The food items were delicious, great selection of interesting dishes. The wine list was impressive (we’ve been to major wine areas all over the planet). However, what we were most impressed with was our server Olivia. She knew the menu items very well - could answer any and all questions that we had. She expressed herself very positively. Rather than ask “are you still working on that?”; she asked “are you still enjoying your meal?” Rather than reply to a thank you with “no problem” or “no worries”; Olivia replied with “my pleasure.” When we go back; we’ll make a point of asking for Olivia!!!
Smertrios
a little gem hidden in plain sight. Great service with an refreshing menu. A must taste.
JamieD
So disappointing.... Was excited to try this restaurant and the way it was run was like they just opened. We waited for our table even though we had reservations and that set tione for whole night. We waited to get our order tahr , waited for water, waited for food had to flag down waitress to get another drink. And somehow the wait staff and manager seemed to think it was all fine. Food was good and interested but for price I expected way better service!
SRM62
Cool space, a bit loud, service was a little slow, food was good (short rib entree was like warm), fixed price Friday was a good value. Will probably return and try the other dishes.
Spectacular experience. The ambiance is intimate, unique, and the food is fantastic. I was so impressed with David who helped us choose some wonderful dishes, including the special of the night. It was clear every single person we encountered was the height of professionalism. Our meal was the highlight of our evening, every last bite delicious.
mamaacorn
Always delighted with our experience here. The addition of a lamb burger and fries was a hit for us! I ordered some herby yogurt sauce on the side for the zatar fries and it was super! Highest quality ingredients and service.
Patita
We eat here often and have always been pleased, but today I ordered the fish dish (barramundi). A third of the fish was not well cooked/on the raw side (pretty gross). I told our server to please notify the chef, but nothing happened. We also had the lamb Berger and that was OK. The dessert, passionfruit custard, was delicious.
EveP
It was really attentive service, and the food was good. Even my in-laws who don't like to venture out of americana meals Enjoyed the food. It was just a bit loud. It was hard to hear each other across the table, and as a party of five that made for Difficult lunch conversations as our family is elderly. 
ElanaL
The service was amazing, so attentive. The food was delicious. Our waitress really described the wines well too. Only bummer was we either had to all get the prix fixe menu or none of us, but I understand why.
Dan R
Wow, what a great place. Lovely menu and we were impressed with the tapioca dessert. You won’t be disappointed by eating here!
I recently had lunch with friend at the lovely Mingei restaurant before a play at the Old Globe nearby. The menu is wonderful as far as variety and the number of items is concerned, and all the food is unique and beautifully presented. There are even several interesting non-alcoholic beverages offered. The service was excellent, and both the hostess and waitress asked if were were attending an event after our meal, which we were, so that they could manage the timing to facilitate our ease with dining and getting to our event on time. Several of the dishes were too spicy for us. Most restaurants ask the level of spicy-ness desired, which was not done, and we had to leave 2 dishes uneaten. That was sad, as we lost the benefit of having those dishes, and of course had to sustain their costs anyway. We would go there again, but would be much more careful to ask about the level of the hotness of each dish before ordering it.
Delicious and beautiful, well executed and served with attention and care. Crispy fried tofu was the biggest surprise hit for the table in a crowd of standouts which included the rock shrimp gyoza, the rye pierogi and short rib.
ErinY
I hate to leave such a positive review. The food was fantastic, the cocktails were delightful, and the ease of dining there is not something I want to share with anyone! I guess I can't stay greedy though, and hope I get to come back with ease before it gets too popular. Dining in Balboa Park was such a wonderful experience outside our bubble.
JohnW
Beautiful outside in the evening. Food was wonderful and creative and yet leveraging German traditional food concepts. Staff are always amazing. Love this place! One suggestion is to explain the creative approach by the chef when welcoming the guests. This sets the expectations that the chef intends to leverage his experience and techniques in each dish.
CamilleP
Absolutely LOVE this beautiful and sophisticated restaurant at The Mingei in Balboa Park! The restaurant has great ambiance, both inside and out. We sat in the outdoor garden. The staff is so friendly and proficient! The food is expertly cooked and splendidly prepared. A real art to the presentation! I had a delicious grilled barramundi in a subtle coconut curry sauce with heirloom cauliflower. It was splendid! I am so picky about how my fish is cooked and this was moist and tender, yet, nicely charred and flavorful. My partner had the Cuban sandwich and he couldn't stop praising it with ample superlatives. I didn't taste it, but it looked great! The afternoon was so enjoyable! We have a place in San Diego, and we will definitely come back next time we are in town. Thank You, Artifact!
The food items were delicious, great selection of interesting dishes. The wine list was impressive (we’ve been to major wine areas all over the planet). However, what we were most impressed with was our server Olivia. She knew the menu items very well - could answer any and all questions that we had. She expressed herself very positively. Rather than ask “are you still working on that?”; she asked “are you still enjoying your meal?” Rather than reply to a thank you with “no problem” or “no worries”; Olivia replied with “my pleasure.” When we go back; we’ll make a point of asking for Olivia!!!
a little gem hidden in plain sight. Great service with an refreshing menu. A must taste.
So disappointing.... Was excited to try this restaurant and the way it was run was like they just opened. We waited for our table even though we had reservations and that set tione for whole night. We waited to get our order tahr , waited for water, waited for food had to flag down waitress to get another drink. And somehow the wait staff and manager seemed to think it was all fine. Food was good and interested but for price I expected way better service!
Cool space, a bit loud, service was a little slow, food was good (short rib entree was like warm), fixed price Friday was a good value. Will probably return and try the other dishes.
Spectacular experience. The ambiance is intimate, unique, and the food is fantastic. I was so impressed with David who helped us choose some wonderful dishes, including the special of the night. It was clear every single person we encountered was the height of professionalism. Our meal was the highlight of our evening, every last bite delicious.
Always delighted with our experience here. The addition of a lamb burger and fries was a hit for us! I ordered some herby yogurt sauce on the side for the zatar fries and it was super! Highest quality ingredients and service.
We eat here often and have always been pleased, but today I ordered the fish dish (barramundi). A third of the fish was not well cooked/on the raw side (pretty gross). I told our server to please notify the chef, but nothing happened. We also had the lamb Berger and that was OK. The dessert, passionfruit custard, was delicious.
It was really attentive service, and the food was good. Even my in-laws who don't like to venture out of americana meals Enjoyed the food. It was just a bit loud. It was hard to hear each other across the table, and as a party of five that made for Difficult lunch conversations as our family is elderly. 
The service was amazing, so attentive. The food was delicious. Our waitress really described the wines well too. Only bummer was we either had to all get the prix fixe menu or none of us, but I understand why.
Wow, what a great place. Lovely menu and we were impressed with the tapioca dessert. You won’t be disappointed by eating here!
Restaurantji Recommends
I recently had lunch with friend at the lovely Mingei restaurant before a play at the Old Globe nearby. The menu is wonderful as far as variety and the number of items is concerned, and all the food is unique and beautifully presented. There are even several interesting non-alcoholic beverages offered. The service was excellent, and both the hostess and waitress asked if were were attending an event after our meal, which we were, so that they could manage the timing to facilitate our ease with dining and getting to our event on time. Several of the dishes were too spicy for us. Most restaurants ask the level of spicy-ness desired, which was not done, and we had to leave 2 dishes uneaten. That was sad, as we lost the benefit of having those dishes, and of course had to sustain their costs anyway. We would go there again, but would be much more careful to ask about the level of the hotness of each dish before ordering it.
Delicious and beautiful, well executed and served with attention and care. Crispy fried tofu was the biggest surprise hit for the table in a crowd of standouts which included the rock shrimp gyoza, the rye pierogi and short rib.
I hate to leave such a positive review. The food was fantastic, the cocktails were delightful, and the ease of dining there is not something I want to share with anyone! I guess I can't stay greedy though, and hope I get to come back with ease before it gets too popular. Dining in Balboa Park was such a wonderful experience outside our bubble.
Beautiful outside in the evening. Food was wonderful and creative and yet leveraging German traditional food concepts. Staff are always amazing. Love this place! One suggestion is to explain the creative approach by the chef when welcoming the guests. This sets the expectations that the chef intends to leverage his experience and techniques in each dish.
Absolutely LOVE this beautiful and sophisticated restaurant at The Mingei in Balboa Park! The restaurant has great ambiance, both inside and out. We sat in the outdoor garden. The staff is so friendly and proficient! The food is expertly cooked and splendidly prepared. A real art to the presentation! I had a delicious grilled barramundi in a subtle coconut curry sauce with heirloom cauliflower. It was splendid! I am so picky about how my fish is cooked and this was moist and tender, yet, nicely charred and flavorful. My partner had the Cuban sandwich and he couldn't stop praising it with ample superlatives. I didn't taste it, but it looked great! The afternoon was so enjoyable! We have a place in San Diego, and we will definitely come back next time we are in town. Thank You, Artifact!