The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar Reviews

This is a fancy type of restaurant where they dote on you throughout the meal. First observations were we reserved through Open Table hoping we could sit in the outdoor wine bar but before we could ask if we could sit there we were whisked away promptly to the outdoor restaurant dining patio. (Probably can’t reserve seating at wine bar). No drink menu was provided for about ten minutes. This was unusual as that’s the first thing most patrons order! Then after we ordered a bottle of white wine it took awhile to arrive. The server who brought it said he’d be right back with a wine chiller (it was 80 degrees outside). He never returned. The person who brought our food then said he would bring a chiller but didn’t. We finally asked our waiter & he said they don’t normally provide a chiller unless you ask for it. We said that the server who brought the wine said he WOULD bring one! So he requested one & finally it was delivered. Quite opposite of what our waiter told us, we have NEVER been to ANY restaurant and ordered a bottle of white wine and not have a wine bottle chiller automatically provided with the wine!!!! They also charged us a $5.00-7.95 split plate charge which I felt was ridiculous. The waiter apologized saying it was not his decision but management’s policy. Another gentleman made the rounds offering to refill our wine glasses chatting briefly w/us & then as he parted said, “thank you for visiting my restaurant!” Nice touch. The food was ok. Personally, I prefer the wine bar as I have been there 2-3x before. Much more relaxed atmosphere & gr8 place for an informal drink w/appetizers.

Comfortable ambience, great service, and excellent food. A friend and I enjoyed a delightful hour plus catching up. The restaurant is also superb, based on a visit several months ago.

My husband and I were out on date night. We met a friend while enroute to the Winery. We sat at a table on the patio with greenery around us. Lovely table. Next drinks. 2 perfect ones and my friends wine not good but replaced with a perfect one And no complaints on servers part. We ate delicious flat breads But sliders over cooked. I shared my flat bread and everyone happy. As I looked around us I noticed plates we’re emptied Quickly and everyone was having a great time. Two managers, a gentleman and a lady stopped to chat and see how we were enjoying the bill a fare. They made us feel very Special. We have been to this place once before but sat at the bar outside. That was lovely and most enjoyable also. We will definitely recommend The Winery to all and we will be going back also. Enjoy.

We were unenthusiastically greeted hostess. She asked if we had a reservation. We didn’t and asked if we could get a table for three and mentioned that we were celebrating an occasion. The hostess seemed annoyed we didn’t have a reservation even though the restaurant was not busy and were easily seated. She simply said “congratulations” to our mention of a celebration but didn’t inquire as to what we were celebrating. Did not seem very interested or genuine. Our food was average as was our server. I would recommend Larsen’s over this restaurant.

So here you are in a shopping mall in a remote concrete suburb almost ten miles from La Jolla cove. Would you pay $70 for a bottle of wine? - How about doubling it? The whole set-up would be more at home in Mayfair or Park Avenue. OK, there were high class waiting staff, but frankly I would have preferred to eat good food at half these prices.

Great ambiance. We ordered from the "share" menu. The charcuterie platter and signature "Alsacian" pizza. Loved the pizza! Gruyere Cheese, bacon, creme fraiche. Awesome. Will definitely return next time we are in La Jolla with more time to linger and try other menu items and delve into the wine list.

Many thanks to all who made our dinner so enjoyable. This was our first visit, but will not be our last. Our meal, salad (very fresh) and sea bass were excellently prepared. Our wine, which was presented by the sommelier, was exquisite. There are many wine choices, by the bottle and by the glass. Our wait staff was excellent. Highly recommend!

With pleasure I invited a business associate to go to dinner at the Winery. The food was exellent but he service was better. Dakota took great care with patience and service. My business associate an I were able to hang out and were not rushed to prepare up for another sitting. Our steaks, salmon, and crab were excellent, William stopped by on a few ocassions and "Cha" was a superb host. Intend to visit again soon.

Shopping this mall is always a good experience, especially when you combine it with good restaurants like The winery. They have a pretty good selection of wines and an excellent menu. I had been to this restaurant many times and always it has been a very good meal.

This new restaurant to Westfield mall is an excellent addition. Last Wednesday night we were amazed that almost every table was taken. Our waiter Dakota was terrific, helpful, attentive and knowledgeable, listening to our requests. We started with a bottle of wine listed by glass on the menu. My husband and I share an exemplary Caesar, perfectly seasoned. Others have the flat breads, one mushroom and blue cheese, which are quickly devoured. Our mains are a spicy mahi- mahi which is a touch salty but likely it is the spice I’m tasting. Dakota reports it’s a fav. Others at the table order duck two ways and are equally complimentary. Another has the fish soup!commenting on the freshness and variety of tasty fish offerings. Two share the cobbler for desert. It is large, hot and packed with berries. The other two have the cheesecake - which is very good, creamy but not exemptional. It is a great meal, made all the sweeter when Greg, the manager comes by and personally introduces himself. He really seems to care and we appreciate the courtesy. Although the food is first class and expensive, the atmosphere sophisticated and chic, the staff are remarkable. Hopefully that standard will continue. In spite of being located in the mall, the new restaurants which include The Winery are secluded into a corner and outside are trees lit with lights by fountains so one might imagine being on a private street. Very fine planning by the architect . Kudos.

One of my fav places in San Diego. The bar tender is extremely nice and makes great cocktails. The food was delicious and the host was very kind. They made the evening very special and we will definitely visit again.

Our family thoroughly enjoys dining at the Winery (UTC). The food never fails to impress us, and Savannah's exceptional service is a major reason why we keep returning. She has a warm and inviting personality that makes you feel right at home. Savannah goes above and beyond to ensure that your experience is nothing short of extraordinary.

This was the absolute worst dining experience that I can remember. I made a 3:00 pm reservation on a weekday to grab a late lunch for four people on the way from North County to San Diego Airport. We placed our orders by 3:10 and at 3:45 oh food (three salads and a veggie burger) had still not come, and no servers in sight. As were running short on time I considered leaving a $5.00 bill for the one Arnold Palmer that had been delivered, and just leaving. Instead, I went inside from the patio where we were sitting and was able to stop a waitress (not ours) as she was leaving the kitchen. I told her we had been waiting more than 35 minutes for our food and asked how much longer it might be. She said she would find our server and ask. About five minutes later our food came out with no explanation or apology. As my granddaughter started to eat her Caesar salad with shrimp she noticed some kind of bugs moving around in the lettuce. Yes - bugs!! So we sent it back. The waiter came out a few minutes later and said they wouldn’t charge us for the salad. Gee thanks. My wife’s veggie burger was a tasteless glob of mush. The $12.00 chicken addition to my B. O. B. salad was a tiny piece of breast meat, hardly worth a fraction of the cost. We had a great dinner there once but I’m now convinced that this place overpriced, pretentious, poorly run, and does not care at all about serving their customers. Will never go back.

What a waste of money for the owners!! Bad service bad food bad attitude, first time in my life ( and I eat or dine out almost every day) that I leave a 0.00 tip , I hope this was an exception and not the rule

For my pre-theater bite I tried something new the Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar at UTC La Jolla. I had no idea that the expansion of University Town Center had turned it into a fine dining destination. My server Thomas (Tommy) was outstanding keeping me fed and watered knowing what to bring and when and offering great suggestions to enhance my dining experience. Tommy rattled off an extensive list of the evening specials that had me reeling. I started with a dirty Tito's and Prosciutto Wrapped Wild White Shrimp over wild mushroom English pea risotto with champagne and chive butter. This had incredible depth of flavor and the crispy prosciutto, tender shrimp and creamy risotto were the perfect combination. I then ordered one of the specials, the Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras with organic strawberry-cipollini onion ragout, pancetta bits, a strawberry scone and dark balsamic reduction. I always love a chef's creative preparation/presentation of foie gras and this was one of the best. I had chosen with Tommy's recommendation of a wine to pair with it, the Foley Estates Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills which was perfect. Another member of the staff found out I was having the foie gras had me try the Ben Ryé 2016 Passito di Pantelleria by Donnafugata. It is described as having “a rich bouquet with aromas obtained from the dried grapes, apricots and candied orange peel.” Well he was right the pairing knocked an already incredible foie gras out of the park.

Beautiful setting, breezy outdoor dining - wonderful food and beverages. I started with an Aperol Spritz which was sensational. My favorite food is the Short Rib Hash with two fried eggs. My friends had a Grilled Chicken Sandwich - with avocado and mozzarella and the Smoked Bacon & Egg Pizza. All very delicious and yummy. Highly recommended for upscale casual dining.

We have been here before and return when we can because it is so inviting, food is great as is the service especially at the Bar. I had the Heirloom Tomato Buratta salad and my wife had the House Salad. Both were excellent, full of freshness and tasted right out of the garden. The fresh baked hot bread and a try of special multi flavored salt made all a fun lunch. Especially with the great bottle of Chardonnay. Prices are good for what you get. Britt was our server at the Bar and she was great. Enjoy the views, ultra wide screen TV's and the incredible , no other like it Bar in the World. This is a must see item, especially at night. Enjoy

This place is located in the UTC Mall. They offer 2 hour free parking in the garage. We went here for happy hour. They offer a decent list of apps for $8.50 each, as well as drinks. Service was great. There is indoor and outdoor seating at the bar.

I used to go to this restaurant. Food is consistently getting worse. Today was the worst dining experience I had in a long time. Entire food was burned. We ordered shrimp risotto, ahi poke, chicken sandwich, and tacos. Terrible!!! 1) Tuna in ahi poke tasted like rotten fish. Usually, tuna tastes like that only when it is not fresh.; 2) Grilled chicken was dry and over-burned; 3) Risotto was fine but shrimp were burned too to the point that it was impossible to eat. So, my wife left them on her plate. Is it only us? No. At the neighboring table lady ordered same risotto too and also did not eat shrimp. 4) Mahi-mahi in tacos was burned too. Seriously, I have two questions: a) If you charge such premium price, can you afford average cook? Or if it is brunch time, any waiter can cook? Is this it? I doubt that any minimally trained cook could prepare such terribly tasing food. I can cook better myself, and I am pharmaceutical executive. b) If you are located on the mall, do the owners think they can still charge huge amount and yet not hire even average cook?? c) Doesn't waiter see that the food is burned?? My recommendation: go to True food across the court: it is much tastier, fresher, service is much friendlier and cheaper. Yaiks! We paid with tip $115 and barely ate anything. Terrible.

The restaurant is located in the large Westfield Shopping Mall and the dining experience was not unlike visiting the mall; not unpleasant but nothing special. The server seemed to be more interested in the sporting event being televised in the bar than in serving the few patrons in the restaurant and while the food wasn't bad, it did not exceed average. But true to its name, there is a good selection of wines.

Well we went out for brunch and decided to give it a go. Food was really good. Service was excellent. UTC has free parking as well. Prices are up there.

I recently dined at The Winery, an upscale restaurant in La Jolla located in a mall. The restaurant is single large open room, although there might be private rooms as well. The decor is upscale, clean and modern. The menu is not incredibly creative, but nicely serviceable for everyone to find something they like. I had the duck at it was well prepared and presented. The wine list is excellent and not extensively marked up. My group had a few wines but an older Brunello was the wine of the night. I was happy to see that it wasn’t exclusively California wines on the list, although they had a good selection. Lots of options in La Jolla and I’d say this one is good for a quicker business dinner or lunch, but if you want to impress a new date or celebrate something special - look elsewhere.

We had lunch for 4 people Sunday and we arrived at noon. The place was empty except for another table. We ordered and it took 1 hour to receive food. We had to flag down the waiter. The food arrived cold. Soup was only warm not hot. Two salads and two sandwiches were ordered. Why we waited so long never got answered. They weren't busy. Short rib and turkey sandwich were not good. We maybe go back to try dinner but will not return for lunch. We were there for 2 hours for this kind of food and service.

The winery is inside the upgraded UTC shopping center. It is quite spacious and they have a seperate wine bar. They have outside seating area and a bar area that you can eat in also. The food is pretty good but not great. Staff is friendly. So pretty good restaurant but a bit expensive to me. I would go again but probably not make a special effort to do so

Nice restaurant within the premises of UTC La Jolla, but aside from the crowds. Good for hamburgers and steaks. Excellent martinis.

My husband and I had lunch here last weekend. This is a very nice restaurant in UTC on La Jolla Viillage Drive. We were seated right away. Our waiter was attentive and efficient. We ordered an Iced Tea, Basic Lemon Drop Martini, Petite Filet Mignon, Calamari, Seared Ahi Tuna, and a glass of white wine. I asked for my filet butterflied/well done. When I was served my lunch, the filet was under cooked..when I pressed the meat with a fork...a little blood ran out..so I requested for it to be cooked more. I also asked for a second martini and the waiter said the restaurant would take care of it due to their mistake...(thank you)...The second time the waiter returned the steak..it was way over done. I was too uncomfortable to say I thought the steak was practically burnt...so..I ate it (seemed more of burned carne asada) than a Filet Mignon. The steak did have a good cabernet reduction sauce...however, I was curious about the peppercorn sauce (quite delicious)...Overall, I was disappointed with my meal. I should mention it comes with a side of pommes frites. I asked for a baked potato instead or mashed potatoes..the waiter explained those sides only come with dinner...I would not order this entree again during lunch...maybe during dinner when they have the sides that I prefer..and hopefully next time my steak will not have extreme textures. On a positive note-my husband enjoyed his lunch. Total was 124.00 plus change.

I have been here for lunch three or four times and the food, service and environment has always been exceptional. But it’s the dinner last night that we hosted for8 business colleagues and clients that really blew my mind. First, the wine list is very good and fairly priced, with some great high-quality options at reasonable prices. To start we shared three platters of oysters and flat bread. Each guest entrée was fantastic. I had a bite of one of my business partners Buffalo and it was tasty and perfectly cooked. I had the honey glazed Tomahawk pork chop and it was exceptional and one of the best I can ever remember having— perfectly cooked and glaze was an exceptional accompaniment. A few of the guests had the white shrimp and scallop entrée, which is beautifully presented as represented on their website— every entrée was a feast for the eyes! For dessert I had a crème brûlée which was absolutely delicious, and worth every calorie. Hats off also to the waiters and service staff, who were attentive, efficient and extremely knowledgeable. While rumor had it that the initial opening was a little bumpy, The Winery has pulled it all together and is doing an exceptional job delivering on all fronts.

Located in the remodeled University Town Center, it is a nice place to have a drink or dinner. The menu had a nice choice of meats, pasta and fish. The salad and appetizer choices were good. The food we had was good, but not outstanding. The wine menu was pretty good.

Excellent wine selection both by the glass or bottle. Calamari was not good - served like uncrisp French fry sticks rather than tubes and tentacles. Next were main courses: duck confit was dry, skin was not crisp and lacked flavor. Branzino was cooked perfectly but brought down by being served on a bed of bland pasta with uncooked butternut squash shavings which added texture but no flavor. Too bad because staff were very nice and professional.

Stopped in for lunch with a friend. The staff is awesome! They will make great recommendations for you if you don’t know what you like. We went during the week it was pretty quiet. The tuna appetizer is very good and the paella is the bomb! Just enough kick.

Initially I was concerned that the only tables available were on the patio. Although it is still San Diego, evenings can be a little frosty. We were given a quiet table near the edge of the patio, the heater was excellent and the temperature was not a concern. The service was above reproach and the prepared meal was excellent. Since we asked to split each of the salad, entre, and dessert; there was no issue. We were immensely satisfied at the end of the evening.

We had a late lunch here one weekday and chose it because it seemed a cut above typical fare for what is essentially a shopping mall. It was not crowded and had a small crowd of nicely dressed business people from the surrounding office parks. The service was attentive and professional. The menu was typical for restaurants in this area. We settled on burgers which were excellently prepared. Both were cooked as requested. All add-ons such as cheese, fries or avocado are a la carte at additional cost. We enjoyed our meal but walked away paying over $40 per person for hamburgers and no drinks after tip. I would prefer to be having dinner for those prices, although it is probably unremarkable for La Jolla.

Super cute wine bar in UTC. My girl friend and I came here for happy hour and it was lovely! The atmosphere and vibe is super cool. You can sit inside or outside. We loved catching up at the bar. I ordered a Chardonnay. Super tasty! I will definitely come back!

Wow is all you can say when you walk into this place. The bar is made from large shells cut in half, encased in polyurethane and then smoothed to a silky finish. The lights underneath shine thru. A cool $175,000.! Wine by the glass is excellent as are the prices. Very wide screen tv's, fire pits outside and full open air setting. Excellent choices of seafood etc. We started with a Meat and Cheese plate that was exceptional even enough for the 4 of us with wine. This was our 46th wedding anniversary and had dinner reservations elsewhere. We wanted to try this fairly newly opened place and were pleasantly surprized with all. Our visit will ensure our return next time for dinner too. Bartenders were excellent as was all the service. They also have a small tasting place all to its own about 100 feet from the main restaurant. It too has a fire pit and lots of soft comfy seats/chairs/lounges. Excellent!!!

Outstanding old fashioned; impressive bar menu selection. Tucker and colleagues were very attentive.

A fantastic wine list with some delicious small plates. The staff is top notch and are well versed /very knowledgeable about the wines they serve. The restaurant is elegant and this would be great for an upscale dinner, or just a great get together after work. A great find.

Finally a decent food offering at UTC in La Jolla. I don’t love mall settings for restaurants but finally there are good food options in this part of La Jolla. We sat outside under heat lamps and olive trees. The service was attentive but a little slow, the grouper special was very good. They accommodated my special ordering which I appreciate. The raw bar prices were pretty high but overall a good experience.

we had been here several times, and it is obvious that we had enjoyed it very much but this time the service was very poor, they seemed to be wiped out. maybe next time.

Stopped here for a glass of wine after a movie but the west outdoor patio with fire pits was closed for a private event so we went inside. It was near closing time but the staff still let us order wine and olives. The countertop in the bar was beautiful as was the overall decor. Very nice wine bar!

We did a group meal. We got the ceasar salad, which was good, the pasta with artichoke, also good, and the crem brulee which was excellent. I would go back for the crem brulee.

Great meal; excellent service; a welcome addition to the UTC experience Will definitely return. Really good food ..well prepared. Huge wine list Also has extensive happy hour at the Wine Bar next to the restaurant

Excellent wine list, exceptional service, delicious food, great presentation & abundant ambiance. What more can you ask for to complement a movie &ArcLight and or shopping @UTC & visitors searching for a relaxing destination. Really under appreciated for service & quality, thank you Nicholas@thewinerylajolla.com & team for such a consistently wonderful dining experience. Loved our excellently crafted cocktails. The Halter Ranch Syrah was great w/ my short ribs & my wife loved the Italian white she choose to go with her prosciutto wrapped flounder.

My husband and I have been here before-their charcuterie is pretty good. We had 2 glasses of wine each, trio beef sliders, and of course the charcuterie. Before we left we ordered the cru burger to go and 1 more glass of wine. Total was 138.82 without the tip..we had 2 receipts (long story). Anyhow-I like the ambiance..in the heart of UTC...good splurge..and waitresses are efficient and friendly.

Our server Damien was incredibly new and so knowledgeable about the wine list and the menu, he is a incredible asset to this establishment if he was my employee I would do everything in my power not to lose a valuable person he was kind to the busboy you don’t see that very often, this goes to show you how wonderful of a employee he is.

Came here because it was one of the few places open Monday night. Food and service were excellent. Very good quality ingredients and well prepared. Service was attentive, but not obtrusive. Example: the wine we brought was a bit warm, so the wine steward placed it in the cellar to cool a bit before serving. Very thoughtful, and typical of the service. We thought that the pricing on the food items was quite reasonable, but the bottles of wine were a little steep. Hence, our providing our own cab for dinner. Wines by the glass were also reasonably priced. Overall the nicest dining experience we've had in some years.

The Winery restaurant at UTC La Jolla was our choice for the Christmas Eve dinner with the family this year. First of all it’s easy parking because you have a huge parking structure that is close to the entrance to the restaurant on the level above. Not to mention it is such a nice stroll in the evening through the UTC mall with all of the decor and lights in the olive trees. We had a reservation for six of us and we enjoyed a very nice round table with an excellent waiter. A few of us had the sea bass which was exceptional and and the rest of the group had the cioppino. Great food, great wine and great atmosphere. Make sure that you look at the translucent azure blue stone bar that is backlit. That alone is worth the visit. Absolutely beautiful!

We met up for happy hour in the wine bar. The restaurant itself does not have happy hour, and our goal was to have a couple of hours together over food and drink that were highly enjoyable without spending a ton of money. We sat outdoors and shared several small plates. Everyone’s different drink preferences were readily met with red, rose, champagne and beer. The pork belly lollipops were outstanding. As were the asparagus fries, the cone of French fries, and the buratta melt. But the first was the tastiest. Nice to sit outside at the end of the day, relax, without a noise bombardment as is so often the case.

3 weeks ago we made a reservation, on the recommendation of a friend, for Thanksgiving dinner at The Winery restaurant in La Jolla, San Diego. The reservation was guaranteed for three menus for $75 each, with my credit card. We reached the place on time. 7 min later they let us in. The place was full, both the terrace and the dining room. A brunet woman with glasses took us to a corridor leads to the bathrooms and our table was there along with 2 more tables, which were not tables, but buths whose wall was a large glass that revealed the work in the kitchen. I told her that I didn't like that table, that I had made my reservation well in advance, to which she replied that sge couldn't do anything to change me. After Katie, our waitress, brought my grandson's food, in less than 10 min, I got up from the table asking for the manager to express him, or her my discomfort and ask him for a better table. To my surprise it was the same brunet woman with glasses who gave us the worst table. I explained the situation to her again and her response was very rude. .- "If you want a better table, don't order anything, leave the restaurant, wait outside until we can assign you another table". Pointing her finger out the restaurant, she concluded: .-"all those people were before you." Which was not true. I told her that my grandson was already having dinner and I was not going to get up from the table until they assigned me another one. .-"Well, there you go matter solved" .- The child is eating, there is nothing I can't do", she conclude ourconversation. So, with out a choice, my daughter, my 6 year grandson, and my self had our $ 286.00 Thanksgiving dinner in a lonely corridor next to the bathrooms. Shame on that woman and Shame on the restaurant for having such a terrible person as a manager.

A group of 8 people went to celebrate my birthday (no, I’m saying how old). We arrived and were immediately seated. Drinks were ordered and promptly served. Our waiter was. Dry knowledgeable about the menu and the wine list. (While I can’t recall his name, he’s immediately recognizable by the magnificent handle bar mustache). Several different meals were ordered and arrived quickly. Suffice it to say, all were wonderful and the group was overwhelmed. BTW, the provided a very nice birthday dessert. Will definitely be going back.

We chose the Winery Restaurant when we were visiting our son in La Jolla. When we arrived we were told it would be a 2 hour wait without a reservation but we could grab a table in the bar on a first come first serve basis. A table opened up within 10 minutes and we grabbed it. We were pleased to find that we could order off the full menu in the bar. The food was served promptly even though our server was also bartending. The server was able to offer good suggestions for menu choices as well as wine options, with samples. The place was very full and busy but we never felt rushed or crowded in the bar. All three of our meals were great. Extensive wine list as you could expect from the restaurant's name. Wine prices by the glass seemed high but that seems to be the case in too many restaurants these days. Highly recommended for a special dinner.

Thank you to PABLO for his excellent service and for a great meal. The fruit cobbler was truly incredible. It was a great meal to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Looking for an unusual restaurant and found The Winery & Wine Bar listed online and open for outdoor dining. Very elegant decor and ambience. Valet parking available. Excellent menu selection. Located on the second of a major shopping center but well worth the walk to the restaurant location. My companion made the reservation and entered the incorrect date by one day. Embarrassed about the mistake and customer waiting to enter we were greeted by the owner and told they would try to fit us in. We waited less that 10 minutes before being seated. The management went out of their way to accommodate our mistake. Food was excellent, service was outstanding could not ask for a more enjoyable evening.