The Musts are: Wine flight $10, Cioppino, Cauliflower/Brussel Sprouts with thick pork belly---YUM YUM and more YUM, Osso Bucco. This is the best spot to eat on University when you want to stray away from the Gaslamp, but want to bounce around the Gayborhood bars. Â Vibe is casual and comfortable. You never wait too long for a table, even on a Sat night. Â Wine price points are reasonable, are of great value, and very organized on the menu.
Our server took our dinner to a whole other level. Â If you are a fan of brussel sprouts at Bo Beau, you will find the pimped out version here. Â Our server asked the kitchen to make a 1/2 Cauliflower/Half Brussel Sprouts that just trumped all the other BS in the city. Â As we started with that dish, our dining experience just got better.
We were sitting next to the cute old man in a Searsucker suit who was enjoying the Cioppino. Â I was hesitant to order this dish outside San Francisco, but if Kat can put her name on it, it must be good. Â It was delightful ! Garlic, rich tomato sauce, chopped parsley, shrimp, fish, served with toasted bread. Â All you need is a rainy day to make that dish complete. Â The Carmenere complimented this savory dish. Â
The Osso Bucco was something that Fred Flintstone snacks on. Â It was huge and the tender meat was so moist, you could pick up the bone & the meat would just slide off. Â The sauce was very similar to the Cioppino, but with a richer and spicier flavor. Â The side dish was a rich, sweet, creamy corn risotto which tasted about 2,000 calories per bite. Â It was buttery, rich, and worth every minute on the treadmill the next day.
$1.00 mimosa??? This can't be real.
100 wines was chosen because of its reviews on yelp and its participation in the passport lifestyle cards and boy are we glad we did.
The ambiance here is very hip, but relaxing. Â I enjoy the decor and menu. Â It isn't one of those cookie cutter restaurants, it is very unique and personable.
We got two entrees and two breakfast apps. Â All were delicious. Â I can't quite remember what everyone else ordered, but I got the asparagus with proscuitto, amazing if you aren't too hungry and want to feel that $1.00 mimosa!
We also got apple fritters, a wonderful brunch dessert, if we are supposed to even have that.
I would definitely recommend this place and I will be back!
We walked in here at 9:30 and they didn't give us a hassle about seating us and serving us food even though it was getting close to closing time (I didn't realize this til we sat down and were eating).
I like the rustic/urban/repurposed ambience and furniture. Great wine selection ranging from good to better to best.
I split the burrata cheese appetizer with my husband. It was a little weird because it was served with bitter greens - but still good. They brought more bread when we ran out.
The service was great.
Great date spot. A little bit to upscale for us, but I definitely recommend for people that like to indulge in interesting upscale food and great wine.
It was pretty crowded when we got there, so if you go at dinner time - make a reservation.
crispy cauliflower...
duck confit poutine....
bacon fig pizza...
such was the combination of my first dinner outing at 100 wines. such a rich and ambition ordering combination of pork ingredients! shared between 3 people it worked, but good god dont try to eat all 3 of those alone!
i admit, we could have skipped the pizza...by the time it arrived my hunger eyes had subsided and it was less desirable, and probably the weakest link of the 3 items (but i say that VERY loosely as it was delicious too). if you have never been here, i highly recommend getting either (or both of) the cauliflower and poutine - just remember to leave your diet restrictions at home! otherwise you will feel guilty rather than happily intoxicated by the wonderful indulgence of these creations.
i loved the way the cauliflower, pancetta and parmesan freely pour out of the mason jar and onto the serving board. its very unique presentation in a rustic and comforting way.
the duck confit poutine doesnt have to orchestrate any fancy presentation one bit. that baby is so packed full of creamy and rich flavors you dont even have to look at it to fully appreciate it. in fact, i recommend closing your eyes for the first few bites - pretty sure a smile will form on your face.
the bacon and fig pizza was a wonderful juxtaposition of sweet and savory that i highly appreciate in flatbread style pizza. but this item would be well paired with a salad instead of the poutine (and this was the suggestion of our server that we didnt take up!).
there is a selection of $20 & $30 bottles of wine that are nice options when sharing with a few people. you dont really save a ton compared to the by glass price but it makes life simpler.
all in all, another winner by the cohn restaurant group... i love all their restaurants. great food, great service, and wonderful atmosphere.
ps, i am in love with the decoupage bathroom doors! such a creation solution to the standard general bathroom doors with gender icons. they are warm and inviting - art in itself!
My gf and I went there for dinner and we both LOVED it! Â We started with the fried green tomato butter salad and goat cheese which was plenty to split. It was delicious! Â We did ask for light dressing which was plenty. Â We each ordered entrees' with the intention of splitting them. The brown butter seared scallops with white beans & hazelnuts was to die for! Â Even though we opted for no bacon the combo of flavors was delicious! Â The Freeform Ravioli with pecorino, pear, mozzarella, butter sage sauce was a little bland on its own. But once you took a bite of it with the mixed greens & blackberries it definitely took it up a notch. We both agreed we would order everything again.
The service pretty good. We were greeted promptly and he was helpful when we asked questions.. We also didn't need to "find" our waiter, he stopped by often enough but not so much as it interfered with us catching up. Â We will definitely go back again!
My fiance and I discovered 100 wines during restaurant week 2013. We both enjoy the European old farmhouse feel shared by the COHN establishments around San Diego. 100 Wines has the Hillcrest trendy feel to it with an affordable great wine list. Â I was blown away by the $20.00 bottle of red Multupilciano and others I've had.
Now here's the downside. Service! Their are a few of the younger "hipster" long hair servers working at 100 wines that need to go back to server school to learn how to at least be suggestive about the wines and specials listed on the menus or chalkboards. One thing we have learned from dining at 100 Wines is avoid the entree orders and stick with 2-3 starters as the portions and taste of far more superior to the entrees. A bottle of red and a few morsels from the starter menu, a few chatty friends and this place is great!
Now please try this place as it's a gem in the heart of Hillcrest otherwise..
I'm absolutely in love with 100 Wines. I can't believe that it had taken me nearly six months to return to this restaurant after my initial experience back in January at a Yelp event. Needless to say, after my dinner there last week, I think 100 Wines may be my new favorite restaurant in Hillcrest. Really.
Dropped in, without reservations, at around 7:30pm or so on a Friday. Luckily, we were seated right away. It was perfect timing because by the time we left the place was packed to capacity. The space, itself, is lovely and inviting. The dining room is rather narrow and elongated, and ultimately extends to an outdoor rear patio. There is also a smaller patio out front for dining, too.
The menu is tantalizing, but after much agonizing, we decided upon:
* DUCK CONFIT POUTINE ($13.50). Spectacular. One of the richest poutine dishes I've ever consumed. It's poutine on steroids, actually. The parmesan that bathes the fries is heavenly, and the bits of pancetta that are peppered throughout the dish give it that extra pizzazz to assign it a unique personality. The duck confit -- heavenly.
* WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE ($8.00). Divine. The cheese is generously served in a mason jar. I challenge anyone to have enough restraint to NOT to polish off the entire jar. We ended up ordering extra bread and practically finished everything. It's addictive.
* KALE CAESAR SALAD ($9.00). Seriously, this is one of the top Caesar salads that I've ever eaten. Kale! Who knew? It was so simple, but the subtle bitterness of the kale works with the nuttiness of the parmesan and dressing. LOVE.
* SPICY SAUSAGE & SHRIMP FETTUCCINI ($18.50). Ridiculously good. The fettuccini was cooked perfectly. The sausage had a nice kick at the back end, and the shrimp were thick, meaty and huge! I absolutely adored this dish and would not hesitate to order it again.
In addition to the above, I also indulged in 100 Wines' Lavender Martini. It's a delightful libation that anyone will enjoy, especially when closing out the workweek.
Chef Kat is doing spectacular work at 100 Wines, and I'm really looking forward to trying the other items on her menu. Another Cohn success that has won my heart.
The prosciutto pizza is amazing and I find myself ordering it every time I come here. The staff is great and very friendly. I usually sit at the bar and Ive gotten excellent service from Adrian and from Tavo. Â
Parking can be a hassle, so if youre meeting someone plan that into your timeframe.
Girls Night Out
Could not have picked a better place to try. Three wine choices $6, $7 and $8 a glass selections along with other bottle options.
Started with a delish cheese board, a great start for the 5 of us. Complimentary pea gazpacho shooters - yum!
Beau Bo Brussel Sprouts instead of a salad, yes please! Cooked to perfection with a spectacular flavor added. It was almost too much to add a pizza, but I did. Split the Marinara pizza with a pal and we both took a doggie bag home. The goat cheese, mozzarella and marinara were the perfect blend of melt in my mouth yumminess.
Seeing as it was Girls Night Out we indulged in dessert. Split the cinnamon roll and menage trio desserts. The cinnamon roll was -eh, okay, but not the best. The trio of desserts we licked the plate clean.
Whether I'm simply looking for a dessert, appetizer, happy hour or dinner, I will be back!
I love the atmosphere and concept. Â It's nice to have a wine bar in town that really put thought into the decor. Â Cohn created an engaging atmosphere with low lighting, cute tables and a great patio. Â It's great that the wines are broken down by price, with a vast amount of bottles for $20, $30 and $40. Â We went on a busy Friday night and were lucky to be seated when we arrived at 7:30 p.m. Â
Our server was very helpful and friendly. Â Our food came out one dish at a time in a quick (almost too quick) manor. However, our wine took forever...probably 10+ minutes for each glass. Â I blame this on the bartender not our server. Â It was a busy night, so I made sure to order my second glass when my first one was half empty. Â
I split food with a friend who likes really simple dishes, while I prefer more layered spicy food. Â I bet if I ordered differently next time, it would be much better. Â Of the food we ordered, I loved the duck poutine! Â It was amazing with chunks of moist duck and pancetta smothered in a flavorful creamy gravy. Â The simple fried green tomato salad was tasty and did a great job of breaking up the rest of the heavy dishes we ordered. Â I didn't care for the crispy cauliflower or burrata. Â Our cauliflower wasn't very crisp but the flavor was decent. Â The burrata was a snooze! Â The spanakopita pizza could've been so much more but fell short. Â If you are gonna throw a fried egg on a pizza, then make the pizza round so the egg can be easily spread. Â This was an odd shaped rectangle and the egg was impossible to distribute. Â
My biggest issue was the wine by the glass selection. Â I prefer heavy bold red wines. Â I couldn't find a single one by the glass. Â There's tons of medium and light bodied reds, but not a single full bodied option. Â I wound up ordering the eco friendly boxed cab; it was pretty good but lacked complexity. Â To me, this is their biggest flaw. Â If you are going to focus on wines, then you need to provide something for everyone. Â The majority of the wines-by-the-glass are beginner wines. Â
It also sucked that there was only one woman's restroom that had a line the entire night. Â
Overall, I would love to wait a few months and try it again. Â It seems like the type of place that will continue to update and enhance their menus. Â
Tip: Â Park for free at the DMV lot in the evenings and ride the Park Hillcrest Trolley there for free! Â We rode the trolley from Urban Mo's. Â It was fast and fun!
I was in the market to spend a Cohn restaurants gift card, and a friend suggested 100 Wines. I didn't even know it was part of that group of restaurants!
I'm glad this is the restaurant I chose. We took the trolley over (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/park-hillcrest-san-diego#hrid:Vq4MUi1E5Br8JjkrPrK6Bg">http://www.yelp.com/biz/…</a>), which was awesome.
The place is much larger on the inside than it seems. It's so rustic and cute. And it has those old-timey light bulbs of different shapes and sizes hanging all over.
We were seated promptly, and I settled on a malbec. What I was most excited about for though, was some good foods. My friend and I decided to split a few things, so we got to pickin'.
The lineup:
Creamy burrata. This is one of those dishes that is so simple, but the ingredients are quality. This was hands down my favorite dish of the night. A large ball of burrata (which, if you don't know, is an amazing super-soft mozzarella) on a bed of olive-oiled arugula topped with a bit of salt. This was accompanied by some warm crusty bread. I would come back for this every single day.
Crispy cauliflower. After reading fellow Yelper reviews, I had to try this. And I'm glad I did. Cauliflower breaded in a salty...breading...drizzled with balsamic reduction, topped with chunks of pancetta and shavings of parmesan cheese. So, so good.
Duck confit poutine. Just...get it. Just get it.
Butter lettuce and fried green tomato salad. This was pretty good. Simple butter lettuce with a lemon vinaigrette; the tomatoes were perfectly cooked--still firm, but not tough.
Spanakopita pizza. This was a miss, on multiple levels. It's basically phyllo dough topped with dill cream cheese, feta, sauteed spinach, and a fried egg. Not my thing.
Overall, all the food was super balanced in both flavor and texture, which I loved and respected. I will be back. If for nothing else, that burrata.
The service was kind of lacking a bit. The wines took forever to get to us, and all of the food we ordered came out at the same time. I know we ordered it all at the same time...but still. I feel like most waiters know to pace the meal a bit. Maybe not at Denny's, but at a place like this? Come aaahhhn.
I am in love with 100 Wines. I adore the decor and their menu. I have been many times and like to sit at the bar; bartender Adrian is very relaxed, fun, and knows how to make a good drink. I didn't know what exactly I wanted, but I told her what I liked and she amazed me!
I would recommend the Proscuitto pizza, the cauliflower appetizer, and the petite filet.
I. Love. This. Restaurant. If I was ever able to decide my last meal, I think it would be the 100 Wines osso bucco. Absolutely delicious, so flavorful, and the meat came clean off the bone. My boyfriend ordered the scallops but couldn't keep his fork out of my plate because the sauce was so delicious.
I've been bugging him to come back here... hopefully we'll return soon.
Tried brunch last Sunday because 100 Wines is part of the Cohn Group. Having been impressed by Corvette Diner, Gaslamp Strip Club and others, it seemed like a good choice for the brunch menu: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/100-wines-san-diego?select=SOI94FkB5HCebo-tpEMqfg#SOI94FkB5HCebo-tpEMqfg">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
I ordered the Build Your Own Brunch with scrambled eggs, fruit, candied bacon, tots, and a coffee, of course. The problems began with the coffee. "Would you like cream and sugar?" Yes, thank you. Then, the coffee arrives PRE-CREAMED with I don't know what, and the traditional sugar packets. This is not the way to make a good impression on a customer - creaming the coffee before they can even taste it. It's pretty much a cardinal sin and you might as well kick a dog while you're pouring in the cream (I would be less upset).
The fruit was pretty much anti-coffee fruit (grapes, orange slices, strawberry), which means on this day it was anti- anti-coffee fruit. Overall, the breakfast wasn't up to par with other Hillcrest hot spots. The eggs weren't as tasty and fluffy as Snooze, and the candied bacon wasn't as tasty or tender as Fig Tree or Great Maple. The tots were just tots and I'm still confused as to why there was a french fry in the bottom.
Adding to the misery were the tables of obnoxious groups on the patio, which reverberates so every tacky debate and Saturday-night recap overruns your own conversation like a screaming ambulance down Fifth Ave. It's the unmistakeable pairing of empty stomachs and $1 Mimosas that left my ears with a hangover they didn't earn.
Two stars because we have absolutely experienced better. The Hillcrest brunch scene is competitive, and 100 Wines is playing jayvee.
3 stars for okay, slightly above average food (we use 2 stars= average)
Big pluses for 100 wines- their portions are big, their menu looks exciting, and they have lots of different wines
Sadly, their food is a little hit or miss. We had the cripsy cauliflower, fig and bacon pizza, and the duck poutine. The cauliflower dish is playfully presented with the bits pouring out of a glass jar. The basalmic glaze that accompanied it was yummy although just not quite enough of it. The pizza was a bit disappointing, as the crust was not as crispy as we would like and it didn't have the strong balance of saltly and sweet we were expecting (it was just mostly sweet). The duck poutine was a heavy mess of a dish. Although the duck was tasty, we would have appreciated a bit more finesse. Overall, a decent meal.
Oh my! What a great place! The decor and ambiance alone are worthy of 5 stars. It's rustic but modern and very cozy with all different pockets of tables you can sit at- 2 patios, private rooms, etc.
The food was great! We started off with wine- duh. Although they have a huge selection, the menu was broken down really well- by price and type. We got the Brussels sprouts for an app- they were a special that night. I got the ravioli and my friend got the catch of the day (yellowtail in a red curry broth). Both dishes were excellent. The server was really nice and answered all of our questions very wel.
I can't wait to go back here! Maybe I'll try their brunch!
This place is amazing!
I loved everything about it from the decor to the food.
The Cheese platter was amazing with a raspberry dipping sauce that is to die for...must have it.
Lambmeat balls were a little dry and underseasoned but still pretty good.
I had the panseared duck breast with a pomegrante gastrique, pee wee potatos and grilled asparagus....delicious!
Wine was okay....I am not a wine person but it was alright..I had the Meldec..
I don't remember the name of our waiter but he was very nice..Kudos to him...
I really like their outside seating. It reminds me of a little cottage....just overal and awesome place and I would definitely recommend going here!
Buffalo Testicles. Doesn't sound too good. What about BACON WRAPPED Buffalo Testicles? Now that's something you could get on board with, right?! Â What is it with a normal persons obsession with Bacon?!
Strolling down University Avenue one day with no particular destination, we see a sign outside a bar that reads "blah blah blah blah BACON blah blah blah." Â My BF who was on the phone at the time we were passing by, loses interest in his conversation and gestures for me to go inside. Â We sit at the bar and he tells the bartender "you had a sign out front that said something about bacon. Â Tell me more." The bartender starts "Oh yes! It's a craft cocktail we make with bacon infused ... " "I've heard enough. We'll have one of those!"
The bartender whips up the goods and delivers it in a martini glass. For those of you that need to hear more than "bacon" -- It's called "Shakin Bacon". Â A bacon infused bourbon with orange bitters, maple syrup, and a pancetta garnish. -- the final verdict on the drink was that it was ok. Â A bold flavor but not a strong bacon presence. Â In my opinion, definitely a mans drink (minus the martini glass), and the pancetta garnish was a nice touch and the perfect bite to succeed the cocktail. Â Given the number of craft cocktails available though, it's probably not a drink we would order again. But it was good.
Next up on stage was the "Watermelon Crawl" Loved this one. This one is a watermelon, cranberry, vodka concoction topped with a cucumber foam with some spices to give it that perfect mix of sweet and spicy. Â Drinking it brought me back to my childhood and getting those chili covered watermelon suckers from the ice cream truck. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! It was that sucker in drink form. Love!
We only came in for a few drinks and went on our way but we were really impressed with 100 wines. Â I love the layout and that the bar is separate from the restaurant. Â The decor gives you the feel of being in an old wooden wine cellar. Our bartender, Richard, was pleasant and attentive. Â All in all, we can't wait to go back for a real meal.
So far, so good!
Love LOVE LoVe L O V E Â their Happy Hour menu items! I have tried (literally) everything... And.Love.Everything! I suggest coming with friends and sampling each other's plates. I hardly drink alcohol, but their cocktails are unique, flavorful and absolutely delicious. Cheers to the Country Bumpkin, Gino Pepino and Paloma Negra!
My last waiter, "John Smith," as he tells it.... was just a pleasure! Â The decor is lovely, the fireplace is quiet cozy and inviting on chilly evenings.
I am so lucky to have found this Hillcrest Gem!
I had the opportunity to go here a few days ago on a "first date" and it was a great experience. Â The decor was comforting and romantic and the atmosphere was lively as everyone was having a good time. Â The energy there was very positive. Â I let my date choose the wine since I am not very up to speed and she made a very delicious choice. Â Our waiter was great and took care of us extremely well.
The ONLY reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is because of the food choices. Â We had the crispy cauliflower and was absolutely DELICIOUS!! Â But most of the menu items were unusual to some degree. Â I assume because this is a trendy Hillcrest establishment. Â I highly recommend going here if you are looking for a good wine bar with an awesome feel.
Finally was able to come back here to try the regular menu. Unfortunately, the food wasn't as good as last time. My husband ordered the burger and it was very very salty. I had the pizza with fig and bacon pizza. It wasn't bad, but it was not very remarkable... on the bland side). The only thing I thought was pretty good was the brie appetizer. Prices aren't horrendously expensive but because they're not super cheap either, I don't know if I'd come back.
Review Source:100 Wines has perhaps one of the cutest, coziest atmospheres in the Hillcrest neighborhood, most perfect for a date night or a girl's night out. I particularly love the patio all the way in the back which is private and kept warm with heat lamps. This place gets a solid 4 stars.
The menu is filled with interesting dishes, craft cocktails, and of course, an extensive wine list. It's nice that they offer $20/bottle wines (and quite an array of them!) I usually opt for the cocktails however, and on this recent visit I tried the country bumpkin, which, if you're a bourbon lover like me, you'll LOVE. The bourbon itself was infused with apricot, pear, and peach in-house and was so tasty, with added dry curacao, peach bitters, and lemonade.
Here is where I have to bump off a star. My boyfriend and I came in for happy hour last night, and each table is supposed to receive some sort of fun complimentary appetizer ("on the chef's whim). I saw table after table around me receiving this comp appetizer (which was tiny shot-sizes of a split-pea soup). We never got one which was pretty disappointing.
Onto the food, the happy hour has an assortment of $7 offerings. The marinara pizza is a good deal, as the portion is perfect for one person and they use a nice mix of cheese, including fresh ricotta. My boyfriend has had the lamb meatballs (which he says were good), and the cauliflower, which he loved, but is more of a snack item. Their menus have been updated over the past couple of months and it was a bummer to see the lavender martini omitted from the cocktail list. I was told by our server though, that they should still be able to make it, on request.
Overall, a cute spot if you're looking for a nice atmosphere and quality ingredients. I will definitely splurge on some wine next time!
100 Wines has become an extension of my living room lately... and I blame the $8 Riesling.
I have no idea who the sommelier at 100 Wines is, but I wanted to give him/her a hug after taking a few sips of the Riesling. Â Slightly sweet, crisp, fruity, full in flavor -- pretty much everything that I wine needs to be to make me a happy boy.
Of course, it's not just the wine that keeps me coming back here. Â It's Chef Kat's mouthwatering menu -- and, yes, it's my new goal to taste every damn thing on it. Â I'm getting there, slowly but surely. Â Let's just say I love everything on it.
Watermelon three ways? Â LOVE.
Brown butter gnocchi with pumpkin seeds, red onions, and Greek yogurt? Â LOVE.
Prosciutto pizza with grapes and balsamic? Â LOVE.
Charcuterie plate? Â LOVE.
Crispy cauliflower with pancetta? Â LOVE.
Duck confit poutine with sweet potato fries? Â MADLY AND TOTALLY IN LOVE.
Okay... so it's pretty much everything about 100 Wines that keeps me coming back. Â I'm not exaggerating when I say that it's easily the top restaurant in Hillcrest right now, and probably one of the best in all of San Diego. Â The $8 Riesling is just icing on the proverbial cake.
p.s. Â 100 Wines still doesn't take reservations, so waits for a table are long at peak hours. Â I recommend sitting at the bar, where there's usually no wait at all!
Girls night out! Seriously, wine $6 a glass or $20 bottle...recommends the red blend off that list. Friend had the nior of the $10 list, she loved it.
Food was really good, got the marinara pizza, friend got the mixed green salad w/ pork belly, really, really good. Only reason I'm giving it four stars instead of five is because service is not that fast. Be paired to relax when you come in. Â Definitely another Cohn home run!
One of my favorite meals of the year thus far!
An all star cast of co-workers sat round a table spouting Yelpish what not and ate a perfect meal as only the Cohn Restaurant Group can produce. Shout outs to Chef Humphus: She means tasty business and doesn't disappoint!
We ate the following and ate it in true Yelper style, stole bites from one another and used words like "mouthgasim" and "OMFG" and took pictures on our phones ;)
They have of course, 100 wines, maybe more, but we actually went for the cocktails and the sangria gets a rave report from me! Bubbly with fruit flavors, super refreshing!
We started with the Lamb Meatballs (lemon,cumin, & Â Greek yogurt) Presentation on this was lovely! Also had the Crispy Cauliflower (pancetta, parmesan, balsamic port reduction) and it's sinfully salty goodness. My entree choice was the Brown Butter Gnocchi (swiss chard, broken pumpkin seed, asiago, pickled red onion, greek yogurt) and I have to say, I've been craving it ever since. My counterparts had the Osso Bucco which was a large portion and actually really beautiful. The Oven Roasted Chicken is also notable. The menu is the perfect amounts of European countryside goodness and flavor with shabby chic presentation, generous on portions!
The Chef sent out dessert (Thanks Katherine!) and heaven!! A cinnamon roll produced in a small red cast iron pot, drenched in icing. You know we killed that thing completely, also an apple crumble type option that was super satisfying.
A note on the decor, it's on the smaller side as it's in Hillcrest and the back patio section is awesome. Definitely great for a date night, or a group of 4.
Perfect date spot... friend or significant other :)
Service: friendly and attentive however do not unnecessarily linger at your table yet always there when you need something.
Sips: The 'Lavender Martini' is a house cocktail with vanilla vodka and lavender; although it smells a looks delightful it's a bit to abrasive for my liking. They have a large selection of wines, hence the name! There are $20-$30-and $40+ bottles to choose from so you'll be sure to find something tasty and according to your budget appropriate.
Nosh: The 'Whipped Goat Cheese' with lavender, pistachios is tasty to spread atop carbs.The 'Pissaladiere' is a flatbread pizza with caramelized onion, roasted tomato, black olives, white anchovy, & fried capers... perfect combination of flavors and the favorite of mine.
Came here to try out their brunch with my pro-brunch eating crew aka my fiance and fellow yelper Jolene W. They just started serving brunch here so it wasn't as crowded as it typically gets around dinner time. We were greeted and seated immediately in their back outdoor patio. Our waiter took our drink orders right when we were ready and he was on top of all of our drink and meal orders throughout the meal. Definately 5 star service.
The drinks here are delicious. I had the lavendar lemonade which was super tasty and was super refreshing on that sunny day. My fiance had the Manmosa which was a bit strong for me but he seemed to enjoy it.
As for the food, the three of us ordered the croque madame, the osso buco benedict, the breakfast pizza and the cinnamon roll with added nutella. We shared these 4 items so we got to get a good taste of everything.
Of the items we had, my favorite was the breakfast pizza. Much of it had to do with smashed tater tots on top and my love for lots and lots of cheese. The egg was fried to perfection and the runny yolk that engulfed the pizza. My one issue with the pizza was that I though there was too much of a maple drizzle thus overpowering the sharpness of the cheddar cheese but my brunch companions liked the extra sweet taste so I guess it depends on what you like.
The croque madame was pretty standard...not disappointing by any means but I think that I would try something different next time because the menu has so much to offer. My least favorite was the osso buco benedict. Although I enjoyed the tabasco hollandaise, I felt that the osso buco lacked flavor and was a bit bland. Also, the cinnamon roll was great with the combination of nutella but I think it would have been kind of boring by itself... i have had better cinnamon rolls.
Overall, I would come back here for brunch for their tasty cocktails, their breakfast pizza, and to try more of their enticing brunch menu options.
I really loved this place! We went early since they don't take reservations. Got a table right away. Ordered the olives and cauliflower appetizers and they did NOT disappoint! I would have ordered another cauliflower but I knew I had more food coming! I then had the fried green tomato and butter lettuce salad which was amazing! My husband had the watermelon three ways salad, which was also delish. Then I ordered the gnocci dish and he ordered the special of the night which was the duck...WHOA! Was that the best or what???? Sooooooooooooooo good! I wanted dessert but had no room left! Will save room for next time. I'm a fan...for sure. Can't wait to go back and try some more dishes!
Wine selection was pretty good...though I think I'd like to see a few Russian River Pinot Noirs on the list...
Could Cohn have a restaurant that is replacing Indigo Grill in my heart??
I have only been here twice so far but when deciding where to eat, 100 wines pops in my head...there are so many things on the menu I still want to try!!
Lucky for me I have been with friends both time I have come so I get to taste more than one thing.
favs so far...
Wine options and their prices
Crispy cauliflower with pancetta, parmesan and balsamic port reduction
Pork Osso Bucco
Crispy Chickpeas
Prosciutto Pizza (the grapes just give it this amazing-ness!!)
writing this review kinda late...hear they have changed the menu beginning of April...so guess who can't wait to go eat there again?!!
Also I have sat on the back patio both times...which I prefer at this restaurant. The ambiance is fabulous! Great place for a date and also dinner with the girls.
I visited 100 Wines for the 2nd time last night with a group of girlfriends. We arrived at 6:30 and I worried we'd have a long wait. Fortunately, they had a table available for us on the back patio.
For starters, our party shared three apps: cauliflower, the olive plate and lavender goat cheese. Cauliflower was the fav. I dream of that dish. Olives were olives. The goat cheese was OK; the lavender was a bit overwhelming. Â As a starter beverage I tried the Country Bumpkin. I'm typically not a whiskey drinker, but this hit the spot on a warm spring evening... very boozy, so one is plenty!
Half way through our appetizers, the manager came out and and asked if we'd mind moving to a smaller table. Apparently a party with a reservation was furious about having to wait. The manager offered to buy our apps or dessert if we moved. No problem! We felt bad for her and would have moved without having anything comped.
For entrees, four of us shared three dishes. Two pizzas: the white caprese and the spanakopita; and the gnocchi. Excellent choices! I had tried the fig and bacon previously and was not a huge fan. Â My personal favorite was the white caprese.
We had a $20 bottle of Spanish white, which was not mind blowing. None of us care too much about wine, especially for $20, so it was just fine.
I don't review on Yelp a lot, but this place deserves a big thumbs up for offering delicious,reasonably-priced food and wine served by friendly and attentive waiters in a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. Â
Also, if parking is a turnoff for you making a trip to Hillcrest, take the trolley on the weekend! It runs from 6p.m. to 10 p.m. Fri. - Sat. for FREE!
Cohn gets it right again! Â To be honest, this place doesn't look like much from the street, but opens up to a nice back patio. Â Great for a girls dinner or an intimate happy hour. Â Our waiter recommended a bottle of wine and WOW! Â Something at every price point too, no corkage on bottles - I think they charge on bottles at wine steals?
The lavender goat cheese app is a must.
THE BEST THING I EVER ATE!!! Â Crispy Caulifower.... You must not miss out on this uber tasty appetizer. It's worth the drive from anywhere in southern california. Seriously, it's to die for. Â This was our second time back at 100 Wines. Its a must in Hillcrest. Â Our entire experience was awesome. Nathan , thank you for remembering me and my husband. Â I had the surf n turf . Yummeeeee, Yummeeee, Yummmeee.
My husband had the Burger Royale. A fitting name for this sumptuous American fave.
The food and wine is bar none, Kat  keep the fresh and trendy food creations coming. We will be back.  The wine selection is great too.
Janet, the GM Â , thank you for stopping by our table and conversing with us about our dining experience. I wish all restaurants treated us with that kind of customer service.
Thnk you for giving us the brussels sprouts recipe. That was 5 star service.
Cheers
Update: They changed their menu! They got rid of the hummus, beet salad, and the filet pizza... which were pretty much the only things I ordered. :( I was tempted to lower the rating a notch because I am SO disappointed about the filet pizza.
I ordered a new item on the menu - the gnocchi. I must say, it was disappointing. There was too much going on and too many ingredients for it to be so... boring. I just wasn't a fan. I'm going to keep trying it, but please bring back the filet pizza!!
I like to dine here because it reminds me of San Francisco -- the ambiance, the food, the fabulous drinks -- makes me feel like I'm home again.
My absolute favorite thing here is the lavender martini that has me talking about it to everyone I know. The food is sometimes hit or miss but is pretty good for the most part. The crispy cauliflower is standard and clearly one of their most popular -- I order it every time I come. The sweetbreads are also tasty -- very tender and flavorful.
I really wanted to love their whipped goat cheese lavender spread that they have, but unfortunately it was just a great concept on paper that lacked execution. If anyone from 100 Wines Hillcrest is reading this right now, might I suggest a crostini instead of the foccocia and include honey as well? I had the server bring us some honey to top the spread with and it really helped tie the flavors together. Give it a try for yourself :)
Final thought: One of my favorite places in San Diego that I've discovered thus far. Highly recommended.