Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in College Area

Had a great dinner with friends last night at Blue Boheme! I made the reservation through this app on the same day and the only option at the time was outdoor sitting. The server (sorry I forgot her name) made the dining experience wonderful! She was very attentive and gave great food and wine recommendations. After we finished our La Planche appetizer, we asked if there’s an available table indoor (as it was getting chilly outdoors). The server went in and checked. A couple of minutes later she came out and told us the good news! So we moved inside and had our main course. Everyone loved their picks (I got the pork chop - so good! The rest got the duck, scallops, and a chicken dish). The indoor ambience was lovely, and the entire staff was amazing. It was my second time dining at Bleu Boheme and definitely will not be the last.

One of my favorite restaurants! I love the food, everything is delicious, especially the mussels. The service is great and ambience is super nice

my parents are in town visiting, and we brought them here. Not only was everyone lovely, the food was delicious. Everything on the menu seems like it was a conscious choice, and each piece of the meal tasted delicious. We usually don’t order dessert when we go out, but we did this time and didn’t regret it.

My husband and I went to Casa Gabriela with our toddler shortly after 6:00 on a Friday night, so it was fairly busy. We had a reservation and arrived 15 minutes early, thinking we would not find parking as quickly as we did, and they were able to sit us within five minutes. The staff were quick to take our orders and the food was out quickly, considering the quality. Speaking of the quality, everything was excellent. My husband raved about his quesadilla, and he is a hard man to impress. My picky eater of a child scarfed down most of a bean and cheese burrito, which was a sight to behold. I had the seafood enchiladas and they were delicious, although I was way too full of the equally good ceviche we had first to finish them. I have a wheat allergy and love that I can safely eat here. We will definitely be back!

My wife and I had such a great evening at Giardino Neighborhood Cucina in Lemon Grove. The food was incredible – the Pappardelle Bolognese was rich and flavorful, the Tiramisu was perfect, and the wine selection really brought everything together. Roberto, our server, was amazing—so friendly and attentive. After dinner, we checked out Zest, the wine bistro right next door, owned by the same people as Giardino. Heather was working there and gave us great recommendations for wine, making it a perfect way to end the night. If you’re looking for delicious Italian food, awesome service, and a great spot to relax with a glass of wine, Giardino and Zest are a winning combo. We can’t wait to come back!