The Gathering

what? the gathering closed? what a shock ! ((((not !!!))))

The Gathering was exactly what you’d expect from the name-«The Gathering” — It was THE place my wife and I would set as our destination to relax and have a good time — to see friends as well as the staff who we had and still have such great times with. We often stopped in at random times of day on any given day of the week for a snack, lunch or dinner as well as a couple cocktails. We still communicate and meet with many of the dear friends we’ve met over the years there. We have moved to the north county of San Diego and thought we may find a comparable gathering place that would fill the void that has been left with us since their closing. It’s not possible. We love and miss The Gathering, it’s staff and All those we’ve met and become forever friends with.
Scot & Priscilla

I’ve had the misfortune of going to The Gathering once… it was my last. We ordered one mimosa each along with a sandwich and a salad. Everything was very average, bordering on below average.
I was shocked when the bill arrived, and it was nearly $ 80. I can’t imagine how The Gathering went out of business.

I really wish I could find something positive to write about this place but the atmosphere is dreary and glum with service and food to match. The only positive thing I can really think of is: I understand the place is closing and my hope is that something decent opens in its place.
The last time I was at The Gathering was a fairly typical experience here: The «greeter» shuffled over and greeted us with a grimace as she sat us at one of the many empty tables. The server barely spoke to us and he looked as though he’d recently finished his first in a series of ECT treatments. And, finally, the food — ah, the food: As gray and bland as the surroundings, making for a thoroughly miserable «dining» experience.

Goodbye Gathering. Thank you Dan for so very many wonderful years. We have been loyal customers since the old location across the street. Best service, excellent food, best people on earth. I will always treasure my Gathering memories. Wendy, Jack, Adria, Juan. .. Love you all.

Thank u Juan for the best New Years and birthday dinner. Been coming here since 2001!!! I love the gathering and am so sad it’s closing. Love the drinks, vibe and calamari sandwich.

The food is much better than the service although there’s nothing special about the food. The waitress just wasn’t friendly or attentive. Had to chase her down for everything.

This review is based on one time there so please take that into consideration.
Service was horrible. When someone comes in yes you are greeted but then if there isn’t a table you are left awkwardly standing there wondering what to do next.
When we were seated they didn’t have any menu’s available for us to view. I cannot begin to understand how that situation came about. Print some extra menus on some paper in case this happens!!! The muffins we were given were store bought and a little dry. After some menus were found we ordered food. After 45 mins we were told our food was coming but they had a big party ahead of us. Problem: That party came in after us so why are we the ones having to wait for our food. Then in an attempt to appease us I was given my side dishes first and was told that they were still making my main item. Ok, I previously a chef for a chain restaurant. If i ever sent out side dishes first before the main course I would have been crucified. Unacceptable. Then after I decided to leave I asked for the check. It took them another 10 – 15 mins to use their cell phones to tally up my bill. That was the last straw. This location seems to cater to the «older crowd» and they seem to personally care about these customers but it comes at a detriment to new business. Train you wait staff, fix your kitchen and try to take an interest in new business but I sorry I cannot in good faith ever go back.

For hangover food, you could do worse. Sadly, you could probably do better, too.
Came for breakfast on a Saturday around noon with some other partygoers, and walked right in and sat down. Thumbs up for no waiting. Server came right over and got us drinks and took our order, then was back pretty quick with a basket of muffics, pastries, etc, which apparently come with the meal. Another thumbs up for prompt and friendly service.
Here’s where it went downhill for me. I ordered my favorite breakfast, corned beef hash, and since this place seemed to have a lot of menu items with unique ingredients, I thought I might be in for a different take on a classic dish. However, the only different take I got was that the corned beef was the disgusting grainy cat-​food type stuff you get out of a can. I was so hungry, I mixed it in with the potatoes and eggs and shoveled half the plate down my gullet before giving up.
The pastry basket was also disappointing. There were about four poppy seed muffins, but no blueberry. The cinnamon roll was dry and none-​too-​sweet. The saving grace was that the server left a lot of butter, so I slathered it on and went to town.
And all of this at an average price of $ 11 a plate. Not super pricey, but definitely not a bargain in any sense.
I would have given two stars, but the rest of the group seemed to enjoy their meals enough to bump to a three star review. Still, The Gathering probably wouldn’t be my choice to return to.

I dig this place!
We came for breakfast and bloody marys, we left with full bellies, smiles and laughs.
The bloody mary was spicy with extra olives and it tasted delicious… no bloody mary mix here people.
The greek omelette was fluffy and tasty but needed just a tad more sun dried tomatoes.
The muffins… oh yes… the muffins were STELLAR! I could have definitely ate the entire basket of muffins. mmmmm-​yummm
Juan, our server, was amazing! He made us feel at home and provided outstanding service. He can do it four ways and can translate… high five Juan!

Meatloaf and eggs for breakfast at noon? Yes, please! And a pancake on the side.
Pancake did nothing for me so that’s a fail but that meatloaf, eggs and fries went hard! Fries deserve a gold star from whoever hands those out. Hell, give the fry maker 2 gold stars, I insist!
The place was kinda oldish but our server had charm that made up for the ‘interesting’ ambiance. I was hoping for some magic but I guess they only do that at certain times.
Not sure I’d make it back, unless there was a gun to my head but that day, it hit the spot.

Something seemed funny upon arrival at the Gathering. It was a balmy Saturday night. People were out and about on Goldfinch st., crowding into nearby restaurants Lefty’s and Brooklyn Girl. We parked in front of a crowd of people waiting for valet and headed over to the Gathering, expecting a wait. The place was empty. I should have known better.
Several years ago, before this restaurant burned down, it was a place that served great food with a cheesy 80’s Cheers meets Golden Girls atmosphere. Now it it a restaurant that serves crappy food– with the same atmosphere. Why on earth did you rebuild it to look just as outdated? Well, let’s try the food.
My man ordered a beer which came in a wussy 12 oz fluted pilsner glass. Granted, they had an ok selection of five local beers on tap. But please serve a pint. That’s what people are used to. You can charge 50 cents more if you need to. He ordered a San Diegan sandwich which came smothered in the most awful seafood salad on two thin slices of cheap sourdough that fell apart while holding it. I ordered my old favorite, the monte cristo. It was served up with a packet of generic brand jam on the side. Even Denny’s can do better than that with a packet of smuckers. If I can make better food at home, the restaurant sucks.
The service? Our server obviously hated her job, the bartender was obviously drunk, and the cooks were obviously smoking cigarettes right outside the front door.
I’d love to see Gordon Ramsay revamp this place on Kichen Nightmares, because that’s what it desperately needs. There are a few regulars that barely keep this place in business, but they are not attracting any new customers with food on par with a hospital cafeteria.

I just dined here yesterday which was a Saturday morning after I had just complete a 17 mile, 11 hour GoRuck Challenge (google it) the day before so my body was hurting and my appetite was roaring. I had to urge to cook for myself when I woke up so I looked and happen to find a Living Social $ 20 for $ 10 deal for this place which based on the menu looked awesome. I drove on over to Hillcrest from my Grantville residence and arrived about 815am and found the place pretty slow. I took a seat right outside since it was a beautiful morning out I could not waste the chance to site outside, soak up some sun and people watch over my breakfast. I ordered the shrimp and eggs omelet made with basil and tomatoes which does not have cheese in it and I liked that part as I am not so good with lactose. This came with potatoes lyonnaise and a warm basket of pineapple pound cake (2 slices) and an orange muffin which were all warm, moist and very tasty! I also got a side of buttermilk pancakes to feed my epic need for carbs during this visit. My order was served up within minutes and it looked great! (see my photos in the photo section) The omelet was spot on with lots of large moist shrimp and the basil did the trick for adding a hint of herbs. The potatoes were also prepped just as I like them, little grill char but not burnt. Pancakes were excellent! I actually took them home because the cake and muffins filled me up faster then expected. About 2 hours later however I took them down as well and they were still delicious after a quick zap and a shot of syrup and butter! Warm, moist and full of hotcake flavor (and aroma!) My server Denise was a doll let me say that! She gave me customer service like I have not had in a long time. Small talk about life, work, my arrival in SD, their menu, food, etc. She was quick to keep my coffee filled up and had everything I needed on key for a wonderful breakfast experience. She even gave me a free small cinnamon roll before I left to go! Now that was awesome! Next time I am asking for one of those to start off as that roll was not to be passed up let me tell you that!
Safe to say my Saturday morning may have just found a regular spot to sit back, chill out and partake in some easy going people watching while dining on some shrimp, eggs and potatoes with top notch service to back it up… I think I like how that sounds!

Came here for lunch after a fun day date at the science museum. I originally wanted to check out Great Maple but it was closed. Then my bf thought I said the Red Door when I said Big Front Door and we ended up driving down Washington. When I said I wasn’t that impressed with the Red Door restaurant last time we went, we said, «screw it», saw the Gathering, and found parking. Usually things like this would work out to be a happy accident, but not this time.
The exterior of the restaurant was so deceptive! From a quick glance you think it would be a poppin’ bar and grill full of young people but as soon as we were seated we were greeted by the sweet scent of eau de geriatric. In case you didn’t detect the sarcasm there, it smelled like old people and as my bf commented, it looked like an old hotel from the 70s. The customers when we went were much older — like senior citizen working on his crossword puzzle at the bar older. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that, but it wasn’t really what we we had in mind ambiance-​wise.
The food was ho-​hum off a very uninspired menu. Nothing really grabbed my attention and so I decided to stick with something safe and ordered the French Dip with a side of fresh fruit. Onions, swiss cheese, and beef on bread with a side of salty au jus. ‘Twas ok. My fresh fruit was not very good. Very under ripe slice of pineapple, cantaloupe and honeydew. The one strawberry was good though, yay!
The bf ordered the meatloaf and likened the mashed potatoes to instant mashed potato flakes from the box and the meatloaf to a hungry man frozen dinner. His beer arrived in the tiniest glass and for what it was, the food was definitely overpriced. The service — fine.

I stopped in for breakfast early morning. I was greeted by a friendly elderly yet up beat lady and she told to take any seat to my liking. She immediately asked if I wanted some coffee, and I said, for sure! Every meal comes with a nice basket of baked goods. (
) The orange muffin was very good (
), but my favorite was the cinnamon roll.
I ordered the bistro omelet which came with bacon, fresh spinach, green onions, and feta. I love feta, so I was very happy the omelet came with it. I had the omelet with a side of hash browns. (
) Other than the egg of the omelet being a little under cooked and it needing some salt, well it was descent. It certainly could of been better, but it did come with a generous amount of bacon spinach, and feta. (
) I think they forgot to put the green onion in the omelet because non was to be had. So I have to admit, I have had better omelets given the mishaps.
The hash browns appeared misleadingly crispy on the outside (
), but their inside was mush and bland. (
) I could not save them with endless amounts of ketchup and hot sauce. I was very disappointed with them and after a few bites, I let them be.
The service was definitely on the plus side, I just wish they would pay attention to small details such as seasoning and the cooking process of something as simple as eggs. Perhaps, I came on a off day, but then again, it’s just salt and cooking.

Great customer service!
I stopped by The Gathering during the Breast Cancer 3-​Day to treat friends who were walking to something to drink. It was packed as it was right on the path of all walkers, but the sweet hostess had no problems seating everyone and even those who had to wait didn’t mind. The service was fast, the food was hot, and the food tasted good too.
We quickly ordered fries, toast, an avocado, a sandwich and soda and coffee. It all came so quickly and our waitress was never anything but kind. She accommodated the craziness of all the walkers, my friends arriving at different times and even different checks.
I don’t frequent this part of town often, but when I do, I enjoy stopping by The Gathering.

After a busy evening at the Fashion Valley Mall, my partner in crime and I decided to redeem a Groupon that he had obtained for dinner. For two people, the Groupon included: two glasses of wine, an appetizer and two entrees. We arrived around 8pm, and the restaurant was fairly busy. Live music was in progress, featuring a charismatic older gentleman that was singing many feel-​good classics. On a few songs, I noted that my feet were tapping to the tunes. The interior of the space has a homey feel to it, very warm and inviting, thereby creating a relaxed, mellow ambience with zero pretention.
The waitress started us off by bringing a warm serving of focaccia bread and butter. It was quite delicious and was the perfect starter to assist in quelling the ravenous hunger growls that were being belted out by our neglected tummies. To whet our appetites further, we chose the Frech Fried Brie, an evil creation consisting of fried brie (of course), grilled baguettes, and jalapeño pepper jelly. The dish was executed fairly well; however, I felt that the baguettes weren’t grilled long enough. It was a minor foible that was overcome by the explosion of flavor that was had by the combination of the rich, creamy brie and jelly.
For my entrée, I opted for the Grilled Salmon Piccata and paired it with a nice glass of chardonnay. My ambitious dining companion was apparently in search of a more hearty option and selected the Country Style Meatloaf that was topped wtih a rich mushroom gravy, paired with a cabernet. My salmon was delicious, cooked perfectly, and married well with the respectable portion of mashed potatoes and vegetables that appeared at its side. I commandeered a generous bite of the meatloaf and it, too, was very good.
The menu is diverse and will appeal to almost every palate. The pricing is fair as well, certainly reasonable and commensurate with other establishments that offer similar fare. If you are in search of a fairly healthy meal, or just a feel-​good dinner that will usher in the nostalgia of childhood, The Gathering is certainly an option worth considering if you’re in the neighborhood. I look forward to returning.

My guess: go for breakfast, not for dinner unless you’re looking to entertain the kids.
Bottom line: We did not take our leftovers home.
Pros: Heavy pours on the wine. Key Lime pie was generously large for $ 6.
Cons: Dinner is pricey for what I got. We agreed that Robert Irvine from Restaurant Impossible should come in and give them some help because the basics were hit or miss.
Dinner rolls are served hot, but they seemed soggy.
Crab cake appetizers were amateur. Mushy and bready on the interior, barely edible instead of delectable.
Chicken Crepes were ok, but not what I expected. The «crêpe» itself crumbled and tore as if it didn’t exist under the weighty and heavily peppered alfredo sauce; the sauce is all I could really taste. The mashed potatoes were OK, and while the vegetables looked attractive they were cold.
Penne with Chicken in Arrabbiata sauce was watery and lacked seasoning.

FOOD: 4
EXPERIENCE: 2.5 to 3

I went to the Gathering for the first time on Sunday and I really liked it. It’s a very cute brunch place and literally is a great place to gather with your friends and family. We sat at a nice round table in the middle of the restaurant and had excellent service from our waitress, who kept checking up on us and refilling our drinks.
I ordered the smoked turkey sandwich and it was excellent. It was comprised of fresh avocado, tomato, lettuce, and pickles. I slathered some dijon mustard on it and it was just fantastic. What struck me most about this sandwich was how fresh it tasted. And also how healthy it tasted! It was really delicious but definitely tasted like a sandwich I would make on my own. It was decently priced for a sandwich of that quality.
My favorite part was the roasted pepper soup it came with. The name is deceiving — the soup isn’t actually all that hot. It’s just very rich in flavor and very soothing on the throat. I absolutely loved the soup and finished every last bit of it. It’s so good when it’s warm and it really just slides down your throat and really hits the spot! Or waitress was nice enough to give us a sample and I immediately decided I wanted that as a side with my sandwich (the other side choices are mashed potatoes, french fries, veggies, etc… you know, the usual fare).
One thing — the TV is a little distracting, but it’s nice to have a communal place to go to watch sports. Maybe not over brunch, though, when you want to just hang out with your friends.
Overall the Gathering is an awesome Sunday brunch place and I would definitely stop by again if I was in town.