The Better Half

I had very hopes for The Better Half. The curb appeal of this cute little restaurant always enticed me, but my poor first experience has caused them to completely lose my repeat business.
Our reservation for four was made five days in advance. Yet, when we arrived on time (6pm) they told us they didn’t have any record of our reservation. They found us a table anyway, and we thought all was well.
Since it was our first try at the restaurant, we specifically chose a time during their fixed price menu, which is advertised ON THEIR OWN WEBSITE as being nightly from 5pm — 7pm. But they only brought the regular menu. When we asked about the fixed price menu, the hostess said «Oh no, no, no … that’s only from 5pm — 6pm.» We mentioned the information advertised on their website, and they still refused us — even speaking with some condescension, as if WE somehow got it wrong. This really ticked me off. Either honor your own website, or change what’s written. Period.
Still, we brushed it off in an attempt to salvage our evening. From there, however, cracks in their service skills continued to be revealed. The waiter argued with us about our wine choices, and he brought out the wrong entrée for one of us without offering much of an apology.
For a restaurant with such a high price point, the quality of the service did not match. I’d say the food was decent, but nothing overly memorable. We ordered three courses, but only the amuse bouche stood out as stellar. Unfortunately, the most lasting taste in my mouth was bitter because of their unwillingness to honor their own website information.
I will not return, nor will I recommend.

Who doesn’t love Sunday Brunchday? The Better Half Bistro does it right!!! Paying $ 20 for unlimited blood orange mimosas (taste so amazing) and delicious food is SO worth it.
I had the meat, grits and two eggs. I chose the steak for my meat. The grits were to die for. The steak was seasoned well and quite tender. The only issue on my plate was the eggs. I asked for over hard and they brought me over medium. I don’t get down with runny yokeage.
The service itself was impeccable. The server kept topping our mimosas off. LOVE it.
You’ll see me again TBHB!

An updated look for our same ol’ favorite menu items… artsy French Bistro interior, with no detail overlooked… like Liberace threw up inside! Simply mah-​va-​lous, Dah-​Ling! So, once you are finished perusing the finery to the eyes, turn your attention to the longing of your taste buds…
You can hear them salivating with the new menu additions…
ALL-​YOU-​CAN-​EAT-​CRAWFISH! Thursdays! First one is May 7! They have beers & ales too… really, folks, the economy sucks… we can no longer dine on Foie Gras & Caviar… feed our stomachs, feed our souls, leave our wallets in tact! (see below for insider tip)
Have a SECRET for you… ask for the owner, who also happens to be the Chef… tell him that THE DIVA sent you & he will comp you a little something tasty…

Things sure have changed at this place. Gone is the great service, the excellent adventurous food and the enjoyable chatty chef! Now you get over aggressive servers who will pressure you to buy the most expensive wine, food that’s over-​salted or over-​sauced and just blah and a chef that looks as if he is on some drugs!
I will not be going back here again!

I wish this place had lived up to the pretention.
My fiancé and I went here because we have heard such amazing reviews about how great this place is. Plus, the Blue Plate Special (3 courses for $ 20/​person between 5−7pm) seemed like a good way to try it out. We started with a cheese plate, which was actually one of the highlights. I got their «soup of the moment» which was a tomato basil soup. I have gotten something just as good at Whole Foods and it didn’t have to be served tableside in a teapot.
For the main course, I got a very tasty cornish game hen. The fiancé got a lamb shank that was very fatty in an excessively sweet sauce. Dessert was bread pudding which I thought was far too sweet. The waiter also recommended a dreafully bad HALF bottle of wine. I had one sip and got a glass of tawny port instead, which was very good.
It just didn’t live up to the snooty service.

The Better Half is inconspicuously nestled in a charming cottage just off the beaten path in Hillcrest. On a lazy Sunday afternoon, my wife and I decided to check out their $ 20 three-​course «recession special.»
This ended up being technically five courses, including a complimentary amuse bouche (bleu cheese & caviar wonton) and intermezzo (mini raspberry sorbet cone). A truffle-​infused mushroom soup was served tableside over a block of shitake mushrooms, which was a nice touch. Unfortunately, we were not impressed by, and merely tolerated, our entrée choices — wild game meatloaf and cornish game hen. The meal was finished off with chocolate bread pudding and more ice cream.
While the dining experience and friendly service was certainly a deal for $ 20, I just was not crazy about the food. Sure, it’s fun to get «free» amuse bouche, intermezzos, and baked carrots, but the flavors were just not there for me.

I think this place was too hyped up and my expectations way exceeded what I got. Or maybe it’s better if you don’t order the blue plate special. Either way, the salad was nothing special, the soup was salty, my hen was bloody and had to get re-​cooked and then came back dry, the meatloaf was too salty. I liked the mashed potatoes and rice pilaf. It looks so super cute and the service is great. I won’t be going back there. Even with the blue plate special, it wasn’t worth it.

YAY for the Blue Plate Special! I visited the Better Half for the second time during Restaurant Week, to avoid the masses at the participating restaurants. The Better Half’s Blue Plate Special blows RW outta the water!
After the $ 15 3-​course meal and 2 really decent half bottles of wine split among 3 of us, we paid $ 33 each including tip. Nice.
I had the carrot ginger sesame bisque to start — really unique and just the right ratio of spice to creaminess. My choices for the main course were wild game meatloaf, roasted quail with maple jus, and shrimp risotto with fresh peas. I did the risotto and was pleased — not blown away, but my standards are markedly different when the dish cost approx $ 5. For dessert I had the gingerbread cake with cream cheese frosting — a little rich for my blood but decent overall. We also tried a sublime house-​made pistachio ice cream.
Overall, my experience gained 4 stars due to the insane value of the meal.

The Better Half is a very interesting little restaurant on University in Hillcrest. The outside seating has a warm glow and you can watch the wait staff travel to and from the kitchen.
My girlfriend and I enjoyed the Blue Plate special ($ 15 for 3 courses), but we couldn’t help but order almost the exact same selections. I started with a candied walnut green salad, which was nice yet a little limp. Next, the grilled snapper with capers was excellent and I devoured the plate in just a few minutes. I opted against coffee with the ginger cake dessert, but I should have taken a cup. The cake was super rich with creamy icing, so I enjoyed it immensely but a bitter contrast would have helped.
As for the name-​sake of the restaurant, they sell half bottles of wine. It’s definitely a great idea, since you can vary your wine by your food course. However, it can get mad expensive very quickly. This is not a place to binge wine drink, so choose carefully.

So the word is going around that there’s currently a blue plate special every evening from 5−7pm — three courses (salad or soup, entrée, and dessert) for $ 15. A bargain. I thought the salad was very well dressed — not to heavily — and interesting with strawberries thrown in. I really enjoyed my steak with belgian style french fries. The dessert — sherbet or rice pudding was a little disappointing, but, what do you expect for $ 15. The salad and main course alone were worth the dough. One more tip — take advantage of the $ 5 corkage. If you’re going to order a half-​bottle, I loved the pinot grigio.
The atmosphere — just like having dinner at a friend’s house. Nice, friendly, and attentive service.

The ease before the sleaze: Cute place + über-​attentive staff = potential.
Ze sleaze: Food is kinda yucky. Heavy-​handed and dated. Flavor and technique saturated. I know they’re trying, but let the ingredients speak for themselves.

We went there for our anniversary. Had a GREAT dinner.
The service was perfect. The staff was very attentive.
The food was delicious. For appetizers, I had their Always Changing Soup — that day it was tomato and cantaloupe — absolutely delish. My husband had the charcuterie plate — it was massive and so yummy. For our mains, I had a steak and my husband had rabbit. I’m not fond of rabbit, so I wouldn’t taste it. He said it was delicious. The steak was great.
I also liked that the chef sent out some little extras for us in between courses. We had a salmon mousse on a piece of toast, and (my favorite) raspberry sorbet as a palette cleanser.
The ambience was terrific — simple, unique, elegent, and fun. We requested the outdoor table that has a vew of the chef through a giant window. That was fun! If it’s warm enough, definitely sit outside. (Although, beware: University is a pretty busy street.)
Overall, it was really nice. I highly recommend it. We’ll definitely go back.

This is my BFF’s FAVORITE place. And I really enjoy it too. The BH is now open for brunch with a sort of New Orleans fusion menu (created by our beloved Chef John Kennedy).
I had potato pancakes with smoked salmon, caviar, and crème fraîche, my fiancé had langoustine crepes (langoustine is smaller than a lobster but not a crawfish). The owner delivered a bowl of chocolate raspberry beignets for the table. My bff had rabbit with lavender vanilla… A little pricey for brunch but worth the treat and fun surprises.

The lady and I have been walking by this place now for a year and decided it was time to stop in. Boy are we glad we did.
The entire experience at The Better Half Bistro was great.
Service:
Spot on. The server fired off a series of specials that made my head spin. They all sounded great and made it a bit tough to choose. The impression I got right away was that there is a lot of time, effort and love put into these dishes. The chef personally makes his rounds and he made a point of visiting us on a few occasions. It was a nice touch.
Food:
Fantastic. We split a Signature Salad the followed up with Pork Scaloppini and yummy panko crusted Trout special. We washed all of it down with a half bottle of red (in fact all they have are half bottles — hence the name). We skipped dessert but were told the bread pudding is the way to go. Everything tasted fresh and prepared on the spot. Our bill was about $ 75.
Atmosphere:
Half sidewalk café, half old house: Very cool and comfortable. Parking isn’t too much of an issue if you don’t mind walking a bit.
Overall this place gets an A and deserves to be on your culinary radar. We will be back!

HOW IS THERE ONLY 31 REVIEWS FOR THIS PLACE!!! Bronx pizza has 314? Really? It’s reheated pizza!
I actually feel like I am violating some culinary code mentioning Bronx pizza in the same review!
So I will get to the point. Why am I just now trying this place?! This is one of those, «where have you been all my life?» experiences! Five stars doesn’t do it justice.
From our server Charles, to the Chef, this was the perfect ensemble of food, service, and ambiance.
We started with crab beigneits and «duck confit (eggrolls) cigars.» This was paired with a nice Syrah. Then my BF had a meatloaf made with boar, venison and ostrich. WOW! It came with garlic mashed potatoes and a side of brussel sprouts. I had the flank steak which was D’lish! this again was paired with an amazing Meritage. All suggestions by Charles, who was on point!
We finished with their signature dessert, bread pudding and their French coffee. Sinfully good, I ate too much because I couldn’t stop myself!
I can not tell you enough, this is a MUST go to place!!! And they have a Sunday brunch that sounds like a new requirement for me. I can’t wait to try it!

Wow, any place that serves me bonus tasties without me asking is 5 stars in my book! I admit I’m not a veritable foodie or wine expert, but my goodness, I thoroughly enjoyed my evening here from the moment I walked in. The service was gracious, helpful (especially when I couldn’t remember what the gnocchi of the day was by the time she came back to take our order!), and not rushing to boot us out of there even though it was a busy evening.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first course of signature salad and the tart of the day — such unique flavors all wrapped up in a tart! This was followed by the intermezzo (I wish all meals everywhere came with this!) of baby raspberry sorbet cones. I ordered the gnocchi of the day which came with a pesto-​mint-​sundried tomato sauce (a first for me). Each gnocchi was so delicious… by the end of the meal, I had eaten the whole thing!~ And even though I didn’t think I could eat anymore, there was room for a yummay crème brûlée — it was leisurely enjoyed with a pressed coffee.
[ Just an FYI — there is a restroom located upstairs and an accessible restroom located on the ground floor in the kitchen (Thanks Far N.!) ]
Overall, I was impressed and delighted by the new-​to-​me flavors and friendly & relaxing atmosphere. I definitely look forward to coming back and trying the other tempting dishes on the menu! I give this place 5 stars because it was a completely divine dining experience from start to finish. Bravo!!!

After eating some honestly horrible food in San Diego (Gaslamp area, etc) it was wonderful to find this gem in the area.
I think we are really spoiled in San Francisco with great food. My boyfriend and I were ready to pack our bags and go back to SF for dinner when we discovered the Hillcrest neighborhood and this restaurant in particular.
This dinner was the most expensive during our stay but it was also by far the very best. The service was way attentive. At one point, for example, we just briefly mentioned that we didn’t feel that we had had much luck finding good places to eat in SD. This set about 3 people on staff there to give us personalized suggestions and attention in helping to outline which places we should go. They broke it out by cuisine and location and even wrote them all down for us.
The food was indulgent and delicious. Our crème brûlée and bread pudding were superb. We spoke at some length with both the owner and the chef of the restaurant. When you come to San Diego please make a stop here for a nice romantic dinner.

Rule 1: Give me free food and I’ll be back.
Rule 2: Give me phenomenal free food and I’ll be back for life.
Rule 3: Give me multiple offerings of phenomenal free food and I’ll be sleeping here.
Somebody get out the cot.
Quaint quarters welcomed us into a cave-​like glow where Chef John Kennedy swept in and out of the dining room, visiting tables and toting his sassy sense of humor like a favorite teacher where every student was his pet. The dinner bell had rung and it was time for class.
Lessons of the ‘Half’ life
Lesson 1: Half and half — Owing its name to the fact that they only sell half bottles, our forty-​three dollar Baker Lane (Hurst vineyard) pinot noir was worth every penny. A cask wouldn’t have been enough, so the half bottle didn’t come close, but their idea of pairing a white for the first course and red for the second makes for an excellent multiple choice. Allowing outside wine of any size for a five dollar corking fee also brings up the GPA.
Leson 2: Toast of the town — Is there anything better than an amuse bouche? This bite sized morsel of gratitude boasted a toasted baguette swirled with goat cheese, sundry tomatoes and micro-​greens. FREE
Lesson 3: Beet feats — Not much of a beet lover, but along for the ride with one, the «leaning tower» of beets was sculpted in svelte architecture and though not my favorite, it impressed (and ap-​Pisa-​ed) me.
Lesson 4: Signature salad — I was skeptical when I saw strawberries, candied walnuts and fig vinaigrette. It sounded much too sweet, but somehow it all blended into a delicate mix with greens and bursts of tartness from goat cheese. All doubts dissolved on my tongue.
Lesson 5: Ice cream cleansing — Maybe the most important lesson of all, cleansing the palate. Miniature ice cream cones bearing lemon sorbet were inventive, practical and playful. FREE
Lesson 6: Down and trout — For extra credit, the pecan encrusted trout appeared on tonight’s specials with maple compound butter and herbed rice pilaf, bathing me in its sweet and salty afterglow.
Lesson 7: Tongue and cheek — As soon as that veal cheek hit my tongue, its tender texture floated down my throat. The aftertaste was potent from the light, chocolate sauce similar to mole with a French flare (savory depth without overpowering), along with lentils that also softened the dish like a kiss on the cheek.
Lesson 8: The long and the short (rib) of it– Cabernet short ribs voluntarily shredded off the bone served with cauliflower and horseradish mash that had a consistency similar to a browned couscous. Veggies that taste like starch– I’m all in.
Lesson 9: Sprout-​prise! — Sauted and chopped, Brussels sprouts appeared like a tasty quarter pulled from my ear. FREE
Final exam: Brulee relay– We handed off the maple glazed crème brûlée to one another, ending our well-​rounded education with sighs of stuffed triumph.
They had passed all my tests. In a time where economic strain had most restaurants feeling the pinch, the Half’s dining room still bustled in calm reliability. Our waitress, Kelley, revealed that the menu would soon be revised for Spring, which only gave us more reason to study new courses here. Their ability to change with the times, maintain success in a plummeting market and engage the community through a chef that’s a «man of the people», the Better Half gets my vote for the «Stove-​al» Office with Kennedy as President.

Thanks to AJ’s playhouse on 933 I wouldn’t have heard about this place. The half size wine bottles caught my attention something my size I can finish by myself!
I heard the building has housed many businesses before, I hope this one last for a long time! Having dinner here made me feel like I was having dinner in my own home just with faces I never seen before. I liked that the owner Zubin, is upclose and personal. He sure does knows his stuff!
The BF and I had a comp…
Signature Salad
Dessert before main course Raspberry Sorbet in a mini waffle cone
Stuffed «Montezuma» Quail
Duo Of Duck (Duck breast thumbs up, the confit was a bit salty will be perfect it was less)
After that I was buzzed of the Rose…
I’d come here again with friends.

I went here tonight and I liked it ! Wasnt this the Abbey? The place that use to claim that they had over a thousand candles? I dont know but I think it was.
I love the wine list, very extensive and its geared towards Italian and French varietials. I had a couple glasses of pinot noir and my date had tea.
The food was good and so was the service. I had a duck dish and my friend had some kind of elaborate salad that was very nice and had good presentation.
Since I live close by I will probably be back soon. I just hate looking for parking in Hillcrest !