I really wanted to love this restaurant as a Mediterranean but it gets 4/10 from me. Here is Why; - First I didn’t enjoy dining in with my family with rap music on the background. Don’t get me wrong! I love rap music especially 90’s rap but not while I’m dining in. - We gathered with family for a birthday celebration but I didn’t see the server cared about it much. - I chose here because of the well known chef. But look like the quality of food has extremely dropped over the years. - Hate to say it but Food was average. None of the dishes I ordered was savory, except potatoes and the dessert at the end (but I didn’t come here for potatoes and dessert:(. - I won’t come back until they make some real changes. Otherwise it won’t worth the money. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I was truly blown away by a few of the dishes I had at Herb & Wood: the caulilini salad, oxtail gnocchi, and raspberry soufflé were all truly epic! They were perfectly cooked, beautiful dishes that I could find no fault with. I enjoyed the other items my party ordered, including the mezcal and peach cocktail and the hanger steak, but I was really blown away by those three aforementioned dishes. The atmosphere and aesthetic are pretty cool—I liked the high, vaulted ceiling and the metal and marble work. The horse statue near the entrance was a little silly, but the lounge area where you can hangout while waiting for a table is pretty cozy. The bar is nice as well. The vibe is super chic and feels modern but also…slightly museum-esque in a way, due to the use of metal and marble. Service was really great. Our waitress was knowledgeable, ultra-friendly, and frequented our table without becoming overly intrusive. This is a great place for a birthday meal or a special romantic dinner. I recommend it absolutely.

This is a really nice upscale restaurant in San Diego. The menu is simple and easy to pick from. There are a few good vegetarian options and the appetizers were excellent. I would highly recommend the wonderful atmosphere, food and cool art (including the unicorn that welcomes you in, and a golden gorilla in the kitchen).

I love this place. It’s eclectic, the menu is creative and the staff are attentive. The indoor/outdoor mini courtyard has an appealing vibe with the plants and greenery, open air top, and cozy lights. The heat lamps keep it just at the right temperature once the sun goes down. It has an energetic noise level, but not so that you can’t easily hear your own table, which I really value. Creative cocktails include the Tropical AF that I tried tonight - couldn’t turn down the passion fruit mixed with bourbon! The pork belly and goat cheese were the starters (the sauce with the mushrooms and cheese perhaps a bit salty), and the summer squash and potatoes along side the rabbit tortellini. If I had any room in my stomach I would have tried the blueberry soufflé - the table next over ordered it and it looked very fluffy and large - so I’ll have to save room for that next time.

I had high expectations going into my visit here, and my experience exceeded those lofty expectations. Atmosphere was fun, modern, and comfortable. Menu isn’t huge, but extremely well executed. Came here for my spouse’s birthday and the staff did an amazing job to help make her day extraordinary. Chef Carlos and his staff went out of their way to make her feel welcome and special. Beyond the service, food was excellent. Gnocchi for an entree and the goat cheese appetizer were particularly good. Would 100% come here again. Should you visit too? Absolutely! Be sure to save room for the divine desserts!

The Herb & Wood restaurant is an excellent foodie spot in San Diego’s Little Italy area. Chef Brian Malarkey and his Team have created an inspirational flagship venue. This timeless dining escape is perfect for long dinners, conversation, and visually interesting culinary menu items. The service is very welcoming and attentive to providing an exceptional dinning experience. Also the Little Italy is a great to walk along the streets especially during the evening hours for the local city sights and sounds.

A local friend brought me here for brunch on a visit to San Diego and confided that this was her favorite restaurant for brunch lunch or dinner. We started with the cinnamon roll. Three of us split it as an appetizer. I suggest you absolutely trust the folks with you if you plan to split this. You are going to want to take more than your share and the folks with you will too. This is the best cinnamon roll I’ve ever had. Thick gooey caramelize cinnamon sugar cooked just shy of crunchy at the edges. Topped with a metric ton of thick cream cheese icing all delivered on a meltingly soft brioche roll. It is a destination cinnamon roll. Nothing else was as good as the cinnamon roll and everything else was still delicious. I had the chilaquiles with chips this perfectly fresh and crispy. Toppings were a good level of spicy with maybe a little too much acid but still great. My friend got the bacon and eggs and was raving about the bacon. I gave her offered $10.00 for a bite of her bacon and regret nothing. It was 10 AM local and I felt bad about ordering bourbon so early but I was still on East Coast time and they make a drink with bourbon washed with Iberico ham fat that I felt obligated to try and it was lovely. Boozy for 10 am but once again, I don’t regret any of the decisions I made here. Great atmosphere, sweet attentive and helpful service. All around just a great restaurant experience.

Overall very disappointing experience! Made a reservation week in advance asked for a specific table, and was willing to pay an extra fee if necessary. I was told that it shouldn’t be a problem and that my table was successfully reserved. I get to the restaurant and they failed to respect my reservation. After asking why we couldn’t get the table I requested, they said they already had another reservation, and so my reservation was not honored, instead we were seated in the worst table! Had high expectations for this restaurant, food was good, waitress was excellent but definitely felt discriminated against, so I will not be returning or recommending this restaurant to anyone I know. Not the way I wanted to celebrate a birthday dinner!

We went to San Diego to check out the wedding venues. We also had to decide on a restaurant for the rehearsal dinner. Based on the websites and the reviews, we dined at 3 restaurants. Although they were all good, Herb and Wood won us over with their excellent food, service, and ambiance. Everyone was in consensus in choosing the Herb & Wood for the rehearsal dinner.

This place was so good, and to think i almost canceled my reservations! Everything we had was delicious! Their take on shrimp and grits was one of the top 5 we have ever had. (& we have had plenty all over the states) Highly recommend! There is something for everyone and all the food that came out looked amazing!

This makes two Brian Malarkey restaurants in a row that are actually good, the first being Animae. Herb & Wood has an interesting ambiance, albeit with the music turned up a little too loud. I wouldn't classify the cuisine as Mediterranean, either. That said, their flavors were good. The hangar steak has a good sauce, and the oxtail gnocchi was also flavorful. The gnocchi should have been less dense, however. The pork chop also had a pretty decent sauce, and the rabbit tortellini was tasty. The iberico pork was disappointing and tasted like gristly beef. One problem was the tiny portions especially for the pasta, particularly given the prices ($35-$45 for most entrees). You really need to load up on appetizers, which were also on the small side for dishes that are meant to be shared. I was surprised that the server didn't ask if I wanted another drink after I finished my cocktail with the appetizers. I had wanted a wine to pair with my entree, but they never asked and the waiter didn't even come back until I was half finished with my entree (which didn't take long because again, tiny portions). At least two servers brought over the wrong dish, so they seem to have their communication lines crossed, and while our food came out quickly, the table next to us was sitting with nothing but water for over a half hour.

We had a good evening, the atmosphere is good. The server was attentive, although I felt pressured to order more than I should. We ended up ordering: - oyster and bone marrow, quite interesting but bit too oily and not so meaty, I guess I was expecting more oysters. - hummus- really really good. - Hamachi- was ok, I liked the touch if ginger - iberico was really good - raspberry souffle was surprisingly good.

Herb & Wood is one of my favorite restaurants in the US. I travel the US weekly for work and get to try many great restaurants, but H&W is right up top. I consistently have received fantastic service both seated or just at the bar. The food is top notch and thoughtful. The drink program is the same. I will ALWAYS go out of my way to visit this place, and you should too.

Love the food and cocktails, place has a great vibe and attentive staff. Parking can be a challenge, but then again it's the same at every other restaurant in the area.

This is a review of a 40 person business reception & dinner I hosted in Herb & Wood's fully private Gallery space. We had the most excellent experience. The food was exceptional and to par with the quality you get when you are a regular diner at the restaurant, which isn't always the case at venues. The service was impeccable and personal, and the space was perfect for us. I look forward to partnering with H&W for future private events. Dishes I recommend for private groups OR just dining on own: Hamachi (!!!!) to start, Branzino, Oxtail Gnocci, & Scallops for entrees, and cauliflower (!!!) or carrots for sides. These dishes were brilliant and loved by ALL.

Came here for my birthday. Atmosphere was chic and eclectic, though our table seemed particularly dark. Food was very tasty for the most part. Oxtail gnocchi was my favorite, though serving was way too small in my opinion (could keep eating it for days)! Venison had good flavor but was a little dry in some pieces.

The place has a good vibe. We had an early dinner reservation but could see the place filling up pretty quick. This could get a little noisy along with the loud music it was a little difficult hearing each other at the table. But the food and wine selections were incredible, we'd definitely return!

Highly recommend this spot for brunch. We thought we’d try something new for Sunday brunch and this place didn’t disappoint. The service was great by an experienced waitress. We shared avocado toast, a scramble and the soufflé pancake. It was the perfect brunch combo. The avocado toast had the right amount of kick to it, it didn’t need the common poached egg topper. The scramble was good and I would order again but the main character was definitely the pancake. Airy, sweet, delicate and just tastes luxurious, pair it with their latte and it’s just heaven. Then there’s the ambiance, an old brick industrial loft type of building filled with whimsy starting with Mr. Unicorn welcoming you in by the door.

The restaurant is trendy but unpretentious. The indoor/outdoor space gave the place a relaxed feel. The service was friendly and had impeccable timing. Our waitress seemed to be available just as she was needed. We had Easter brunch and it was a prix fixe menu. Everything we ordered was sensational. The meal was a tad pricey but the dishes were well worth it.

Herb & Wood is my new favorite restaurant in the little Italy area. It is probably one of the most expensive restaurants in the area, however it is certainly worth it. It is a little hidden which adds to the allure to the dark gastro style. The wait staff is attentive and knows the menu very well. There seems to be an ample amount of staff to ensure the wait time between table touches is minimal and you always get what you ordered quickly. I highly recommend this for an amazing dinner for clients, dates or anniversaries.

Great ambiance in this restaurant and the music was on point for the time of year around thanksgiving. Ended up getting the 5 course meal + desert around $100 which was quality for the amount of food. First up the the whipped feta toast was amazing. It had this really creamy sweet cream cheese, and was top very well, walnuts, sea salt, etc. The chopped salad was quality. It was fresh, had some green apples, pomegranates, and a few other things here and they had like this very tangy flavor to it as well. Then we jumped into the 2nd course of ravioli, which is more of a vegan ravioli so it’s pretty interesting to me not my cup of tea but still a great item on the menu, I give it a 3.5 out of five stars. So to me, this was the best thing on the menu from a flavor profile, the pork belly was amazing! Amazing, yes, so good I would come back here just to eat this pork belly again. Everything from the sauce that was paired with it, literally melting off the fork and into my mouth. Then finished with the swordfish very fresh and done well, I liked ending my night with this and lastly the Turkey I had a few bites but nothing spectacular or to call home about. 🤝🏾🍽️

If you like a cocktail that has a more complex flavor and is also aesthetically pleasing this is the place for you. The food was also incredible it was difficult to put my fork down. The flavors were imaginative and bold. Wait service was top tier. Atmosphere was dark and moody, perfect for a date night.

We loved this restaurant! Everything was delicious; we ordered a bunch of stuff and shared; the perfect way to do it! The Branzino is good! Order the carrots, and for dessert, the date cake is to die for! I would go back!!!

My wife and I were watching Super Chef Grudge Match. We thought Chef Malarkey got the bad end of the stick for the baller dinner match. We found out about Herb and Wood, and we already had a trip to San Diego booked, so we made reservations. It definitely did not disappoint. We started with the scallops. Who would have thought pairing them with white chocolate would be good. There weren't, they were fabulous. Holy cow, they were so good. My wife normally is not a big scallop fan, but told me, "You are going to want to lick that spoon." Sure enough, I licked the spoon. Next, my wife got the filet and I the coffee venison. Absolutely ridiculous. Paired with the mushrooms, man...all I can tell you is if you are in San Diego, and want to treat yourself, go here. We finished with the marscapone hush puppies and lemon tart. We were stuffed, but so good, we finished both. It was about $110 per person, with 4 scrumptious lemon drop martinis, but worth every penny.

Went for dinner, ordered a couple of apps and pizza. The place looks very nice, but it is VERY LOUD, you won’t be able to hear the person opposite you at the table. We ordered the baba ghanoush, the seven spice cauli, and the rachette pizza. Servings seem small, but we were 2 people and could not finish the pizza (we ordered 2 apps). Everything was pretty good and you can taste the middle eastern flavors such as lemon, garlic, and I think some lemon salt. Maybe heavy handed on the lemon as all the dishes had a lemony touch.

We appreciated there were plenty of vegan options, nice service and an upscale atmosphere. 5 minute walk to the Casbah music venue. The mushrooms tasted rubbery to me, not sure if it’s supposed to be like that but the sauce it was in was yummy. The hummus appetizer was very tasty. Our favorites were the cauliflower and the stuffed pasilla pepper. We were celebrating a birthday and they brought us strawberry sorbet for dessert. I don’t normally care for sorbet too much but WOWZA this one was next level. Overall a great experience.

Everything was amazing! Exceeded my expectations. The food was so colourful and flavourful. Our server was really great and quick. We sat at the chefs table to watch the kitchen. I will definitely return and highly recommend it. Prices are also reasonable for the quality and service. Thank you!

It’s marketed as a “nice restaurant”... Please come with very low expectations. Starting with they don’t have “sparking water”. I mean chilled water (sparkling or flat) should be basic at any decent restaurant. Then, the Appetizer (chicken liver): Wasn’t balanced. The chicken liver is usually rich, this was rich over rich, too much going on. I love chicken liver but usually it comes deconstructed. Here they bring it all made already and it is not a nice composition. Service is weak: First thing I mentioned was that I don’t eat hot spicy, I order a dish and almost shocked on the fact it was hot spicy (the corn)... Also it felt I had to flag him down for things. He was very polite, but not attentive at all, I needed flag him down and once even ask for another server at to get him for me. Then the dish came back and it was as the appetizer not balanced rich over rich. The main course was the only acceptable item for me. It was The branzino, it was cooked nice, executed well and although it was also months richer side with the sauces given the delicate nature of the fish itself it was balanced at the end. But I’d still won’t give that main curse a 5/5, maybe a 3.5-4/5... I commented to the server I wasn’t happy with the food manager came to tell me (without asking) that he apologized that some flavors aren’t for everybody. True, bad flavor (food) isn’t for me. Sadly for them I’ve traveled the world and back to be able to recognize good from not. The restaurant and the whole dining experience was a dissapointment. Or perhaps I had high expectations given I’ve had only but great experiences in San Diego. This is one of my few places I’d recommend people not to try.

My husband and I chose this restaurant for dinner the night of our wedding and we are thrilled that we did! The aesthetic was gorgeous and the staff made sure we had a really special experience, putting us next to the fireplace and doting on us just the right amount. The food was delicious, everything bursting with flavor. My one and only complaint is that we were charged for a dessert which we were told was on the house, but hey, we were quite happy to pay for it after the amazing experience we had there.

Great food and cocktails in little Italy in really nice decor

Very nice place

(Translated by Google) Very nice and good food good atmosphere (Original) Muy bonito y buena comida buen ambiente

Best restaurant in San Diego

arrived at seven, it wasn't crowded. looking forward to returning with my coworkers. it has a cool atmosphere.

Delicious! We came here at the suggestion of the travel company we worked with. The food was delicious!! We had the raviolo and a couple of raw fish appetizers. The staff was attentive and kind. The drinks were also really good. The restaurant decor is simple and elegant. I loved the art on the walls featuring women of different ages, colors and body sizes.

Been here twice for dinners and every time it was crowded so make sure to reserve your spot. The hostess is welcoming and warm. The servers are knowledgeable about the menu and make good recommendations. Restrooms were okay not super clean as I expected. Drinks were okay I didn’t really enjoy my cocktail. Overall I will go back for the food

The food was good, fresh, but the brunch menu selection was pretty limited. I had the BLT, and I could actually bite through the bacon (instead of pulling it out with the rest of my sandwich insides) so that was a plus. It was served with chips, which I don't eat. My husband tried them and said they had a lot of vinegar. Would be good to include that detail on the menu, since it wouldn't be expected. The place was a bit noisy. I don't like to have to raise my voice to talk at brunch. Otherwise our waitperson was kind, helpful, and attentive. Not sure I would choose to come again, but I wouldn't hesitate to go if invited.

I really like this restaurant. Had a nice vibe and quite lively for a Tuesday night. We had our own room reserved upstairs and when you walk through you can't help but be impressed with the overall size of the restaurant. We had a large party so opted to have everything shared and it was good. Special mention goes to the pork belly appetizer as well as the oxtail gnocchi, but everything else was very good. Go with confidence

Fabulous dinner last night. Everything was great but the Braised beef rib was outstanding, hope it stays on the menu.

Sat by the bar and the bartender needed a credit card on file before taking order. Which was a first among the thousands of places I've been to. The cocktails are pre-made so you get your cocktail off a draft, interesting idea. The food was alright, too salty to my liking. My main course took about 45 minutes to arrive. I wouldn't go back based on my service experience here.

My boyfriend & I had dinner here about 2 weeks ago. This was our first meal out since quarantine and everything was truly exceptional. The ambiance was perfect, the food was delicious and our service was top notch! The hostess was able to squeeze us in last minute and our server Dominique was very knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive.

Surprise! This place was, great food, great service and great atmosphere. Definitely worth it.

I love this place. Everytime I'm in San Diego I make sure to make a reservation. The food is phenomenal and the staff is great.

Still think this is the best restaurant and most creative menu in San Diego county. Amazing drinks, service, decor, flavors. Always my favorite night out.

The ambiance of this restaurant is so beautiful and cozy. Great food, not too loud and relaxing. Work meetings to anniversaries; don’t miss out on this “little Italy” gem.

Close friends of my husband and I visited us in San Diego last weekend, and we had dinner at Herb & Wood to catch up and enjoy a nice meal. I was happy that they chose this restaurant. Located in Little Italy but tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood, Herb & Wood offers an airy, beautiful, and modern ambiance. Housed in a rustic warehouse, it provides the perfect setting for a Mediterranean and Californian cuisine experience. For appetizers, we indulged in the delicious Roasted Oysters & Bone Marrow while also trying the Focaccia Bread, which, unfortunately, was a bit too thick and sweet for our taste. Moving on to the main course, I ordered the Roasted Branzino with a side of mushrooms, which was absolutely tasty. The rest of the table ordered the Oxtail Gnocchi, a creamy, soft, and flavorful choice. For dessert, I savored the delectable Chocolate Tarte, complemented by the delightful smoked tahini ice cream. Aside from the culinary delights, what impressed me the most was the ambiance of the space. It had a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, with a noise level that was just right. Herb & Wood provided the ideal backdrop for a beautiful dinner with friends. All in all, Herb & Wood is a solid choice for dinner, and I'd love to return and try the other items on their menu.

Amazing modern space that is open and cozy at the same time. The food was very, very good and each dish was unique and flavorful. The roasted carrots are to die for. Good vegan/vegetarian selections. Wide selection of wine, beer and cocktails. The entire experience is top notch in every respect and worth the relatively high price. Excellent service from friendly staff.

Wow! Everything was amazing. The service, the food, the atmosphere. It was all great. It’s got an amazing open design, all glass view into the kitchen. Wonderful bar. This place is fantastic.

Great

Best tasting food!

We had another amazing dinner last night: wonderful food and wine, great service, and the restaurant has done a very good job of social distancing and Covid-related precautions. Last time we had the burrata and beets to start, followed by the branzino and pork. This time we tried two of the new dishes—the fig bread and the Norwegian trout—and then the branzino and scallops. The trout is my new favorite. Exceptional dish. The carrots are wonderful, too, get them each time. Everything tasted even better than presented, so fresh, simple yet inventive and full of flavor. The service was spot on, too: the meal was paced well, and they were attentive, friendly and well-informed. Brian Malarkey was making the rounds last night and came by toward the end of our meal and that kind of engagement right now makes all the difference. Animae and Herb&Wood are two of our happiest places to spend our nights and we wish these teams nothing but success.

Excellent food and atmosphere. If you are in the area and are craving excellent food, this is the spot!

Nice place!

Great food and great service!

Looking forward to a return visit. This place has a nice feel to it.

Great vibe, excellent service, fantastic cocktails. Need to add more vegetarians options to the menu

The food was excellent and the service was good. We were late by 30 minutes and they still accommodated us(we did call ahead and let them know). They cleaned everything very well and quickly. The reason for the 4 stars is because the food was very pricey and there didn't seem to be a lot of it. I was highly recommend this as an anniversary spot or the likes but not a random date unless you are seriously trying to impress.

I have dined at Herb and Wood several times - for normal dinners and as well as holiday brunch (Easter for a fixed menu). While it is a little spendy, it would be a special occasion restaurant and it is so worth it. You could tell the waiter to bring you anything on the menu and surprise you and you would not be disappointed. From the drink menu to the food menu; creative, unique and most of all delicious! Can't wait to go again.

Awesome place!

slow and poor services! and the staff are so lazy!

My new favorite restaurant! The atmosphere is beautiful, the food is prepared perfectly and is pleasing to the eye as well as the palate! Servers are professional, friendly and attentive! The owner is present and he takes the time to interact with his guests. I wish more restaurants would take the initiative to make dining an exceptional experience!

Oxtail sliders and beet cocktail are amazing!

Unique food that is excellent. There were 4 of us we had: -roasted Branzino (fish). Kind of expensive but excellent. It is whole but it is deboned. -gnocchi with oxtail, sounded yucky to me but was awesome. Tender pasta & shredded meat in a light cream sauce -half chicken was tender -gemelli pasta was okay, I should have gotten the gnocchi. We also share a kale salad, crispy potatoes (wow!) and roasted carrots (don’t miss them!) Only drawback was it was hard to hear our conversation with each other.

Love this place so much! Scallops and whole branzino is to die for, amazing wine selections and the restaurant is so so beautiful!! One of my happy places 1000%.

Phenomenal food. AMAZING customer service. We came in with a big group right before closing and the service and food were fabulous. Matt went above and beyond multiple times and never complained about any request. This place is beautiful and the food will not disappoint.

Amazing 😍 no words

i like it here always quality food & service.

We had a group of 10 and the service and the food were wonderful!!

Amazing. Literally every dish has a complexity of flavors. This place is truly a culinary pleasure. And the dessert! Wow.

Recently started going to this place. Very easy to say it has become one of my favorite places. The food is good but tagged along with the delicious cocktail, just makes things perfect. Great for dinner for two or a group of people. You can even enjoy a night alone at the bar!

Came here for my birthday. Couldn’t ask for a better experience. Treated politely and never rushed or forgotten about. My party tried three different cocktails and had a recommended bottle of red. All of the drinks were great. Food was amazing. We all had a taste of each other’s entrees and appetizers. I really couldn’t pick a favorite. Thanks for a special night. I’ll be sure to return.