 1/2 baked chocolate cake wasn't bad! I only wish the scoop if vanilla ice cream was larger!!! I had a doggie bag as I didn't finish my dinner so the portions were a good size. Over all great experience and everyone should try it! If you are a skeptic, try during restaurant week! You'll get a nice selection of their best entres for $40. It's well worth it!
(5)
Daniel C.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego. Everything on the menu has amazing flavor. Lobster ravioli, truffle fries, grilled cheese, YES, the grilled cheese, coby burger... It's all fantastic. Jeff loves to truffle everything and he does it right. Jeff is usually there preparing your food and he deserves to be recognized as one of the top chefs in the nation! Oh, and the wine selection is one of the best in San Diego as well!
(5)
Carlene R.

I came to restaurant with my boyfriend in our anniversary/ my birthday. This place is beautiful and very fancy for my taste. The prices are off the roof. Ten dollars for truffle garlic fries! My goodness, but damn it's good! This is my first experience eating in a classy restaurant. When my boyfriend parked his car, I noticed that we were the only ones that did not have a fancy luxury vehicle, for example, a BMW or a Benz. Then, when we stepped foot in the restaurant, I noticed that we were the only minorities. We were the only Filipinos! I felt special. Everyone else was Caucasian and sporting their Prada or Fendi bags. It can be intimidating. Maybe because this my first time experience something like this. Anyways, the food is portioned controlled. So, if you eat a lot, this place is not for you. Eat the food slowly too, so you can enjoy your meal and have your moneys worth. I would come here again, but only for a very special occasion. This place is too damn pricey, you have to dress nicely, and it's about 35 minutes where I live. I will definitely come here again in the future. Maybe once or twice a year.
(5)
Samantha N.

I want to like this place, I really do. I feel like I should give it a fair review by not judging this place based off of Restaurant Week, but I was so furious when I left that I had to say something. I always go to the $40 menu places when it's Restaurant Week, and I've NEVER EVER EVER had 20% gratuity added to my bill! I know there's that little writing on the bottom saying that they will, but I don't want to be forced with my tip, ESPECIALLY when I'm only eating with my boyfriend. And I'm not going to shiest on the tip either. I know it must be really busy, I know you're working hard, I'm going to tip you, I promise, I'm not as cruel as you think I am because I have a mouth of a sailor. Anyways, that's my gripe about that. And then to top it off, they didn't to go the truffle fries I ordered. When I opened my To Go stuff and I was DEVASTATED that they didn't package it. Those fries were bomb but they took it away from me! WHYYY WHYYY WHYYYYYYY Ugh, at least the food was good. The sorbet was definitely a good choice to wash down the sliders I ordered.
(3)
Dave A.

A solid 4 star establishment. The problem is, for the price you pay, it should be a slam dunk 5. I think everyone has gone over the pluses and minuses about this restaurant. Just a few things to point out: - Don't sit at the table closest to the kitchen. It's really distracting and unpleasant. - Make sure you get the truffled Parmesan fries. They are addictive. -The dessert sampler is awesome.
(4)
P K.

This is my "go to" restaurant, offering great variety and quality food. One of the hallmarks of a great eatery is consistency, and I can always count on Jefferey (owner and chef) to exceed expectations. He's often seen personally visiting with guests. The atmosphere is casually sophisticated, affording a couple a quiet and secluded experience, but also making available suitable areas for larger families. Patrons are usually well dressed and respectful of one another. While being an upscale restaurant, it is not stuffy and very comfortable. I recommend the duck (a very large portion) or their 45 day aged steaks (always just sufficiently marbled for flavor) The service is excellent and when ordering a drink will be served promptly. Again, the menu is extensive, service outstanding, and never disappoints.
(5)
Stephany A.

This review is long overdue!!! My husband and I had dinner here a few years ago. We have since moved out of the state but our experience here was awesome!!! I had a special seafood appetizer that was absolutely amazing. For my main course I had pork chops. It was a very big portion and I couldn't finish all of it but the left over the next day was just as delicious!!! My husband had a steak that was so juicy and practically melted in your mouth. The truffle fries were nice and crispy and had just the right amount of garlic. I also had a grapefruit martini that was like no other grapefruit drink I've ever had. It was so good I didn't even want to give my husband a taste. Now for the bad part, PG is obviously an upscale restaurant, the staff should be friendly but they aren't. They're kind of snotty and even borderline condescending. The food was very expensive. Our bill for two with tip was $265. That's just a tad bit pricey but the food was pretty awesome!!!
(4)
The Critic ..

Believe it or not this place has the best filet mignonI have ever had and that is a strong statement. This place isn't the best in ambiance but it sure stand out with its impressive menu and wine collection. The Critic
(5)
Melanie B.

Tucked in a business park 5 minutes away from the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Pamplemousse has become my husband's and my yearly anniversary date. We've gone here the past couple of years and it never ceases to amaze me. It is pricey, hence the yearly date, but the food is so delicious. Our faves: the truffle fries (I've tried it at other places, and this continues to rise above the rest), Kobe beef burger (melts in your mouth), Kobe beef (savory, succulent, salivating), Asparagus truffle soup (unlike any other soup you've ever tried-consumed until the very last drop), Seared ahi, lobster/prawn ravioli, bass...the list just goes on and on and on and on... This has, and continues to be in my top 3 favorite restaurants in San Diego.
(5)
Julie G.

This is another of San Diego's finest five star dining experiences. Award-winning and for a good reason as the owner Jeffrey Strauss is an original. Having working for many years in NYC in this profession, he has also brought in a bit of East Coast flair. He used to date a friend of mine who just didn't appreciate his worth. Silly girl. You'll find a variety of meat dishes and even duck on the menu and some of the finest wines available as Jeffrey is a collector. Expect to easily pay a few hundred bucks for two and if you choose that vintage wine then you're probably not concerned with the bill. Great overall experience....http://www.pgrille.com/
(5)
Linda L.

Amazing DRC here. No where else but not necessary good condition. Good place to learn wine or teach wine
(3)
Kristina L.

I just visited Pamplemousse with friends for restaurant week and I am completely satisfied. I started with foie grois, followed by the kobe burger with truffle fries, and had the sorbet trio for dessert. And as I went with four other people I also got to try the lobster truffle grilled cheese, truffled white asparagus soup, prawn oscar with alaskan king crab, truffled gnocci, crisp jidori chicken, duo of seared filet of beef and braised short rib agnolotti, pear tarte-tartin, and chocolate carmel bombe. No wonder I'm so stuffed right now! I have to say my favorite starter dishes were the truffled lobster grilled cheese and the truffled gnocci, although both cost a little extra. The lobster grilled cheese, must be the most expensive grilled cheese I've ever had, but it's worth it. The bread was soaked with butter and sealed in the flavor of the lobster. The gnocci melted in my mouth. My favorite entree was the kobe burger and lovely truffle fries because the burger was unusually plain, but so flavorful. The buns were buttery and the kobe was cooked perfectly and was so tender. The truffle fries were so amazing that I ate them all, even though I was stuffed; I just couldn't think of taking them home and letting them get cold and stale. I also enjoyed the braised short rib agnolotti, but not so much the seared filet of beef. For dessert, if you're a chocolate truffle fan I would definitely recommend the chocolate carmel bombe, it melts in your mouth and is like a huge piece of smooth chocolate. I was in a fruity mood tonight so the sorbet hit the spot, but I was also rather fond of the warm pear tarte-tartin. Overall, I had a wonderful dinner and I'm glad restaurant week allowed me to indulge at this fancy restaurant. It was quite a memorable experience.
(5)
April C.

I went with friends for SD restaruant week tonight, none of us had ever been, the food was awesome! I had read the reviews here and tried some of dishes mentioned and they were spot on. The white asparagus soup was smooth, silky and delicious. I had the Kobe burger and it was like butter! It was just so simple, a tasty bun, some yummy cheese and the burger, no ketchup, mustard, lettuce or tomatos and it was wonderful. And I can't forget the truffle fries, garlic and crispy. I couldn't finish the burger and fries to save room for the dessert. I wanted to eat every bit of it but I'm glad i left room because the chocolate, carmel bombe is the bomb. Very rich chocolate with ice cream, a great ending to a wonderful meal. The service was great. The waiter took good care of us, making sure our drinks stayed filled (we were just drinking water). As we finished up he asked if he could take away the plates from the dessert, I was like yes, please take away the evidence. He liked that and plan to use that line in the future. I love trying restaurants during restaurant week, it is a great way to try something new. And if it's really good you know you will go back. I will be back to PMG soon!
(5)
Larry C.

It's long past time for me to write this review as I have been to PG a dozen times over the years. Before I begin, there are things I genuinely love about Yelp. I love that people get a voice. I love that I can write about a good, bad or indifferent experience at a restaurant. I love that I can read reviews from people who know and understand what good food is as well as what the opposite of good food is and that I can generally get a feel for a restaurant before I set foot in the place. Alas, there are some things I really hate about Yelp. I think the whole idea of labeling someone 'Elite' when it's obvious, based upon a quick scan of their reviews and their inability to discern good from bad, when their input runs contrapositive to the very notion of what is ELITE. Think about it. People who don't know about food (the methods of preparation, origins, what it is SUPPOSED to taste like!) spending hours and hours writing about...food. how is that any different than someone with agoraphobia writing online reviews about the best hiking trails? And yet, if they write enough of these nonsensical, rambling tomes, they're labeled ELITE??? Heed their advice at your own peril. If someone has 500+ reviews on Yelp, chances are they are imbalanced to begin with. I mean, what DO you do with your life? I also hate the fact that people on a shoestring budget use a single visit during restaurant week, when restaurants are admittedly not at their best because of the increased food volumes and modified menus, to categorically label a restaurant that specializes in fine dining one with an "unimaginative menu". You know what? If you're looking for a great meal on a tight budget, you HAVE options. Head on out to Oscar's Mexican Seafood in Bird Rock. It's a great taco and you won't lament the bill. I guess it can only be taken as the gentle reminder that, for the most part, the internet is the podium where the uninformed can blend in with people who actually have some clue about what they are eating/reading/doing. Case in point, how many of you have read a Yelp review where someone says, in a review of an ethnic restaurant, "I'm not a fan of (this type of ethnic) food but this one just had too much weird stuff on the menu for me". Then they give it 2 stars. Really? Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?! That's the way I feel about most of the people who bag on Pamplemousse. Look, there is great food to be had here. The duck is a dish that would stand up well to one served at Cafe Constant in Paris. The Gnocchi with shaved truffles (which Chef Jeffrey sources directly from Italy) is enough to make a man cry. The salads are innovative and quirky good. The appetizers always leave us wanting more. The Kobe burger is the poster child for, well, Kobe burgers. The truffle fries are done as they should be - crisp, thin and not overpowered by the earthy 'shrooms. The wine list is fantastic and the bar is a great place to grab a light bite before a movie. I'm not going to promise you that you'll love PG. That would be silly. But I will tell you that if you've traveled abroad, have an appreciation for Franco-California cuisine and enjoy allowing food to transport you to new, as well as familiar, places, you're likely to enjoy a night of fine dining here. Strauss and his crew have spoiled us with their unique takes on Euro-standard dishes and, given all of the misdirection I see on Yelp about this place, I wonder why they even bother with Restaurant Week. It seems like a great way to get your brand trashed by know-nothings who expect a $200 meal for $45. Go here. Eat here. Thank me later.
(5)
Alan C.

Come for Friday Lunch, it is very well priced for some amazing food. Their fish is always perfectly cooked, and a large portion to boot. This place beats out ANY fish/seafood place in the area. Dinner is on the pricey side, but the chef executes every dish with perfection. They have dry-aged rib-eye and dry-aged new york steak that is simply divine. Pair that with their truffle fries and horseradish mashed potatoes.....heaven on a plate. Highlights: Fish (Halibut is my favorite here) Scallops 45 Day Dry-Aged Rib Eye Truffle Fries Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
(5)
Naveen S.

My new favorite restaurant in all of San Diego...their are no other words to describe this place besides divine.
(5)
Micki S.

By far one of my top 3 favorite restaurants In San Diego. Servers are always super nice and friendly. Food is top line.
(5)
Justmyopinion J.

One of the best restaurants in southern California. Sit at the bar and Brianna and Mike will give you amazing service.
(5)
Jerry R.

Great place to dine. Excellent service with amazing food. We got the foie gras appetizer, I got a ribeye special and unfortunately I waited too long to write this review so I forgot what my wife got but everything was great. Bananas foster dessert was so good as well. 2 thumbs up!
(5)
Luis S.

The grill is a place that never upsets the pallet. The specials are always tasty, and the service is superb.you will always be able to find a wine to pair with each course. John the server is very attentive and knowledgable of every dish on the menu. His service is superb. When I'm unsure if what to order John is great at surprising me. And the cooks never fail to impress thanks to the Chef. My favorite dish is called the Game. The last time I was there it was not listed on the menu but The chef was obliging and he prepared the dish. It was exceptional. The Truffle burger was the original dish that attracted me to the restaurant. The burger along with the truffle fries are phenomenal (worth every penny). Finally, I always recommend the the $40 grilled Cheese. Its stuffed with lobster and never disappoints. Thanks to the team for making each and every one of my dinning experiences awesome.
(5)
Craig C.

We stopped in just to try the $40 Lobster grilled cheese with truffle butter & fresh shaved black truffles. Was it worth $40? Well, that's subjective but it definitely sparked conversation & we really enjoyed it. That said, we really liked the Appetizer Medley. In fact we were full after these two apps & went straight to dessert...the pear de tete (sp) & the sea salt caramels. Let me also mention the service here was friendly, knowledgable & efficient. Throw in the $25 corkage & I can say I'll go back anytime I'm back in the San Diego area.
(5)
Andy W.

All around fantastic experience. My wife and I celebrated our 25th anniversary here and everything about our evening was perfect. We started out at the bar for a couple of drinks and hors d'oeurves. The bartender was very sweet and recommended the Ahi lollipops and duck tacos which were both great choices. Then it got very special ... when I called for our reservation I requested a romantic table location. What we ended up with was an entire side of the dining room all to ourselves. Our reservation was early enough so that they were able to fill one side of the dining room up without seating anyone near us. Wow, I was blown away by that gesture. It was so unexpected and wonderful that it had us feeling absolutely giddy throughout the entire dinner. Although we were in such a good mood that old shoe leather probably would have tasted good for dinner, that couldn't have been further from the truth. Our entrees, the mixed grille and mixed grille of game were absolutely outstanding. All six meats were delicious and cooked to perfection. Then just as I was asking for our check, Shane brought out this ridiculously good warm chocolate desert with Ice cream that I could never do justice with mere words. It has to be tried to be believed. Couple the amazing food with the special attention to detail and friendliness of the staff, and I have to say that this was the best dining experience we have ever had. I am very grateful to everyone (Shane our waiter, Mike the manager, host, busboy and bartender) at Pamplemousse for making our night truly special. I'm not easily impressed or surprised, but in this case Pamplemousse succeeded on both fronts. In addition, I very rarely bother to write restaurant reviews on line. However, in this case you guys deserve all the credit and accolades. Even as I'm writing this I realize that I'm probably not articulating just how awesome our experience was last night, so I'll just end with a huge Thank You from the both of us. BTW, expect to see us back for every Anniversary from now on.
(5)
Tom H.

Excellent experience. Had a reservation for a Friday evening. We were promptly seated upon arrival. 5 stars for their wine list. The 2006 Bouchard Pere & Fils Pommard Premier Cru solidified my preference for old world pinot. Strawberry and black current on the nose. A touch more mineral than fruit on the palett, well balanced with a medium finish. I would give it a 92-93. Oh, there were three other Pommard choices on the list I was considering. Waiter steered us to this one. Great call! For entrÃ©e had the peppercorn tuna. Seared rare, pepper not too over powering. Extremely tender. A definite recommend if you like tuna.
(4)
Jenny N.

Leonard was an excellent server. His recommendations were spot on. I had the duck and enjoyed it as much as any meal I've had. Yum! It was a birthday celebration and he brought a mini creme brulee with a candle! Great evening!
(4)
Judy S.

came in for a quick drink before a YEE. the place is elegant but cozy. I just had a glass of their amazing cucumber water while the rest of my group ordered wine, beer & cocktails. pretty laid back at the bar but I could see that the dining area is pretty spiffy! come dressed nicely ;)
(4)
Phil G.

For the price of this establishment, I expected to be blown away. I'm usually pretty easily impressed, but that was definitely not the case here. The decor is really tacky, so the ambiance is really lacking. The waiter all but ignored us while chatting up his other tables for 5 or more minutes at a time, then walking past us without a glance. Was it because we're not 50+ and rolling up in a Tesla? We were nicely dressed, celebrating my wife's 33rd birthday and get treated like second-class customers. Onto the food... The truffle fries were great, the duck and game plates were both pretty good. Venison was undercooked. But for the price, 'pretty good' sucks. Total bill with 2 drinks was just shy of $200 dollars. I've never paid so much just to be disappointed in my life. Maybe I'll get a time-share to see if that tops this. I recommend that people look elsewhere for a place that actually gives a shit and doesn't rely solely on its reputation to get your money.
(2)
April R.

Decided to try Pamplemousse for my husband's birthday. We arrived early and had some drinks at the bar first. The service was good and lucky for us it was happy hour with a nice selection of wines and mixed drinks for a lower price. We then moved into the dinning room for our reservation. It was much smaller than I anticipated, but still nice. First, I must say that the service is on it, super fast, helpful and professional. They try to fill you up with yummy bread, so just try it and restrain yourself from eating more. We had looked at the menu and planned what we wanted but then they hit us with a special truffle menu. Although it would have been nice we decided to not spend the extra buck and do the whole thing. Pamplemousse is awesome and let you pick sole items from the menu. We picked the black truffle gnocchi and it was the highlight of my meal. The gnocchi itself was already great but then the freshly shaved (in front of you) black truffle was just perfection. I wish I could have had like 4 of these. My entree was the special pork chop that evening and it was very good. It was served with a creamy bacon mashed potato. My husband got the mixed grill of game. All three items were good but our favorite was the venison. I also really loved his garlic mash! Overall very good meal.
(4)
Lien N.

If you want a great experience, fantastic service, and tasty food.... then this is the place. The staff are friendly and extremely knowledgeable with the menu. I mean... the way waiter describe it, you would want to try everything. I am impressed every time. Love, love, love! # pheonenalfood #A+ #tryeverythingbecauseitsthatgood
(5)
Christopher P.

What an interesting restaurant - located in a very inconspicuous office complex, it's not quite the restaurant you'd expect at first glance (or at all) and an easy miss - even with navigation, we drove by it several times unaware and well, lost. That feeling doesn't really go away until you walk in either, suddenly immersed by your first view in: Pamplemousse Grille has a reputation of keeping the quality high and portioning of food normal during restaurant week, opting to instead pack in the tables and let patrons elbow up. While I certainly prefer that to a crappier meal (which really just hurts the restaurant in the long term), I don't quite envy those who sat rubbing shoulders with strangers. Surprisingly, a booth awaited both my friend and I - being young and Asian among a sea of older and clearly more affluent types, we felt charmed. Lobster Ravioli with Seared Scallops, Wild Mushrooms, Pear Tomatoes, Asparagus, Ginger Soy Beurre Blanc: Honestly, this was a disappointingly small portion of ravioli with not too much of a lobster taste, and lukewarm, too - a bit of a damper in the excitement of being here. Though we didn't say it, one look confirmed our thoughts about the dish. I thought this would be better. Roasted Tomato & Fennel Soup with Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab: It looks largely how it tasted: a large bowl of roasted tomato soup, and not the deep summer garden-fresh tomato feel, either. The lumps of crab are invited but unexpected guests, a bit like an awkward silence from the cool kids in school. Obviously it was more than edible, but definitely not the extraordinary silently expected. We hoped the entrees coming would be better. Roast Maple Leaf Farm Duck with Sweet White Corn, SautÃ©ed French Beans & Cherry Balsamic Reduction: My first or second time eating duck in a European style, this one did not disappoint, its skin crisply and meat softly performed. One test of any bird is its juice - chicken and turkey turn out usually stringy and dry, leading many to disregard those dishes in this type of preparation, but here I happily report a juicy fruit, the fruit reduction the proverbial cherry. I'm never a fan of corn nor green beans, but these were delivered pleasantly enough that I indulged - and hey, it's not like it was cheap anyway. A solid and very enjoyed dish, and a welcome one too after the appetizers. Smoked Braised Short Rib with Horseradish Mashed Potatoes & MÃ©lange of Baby Vegetables: Steaks may be typically accompanied by a horseradish sauce in some restaurants, but not here. In a bit of a tame and modern take of the classic dinner, Pamplemousse prepared horseradish mashed potatoes, and what a wonderful idea that is - something that finally makes mashed potatoes worth putting in a mouth. Of course, the braised short rib proved soft and excellent in the falls-apart-with-my-spoon quality that we all love; baby veggies rounding out its cuteness and beating green beans (or I suppose asparagus) any day. Much more colorful and lively, too. Pear Tarte-Tatin, Vanilla Gelato & Variety of Berries: I'm a sucker for fruit and ice cream type dishes, and this one did it one better! Vanilla gelato, meet pear, meet pastry. As a lover of pear, I couldn't help but love this, and sadly can also never really write a fair review on one either. I'm that kid that would eat any of these components by themselves, so putting them together and mixing that warmth with the cold? A match made in heaven. Trio of Sorbets with MÃ©lange of Fruit & Berries: Even now, looking at this picture reminds me of the distinct flavors, and that's something. The sorbets carried the pure and bright fresh flavors of fruit, the cone a delish and rich syrup-like sweet, the puddle of red sweet juice, just happy. This small but memorable dish proves to me that Pamplemousse carries some very fine pastry chefs, and perhaps some of the best in San Diego alongside Nine Ten, easily beating places like Extraordinary Desserts any day. Pamplemousse adds itself to a short list of restaurants I've been served three courses at where the courses progressively got better through the night - too often meals start off with wonderful appetizers, only to be let down by a weak entree and mediocre dessert. While the appetizers really weren't anything special here, the mains and the finish were, in the "oh I didn't realize I still had room in that stomach!" kind of way - always a good sign, and my preferred meal progression of the two. The executive chef could be seen conversing with the guests at one particular table next to us many times throughout the night (guilty of Googling his picture to confirm) - a particularly entertaining side-show, considering his party became notably inebriated with the progression of time, something he perhaps encouraged. All-in-all, perhaps Pamplemousse just wants to have a good time.
(4)
Jamie M.

My husband and I went here for our anniversary. We had been to a movie earlier and had popcorn so we weren't as hungry as we had planned to be. We ordered the steak and truffle fries. We split the meal and were very satisfied. The waiter was great about having that done before he brought the meal out to us. Next time we will both go on empty stomachs. We really enjoyed our meals and the atmosphere. It was upscale yet fun.
(5)
Peijean T.

I finally tried this well-regarded restaurant for the first time during Restaurant Week last week. Really loved the taste of the food and I think Pamplemousse serves up a great value -- top quality, well-prepared meats and fresh ingredients and large portions, which I could see even though I was eating off a prix fixe menu. Also, there's plenty of parking, as there's a sign that points you to the back area behind the restaurant when you pull in. We were seated ~25 minutes late past our 7pm Friday night reservation and it was exceptionally busy. Staff were even plating rows of dessert plates at the front of the restaurant. Here is my assessment of the dishes my dining companion and I tried: 1) Complimentary bread -- jalapeno cornbread, lemon chive muffin, sourdough baguette; six pieces total. The cornbread had the most flavor and the others were on the milder side, but I still appreciated the variety offered especially just for the two of us. 2) Kimchee seafood martini with lobster, shrimp, bay scallops, jumbo lump crab -- easily the best thing off the menu, and I would order this as a standalone light dinner on a normal day! The cabbage and bok choy were just lightly pickled and not overpowering, and the scallops were nicely plumped, having soaked up the juices of the housemade kimchee. The herb puff pastry "crab" was fun but more flaky than tasty 3) Roast maple leaf farm duck (dark quarter plus breast and beak portion) -- moister than the usual confit with a memorably savory-sweet glaze over crispy skin. The sweet white corn, clearly cut straight off the cob, was outstanding for the simple preparation that maintained the natural crispness of the vegetable. The long skinny French green beans were also simply prepared. A huge portion overall with plenty of meat and a ton of vegetables! My companion thought the duck was on the dry side, and I agree it would have been a little better if it were a little more moist but I still loved it. 4) Duo of filet of beef and braised shortrib with green beans (my companion always nixes the accompanying potatoes/starches). The steak was deliciously smoky and peppery but the shortrib was less memorable with less flavor and a rather dry texture. 5) Warm chocolate caramel cake, similar to a molten lava cake but with caramel sauce inside instead of gooey fudge. A terrific, complete dessert experience with the vanilla gelato and the salted caramel creme anglaise and berries. Once again, a hearty generous portion. 6) Trio of Profiteroles - salted caramel mousse, chocolate mousse, and vanilla bavarian mousse. My companion was not a fan, but I liked the assertive flavors of the caramel mousse, which she found too salty. The others were much milder in taste and sweetness. A big dessert! 7) Chinese iced black tea with mint. Didn't taste the mint at all but apparently it was there!
(4)
neal s.

This was by far the best meal I had in the San Diego area and I will definitely come back the next time I am out there. We were there during restaurant week so we ordered from that menu. Despite the restaurant being full, we received great, personalized service. We ordered the optional appetizer choices, foie gras tacos and lobster grilled cheese, both of which were outstanding. My wife had the beef short rib which was great and I ordered the Kobe Beef Burger with Truffle Cheese and the Truffle Parmesan Fries - also amazing. For desserts we had a dark chocolate cake and a pear tart. Just one more set of amazing dishes! Don't miss this place!
(5)
valerie m.

Amazing. It's been while since I've been here but I am now reminded I won't wait so long next time. Jeffrey is an amazing Chef whom obviously loves what he does. It shows in the food. We had a party 6 last night after the races and started I the bar with cocktails. The wine list is fantastic as well as the service. WE got a large table within 10 mins. The boys went crazy ordering and I think we had half the menu. I wish I took pics! We started with pomme frites (they loved them served in a cone), Asian style tuna tartare which was perfect and just enough in it's small stack. They Cajun fried oysters were to die for. Perfectly soft inside and crunchy on the outside and still light, not heavy or oily. The lobster, avocado and pamplemousse salad was also stellar. A prefect pairing of flavors. We also had ribs which had the nicest flavor of bbq, just saucy enough and the meat fell off the bone. For dinner, we had lots of prime meats at the table with rib eyes, Ny's and filets. All cooked and seasoned to perfection. Med rare.. They raved. The seabass was another favorite. The side of spinach was just garlicky enough. They also had this sampler plate which had a fried oyster, ahi stack, and about 4 other things to try which all were amazing. I know this because we had two of them for dinner (ok, I had a few cocktails by now so I don't exactly remember all that was on it.) But I do remember it was ALL the best! For desserts, we had a meyer lemon tarte (tart and tangy with the perfect crust), the strawberry rhubarb crisp with vanilla ice cream which was fresh and tasted like summer. And the best for last was the Chocolate PB bombe which was the bomb! pb middle covered in chocolate.... I can't wait to go back to try the rest of the menu!!! The service is impeccable and it's a fun social atmosphere. Everyone enjoying amazing food and wine. The bar gets busy with the boys track talking and all in all a must try if you are trying to figure out where to grab some of the best food in town!
(5)
Kenna F.

I was here last time all because of restaurant week. I ordered the seafood boudin appetizer and it was okay, too salty for my liking though. I had the duck entree and it was very dry and didn't tasted all that fresh, the sweet corn with the balsamic dressing was pretty good though. My boyfriend had the trio filet and short ribs and he loved it. I sampled a few bites and the filet was very tender and short rib was fork tender with perfect seasoning (this is worth ordering) For dessert I had the truffle cake, the salted caramel sauce make this dessert sing. The salty sweet sauce goes very well with the tartness of the fresh berries and bitterness of the truffle cake. Once you made it to the middle of the cake, you'll be surprised by a the gooey chocolate center. My boyfriend had the pear tarte, it's very sweet; it almost tasted like apple pie drenched in really sweet Carmel sauce. I was not too crazy for that one, it was just way too sweet for me. Service was good. Waiter answers questions on the menu and was not annoyed by anyone asking questions. He frequently swings by to fill up water glasses and asks how everything was. Oh, the bread basket has a variety of bread and cornbread/muffin which is great since I love my carbs; unfortunately, it was staled and salty! It's weird how bread can taste that salty. Overall this is an okay place to visit during restaurant week if you are okay with paying $45 for mediocre food.
(3)
Tiffany D.

I used to eat here all the time during the Del Mar race meet, and I've never had a time where service was poor. The waiters are always attentive, knowledgeable, and always spring to every need without being asked. Top notch service. The food is en pointe every time as well. The mixed grill of game may be a bit on the pricier side, but it is a lot of food - not the fairy food situation that you experience at pricy restaurants. It is a plate of smoked duck breast, quail, and a venison chop. They also have nice touches too throughout the meal - grapefruit (a homage to the name - pamplemousse is grapefruit in French) sorbet to cleanse the palate, a great mix of breads to start your meal (herbed biscuits, jalapeÃ±o cornbread, and baguette slices), and two delicious sugared butter cookies for dessert with the check. After not having been at the restaurant for about 5 years now, I can still proudly rave it's my favorite restaurant.
(5)
Nelce S.

You get what you pay for for restau week. This review is based on restau week experience only. Throroughly enjoyed the boudin first course. The best course hands down ! Shrimp was fantastic and the boudin carried a lot of different flavors . The tomatoes were perfectly done and the texture of the dish exquisite ! We got the lobster sandwich to share and this was astounding with the rich gruyere on it! Duo of braised short rib beef and filet was ok filet a bit dry. Truffle fries was perfect . Truffle chocolate was tasty and good ending to the meal. Staff was attentive and very nice and gladly answered questions , hands down above par.
(4)
Christopher B.

Unbelievable. Is there another way to say this? I should say that we had a Prix Fix menu but the quality is the quality regardless. I had the tri-colored roasted beet salad to start and it was spot on. It had grilled artichoke, goat cheese on arugula with pine nuts lighted colored in vinaigrette. Everything worked together so well and I'm happy I chose it. For the main entree I had the pan seared Australian sea bass, which included ceviche, fava beans, onions, morel mushrooms and sorrel. Do I need to say more? Loved it! Surprisingly to me, the dessert ended up being the highlight! We had a warm chocolate caramel cake with salted caramel creme Anglaise with a scoop of vanilla gelato and berries. OMG! Talk about making sweet meet salt to perfection... this was it! I felt like the berries were absolutely the perfect complement... might have been the best dessert I've ever had- no exaggeration! Kudos to the chef and his staff! What a great experience and I didn't even comment on the amazing wine that was served! ;)
(5)
Paul T.

Bone in veal millinase.....best ever. If you are going to the races and you are not eating here...you probably dont know what the hell you are doing. Top 10 world wide. Ask Bo.....Derrick. cheers.
(5)
Jack A.

Service, Service and amazing food. We had two dinner tables and the Chief came by and introduced him self. Food out of this world, and service you never had the best until you've been to Pamplemousse Grille. You will have a great experience. Jack
(5)
Nikki D.

Where do I begin......pampelmouse had always been one my fav restaurants! From the waygu to the fish to the truffle fries and even the refreshing sorbet to cleanse ur palette in between meals it doesn't get much better than that! It's expensive but sooooooooo worth$$$$$ it! Treat yourself when you go order the duck fat or the oso bucco or the waygu something with substance. However the salmon salad is superb and their bread is even great. They bake all in house from their fresh whipped butter to their cornbread muffins and creamy bread biscuits. They are one of the older restaurants in San Diego very high end French cuisine opened in 1996. You can smell the old Money when you walk in but be ready to be wowed. They even serve these amazingly simple pig shaped butter sugar cookies that melt in your mouth. The service is marvelous and so will everything be that touches your lips. Don't miss it!
(5)
Jane S.

I am updating my review as I mistakenly thought something I had was foie gras... oopsie ... It was a buttery sweet bread of some beautiful kind... sorry to cause alarm peeps! I changed it above as well as not to stress other super-foodies out there! Thanks for your comments!
(5)
Jessalyn C.

The biggest let down! We came for restaurant week (and mind you, I did 6 other restaurant week menu's, and this was the worst). I ordered the prawn lobster duo as an appetizer, and it came out as a FRIED battered shrimp in spicy mayo(?) with a nug of lobster on top. My friend is very familiar with the regular menu and insisted we order the abalone appetizer off the regular menu ($26!!) and it was the EXACT same thing except they replaced the fried shrimp with fried "abalone". I put that in quotes because it tasted more like a fried oyster. Why didn't our server tell us it was the same thing? Now, I couldn't make week 1, and their menus are different for each week, so I was super bummed that the duck wasn't on the menu when we were able to go. They ended up being able to do it anyways since it's on the regular menu(which was really sweet), but it was extremely mediocre. I got to try some of my friends' duck from the Market Del Mar the night before (I didn't order it b/c I knew I was having it here) and theirs definitely blew Pamplemousse's out of the water. My friend ordered the filet/spare rib duo, and his was even worse in my opinion. the spare ribs came in dumpling form, and tasted like a very cheap steamed frozen pierogi. The meat was not tender at all. The filet was not the greatest quality and had a smoky flavor to it. The best part the whole dinner was the dessert, a pear tarte. Overall, I thought the menu was very uninventive, and not executed well. Really, steamed beans and charred corn on every dish? And two appetizers with the same exact ingredients, just replacing one? I wish I could blame it on it being restaurant week, but the restaurant wasn't full and we had ordered off the regular menu too.
(2)
Kevin L.

We bought a private dinner for 8 at a charity event. Everything was great.
(5)
Tish R.

Amazing service! Our waiter, Jordon was great. We went for restaurant week this week. We upgraded to the foie gras for $25 which was definitely worth it, this just melted in your mouth. But that was about the only two things that were great. We paid $50 a person at the restaurant so I was expecting greatness. Sadly I was disappointed. The lobster ravioli was so thick and dry but the bleure blanc was great so that made up for it a bit. The we had the duck and short ribs. The duck was good but was over cooked and tasted bland. The short ribs were so dry and the sauce and veggies were so bland that even scooping sauce on the short ribs didn't make up for blandness. It honestly tasted like ok pot roast and I have had some good pot roast before! The desserts were just so so. Overall I would not pay $50 per meal to try this place out.
(3)
Molly D.

Everything is delicious. I can't even pick one specific thing to compliment, so I'll just touch on everything! First... the bread they bring to the table... perfection! There were about three varieties with this butter... I don't know... a brown sugar butter or something? SO GOOD! I got the sea bass (only because I knew my dude to the right was getting the steak and I could steal some of his) because it came with potatoes and I ate EVERY SINGLE BITE of it! The steak was perfectly done, even though I scoffed at him for ordering medium rare instead of rare. Definitely a pricey spot, but not pretentious at all. If you have something special to celebrate, or if you just want to get your fancy grub on... this is definitely the place!
(5)
Fiona W.

It's a great restaurant week deal. Great portion and variety choices. I tried beef and my friend has duck as an entree. Both are really good. Peer-Tarte is my favorite.
(4)
Arnold R.

Over the years my wife and I have dined at every top restaurant in the San Diego area. Of the three we now love to return to (Pamplemousse, Mille Fluers and Nine-Ten), we consistently agree that the Pamplemousse Grille is the best restaurant in the area. There is no other restaurant, not only here, but also anywhere in the world, where the challenge to decide what to order is so difficult. It all looks outrageously appetizing. At this visit we were assisted by a gifted staff member with precise descriptions of menu items. Our smoked sea food appetizer was a lovely combination of generous seafood in a slightly tangy cream sauce. My crispy half duck was beautifully finished and my wife's sea bass was a work of culinary art. Everything from our drinks to dessert was as close to perfect as I can image a restaurant could come.
(5)
katia m.

Outstanding service!!!! Great food, looove the truffle fries. They set up a table for us, we were 8 and the place was packed. Just awesome service
(5)
Denzie M.

I suggest making reservation before coming in. Restaurant is dimly lit and classy. Food severs and waiters are very attentive. Our server's name is Worthing, and he is the best! Their complimentary bread is very soft and tasty. We ordered seafood sampler, truffle fries, seafood trio, jidori chicken and creme brulee trio. Nothing special about their food, not bad either. Kind of pricey, but then again I'm not really a big fan of fancy dining. I just can't say no to my bestfriend who is celebrating her birthday. You're better off parking your car on the side of the street rather than their actual parking lot which is very small. The patrons here are mostly old people who doesn't know how to park right, or the ones that opened their car doors wide open hitting the car parked next to theirs. ( these were my personal observation while my friend and I were in the parking lot waiting for our reservation.) I guess most of these people are super rich that they don't care if their porshes or masseratis gets dented.
(3)
E J.

The food was outstanding. Smoked seafood appetizer, sea bass and salmon entrees, and pear tart for dessert. Scrumptious! Nice and knowledgeable waiter. Only complaint is the decor. What's with the 80s throwback pink vinyl booths, grungy carpet, and curtains made by grandma? And pictures of a beer bellied biker dude on the menus? For this price -- and this quality of food -- they must lose the diner ambiance. But you see... The food is so phenomenal I'm still leaving 5 stars.
(5)
Katherine S.

Wow this place is amazing. My husband and friend went here for Restaurant week and were very impressed. 40$ for 3 courses was entirely worth it. The watermelon goat cheese salad was great, especially because it had pieces of fried goat cheese. mmmm. The other highlight was the chocolate tart/lava cake thing. Probably one of the best desserts I've ever had. My friend paid an extra $20 for a trio of wild game (pheasant, duck, and venison). He said it was glorious, and I'm sure it was. Overall I can't typically afford to go here, but it's a must try for restaurant week.
(5)
Christopher C.

This restaurant always seems to come up in conversations or at food events so I thought I would give it a try, just once! They are DEFINITELY expensive, if ONLY my budget would allow me to eat here. So I came here for happy hour which I felt was also expensive despite it being happy hour. I tried the duck tacos and the watermelon arugula salad. Of course it wasn't enough to fill me, but they were BOTH delicious! Originally my thoughts on the salad were, "well it's just a salad, I won't expect too much" but it was really good! The dressing was simple but well done. The watermelon, arugula, grilled artichoke and crispy goat cheese all worked well together. A beautiful harmony of spicy arugula, cool refreshing watermelon, beautifully grilled artichoke, and crispy warm flavorful goat cheese. OH goat cheese, you were TOO good, warm and crispy, yumm! If I could I would just eat that all day by itself :P The duck tacos were also fantastic! The duck was placed in tiny little crispy taco shells. I also think they crisped up the skin and made some cracklings and added that in too. The duck was tender and flavorful! They had hoisin sauce on top that was a bit of a kick to it and some sesame seeds. They were wonderful little bites of food. Someday if I'm rich I will definitely go back! :D
(4)
Mihi M.

hands down BEST restaurant in SD north county! we have been going for years and consistently the most amazing meals from the bread basket to the piggy sugar cookies at the end. the service and our FAVORITE waitress CHRIS is exceptional - knowing our orders from previous dinners. simply OUTSTANDING! the food presentation and quality is off the charts! it is a very special place :)
(5)
A K.

#NAME?
(5)
Charlie L.

This is a long overdue review of Pamplemousse. Wanted to put it down on paper (uh, the electronic cloud) before I forget and accidentally send myself back to this place. It was over rated and over priced. Even with (or perhaps because of) the pre-set Restaurant Week menu, I was really feeling let down. I would not recommend it.
(3)
Teresa B.

a few friends took me here last night for my birthday dinner! the food was exquisite, I tried that new beef from Japan and it didn't disappoint, highly recommend it. however, the wait staff, unfortunately, needs to go back to customer service school. although they were as helpful as anywhere this is a very nice restaurant and it charges a lot of money. I would think that they would have more world class service and for that reason I'll make a new choice next year.
(4)
Chinh T.

food was ok. service was ok as well
(3)
Barbara K.

We went with another couple for Restaurant Week. It was fabulous! The evening was superb! The service was fantastic not hovering but always there when needed. We all enjoyed our meals from appetizer to desert. Being gluten free they easily accommodated my needs. It was a wonderful evening! (Being restaurant week, we didn't realize that the portions were going to be so generous. Inhave enough left for another meal)
(5)
Liz E.

Ignore every average to below average review from restaurant week especially if it's the first and only experience they've had so far. It's not a fair review, obviously. Anyway, Pamplemousse was still one of the best restaurants during restaurant week and deserves far better ratings. This is no doubt, the best restaurant in San Diego. And coming from my oh-so-very-picky fiance, a compliment he has never given before to any restaurants or anyone at all: "Pamplemousse is the best restaurant with the best steak." We've been to many fancy, expensive places and nothing impressed him (frustrating for me so I don't cook). I would advise to give Pamplemousse a fair shot for your own sake. Try not to go there during restaurant week unless you can keep an open mind. Otherwise, it's not fair when things are already ridiculously busy on their normal hours. It's hectic on restaurant week. Everything here has been unbelievably scrumptious. I didn't believe it but after my colleagues insisted I order the lobster grilled cheese, there was no going back. It was crispy, creamy, cheesy in all the right places and just thinking about it makes me want to drop everything and head over. It's what I would want to eat for the rest of my life... It's dressy casual. You know, wear something nice but nothing too fancy though it probably wouldn't be looked down upon. Overall, the atmosphere is very warm and romantic. It's not blindingly bright in there, which was nice because it was easy to relax and have a conversation. There is an outdoor seating with heaters for those who want to be outside for any reason. A romantic dinner here feels natural. It's really a place to impress or really indulge your loved one. Also, I'd go here if you really, really need some darn good food to show yourself some love. Overall, this is definitely going to be a special place for us in the years to come. For references, my fiance had the best steak of his life here (his words) while I had the ling cod on restaurant week for dinner. My fiance almost always orders steak wherever we go. I'd consider him an expert in steak because it's what he loves. I loved my dinner, the fish was cooked well and it was very tender, flakey, and flavorful! We had a few appetizers including lobster grilled cheese, truffle fries, and gnochi-- an appetizer that was made of potato and cheese (all in one night, our bill was around $300 without tips). We each had different desserts and everything was just cooked, made, and baked to perfection. My boyfriend had a few glasses of red wine and I had a rose. Both were impressive and definitely a must try for winos. The service was exceptional. They were very attentive even when they were extremely busy. They handled the chaos of restaurant week pretty well. We were never thirsty or hungry. You'd think they may be training their wait staff in a boot camp or something. The food was phenomenal and the food came out in a timely manner, they came out with our food as soon as we were done with appetizers as if they were watching our table the entire time. But reading a few reviews here, it's unfortunate that not everyone had similar experiences as we have. One thing is for sure, Pamplemousse will always have a huge group of loyal guests for a lifetime. It would be your loss to not come back here (or you need to develop a better appreciation for real good food, no offense). And yes, leave your children at home. Leave your small children, your middle school children, your teenage children, and anyone who has no taste (joke), at home. When they can appreciate this type of dining, feel free to bring them. Otherwise, enjoy this dining experience as a time away from kids or just have a nice dinner with your special someone, older family, or friends. Because let's face it, not everyone can afford their children to eat here. Don't be surprised if your kid ate something that turns up to be $50 on the bill. Be prepared to shell out more than you're used to. It's not anywhere near cheap or "affordable". You've been warned. Don't come crying on yelp if you're not able to pay rent after having dinner at Pamplemousse. I'm talking about at least $40 per dish going up well over $100 per person easily. A glass of wine could easily be over $10 each. Did I mention their to-die-for grilled cheese is $40? I laughed when I first heard about it and said "yeah, eff that, I can make my own grilled cheese at home for free-ninety-nine". But it was no joke. It's worth it to me, as it turned out. Now I can't appreciate any grilled cheese anywhere else. Even quesadillas aren't good enough anymore :( Unless it has carne asada but that's not the same. One more thing, make sure to make a reservation.
(5)
Really P.

Outstanding mix of flavor, design, artistry. Comfortable atmosphere. The men's bathroom is a must see for both men and women. We had the smoking fish platter for appetizer, sea bass with polenta for main course and pear tart tatin for dessert. Hubby had chocolate cake that was exquisite. Wait staff is professional band didn't miss a beat. Chef/owner came by to visit and share details of his success. We will recommend and return to this place soon.
(5)
Mike C.

This was my second visit here at Pamplemousse. My first visit, I was eating Han Solo style but on my second visit here it was with a pretty big group. Eating in a big group does affect the ambiance. But on both visits, I came during Restaurant Week. Generally, RW accommodates to a slightly cheaper fixed $40 pricing as compared to going ala carte. But again, with big groups, that $40 can end up to $90 with tip. Either people can't add or some people just have to put in more to make up for it...oh well...something to think about. But even with a big group, Pamplemousse delivered again. Overall, they pretty much got the coordination, service, and food down with ease and efficiency. Coming to Pamplemousse during RW and with a big group made everything loud. It was already a packed house inside. So if you're looking for a "date night" I'm sure Pamplemousse will deliver, but I would not recommend coming during RW. And like I said before, they delivered the food with ease. Pretty nice semi-fine dining. They also have an extensive and impressive wine list. As soon as you walk in, you can see a lot of their vintage and most expensive bottles in their display cases. Since I'm just a thousandaire, I just went with a nice glass of bordeaux as I can only dream about getting a whole bottle. But that glass of bordeux complimented my meal nicely. The first course out of this 3 course pre-fixed meal that I chose was the prawn oscar, Alaskan king crab and asparagus appepitizer. I'm not sure what breading they used for the prawns, but it was a bit oily and soggy. The king crab was tender and cut through pretty easily. And the asparagus was divine. For my main course, I chose the Kobe burger with truffle fries. I would have to say that eating a burger in a semi-fine restaurant was something that I probably would not have done in the past, but I'm glad that I chose it tonight. Honestly one of the better burgers I've had. Cooked medium-rare, each bite sent out this nice oozing goodiness. Multiple flavors exploded in my mouth. Unfortunately with an addition of some truffle fries for appetizers, I was already full with my half eaten burger and more truffle fries on the plate. Oh well, more food tomorrow. But damn, those truffle fries was just plain awesome. I wouldn't mind driving back down to San Diego and hang out at Pamplemousse again just for a nice glass of red wine and a big old order of truffle fries. Finally for dessert, I chose the warm lava cake with vanilla gelato. The cake was a bit dry, but hey, at least they came back to refill the water. Overall, it was a positive experience. With a big group, will always come some sort of random mistakes as one waiter can be overheard saying that since we had 2 individuals coming late that it screwed up the food rotation. It was later fixed with an apology by management with a promise of something "fun" on the next visit. Who knows, will see, but I do believe on their genuine responses.
(4)
Jocelyn T.

We celebrated our engagement here, and were not disappointed. Hats off to the chef, the staff, and every ounce of energy that went into our superb meal. We did think it just a bit pricey all things considered, but other than that, recommended.
(4)
Michelle R.

Came for Restaurant Week with a 6:00pm reservation. We were sat right away and served promptly. Out server knew everything the restaurant had to offer and was very thorough in explaining our options. They have an extensive book of wines , ranging from a $35.00 glass- a $12,000 bottle....yeah, and while I skipped the wine, our waiter was very helpful in pairing wines with the food choices for our surrounding tables. The complementary bread: the jalapeÃ±o cornbread was delicious, especially with the butter, but the other 2 breads were meh. Starters: I chose the Pumpkin squash soup. It was great, especially if you like squash soups which I do. The pumpkin seeds were an especially nice touch. My husband had the lobster ravioli. He enjoyed it. He isn't a mushroom fan, but he tried, and loved, the mushrooms that came on top of this dish. The ravioli itself was stuffed with a generous portion of lobster. Main Dishes: I debated between the duck and the Truffle Burger, but I had already came to the restaurant determined to try the burger, so I went with that. It was every bit as delicious as I had heard. The beef, truffle sauce, and bun just melt in your mouth. It was delicious. The truffle fries were good, but i was too overwhelmed by the burger to worry about saving room for fries. Husband had the beef duo. Both cuts were soft, tender and cooked just right, but my husband mentioned they were both a bit bland and nothing too special. He did enjoy the mashed potatoes though. Dessert: The Chocolate Caramel cake was heaven. The hot chocolate cake and the cold vanilla gelato were perfect compliments to one another....but then.... I tied my husbands Pear Tarte and it put my dessert to shame. I can't even explain how delicious it was. To do it justice you would have to try it for yourself. Overall: For $45.00 each, our meals were definitely worth it for a night out. It was one of the better restaurant week menus I've seen with a lot of options. I did get at look at their regular menu prices and I can't say I would come here otherwise, except for maybe happy hour. The service was good, but toward the end it became pretty busy and we saw very little of our waiter, but it was restaurant week so I don't hold it against him.
(4)
John E.

This place was really great!!!! If you're looking to splurge on some really tasty food, Go to pamplemousse. Best of the best for sure... Service is a little slow but worth the wait. And with the Altamura Cab, my favorite, the beef tenderloin is perfect. I'm not a big fan of truffle anything so my options were a little limited since the owner loves truffle everything. However, the salad options are great.
(5)
S S.

These five stars honestly have one reason. Our waitress Kris R. I have been bringing my group here for over two years now ordering so many different selections and always experiencing outstanding service. Kris not only remembers our orders EACH time we visit, she knows into specific detail the way we love everything prepared. If I'm ever feeling indecisive I cannot go wrong with her recommendation of choice. The restaurant itself is comfortable, not noisy and always enjoyable but having a waitress that truly care about her clientele really goes the extra mile on this one. Go Kris!! Cannot wait for our next visit.
(5)
Yasmin C.

Je suis une pamplemousse! Apparently in addition to meaning 'grapefruit,' pamplemousse is slang for 'fatso.' Seems rather fitting, at least for my experience... Came here for my birthday dinner with the hubby back in September! It also happened to be Restaurant Week, so we geared up for some three-course goodness. The restaurant itself is kind of strange in terms of decor...IMO it could use a facelift. It's fancy, bordering on stuffy, with booths and carpeting that look like they come from the 60s. We were also probably one of the youngest couples in the restaurant. However, there are more important things in life...like course #1. My lobster ravioli with seared scallops and wild mushrooms was a fantastic surprise! It wasn't your usual lobster ravioli with a small but satisfying amount of lobster meat inside...it was a large ravioli STUFFED with a giant hunk of lobster meat. As I ate it I thought about the 1.5 lb lobster I'd eaten in Boston the previous month...and the fact that the amount of lobster recovered from the shell was probably not much more than what was in my amazing ravioli at Pamplemousse. Plus ginger soy sauce, veggies, and scallops...mind-blowing. No joke. Main course of miso ling cod with red shrimp, lap cheong fried rice, and soy glazed bok choy was also good, with flavors that were complex, intriguing, and irresistible. The cod itself was the only part that wasn't perfect...it was less flaky and tender and a little dense, even for cod. But overall I was satisfied. And dessert was magical...I ordered the warm chocolate truffle cake with salted caramel creme anglaise, vanilla gelato and berries. BEST dessert I can remember for a looooooong time. Not only was there caramel in the truffle center, but there was more salted caramel on the plate for dipping. And gelato that was perfect. Uhhhhhmazing. So in conclusion, great food and great service to boot!! The non-Restaurant Week menu is pretty pricey and there's not much of a scene, but Pamplemousse is still a real find. I hope to be back at some point and I hope to GOD that there is still salted caramel truffle cake...so that I can feed my inner pamplemousse...
(4)
Anna S.

Great steakhouse. The food and service was awesome. I also took a drink on the servers recommendation but when I didn't like it he had no problem getting me something else instead. I had a vegetarian meal and it was great while my sister had the steak and hers was one of the best she's had she said.
(4)
Kent F.

A mixed review for our first visit. Dined there last night with a party of four. They were extremely busy because of restaurant week. The server was prompt, helpful and convivial. Food was beautifully prepared and elegantly plated and served. My only complaint: I ordered duck, which the server said would be a half duck. The duck was roasted perfectly, but it was the BACK half: 2 legs with thighs. I think a half duck should include breast meat. My fiancee ordered the short rib and filet. Again, both beautifully prepared. The rib meat was tender & succulent, but the steak was a bit tough for a filet. Basically a good experience with a couple of glitches.
(3)
Yury K.

Too many times I am disappointed by high-end restaurants, be it the lack of flavor in the food, incredibly small portions, poor service, among others. Not this time. We came here on January 17, 2013 for my girlfriend (now, fiancee)'s birthday and we left stuffed and happy, even if with a significantly-lighter wallet. We came here during Restaurant Week, so reservations were not easy to get. We wanted a table for 7 p.m., but when I called a week in advance, everything for that time spot was already booked. We had to settle for 5:30 p.m. instead. In retrospect, that was a better choice, because we ended up spending close to two-and-a-half hours here. Parking was aplenty when we arrived. We half expected to wait a long time to be seated, since it's restaurant week. But, to our pleasant surprise, we were seated almost immediately upon arrival. The only drawback was with the seating. We asked for a booth, but were told that those were reserved for bigger groups. (However, during the night, we saw a number of them occupied by parties of only two or three persons.) Instead, we were seated at a small table in the middle of the room and, from what it felt like, right under the AC. It was so freezing, that both my fiancee and I decided to keep our coats on. It did get warmer as the night progressed and we indulged in their fantastic food and wine. Except for that small inconvenience, our remaining experience at the Pamplemousse Grille was fantastic. Our server was very attentive, checking on us every five minutes or so, and had incredible suggestions for us. Because it was Restaurant Week, they mostly had a prix fixe menu. However, our server made a recommendation for an appetizer that did not appear on the menu and, although I tried to find it online in their regular menu, does not seem to appear there either. It was called a "seafood plate" (or something to that effect) and included jumbo shrimp, smoked salmon, baked salmon, something that tasted like caramelized potatoes, and CAVIAR. As a Russian, I love caviar, and it was great to see and eat that on an appetizer. My fiancee opted for this appetizer and it was definitely worth the extra $15 (on top of the prix fixe price). According to her, it was the best appetizer she has ever had. I opted for the roasted tomato fennel soup with Maryland jumbo lump crab, which was sublime. For our main course, we both had the duck, and it was fantastic. It was very well accentuated by the wonderful pairing of a bottle of wine suggested by our server. Because it has been some time since we were there, I cannot remember what we had for dessert, but I do remember that it was beyond delicious, just like the rest of the food. All in all, this was a wonderful dining experience. What made it particularly amazing and special was the food, the wine, and our server. As already mentioned, the server was very attentive throughout the evening and made several spot-on suggestions. My fiancee and I had a wonderful time and would definitely come back. Although, we would ask to be seated in a booth next time, or somewhere away from the AC.
(5)
Jay S.

Love love love the extensive wine list, food, service, and ambience. I always feel like a rockstar here. I don't think we have had any bad or mediocre dishes here at all. My latest loves are the smoked seafood appetizer that really tasted buttery-amazing and ribeye that was grilled/prepared to perfection. The Meritage was fantastic. I can't wait to come back soon to try some other dishes and wine.
(5)
Joanne B.

I want to publicly apologize to my boyfriend for punching him on the leg after I took my first bite into my Kobe beef burger at Pamplemousse Grille last night. Sorry, it's like a knee-jerk reaction I have when I eat something that heavenly and I'm working on trying not to have that type of reaction in the future. He's eaten here before and was craving their Kobe beef burger with truffle cheese, truffle mayo and truffle parmesan fries. Holy moly, if you can visualize the aroma of the truffle creeping up your nostrils, it was very nirvana-ish in my world for a good ten minutes. Let me back up to how the rest of my Pamplemousse cherry-popping experience started... I called as we were leaving another event in Del Mar asking if they were still seating folks for dinner (I called at 8:30ish). They asked how soon we can be there and when I said ten minutes, the guy said no problem! We got seated in a lovely booth right away and was greeted with complimentary bread from our server Shane. Fortunately, PG is participating in Restaurant Week, so when I took a look at their $40 price fixe menu, I was sold. I started off with the Heirloom tomato salad with smoked buffalo mozzarella, aged balsamic vinegar and micro greens. This made me want to eat healthier for the rest of my life if it would only taste this good all the time. My boyfriend ordered the braised short rib Angliotti with wild mushrooms. It was so flavorful, I loved it! When our main entree rolled around, please refer to how I started off this review. Sheez Louis, I love me some Kobe beef burgers! I was actually getting full, so I only ate a quarter of my burger and packed the rest for some serious grubbing today. He had the surf & turf and of course I picked at his entree. It was pretty tasty, they gave a generous serving of the French green beans, it was like eating French fries, but somewhat healthier, right? We ended the night with some sweets, we shared the banana cream tart with milk chocolate ganache and carmelized bananas with another dessert of pear tarte-tatin, vanilla gelato and some berries. We managed to devour only half of each dessert, but both were incredibly tasty and not too sweet. Our wine pairing of the Pinot Noir was a good match for all the dishes we enjoyed last night. I did study the wine book our server left on our table and one thing I liked was that they have bottles of wine at very affordable prices. I saw some for $23 dollars, but who in the world would order the $3,000+ bottle they have for sale?! Based on what I read, their wine menu has got to be one of the best selections of all the other great restaurants I've dined at. I've heard the owner has a crazy-big collection that's stored in a space next to the restaurant, now that's some serious vino. Overall, this ranks amongst the top of my creme de la creme lists of where to eat a great meal. Glad I got to experience another phenomenal dinner at Pamplemousse. Merci beaucoup!
(5)
Shannon B.

Exquisite dining experience. My vote for best restaurant in San Diego for fine dining. Everything is fresh, different daily menu and most do not know they have a great happy hour. Special occasions, my favorite place to dine.
(5)
Natalie R.

My family and I came here because we wanted dessert. No one in my party had dinner but we all ordered dessert. I ordered the dessert with 5 desserts and thought it was OK. Why this place only gets two stars is because of the service. Immediately I was not happy with our server. He came and filled our glasses with water and never asked anyone if they wanted anything to drink. When he came to drop of our desserts he put the platter in front of me and my mom and walked away. Since the menu describes this platter as a selection of desserts I was hoping he was going to describe what I was about to eat. At that point I almost wanted a different server, and I never ask for a different server. I have never felt so unappreciated at a restaurant. I will never go back to this place after this experience. The desserts tasted fine, nothing blew my mind away but the pear tart had an odd brown/green color that made it look unappetizing. Put some lemon juice on the pears so they don't look like that.
(2)
Debbie O.

3.5 First impression: why is this place so darn dark?!? If I were on a first date and had an asteroid of a pimple I'd be thankful, but in any other given situation, its just annoying to have to squint to see the menu that's right in front of you! Maybe the servers dont like to be seen, but nevertheless, I wasn't going to let this affect my taste. I guess you could say it's a very romantic and intimate setting of a restaurant, and there's definitely a lot of couples no doubt on their date night. The bread basket consisted of three types: good old sourdough with sesame on the crust, corn muffins, and poppyseed muffins? I only question the last one because I'm not sure it was a muffin, but it was definitely the crowd favorite at our table. The sourdough is self explanatory, but the corn muffin was not very moist and buttery. Market definitely got the upper leg on this one, but Pamplemousse surprised us with a pretty good poppyseed muffin. Best thing about the whole meal was the lobster grilled cheese sandwich. We had to pay an additional $25 to substitute the restaurant week starter with the sandwich, and the price would have been doubled if we substituted it as an entree. The server spoke highly of it, as the sandwich contains a good 3 ounce Maine lobster and is one of their restaurant favorites. You could immediately tell the bread was toasted in butter, and the cheese just melted perfectly in between the large lobster chunks. It was rich, decadent, and the best grilled cheese I've had so far. My boyfriend ordered the lobster ravioli as his starter, and it was a pretty good sized ravioli. However, the flavor was very similar to that of a Chinese dumpling, and the filling was a bit dry. Our couple friends in crime ordered the sandwich and a tomato soup, which was also delicious. As for entrees, we ordered the duck, cod, and short rib. Everything came in a generous portion, but somehow the cooking was off. The duck was a tad overcooked; the skin was almost burnt and a bit too hard, and at some points you would get a tough piece of meat. The cod had a strong fishy taste, and the short rib was not very tender. All the flavors were there, and nothing was too much or salty, but it almost felt like everything was cooked a while ago and were just warming in the oven until someone ordered it. I guess it just seems like the meats were overcooked while warming up in the oven. Didn't taste fresh. Pamplemousse definitely made a come back in the desserts. The warm chocolate cake with salted caramel and vanilla ice cream was absolutely decadent. The chocolate cake was the very rich and thick kind that's just enough to stick slightly to your teeth. My boyfriend's peach tarte was also very rich and the puff pastry was perfectly drenched in the peach compote. Everything is a tad on the sweet side, but I had no complaints. It was definitely a great ending to an OK dinner. Overall, Pamlplemousse needs some help with a few things but definitely knows how to do a lobster grilled cheese. You'll kick yourself for spending an arm and a leg without trying it!
(3)
Michelle N.

O-to-the-M-to-the-G this place is DELISH! Literally every meal that I have ever had here melts in your mouth from the appetizer, to the entree to dessert. The seafood cocktail appetizer is the most amazing and filling appetizer that I have ever tasted!! Pamplemousse is expensive, but for a special occasion this is the only place to eat in North County! The service is phenom, the ambiance romantic and the food the BEST!
(5)
Lisa M.

This meal wasn't terrible but I've definitely had better for less. Even during restaurant week, the bill was $170 with drinks and tip. For that much, I expect to be wowed by my food. The plating could use some updating as well. I like a feast for my eyes AND my mouth. :)
(3)
Scott M.

The food and wine are always excellent, but I alway seem to spend too much money. If that's an issue for you, then Restaurant week is a good way to sample this great San Diego County dining spot, as the food is tremendous and the service top notch. It is one of the better values for restaurant week. They pack the tables in those weeks so for a more intimate experience, go another time. If you enjoy wine, then take some recommendations from their fabulous wine list. There is likely something you've never heard of that will blow your senses away. Personally, I don't regret spending too much money every once in a while, because this place is worth it for the place it takes your senses. Speaking of which the creme brulee is orgasmic. Try the Kobe beef burger with Truffle fries. Expensive but it may very well be the best burger I've tried in San Diego.
(5)
Marc P.

The wife and I went here for restaurant week. It was a $40 pre-fixe menu that included an appetizer, a main, and dessert for $40 a head. The short of it is that we were underwhelmed by the food and the atmosphere. There was nothing wrong with it, but when getting out for $90 a head including wine, tax, and tip, we both expected much much better. Had the cost even been half the price of what it was, we probably would still pick other places over it. Although the service was excellent (excepting having to wait 15 minutes beyond our reservation time to be seated), the food just did not "pop." I would not elect to go back there for dinner, however while we waited our 15 minutes to be seated I noticed the nice bar area; maybe I'll go back to try their M-F happy hour. If interested in reading our thoughts on the particular items we ordered, read on... The wife and I each opted for the seafood ravioli appetizer. We both found it fine, but were disappointed that it wasn't quite hot enough (was like it had been sitting on a warming tray for quite a while). For our mains, she had the duck, and I had the short rib. We were both happy that neither of them was fatty or greasy, given that both dishes had the potential to be. We were also pleased with the ample serving sizes. The duck and its accompanying corn niblets were quite tasty, but not spectacular. The shortrib was fine, but I have had better at much more run of the mill restaurants (the horseradish mashed potatoes that came with it were excellent however.... it would have been nice if they had put a little more of those on the plate). For our desserts, my wife had the chocolate truffle cake, while I had the pear tarte-tartin. Both desserts came with vanilla gelato and fresh berries. Her chocolate truffle cake was too rich in both of our opinions. I thoroughly enjoyed my pear tarte-tartin. However we were disappointed that there were so few berries and little gelato on our plate; we were not expecting a huge amount of either, but they felt more like garnishments than true accompaniments. The wine recommended by our server was what we were most happy about. It was Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet 2009 vintage, and we loved the flavor after it had breathed a few minutes.
(3)
Brown G.

It's been months since we had dinner here and we're STILL talking about how wonderful our meal was. We had their medley of five starters, truffled white asparagus soup, basil roasted chilean sea bass, pan seared day boat scallops, and warm chocolate-caramel cake with salted caramel anglaise and vanilla gelato. Food = 5 out of 5 Service = 5 out of 5 Cocktails = 3 out of 5 (we should have looked at their wine list. I'm sure it would have been 5 out of 5) Ambiance = 3.5 out of 5
(5)
Lauren W.

I can't rave enough about Pamplemousse Grille. The food and atmosphere are outstanding, and this is definitely my favorite restaurant in San Diego. We love Pamplemousse so much we also had them cater for our wedding! It's been two months and we're still getting compliments on the dinner and dessert buffet. The staff was also amazingly professional and really helped maintain the elegance we were looking for on our special night.
(5)
Kathleen P.

Maybe it was a mistake to try this place for Restaurant Week. I went with a friend, and the food and service were both mediocre. The appetizer of tomato fennel crab soup was alright but tasted overpoweringly of fennel. The seafood appetizer was an overcooked jumbo shrimp on a fish stick. For the entree, my friend was happy with the duo of steak and short rib, and I thought my duck was alright. But it was dry and a little overcooked, and both sides were lazily beans and corn. No purees, no sauces, no interesting spice, just seemed pretty boring and lazy. For the dessert, my friend had the brown butter financier and I had the pear tarte tatin, both which were alright. They came out with little puddles of what I suppose were once vanilla gelato. The mixed berries that came with it were a sad smattering of half a strawberry, one blackberry, and a couple shriveled blueberries. As for the service, our waiter visited us twice during our entire 3 hours of dining. I asked him for a box when I was lucky enough to see him the second time, and he told me no because my friend "hasn't finished his meal, and I don't want to rush him, and that's something called etiquette". Wow. So, with lazy mediocre food and the lazy mediocre service, I don't think I'll be coming back.
(2)
Heather ..

We wanted to see fireworks without getting involved in the Fair traffic, or hunting to park & my husband thought to book here. Why don't we go here more often? The meal from start to finish was lovely. We were greeted by the friendly host & manager, seated in a beautiful banquette & promptly served an ice cold pear martini. From start to finish our meal was delicious. I had the watermelon salad with artichoke hearts & tried one little scone from the bread basket (excellent). I don't know what the secret ingredient in the salad's dressing was but it was yum! I had the scallops entree & as I don't eat meat, our server suggested subbing out the pork for roasted little brussel sprouts. We washed it down with a nice pinot & I ended with a cappuccino & peanut butter & chocolate dessert. Great service throughout & a great chef! Just in time - fireworks, right outside the door! I think this place will be our new July 4 tradition. I can't wait to bring family here next month for the wine event. Thank you for a truly lovely evening - great job!!
(5)
teena y.

The food and service was amazing. This restaurant was probably the best around the area. We tried Vigiluccis Seafood & Steakhouse and it was not comparable at all. Here's what we had: Truffle gnocchi - Creamy and good (they shave a lot of truffles on it so that was the best part!) yelp.com/biz_photos/Jk2eâ€¦ Truffled fries - Good yelp.com/biz_photos/Jk2eâ€¦ Sea Bass - Delicious Duck - Good. Big plate with 2 big pieces that i couldn't even finish. I would try something else next time. yelp.com/biz_photos/Jk2eâ€¦ Vino - 2007 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Half Bottle - Delicious To end it all, they gave us a little basket with cookies! yelp.com/biz_photos/Jk2eâ€¦ Chris at the front is amazing. She checked on us to make sure the temperature was ok and turned down the cold air. Overall, great place.
(4)
Jessica C.

Holy jesus and all things good, this place is slkjfhgklsjhgfs (eg. no words). Drove by this place twice before we found it; the exterior looks like that of a building which houses countless cubicles and unhappy people. We came here for SD restaurant week, and were pleasantly surprised to be immediately seated. I expected to wait, even with a reservation, because restaurant week generally turns every restaurant into a madhouse. Nice mellow ambience, a little dimly lit for my taste, but not so bad that I couldn't tell what I was eating. Ordering off the restaurant week menu, we ordered the lobster ravioli and roasted tomato and fennel soup for appetizers, the crispy half duck and the braised short rib for main courses, and the pear tarte-tatin and trio of sorbets for dessert. Lobster ravioli with seared scallops, wild mushrooms, pear tomatoes, asparagus, and ginger soy beurre blanc. This was one giant ravioli hanging out with all of the above, and was pretty average. It also came out lukewarm, which was slightly disappointing. The scallops, though, were really delicious, and I'm usually not a fan of scallops. Roasted tomato and fennel soup with seared bay scallops was also pretty mediocre, but I'd be impressed if anybody could make tomato soup more than mediocre. Good number of scallops in there though, so that was nice. Crispy half duck with sweet white corn, porcini mushrooms, sautÃ©ed gnocchi, and a cherry balsamic reduction. Doesn't the sound of that just make you drool? And drool you should because this duck was GOOD. The crispy skin is comparable to the crispy skin of peking duck (or rather, peking duck done well, or just peking duck served in Beijing specifically). The meat is tender and juicy, and the cherry balsamic reduction is literally the cherry on top. I could eat this forever and ever, and if I ever am able to conjure up the money to return here again, I'd probably eat this again. Braised short rib, mÃ©lange of baby vegetable, and gremolata. The short rib was extremely tender and fall off the bone (if there had been a bone) soft. Not as spectacular as the crispy half duck, but delicious all the same. Pear tarte-tartin with vanilla gelato. Warm cookie/pie thing on the bottom, cold creamy vanilla gelato on top. Deliciously tart and sweet at the same time, and confusingly cold and hot at the same time, all in the best way. Trio of sorbets. Hands down best sorbet I had and will ever have. It's sharp, bright flavors are extremely refreshing after a large meal. Unintentionally mmhed and ahhed after every bite, and finished it wanting more. Such a fantastic end to a delicious meal. Service was eh: waiter was nice, but not very attentive. Favorite part of this meal: it got better and better as it went along, leaving me full and extremely satisfied by the end.
(5)
Gregory L.

This restaurant was very much a pleasant surprise. The service was outstanding. Our server was very attentive, had excellent suggestions, was right there at the right moments. The food was very nicely prepared. I had the fried oysters and I have to say that they were some of the best I had and lived in South Carolina for 5 years and know about fried oysters. My main course was a bone-in rib eye with truffle french fries. The steak was cooked to perfection and the truffle fries were just as good. I'd go back.
(5)
Brad P.

Over the last year I have returned to PGrille twice no have to update my review. The food and value was solid.
(4)
Taunya J.

I've been here twice now and had to write a review, as both experiences were exceptional. The filet is better than any high-end steakhouse I've ever been to. The service is great and the atmosphere is classy, but comfortable and not pretentious. For something really special, order the steaming seafood platter - it's not on the menu, and you have to pre order, but it's absolutely amazing!
(5)
Daniel W.

At first we thought the GPS made a mistake because the parking lot looks like it's a business office complex. But we spotted the Pamplemousse Grille Sign and arrived 10 minutes early before our reservation at 8:30. While in the car, we snacked on some food we just purchased at costco. So while looking at the menu, we intended to eat "family style" by sharing and trying the difference course offerings. The waiter comes by and we politely ask if it is ok to share 3 set courses amoungst the of us. Shortly, the manager came by our table with a direct stern attitude that it was required each person MUST order the $40 prefixe and dishes cannot be shared. Then another man come up, which I'd assume to be the assistant manager claiming that the table can be given away as they are busy. This rude behavior was quite appalling and unexpected coming from management. My brothers and I were seriously about to standing up and leave. But our mother had persuaded us otherwise. Now moving forward past the rude management (never a "sorry"): The dishes: We went down the list and tried each of the appetizers shrimp salad, beet salad, lobster ravioli, and squash soup. Lobster ravioli was the only good dish here. The Salad was plain, shrimp overly cooked in bacon. The squash soup was too bitter. All of the food arrived LUKE WARM. How did this happen? Perhaps maybe if the management paid more attention to the dishes brought to the tables rather than eyeing the pockets of their customers. The dishes felt like they were under a heat lamp, seriously...? We wanted to like the food here, and give it a chance despite the rudeness.
(2)
Katie B.

Excellent food! Fantastic Service. We both ordered the Field Greens for a starter and I was pleasantly surprised that it was a full plate of salad (sometimes in higher end restaurants appetizers and salads will literally be 3 pieces of lettuce) It was lightly dressed and a perfect pre main dish. I had the Sea Bass - which was phenomenal. My husband had the aged New York - it was the best steak either of us have had in a long time. Both meals were perfectly paired with veges. Both meals came out very hot and were clearly straight off the grill. Our waiter was lovely, very educated and professional. The only down fall of this place is that in my opinion is is a little stuffy, and dark, low ceilings and its an older crowd, the ambience is ok, low lighting and I like the comfy booths. But prefer lighter and brighter atmospheres.
(4)
Beata K.

Wow what an absolutely amazing restaurant. Phenomenal food. If you're a foodie this is exquisite food lovers paradise. A wine list that is impressive as well. Fantastic bread. Had amazing black truffles on just about everything. Great service. Can't fault it for anything. Fantastic dining experience. Highly recommend it. Loved the Kobe burger. Everything was wonderful.
(5)
Rudy D.

Came here for Restaurant week. Lobster Ravioli. Cod with Chinese Sausage. And Some French Dessert with sweet sweet glazed pastry with vanilla ice cream on top. As Homer SImpson once said, it was "groin grabbingly transcendent" thats all i want to say because i still can taste the sexy sexy cod in my brain's mouth.
(5)
Sara Y.

I had the most amazing experience in my life tonight! Tonight's dinner will remain #1 on my list of best restaurant experience. Everything was perfect and the attention to detail, even the smallest things, left me impressed. It was a rainy, cold night and we were the first customers for dinner. We were welcomed by the fresh smell of bread baked in the front of the restaurant as we walked in. It smelled of fresh, homemade biscuits, the most comforting smell in the world. It was a pleasant welcome. The decor is very comforting, with pictures of pigs, horses, and geese. It felt like eating in the countryside farm. The decor certainly matched the food as everything tasted fresh and local. Bread-Biscuits, Jalapeno Corn Bread, French Bread. I loved them all but I especially loved the fresh biscuits that were straight from the oven at 5pm! To start, we shared the Parmasean Truffle French Fries and the Smoked Fish sampler. The truffle fries were orgasmic! I couldn't stop eating them until they were all gone. The smoked fish sampler included Alaskan Salmon, Scallop, Lobster, Caviar, and Shrimp. It was super smoky and a fresh, light way to begin the meal. My date had the Halibut special with shrimp ceviche and absolutely loved it! The fish was flaky and melted in your mouth! I had the 20oz. Cowboy Rib Eye cooked medium with truffle mashed potatoes. The rib eye with mushroom sauce (upon request) were sooooo amazing together! Heck, the truffle mashed potatoes were fantastic! Even if the steak sucked, the mashed potatoes made up for it! I loved this dish! The steak was very juicy, flavorful, and fatty. For dessert, he had the Chocolate-caramel cake. It was like a molten chocolate cake and the salted caramel took the cake to the next level. I was so indecisive so I chose the 5 dessert sampler. It consisted of the house favorite Pear Tarte, then small versions of Butternut Creme Brulee, Apple spiced cake, Chocolate-caramel cake, and the Chocolate Peanut Butter Bombe. They were all tasty, my least favorite was the apple spiced cake. My favorite was the Pear Tarte which wasn't too sweet and tasted very fresh. The peanut butter bombe was like a Reese's cup. Service was fantastic! The crowd of people there were mostly older people but they weren't snooty at all. I was surprised as from the outside, the restaurant looked lackluster and hidden among office buildings, but inside, this restaurant is an absolute gem! Total for 2 people, 1 bottle of wine, some cocktails, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and 2 dessert equaled a little over $400 with tip! Very pricey but so worth every penny! I will have to return for the Lobster Grilled Cheese Sandwich and the Gnocchi!
(5)
Nemo L.

What an incredible restaurant! Food - excellent. Service - beyond compare. We were a little concerned to come here because we have younger kids, but they had off-menu children's items that suited them well. Everything tasted great (for kids and adults) all the way from appetizers to desserts. What was spectacular was the service - attentive, fun, courteous. Our waiter set up a special dessert treat for our kids with the pastry chefs - unbelievably positive response from the kids who now call this one of their favorite restaurants. Could not stop raving about this place on facebook. Can't wait to return. The kids and I , couldn't be happier with this place.
(5)
Bruce F.

As the five stars would indicate, Pamplemousse Grille IS as good as it gets! We tried Pamplemousse Grille for the first time (sure the be the first of many) on a busy Sunday evening. Our reserved table was ready when we checked in at the hostess' stand. From the moment we arrived, everything was perfect. Our waiter knew the menu as if he wrote it himself, quite a feat as this menu is quite varied. There was also a long list of specials that were not on the menu. Our table ordered five appetizers including the fois gras, the heirloom tomato & buffalo mozzarella, and the smoked seafood stack (our favorites). Service was steady and attentive without being overpowering. Our favorite entrees were the crispy half duck and the mixed grill (consisting of beef tenderloin, rack of Colorado lamb, and pork tenderloin). All the entrees were outstanding. One of our guests was a college freshman and an aspiring chef, so when I made my reservation, I left a note for the manager, asking if it would be possible for our guest to meet the chef during our meal. Half way through our appetizer course, Chef/Owner Jeffrey Strauss appeared and asked who the young chef was. So nice. He was actually at home watching the Sunday evening football game, but came down to the restaurant during halftime just to greet us, say hello, and offer some words of advice about becoming a restaurateur. He also asked the kitchen to prepare a complimentary "$40 grilled cheese sandwich", an extraordinary concoction of lobster, black truffle, a creamy white cheese, on buttery toasted bread. Jeffrey Strauss was so gracious and kind, I'm sure he left an indelible impression on our young guest. We had an extraordinary experience at Pamplemousse Grille and recommend it to anyone seeking the perfect dining experience.
(5)
Tina L.

Don't park next to the safari. Restaurant week and the enticing 1/2 duck entree brought us here. Highlights included the crispy maple leaf farm duck, the truffle fries, and the bread. A substantial portion was given for the duck (2 duck drumsticks). The crispiness of the duck skin was well seasoned and balanced with the tender duck meat underneath. The truffle fries were the best fries I've had. The truffle flavor was making a bold statement on my taste buds. The biggest disappointment was the watermelon salad. It was a salad that I've made at home before with spinach, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. A $40 restaurant week becomes a $51 dollar meal with tax and tip. As for the parking situation, there is a village of ants inhabiting the short palm trees in front of the restaurant. Park with caution, as your car may be their next home.
(3)
Tabby L.

One of my favorite place in San Diego. It is specially great during Restaurant week when the price is lower. Everything we had was perfectly prepared and yummy - love the Seafood Kimchi starter, wonderful Crispy Duck and perfect med-rare Duo Filet and Short Ribs. Attentive staffs took care of our needs without being notice. I love this place for special occasions and a nice splurge.
(5)
Tami B.

Note: this review is for Restaurant Week 2012. They were very busy, so I took that into account. Came here for a friend's birthday, and I've passed by this place so many times that I was eager to give it at try. The service was spectacular for how busy they were, I was impressed. The food was not so impressive. I had an heirloom salad with goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette and it was not as awesome as I hoped it would be. The tomatoes didn't taste too fresh and it tasted lik something I could have made at home and had it taste better. Main course was short ribs with a side of horseradish mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. The short ribs were flavorful, but dry. When I eat short ribs, I want them to be the most tender meat I've ever eaten. The mashed potatoes were the highlight of the meal. The veggies had almost no flavor, no salt, no butter flavor, nothing. Sad. The desert was some warm lava cake with a chocolate and caramel inside and a side of ice cream and that was magnificent. No complaints on dessert. My $13 glass of malbec was one of the better wines I've had in a long time. Their wine list is one of the largest I have ever seen in my life. Kudos to that, if you want to spend $5,000 on a bottle of wine. Not sure I'd be back, but it wasn't awful. There are just better choices out there....
(2)
Leo I.

Very high quality everything. I had an appetizer called "The $40 dollar grilled cheese sandwich." It had several cheeses as well as lobster inside. Yum-o! I was so profound in claiming that this was better than the grilled cheese sandwich I make at home. I also had a rib-eye that was aged 21 days, with bernaise sauce and mushroom sauce. The sauces were wonderful. The rib eye was good, but I've had better. The truffle fries are right up there with the duck fat fries I get at the smoking goat. Delish. My only complaint was that my wine glass smelled like it was dried with an old crusty towel. It kind of ruined my viognier. bummer!
(4)
David G.

We chose Pamplemousse because we've been here before and have had some really good meals and some not so good. We went for the 2nd week of Restaurant Week (RW) and boy, were we ever disappointed. We go out every night of RW for the two weeks, and Pamplemousse was the worst $40 meal we've had. The service was cold and impersonal. And they automatically add a 20% tip (which I don't object to if the service is excellent, as it is in most high-end restaurants). The bread was good, especially the corn muffins (although not up to Market Restaurant standards). We each had the Prawn Oscar appetizer, which is plain, minuscule and flavorless. They should take lessons from The Marine Room on how to do a Prawn appetizer. Next I had the Duo of Filet of Beef and short ribs agnolotti (which are short ribs wrapped in a ravioli). The filet was small and slightly overcooked, but with good flavor. The short ribs were very dry and not melt-in-your-mouth. The dish was served with some green beans and sweet corn. The whole dish was uninspiring. My wife had the salmon, which was of decent size but again, very plain; something you or I could easily cook at home for $5 -$10. The best part of the meal was the dessert: the warm chocolate caramel cake. Of course, being chocoholics, we loved it. The entire meal took 55 minutes, which is great if you're in a hurry. But I think 1 1/2 hours is the sweet spot for a high-end restaurant. Having the food come out so quickly means everything was precooked. When we left, no one said anything to us. I wonder if the restaurant has been sold, because nothing was up to the standards that it used to be. The whole meal, and the service, was very undistinguished.
(2)
Maria C.

Always wanted to try this place and dined here during Restaurant Week. The place was smaller than I had expected. Our table was less than an arm's distance away from couples on either side of us. Very cramped and crowded to say the least. I ordered the truffled white asparagus soup, Kobe beef burger topped with truffle cheese and a side of truffled Parmesan fries, and lastly, chocolate truffle cake with raspberry sauce and vanilla gelato. Needless to say, I was "truffled" out by the end of the evening. The soup was thick, creamy and excellent! The burger and fries were amazingly wonderful! The chocolate cake and gelato were delicious! Service was impeccable and our waiter was super friendly, funny and helpful. I truly enjoyed my experience here and would definitely dine here again.
(5)
Frank L.

went during restaurant week and got a prix fixe meal: appetizer (two shrimp with snow crab meat on top), main course (surf and turf) and dessert (fruit tart) for $40. Good meal but really nothing to brag about. Everything was cooked well and the waiter was very nice, slightly better than chillis. Environment was classy and lightning was a little dark. Easy parking and great location near the race track. One word of advice: don't get the prix fixe meal. Spend a little more and get their regular offerings.
(3)
Hanna T.

I'm going to save some time and say that Liziel E. pretty much hit the nail on the head and covered all the bases. It might not be the best meal I've had in my life but for sure the best I've had in SD since moving here in 06. Their menu is great in that it covers a vast range of selection for every palate from seafood to game to steak. 2 main points I like about this place is that it's upscale but it's dressy casual so it's not too formal or stuffy. And for this level of quality and service the price is really ridiculously affordable. And the portions were very generous which is not always the case at upscale places as you know. The accompaniments on every entree were all so amazing esp the SautÃ©ed Sweet White Corn my god the sweetest thing I could eat that the whole night. I've been to high end places like Joachim Splichal Nick & Stef's steakhouse where the sides can drag down the whole experience like it's an afterthought...you know stringy old asparagus, undercooked/under seasoned vegs. etc. Our party had the farmhouse duck, the mix trio of game, a filet, and their special which was a 45 day dry aged rib eye that will knock your pants off, omg BEST STEAK ever med rare perfection. We waited patiently for our entrees which took about 35 min but you could tell they made each dish like it was for prepared the president plus it was packed on Xmas day but well worth the wait. We were all too full for dessert but wished I've could have sampled any of it I imagine it would be equally impressive so def next time for sure. 5 stars easily all the way.
(5)
Cherie T.

Pamplemousse is classy and delicious! came here for SD restaurant week ... I started off w/ a Truffle Asparagus Soup... that was very fragrant. At first i thought the truffle was going to overpower the asparagus flavor.. but it didnt. you can actually taste the asparagus (the main star) and a hint of truffle. It was very tasty! oh and there were truffle shavings inside the soup too For the main course, i ordered the short ribs as my entree. It was soo soft and tender, the sauce was so flavorful and the truffle mashed potato - omg sooo gooood!!! there were little bits and pieces of truffle shavings in the mashed potato too! (yes.. as you can tell i love truffles... ppl say anything w/ bacon tastes good.. well i'm gonna say anything w/ truffle tastes good too!) For dessert i got the warm chocolate cake w/ caramel. mmm so rich ...sooo chocolatey, warm carmel oozing out from the cake...and then that first bite along w/ a spoonful of vanilla bean ice cream.. it was DELICIOUS!!! i could have eaten another one if i could. I was really looking forward to try their duck but it was not on their restaurant week menu i definitely cant wait to come back to this restaurant again. I want to try other items from their menu
(4)
Holly S.

Outstanding in every way. High class, but not stuffy. Loved the piggy murals. Perfectly attentive waiters and servers. Great prices for the quality and volume of fine food presented there. It was a family Christmas dinner event and it was amazing. I had the "decadent" grilled cheese (an appetizer, served with heirloom tomatoes and balsamic vinegar on the side) as my entree at the suggestion of the waiter. Everyone else had full meals. There were a lot of very fine meals served at our big table and everything was oohed and ahhhed over, complete with happy eye rolls of joy at almost every bite. Let my husband have a bite of my sandwich with the tomato on a fork and boy, he was impressed too!
(5)
Iris H.

Made reservations for 5:30 on a Sunday.It was perfect..not too busy and just intimate enough to have a nice conversation with my husband. We were seated at the booth in the back..very secluded and really romantic.Cushions on the seat?..awesome. The food was amazing..Bread was warm and the butter was creamy.Wine list was overwhelming and so the waiter gave us a few suggestions.Leonard was amazing and we couldn't believe he memorized all the specials. Everything on the menu is just food orgasm in your mouth. I tried their Sunday special Paella..with a lobster tail on top..YUM..Husband got the rib eye and you can custom make your whole steak meal..his was mouthwatering good. The desserts are delicious..Creme brulee trio was fabulous.I'm soo glad we live like 2 min away.. Expect the $40 a plate to be well worth it. It's really a special place.
(5)
Eric v.

I dropped $300 for an anniversary dinner and left feeling underwhelmed. The steak was poorly seasoned though my wife thought hers was ok. Maybe it was just mine. For the price though I expected a lot better. The service was lacking I felt. There were moments where we kind of waited around for a bit to get more drinks and bread. Stuff like that. I doubt I'll be back. The experience and the food just wasn't worth the money.
(2)
Steven L.

Great!! My bride and I went for restaurant week. They only offed a limited menu. I had the Prime Rib of Pork. Go here for a great meal with excellent service.
(5)
Jennifer A.

Restaurant Week Review: Why 3 stars? Entree: surf & turf = very over salted filet, not prepared medium rare (it was almost well done) as I ordered. Over smoked prawn. Very disappointing. What saved the meal for me was the salad. Beet + roasted garlic + crispy goat cheese + pine nuts + greens = one the best salads ever. The chocolate cake was good, but didn't blow my mind. Wish there was more salted caramel flavor. Sorry, Pamplemousse...perhaps your regular menu is better, I really wouldn't mind giving you another go around!
(3)
Todd W.

This place is great. Went to restaurant week to try this place out. I was very impressed great food and service. I ordered the watermelon salad then short ribs and pear tart for desert. I also ordered the Bordeaux to go with my short ribs. This place is very very expensive even for restaurant week 40 per person is pricy. My only complaints would be the ambiance is awfull for the price and they auto gratuity for a two top? I had great service but if i did not this would be a problem.
(4)
Koy S.

We yelped this place and came around 5pm on a Tuesday. I think we were the first ones there. Our waiter was friendly. We order Ahi Tuna Tartare, Hamachi Sashimi, and Lobster Ravioli for starters. Can I say i'm in heaven!!! It was delicious. I wanted seconds! I would totally recommend these. For our entree, I order the sea bass and my hubby ordered the duck. WOW!! amazing! The duck was cooked perfectly and I loved the crisp it had on it. The sea bass was also cooked perfectly. It was on top of a perfectly seasoned polenta. I wanted more but I was so full. I ate so fast I could barely talk. hehehe...
(5)
Jenn B.

This review is for dessert only. Bf and I had dinner at another restaurant somewhat nearby and decided to grab dessert here on our way home. It was about 8pm when we arrived and there were no tables, so we decided to wait for two seats at the bar to open up. The wait for bar seats was longer than I would've otherwise tolerated, but that's not something out of their control. They have maybe eight desserts, each priced at $12 each. However, they offer a "five-sided dessert platter" for $21, which comes with a full-sized pear tart, and mini versions of the creme brulee, peanut chocolate bombe, stone fruit cobbler, and the chocolate cake with salted caramel sauce. $21 is a lot to spend on dessert, but I rationalized it by comparing it to two desserts at Extraordinary desserts. I was expecting the pear tart to be my favorite, judging by the yelp reviews, but it didn't amaze me. My favorite was the peanut chocolate bombe, which I wouldn't consider ordering on a normal basis. My least favorite, was the stone fruit cobbler, but this by no means is calling it not tasty. If you're considering ordering just one dessert, I wouldn't pick this one. The chocolate cake was delicious, especially with the raspberries they included as garnish. No complaints about the creme brulee. We basically finished the entire platter, but it could comfortably serve a group of 3, or maybe 4 if someone in your group doesn't have a sweet tooth. By the way, this place is as uppity as the other reviewers mention. Most of the women were older with perfectly coiffed (though overly bleached) hair. The person next to us at the bar bragged about sitting in a suite at the races with some famous people.
(4)
Matt G.

Hosted a private dinner for 10 in their back/side room. They were very accommodating with respect to the menu and wine choices. Food was outstanding (truffle fries are a must). Service was good. Prices are high, but match the food quality and expectation for fine dining in Del Mar. They won me over with the ease of setting up the event though. Will be back with the wife someday soon.
(5)
J.B. S.

Some of the best food in San Diego. Innovative menu, with items you won't find anywhere else (I had an excellent lamb stew). Comfortable atmosphere and not too stuffy.
(5)
Daniel A.

I have always loved this restaurant. If you love truffles (mushrooms), you will love this place. This is the Ultimate truffle place, truffle chicken, truffle fries, truffle mac and cheese, truffle grilled cheese sandwich...you get the point. Ambiance: 4 Food: 5 Service: 4.5 Chef Jeffrey Strauss is usually in the kitchen making your meal, but will ultimately be out in the dining room to check on your meal. He is great host, and really cares about making your meal the best you have eaten. I ordered two different sampler plates (both get 5 stars). The first was Quail, Duck and Venison. The second sampler was Fillet Mignon, Pork, and Lamb. WOW. And of course, the mandatory order of the truffle fries. They actually have specks of shaved black truffles instead of just truffle oil. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Ryan F.

4.5 stars. Did you ever notice that most of the bitching about restaurants comes from restaurant week guests? Perhaps that is no coincidence. Judging by restaurant week goers in general they seem to have unreasonably high standards of what they're going to receive. Do you really think that for $40 a restaurant is going to be presenting you with it's absolute A game. Sadly that is not the case, because the restaurant world is a business world and handing out $100+ dollars of food for $40 is a bad business model. I digress. I actually came during restaurant week, although I did not order off the restaurant week menu. I must say that I'm pretty impressed. I ordered a New York Strip steak, I use the term strip lightly because the thing was massive. Other than its size, it was also massively delicious and I do not say that lightly. For the most part I'm underwhelmed by steaks at restaurants because I'm fully capable of cooking a steak that is equally as good for half the price. However that particular night I was in the mood for some red meat and was not disappointed. Along side my steak came truffle fries which were very delicious. Now I have one simple policy about restaurants; if you have bad french fries then I'm never coming back. Fries are kind of a big deal for me and Pamplemousse definitely has some quality fries. Honestly, I don't even remember my appetizer or dessert because I was overwhelmed by how good my steak and fries were. All in all I think I payed around $80 for my meal which included a drink. Not an unreasonable amount I feel, for the quality of what I received. The waitstaff was very capable as well.
(5)
Steven S.

Outstanding food, outstanding service and voluminous wine list, nuff said!
(5)
Chad B.

Sooooooo went here during Restaurant Week, as I've only heard good things about the food, ambiance and service. Zagat gave this place a 27/30...I'm now wondering if it was his replacement crew for that day. Goodness gravies was the food not very good - the salads were a step above...wait, no a step below the salads you get out of a bag at Ralph's...especially the Fresh Express Southwest Caesar, boy is that a money little assemblage of greens. Ok ok back to Pampelmousse...the steaks were close to the Banquet Salisbury Steak dinner, complete with gravy just like grandpa used to eat, the ravioli was combined with about 7 of the most random ingredients I've ever seen (who puts radishes, mussels and pumpkin together...what?)...and the dessert was umm, fine. I'll say fine. The one saving grace was the wine list - no, not the one that has magnums that are 10 g's...rather the list of bottles under 60 bones. Now that's what I'm talking about. I don't mean to absolutely take this place to the cleaners, since it is a staple in Del Mar, especially for the local crowd (by that I mean the majority of the crowd who's over the age of 75)...but if the food served during Rest Week is any indication of what's normally served here, this place needs a major update. By that I mean Doc Browns time machine, complete with banana peels and other garbage to move it from when Frank Sinatra used to eat here in 1966 to today. I'll go back for one more shot, as I know it gets good reviews...and I'll be happy to eat crow and take my words back if the grub changes...but until then I'm rolling with what I said...which means obviously very little in the scheme of things. Did I say little? I meant zero...it means zero.
(2)
Anh N.

We went here for restaurant week and were blown away. Service: Top notch and friendly - not at all stuffy as we would have expected. We made reservations for 7pm and had to wait a bit for some tablees to clear out, but were promptly seated once one was available. Server was always attentive, but not overly so. We like to have long 3-hour dinners and usually chat it up well past the bill being paid - but they continued to fill our waters and never made us feel like we had to leave. Food: There were at least 3 options for each course on the standard restaurant week menu. On top of that - the server made recommendations for the night on other off-the-menu options (some which could be substituted for no additional charge and some with upcharges anywhere between $10-$40). Of the three of us, I was the only one who ordered off of the standard restaurant week menu. Though my food was exceptional - (Appetizer - prawn oscar, entree - boursin ravioli, dessert - panna cotta) - my husband's dishes were amazing! He went the extra mile and ordered the "premium items" - (appetizer - lobster truffle grilled cheese, entree - sea bass). The lobster truffle grilled cheese was the best grilled cheese I have ever had in my life. I had pretty low expectations for my ravioli (I kind of ordered it on a whim) - but it was pretty darn good. The prawns were so full of flavor (smokey bacon flavor, but without the bacon!). Pricing: By the end of the night - after a bottle of wine and some drinks - the bill came out to about $100/pp - well above the "restaurant week pricing", but well worth it! They took no shortcuts to their restaurant week menu and everything was very well prepared.
(4)
Michele C.

It was my first time dining here, and I was pleasantly surprised how big some of the portions were. I was expecting french...not FRENCH. Had dinner here for San Diego Restaurant Week on SEPT-21. It was a packed house. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting. Parking that busy Friday night was a bit of a challenge but not too bad. I had ordered the following: -- Lobster Ravioli starter -- Kobe Beef Burger w/ Truffle Cheese, Truffle Mayo, and Truffle Parmesan Fries (good enough for 2 people) -- Warm Chocolate Caramel Cake, Salted Caramel Anglaise, and Vanilla Gelato -- A grapefruit cocktail..a bit strong for my liking of fruity flavors but tolerable Wow! Best sums up the $40 meal. The taste and service was over the top: Fantastic! I'll be a repeat customer of Pamplemousse Grille...Yes, indeed.
(5)
Bernadette M.

Casual ambiance, known for their truffle dishes.... Ahhhh restaurant week. I know some people hate it but i love it. This is when all of us poor folk can come out to play at the nice fancy restaurants of San Diego and only pay like a 1/4 of regular costs. You know the drill, 30 or 40 bucks for a 3 course meal. At Pamplemoosie it was 40 bucks. Came here with a party of 17 (that later turned into a party of 19) for my man's surprise bday party. I appreciate that they took my reservations during such a busy week and was happy they were able to seat us maybe 10 minutes after we arrived. Our head waiter was nice and attentive. The complimentary bread was warm and yummy. The truffle fries were soooo good, then again I love my truffle so the more the better! My friend said this place is known for all their truffle plates and they did not disappoint! My man LOVED his kobe burger, the meat wasn't dry and very tasty. My braised beef was deelish and very tender. My shrimp appie was yum, but my tera cotta dessert tasted funny so I wouldn't order it again. Everyone else said they liked their food as well. I didn't give 5 stars bc my friend at the other end of the table said she could clearly hear one of our waiters complaining about our table and how two more people showed up and now all the orders were messed up and blah blah blah. Ok I used to work in a restaurant in high school and don't you know if you're going to b*tch about the customers you go into the cooler or pantry, not outside in the dining area. Helllooooo... So my friend spoke with the manager, he apologized and told her to come back again and he'd have some appies sent to her table. So that was cool. I know restaurant week gets crazy and I always appreciate the staff's patience and service. I think we were a respectful table and yes two friends showed up late, but don't really see how something like that would mess up all the orders. But maybe he was stressed and like I said, take it to the back if you need to vent.
(4)
Brian T.

My brother took me here for my birthday awhile back (Sunday march 3). Went here off recommendations and it was amazing. The customer service from the time we entered the door to the time we left was impeccable. We made reservations on opentable and has arrived probably 20 minutes before our scheduled reservation and they still seated us with no hassle. Yes it was a slow night but some places still would make you wait till your scheduled reservation. Food was a real good price and really beautifully presented and tasted amazing. We took some to go but still wanted dessert the waiter came back with a pickup tag for our meals when we were ready to leave. I am a chef in this city and I have never seen that. I will definitely be back
(5)
Bobby B.

The food was good and the service was amazing. This restaurant is great for special occasions and if you are not worried about the amount of money you plan on spending that night. My girlfriend and I shared both the lobster sandwich ($40) as an app and a had the 18 oz NY strip steak for dinner, a glass of wine each, and ended with their delicious deserts. We left satisfied, however that meal cost $200. They also have an extensive wine list, however, you are going to pay $60 if you want to spring for a bottle. Overall, a great experience, I would go back, I would visit more often if the prices were not so high.
(5)
Christopher A.

Only two words describe this place: FIRST CLASS. I have always wanted to come to The Pamplemousse Grille after several of my friends in horse racing raved about it. Finally I decided to try it out. I did not have reservation but they were really casual and walked up to the bar to order my meal. When you come to The Pamplemousse Grille you have to order a glass from their extensive wine list. If you don't know what wine to order a member of their staff will help you. Starter: I ordered the Watermelon Salad and it's marvelous with a glass of 2008 Fort Ross (error on my Facebook for those reading this). I cannot describe this salad but only let the pictures speak for itself. It was delicious. Main Entree: Kobe Beef Burger was perfectly prepared with goat cheese, truffles, and fries with truffles. It was one of those experiences that made you say "Damn who would have thought they can make a burger this good!" The red wine was a perfect compliment to the beef and if you go here you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. They have Spaghetti & Meatballs and their latest creation the Pallea. No regrets but I wish I ordered Pallea. According to the chef, Jeffrey Strauss, the Pallea will be on the menu. Dessert: Roasted Pineapple Cake, Coconut Gelato, Tropical Fruit Salad. This was delicious. As with the salad only pictures can describe this dish. Also the chef Jeffrey Strauss will walk around the restaurant to make sure you enjoyed your meal, help you order, and with wine selection. I only wish some high end chefs can provide that personal attention as Jeff showed. This was best restaurant I have been to this year and will recommend this restaurant to all my friends who visit San Diego. I love this place so much that I dream about their food.
(5)
Tim W.

I came here with my family for Restaurant Week tonight. The wait was long. Our waiter and the restaurant manager were very strict with the way they ran their restaurant week menu and were rude in their tone. We almost left because of the bad vibes they were giving us, but we decided to give the restaurant a chance because we thought the food would maybe make up for everything else. Long story short, I only enjoyed the dessert.
(2)
Erik W.

Good food, but the dining room can get loud when there's larger groups.
(4)
Matt A.

My favorite in all of San Diego. Divine, exquisite dining- Very rich in taste. Start with the Trouffle fries and work your way to the crispy duck. I'm not a duck fan unless I'm here. The lobster Raviolli Its truly incredible. The pear tart for dessert is a perfect way to end your evening. They have an excellent wine selection-
(5)
Steve B.

With its not-inconsiderable prices, I was ready to pounce on anything Pamplemousse did poorly -- and you know what? Everything was fantastic. The service was great. The food was phenomenal. We had more than a dozen amazing sounding specials to choose from -- enough that I didn't even really look at the printed menu. A wonderful experience all around.
(5)
Nancy L.

I lured Hostage Gastronome to another higher-end establishment during Restaurant Week with the promise of Superior Cartilage and Foodie-in-Disguise's company... lucky for me he's so easily enticed (not a slight to SC & FnD)! I didn't know what to expect about the decor... it was understated - sort of like a posh Coco's with a pump of adrenaline from a crepe/dessert making station located practically in the entry with a few creations ready to go. I felt a little sorry for the intended diners since I panted plenty of germs on those colorful berries, but completely forgot its potential exposure when my own dessert arrived. Our dining companions were observing some dietary restrictions which left only hard liquor as beverage options, so of course we joined them. FnD got the Pamplemousse grapefruit martini, and I had the Peanut Brittle. LIGHT-WEIGHT WARNING!!! It was so flavorful and potent that after a few sips, I could not put the syllables in the correct order to tell HG what it was... "Nut brickle, butter brickle, uhh, just taste this," I numb-tongued. Consequently, I have no memory of what the guys drank, and retain just a vague impression of good bread. Our waiter observed that we had a lot of catching up to do, so gave us plenty of time to order, and once we did, the appetizers came out very promptly. The asparagus in the Lobster Ravioli was al dente popping perfect! I've never experienced so much flavor coaxed from lobster before, and while it was only one raviolo, it was cushion rather than pillow size. I wanted a little more of the ginger soy beurre blanc sauce. The quality of the fish in HG's wonderful Smoked Salmon Salad was noticeably high - nicely creamy and salty. I first heard the theory that booths are wired for sound when I was 18 and had never eaten anywhere with service that tried to impress beyond the number of plates carried on one arm. Since the hypothesizer's father owned a restaurant, I always lent it credence, especially when guiltily having my sotto voce gripes addressed. Well, the reality is that some servers have exceptional hearing. Better at holding her liquor, I don't believe FnD was particularly shouting when she asked me, "What's this green?", and our waiter suddenly turned from a large table nearby and answered, "Mache". He did it again later on when I'm sure we weren't under-modulating. In any case, the service and timing were great - his check delivery was so subtle that the guys never saw it (really, they weren't ignoring the bill). Now for the pithy critiques... none, but I can say that FnD and I were impressed that the Filet of Beef (which was firm like a NY rather than mignon) was medium rare all the way to the edges with a nice char, but thought the short rib agnolotti filling was mushy and tasted like pot roast; it wasn't an inspired "duo". SC's two duck leg quarters comprised a likewise generous portion, the skin crispy and not as greasy as Peking, but just as flavorful. HG found his Miso Glazed Ling Cod tasty, but not of as pleasing a consistency as sea bass. We also loved every morsel of the sides. The Warm Chocolate Caramel Cake was an easy choice for me - the caramel was candy quality, but the salted caramel creme anglaise turned out completely bitter and sour with salt... hmm, usually works on "Chopped" and at Starbucks! FnD knows her way around a pie tin, and approved the Pear Tarte-Tatin - "sweet and rich". Overall, the food, experience, and company were great. HG sure knows how to pick a night out!
(4)
Delphine R.

I was skeptical when i saw the two to three stars reviews but i am glad we still gave it a try! We went for a early dinner so we didn't have to deal with any wait . Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Pamplemousse means Grapefruit in French and he was kind enough to tell her the little story behind the name of the restaurant . The owner went to culinary school in France, didn't speak any words of French and was getting yelled in French by the Chef de Cuisine and one of the first word was Pamplemousse. He also explained us that the reason behind the decor, for example the pigs is because he studied in rural France . What also explains the love of the Truffle on the Menu. Pigs are famous for digging out truffles. We started with the Lobster Grilled Cheese and the White Asparagus Truffled Soup, both excellent. The soup especially was nice and creamy and the truffle oil added just that extra richness to it. I picked the crispy Duck with the gnocchi, my boyfriend went with the 18 oz 45 days aged New York Strip, with truffle fried and asparagus, it came with a side of sauce bearnaise. OMG , it was succulent. Both perfectly grilled. I was impressed with all the little details that came along with our dinner, from the different kind of breads at the beginning of the meal(they had a lady right there baking bread ), to the two cookies in the form of a pig at the end of the dinner , to the number , almost like valet , they give you so you can pick up your leftovers at the front desk: Pretty Impressive !!!!!!!!!
(5)
Jessica S.

i can't believe i wasted my restaurant week date night on this place. I was thoroughly disappointed. This place is right next to my work and located within office buildings..not the prettiest place but i was excited because it was a $40 prefixe restaurant week menu! we were a little early so we waited at the bar. the bartender was nice and I liked the wine he suggested... but the food.... *sigh... I got the salmon dish... it was so disappointing. They tried an asian twist on the fish and it tasted like something i could buy at ...PF CHANGS.. ugh and the beef my boyfriend got was salty and disappointing as well. I don't even remember the appetizer or dessert.... just do disappointed.... this place does not deserve 4.5 stars!
(2)
Dung N.

I've been wanting to go here just to try their $50 grilled cheese lobster sandwich! Pricey, I know. :P When we got there, the owner or manager was tempting us to try some type of prosciutto appetizer, saying it was sooo good...so we were looking for it on the menu. It wasn't on there, but when our waitress was telling us the specials, we recognized the name so we ordered that. My friend got the mixed grill of meats,not sure exactly what it was called on the menu but it came with 3 types of meats in the right proportions...and we also ended getting the truffle fries.....I was disappointed in that "prosciutto" app- just tasted like really cured, salty meat...and the bread it came with was kind of burnt. Everything else was pretty good. My friend likes to spoil me so we got dessert even though I was full. Btw, you get complimentary bread, sorbet on a spoon to clean your palate, and cookies at the end of your meal. If you go to the bathroom, they have paintings of a biker chick and dude, which doesn't match the theme of this restaurant lol.
(3)
Tom M.

We are fairly avid food lovers these days, so we have tried many of the Zagat rated restaurants in SD. For NYE, we decided to try Pamplemousse. Our reservations were for 930 pm, which fairly late, although on New Year's I suppose not that big a deal, as midnight is always where you are heading. We arrived very early and headed to the bar, which was cool, and full of nice people in a festive mood. The bartender was very nice, and my wife enjoyed her drinks. 930 came, and the the couple next to us began to grumble about not having been seated yet. Turns out their reservation was for 830. The grumbling soon was rampant, as everyone in the bar was 1 hour past their reservation time. The manager would come out, talk to the barback, and head back. No one said a word to anyone in the bar about the situation, except the bartender, who seemed to be the only person who noticed that his whole bar was full of people who should have been seated hours ago.. They brought out complimentary champagne, which was good, and some of the truffle fries, which were very good. Actually, the free truffle fries while we waited for our table were the highlight of the meal. 1030, no table. We were seated at about 1050 by a hostess who felt she was doing us a favor by seating us an hour and half late. It was a fixed price, and it was fairly apparent that the staff was simply trying to get the night over with. The food was brought to us semi-cold, yanked off the table as fast as I could put down my fork, and replaced with the next piece. The lobster risotto was tasty but luke warm. My steak was tough and overcooked, and the short rib raviolis underwhelming and cold. My wife did enjoy the duck dish, which was a huge portion. The champagne they were serving was good. The amuse bouche was tasty but cold and gummy. I am sure this place will survive their service meltdown, since it is so well known. We will probably give them another chance in the future, as I understand that NYE can be a challenge. However, I cannot recommend this place based on this experience. If you want amazing food with incredible service, try 910. I just got the feeling that Pamplemousse has passed it's heyday, and is now going to be a place that regulars go to but no one else talks about. Like, "Well, I guess we could do Pamplemousse..."
(2)
Kai W.

Extremely classy restaurant. Noticeably good service. The free bread basket at the beginning of the meal was the best I've ever seen from a restaurant (4 varieties of breads). A little on the expensive side but you get what you pay for.
(5)
Nima m.

$200 for 2 people (GF and I). But I would say it was not worth more than $50. I've eaten at a new place almost every week for the past 5 years and I have definately had better. I think these guys are the clever internet Savvy type to get such great reviews. Perfect place for taking out the trophy wife, escort, or if you dont want to be around minorities! lol.
(2)
teresa v.

I have to say it was slightly disappointing because I had such high expectations coming here. Pamplemousse was super hyped up to me so I was really excited to try it out during restaurant week. It was good but not as amazing as I had heard/expected. Cocktails are nice and stiff. Watermelon salad was delicious! I think it was the entrees that didn't wow me so much. The duck was pretty good but not I'm going to remember the rest of my life good. Ribeye was also pretty tasty, but again...not remember the rest of my life good. Same sentiment for the roasted tomato & fennel soup. Dessert was pretty awesome. The pear tarte was excellent. and the chocolate truffle cake very decadent and rich. I'm sure it's wine lovers heaven here...very extensive wine list and waitress was able to recommend a bad @$$ cab that wasn't too pricey. Waitress was chatty, nice, friendly, helpful. Expected a little more decor/ambiance-wise for the price point. Overall, it was a nice dinner but there are other places I'd prefer for a fancy meal.
(3)
Randy V.

I come here for extra-special ocassions. Last time was for my birthday this week. Simply the best restaurant in North County. Pricey, but well worth it. Portions are appropriate for the level of quality. If you want to belly up to the trough go to Claim Jumper! Get the foie gras sampler before the ban goes into effect July 1! I would give 5 stars but the bigbrotheryelperbot would filter it.
(4)
Saman H.

W o_O W! What an experience. I took my good friend to dinner for his birthday (2 months late may I add) and decided on Pamplemousse. This was my first experience there and I heard nothing but good about it so I was excited. We had EVERYTHING...venison, quail, duck, oysters, fried oysters, lobster, shrimp, the list is endless. We also indulged in 2 bottles of Turley wine :) That got me really excited and drunk! The food was exceptional! The service just as good! I will be back soon...
(5)
Kevin B.

Where do I begin? My girlfriend and I had an absolutely amazing dining experience. The main dining room has a dated feel, but in a great Rat Pack kind of way. One thing that I really enjoyed was the noise level. The entire evening I was able to speak with my amazing girlfriend without yelling and without hearing every word that the table next to me was saying. Onto the food we started our meal with the seafood trio, tuna, hamachi, and lobster. The fish was incredibly fresh and the portion it won't ruin your appetite. The tartar and hamachi were my clear favorites, but I am partial to those fishes in general. They balanced the fish, salt, and texture with incredible care. My girlfriend had a seabass and I had a bone in ribeye; both were cooked perfectly. It is very obvious that the kitchen can execute perfect technic. I was amazed how every dish that we order was a shining example of culinary expertise. We finished out meal with a dessert plater that sampled 5 different desserts. We were hard pressed to pick a favorite. They were all amazing. Can't wait for our next visit to Pamplemouse!
(5)
Blythe C.

Yes, Pampelmousse Grill is a great restaurant but their private catering far exceeded our expectations at our wedding. As someone who LOVES food, I can not begin to tell you how amazing it was to hear whispers at my wedding about how amazing the food was. Good for was our number one goal and in the end we ended up with FANTASTIC food. The food beyond satisfied everyone's picky and individual tastes (200 people...). Furthermore, the level of service and attention to details from the entire team was better than I could have hoped for. No one waited for a drink or an appetizer. Every candle was lit, every bit of trash was cleared instantly. Everything was presented beautifully. I could go on and on...in short, if you are looking for the BEST catering experience (from start to finish) in San Diego with the BEST food, I would highly recommend Pampelmousse. As a side note, my mother-in-law swore by a different catering company in San Diego...I think she might have a new favorite caterer...
(5)
Glenn C.

This restaurant was great. The food was fantastic. Beginning with the bread that they serve, which had a large selection of plane white bread, a biscuit with herbs, and jalapeno cornbread. I had came here for valentines day with me and my date. The valentine's menu was $95 per person, and included a 3 course meal. I had a oyster appetizer, a duo of a beef filet and a roasted lamb, and the dessert of a chocolate cake. The oyster was pretty decent. Not mind-blowing, but above par. The entree was flat out delicious. I had requested medium rare for both, and that's exactly what I got. It was tender throughout, and served alongside some string beans and fritters. My dessert was also just somewhat "meh". My date had a tuna/hamachi tartar, and let me tell you, that was flat out amazing. Her entree of the duck was also great, and the portions was very generous (two large pieces of duck). Her dessert of a red velvet cake of sorts was pretty decent as well. The entrees were definitely fantastic, and so were parts of the appetizer menu. The desserts were probably just about average. And for the price? A lot of the dishes were difficult to justify, even with standards of high-end restaurant pricing. I would definitely come back again, but without a set menu, probably skip the desserts, and try to cut down the total bill to a more reasonable amount.
(4)
Jamie Y.

I was really excited to go to this place, especially after all the other restaurants I been to during restaurant week. This restaurant was the only $40 meal that I had and since all the others were 4-5 stars, I expected much more out of this than I received :( First of all, I had reservations - but they, like the person who reviewed before me, also seated us after 15-20 minutes of waiting. The hostess, I also agree, is a bad communicator - I felt like she was trying to avoid direct contact with her, in fear of complaints and who knows what. Anyway, we were finally seated. Starting out with appetizers, we got the Prawn Oscar with Alaskan King Crab, Asparagus & Sauce Choron - which tasted pretty good, I was satisfied. Entrees: Grilled Sirloin with Roasted beef dumplings (?) Kobe Burger, Truffle Cheese, Truffle Mayo & Truffle Parmesan Fries Now here comes the confusion... I do not recall seeing the grilled sirloin on the restaurant menu online, but when I arrived at the restaurant...the menu was quite different. I chose this place ONLY because of the entree options, which I had opted for the Duo of Seared Filet of Beef & Braised Short Rib Angliotti - but WHERE DID IT GO? The grilled sirloin was average for a fine dining restaurant... nothing spectacular. The dumplings were interesting...I believe it was shredded pork inside. The Kobe beef burger was alright as well - I didn't taste much of a difference between a regular gourmet burger and this kobe beef burger - but the fries were AMAZING Dessert: Pear Tarte-Tatin, Vanilla Gelato Semi-Cooked Chocolate Truffle Cake Pear Tarte was pretty interesting... I've never had a tarte before and I expected it to be something rather than what it was. It tasted kind of doughy...with a lot of syrup on top. Let's just say I liked enjoyed the vanilla gelato more. The Chocolate Truffle Cake - was verryyyy rich, expected because it's a truffle cake. (not a big fan of them to start out with) I don't think I will re-visit this place soon, if ever. The best things about this place was our waiter - he was SUPER friendly and jolly.. and the fries. I guess I had my expectations too high for this restaurant but then again.. I can't be blamed for it because I enjoyed the other $30 restaurants a lot more than this one.
(3)
Brian K.

B+ food in an elegant but casual setting (French food meets casual coastal crew meets, "Why, hello there, good food; it's a pleasure to meet you": Spinch gnocchi with FRESHLY SHAVED BLACK TRUFFLES** Lamb stew (I ordered this and the lamb was way too tough; pieces still had gristle) Smoked salmon and potato pancakes Justin '06 Cabernet S. and Primus '05 Blend Cheese platter for dessert ** Whether you are employed or unemployed, this $40 platter consisting of 6 pieces of gnocchi and a few slices of freshly shaved black truffles is worth every penny Definition of "elegant but casual" @ the Pamplemousse Grill parking lot: $400,000 Rolls Royce Phantom parked right next to a $20,000 Dodge Caravan. Go figure.
(3)
Oanh N.

Went here for restaurant week. The fixed priced menu was excellent. Everything we had tasted good. We got there around 4:30 and it was pouring! Since we did not have reservation, we've decided to sit at the bar. My son ordered the truffle Kobe beef burger with truffle fries, the fries came with bits and pieces of black truffles.... ohhh so good. His hamburger was cut into four small pieces, I had a bite of the burger and a couple of the truffle fries and wish I had ordered this instead. We ordered the following from the restaurant week menu: Appetizers: Lobster Raviol with Seared Scallops Wild Mushrooms - absolutely delicious, there were big pieces of lobsters inside the ravioli. Roaste Beet Salad, Grilled Artichoke, Crispy Goat Cheese mache, arugula - meh! There were more spinach than arugula. Entre: We both ordered the Duo of Filet of Beef & Short Rib Angliotti - this was good but nothing memoriable. Dessert: Pear Tarte-tatin, Vanilla Gelato and berries - this was yummy! Warm chocolate caramel cake with salted caramel crem anglaise, vanilla gelato and berries - this was good. Since we had an early dinner, their wine by the glass was 40% off which was a very good deal.
(4)
Jessica W.

Lobster Grilled Cheese - need I say more? I only had a small piece because we had it as an appetizer, but I've been dreaming about it ever since. The truffle fries were to die for and the lollipops were another highlight for apps. My scallop entree was delicious, but I couldn't stop thinking about that lobster grilled cheese. Also, love the pig sugar cookies at the end of the meal - it's a really fun touch. Wish they were open for lunch Mon-Thursday and not just Friday.
(5)
Don N.

The food at the Pamplemousse is certainly worth the effort to dine at this wonderful place. Period. Mixed grill of game... Lobster Ravioli... Pear Tart Tatin... On and on it goes... But then there is the wine list... one of the best in town if not the best. From Screaming Eagle all the way across to Venge Sangiovese. Their grasp of California wine is second to none and then there are the white burgs... Yikes! is this place good! The staff are pros.. friendly and accommodating. Ask for Kris and give her a big tip :-) My favorite touch though is the art. Homey yet whimsical. I LOVE it. Check out the 'gals' in the men's room. Funny stuff.
(5)
L. E.

Awesome food! They are very hip to what's gluten-free on their menu, too, so I have never been ill afterwards. The food is excellent. We go there for Thanksgiving. =)
(5)
Kay N.

There are no words to describe this dining experience. Truffle fries, lobster and truffle oil grilled cheese sandwich, sea bass entree..I'm drooling. The atmosphere was very pleasant, service was great. The chef even came around to welcome all the guests. If I could give this place 10 Stars I would.
(5)
Darren H.

It's a bit pricey so we tried this place during restaurant week! LOVED IT from beginning to end! The fantastic service is almost overwhelmingly splendid! A server is always within reach. Far enough to offer privacy, but so close we could ask for help whenever we needed it. My water glass was never empty:) As for the food, it was delicious! The free bread is not to miss and I could have feasted on that all night! My favorite was a muffin that tasted like a sweet jalapeno corn bread. We ordered the watermelon salad and loved it. I can't remember what we order for the main course (I think I ate some kind of cheese ravioli). It was delicious, but I was so full from the bread:) My husband ordered the lava cake for dessert. it was ok, but we both loved my Pear Tart Tartin! The ambiance was really nice (the bar area was strange, but I never go to bars and it is separate from the dining area) and had an "old country" feel to it. We wanted so badly to attend the second week of restaurant week, but we couldn't make it:( however, the food was so great that I'm considering using my savings to take my husband for our anniversary:) Regardless, we will go back!
(5)
Jenna L.

My parents had some gift certificates they got at a charity event for my aunt for the restaurant and took me and my brother to go with them to enjoy dinner there. We ordered a ton of food, and let me tell you, this place doesn't joke around with the portion sizes. They give you huge portions, and all of it is delicious. We got tons of food - it started with freshly baked bread which was amazing. We also got the $50 Appetizer Special: Lobster and Truffle Oil Grilled Cheese Sandwich... OMG SO GOOD. I don't even like grilled cheese sandwiches, and I love this one... Lobster Ravioli Appetizer - also super delicious Grapefruit Sorbet - to clean your palate? (Pamplemousse means grapefruit in French!) Entrees My mom got a HUGE piece of Prime Rib and mashed potatoes My dad got the duck which was also delicious I got the Mixed Grille of Ahi, Salmon, and Seabass, all with different sauces. My favorite was the salmon, but all 3 were very very very good! My brother got Kobe the Beef Burger and Parmesan Truffle Fries Desserts Ginger Spiced Cake with Gelato - omg warm ginger cake was super delicious. This one was my favorite I think..? Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bombe, with Vanilla Gelato - SUPER peanut-buttery, awesome. Bananas Fosters - oh my goodness this was amazing - maybe this one was my favorite...? Lots of caramel and warm bananas with cold delicious gelato - perfect combination! Signature pig sugar cookies to end. By the end of the meal we were so stuffed that we ended up sticking our little pigs in my mom's purse to keep for later :) The desserts were all SO AMAZING I can't even begin to describe to you how delicious they were. I hope to go back, maybe even JUST FOR the desserts. Though this place is pricey, it has a warm, wonderful atmosphere and the servers are all very knowledgeable and ours was hilariously entertaining as well. It also gives huge portions, which is not very common with the fancier places, at least the ones I've been to. Definitely 2+ thumbs up for this place. Loved it.
(5)
Wendi S.

I recommend this restaurant to EVERYONE who lives or visits San Diego! Not only is there food absolutely delicious, but the customer service is always impeccable! Jeffrey Strauss knows how to make his guests feel appreciated and welcomed. Mr. Strauss, kudos to you for always hiring educated, courteous staff who understand that your guests are there to have an incredible time. My husband and I visit for special occasions and we are always impressed again and again with your creative menu and just plain happy staff. I just have one request....PLEASE BRING YOUR MAINE LOBSTER BACK TO YOUR MENU!!! The one with the three dipping sauces was the BEST I have ever had and I have had a LOT of lobster as I love it. It is simple and heavenly, and sorely missed. Lets just say that my husband took me there on one of our first dates when I first had it and I STILL remember it. I also miss Michael who was our amazing waiter who brought out a special dessert for us because he "just felt it was a special occasion". We were engaged shortly thereafter. You cant train special staff like that. Other than that, I look forward to your pear tartan, sea bass, avocado citrus martini salad, and the not yet tried million dollar burger that I keep hearing about....not to mention the little pig cookies at the end of the meal. Two thumbs up Mr. Strauss! The menu and wine list is always amazing and guests don't mind paying more for the overall experience because you leave happy and satisfied with pretty much everything!
(5)
Selina H.

This was a restaurant week $40 tasting menu experience. Maybe I'm off thinking that this is the week to impress people to want to come back, but I can't really say that about this experience. I also just went to Mr A's for a restaurant week, so perhaps the back to back comparison has something to do with it. My eating companions very well could've given them 4-5 stars, but my sea bass was a lil overcooked... and I didn't finish. I mean, I've steamed a 2 lb fish and ate it all myself, and I couldn't finish the filet. So I'm a little disappointed. The polenta was great. The bucket of truffle asparagus soup was yummy, which I was doubting since it was such a large serving. The bread tray was never refilled. Small detail, perhaps, and perhaps saving us for the food to follow, but I would expect to be asked if we would like more of the yummy biscuit, bread and corn muffin. On the flip side, the waiter did accommodate multiple cards. Someone wrote about some grapefruit palette cleansers? Nope. Decor. I wish I know where the biker thing comes from. I can almost see how it could be quirky cool, but not really. The couches, curtains, etc was dated in a way that is not attractive. Partially I was spoiled by the view at Mr A's, but everything was this beige variant that is disturbing in a weird way. I've heard great things and I was excited to try it, but I can't say I'm impressed enough to return.
(3)
Kimberly A.

Came here for SD Restaurant Week $40 prix fixe dinners. Appetizers: + Heirloom Tomato Salad - 4 slices of yellow and red tomatoes, topped with baby arugula, smoked mozzarella, and balsamic vinaigrette. Tasty and fresh. 3.5/5 + Prawn Oscar with Alaskan King Crab - So yum! Fried prawn sprinkled with pieces of crab on top. Crunchy and savory. 4/5 Entrees: + Roasted Prime Rib of Pork - Wow, I usually don't like pork but this dish was so bold and flavorful. Just the right amount of spices paired with delectable fluffy truffle mashed potatoes and broccolini. Definitely try it! 4.5/5 + Basil Roasted Sea Bass - I expected a soft, buttery texture, but this fish was more dense and tough. Reminded us of tuna or swordfish. The tomato sauce was a bit tangy and refreshing. 3/5 Desserts: + Pear Tarte-Tartin - OMG the highlight of the night. I fell madly in love with this lil sweet and tangy tart! Adored the slightly flakey pastry crust and the pear filling was simply perfect. MUST TRY! 5/5 + Chocolate Truffle Cake - If you like dark chocolate, you will love this cake. Very moist and dense with a hint of bittersweetness. The vanilla bean ice cream helped balance the richness. 3/5 Overall, ambiance and interior were not as fancy or dressy as I expected. Quaint, cozy restaurant with French inspired food. Friendly service. Make reservations as this place gets very busy! Note: They are extending Restaurant Week for an extra week with an entirely different menu in addition to their regular menu. This week is ONLY Restaurant Week prix fixe dinners.
(4)
Happy L.

Orgasmic,a total party in my mouth. Started with the smoked seafood tower on some kind of crispy potato thing.Yum. Shit oh dear here comes those truffle French fries,yowzaa,just can't stop eating them must be moved out of reach great. Bone in new york steak cooked to perfection with white and green asparagus. Paella could have used a bit more spice but fixed it with chili flake. Peanut butter bomb was the bomb. Our server was a hoot! Did I mention three types of bread/rolls that melt in your mouth?
(5)
Dorothy W.

Overpriced, mediocre food in a stuffy, old fashioned looking restaurant. Had the kobe beef burger, jidori chicken, and chilean sea bass in the past. Nothing will impress you or blow your mind. Even their truffle parmesan fries are terrible - oversalted, limpy. We also saw the true colors of the chef, Jeffrey Strauss, during the Symphony at Salk event. He was extremely rude, mean, and stingy to his waitstaff and Salk volunteers. Not a pleasant person and not worth your time and money. I would almost forgive this behavior for a great chef but his food is unimpressive.
(2)
Paula N.

This review is based on their happy hour (4:30-6 Mon-Fri). We pretty much ordered everything on the happy hour menu. We got: 1) Truffle fries: Yummy, but light on the truffle. Blanca's truffled popcorn is better, with more truffle flavor. Also, the serving size was miniscule -- this is a one-person serving, so for $8, it's a ripoff. 2) Kobe burger. This was very plain -- just kobe beef and cheese, no fixin's. While good, I couldn't but think that if you served me a 30% fat content burger, it would taste similar. $18 3) Cuban sandwich. Pulled pork and ham sandwich. Very mustardy, and included housmade pickles. 4) Mini-pizza made french style with puff pastry as the crust. This was terrible, the puff pastry was too dry/thick and so it was a hard chewy bite to get it down. 5) Crab and ahi lollipops. Like the crabstack at Roppongi. Dishes were on the small side, which is why we had to order so many. Things were good, but not fantastic. Our bartender wasn't there 75% of the time, and we were never offered bread. When we left, we thought "that was OK, but we wouldn't come back."
(3)
Resa R.

Had a fabulous dinner here last night with the hubby. Food was amazing!! I had the duck, so tasty, and my husband had the seabass. Both were great choices. The ambiance could use some improvement but it definitely wasn't bad and the great food makes up for the lack of decor.
(4)
V V.

Brought our family on a weekday night for restaurant week. My husband and I did the $40 per person prix fixe. For the children, they verbally told us that they had noodles. So we ordered Buttered Noodles. Since that is not really a meal, we asked if they could add grilled chicken and some veggies, like broccoli. They did not have broccoli, only brocollini, but they had green beans, so we went with that. There was no discussion on what the pricing would be. When we received the bill, we were quite surprised to see that we were charged $14 for the buttered noodles, $12 for the grilled chicken, and $7 for the green beans. So with the juice at $4 each, it basically turned out to be about $40 for each child as well. Our children are 4 & 6 years old. I could have just ordered them the restaurant week option, plus this "custom" kids meal wasn't even tasty. We have taken our children to Flemmings and Vintana in the last month as well, and the children's options were amazing. Message: Don't take your kids to PG...maybe that's their point. On another note, our server was very nice. And our adult meals were good.
(2)
Tamara H.

This place is awesome. Went here after a friend recommended to check it out - by far the best meal of the entire honeymoon vacation. We ordered a seafood trio for a starter, then lamb stew and halibat for dinner- all fresh, tasty, and plentiful portions.
(5)
Neal A.

Pamplemousse is hands down one of the best restaurants in San Diego. Chef Jeffrey Strauss deserves national recognition, as he is one of our nations best! All the art is wonderfully playfull, created by California artist Rod Knutson. If you pay attention, you will be rather entertained by their subject matter and strategic placement throughout the establishment. Service is top notch, without being annoying or intrusive. This is NOT a stuffy place, though some may idicate it is. The staff is professional but down to earth. Ask questions, be friendly and you will have a wonderful experience. Appetizer - Duo of Foie Gras - One of the best seared foie gras in San Diego. I know that it is not PC, but I care not because it is amazing! Lobster ravioli with scallops - So tasty that I have ordered it as an entree! Truffled Parmesan Fries - These are not your average truffled fries, they are soo much better. If you don't believe me, go to the bar, get a glass of wine and order of these fries, you wont be disappointed. Entree - Smoked prime rib of pork - This is a dish that I can never order anywhere else, because P Grill has ruined it for me for life!! It is juicy, smokey, and just mouth wateringly delicious. Bone-in Cowboy Rib Eye Chop - Always cooked to perfection, and they do not skimp on the cut, it is always thick, beautifully marbled and melts in your mouth. Flame Grilled Whole Main Lobsters - This is not on the menu, and I know it sounds a little strange, but it is ohhhh soooo good!!!! The whole beautiful lobster comes out charred on the edges, simmering in its own juices... it's so damn pretty that I almost don't want to touch it! I then get over its beauty and proceed to go to town on its delicious lobstery goodness! Desert - DO NOT SKIP DESSERT, YOU WILL REGRET IT!!! Pear Tart Tatin -YES Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bombe - Double YES Bananas Foster - OMG ITS RIDICULOUS!! Don't forget about the little piggies, they are pretty tasty too! Eat local San Diego, these restaurants are an integral part of our city!
(5)
Tiffany A.

This is absolutely, hands down, my favorite restaurant in San Diego...and literally some of the best food I've had anywhere in the world. The fresh baked bread basket is something I look forward to every time I go and the truffles are worth every dime. The ambience and decor make this a perfect place for a romantic dinner or special occasion. This isn't a place you go if you're on a budget, but if you're ready to celebrate something special and don't mind splurging, this is THE place for a very special treat!
(5)
Candi C.

My friend Paul had been craving this place for the longest time.. Constantly telling me that he wants to try the Kobe beef burger and the truffle fries. Finally he says that it we're going... Ummm free dinner, don't mind if I do. We got there and it was super quiet, I got a bit dressed up because i was unsure of the crowd I had heard it was pretty fancy. So we go prancing in like we own the place and get seated.. Bottle of wine?? Thanks don't mind if I do... the waiter recommended the wine and surprisingly enough did not try to rape Paul's bank account by getting the most expensive on the list... It was a few shiny pennies but not the most.. I believe I ordered some steak dish and he completely bi-passed the burger that had his mouth watering for the last month and decided to go with steak as well...BUT, we did order some of those lovely truffle french fries... paired lovely with the lovely 2 bottles of wine.. . the steaks just melted in our mouth... So yummy, I honestly forgot exactly what it was I had ordered except one day I would like to go back for some of that yummy goodness again.. Our server was also amazing, I am not the classiest of broads especially when I am not used to such fine establishments but he was a good sport... I really liked this place but it was super duper expensive...
(4)
Harn C.

I WANT to give it 5 stars, but just tooo expensive. The Place- Pretty nice. Bar and table areas separate, ambiance is classy but casual. Dimly lit, paintings of geese, kind of a fancy french-countryside feel. The Service- Friendly and prompt, but I wouldn't say anything exceptional. The Food- Loved everything we had, but some dishes were a liiiittle salty. Lobster ravioli appetizer was so-so, mixed meat grill was pretty good but just under my standard for price-to-quality. Mashed potatos that came with it were divine though. Mixed drinks didn't impress us. Grapefruit gelato was pretty good. Recommended- Loved the crispy duck, LOVED the pear tart, would drown puppies for the foie gras. Oh, my goodness. Really if you go for nothing else get the conversation-destroying, afterglow-inducing, heartbreaking, dissolves-on-your-tongue foie gras. Loved the food and atmosphere, but to eat like that is wayyyy out of our budgets. Additionally, for the price, I think we should have felt about every dish the way we felt about the foie gras. A one time thing.
(4)
Anshel S.

This is by far one of my most favorite restaurants in San Diego. Went here for my birthday and really enjoyed everything about the place. When you drive up, don't be misled by the plain exterior because once you come inside you will really understand what you're getting yourself into. The food is exquisite. Between each course you are given a palette cleanser which is usually a grapefruit(pampelmousse) sorbet. This allows you to experience each course as if it were your first. This subtle touch ads to the overall service and quality of the food. We were served promptly and politely. We also enjoyed our meals regardless of what we ordered. And their desserts were fantastic as well. My one and only complaint was that my sister was forced to order a salad as most of the things on the menu at the time she either couldn't eat(lactose intolerance) or she wasn't fond of (seafood). For me, this was not an issue but nevertheless something to consider.
(5)
Brett B.

My wife and I came here for SD Restaurant Week $40 prix fixe dinners. The place seemed a bit drab for such an expensive restaurant, but it did have a sort of strained charm. People were friendly, and I liked how they were baking right in the middle of the entry. Appetizers: + Prawn Oscar with Alaskan King Crab, Asparagus & Sauce Choron Amazing! I'm a fan. + Watermelon Salad with Mache, Arugula, Grilled Baby Artichokes & Crispy Goat Cheese with Molasses & Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette Frickin' awesome. What a unique and delicious blend of flavors! Entrees: + Roasted Prime Rib of Pork A bit plain for my taste, but cooked well. My wife loved it, though. + Roast Mapleleaf Farm Duck, Sweet White Corn, Sauteed French Beans, Cherry Balsamic Reduction Very tasty! I'd recommend it. Desserts: + Pear Tarte-Tartin 4/5 very good, but not as good as the chocolate cake + Chocolate Truffle Cake 5/5, and I love chocolate so I'm pretty picky.
(5)
Daniel L.

My favorite place in town to get foie gras. The food is always fresh and the service is excellent. I love their lobster sandwich and truffle fries.
(5)
David L.

Originally I gave this place 5 stars because the food was simply amazing, but alas i must change my rating. Our server was just kind of a jerk, really seemed like he thought we were a bother. The other thing is that on my reservation, I indicated that it was a special event, yet when they seated us, we were place in a booth that had another table in it as well - so we got to share our special dinner with some random dude, when there were other tables available. So, food = 5 stars, service 3-, seating 2....overall I'll settle on 3.
(3)
Samantha R.

Food is absolutely awesome! I know everyone talks about the truffle fries which is great but it's nothing compare to the truffle gnocchi with a parmesan cream sauce. Gnocchi was fluffy tender goodness, sauce wasn't too heavy and shaved truffle on top. Knocked off a star because they over cooked my steak the last couple times I was there.
(4)
Angela B.

5 star food, without question! True culinary perfection. Appetizer: Trio of fish = fresh, substantial portions, perfect starter (and not too heavy!) Entree: Chilean Sea Bass w/ polenta = absolute perfection. I've never had a better fish dish... this is as good as it gets! Dessert: 5 dessert sampler... easy to share with 2-3 people. Highly recommend this dessert sampler. It comes with a full size pear tarte (which most ppl seem to recommend), along w/ small size chocolate desserts, plus a small creme brulee! All were delectable! Atmosphere/Decor: The atmosphere leaves a bit to be desired as it is designed for a much older crowd. However, the food is also designed for those with developed taste buds...and this place literally hit every note to perfection. I can't bring myself to knock the star rating on atmosphere. I will go back again and again, as you just can't find this level of culinary perfection in many spots in SD. The chefs know how to cook, while using great ingredients. Come here with a date that appreciates the tastes of high end food... or a fine dining treat for your mom/dad!. It's not a young hip scene, but it's still top on my list!!!
(5)
Mo T.

This was a rather disappointing experience. We went for the $40 restaurant week meal. I had the lobster ravioli, the pork, and the truffle cake. I'm giving it 2 stars for the food, but the service was what made all those stars disappear. First, they seated us 20 minutes late for our reservation. When I was about to get up and ask when we would be seated, the hostess, without me asking, said "it'll be ready in just a second." Ok, that's fine, that's the reason I was getting up--but seriously? That's how you communicate with me? I found it to be so rude, especially in a restaurant that claims to be first class. She could have just as easily have said "may I help you?" because what if I wasn't asking when we would be seated? What if I wanted a mint or a business card, hmmmmmmmm? The service was only so-so after that. The waiter barely paid attention to us and forgot about our leftovers, which was expected after we found out that they automatically add a 20% tip to your bill. Everything felt so rushed, and I understand that they have a lot of people for restaurant week, but it just made for a not-so-relaxing experience. We were out of there in 30 minutes and won't be returning.
(2)
Alex D.

I was expecting so much more from this place. I came here last night for restaurant week. They were offering a $40 menu, and that seemed like a great deal since their entrees normally go for $30-$45--so when I found out that they were participating in restaurant week, I figured I had to jump on that. Walked in and I immediately noticed the decor. The restaurant felt stuffy, and did not have a warm and inviting atmosphere. My date and I sat down and we were immediately greeted by our server. He placed down the menu and asked if we had decided on a drink. We had not...since we had literally just sat down. We looked at the extensive (and super expensive) wine list. We ended up deciding on some bottle of wine that was decent. After we placed our order, our first course literally came out within 5 minutes. I'm hoping that this this was the effects of restaurant, because I felt super rushed the entire evening. Pamplemousse is supposed to be fine dining, and in my opinion they shouldn't try to shove you out the door in 45 minutes. They were on a schedule, and we could feel it. For the first course, I had the soup. It was good, but a little runny and it felt like it was missing a little spice. My date had the lobster ravioli. Neither of us liked the ravioli. It is served at room temperature and is super fishy tasting. Now, I'm a huge fan of seafood...but this was just too fishy and did not taste good. For my second course (which by the way was served as soon as they cleared our first course plates), I had the prime rib or pork. Again, it was good...but not great. The mashed potatoes tasted like instant mashed potatoes and the pork was cooked well but was completely lacking flavor. My date had the osso bucco, and it was just covered in a VERY SWEET and tangy sauce. It was not good. Dessert was the best part of the meal. I had the semi-cooked chocolate cake with raspberry sauce, and the date had the pear tart tartin. Both were great, however they did not make up for the rest of the meal. I'm really glad that I tried this place on restaurant week, because I would have been PISSED if I shelled out an obscene amount of money and received that quality of food. Maybe it was due to restaurant week, maybe not. Regardless, I probably won't be back.
(3)
Andrea M.

MMMMMM......that about sums it up but I'd still like to offer up my opinion. First and foremost, I'd like to send a shout out to the Mikey Show for introducing me to this unique establishment, Thank you. Totally upscale in caliber of fare but lacking in the traditional stuffy attitude, which in my book equals perfection. The front cover of the menu even displays a large biker dude wearing an undone leather vest... gut hangin' and all! Love the hog motif....this place knows how to make use of their truffles. Chelsea, you know who you are, you need to make a trip here. But seriously people, we had the Mixed Grille of Game which included venison, quail, and smoked duck......can I say amazing?! However, if you are more of a steak and potatoes guy/gal this place has plenty of wonderful options to choose from. Almost forgot, the truffled white asparagus soup was delectable. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Amber G.

I live for meals like the one I had at Pamplemousse Grille last week. The kind where you replay each bite and remember just how tasty food can be! I came her with my boyfriend for San Diego Restaurant Week, our expectations were high--reading the menu 80 times can do that to a person--and we were not disappointed. We arrived 15 minutes early for our reservation and were greeted in a cheerful way and seated immediately. Our waitress was friendly and attentive (no complaints), the ambiance was clean and orderly (think upscale French-country) and our food was exceptional. I ordered the roasted beet salad with fried goat cheese on a bed of micro-greens, the "osso bucco" style braised short ribs and the chocolate cake. The first two courses were outstanding, the short rib just fell apart with my fork and the flavor was incredible, my favorite dish of the night. The third course was good but left a bitter after taste in my mouth on the drive home. My bf had the lobster ravioli (to-die-for delicious), the prime rib of pork, and the pear tart. The pear tart was the most memorable item of the night. The flavor was so on-point, my bf thought it was the best dessert ever! Would I go back to Pamplemousse? In a heart beat!
(5)
Philip L.

Came here for restaurant week...$40 fixed price menu. We came with a big party and they made us wait almost 45 minutes even though we had reservations. I ordered the lobster ravioli (tasted like Chinese dumplings!), braised short ribs (nothing extraordinary), and the chocolate bombe (too rich for my taste, and vanilla gelato was half-melted by the time it came out). My friend had the smoked salmon salad (not bad), pork chops (very good), and pear tarte (also good). Plus, I guess since they figured the tip was already included, they didn't show amazing service. Only had water refilled once the entire time, and food came out very slowly. Plus it took them like 15 minutes to print out our receipts (although there were 5, to be fair). Would not go back, especially for their regular prices (it is $$$$, after all).
(2)
Molly U.

A fancy restaurant in San Diego that is well worth the price. I have to tell you, I've been disappointed at other supposedly fancy restaurants you go for a special occasions, only to find servers in jeans, completely unprofessional staff, a meal that is way overpriced and overcooked, and leaving as if you wished you had gone to Hodad's instead. Pamplemousse was just wonderful. The service was splendid. Attentive, informative, and never annoying. We ordered foie gras for appetizers. My husband ordered the game sampler of venison, quail, and something else I can't remember (food coma does that to you). I have never had venison and quail and both were AMAZING. I had duck with a nice crunchy crust.....AMAZING. Our friends had the steak sampler...cooked to perfection and again, AMAZING. OH and if you want your food wrapped up, they will take it to the host(ess) stand and give you a number so you don't crowd the table. Can't wait for another special occasion to go back!
(4)
Nicole S.

I was very disappointed with my dining experience at Pamlemousse. The food was not necessarily bad, but for the price I found it all to be rather outrageous. I got the duck, my date the veal. Both were overly rich and way too large of portions. The window coverings were disgusting and I felt like they were filled with dust and germs. Seeing as they were fluffy, making them stick off the walls in my face, did not make for a good feeling. The menu was all over the place and not easy to follow or make a decision. The service and the truffle fries were the good parts. Overall I think the restaurant needs to make some serious changes.
(3)
Jen T.

Seeing as "pamplemousse" (grapefruit) is one of my favorite words in the French language, my expectations for Pamplemousse Grille were accordingly high. However, I've since learned that you can't (always) judge a restaurant by its name. Don't get me wrong- Pamplemousse Grille is great, if you're in the mood to pay as much for the ambiance as you do for your food, or, if someone else is paying. Such was the case for me last Saturday night. Joyce C. and I got reservations for 6pm, which proved unnecessary as we were practically the only people there. We ended up being the youngest ones for a while too, as the restaurant slowly filled up with bougy (sp?) older couples in their business casual best. We got a nice little basket filled with a variety of breads to start. There were little cheese-and-herb biscuits, slices of herb/grain bread, and OMG EFFING DELICIOUS CORNBREAD MUFFINS. We put in a special order for more after we devoured the first basket. 5 stars for the cornbread gems alone. After ordering, we got little servings of delightful grapefruit sorbet. Our server was nice but distant, which I expected from such a pricey restaurant. It was also cool to see the head chef Jeffrey out in the restaurant schmoozing with the regular customers. On to the food. I ordered the Grilled Half Chicken, and was given the Crispy Half Chicken instead. A bit disappointing, but not enough to fuss over, so I ate it just the same. The chicken itself was delicious, tender and juicy and not at all dry. Mmm. The crispy outside wasn't greasy, which was nice, but it still sat heavily in my stomach and after the first few bites I detected early signs of a gnarly food coma. I was hoping for something more fresh and light, and not so indigestion-inducing. Minus one star for wrong order and upset tummy. Next, dessert! CrÃªme brulÃ©e trio: espresso, vanilla, chocolate, oh my! My taste buds thought they'd died and gone to heaven. So good, I forgot all about the rumbly in my tumbly and ate them all up, with some help from Miss C. of course. By the time the check came, I was rallying my wits about me for the drive home, already dreaming of the sweet post-food nap that awaited me. Oh, and I almost forgot - before the check, our waiter brought us adorable little sugar cookies/biscuits in the shape of pigs. They sparkled like a certain teenaged vampire in the sun. I call them Edward cookies. When/if I come back, I'm trying the Kobe burger and the chocolate peanut butter bombe. Bon appetit!
(4)
April W.

Great place!! I suggest the stuffed lobster ravioli! & the angus burger - Made perfect!
(5)
Malcolm S.

The server was a true restaurant professional. He was knowledgable about both the food and the wine. The food was quite good, well presented and substantial. The restaurant itself is nicely put together and attractive. Would I return? No. Whether by poor luck or bad Christmas day dinner Karma the tables around us were occupied by friends of the owner chef. They talked across the room, visited each other in groups, compared movies, and other matters unrelentingly in loud voices. The owner joined in the noisy exchanges, moving from table to table wearing soiled clothes that belonged in the back of the house. If he wanted to replicate the experience of being in the Thunderbird Diner in Queens NY, he was successful. Personally, I didn't and won't return.
(3)
Vicky K.

Always drive by this place and never go in. It's tucked away on Via de la Valle in Del mar but now that i've been, I will definitely go back! The food is amazing! The staff is super friendly, not stuffy or stuck up at all. They're very accommodating as I had to move my reservation and they had no problems. They have a happy hour that ends at 6:30pm and they've got a decent selection there too. Dining area is low lit, I like the intimate dining experience. Love that I don't have to yell to hear the person next to me either. It is expensive but it is the total dining experience!
(5)
Timothy K.

This is a meal I will dream about. Amazing, amazing, amazing. The food was perfect. My family shared several appetizers that were all unique and delicious, attention to the slivers of ham, lobster grilled cheese and drool inducing truffle fries. I'm serious. These fries might have destroyed all other fries for me. Then I had the most tender, flavorful steak I have ever had the joy to eat, New York Style. My brother had the Rib-eye, also amazing, but I thought the New York was better. My father had the Chilean Sea Bass, which was perfectly cooked and seasoned, and my sister had the most perfect foi gras I have ever had, cooked in a new way for me, just in time, since they are about to ban it in California. Then came the dessert. We shared several again, and while my family fought over the chocolate lava cake, which was amazing, I fell in love with the coconut cheesecake. This was the best dessert I have ever had. The whole night was perfect. The staff was kind, attentive, and knew and cared about what they were serving. Jeffrey Strauss, the owner, was warm, friendly, and truly cared about his product. The decor was amazing, with almost every wall covered in gorgeous paintings by Rod Knutson, making the atmosphere welcoming and warm. This is a great place for great food, excellent wine, and great service. The ultimate dinner with people you like.
(5)
Becca L.

Holy cow!! Out of this world amazing. I cannot remember the last time I was this impressed with a meal, and I eat out a lot. Every single thing we ordered was unique and heavenly delicious. The seafood trio appetizer was exquisite. So fresh and tasty with a beautiful presentation and fair portion size. The kobe truffle burger is the best in town. Even with ever-growing burger competition, it's simple mouth-watering flavor cannot be matched in quality. It's served with sinfully amazing truffle fries. If you want to splurge right, get this dish! Now for the most exciting part of the night....the lobster and truffle grilled cheese sandwich. Best. Thing. Ever. I cannot overemphasize how truly delicious this was. I've never eaten so slowly in my life because I didn't want it to end. It's two hours later and my taste buds are still dancing. At $40 it is expensive but worth every cent. And calorie. I long for the occasion when I get to eat this again. We ended with a sampler platter of 5 desserts and they were all terrific. Like, lick the plate good. The wine was awesome and the service was excellent. The whole meal from start to finish was as good as it gets. There's not a single thing that needs improvement. This could be the very best restaurant in San Diego. They should be proud of their superb dining experience. It feels strange to be this fired up over a meal but it's really that memorable. Perfection!
(5)
Kimmy B.

BACKGROUND: My boyfriend and I came here for a date night. The crowd was fairly "schnazzy", not that its a bad thing. the schnazzy older crowd. We were the youngest ones dining. I was excited to dine here since considering i've heard only positive things about this place. Here's the SCOOP: Appetizer: Asian Style Tuna Tartar- if you enjoy tartar, YUMMY! I really found this delicious! As did the bf! The only downside? Small appetizer for sure.. we wanted MORE! ;) I had the seabass, he had the prime rib. It was both very good choices. Prime rib was definitely decent. Not bad at all.. but don't come here for prime rib. They have specials every day and I'd think that the filet would be better. The seabass was good. I wouldnt say great because as good as it really was, the taste became bland and boring halfway through. I don't like that! At all!! But to stay positive, still really good. OVERALL: We enjoyed our dinner here. It was intimate and impeccable food service. We would come back to try other dishes!!
(4)
Hoa T.

3 1/2 stars I use to eat here all the time. After about a 5 year hiatus from this place, I decided to do dinner here for restuarant week with 2 of my girlfriends. Lets start with the bad: The service was horrible. Our server was quick - quick to bring out and quick to try to take away our plates. And the ENTIRE time I felt like we were treated like this was a "process" for him. He delt with us in such a routine way. No smile, no personality, no recommendations, no friendliness or warmth or humor or anything other than an expressionless face. And dont get me wrong, I dont expect to be entertained by my server but at any fine dining establishment, the servers should be exceptionally good. Ok - I LOVE foie gras. I love it so much I don't care where it comes from or why a piece half the size of my palm costs $15. I dont think I've ever had a foie dish I didnt like. So when I saw the option to substitute the restaurant week appetizers for this, I jumped at the opportunity. Foie gras served 3 ways. Perfect. 3 more reasons I should pay more for this. When it came out there was seared foie, a foie pate of some sort and foie "soup" made from foie drippings and cleverly served on a spoon. The seared foie was served on top of this brioche that was soaked in some type of liquid that tasted like honey. Take a bite of everything, as youre suppose to, and the thing friggin tastes like FRENCH TOAST! WTF?! The foie pate had this weird lemony puree that was way too tart. And the foie soup.... tasted like a salty bouillon! I was completely disappointed with this dish. Now the good: Gnocchi with shaved truffles. someone actually came out with a black truffle and shaved it on top! The gnocchi was SOO delicious! Light, airy, and smooth. My only complaint is that there was about 5 litlle gnocchi pieces. My kobe burger and truffle fries were awesome. This is Pamplemousse's signature dish and the reason they have such loyal - repeat customers. my girlfriends both had the pork which was pretty good - a huge piece that was super tender. C'mon Pamplemousse! I know you can do better! And what is up with your service staff?! Shape 'em up! cook and serve your foie with traditional accompaniments and you wont go wrong.
(3)
Danielle H.

Hit up PG for restaurant week and was not disappointed. I will start by saying, however, that I wish they had not stuffed 20 extra tables in the dining room because we were basically sitting on top of the people next to us. Because it was restaurant week and it was PG for $40 per person, I am letting it slide without deducting a star... but, I hope that in the future they don't do that because it takes away from the class and quality that is dining at PG... We started with a roasted beet salad with baked brie pieces that were creamy and mild with the perfect hint of brie to them, not too strong that they overpowered the dish. The truffled balsamic drizzled over the beets and greens was aged and amazing. My bf got the corn chowder soup that was to die for. The accompanying bread basket with cornbread, rosemary thyme and sourdough rolls and chive butter shmear was great as usual. For our entrees, I ordered the swordfish prepared with a baked garlic polenta stack that was quite possibly the best polenta I've ever had. My dish had some broccoli and other goodness to it as well, but the basil swordfish and polenta stack kind of stole the show. My bf ordered the chicken that came with the best roasted tri-color potatoes I've ever had and some string beans that were served cold actually that were out of this world... Now, the dessert. I can't even explain how wonderful the pear tartin at PG is. I have had this dessert before and there just aren't enough words in the english vocabulary to describe its stellar taste. With the vanilla bean scoop melting on top... wowwwww... I just spent 5 minutes daydreaming about the excellence of this dessert. My bf ordered the chocolate cake that was also very delicious. Their wine list is unmatched and service is excellent. I love PG...
(5)
Christy S.

Ass soon as you walk into the restaurant, you have a relaxed and very elegant feeling. the friendly manager invited us to the bar and we were escorted to our table in a matter of minutes. so many choices of food. different combinations and unusual parings. the wine list is gorgeous! the kind of place you want to go to and have everything on the menu. Service is excellent.
(5)
Danny C.

Came here for a post Christmas dinner with the fam. It was a bit hard to judge all the flavors that were going on throughout the table since I got sick for Christmas :( But for the most part I could pick up on all the texture of how the food was prepared, and they were prepared very well. Went from a bone in rib eye steak, to scallops, duck, and my favorite, chilean sea bass. Portions were more than plentiful, and all around a very good meal to end the year!
(4)
Brian W.

I have eaten at this restaurant 3 times now and i feel its the best restaurant by far in the whole San Diego County. Exquisite food, super professional service and great ambience with a wine list that is sublime and extensive. So many reviews all say the same thing and they are correct as its a culinary journey of taste to eat here, Brian W
(5)
Erik S.

It's been a couple years since I'd been to the Pamplemousse Grille, so I returned with lofty expectations. Said expectations were fulfilled and then some, leaving me wondering just what the hell I've been doing the past couple years. Some things were just like I always remembered: * Kick-ass super-suave filet mignon, * The delicious smoked seafood appetizer nobly perched atop a glorified hash brown (not that there's anything wrong with that) * Hefty wine list, and great recommendations on navigating it (thanks to our server for the 1999 Turley Zin... JFC that was good!) * That spectacular service... still incredibly knowledgeable, gracious, and unpretentious. If customer service worldwide was half this good, there would be no conflict, no wars, and definitely no hunger. * Grapefruit (in French that's Pamplemousse... oh I get it) sorbet between courses. * The volume level in the dining room... reserve well ahead to get a booth on the south side of the building for a little reprieve. * The scene in the dining room (aka "let's guess which table is the most coked up" and watching manthers attempt to put the less-than-subtle moves on their granddaughter-age prey). * The biker guy's moobs. Add to this some new treats: top-notch duck, and an unforgettably delicious appetizer of grilled cheese with truffle oil and crab. The whole concept of truffle and parmesan fries is one beautiful thing, but that sandwich, oh yeah, oh yeah! I gotta get back there again before 2011. I do.
(5)
Jesse G.

Love the food best in San Diego. Wine list makes your head spin.
(5)
Gustavo B.

We've been here a few times before as a family, but this time it was the foodies event for January. One year ago, ten couples agreed to get together once a month and have a dinner at a new, interesting or just plain good place to eat. We call ourselves the foodies de San Diego, I know, not very original, but it fits. For Pamplemousse, we did the restaurant week forty dollar menu and would probably have been forced to go with a fixed menu because of the size of our group, there were 18 of us. There were definitely quite a few options for a supposed fixed menu. I ordered the tomato soup and the trouffled kobe burger. Both were really, really good, although I think I would have gone with another appetizer if given the chance. The burger was juicy, perfectly cooked and had trouffled cheese! My wife ordered the ravioli appatizer which was better than may soup and the duck plate. The duck plate was HUGE!!! She left almost half of it and I had some to try. Here the burger was better, but the duck was certainly good enough. No complaints here. If I could I'd give it 4 1/2 stars, I leave five stars for my downright favorite places and this is pretty close, just not quite there.
(4)
Marcel R.

Oh my gosh. Where do I start? I guess the thing to know is that you can't go wrong here, no matter what you order. From the burger and fries - which are unrivaled ANYWHERE - to the Mixed Grill or lighter fare, every thing I've had from the menu is a taste sensation. If I had the vocabulary of a foodie, I could wax on at length about the exquisite juxtaposition of flavor and smell and texture, but I don't, so I'll just say it is magnificent and the restaurant's excellent reputation is well-deserved. It doesn't take a specialized vocabulary to say the other thing I like about Pamplemousse: it isn't stuffy. Even though it is an up-scale establishment, everyone I've encountered there has been friendly and eager to make my experience as a diner relaxed and pleasing. If you haven't eaten there, it is an experience not to be missed. Enjoy!
(5)
Paulette K.

jeffrey strauss, magnificent every time. this is the fancy place you go to get the fabulous lobster, steak, duck, quail, truffle whatever special scrumptious dish your heart desires-- at portions fit for arab sheikhs. so high end but still a comfortable atmosphere to wear your jeans to. but don't wear your jeans. and the wine menu is incredible. if you want to spoil your palette give this place a try.
(5)
Vicky L.

I went here during restaurant week, where you'd think they would pull out all the stops to make new converts. Having just moved here from NY, we were excited to try one of San Diego's highest rated restaurants. Good god. Where to begin? We got surf and turf. A steak with grilled shrimp on the side. The beef was dry and tough though I'd ordered medium-rare. (Isn't it supposed to be a steak house?) The shrimp was bone dry and there was no mistaking that it had sat under a heat lamp for way too long. Dessert was an apricot tart that was inedible. It was in taste and texture just like a shoe that has stepped in apricot jam. We could barely get a fork through it. We felt pretty ill after all this and could only say "thank god we didn't pay full price". Salad was forgettable. I mean I really can't remember it at all. The one good thing? The bread. Now let's talk decor. This place seems to have an identity crisis. The dining room is half hotel half country club. This is exactly the type of place you'd take your parents to if you were a college freshman and wanted to impress them during their first visit (but they foot the bill). Why is it called Pamplemousse? Why the tacky sculptures of pigs? Why not grapefruit? Why don't you guys just try to make decent food? Then you walk through the bar which reminds me of an airport bar until you get to the bathroom hallway where there are huge gaudy paintings of zz-top-looking bikers. I don't get it. I dressed up for this? I admit being a bit spoiled coming from NY, but seriously. This is considered one of the best?
(1)
Joe and Kelsey O.

Pamplemousse Grille is a great place to go when you want rich, high quality food and plenty of it. I eat a lot, so when I pay more for a meal, I'm often disappointed at the portions. Not the case with Pamplemousse- there was food a'plenty and leftovers for the hungry boy at home. Waiter was great- I still don't understand how waiters can remember every ingredient to every item on the specials list. Maybe he was bs'ing his way through, but he fooled me. We started with the special salad- heirloom tomatoes, some kind of vinaigrette and fancy cheese. Super yum. Then we had a grapefruit flavored palette-cleansing sorbet. We came to understand that Pamplemousse means grapefruit in French. Main course consisted of pork stuffed with seasonal fall fruits- fig, cherry- pumpkin gnocchi, fennel and an amazing sauce. To finish- the peanut butter chocolate bombe with vanilla gelato. OhMyGod it was good and I am not usually into chocolate desserts. All-in-all, I highly recommend!
(4)
Peter G.

Grilled cheese on brioche??? Ours came on sourdough toast! No truffles, only truffle oil and $43.00! Hmm, was that a new type of brioche or did they think we wouldn't know the difference??? Atmosphere nice; very pricey. Good wine selection
(3)
Lisa G.

This is quite simply the best restaurant in San Diego. Amazing everything!
(5)
Anthony and Sherrie R.

Three of us didn't like this place, but a really good friend of mine, the guy I work with every morning from 6:30-11, Mikey, said it's his favorite place in San Diego. He has great taste. He also recommended Tacos El Gordo and a bunch of other great places. I think this is a "hate it or love it" kinda place. Some people don't like it much and other people just love it! So go order an entree and find out if you're in the 5 out of 10 people that love it!
(5)
Leigh J.

This place is delicious! I went there for restaurant week and the food was outstanding! I highly recommend trying it if you feel like dropping some cash on a delicious meal! I gave it on 4 out of 5 stars because it's a bit expensive...BUT that being said, it's goooooooddddd!
(4)
Remy W.

Lobster ravioli and truffle fries were great, main courses (ahi and chicken) just too salty, same with the salad... Wine list is impressive, service outstanding.
(4)
joyce c.

One word: SCHMOOOZY I won a $100 gift certificate! Wahoo!! Made reservations via OpenTable. Unnecessary, but nice. Pamplemousse called to confirm my reservations = a good sign. Tons of parking out front and the restaurant is just a hop skip and a jump away from La Jolla. When Jen D. and I walked it I had a LOLCATS moment where I wanted to be like "OoH I HaZ Fancy CheezBurger". The ambiance of the restaurant is super smhoozy but in a friendly sort of way. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing. The bread and butter they serve as appetizers is yum-o. I ordered the fish special and it melted in my mouth. And the mushroom! MMMM. The best part of the meal was probably dessert. The triple sampler creme brulee with espresso = AMAZING. The bill came out to 89ish without tax and tip for two entrees and dessert. Not too shabby. I'd come back again but probably only for a special ocassion and to try the Kobe Burger. And their happy hour looks promising as well. It was also pretty cool that the head chef came out and talked to everyone! But not so cool because he did not come to our table. Possibly because we were three decades younger than everyone else. Possibly...
(4)
Jennifer D.

I have never tasted or smelled anything so good. Except for that one time I got to smell freshly baked croissants on a Paris morning.
(5)
AJ I.

I went here for restaurant week. Their food is deceptively filling. We went here for the Top Chef feel. Small portions but big in presentation. It was good food but it was only ok. Good for a fancy date, I guess
(3)
Jenn T.

Pamplemousse, you can pample my mousse anytime!! This restaurant has moved to one of the top spots of my all-time favorites. My husband and I made a last minute dinner reservation here recently to celebrate our anniversary . . . and I must say it was the next best decision after getting married. We rolled in around 8:30 on a Tuesday night and that place was hoppin' with guests of all ages - no recession here! We started our meal with two appetizers from the "specials" list of the evening - the smoked seafood platter (prawns, scallops, lobster, salmon) and the jamÃ³n ibÃ©rico (ham, black Spanish pig that eats mostly acorns - yeah, I dig on swine.). The jamÃ³n ibÃ©rico was like a really pungent prosciutto, eaten with toasted crostini. Both of our appetizers were fabulous and a great way to start our meal. For our entrees, we ordered off the regular menu: I had the crispy duck and my husband had the game trio (venison, quail, and smoked duck). Although I have a penchant for duck and I enjoyed my meal, I'm not sure that I would order the crispy duck again even though it is one the house specialties. My husband so thoroughly enjoyed his game trio that his beautiful full plate was reduced to mere bones. Our dessert(s) were like a full course meal in itself! The waiter brought out an anniversary crÃ¨me brulee with a candle to start our dessert courses - very special! Next, was the chocolate covered salted caramels in the "classic" and "orange blossom" flavors. Of all of the courses of the meal, this was hands down my favorite - and also the least expensive! It was so simple, yet so delectable. We then moved on to the 5-sided dessert consisting of: mini berry pie with cardamom(?)-vanilla ice cream, pear tartan with vanilla ice cream, chocolate-ginger crÃ¨me brulee, lava cake with caramel, and a peanut butter "bomb" with peanut brittle. This dessert would have been more aptly named 5000 calorie dessert - but it was worth every upcoming step on the treadmill. The dessert course ended with complimentary swine-shaped shortbread cookies! Our waiter was Leonard and he was wonderful. He was very patient and knowledgeable and spent quite a bit of time with us going over the menu and making recommendations. He was also very flexible and was willing to put together whatever we desired to make our meal very special. The service was exceptional, but the ambiance was not particularly romantic. We had a fabulous experience and I recommend Pamplemousse to anyone for a special occasion looking for a memorable meal. I said it once and I'll say it again . . . Pamplemousse, you can pample my mousse anytime!!
(5)
Frank S.

Country atmosphere with inventive and delicious cuisine.
(4)
Stacey P.

This place was great! We made a reservation prior to coming here and the place was completely packed. It was an intimate, formal setting with nice, friendly staff that are very attentive. We came during the week of the restaurants in san diego therefore you pick an appetizer, main course, and dessert for 40 dollars. For 4 people, our check (plus tax, tips, and drinks) came out to be $260 dollars. Most likely, it is much more pricey on regular days. If you are willing to pay that much, I would highly recommend it!!:))
(4)
Not H.

nice cozy place nestled away in a small office complex. Very nice for romantic dinner, or a festive/special family occasion. Also I believe probably a lot of business ppl come here... It's a "cozy" and fancy place...I don't know why but it just gives off a real cozy feeling! It's the kind of place where the servers are personable and the chef may come up and talk to you and let you know he's happy you're there. The food is good. Presentation very nice. Waiter service- excellent! Ambiance- not stuffy at all, enjoyable Actually I think it was more the ambiance than the food that my date and I were so in like of here... They give you sorbet to clean your palet and at the end of your meal finish you off with some sugar crackers in the shape of a pig i think it is. PRICEY...come here when you feel like treating yourself and someone nice. Just don't expect a modern, trendy-hip place...it's more of a "homey" place i think...nice though.
(4)
Dana H.

I enjoy good food presentation, good flavors, good drinks, good people, and good atmosphere (not necessarily in that particular order). And the pamplemousse nearly had it all. The only thing missing was the good atmosphere...however, to keep this in perspective I must include that I was on a date, I had a table for 2 and it was restaurant week. Therefore the restaurant was overcrowded, loud and slightly disorganized. But really, what else should I expect during restaurant week, where I overheard a waiter say that the staff at the restaurant adds numerous tables to keep up with the number of reservations made during the week. I will need to go back and visit on a non-restaurant week, I bet then the atomosphere would be just what I desire. For those who are curious I ate: A beet salad which was a perfect mix between sweet (the beets) and tangy (the dressing), Sea bass which was cooked to perfection, and for dessert I had a chocolate caramel bomb, which if given the opportunity would be the ONLY dessert I would ever order.
(4)
Alec W.

A group of us celebrated Bastille Day this year at Pamplemousse, and asked them to book us into one of their private rooms and design a French themed, multi-course meal based on specific wines we chose. What a night! Impeccable service, delicious food that matched up well with the wines, and perfect ambiance. More than one of the guests claimed the rack of lamb was the best they had ever tasted. This was my third experience at Pamplemousse and I have never been disappointed. If you're looking for great food, great service and an excellent wine list, give this one a try.
(5)
Melissa C.

Top-notch, cutting-edge food and fabulous service. Beautiful ambience. Jeffrey is committed to providing his customers with a truly artful culinary experience.
(5)
Rick P.

Simply amazing. I've never given 5 stars. Knowledgable staff with a ridiculously amazing menu. Come on... Grilled cheese with lobster and black truffles! To die for.
(5)
Amber S.

Truffle fries - Enough said.
(5)
Anand G.

Order the watermelon salad.
(5)
Anthony P.

i'm full-on prejudiced. Slanted, biased, atolerant, conditioned to react on appearance alone. And so, when pulling into any strip-mall looking area, my brain slows, my belly grows, and i fish into my back pocket for quarters, thoughts of little Homies figurines and of tribal-band temp-tattoos all aswirl. But that didn't matter, not at all. Pamplemousse is transcendent, rising above the balkanized blight of that exurban symptom, the insular shopping/dining/dentistry commerce parks. i suppose that, in a way, i'm like a soda drinker in the 60s, bemoaning the switch from glorious glass and its Art nouveau elegance to aluminum cans in their wretched International style. But--aesthetics be still!--it's the very same soda! Always a good sign: Our server was a zaftig middle-aged fellow (who pantomimed much of the specials, to my secret delight). Admittedly, he looked more like he should've been helping me find transistors and capacitors and other electronic bric-a-brac in the storefront next to the pawn shop (no, the one on Broadway by 19th). However, a man of that age serving is a professional, payed well, in the top flight--Pamplemousse can afford elite help. We did it up food-wise, with soups (including a "mushroom cappuccino", which Sarah said was delicious) and a salad (beautifully unadorned). Sarah's mom had a Kobe burger and her dad the fried chicken breast, which he declared the best ever--looks like i need to head up to their house and fry my own chicken. Sarah got the mixed vegetable grill (for some reason), so i got the mixed meat grill (for some very good reason). i don't remember everything on her plate--and tried only a little--but Sarah had only one complaint: She didn't get any meat. Consequently, i had no complaints. The server asked how i wanted my meats and the kitchen responded: quite rare for the beef filet & lamb chop, a little (only a little) less so for the kurubuta pork (!!!). The saucing was appropriate, both in flavors and amount, and the garlic mashed-potatoes were arranged in berms to segregate the three cuts. A bunch of wow. Finally, we wouldn't agree on dessert (and we had all eaten enough that two whole deserts seemed like too much), so we got the sampler of five. While the raspberry sorbetto and chocolate-peanut butter bombe were standouts, the pear tart tatin truly took, as they say, the cake. The crust was like a danish smashed down, fried, and soaked in honey (rather similar to baklava), and the pear business seemed to grow from it, delectably, fruitfully, if you will. Spectacular glass of sauvignon blanc (Deer Creek? Diamond Carnival? Crucible of Silver Flame?)? Check. Cornbread muffinettes, as good as mine? Check. Did Sarah's dad declare Pamplemousse better than Chez Panisse? Check. Paradigm shift, ending my illiberalism towards strip malls? No, but don't let that keep you from Pamplemousse if you want to disseminate much currency in fair proportion for fantastic foods.
(5)
Joodee Y.

Very delicious...but too expensive. We came on a Saturday night and got seated within a few minutes of our reservation. The restaurant tries to look like a french farmhouse cafe inside, but unfortunately it is externally located in a building full of offices that look like they were renovated from an apartment complex. At least parking is free and fully available. We ordered the Medley of Five Starters for our appetizer. This dish was expensive..$40, and sadly there wasn't enough for even 2 people to share. There's only 1 lobster ravioli, 1 tempura prawn, and 1 (very small) crispy oyster. I don't quite understand why they couldn't even give 2 of each. They were ok though, but the other 2 items in that mix of 5 different appetizers were the only ones we would consider eating again...the ahi tartare and the petite lobster avocado salad. Next time I would only get the lobster avocado salad to start as this was a very delicious dish. My hubby ordered the ribeye special (not on menu) and I ordered the lobster grilled cheese sandwich appetizer (special not on the menu) for my entree since I wasn't that hungry. Of the 2 dishes, the Lobster Sandwich was awesome...decently large chunks of lobster in a cheesy and buttery toast and with a side of tomatoes...great combo! They should put the Lobster sandwich on the menu as a regular item, and also not as an appetizer since it's filling by itself and expensive, $40. My hubby only thought his ribeye was ok and not super impressed, but still a pretty solid dish. It did come with a large side serving of asparagus and a heaping amount of their famous truffle fries. Their truffle fries continues to be their flagship dish. Although this steak dinner was large and plentiful, it came with a hefty price of $60. A nice touch about the restaurant is the fully exposed dessert station. We ordered the pear tarte (per others recommendations). It comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some berries. It was pretty good, but wasn't awed by it. In summary, this place has really good food and the service is pretty good as well, but it's the hefty price tag that I didn't give this place 5 stars. I think we would come back again, but definitely not often.
(4)
NM B.

favorite
(5)
MARCEL R.

From foie gras to hamburgers, every bite at Pamplemousse is one to be savored. The wine selection is superb, and the environment is comfortable enough for a lone diner to enjoy a wonderful meal alone at the bar or at a table in the restaurant. You can't go wrong here.
(5)
Mike P.

A casual place but still classy! Stand by to be blown away with the daily selections. Where else can you get a grilled cheese sandwich with lobster as an appetizer? Service was great. My wife and I still wonder how he could remember all the specials. We split a salad and the bone in rib eye. These were done perfect. Our drinks from the bar came quickly and were great. Not cheap here but if you want a special meal this is the place.
(5)
Jeff F.

Kobe Beef (Truffle)-Cheeseburger... need I say more? Oh yeah, it comes with black truffle garlic fries. Yes, you read that correctly. Now I'll give you a minute to clean yourself up and read the rest of this Yelp!. Across the street from the Del Mar racetrack is a delicious spot called Pamplemousse Grille. You just cash in on your trifecta? Blow it all here. As soon as you walk in, the aroma of French cuisine causes you to salivate. There's a pastry prep station right behind the hostess. The walls are decorated with wonderful paintings of geese and other farm animals which seem to hint that the food you're about to enjoy was just picked this afternoon. My girlfriend and I went for restaurant week ($40 prixe fixe) which was an incredible bargain. First course: Prawn Oscar with Alaskan King crab finished with a choron sauce- the portion was small, but it was an appetizer. The intense rich flavors made up for the dish's brevity. Truffled white asparagus soup- not my favorite combination of flavors but I could appreciate what the sous chef was doing here. Second course: Kobe Beef Hamburger with black truffle garlic fries- OMFG! On the lunch menu, this thing goes for $24. Clearly worth every penny. This is no wimpy burger either. The patty is 1/2 pound pre-cooked. I felt like a child eating something off the kid's menu but who cares. This was the most heavenly (and sinful) burger I have and probably will ever eat. Dessert: Semi Cooked Chocolate Truffle cake- I've had this dessert many other places before and this was no different. It was delicious but nothing unique. The service was spot on- attentive but not pushy and very respectful. Next time I have a big day at the track, I know what I'm spending my exacta winnings on.
(5)
Bruce M.

Easily one of the best restaurants in Southern CA. Food is fresh, well prepared, and served in an atmosphere that is high end, yet not stuffy. This is my wife and my favorite restaurant here.
(5)
Tim B.

First I was like, what? Pimple Mouse? But then I re-read the name and now feel stupid for writing this intro. So, we came here for our romantico valentines day dinner. We were excited and damn hungry. It was romantico - complete with a rose and acapella group. But, the food... just whatever. Yeah, good quality, but like a hundred other restaurants in Socal. Now, in fairness, sometimes things get a little too assembly line with a prix fix holiday menu. Still no excuse. It's like .75 Michelin stars. It's good, just not memorable.
(3)
Dieter M.

Wow..the best restaurant in San Diego....The Kobe burger and the truffle fries are amazing... You have to come here...... The chef was very friendly to my wife Anna and I and offered us a free desert. Great staff and not stuffy but a very fun and exciting place. I had the pear tart......it is a must have
(5)
Matt N.

Pamplemousse is my request for all birthdays and special events. I absolutely love this place. My grandmother has had Pamplemousse cater some parties and we have met the chef, Jeffrey, and he is really a great guy. He is always friendly and comes over and says hi when we are in the restaurant. Their Shrimp Piccata is amazing, one gigantic shrimp cooked perfectly. Their Seafood Martini is also incredible, piled high with crab, shrimp and other seafoods. Absolutely delicious. I have tried a new entree every time I have been there, and each time it has been incredible. Among the standouts were the Chilean Sea Bass and Kurobuta Pork. I'm generally not a huge fan of pork, but this pork is absolutely incredible. So moist and delicious. Of course this place is extremely pricey, so be prepared to spend a couple bucks when you go here. You could try it during restaurant week for a discounted rate, but we went once during restaurant week and were disappointed with the menu and service (most likely due to the excess volume of customers compared to normal business nights.
(5)

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Address : 514 Via de La Valle
Solana Beach, CA, 92075
Phone (858) 792-9090
Website https://www.pgrille.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:30 pm - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Pamplemousse Grille

514 Via de La Valle, Solana Beach, CA, 92075

Pamplemousse Grille Menu

Starters - Raw

Starters - Soup

Starters - Salad

Traditional Foods - Meats

Traditional Foods - Fish

From the Grill

Featured Specials - Starters

Featured Specials - Entrees

Healthy Meal suggestions for Pamplemousse Grille

Starters - Raw

Starters - Soup

Starters - Salad

Traditional Foods - Meats

Traditional Foods - Fish

From the Grill

Featured Specials - Starters

Featured Specials - Entrees

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