Cusp Dining and Drinks Reviews

This is our 4th time visiting Cusp, and we brought a friend along with us. We sat at the bar to enjoy some of the happy hour food and drink prices (goes until 7 PM which is a big bonus). We had the "progressive pour" champagne, the beer on tap, and a house rum and coke, times two rounds. We also ordered the fingerling potatoes (super tasty) and the mini garlic chicken pizza (not worth the money for the size). For the 3 of us, that was a $75 tab, including tip. Ouch. When I made the table reservation via phone, I asked for a table by the window. For a party of 3, they can only put you in a booth two seating areas back from the window (floor to ceiling window views are only for parties of 2...they should make at least a few 4 seaters next to that amazing view). Service is outstanding here. We were given a lot of attention (but not annoyingly so) by several different people. We ended up only ordering one true entree (steak, asked for medium and it was more medium-well done = kinda chewy). We also ordered the following: Caesar salad (not anchovy tasting), pepperoni rolls (super tasty), crispy pork belly (I've had better), cheese board (with some very interesting non-cheese items), crab cakes, and the gnocchi. We had a few more drinks with dinner (non happy hour prices) which were just okay. The Dos Armadillos margarita was just so-so tasting. I included several pics of the sunset view from our booth, and even a picture from the women's restroom on the south corner of the building, same floor as Cusp. The men's restroom doesn't even have a window! Overall, we like this place but it just seems a bit dingier than I remember. The windows need a good exterior cleaning, and there just seems to be a layer of salt or dirt on things throughout the place. We like it...mostly for the view.

We stayed at the hotel and were looking for a more traditional breakfast menu. Decided to go up to the 11 th floor and try Cusp. Friendly staff , fast service and delicious breakfast! The view was stunning! My husband had the build your own omelette and I had the Florentine Eggs Benedict! Delicious! Would recommend and visit again!

We had a fantastic meal of halibut scallops octopus oysters and to children’s meals with sides of salmon and shrimp. Fantastic service fantastic view incredible drinks and a wonderful find in the San Diego dining environment.

I had heard a lot of good things about this place from friends. They were all right too! We went in for happy hour and had some delicious appetizers and some of the best cocktails I've ever tasted. Our bartenders Sean and Damian were great! Always smiling and very entertaining. It was busy in there too but these guys know how to handle any crowd it seemed.

The freshness and quality of the food is great. Amazing views and a great location. I have had food here multiple times and it is always good and consistent.

We stayed at the hotel so we dined at the 11 the floor ocean view restaurant. Everything was perfect from staff to food quality. I would come back to dine here even if I wasn't staying at the hotel.

We had breakfast at CUSP as part of our stay at the Hotel La Jolla. The service was very friendly and responsive. The continental breakfasts were very good and the servings size was more than adequate. The eggs were prepared just right and the fruits were fresh and plentiful. The coffee is also very good. The view (on the 11th floor of the hotel) is just spectacular. Great place to eat and enjoy the view.

This morning I took advantage of an amazing breakfast steak and eggs. Delicious Rosemary potatoes fresh squeezed orange juice and organic coffee. Great service! Highly recommended

Cusp is a local restaurant my husband and I have visited many times and it is always a pleasure. What stands out about it is the setting. It's the top floor (11th) of the Hotel La Jolla, a Kimpton hotel that sits nearly at the corner of La Jolla Shores Drive and La Jolla Parkway. One entire wall of the restaurant and large bar area is covered with floor to ceiling windows affording diners a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, and if one is lucky, a spectacular sunset. The restaurant isn't large, but it's arranged to maximize the view from all points. Couples are seated directly next to the window, tables for four are lined along the center, and there are semi-circular booths elevated to allow an unobstructed view. The decor is light and unfussy, but elegant. The menu is uncomplicated and has a bit of everything for a variety of tastes -- predominantly Mediterranean inspired dishes. If you aren't in the mood for a full dinner, drinks and small plates are worth a visit. We enjoy sharing the Artisanal Cheese Board and Fried Calamari with Saffron Aioli, but the Pork Belly is also delicious. The Anjou Pear & Bleu Cheese Flatbread is a favorite to share as well. The Sea Bass is my favorite entree -- the sauce alone is worth ordering it. Wait staff is efficient, unobtrusive, and pleasant. Cocktails worth taking a look at what's on special. I tried God Save the Queen and was pleasantly surprised considering I usually order a glass of white wine. Lovely evening, lovely setting, good food and drink. We'll continue to return.

Cusp is located on 11th floor of the Hotel La Jolla. The hotel has recently changed management so it is now part of Hilton chain. The restaurant has floor to ceil windows that overlook La Jolla Shores area. Its a great place for a meal along with a great view to the sunset.

The hostess gave me a wonderful window seat where I could enjoy the cuisine and the view. The food and drinks were beyond my expectations.

Fantastic view, minimal choices for lunch, sizable portions, less than perfect wait staff, decent sandwiches but it just misses. The french fries were cold and soggy even though I asked for them to be well fried. No meat sandwiches on the menu. Activity at the bar. The view alone is a reason to visit.

Clearly, you go upstairs, have a great time, enjoy a really great view, no words can capture what it is at sunset. They sell a great local SD Wheatbeer, a good selection, and unlike the Valet, which is priced insanely, the food goes at a fair level. Enjoyed the place. Super nice service.

This restaurant, on the eleventh floor of the hotel, has spectacular ocean views and even more spectacular food. Breakfast was really good but the appetizers the Cusp chef furnished for our wedding cocktail hour were sensational. The actual wedding took place at Scripps Institute, but the morning-after brunch, at the poolside lounge was as delicious as the breakfast served in the restaurant. Seriously good food!

Great food, fantastic view, and great service from start to finish. Food was fresh and intriguing and my daughter (7) was treated well in spite of the hip atmosphere. Not a tourist trap place on top of a hotel - a real restaurant. Bathrooms are gorgeous too. Drinks are quite pricy as is the food but who cares? Taco truck lunch and splurge at night, people!

5 stars for the view alone! Our server Tanya was a complete darling, and the combination of good food, good drinks and good company made for a memorable night. My friends claim they come to enjoy happy hour and the view after work at times. I had the cheese plate, the pork belly and the pepperoni buns and all were truly delicious. Will definitely be bringing my husband here!

The food was a bit pricey but the view was spectacular. We had breakfast. The service from the server I must say was first class!

I ate both breakfast and dinner while staying at the hotel. Both service and food were good. And the view is incredible.

This was our first visit to this restaurant in its current rendition. (This restaurant has had former names under different and earlier managements.) First of all, the restaurant, on the top floor of its host hotel, has a world-class view of the La Jolla Shores area. That is a clear plus. Particularly on a nice sunny day. Our party of three, though warmly greeted by a young, enthusiastic staff, was underwhelmed with the quality of the food. A custom omelet was much too oily. The grill cook, or whoever did it, uses too much oil to begin with, a common failure among omelet cooks. Another in the party ordered French toast, which was written as filled with strawberries. Well, the dish came with the strawberries on top, but with an onion taste. The cook had not been careful to avoid onions that had been cooked, or were cooking, close by. Thus, the meal was, in a word, disappointing. The background music was also not appropriate for Sunday brunch. Since the staff seems younger, one hopes that time and experience will allow this restaurant to improve.

My fiancée and I recently visited La Jolla from Toronto and we were fortunate enough to have selected Cusp for dinner one night - we were given a strong recommendation from friends in the area. We started in the lounge and we each had the daily cocktail special. Executive Chef Donald came out and greeted everyone in the lounge and spoke with us for about 5 minutes or so. Very cool, and he suggested a few plate options for dinner. We watched the incredible sunset before moving into the dining room for dinner. We sat right up next to the window which offers a spectacular view of the ocean coast. Beautiful. We had the ceviche as an appetizer, followed by the pepperoni rolls. You must try the pepperoni rolls - they are awesome! For our main course, we each got the Sea Bass. Everything we had was prepared and cooked to perfection all night, and overall it was an amazing experience. You must try this place!

The restaurant is on the top fIoor of the Hotel La Jolla. They validate valet parking so it’s only $3.00 if you dine there. I went with my husband on a Wednesday night when they offer "Verve Around the Clock" - a great idea where you can get a glass of Verve Clicquot for the price of the hour (i.e. from 4-5pm you pay $4; from 5-6pm you pay $5...through 8pm). The bar was packed as you might expect. We had also planned to stay for the Sunset Supper, Wed night dinner offering of an appetizer and an entree for $25. FYI, the lobster night has moved to Sunday. Since the bar was so full we opted to be seated at our table early only to find out that the champagne special was only offered in the bar. The waitress offered to hold our table if we wanted to go to the bar (the restaurant was practically empty at the time) but we decided that we'd just return to the bar on another night since we'd already fallen in love with the view and the fun atmosphere. We were initially seated at a small table for 2 right at the window. The sun was really blazing and the waitress explained that they were doing a time-lapse photo session of the sunset that night and that normally the sun shades were used. As it turned out, our table was in the camera’s line of sight so we were moved to a booth in the back. The booths are elevated and there wasn’t anyone seated in front of us anyway to we did not loose any of the view by moving. The Sunset Supper menu is an abbreviated selection from the full menu and had some nice offerings but we both wanted fish that was not on the shorter list. Prices were reasonable anyway so we didn't mind. The service was really attentive without being overboard and the food was interesting and well prepared. We split the roasted butternut squash and burrata appetizer and enjoyed the quirky, somewhat sweet walnut paste served under the salad. It nicely complimented the rest of the dish. We both ended up getting the sea bass entree that came with a nice selection of fresh seafood. I found the rice to be a bit lackluster but otherwise enjoyed the dish. The apple fritter and ice cream dessert was really a treat. The real highlight - even with very good food and the "Verve by the Hour" - is the view of La Jolla Shores that the 11th story location offers. The sunset was spectacular. We really thought of it as a couples place but during the course of the evening, several families came with children around the ages of 5 – 13 so I’d bring my sons next time too. Next time will be soon!

We enjoyed dinner at Cusp on a recommendation from our concierge while in La Jolla. The service was good and the restaurant is nice but not overly dressy. There were many people in jeans and casual clothes. Some were dressed up too. The food was great and our party of 8 ordered a variety of items from the menu. The appetizers we ordered were the truffle fries, the beet and goat cheese salad, the clam chowder and the ceasar salad. All were good. The entrees; Sea bass, new york steak, roasted chicken, lobster gnocchi. The only negative was that my son's gnocchi were burned. He was a little bummed by that. For dessert only two people ordered and they both ordered the apple fritters with ice cream. I had a small bite and I thought it was okay but nothing to spend calories on. All in all we had an enjoyable family meal at Cusp.

We organized a friends get together for about 20 friends from different countries. We loved the views from their and food was excellent.

Breakfast selection is decent and the service is quite good. The food portions were reasonably sized.

The food, service, ambience & view were spectacular. We only had a “long weekend” but we filled every minute & Cusp became a favorite in part because for the friendly & helpful staff as well as the excellent flavors & quality of food. We usually stay at a hotel on the beach; however, this restaurant will cause us to return to the Hilton for our future stays!

We met the chef named Ingrid in the elevator and she assured us the food upstairs was as good as Duke's or Piatta's. Unfortunately we were with a business group of 18 associates and reservations had already been made by their other office for both of the above restaurants. But we did go up and sit in the area by the view windows and saw Ingrid preparing an oyster dish one evening and an appetizer of sliced hand rubbed breast of Chicken in a small casserole dish bring bathed in a sauce gently by spoon. We sat at the small narrow bar having drinks and enjoying the show Ingrid was involved in. Her food looked as beautiful as she is and her welcome smile made us feel welcome even though we ate nothing. One of the asst. chefs, Cody gave us interesting info on the whale migration and seemed very knowledgeable about the area. Some of our party told us that night that they had breakfast at Cusp that morning and it was terrific. If back in La Jolla again we will try Cusp and hope Ingrid is still there. FYI the restaurant manager spoke to us for five minutes and had a fascinating conversation with my husband about Germanic culture in centuries past. The restaurant is owned by the same owner who bought this Hilton Franchise but don't hold that against the restaurant. Cusp was the only positive thing about our stay in the Hotel La Jolla, a Hilton Curio Collection!

Why Cusp is not the #1 restaurant in La Jolla boggles my mind. My grouper was probably the best I’ve ever had. The preparation was so balanced and the fish perfectly cooked. My husband had the pork belly starter followed by the scallops. Everything was amazing. Our server, Dennis was a highlight as well. This restaurant is a must for dinner while visiting La Jolla...and the view!!! The view is worth the price of admission. Enjoy!!!

The first night of our stay a friend met me and my husband for dinner here. It was Sunday and they had a lobster special so we were on onboard. We started by sharing Grilled Octopus and Crispy Pork Belly - both were outstanding and the contrast in flavors and textures made a great beginning. We did the surf and turf - a half lobster and a steak, and they were perfectly prepared. So, my husband and I returned the next night - this time we sat at the bar and had dinner there. Hummus and a pizza flatbread were nice appetizers and my husband loved his Red Wine Braised Beef Cheeks. My Bolognese Pappardelle was so yummy that when I had a business dinner the next evening my husband went back for dinner at the bar and had it as well. And THE VIEW! Sunset with a gorgeous panoramic view over the ocean. The staff were all great, with special kudos to bartender Andy whom we observed handling a chaotic happy hour and some rude-ish customers with class. I guess if you stay at a hotel three nights and dine at their restaurant every night, that says it all. Delicious!

Dined here twice. Food was absolutely delicious. They also had a great happy hour with fun cocktails and yummy bites. The views are gorgeous.

Beautiful, amazing ambience, setting and ocean views however food was not particularly tasty. We got the salmon flat bread, margerhita flat bread, granola and yogurt, French toast, and chicken sandwich. French toast was probably the tastiest then flatbread then chicken sandwich. I did find a bug in my sandwich in the last bite and that was a turn off but I do realize that can happen any where. The staff was very apologetic and took it off the bill. Overall, beautifullt set out with panoramic ocean and mountain views of La Jolla.

Took a big party here for dinner. The food and service are great and so is the view. Lots of choices for everyone in the group. Great service and wine.

Four of us spent a beautiful dinner evening and breakfast at this restaurant. Food was excellent with an incredible view! You won't be disappointed!!

We ate at Cusp several times while we stayed in La Jolla. (Our room was two floors below in Hotel La Jolla). The first thing to talk about is the view. There are ceiling to floor windows, 11 stories above, providing diners with a beautiful view of La Jolla and at dinnertime, its incredible sunset. Tables for two are actually at the windows facing out. Gorgeous. The food is also very good and we all enjoyed everything we had there. The reason for a 4 instead of a 5 is because of the waitstaff. The first server we had was nice but somewhat uninformed and disinterested. Plus, they have to take the elevator down to the lobby for change if you pay with cash. Very inefficient. The second and third time we ate there, we were served by a woman (I won't say her name) who stood by our table and talked to us the entire time we ate. The entire time we ate! My husband and I both worked in restaurants and we do enjoy talking to our servers. But, they have to know when to leave the table. We actually had to decide whether to eat there again because of her. Well we did and she did the same thing again. Not a big deal but something that should be addressed by management. Still, I highly recommend Cusp.

I have my personal rules of travel. If you are in another city, never eat at a chain and never eat at the hotel restaurant. Hotel restaurants often prey on the captive guests and often lack quality or are overpriced. Cusp, however, shatters this rule. (as does the Café Adelaide at the Loews in New Orleans). This is a top-notch restaurant! One of my new favorites. We were out in La Jolla during restaurant week, so we were hitting the best restaurants in the city. I am so glad that we found the Cusp. The meal was perfect, the view was beautiful, and the staff was once-in-lifetime great. The head chef, Donald Lockhart, came and visited with us to talk food, travel ,etc. What a great guy! If you are anywhere near La Jolla, you must go here around sunset for dinner. It could be the highlight of your trip. Everything we had was great and it was a splendid experience.

The hotel itself was very relaxing, well located fairly quite nice place to stay, bed was comfortable all in all a good place to get away to for enjoying LaJolla, and attractions near by.

The 11th floor views are great during daylight, but at night you see nothing. The food is fine but not great, the service is good but not great. Nothing on the menu is exciting. It can get very noisy when the bar section is crowded.

We stayed at the Curio Hilton La Jolla and this restaurant was on the top floor. We ate breakfast here during our stay and the view of the ocean and La Jolla was amazing. The food was average to good for breakfast. I gave a very good rating because the spectacular view. I imagine the dinner here is what they are really known for but I did not experience it.

Food was carelessly prepared. Breakfast potatoes were dried out on several mornings and omelet was oily. View is spectacular. Staff does not rush.

We were totally impressed! The appetizers, the view (we lucked out to be there at sunset) , the service, not to mention the meal it's self! All wonderful. I had a Gnocchi dish with shrimp that was out of this world! The manager, Sean, and the server, Elizabeth (Lizzy), were the most friendly and hospitable staff at a hotel restaurant that I've ever met. Great food , great drinks, and great service. That's why we dine out. The pool bar on the ground floor has great after dinner drinks as well, along with a casual, comfortable atmosphere. We will be going back. Thanks to Cusp

Professional friendly service. Light tapas for happy hour. Good prices. We will consider going there even if we don't stay at the hotel.

Pleasant evening, relaxing place for dinner. Very good selection of wines and an excellent menu. Would definitely go back to this establishment .

We experienced very friendly and helpful service, but the food could have been a little better. I love octopus and order it every time I see it on a menu. The octopus here was in a very delicious preparation, but the octopus meat itself was so tough, old and chewy, it must have either been under a heat lamp for hours or stayed too long in a fryer basket. It was practically inedible. My companion enjoyed the flatbread, though, and the view looked like it would have been spectacular during daylight hours.

Sadly we did not have time to have dinner here but did enjoy breakfast twice as hotel guests. Great views, good food, excellent service.

Delicious! Great service, menu, views and experience. I ate here for several breakfasts and dinners. I highly recommend eating at Cusp.

If you want to see a gorgeous sunset, make reservations at that time. It never disappoints. Always pink and magical. Food is brilliant too and can be romantic or friendly or other things too.

We had an excellent meal here on Saturday night. The service was attentive but not over powering and nothing was too much. As for the food it was excellent. We started with Oysters and then two of use had the bay scallops and shrimp homemade pasta and the third had a fish dish. All the tastes blended beautifully. It was an absolute delight. What also I found very pleasant was the chef working in the open kitchen was able to take the time to acknowledge us as we were shown to our table. Well done everybody beautifully managed restaurant.

la Jolla is pretty spectacular. The bar tender was super cool. The appetizers are small and expensive for what you get and limited but the cool ambiance and view is worth doing at least once.

We arrived on a busy Saturday night at 6.35 for our 6.30 reservation for six. But they only has us down for a party of two. No matter, it will be only 15 minutes or so. After an hour (and several five minute promises), the bartender offered two of us a gratis glass of wine. We finally were seated, and the server kept forgetting our orders. Twenty minutes after ordering the entre, we asked for some bread while we were waiting- hoping to stave off the hunger. The server brought TWO cold biscuits for the six of us. After several requests, the frozen butter came. The asst food manager (Sergio) finally brought 4 more biscuits. Eventually the food arrived; it was so so- nothing special or worth the wait. We asked for a concession for all our embarrassing trouble, and they offered NOTHING- not even the usual free dessert. ON the way out I expressed our disappointment and the manager couldn't care less. Skip this place. There are so many other good ones in the area.

Cusp, the top floor of Hotel La Jolla, has some of the best dining views in town with floor to ceiling windows. Seating is situated so that everyone has a direct ocean view...love the couples tables right at the window. Only had breakfast here...loved the french toast and oatmeal. Husband was a bit disappointed with the rosemary potatoes saying they tasted like they were frozen, even though servers are constantly saying everything is made fresh. Would like to go back and try dinner.

We were pleasantly surprised by the Cusp restaurant which is on the 11th (top) floor of the Hotel La Jolla. The food was a real cut above most hotel restaurants and priced moderately. The restaurant faces the ocean so the views are spectacular. The staff is quite fine and most helpful. We would go to Cusp again anytime!

My 2.5 year old daughter and I decided to try Cusp's brunch on a recommendation and I am so happy we did! Joe the manager was very kind and showed us the beautiful space when I said it was our first time there. Our server, Erin, couldn't have been kinder and more accommodating to my difficult dining partner/toddler. Delicious food and a stunning view. I can't wait to go back with friends, minus kiddo plus cocktails. The drink menu was pretty impressive with delicious sounding craft cocktails. The view alone is a must see!

Visiting from the UK we came in to La Jolla a couple of times from San Diego. This was our last night before going back so we wanted to end it with a nice evening. I used Tripadvisor as our guide as always and Cusp looked good from other reviewers (thanks!) Hadn't appreciated it was a bit, about a mile and a half, away from the La Jolla Cove therefore you wouldn't stumble across it by chance. As we drove in the Hotel it is located ,in looked pretty unprepossessing from outside, but in fact inside it is much nicer and the restaurant, which is on the 11th floor had a very good ambience and great views. The bar is good for an aperitif too. The food was great. The choice isn't vast but the quality was uniformly very good. I'd great oysters and then a lovely sea bass dish. The waiter and the bartenders were very friendly and efficient. Couldn't ask for more really. An excellent end to our trip.

It's both casual and fancy: the worn edges of the paper menu reveal it's casualness, but the prices, setting and food are more high-end. Our group liked the menu very much, great options. The waiter was very efficient, very friendly and accommodating. The food was very good, though my yellowtail had a fishy taste and was the only detractor. (Everyone else who had the yellowtail did not have this experience). Has Valet parking for 3 bucks. Go for the decent food and the beautiful setting.

By referral we called Cusp for a Christmas Day dinner reservation. Arrived for our 1615 time slot, seated at a panoramic--this hotel restaurant is about 4 blocks from the beach but has great views from on top--table at the window, in time for sunset. Sheet menu presented, showing 3 courses, 3 options per course. No price, no clarification. We then learned--a surprise bit of info--that this was a prix fixe @ $55 per person. Would have been appropriate to advise at time of booking. Though the restaurant remained about 30% full, course after course was pushed at us even before finishing the one prior. We asked not to be rushed but the pressure continued. Unfortunately, despite a 3 course meal with bubbly, we were out in an hour!!! Curiously, despite having been told during the reservation process that the restaurant was full all evening, it was cavernous empty even as we left. Not even the view could redeem the mediocre cuisine and unprofessional type of service.

The view is worth the visit. Coffee and newspaper, with incredible vista will start any day right. Suggestion to mangement: 8am is too early to be playing 1980's classic rock (Def Leopard, REO Speedwagon and screaming White Snake). 5 star goes to 3 star on that alone. Class it up and match the view to the mood in the morning. Jazz maybe? Something else. Very nice, friendly service

I’m being overly generous for giving a hotel’s restaurant 4-star rating, not because of their food or service but mostly because of its relaxed, casual, festive yet impressively swanky and sophisticated vibe. Since this restaurant is located on the 11th floor of Hotel La Jolla (a Hilton - Curio Collection), it has a great view that overlooks a good part, though quite distant La Jolla Shore’s beachfront view. The view will hold your gaze throughout your meal when you’re seated at a couple’s table next to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Yes, the restaurant has a row of tables “only for couples” on the window that are formatted so only two dining-guests sit side-by-side rather than across from each other. Not sure why, in recent years a lot of restaurants has this arrangement of having only a-table-for-2 right next to scenic window views. I hold in disfavor of this common arrangement because its not fair to a small group or families of 3 or more to deprive them of seating choice, especially on special occasions when one of the reasons a guest’s choice of restaurants was lured due to its location. Although, for our family of three on last Thanksgiving dinner, having to sit at the window wasn’t our priority for this special dinner's night at Cusp; we just wanted to enjoy a good tasting meal. We made 7:30 pm evening reservation for 3-course pre-fixe meal on Thanksgiving night, so there was no point to request a window-view table after sunset, its only your indoor reflection on the glass window due to night’s pitch darkness. Valet parking was easy at the hotel’s entrance. They also validate parking for Cusp guests. At our time of arrival, the restaurant was quite empty. Only a handful of guests were at the bar. Our server Dawn was sweet and easy-going. We started off with San Diego Sangria cocktails ($15 a glass was a little too high for a very average drink). With the meal we ordered Argentine Malbec that was decent for $13 a glass. The 3-course meal was subpar, and the choice was too limited. My First course of Lobster Bisque was too salty to even finish the bowl and there was no bread served with the bisque. My son tried the first course of very bland serving of shrimp and crab agnolotti with edamame; it was a small serving and not very palatable. They took a while to bring out the main course of their traditional turkey plate. And there was nothing special about it. The turkey was not soft and the stuffing-cake right next to it tasted old and stale as if pre-cooked days ago. For $65/person (without the drinks), it was not a gourmet cooked dinner; more like a chain-café’s $20 meal good for take-out. Only the dessert was acceptable, but the ice cream scoop was too small like half-the-size of a tiniest wiffleball and it melted on arrival. It wasn’t just the food that disappointed us, but the service was lousy too since the wait between the courses became painfully long. Also, the table the hostess seated us on was too wobbly (on uneven legs/unlevelled floor) that even after the waitress tried to correct it, the table would move when using knife on not so soft turkey. There was no help when we politely requested that they move us to another table. No one came, not even to take our empty plates away. And, no tablecloths on a special day’s dinner-tables! How is this fine-dining? Come to think of it, the only favorite part of our Cusp’s Thanksgiving dinner visit were the outside window-views from their spacious bathrooms, and our encounter with the two valet guys who were super warm and welcoming and genuinely friendly, except for they were the hotel’s staff and not the restaurant’s. Maybe we’ll have better luck with their daytime fare of weekend brunch, or happy-hour at sunset.

We had 2 great dinners here. The fish dishes are very good and the chef is lovely and helpful. The wait staff is either amazing or awful..we had both experiences.

We dined here on arrival after a long road trip and found the experience mediocre at best. The front of house woman was downright rude, the service was somewhere between offhand and incompetent and a number of the items such as wines we wanted to order were not available. The food was ok but second rate in comparison with what's available down the road in La Jolla itself. One to be avoided.

Staff were very accommodating, we arrived almost close to closing but we did not feel rushed to dine. Loved that cheese platter with the wine. Great selection for breakfast as well, eggs tasted really fresh as well as the vegetables that came with the omelet. Enjoyed that water view while dining.

Come for the view, if nothing else! It wasn't crowded and the service was on point. The steak was one of the best I've had.

I'm currently staying at this hotel, on business. I ordered a burger from the room service menu 2 days ago, and I had a feeling I was in trouble after the woman on the phone took my order. She was curt, impolite, and I got the impression I was bothering her, which should not be the case when ordering room service. Anyway, I ordered a burger, rare, with extra onions. I didn't get that - instead, I received an overdone burger, on a stale bun, covered with some kind of cucumber salad that did not have any dressing, nor extra onions. The only flavor of this dish came from the dollop of ketchup and mustard I received on the side. It looks like everyone else on this site is raving about the place - perhaps they're only good when you go to the restaurant in person. However, there's an added charge for room service, and I expected better food. Also, the food arrived on a tray, with no added table - I wonder what they do when 2 or more people stay in a room. Hey, I'm spending over $1000 to stay at this hotel, and I was very disappointed, even on my first night staying here. Never again.

A co-worker recommended this place for my birthday happy hour with friends. It was amazing. Valet parking is validated (I think $3 after validation), panoramic view of the ocean, easy to get to (don't have to fight getting downtown), beautiful bar, excellent food. Just the right portions (this is not the place to get stuffed at) for really high quality food, especially for the price. Every happy hour dish we got was great, and all of our dinners were awesome too. The ONLY complaint was that the service was lacking. The bartender mixed up who got what drinks and food multiple times. But he was nice, and we were having such a great time we didn't really care! They have lovely tables for two right up against the windows, so this would be an amazing date spot. I plan on returning with my husband for a date night!

Loved the vibe. Service excellent and the food was delicious. We ordered appetizers and came back at the end of the evening for wine and coffee drinks. Highly recommend for a girls night out!

We go here a couple times a week for the happy hour but occasionally go for breakfast or dinner. The parking is easy it’s all valet and validated The servers are so friendly and good The managers are always attentive The food is consistently good It’s a jewel in La Jolla Best of all the prices are fair

The service was so great - very attentive staff and the food was quickly provided. We both found the smokey ceasar salad too smokey! The crab tostada was very good. The scallops were great but the tuna was lacking seasoning. Overall, a good experience though.

My wife and I are staying at Hotel La Jolla and last night we had an excellent dinner at Cusp, their restaurant on the 11th floor. The sea bass we each ordered was well prepared, the service was outstanding, the views were marvelous and having pisco on the after dinner drink menu was a treat!

Great view during our Happy Hour! Bartender was very fun and made a mean Old Fashion. Had chips and dip....yum!

We enjoyed appetizers with a great ocean view and open kitchen permitted great view of the cooking action as well as the wonderful aromas. The appys were top notch!

Only a poor bar menu, burgers, pizza, salads. Poor service, the waitress forgets to place our order and ultimately gets it wrong. Recommend not eating there at all and getting a short Uber ride to some of La Jolla's great restaurants.

The panoramic ocean views at Cusp Dining & Drinks in La Jolla are worth a visit to the restaurant alone. Add to the mix an inventive menu from Spring Pea Chili Soup to Caramel Panna Cotta topped with popcorn and you have a winning combination. The Roasted Beet, Heirloom Tomato Salad with Goat cheese creme brûlée was wonderful as was the Bolognese Pappardelle. The wine list is also impressive.

I was disappointed the lunch menu did not match atmosphere. Very safe, average menu items that don’t seem to fit restaurant demographic. Didn’t stay for dinner so I will give benefit of doubt.

By far, CUSP is one of the finer restaurants I have patronized in Southern California. Cusp exceeded my expectations with its fantastic views, outstanding service, and most importantly, the overall dining experience. General manager Casey proved to be both super attentive as well as helpful. His servers-attendent staff were every bit as professional. In sum, our dinner exceeded excellence. Thank you, Chef Donald for making our dinner just phenomenal, you are a culinary virtuoso. This is to say I highly recommend Cusp to those with a discerning, well-traveled palette.

The beautiful sunset view is the only thing this place has going for it. We went for my husband birthday- we are visiting from GA. Service was slow, had to keep asking for water. Our dinner was served on a very hot plate but the food was lukewarm . Not impressed. Not worth the money.

I came with some girlfriends for girl's night. We had an amazing time! Of course, the view is amazing, but service was great too. We have a lot of different tastes in our group, but everyone found something they like. I had the Golden Beet Salad and the Mushroom Flatbread. Both were super good. We couldn't skimp on dessert...not on GNO! We had one of each...the blood orange upside down cake was phenomenal.

The staff in the restaurant made our weekend. We had so much fun, I cannot wait to have a reason to celebrate and go back... And the view of the sunset and the fresh halibut was pretty amazing, too.

We wanted to try a restaurant in La Jolla for breakfast with another couple & found this restaurant on a restaurant website. We were glad we did! This restaurant has very good vistas of the bay no matter where you're seated since the walls are entirely made of glass. The servers are eager to please & the restaurant is tastefully decorated. This restaurant is on a top floor of the Hotel La Jolla. We went for brunch that included Mimosas. The food is nicely presented with new twists on old favorites. Definitely a nice place to take visitors to the area or for a date night.

A friend and I dined here for restaurant week and enjoyed the fabulous views and delicious food. Although it might be pricey, it's a great spot for date night or special occasions! Good happy hour as well.

Stopped in for a light bite after a late afternoon flight and meetings. The ambiance is quite nice, but the food is disappointing and largely flavorless. The crab tostada was touted as the most popular appetizer. The tostada was tiny and the crab was tasteless. The green goddess salad was hearts of romaine smeared with dressing a couple of tomatoes and a few dabs of pickled onion. The price for such was over $30! Will not be back.

I am wary of hotel restaurants so my expectations weren't high when I went up to Cusp. I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent service and genuinely good food. I greatly enjoyed sipping my sparkling wine and nibbling on lobster gnocchi while watching the sun set over the ocean.

Try the ceasar salad the herb cheese polenta - not huge portions but delicious food. Also enjoyed the flatbread pizza. It's also possible to eat out by the pool and order from Cusp!

Nice lounge with outstanding views of Pacific Ocean. Drinks are pricey, but the great views are free.

We ate at Cusp several times staying at the Hilton. The view from the restaurant itself is awesome, especially in the evening as the sun sets. Food was good overall but pricey if you don't get the view! We had the scallops - very good but fishy so probably close to being spoiled. Duck -- quite good but the skin was not rendered to crispy, just fatty and chewy. Oysters. Delicious and fresh but close to room temperature wo we were a little nervous. New York Strip - was a huge portion, but not great. Seems the chef went to town on liquid smoke and it was overwhelming in both the flavor of the meat and the sides. Came with three WHOLE tomatoes. Weird. Couldn't really finish the steak because of the strong and overwhelming smoke flavor. Cobb salad was good and all the ingredients were really fresh. Excellent potato salad.

Best meal we had on our San Diego trip. The sunset view is spectacular. The food was great. Age 7 to 79 enjoyed the meal. Most amazing bathroom ever. Windows behind the sinks. I would definitely return and I would consider staying there as it is on the top floor of a hotel.

My boyfriend and I love to eat and this place didn't let us down. We loved the view and the staff was pleasant. The breakfast was amazing and offered large portions. You will not be disappointed. The french toast was to die for.

I highly recommend this restaurant whether you are staying at the hotel or hanging out in the area. The bar is on the 11th floor and the view is amazing! The staff is super friendly too. My husband and I had drinks at night and then returned for breakfast in the morning. The continental breakfast was perfect; filling, tasty, and beautiful! We sat right in front of the window so “breakfast with a view” is an understatement. Just lovely!!! We can’t wait to go back!

The quality and presentation of the food at this Easter brunch was exceptional ,not to mention the service and the views!

Breakfast was delicious, service was good. Due to June Gloom we did not have a great view although the fog started to lift towards the end of breakfast, but if you're there on a clear morning it's a very nice setting.

Ate breakfast here and also stopped in for happy hour- such a nice experience! The staff was very friendly and helpful (Chuck, Lizzie, and I apologize for not remembering the gentleman that was working with Lizzie during happy hour). The view was absolutely amazing! Thank you for a nice time!

If you are looking for a great ocean view with good food and drink, then Cusp is the place. Located on the 11th Floor of the Hotel La Jolla, in La Jolla, California,, Cusp is certainly one of the gems in the La Jolla dining scene. They also offer a full bar and bar seating with modern decor and fantastic ocean views. If you are in the area, you will not be disappointed.

my wife and I tried Cusp, the restaurant with the million dollar view atop the Hotel La Jolla at the edge of La Jolla, CA on a slow, drizzly day hoping for a memorable breakfast, regardless of the foggy view over the coast and sea. Although one of only 3 couples in the restaurant, we found that we couldn't get a decaf latte (only caffeinated). Ok, so be it. My wife's eggs with fruit and toast arrived in good condition. But when the server arrived with my lox and bagel, he apologized that there was no cream cheese in the house. I was to eat it w/o it. No I said, not acceptable and please substitute eggs over medium and fruit. He immediately obliged and shortly thereafter served me a plate of two eggs and fruit. No meat, no toast, not even close the breakfast egg dishes listed on the menu. I asked for toast and got it, hot and delicious. Unfortunately the fruit mix was spoiled and smelled of one of the ingredients having gone bad (and probably affecting all the others). I ate the eggs and waited seemingly forever to get our bill. We couldn't get out fast enough and were so happy we hadn't brought guests with us on that first (and now only) try of the Cusp. We won't be going back and recommend you go elsewhere.

And what good food. Please ask for they able by the window. Look out. Sip their amazing cocktails. Eat yum food. Get served by top of the line servers. Just go!!

Went here for dinner with my daughter. You are up on the 11th floor with great views of the water. We both had clam chowder, not bad, a bit watery though. We then had lobster gnocchi that was inedible. The waiter seemed stressed and kept apologizing to us and every other table. My daughter and I both ended up getting sick -- and while I can't prove it was our meals here -- the evidence would point in that direction.

The Sunday Lobster special is very good at a fair price, the service is excellent. This restaurant deserves more attention with its great menu and service

We had the lobster and proseccho combination on Sunday I heartily recommend it -the lobster was done to perfection and the clarified butter was just the right combination It's $30 for the lobster and a glass of prosechho

The view from this eleventh floor restaurant and bar is something to talk about. Watching the sunset from here is perfect especially since they offer you a free glass of champagne every day to watch it set. The breakfast they serve here is pretty good. I haven’t tried anything but the breakfast and the drinks which are served by some very nice bartenders who know what they are doing when they mix up your drink. I have no complaints there. You can’t go wrong if you want to watch the sunset with a perfect view and a good drink and some decent food with your friends or family.

Views from the 11th floor were amazing. Service is very friendly. However, perhaps due to the fact that the bar area was very busy, service was not as attentive as we would have liked. We shared the beet salad (tasty & fresh), and the cheese plate (mediocre selection served with stale bread). Overall not a bad selection for happy hour.

The stylish restaurant is on the 11th floor, giving it fantastic views. They have a beautiful bar area and a sleek dining room where all of the seats take advantage of the view. Our food and drink was delicious. My husband had the filet which was cooked perfectly. I had the swordfish. Ate every bite. The chef does a wonderful job with this menu. I highly recommend Cusp.

I booked a night at the Hotel La Jolla and searched for a good restaurant to complement our stay. I had some recommendations further away, but the menu at Cusp looked interesting. We were impressed with the wine list, especially the number available by the glass. There's also a decent number of local beers on tap, which aren't all on the web site. We started with oysters, which were very good. My wife had a pasta that was excellent and I had the seared sea bass, which was one of the best treatments of fish I've had in a long time. The views are killer and I particularly liked how the two-tops are arranged angled against the windows. It is pricey, but no more than I would expect to pay for a good restaurant in any major city. I think it's a no-brainer to at least have appetizers if you are staying in the Hotel La Jolla. But you won't be disappointed with a full meal.

We were delighted with every aspect of Cusp. We were staying at the hotel, so were able to choose a nice table with a view for a lunch with old friends. The staff were friendly and welcoming. The food was delicious and reasonably priced for a hotel with such a great view. The piece de resistance was the floor to ceiling windows in the Ladies Room (!), spectacular! Can't recommend the Cusp highly enough. Thank you!

My husband and I stayed at the hotel where Cusp is located. We ate breakfast there twice and also had drinks and appetizers/dessert there as well. The crispy pork belly as absolutely amazing! All the food we had was fantastic as well as the service! Definitely would recommend to anyone staying at Hotel La Jolla or just looking for a nice place to eat!

Friday night arrival and didn't want to walk into town so tried this and it was a delightful surprise. Locals come here regularly. Unique combinations, enjoyed almost every dish ... some can have a little too much heat, so read the ingredients carefully. Great for fish & crustaceans. Fabulous appetizers & specials. Good wine list. Excellent service.

I came here with my husband on an anniversary trip. We had eaten here 8 years ago on our honeymoon. The restaurant has changed, but the contrast stops there. The food was delicious. The service was great. We didn't have a reservation, but when they heard it was our anniversary they sat us at a window table away from the noise. I enjoyed their shrimp & scallop pasta and we both loved the apple fritters! P.s. I know it doesn't make or break a restaurant, but the women's bathroom was really neat, haha! It looks like it used to be a room. There's a balcony to step out on and everything!

Six of us visited Cusp for Sunday brunch--and while we found the view to be magnificent, three of us were really disappointed in the food. The chicken Caesar salad arrived with rubbery chicken, tasteless dressing, and soggy, cornbread croutons. The Monte Cristo sandwich was saturated in grease, and a skillet hash plate had tough beef and cool fried eggs. A chorizo breakfast flatbread was average, and the pork belly paninis were great. In fairness, I will mention that at the same time we were ordering, the hotel was hosting a baby shower luncheon for at least 40 women in a private room next door, so the kitchen was no doubt focused on their plates. Our server--the only one working the restaurant while we were there--tried hard to attend to all of our needs (she even mixed our cocktails!--but that didn't make up our long wait for a poor meal. Cusp offers a remarkable view; drop in for a drink at sunset, and then head elsewhere for dinner.

Cusp is on top floor of the Hotel La Jolla...newly renovated with beautiful views at night...especially sunset. Food was nicely presented and tasty. Only drawback was the noise.

We were staying at the hotel and thought we would try the restaurant on the11th floor. Boy were we surprised to discover that they had this fantastic restaurant in the same building. The dinner was so great the first evening so we had dinner the following evening too. Great breakfast too which allowed us to enjoy the fantastic view of the bay. Definitely a place to return to.

I came here for dinner just before sunset and it was so beautiful. Cusp is on the top floor of Hotel La Jolla, and it's one of the only tall buildings around so the view is completely unobstructed. We were sat at a great little half moon table facing the ocean and celebrated a gorgeous pink sunset with a couple of super cold martinis. Our server, Josie, was genuinely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and extensive wine list. We shared a couple appetizers (the yellowtail quinoa is amazing!) and split the beef cheeks entree (like the most tender short ribs you could imagine). I would already come back for the food and service, but the incredible view puts it over the top. Hope I see a green flash next time!

Good breakfast fare nothing to make you excited. We eat two breakfasts but the view is fantastic. Not sure I would eat here if I was not staying here. Bar was nice and they do have tables set to enjoy the view. Service was average

We were staying at the Hotel La Jolla and were exhausted after a full day at the SD Zoo, so we walked up for dinner. Probably better suited for an adult dinner, but they were very accommodating to our little ones. Kids had chicken tenders with broccolini. First course was pork belly and san Sebastian flatbread, very good. Second course was fish of the day, halibut and scallops with black rice and fresno chilies. Both very good. Service was friendly and welcoming. Even had the greeter bring over a bowl of watermelon radishes because she noticed our daughter devoured them from her father's plate.

Loved the location, great sunsets, well presented food, excellent service. Loved the guy who serviced us. Remember to go as couple as u can get better seating woth better views

I discovered Cusp some time ago with clients, and was delighted to share a meal there with my husband. We enjoyed fantastic seafood stew and a wine sourced from a boutique winery in Napa. The restaurant overlooks the beach and is a wonderful place to watch the sunset.

My husband and I escaped to La Jolla for an overnight getaway at the La Jolla Hotel. Cusp is their restaurant at the top floor of the building. With no other tall building around, the view to the ocean is amazing, especially at sunset. We arrived a bit earlier than our reservation so that we could watch the sunset and enjoy happy hour in the bar. We were then seated at our table and realized we could've watched the sunset from there! Most of the tables have the same fantastic view! My husband tried the lobster/prosecco special, sharing his prosecco with me and I had the Bolognese Pappardelle. Both dishes were fantastic, as was the Burrata cheese/asparagus salad that I started with. Our server was fun and attentive. She suggest different items that we might like, such as a basil infused margarita and the crisp pork belly. My husband, being the more adventurous eater tried both and her suggestions were spot on! The pacing was perfect - we did not feel rushed, nor ignored. We have already recommended this restaurant to friends in the area. Even if you are not a guest at the Hotel La Jolla, which I would also definitely recommend, I would say this is one of the best restaurants in the area and a must-dine experience. I only wish the location was closer to home so we could return again and again!

The Cusp is located on the 11th floor of the Curio. I classify it as a Mid to High-end restaurant that serves primarily organic or healthy choice selections. Although I only had time to sample the breakfast menu, it was of sufficient quantity and quality.

Cusp is a beautiful restaurant atop the highest building in La Jolla offering a world class view with a world class menu. I highly recomend.

I started visiting this hotel when it was called the Summer House Inn a long, long, time ago. The hotel, and restaurant, has changed hands a number of time in the past 3-4 decades. The last change, to the CUSP, was absolutely great. The food and service are top notch and the view is one of the very best in La Jolla.

Love the lamb burger. The happy hour bites are great. Restaurant (room service) does not serve hot food until 7:00am, very late for the business traveler

Great view, genuinely nice servers and bartenders. The food was amazing, with a few great vegetarian options. Breakfast was always good.

There are lot of choices for great food in La Jolla, and this restaurant should be high on the list. Tasty and creative dishes served by a very helpful and accommodating staff.

Notwithstanding the fact that it is in a hotel, this is a serious restaurant with wonderful, creative food. Breakfast and lunch are real bargains. Dinner is a bit more pricey, but not out of line with similar serious dining establishments. The service is relaxed. This is not a place for a hurried meal. But who would want to hurry — esp. during daylight hours — when the view from the 11th floor is so spectacular. I am not accustomed to selecting hotels because of the restaurant(s) found therein. CUSP provides a reason to return to the La Jolla Hotel.

And a great place to take visitors coming from out of town. Especially if you get a reservation for just before sunset. There's really not a bad seat in the house, but tables at the window are pretty special. The bar area (and the women's restroom) is also a great little spot with a great view of the pacific and la Jolla shores. Started with some fun cocktails made with love: Up in Smoke (a strong tequila delight) and Stay Classy which was sweet enough to also have as an after dinner drink. FOOD: We had their ceviche - it was deliciously fresh. It did have a jalapeño kick, so if spicy bothers you don't get this. Had their mushroom and goat cheese flat bread - yum!!!! And kept it on the table all night. I had a homerun pasta dish: Jumbo Herb Dumplings. I almost never order pasta unless I'm in south philly or a hole in the wall northern place (or in Italy), but this blew my mind. This was butternut squash brown sage butter and manchego bliss. Finished every bite. the King salmon was killer. Our server was a delightful guy from Maryland who made wonderful suggestions only when we asked for them. He let us linger forever. It's a delight for foodies. Great for a locals special date night. A crowd pleaser for out of town visitors. Valet park - restaurant validates. Can't wait to go back.

This restaurant, on the 11th floor of the Hotel La Jolla was a pleasant surprise. The views are wonderful. The service greatly exceeded our expectations. The food was very good. Overall, a most enjoyable experience.

Girlfriends and I went here for a sunset dinner. The food was great and every table had a fantastic ocean sunset view. The restaurant is located at the top floor of a Kimpton hotel with modern decor. Food was excellent and not as expensive as I had expected (~$180 for 3 of us including 3 courses and 2 drinks each) Our favorite dishes were the flatbread, crispy cauliflower (Seriously, order this entree. It's amazing) and sea salt caramel filled chocolate cake. They had weeknight specials that looked delicious and reasonable, including lobster on Sunday. The restaurant was small so every table had a great view. Although there were lots of couples on dates, and girls having a night out, there were also families with school aged kids.

Beware!! You need to know about the treatment I received (or didn't) when I tried to make reservations for a party of eight. I called the restaurant the morning before I wanted to have brunch. My call was answered by machine so I left a message for a return call. By three pm my call had not been returned. I then called the Hotel and asked if there was some way I could reach the restaurant to make a reservation. The operator at the hotel transferred me to the Manager. My call was again answered by a machine. I left a message again asking for a call back to make a meal reservation. No call back. I won't be calling again. You may not want to waste you time on this one

Amazing panoramic view of La Jolla, good food, pricey. Dine in- steak and spicy Brussels sprouts...very good...steak was large enough for two. Lighter fair poolside, delicious oysters and a side of spices smoked bacon. Would have both again as a LCHF option!

We had the most delightful dinner at Cusp in Hotel La Jolla! My request for our romantic dinner date had been " a place with booths where I can sit next to you." This proved harder to find in San Diego than one would think! My date appealed for help, and after some online searching, I came up with Cusp. The reviews were good so we decided to give it a shot. From the moment we walked in the door, we were lavished with attention and outstanding service. Cusp is arranged so that all the tables have an ocean view, and ours was perfect--on a raised dais, it was a cushy semi-circular booth overlooking La Jolla Shores beach: just what the doctor ordered!! The menu was adventuresome and appealing--I wanted to try everything! We settled on the Ceviche of the day, and Grilled Octopus with candied orange and pepper mostarda, which was outstanding (although not QUITE as exquisite as the Patio's, in case you're a big grilled octopus fan like me!) My Pan Seared Sea Bass with Saffron risotto, shrimp, mussels spanish chorizo, piquillo peppers was absolutely divine--the perfectly cooked fish melted in my mouth, and the flavors were complex and delicious. His Seared Yellowtail with charred carrot, blood orange and asparagus was equally wonderful. Our shared chocolate dessert was actually worth the calories-- my ultimate compliment! The wine list, while not extensive, was thoughtfully constructed, and included many tempting selections. Our server could not have been more attentive or personable. We were exceedingly well taken care of, and can't wait to return. Next time, we'll try Cusp for Brunch!

I'm a local but I take out of town guests here all of the time to show off La Jolla at sunset - the food is incredible, the view is probably one of the best in La Jolla (I'd argue even beating out George's, Eddie V's & Marine Room, although all of these are great options), the service is great, and being up that high and having a fresh breeze is really awesome (bring a sweater though, it can get a little chilly). I tend to just order a bunch of small plates and appetizers to split, and everything I've ordered has been mindblowing, with maybe the exception of the flatbreads just being "okay." If you're staying at this hotel, or anywhere near it, this restaurant should be on your "must visit" list, even if it's just for happy hour - you won't regret it!

I took a young wife and another Navy couple to this restaurant location at the top of the La Jolla Hotel. In those days [43 years ago] the Maitre d' and all the male waiters wore black tuxedos and he greeted each party as they exited the elevator. The menus for the ladies listed no prices. Sorbet was served after salad or appetizer to cleanse one's palette. "Elarios" closed recently, about three years ago and in its place is CUSP. This was my first chance to return and it was my bride's birthday. Far less formal, the food is just as good. We started with my first encounter with Ceviche, a seafood appetizer dish popular in the coastal regions of Latin America. Our dish was made from fresh raw Orange Roughy cured in locally raised lemon and lime juices and seasoned with chopped onions, salt, and cilantro. As the dish is not cooked with heat, it must be prepared fresh and of sushi quality fish and Cusp did not let us down. It was wonderful. My wife then enjoyed a dish of cauliflower drizzled with a bit of magic making it the best cauliflower dish either of us have had and my dish was the Ahi Tuna, done perfectly. The manager Damien and waiter Dennis took great care of us and we appreciated the complimentary dessert for my wife. They have a full bar for pre or post dinner cocktails. Everything was perfect. My two constructive criticisms: 1) They have a world class view and its not like it has rained a lot in the past year in Southern California, so hotel maintenance or someone needs to wash the exteriors of the windows to remove buildup and water spots to really enhance the view. 2) After enjoying cocktails I was surprised the hostess never sought us out when our table was ready, the next day I discovered they had sent my cell phone a text message saying the table was ready 15 minutes before I asked. With older patrons not all of us are tied to our phones! I promised to return in 43 more years and the staff all promised they would not be there. :-)

Part of Kimpton and great sunset option! Delicious food and pretty friendly staff. They actually let me take my dinner by the fireplace one night while I was visiting with my little doggie. Also they seemed to have different night that offered specials!!! Will most definitely return for more delicious dishes!

First I will say the hotel and restaurant had a VERY NICE ambience. I liked the aesthetic value (beach vibe with unique wood inlays, textures, etc.) everything was tastefully decorated a oozed La Jolla upscale beach vibe, which I am pretty sure what they are aiming for. Cusp is on the 11th floor and there main dinning room has unique 2 table tops that overlook the La Jolla shore line. I really enjoyed this, as a local, I got point out landmarks and see La Jolla from above. For starters we were presented with a 'one bite' of red beet, orange, & feta in a white sauce. Delicious. The feta had a nice salty kick, orange was sweet, beet was sweet and tender. For cocktails I had the Pirates booty and my partner in crime had the Pass it along. My pirates booty was sweet and hit the spot for me, the Pass it along had beer and alcohol which was a nice taste as well. What was really unique was the ice in the drinks. The pirates booty was in a short wide glass with one short and very wide ice cube; the pass it along was in a tall skinny glass with one long skinny ice cube, I thought this was really fun and a great presentation. For an appetizer we shared the stuffed squash blossom with cheese (I forget which kind) and crab. We were served to 2 squash blossoms with a white sauce, greens, and three peeled cherry tomatoes. This was the highlight of the meal. Squash blossoms tasted light and crispy. The crab and cheese stuffing melted with each bite and was a rich flavor. For dinner I had the shrimp with house made gnocchi. The shrimp was cut into bit sized pieces without butchering the meat, it was in a alfreado sauce that was very rich and creamy. The gnocchi was remarkable. Surprisingly light, butters, soft texture, and tasted like Italy (I imagine). My partner in crime had the pear , arugula, and blue cheese flatbread. Crust was crisp, the walnuts really added a nice texture to the mix. Last but not least I forget the actual name of the dessert but it was a twist on rocky road. A chocolate moose with marshmallows , a graham cracker or chocolate cookie crust on bottom, with a caramel sauce smothering the entire plate. Again, presented nicely and tasted like an adults rocky road. Last but certainly not least was the service. The hostess could not find my reservation (odd cause I called maybe an hour before and spoke to a gentlemen who confirmed the reservation) Fortunately it was not very busy so we were seated promptly. Our server Dennis was an excellent server. He knew the nightly specials, he made sure to tell us about the items we had ordered AND after every course he personally wiped/cleaned our table. I thought Dennis was a top notch Cusp/Hotel La Jolla employee. The chefs had our food come out in a timely fashion and all staff encountered were friendly. Would love to come back, defiantly a view to 'dine for'

Where to start. We wanted a nice place to take our daughter for her birthday, so we chose Cusp. The view is great. Probably better, if it's not overcast. This is not my kind of place. I always feel ripped off when I pay $30 for a half plate of food, no matter how artfully displayed. That said, the food was very good. We had some Roasted Brussel Sprouts for an appetizer and they were excellent. The Fresno chilis and crispy prosciutto gave them an interesting flavor. I had the Glazed Asian Shortribs, which had a good combination of flavors. We also had Scallops, Lamb Shoulder Pasta and Duck Breast. All were good. The service was excellent. Four stars because the place is extremely noisy.

The meal service seemed a bit slow, but we didn't mind as we enjoyed the view while we waited. We can recommend the Sunday night special, which was lobster with two sides and a beverage while we were there.

Killer view from almost every table. The happy hour food was good, as was breakfast. Very eager and helpful staff. It would help persuade me to come back to this hotel, but I don't know if I would come here just to visit the restaurant

Dined here twice at beginning of October and thoroughly enjoyed our meal both times. The braised pork and risotto were amazing and so full of flavour. Also a great venue for drinks/cocktails Great views of the sun setting........enjoy

We were lucky to be in town during restaurant week. So we had the chefs selected menu and everything from the best ceviche as appetizer, Sea Scallops with crab stuffing to homemade ice cream to die for. All of this greatness with the best view of the pacific & the sunset in town. Kris our server was the best at his craft; personable,knowledgeable and just plain fantastic. If you are anywhere near La Jolla. I would highly recommend this restaurant. It is on the top floor of a high end Hilton. Which we will definitely stay at next visit.

I did not eat there beyond appetizers. What we tried were good. The drinks are pricy. Happy hour from 4 to 7 helped.

Try happy hour tapas and drinks in the bar area at sunset. We enjoyed lovely champagne and tasteful tapas with our friends a Wednesday night.

I ate there, because I stayed at the Kimpton hotel for 1 night. The hostess was unfriendly and not helpful at all. For dinner, the place was packed, and service was very slow. (I understood though since it was very busy, with lots of people on time for the sunset). The views over La Jolla and the ocean are amazing. The food not so much... I had ceviche which was OK, and a (very bitter) Cesar Salad. I thought I give it another try with breakfast, but was again disappointed. I would go there again just for drinks to enjoy the view during sunset, but I would not eat there again.

Have been there twice for their continental breakfast: juice, coffee, freshly cut fruit salad, french toasts at a good price. First time everything was perfect, got there pretty late at 11h and got served immediately. Been there again today with our daughters, first they claimed they had no hot milk chocolate for them but only cold milk chocolate (even heard of a microwave to warm up food?). Then the waiting started... After 30min from our order (which was 40min after seating) no sign of our fruit salad nor french toasts. I complained with the waiter, who claimed that many tables ordered right before we came in. I understand you have to wait if there is only one cook and all order pancakes or omelettes, but fruit salad and french toasts can be prepared in parallel in just 2min, right? Overall felt unhappy. Great view, great healthy breakfast but cannot expect people to wait for 40min just for a simple breakfast that takes 2min to prepare...

We had dinner and breakfast a Cusp, both were really good. We had a window table for both meals, the view is fantastic! Cusp was participating in San Diego Restaurant week. They had a 3 course dinner for $35. For starters we had Mussels in a spicy broth and the Crispy Pork Belly, both were great. For the main courses we had Potato Crusted Swordfish and Pan Seared Sea bass. I'm usually not a fan of swordfish but this was excellent, moist and tender, not overcooked. For desert we had Panna Cotta w/spiced pears and Passion Fruit Cake, both were delicious. The Panna Cotta was the perfect fall dessert, the spicy pears had a nice cinnamon flavor. Breakfast was also very good, we had the Huevos Rancheros and Blueberry pancakes.

My boyfriend treated me to brunch at Cusp this past Saturday. He bought a Travelzoo deal and after reading the reviews I was a little apprehensive. However, we were pleasantly surprised!! First of all, the view is AMAZING! Hands down the best view ever for a brunch. Secondly the staff was very nice. I read reviews about how many of them acted rude due to these travelzoo deals, however we did not experience this whatsoever. I loved the fact that everyone seemed like they were ready to go to the beach right after work. But hey, with a view like that I would be tempted too! I recommend getting there early. We got to brunch at 10 am and it proceeded to get very busy. Parking: Many people state that there isn't any free parking offered (only valet). However we parked 100 feet away in the residential neighborhood. Staff: Very attentive. I am really sad I forgot the food servers name (male and liked to surf) but he was very nice. He gave us suggestions and constantly refilled our mimosas. Food: The boyfriend ordered the chorizo flatbread which was very delicious!! So much protein on it! I was really torn between the short rib hash and the pork belly sandwich but settled on the pork belly sandwich. I WAS NO DISAPPOINTED! One of my top 5 sandwiches of all time. The creamy honey sriracha sauce really hit on point with the pork belly. I drool every time I think of this sandwich now. Tip: Its only a short walk (3 to 4 blocks) from the beach once you cross La Jolla Shores Drive. If you have one too many mimosas you can walk it off and enjoy the boardwalk by the beach. Don't be steered away from the bad reviews. When it comes to food, you got to experience if yourself and you wont be disappointed. Now I will be begging him to take me back for my birthday next week!

Great resturant with an amazing view! There was live music when my group went which was a nice touch. Best time to go is about 45mins before sunet so you can enjoy the last bit of light and enjoy the sunset as well! Also great option for drinks

Made a 6:30 dinner reservation (5/20/22) through Open Table. Arrived at Hotel to find out one elevator had not been working since 7pm the day before, and second elevator had quit working an hour before we arrived. Woman at the front desk apologized and said only way to get to Cusp was WALKING UP THE STAIRS for 11 floors. Our party of 3 decided not to do that, and when I said we needed to call the restaurant and cancel our reservation, woman at front desk said she would do it. I took her at her word and we left to dine elsewhere, only to come home and find a note from Open Table (gently) chastising me for being a no-show. Shame on Hotel La Jolla for being so poor at follow up.

My daughter made a reservation for the special Christmas dinner while the rest of the family was visiting from New York. The view is certainly spectacular. We ordered a bottle of Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc at the beginning of the meal. When it arrived, the bottle was cold but the wine itself was not. When we mentioned this to the server, he offered us (complementary) the remains of a bottle that had been opened for serving by the glass which we appreciated. After a while in the ice bucket, the original bottle of wine did become chilled. We also ordered a second bottle as we had a party of 5, all of whom enjoy wine with dinner. Our daughters are mainly vegetarians but are willing to eat some seafood so they were ok with the scallop entree. Unfortunately, the server came back to say there were no more scallops but prawns could be substituted. They weren't very happy with this but there wasn't any alternative. When it arrived, we were surprised that the prawns were so small, more like medium-size shrimp. The lobster bisque presentation was interesting. It first arrived in a bowl with a good-sized piece of lobster in the bottom along with the croutons and garnish. The server then brought the soup and poured it in each bowl. The bisque was tasty although the temperature was tepid and the actual lobster was stone cold - not sure if this is the way it was intended. Two of us ordered the lamb which was cooked as ordered and was delicious. We were a bit surprised that the server did not come around to pour the wine when our glasses became empty. The chocolate mousse was tasty although I thought it was a bit too firm and a bit dry. I was surprised when the server brought the check and had never offered us coffee or tea at the end of the meal. As we were leaving the restaurant, I looked at the description of the dinner special which mentioned complementary champagne. This was not offered to us although I had noticed other servers going by with trays of champagne flutes. We are only out here about once a year and were disappointed, especially with a tab of over $500 for 5 people (incl. wine, tax and tip).

We loved this restaurant. We had a table overlooking the lights of La Jolla, and a delicious dinner which was relaxing and not at all rushed as some popular restaurants seem to be these days. Our server, Ashley, was helpful and made us feel at home. The New York Strip stake and Seared Sea Bass were both cooked perfectly. Cusp was a highlight of our visit to the San Diego area.

Absolutely phenomenal chicken special dinner. Drinks & sunset was a show stopper. Chef came out & thanked us. Recommend it very much.

The worst Kimpton Hotel restaurant I've eaten at.. (Seattle, Denver, 3 in Chicago, SF, NYC). The restaurant faces west with floor to ceiling glass but no air conditioning, the food was unimaginative - the best dish turned out to be their three choices of veggies and that's not saying much. Don't get the dried out unseasoned chicken breast.

Well recommended, Cusp is above most with it's view from the 8th floor overlooking the La Jolla coastline. Watching the sunset from our window table for two, we enjoyed the service Dennis provided with charm and attentiveness. The food was outstanding. Never having tasted the rave item, pork belly, I had to have the Crispy Pork Belly with honey sriracha glaze. Wow! I salivate just thinking about it. The Bolognese Pappardelle was yum, made with Pappardelle pork sausage. The bar was busy as well as the dining room where locals gather at one of their favorites. It must be better than good. It's La Jolla!

It has the most incredible view-valet parking is validated the food is amazing and the staff so accommodating -the prices are reasonable and we live up the street and try go once a week-HAPPY HOUR is incredible too

An enjoyable spot for happy hour with good drinks, small eats, and a beautiful view. We were staying at the hotel

Not only do they have epic views, but the happy hour prices and selection of drinks and bites are awesome too!

Food was very good, server did not understand my request for a sweet white wine so after 2 different glasses came (neither were sweet) I opted to go drink less which made my dining experience not all that it could be...my first time to Cusp

Do yourself a favor and visit Cusp to enjoy the view of La Jolla Shores from the 11th floor! Lunch is currently only served in the bar area and tables are available by the windows. I think most tables are for two in this area so call ahead if you want to host a larger group at lunch. The menu consisted of a couple of salads, a wrap, some sandwiches, and a flatbread. Food and service were good. Parking is a breeze because of a valet and then you obtain a validation and there is no mandatory charge.

We loved this trendy restaurant high atop the Hotel La Jolla. Warm friendly servers who did everything possible to make us happy in the mornings. Eggs were cooked just right and, at long last, hash brown crispy as requested! Nice to relax, drink your morning coffee, and look at the scrumptious view.

We rarely eat at our hotel restaurant when traveling. But, we were tired from a long day, and made it upstairs to a beautiful view of the setting sun. Our expectations still low on the food quality, but the view and service by Dennis was quickly overcoming our doubts. The locally sourced red snapper ceviche arrived and was fresh, beautifully presented and tasted amazing. My entree of perfected seared scallops on black rice and a spicy Thai curry was picture and palate perfect. Dennis even chose the perfect wine pairing with it. Chef Funes stopped by the table and impressed us with her love for locally source food, and adding in her Honduran culture into some of her dishes. She was trained under the watchful eye of the Chef's at The Beverly Hills Hotel, and it shows in her ingredient mixing skills. A must is her deconstructed lemon curd and raspberry purée dessert. A perfect ending for a very long day. I look forward to following her food career as she continues to grow in her head chef role.

We are New Yorkers in week 3 of a tour of the California coast, and we have been privileged to dine in many wonderful restaurants here, but Cusp is the first I have taken the time to review. Cusp combines truly special, interesting, delicious food with a stunning lounge/bar/restaurant space (on the top floor of the Hotel La Jolla, La Jolla's Kimpton) and a priceless ocean view (unobstructed from all parts of the space -- no need to angle for a "good" table or booth). If I lived in this area, I would be a regular at Cusp. To focus on the food: Wow! Even our jaded Manhattan palates thrilled to the amazing dinner we enjoyed last night. There are four in our travel party, and we all shared every dish equally, as is our practice in a restaurant new to us. I can honestly report that there is not one dish I sampled that I would not order again with happy anticipation. A few special highlights: the super-fresh oysters; the heirloom tomato/burrata appetizer; all three of our a la carte side dishes (three for $15 -- and while I usually hate it when restaurants charge separately for side dishes, this was actually a great value, in my opinion -- especially given Cusp's portion sizes, which are quite generous for a restaurant of its type) (btw, our favorite side dishes: the Brussels sprouts with pancetta and the green gnocchi dish); the crisp-crusted halibut; the meltingly tender wine-braised short ribs; and the wonderfully moist chicken breast (boneless but with wonderfully crisped skin) stuffed with prosciutto and fontina. My only (very minor) quibble: the other wise delectable rolls (warm, aromatic and clearly freshly baked) were too salty for my palate. Having over-indulged a bit on the savory dishes, I skipped dessert, but my husband (an international business traveler with a passion for good food) tells me that the chocolate caramel panna cotta was "world-class." As for the service, it was prompt and attentive without being intrusive. We were especially impressed that the manager stepped in for our waiter for a time when the waiter was (understandably) monopolized by a large party.

The view and decor is stunning and I love the couples tables against the windows. The food was excellent as was the service. Would definitely return here when back in San Diego.

Delicious food, amazing view and super staff. Smooth jazz playing in the backyard. It's such a wonderful experience. 11th floor and you feel you're in paradise

I went to Cusp last night for the first time for a belated birthday celebration with three girlfriends. Loved the ambiance, but the seating was a little off… We had reservations and asked for a booth, but apparently they were all reserved (for someone else??). We were seated at a table next to the kitchen, very loud, then moved to a table by a curtained off area, which was fine, but there was a weird draft and no one could figure out where it was coming from??? Anyhow… the staff tried to figure it out and we just kept our jackets on. Our waitress was lovely and super helpful. We were excited for the lobster special and put in our orders… she came back to tell us they had run out. We were a little bummed, but understood the deal. There were a lot of other lovely options on the menu. We tried both the beet and the pear salads and they were delicious. I had the sea bass which was fabulous and I would definitely recommend it. The ladies also loved the salmon. We had the chocolate raspberry mousse and the apple fritter for dessert -- the apple fritter is a must have, it was absolutely stunning. I will go back to Cusp for sure. Next time I'll bring the hubby, sit closer to the bar area, by the window and go a little earlier for the sunset and the lobster!

Outstanding breakfast coupled with a beautiful view combined with excellent service makes for the perfect way to start the day. Although I've not yet tried the dinner menu, I imagine it's just as good as the breakfast and the venue quite romantic.

Dinner was amazing. Fabulous views and the lamp chops were delicious. Dined every morning for breakfast. So many great choices and the coffee is fresh. You will love it.

We did not dine there on NYE, but we did have dinner two nights and breakfast one morning. The food and service was average. The restaurant was freezing(from the cold weather outside)....making it uncomfortable to eat.

Had sunset dinner here tonight. Shared a wonderful beet salad. Dinner was the sea bass special and the scallop menu item with Sea bass substituted for scallops. All delicious. Desert was pavlova deconstructed... pastry chef should know the difference between a hard meringue and a pavlova meringue and change the ration to lemon curd. Way to much curd for the meringue and fruit. Each component was delicious in itself, just not ratios... best of all was our server, Steve, A true California boy who runs a surf school (red tent, Mission Bay) during the week and works at Cusp Friday and Saturday nights. He was attentive, fun and knew how to take care of us.. Thank you, Steve...

While visiting San Diego for a conference, local friends recommended we go to Cusp for dinner. It was a sensational experience all around! The views from this 11th floor restaurant and bar were outstanding, especially during sunset. The food and wine, while very pricey, were also outstanding. I had the baby beet salad and the Ono for my main course, and we shared the delicious s'mores dessert, a unique concoction. Highly recommended.

Dined here this evening for the first time. Service was super friendly and attentive. Food was enjoyable as well. The view is stunning from every angle. Would recommend for a nice evening out. Thank you!

Great view and great overall experience. Good happy hour prices and and a cheerful and engaging staff. We had several of the appetizers and were impressed with the quality and affordability of the selections. Great views and a wonderful experience.

Was looking for a burger and a view and Cusp delivered. Sat at the bar and the bartender was sweet and helpful. Burger was good, a little heavy on the special sauce and the fries could’ve been hotter and a better variety, but it was worth the stop.