Ocean Beach Restaurant Review – Voltaire Beach House

Restaurant Review

Voltaire Beach House
4934 Voltaire
San Diego, CA 92107
619-955-8840

In doing a restaurant review, I frequently invite others to join me because the more people reviewing the restaurant the more authentic the review will be.

Today I was fortunate to have two people review the Voltaire Beach House with me that have never done a review before.  Rosemarie lives in Pt. Loma, and her friend Bette is visiting from Florida so we agreed to meet at 11:00am – opening time – at the restaurant.

When I arrived at the restaurant a few minutes ahead of Rosemarie and Bette I was greeted by Caleb, one of the men working the bar. He told me I could sit anywhere and when I told him I was waiting for two others he showed me where the menus were kept and where the silverware was located.  And when I asked him if he was “working” he said that he was just “helping out.”  (There had been a meeting there earlier in the day and some of the people at the meeting were still there.)  But … he did more than “help out” – and was a seen presence throughout our meal.

Steak and Egg Bowl.

When the ladies arrived I suggested that they pick the seat they wanted. (It should be noted that the tables are high with stools around them.)  The first piece of advice that I can offer you is this – if it is a cold day outside make sure you are wearing warm clothing because the restaurant is primarily outdoors, and even with a few space heaters and a heater that we sat right in front of, we were still cold.

The first table that we sat at was just too cold.  Caleb suggested that we sit at a different table closer to the space heater on the wall. We moved there, but found that we were just as cold.  Then Eddie lit the table with the heater and suggested that we move to that table. (Fortunately there were not many people there yet so we were able to make the move.)  And, in spite of sitting at the table with flames shooting out, we were still chilly.  I would imagine that on a warm day this would not be a problem, but it certainly was this particular morning.

“The Packed”

The “Let’s Get Started” portion of the menu has 9 items, ranging from $8 to $12.  This section also has a “gluten free” veggie toast listed.

The menu states that “Breakfast is served all day”, and there are three items on that menu – an Acai Bowl, $11;  Steak and Eggs Bowl – $12, and a EBLT –fried egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato, toasted sourdough, garlic alioi and seasoned fries for $10.

There is a bigger selection of their “Greens” – with 9 offerings listed, starting at $11 and going to $14.  There are 4 sandwiches, beginning at $12 and going to $14; Five different burgers, including a veggie patty, beginning at $12 and going to $15.  Additionally there is a “Grub” menu – which includes Fish and Chips at $14; Fish Tacos at $13, and Mac & Cheese at $11.  There is also a Kid’s menu with prices at $5 or $6.  To round out the menu there are two offerings for dessert.

The drink menu has bottles, draft beers, cocktails, wine, etc. listed and seems fairly extensive.  There are also sodas and non-alcoholic drinks listed.

“Market Fish Tacos”

After some discussion we each decided to order different things so that we could sample more things on the menu.  We did begin with an order of “Loaded Guacamole”, which was described as “crushed avocados – blistered cherry tomato –radish – queso cotija -pickled jalapeno – cilantro – pepitas and house made tortilla chips”.  ($8)  In spite of all of the above, the guacamole was somewhat bland.  The radish, tomato and jalapeno were not mixed in with the avocado, and it was missing a spicy flavor.  It wasn’t bad; just was missing the “kick” one usually gets with guacamole.  As far as the “home made chips” – they, too, were nothing special.

Rosemarie ordered “The Packed” ($14).  That consisted of bulgogi marinated steak, with ginger-coconut rice, green onions, kimchi, sesame seeds, cilantro, and one sunny side up egg.  The marinade on the steak was quite good as was the kimchi.  In fact, she remarked several times that the kimchi was not too spicy; was seasoned “just right.”  She said she would have preferred to have brown rice instead of the white rice with ginger and coconut, but said that that was her preference.  She was very pleased with her order.

“Loaded Guacamole”

Bette ordered the “Steak and Eggs Bowl” ($12), which had many roasted potatoes, steak bits, tomato and onion saute, and two sunny- side up eggs.  When she first began eating her breakfast she said it was wonderful; everything seasoned perfectly; meal was served hot; and the steak was good. The eggs were cooked well; not runny but not hard either.  However, as she neared the bottom of the dish, she said that the steak was either fatty and/or tough, and, for the first time in a long time she did not ask for a “to-go” box.

I ordered the “Market Fish Tacos” ($13) and I had them (2)  grilled instead of fried.  It came with chipotle aloli, cabbage slaw, salsa fresco, avocado, lime, and tortilla chips.  They were ok; the salsa was more of a pico de gallo, and again I found the spiciness associated with Mexican food missing.  I am not sure what species the fish was, but it had a fishy odor and not to my liking.

We each ordered hot tea and were charged $3 a cup.  The brand of tea was one I had never tried before – Revolution – and was very tasty. Some of it was caffeine free – some was not.

Throughout the entire meal, Eddie came back to us and asked if everything was okay; if we needed anything else.  Quite honestly I was so cold that I could only think of finishing my meal and getting out of there.  (Normally I would have asked if there was salsa available, but just didn’t want to take the time!)

Our total bill was $61.42 without the tip.  And so the question comes up “ . . . would I go back?”  The consensus was “maybe”.  The menu is a little pricey for me.  The service was excellent.  So … if it was a hot day and I was driving down Voltaire St. and came across a parking place in front of the restaurant – maybe.