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VAGA Restaurant & Bar Encinitas Tripadvisor Reviews
Latest Reviews On Tripadvisor
20 Reviews
0 Replys |
Avoid
The summary: Avoid this place The food: Frankly too expensive for what you are getting. The flavors were about what I would expect from a restaurant at half the price. Some things were good (scallops & short rib appetizer), much of it was meh TBH. Service was fine but not noteworthy. Clearly paying for the views which are admittedly beautiful. The experience: Where I had the most difficulty was purchasing and using a gift card. When i went to get it, the person who I worked with clearly had never done one before. It was about 45 minutes from the time she started until the time I left (with very low confidence it was done correctly). Gifted it to a friend with who we went to the restaurant. Lo and behold, the gift card had a zero balance on it - embarrassing to be honest but I guess it happens. Of course, this becomes my problem as no one at the restaurant could do anything about it. Two phone calls and three emails later over the course of a week (first two of which went unanswered despite my knowing they were received), I am not one step closer to getting my refund despite providing the receipt (which I kept thank god) and being told it would be taken care of. If I wasn't pursuing this, I guarantee they would do nothing. The conclusion: If the mediocre food wasn't enough to prevent me from going back, the total lack of ownership and apologizing for the frustrating experience despite STILL not having done a single thing to resolve the issue means I'll NEVER go back. Most supposedly high end places would at least do something like 'We feel terrible, please come back and we'll comp you drinks'. I can't even get my money back yet. Obviously, they are reliant on the tourism trade and could not care less about having local support. Good luck to them.
Be the first to ReplyBeautiful contemporary restaurant and bar in Encinitas with great views
This restaurant is very stylish with great views and the food was delicious! It doesn't feel like a hotel restaurant. The bar is also really nice! Great cocktails.
Be the first to ReplyThe Vega Restaurant at coast highway and La Costa boulevard. The best kept secret in North County Coastal.
The Vega restaurant at the top of this lovely hotel on the beach is, luckily for me, the best-kept secret in all of San Diego County. From the fabulous views (from every table) to the food (very affordable), this is one fantastic restaurant. I can't say enough about it. I would almost not write this review because I like it like it is! No crowds. No waiting. Crazy beautiful. Fabulous food, and the prices. You'd pay $50.00 a plate for less in La Jolla or San Diego and have to wait for a table. It's half that price or less at Vega! Unreal. This is my go-to restaurant now. I will eat out nowhere else!
Be the first to ReplyExcellent food. Mediocre service. Stunning views.
Group of 5 with reservations. Our server was very knowledgable about the food and wine, but had horrible timing. We were seated for 10-15 minutes before getting water. Wine order took far too long. We had to track him down to take our entree orders. They weren’t too busy, so perhaps just understaffed. The warm bread and butter were totally worth the carbs. Seared scallops were perfectly cooked. Short rib dish was divine. Crispy pork Milanesa was a uniquely delicious take on schnitzel. Risotto was yummy and plentiful.
Be the first to ReplyGood food, uneven service.
Visited mid afternoon on a Saturday. Have eaten here several times previously. Menu on weekend was advertised as brunch, but nevertheless it surprised me as the entree items were about 2:1 breakfast:lunch and none of the lunch choices were particularly adventurous. We ended up with quiche and smoked chorizo tacos. Both dishes were good, quiche was fluffy, but a bit bland and under seasoned for my taste. Chorizo tacos were quite good, VAGA does smoked meat well. Wine and drink list were OK, a bit pricy in my opinion. Food at VAGA is quite good, but every visit we have had there the service does not meet the level of professionalism of the kitchen. Had a reservation, only 2 or 3 tables inside had guests, still waited for table. As guests arrived they put everyone side by side at the back end of the restaurant. No privacy. Large loud group of about 16 arrived and they put them in the middle of the guests in the back of the restaurant when the remainder of the room was empty. Delivery and removal of plates, glasses etc was chaotic. Nothing personable,charming, informed or attentive with table service. Not bad service, just average when it should be better here. Training and supervision issue.
Be the first to ReplyI wanted to love this place but couldn’t manage it
The bar called to us because if its chic decor and pleasant view of the ocean. So far so good. My friend and I each ordered one drink— and neither was very good. Watery, and I don’t really complain about that, but these were disappointing. Then come the appetizers—quiche and a lobster salad. The lobster was a bit too cold when served and was part of an unremarkable salad that even included a couple shrimp (scandalous). The quiche was fine but nothing amazing. What was amazing was the price: $100 got this. Way too much. I’d wanted this to be my chic spot for a special cocktail hour but it disappoints.
Be the first to ReplySO disappointing
We came back to the VAGA restaurant for a second time and I was really sad with our experience. First of all, I booked a table for my husband and I for our 1st wedding anniversary. We arrived at time and the hostess was kind of confused and still deciding about which table we would seat. I mean… I’ve worked with hospitality and this is unacceptable. As I request a good table + special occasion. The restaurant was empty, but we surely felt not special at all. Then, we ordered an entree called “Crudo”. Worst dish that I’ve ever ate. The tuna was simply without any flavor. The portion was ridiculously small and… honestly, I have no words for it. We well already without expectation for the main dishes. I had a fish and my husband ordered the wagyu. For a restaurant that wants to have a high standard cuisine, it was really “ok”. At the desert, I was hoping for a little surprise, as I was celebrating our wedding anniversary. Not even an ice cream. That’s not how you treat your clientele. I don’t mind paying for good food, we went there for it but everything was overpriced. We fell really disappointed and won’t come back. I highly recommend for the hotel management to review your standards.
Be the first to ReplyWhen I’m search of new food ventures
Exquisite food … very original … a good place to go when you’re looking for something new … the vibe is amazing and the staff are very kind. Love the vibe on the weekend with the dj there
Be the first to ReplyDinner
We had an amazing evening with the entire team of Vaga Restaurant from Mildred, Yadira and Wellington taking care of our delicious food and pesonalised Armenian cocktails .
Be the first to ReplyPretentious and Chic Work in Progress
We were eager to try this place, partly because we were interested in checking out this new hotel that had just opened when we visited a year ago. San Diego/Carlsbad is now in our regular vacation rotation. The "welcome" at the host stand nearly killed it at the start. No matter how chic the place, I'd rather feel welcomed than a sense of pretentious exclusivity more associated with New York or LA. We were told offhandedly it would be an hour wait for the outside table we had requested. (Later saw that two became available in 15 minutes.) When we said that we'd eat inside, we were told without prompting that we would get a table by the window and then walked to a table that wasn't. When I asked if they could clear off an empty adjoining window table so we could sit there, she said it would be a 10-minute wait because they are "short staffed." The short staffed excuse is something we've all learned to take into account but just lame at a restaurant offering up $75 entrees. In well-run restaurants, the host staff pitches in but it clearly didn't occur to her. Fortunately, the waitress was absolutely terrific. She was highly knowledgeable about the entire menu and had that great combination of being helpful and welcoming without being around too much all at the same time. The man assisting her also did a great job with good cheer. The one minor problem she solved without us even asking. Lovely, talented person who any restaurant should be proud to employ. (One food slip up that wasn't her fault: somehow the wrong entree was originally brought to the table but that was quickly fixed. Not a big deal.) The food was a mixed bag. We really enjoyed the brisket buns (kind of like a brisket taco but with Asian style buns instead). The octopus carnitas got a "meh" response. The octopus was well cooked and high quality. The tortillas were yummy. But somehow the dish just didn't really work or pack the flavor you associate with carnitas. The tuna crudo was solid but perhaps a bit small. We liked the papardelle with scallops special. The pasta was very good though the overall impression was good rather than memorable. The best part of the chocolate bombe desert was the delicious crunchy part on the edge--great texture and flavor. Mousse was also tasty but the tahini layer didn't work well for me. Maybe I'm a simple guy but it felt like too much going on here. The little caramel bonbons with the check were scrumptious. The building's architecture is a real feature. It sort of oddly overlooks a mixture of the road, the beach and the ocean. Tables are set up to face the ocean but you also discover that diners facing towards it get blinded in the pre-sunset hour. The space is gorgeous but really good architecture is functional as well as attractive. But I managed alright wearing sunglasses and the staff worked to hit the balance between open windows and protecting the customers with blinds. The bar seemed like a good place to see and be seen and enjoy a good cocktail during the sunset. The $14 valet parking (discounted because we ate there!) fee we paid on the way out seemed like a steal (from our pockets, not price wise). You don't have an option because the hotel's awkward placement on the property means that you have to use it. So it's a mixed bag and feels like a work in progress. But we quietly decided that we probably wouldn't stay here based on our visit.
Be the first to ReplyNice views and great service
Well I kind of already did a review on the whole hotel that captured the food from Vaga. It is a very nice place to eat and I recommend booking in advance. Last year we stayed at the property and had a dinner service there and it had a romantic vibe to it. This year with our kid traveling with us we only did room service either way every time the food was great. We have basically had everything on the menu. We loved the brisket buns and octopus carnitas
Be the first to ReplyIncredible all around
Incredible view, service is an A+ and the food was excellent. The view from the outdoor bar is spectacular. Everyone from the hostess stand to bartender to waiter make you feel so welcome.
Be the first to ReplyGreat food and setting, service OK.
After a great lunch, returned for dinner a couple weeks later. Ordered tartare , yellowfin, scallops and octopus. All very good and well prepared, but quite frankly I thought the lunch menu and portions were better. Wine by the glass was not as extensive as I had hoped. We had a nice table outside with a great view of the sunset and an overhead heat lamp that was perfect. Food and atmosphere was quite good, but as was the case on our previous visit, I found the service lacking. Our waitress was pleasant enough, but there seemed to be a lack of training on how to serve in a fine dining establishment like this. For a normal hotel’s restaurant it would be fine, but it just seemed clumsy and awkward for this place. There were several guys in sport jackets hanging around the welcome station, managers of some variety I assume, none of which came around to check on us, our satisfaction with the food or our experience. Upgrade needed in this regard in my opinion.
Be the first to ReplyWonderful view and service
Stopped by looking for a beach view and some drinks...their choices are wonderful and the service is spot on!! Looking forward to coming back with friends
Be the first to ReplySuperb, well crafted meals.
Extremely well prepared meals, great combination of fresh, well seasoned tastes. True fusion. Some unusual ingrediants that worked very well, like smoked lamb and kabocha squash. Excellent dessert that really was like another complementary course, not too sweet or overwhelming., Good choice of beverages. Service was cordial, but not refined and not up to the standard of the food.
Be the first to ReplyOutstanding Coastal Dining
Stayed at Alila Marea with a dinner reservation at Vaga to commemorate a wedding anniversary, and was treated to a lovely meal. We arrived early to kick the night of with some cocktails next to the firepits on the outdoor deck and caught the sun setting over the Pacific, the views were immaculate (especially from the lounge chairs on the grass porch). Our waiter Hector greeted us upon being seated outside, and helped us navigate the menu by pointing out favorite dishes and the perfect wine bottle pairing for our culinary journey. We started the meal off with the recommended tartare, which was divine and a standout dish of the meal. The yellowtail crudo was also very flavorful along with the brisket buns that were great albeit a bit filling. Main courses were seared seabass and scallops, which lived up to their lofty expectations. For dessert, we went on opposite sides of the spectrum with the lemon melon dish that was fresh, and the chocolate bomb was rich and decadent. All in all, the food, service, and ambiance made for a fantastic culinary experience.
Be the first to ReplyMemorable experience
Not only did the 3 generations of my family enjoy the restaurant immensely, but we were amazed at the gorgeous setting and view. While we were enjoying pre-dinner drinks out on the deck, my grandchildren walked down the outside stairs to get a better view of the dolphins that were swimming by. The food and beverages were all delicious, and the service couldn't have been more attentive. We were given a lovely table that was a little private, but not isolated from the rest of the room.
Be the first to Replypretty amazing
It was all good, from the parking attendants, the hostess, the server, the view, and the amazing food: warm bread, yellowtail, avocado salad, octopus and lamb.
Be the first to ReplyDisappointing
My husband and I are staying in Carlsbad for a few months and met another couple in the rooftop bar for drinks at 5. The spacious outdoor space was essentially empty, but we were told we could not be seated there without reservations. The space remained empty as we had a few very expensive drinks inside over the next hour. The servers were good, but the hostess and the manager were clueless and ultimately rude. We would not return.
Be the first to ReplyNice Interio Lots and Ups and Downs
VAGA is an upscale Spanish influence Spanish restaurant that is located in the new Alila Marea Beach Resort. Having a conversation with both the Hotel GM and VAGA Manager they shared we would have a nice table for two celebrating our Anniversary. VAGA is independent and not owned by the Resort.
PROS:
-The young lad who served the water and set-ups was extremely personable as was our waiter who was a pro who knew all details pertaining to the menu..
-Manhattan cocktail & replaced Vodka cocktail perfect
-Bagna Caudo Clams enjoyable though a small amount
-Lamb cooked perfect with unique sides
CONS:
-Arriving the Hostess was confused when we shared there may be a notation on our reservation by the two Managers. There was not notation and evident she did not recognize their names especially the VAGA's Restaurant Manager's name.
-Another hostess sat us at a table near the open kitchen & next to a support column. We asked to change to another table which didn't go over well.
She said we are fully booked but you can sit at the table by the door leading to the patio that viewed the entire interior of the restaurant - a very nice table. Not off to a welcoming start.
-While sitting us she shared it was our lucky night since the Executive Chef (Claudette Zepada) was cooking. Did this mean it will be better - a strange comment.
-Restaurant Manager stood mostly at the open kitchen. Would be nice to roam around the restaurant checking on his diners.
-The entire time we dined - many tables remained empty not fully booked as stated.
-Cocktails service slow - one cocktail not correct.
-Yellowtail Crudo was disappointing not as expected & warm, no fermented pineapple, the spicy black garlic sauce was the best.
-Baja Sea Bass was a bit overcooked lacking sauce
-Just didn't seem like a happy place. Most staff, based on observations, didn't seem to be on-board. Lots of straight faces rarely seeing a smile.
Having a well known Executive Chef cooking, you would think there would be a spark in the staff and near perfect dishes. Too costly especially since there wasn't anything to rave about or a outstanding dish that you would crave.