Herb & Wood

Herb & Wood might just be our favorite restaurant ever. We first dined here to celebrate an anniversary, and we’ve been thinking about their Parker House rolls ever since. Two years later, we returned – again for an anniversary – and honestly, this place was one of the biggest reasons we were so excited to come back to San Diego.

We were a little nervous that we had built it all up too much in our heads. But as each dish arrived, it somehow exceeded every expectation. It almost felt unreal how good everything was.

Naturally, we started with the Parker House rolls. Just like we remembered: crisp on the outside, pillowy soft inside, with this perfect balance of herby and slightly sweet flavors. For our mains, we chose the gnocchi with oxtail and a seared tuna steak, freshly caught just a few miles away. We also shared the crispy broccoli, which was so flavorful it could’ve been a main on its own.

I can confidently say: this was the most divine meal I’ve ever had. No notes.

And then, as if it couldn’t get better, we got dinner and a show. While waiting for dessert, we had front row seats as Chef Aidan Owens broke down an entire tuna in the middle of the dining room. Completely unexpected, and very impressive. Definitely an incentive to go on a Thursday – and if you’re into seafood, they also offer a three-course bluefin tuna tasting menu that night.

For dessert, we ordered the date cake…and that was the final straw. One bite in, and our jaws were on the floor. Every single course had been next-level, and the date cake was no exception. To top it all off, the team brought out ice cream to celebrate our anniversary. A perfect end to a perfect experience.

Whenever we’re in San Diego, Herb & Wood is a must – and if you’re looking for an unforgettable meal, we can’t recommend it enough.

Huge thanks to our waiter for the amazing recommendations: the tuna, the broccoli, and the date cake were all winners, along with the rest of the meal.