On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.

Spread

4 star rating
based on 57 reviews

Category: Vegetarian  [Edit]

Neighborhood: North Park
2879 University Avenue
(between Granada Ave & Kansas St)
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 543-0406
  • Price Range: $$
  • Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
  • Parking: Street
  • Attire: Casual
  • Good for Groups: Yes
  • Good for Kids: No
  • Takes Reservations: Yes
  • Delivers: No
  • Take-out: Yes
  • Waiter Service: Yes
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
  • Outdoor Seating: No
  • Good for: Dinner
  • Alcohol: None

57 Reviews for Spread

Sort by: Recent + Votes | Time | Rating
Photo of Bailey M.

 

1

5

Bailey M.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
08/03/2008

I went here with a friend on a whim... definitely not in our normal price range for a casual weekday dinner but since we made the trek over we went with it and it was delicious! We had the freshly made pasta dish and the romaine salad of the day... being a vegetarian/vegan it was nice to not have to question what was in the food and have only veg choices. I'm not used to sharing my food because I do have such dietary guidelines but my meat-eating friend had no choice and we both really enjoyed our meal. I wish I could come here regularly but my salary doesn't allow it! I'm looking forward to trying their award winning brunch some Sunday soon!

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Funny  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Chris B.

 

1

8

Chris B.

San Diego, CA

3 star rating
08/07/2008

Well I was a little disappointed upon my arrival to spread...for a place that's been written up in so many magazines and even had there peanut butter given away at the Emmys they atmosphere was as drab as can be. Now the food was pretty good...pricy but good. We had a Tomato and Watermelon Salad, and a rice Berry vegetable thing.... dessert uhhh chocolate peanut-butter and fruit to dip into $15! Really it looks like they got the space and a day later they were open. The acoustics are horrible and they have a DJ it's a big concrete Box....would I go again...no, I don't think so as  vegan or vegetarian meal go it's really good...drinks cost too much and they are just fruit smoothies with Han Vodka way overpriced...sorry Spread you could really impove and be great good luck!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Tsegi T.

 

1

8

Tsegi T.

San Diego, CA

2 star rating
07/30/2008

When they first opened they were way better. I used to love this place.  Everything had some sort of nut butter in it back then. They had a drink selection and the prices were not so ridiculously high. The food is still sort of interesting but way over priced now. Sure, the bubble chairs are still cool. Other than water there was only one drink available. It was some sort of crazy concoction I was totally uninterested in. The food still tastes intriguing but it is just not that satisfying. After the fake meal at Spread we went somewhere else to get a real meal.

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Jen Z.

 

0

4

Jen Z.

Berkeley, CA

5 star rating
08/31/2008

Spread is wonderful, yummy and Dj-licious.

My fiance has never been to a vegetarian restaurant he hasn't made fun of - until this one.  It is so yummy, and the ambience cannot be beat.  The place is delicious, the service prompt, the food fresh as can be.  I loved the organic, fruity cocktails, and have a new appeciation for "spreads".  Definitely worth the hype.

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Norma R.

 

11

23

Norma R.

San Diego, CA

2 star rating
06/20/2008

Was I in an episode of the Twilight Zone in here?

My friend and I had just finished running and were ravenous, we had both heard of Spread through the grape vine and decided to give this place a whirl...

So there we were a pair of ravenous runners, we walked in.
We were seated and shown the chalkboard of todays menu... which was...quite sparse and immediately noticeably pretty costly...
so we ordered a salad which sounded delish and a stewish ragu thing... we anxiously and did I already mention, HUNGRILY waited for our food... we were given water from a pitcher full of water and flowers...yes...flowers... which people, in THEORY is wonderful, however in practice you get funky flower gunk in your glass....

the salad was AWFUL... it had too much of something bitter in it, it was hardly edible, but in our hunger we ate it all (the servings are also not very large).

So we both decided that the salad had been awful and that the ragu better be good or else!

There was a looong lapse between the salad and the ragu

Enter the Ragu---- it sat at our table in all of its unimpressive glory in a quite small bowl, with some large leaves thrown around it for decoration... oh and two pieces of bread....

it was okay and pretty much amounted to a bunch of different ypes of potatoes in an interesting sauce.  

we paid a lot for a tiny thing of stew and two pieces of bread....

NOW the two stars... they were friendly, and the concept itself is great... however I shall not be returning to this place!

People thought this was:

Useful  (3)

Funny  (2)

Cool  (3)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Marina F.

 

7

10

Marina F.

San Diego, CA

3 star rating
06/24/2008

I don't see how anyone can come here regularly but it's definitely worth experiencing at least once. It's the truest testament to the wacky, hippie vegetarian places you only hear about in stereotypes. It's a fun dining experience reading the menu alone is worth the sit down. It's the kind of place where "Conceptual PB&J" seems perfectly normal.  The prices aren't too bad; believe me when you walk into the place you wouldn't expect them to stick it to you with their prices because the interior looks like my uncle's garage. My highlight, besides the PB&J, was the full bearded ginger waiter with a holey flannel shirt asking if we would like more flower infused water. Show up you'll have a story to tell.

People thought this was:

Useful  (2)

Funny  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Aimee M.

 

9

15

Aimee M.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
06/24/2008

This place is pretty awesome. It is a little pricey and honestly I'm not a huge fan of the seating arrangements but the food is original and very tastey! The first time I went there I had a thai pizza and savory french toast -- the best meal I've had in a very long time.

The second time was really good too but I left a little unsatisfied with the quantity of food -- it seems the ragu's tend to be a little on the small side (portion wise). I would also like it if there were a little bit more carbs to be found on the menu at times but overall definately worth trying out when you have a couple extra bucks to spare.

edible flowers = awesome

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Doug M.

 

7

11

Doug M.

Irvine, CA

5 star rating
08/08/2008

This food is by far the best food I have had in...forever. Everythin I had was full of flavor and I liked every one of the 7 entrees on the menu that night. They have a swinging egg seat hanging from the ceiling. It made me feel special and it was admittedly fun to bang into the wall with.

On to the food! The menu was all vegan the night i went, which is good because we went there for my brothers 21st b-day and he's been vegan for 7 years. There was a watermelon salad. I don't like lettuce, so I figured I wouldn't like the salad, but I was partly wrong. The watermelon chunks in the salad had so much flavor! Then came the bruschetta with pesto....ohhhhh....flavor orgy in my mouth baby. The pesto was so rich and creamy...mmm...creamy. Then came the purple potato thing . Was probably the least memorable, but good nonetheless. After the potatoes came the beets with rice thing. It had a very interesting taste. It was memorable, but not my favorite...loved the beet sauce they used though. Then came the amazing pasta that had a vegan alfredoesch sauce that blew my mind. Ahhhh...such good pasta too. The pasta was definitely hand made. It had a hollowed out center. After the great pasta with a peculiarly nutty and smooth sauce came the ragouette. It wasn't my favorite, but it was a good end to a wonderful dinner.well, I can't say end cause after that there were fruits that we were able to dip in 3 of their signature spreads. I loved the peanutbutter white chocolate spread. It was so good. My entire family, aunts uncles, grandparents, cousins, they all loved it! And they are all really weird when it comes to vegan foods. Well, the adults are weird about it. Not so much us kids. There were vegetables and/or edible flowers mixed in with all of these entrees. I'm sure I didn't do the food justice, but believe me when I say it is the best food in San diego, and the best food in general. A very refreshing and new take on food. I also loved the atmosphere.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Ryan H.

 

88

50

Ryan H.

Pasadena, CA

5 star rating
05/26/2008

Different yet refreshing.

Considering that I am a carnivore, I give this place 5 stars for showing me a whole new world.  I always thought Vegetarian food tastes like crap but this place was pretty good.  

Went there on a Saturday night and our group ordered everything on the menu (7 total).  The theme was Vegan night.

My faves were the arrugula salad, the pasta dish, and the French Toast.

The water comes in a pitcher filled with flowers.  Like I said, this place is different.

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Kimberly Y.

 

4

2

Kimberly Y.

Arcadia, CA

5 star rating
03/18/2008

Delicious fresh vegetarian food that completely satisfies my usual carnivorous tastes!  The flavors are amazing, I love that they change their menu daily but I so dearly miss their Thai pizza which I only had once and talk about incessantly.  Even my bf, who lives off burritos LOVES this place.

Their dishes are on the smaller side and not cheap, but if you want huge portions with overpowering flavors, go to Cheesecake Factory, if you're looking for dishes that are an amazing medley of subtle flavors served in moderate portions (c'mon America, fight the obesity inducing portions we've become used to) than Spread's your place!  Just make sure you call ahead because the owners are occasionally away at catering events.

People thought this was:

Useful  (5)

Funny  (1)

Cool  (5)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Peter T.

 

1

30

Peter T.

Long Beach, CA

3 star rating
05/13/2008

This place was too weird for me. Lol. I took my eccentric, meat-avoiding girlfriend here for her bday. I was expecting a vegetarian place but it ended up funkier than I imagined, with their interesting use of non-traditional plant ingredients.

The food actually was good. The menu changes daily so no need to comment on specifics. I will say that the garlic fries were delicious.

I commend this place and its cooks/owners on their creativity.

People thought this was:

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Jessica Y.

 

9

77

Jessica Y.

Arcadia, CA

5 star rating
03/06/2008

Definitely one of my top 3 restaurants and I'm not even vegetarian! I can never get sick of this place and everyone (non-vegetarians, picky eaters, etc.) I've ever taken here has loved this place. When I make the trek down to SD, I don't even know if I'm doing it to visit my bf or to eat at Spread! It can be a little bit on the pricier side, but it's definitely worth it. The food is delicious and absolutely at it's freshest! The owners actually base the menu everyday depending on what they happen to find at the local farmer's market. The decor is interesting and fun inside. Plus,they alway make you feel so welcome and like a super star! The owner knows all his regular clients on a first name basis. Spread also sells delicious spreads! They were featured as Oprah's favorite things. Geez, starting to sound like a spokeswoman, but I'm just SPREADing the goodness! Wahahaha.

People thought this was:

Useful  (3)

Cool  (3)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Jessica Y.

Elite '08

40

137

Jessica Y.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
03/31/2008

Tried everything else?
Tired of everything else?
Does not disappoint

*******************************

Each day, new menu
what is fresh, is what you eat
do not miss their spreads

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Gemma D.

 

7

14

Gemma D.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
04/09/2008

yum. I like that everything is catered to being vegetarian Im sick of going to places with typical veggie items, (green salad, veggie burger)
Only been there once but I had the artichoke grits very interesting flavor and it was tasty (I wish I knew how to make it :). The almond butter was the best ever. wow. I always like almond butter a much more subtle nutty flavor than peanut. I had the butterscotch almond butter. Its a bit  expensive but well worth it. So good just eat it plain straight out of the container with the itty bitty spoons they give you.

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Yvette P.

 

0

15

Yvette P.

San Diego, CA

3 star rating
02/06/2008

Spread. I love the idea of local, fresh, beautiful vegan dishes/menus which change everyday depending on the supplies at the local farm.

However, I only liked couple of their dishes out of the six dishes we've tried: Salads & Thai pizza. Everything else tasted way salty. Soups and pastas/rice are not recommended.

Desserts & drinks were very interesting and decadent though. I think next time I would go for salad, dessert, and drinks, only on special occasions, due to their high price tags.

I would really like to love this place so hopefully they'll put less salt in their dishes...

People thought this was:

Useful  (3)

Cool  (2)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Melissa G.

 

7

23

Melissa G.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
01/28/2008

Spread is sweet... literally. Ate dinner here this past weekend and tried 4 of the 6 entrees being offered as this place serve family style.

3 of the 4 dishes we ordered were incredibly sweet. I mean syrupy sweet. I'll be honest, I have a  sweet tooth, but even this was too much for me. The flavors in each dish were great  (the banana curry and the wild rice were my favorite), but I had a sugar headache after leaving.

For dessert? Please pass the salt.

People thought this was:

Useful  (3)

Funny  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Jeff T.

 

7

37

Jeff T.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
04/02/2008

Spread has a fun and interesting take on vegetarian food. Their menu rotates regularly, which means you can always expect something new. Last time I was there they had a duck egg fried rice which was delicious. And, a basil sangria (I think that's what it was). Anyway, it was tasty.

The best part of the restaurant, however, is their peanut butter, which is pretty much the basis of their approach. They have so many different delicious varieties, that it's best to try a few, just because choosing is so difficult.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of may j.

 

102

43

may j.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
12/21/2007

The bubble chairs are awesome, those cost over $3,000 each, I believe.

go here for THE DRINKS, and to sit in the $3,000 chair that you will never be able to afford. haha

Lavender Lemonade, water that tastes like flowers, champagne with rose-petals in it, and some other interesting drinks that seem to change each time I go here...

The food tastes like salt.

I keep trying to go here, hoping for it to be good, but it never is.

I am really picky though. Just know that the drinks are good. Try the food, if you hate it, at least you tried.

People thought this was:

Useful  (2)

Funny  (1)

Cool  (2)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Willie L.

 

12

25

Willie L.

San Diego, CA

3 star rating
11/11/2007

Agreed on all accounts on what Albie said.  The food does taste pretty good.  I had the thai veggie pizza and fresh papparadelle.  Spread does a good job in the use of herbs and they smell and tasted good.

I just can't justify the price!  I love eating food and I am more than willing to pay good money for good food, even if the portions are smaller.  But when I leave the restaurant feeling empty inside after paying a rather large sum of money, I just can't recommend it.  You would feel fuller getting a desert or two in Heaven Sent Desserts down the streets.

People thought this was:

Useful  (5)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Charlie F.

Elite '08

45

40

Charlie F.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
10/11/2007

Spread is the BEST restaurant in San Diego. I have eaten there probably ten times and have always had extremely delicious, innovative and filling food. More than a meal, eating at Spread is an experience that expands your culinary horizons. It is pricier than some other North Park restaurants, but I find it well worth it. I think someone below said that if it was in SF or NYC, it would be impossible to get a table there and the prices would be twice as high. So true! It is a great value.

I am vegan, and they are uber-sensitive to my needs. I especially love that they ask every table if anyone is vegan. The second time I went there, the owner remembered that I am vegan and suggested how they could modify each menu item for me! I didn't even have to ask!

Speaking of suggestions, I suggest making reservations or going early to Spread. Since they use such fresh ingredients which they buy daily, they don't overestimate how much food they will need for each night so sometimes they run out of some items. That is a GOOD thing. While it might not be the most convenient, it is a testament to their commitment to serving foods at their freshest.

Their DRINKS are seriously delicious, too. The basil gimlet and everything else I've ever tried has blown me away!

Can I just say, portion size does not determine how much food at a restaurant should cost, its quality does, and you'll be hard-pressed to find higher quality food than that of Spread. The finest restaurants always serve small portions because of the high-end ingredients and because it sends a message that the food is meant to be savored not inhaled. I think the portions at Spread may look small, but the richness and flavor of the food always leaves me full. They suggest 3 entrees for two people, but that is usually way too much for me and my partner. One per person is plenty of food for us (and we are big eaters, two guys). The fact is, when food is really wonderful, you don't want or need a huge amount of it to be satisfied.

Also, in defense of Spread's prices, why is it that people have no problem lining up at Outback to pay $20 for a steak and baked potato, but when a restaurant charges $16 for an incredibly delicious stir-fry made from organic, farm-fresh, and unique ingredients, it is highway robbery?? I know it's not because Outback gives you enough food to take some home for lunch the next day because I used to be a waiter there, and the vast majority of people either clean their plates or don't take home any of their unfinished food. Maybe it's the Australian atmosphere??

People thought this was:

Useful  (12)

Funny  (1)

Cool  (10)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of ALE S.

Elite '08

16

124

ALE S.

San Diego, CA

3 star rating
02/18/2008

I came here on my birthday on a tuesday night, and it was empty. I had tried coming here before when it first opened on a friday night and it was empty then as well. It was slightly uncomfortable sitting in an empty restaurant having the waiter watching you.

The waiter read to us the entire menu and it kind of sounded like he was trying to be a chef on some food network show the way he talked about it. The ingredients were fresh and tasty sounding, and the waiter urged us to order an extra dish even though there were only 3 of us.

The presentation of the food was amazing. I've secretly always wanted to try edible flowers, and they were pretty tasty. We ordered the arugala salad which was my favorite, the mac and cheese and the pesto grits. I think they try to do too much and the dishes were a little overpowering. The grits were very garlic-y, but then again I don't like garlic all that much.

We all had the cinnamon sangria which was good. The flower infused water is pretty good too, even though it was a little too much flavor when paired with their food.

Overall the food is good, but definatly not for the price, our meal turned out to be something in the range of $90 for 3 dishes, and 3 drinks. I must say their portions look small, but they are SUPER filling. We didn't even need the extra dish, we were all full by the end of our meal.

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Justin L.

 

10

18

Justin L.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
01/10/2008

Everything's amazingly delicious and fresh.  I highly recommend bringing a few friends so you can try a handful of dishes.  The menu items are ridiculous.  I mean seriously, where else can you enjoy macadamia rose pesto grits with roasted vegetables and rose petals next to a tall glass of basil sangria?!

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Funny  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Albie F.

Elite '08

44

207

Albie F.

Hayward, CA

3 star rating
10/29/2007

This place is pretty good......if you want small portions, rose pedals in your water, and then a nice drive to In & Out afterward to actually get full.  

We had a thai veggie pizza, chocolate salad, and a couple other dishes.  We then proceeded to get some double double animal style.

People thought this was:

Useful  (3)

Funny  (4)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of will h.

 

23

27

will h.

San Diego, CA

3 star rating
12/19/2007

For the non-believers, it's hard to not make fun of this place after a dinner here.

...

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Funny  (2)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Mary F.

Elite '08

249

158

Mary F.

Berkeley, CA

4 star rating
09/10/2007

I ate here when it 1st opened and formed an aversion to peanut butter. The culprit: peanut butter soup. Oh god, I'm still having flashbacks. I mentioned it to my companion on a random trip back to SD.
Me: "Remember that horrifying peanut butter soup?"
Mr. M: "Yeah, didn't we wrap it up and take it home and make your roommates eat it as a penalty for leaving condoms in the bathroom"
M: "Oh god, I'm getting ill just remembering it"
Mr. M: "Want to go back before we head home?"
..... yes, we're a couple of regular masochists

So we get there just in time for Sunday brunch and the decor is pretty much the same: futuristic, colorful and quirky with the same DJ spinning acid jazz. But oh lord.... the food has undergone a metamorphosis. They started off with a selection of "Nutters" (PB spreads that we're delicious) and it just kept getting better and better. Banana chocolate chip french toast?!?!?
*gism*
I'm glad that the chefs honed in their craft (god, I love saying shit like that) and didn't go wayyy over board on the PB stuff like the 1st time I was there. They really found a good balance. The salads were also beautiful. Like the vegetarian bastard love child of a pack or skittles and a farmer's market.

So my mind has been changed.... and I can now rekindle the old flame that used to burn between me and sweet sweet peanut butter.

People thought this was:

Useful  (6)

Funny  (6)

Cool  (9)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Lauren M.

 

2

5

Lauren M.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
12/02/2007

Wow.  That really sums it up for me, just WOW!  Sometimes I get bummed about living in the SD because it kind of is a culinary wasteland.  I mean, Oceanaire, people?  Really?  But I digress.  Then I found Spread.  I'm not even a vegetarian (I really like chicken), but if this place was representative of the average vegetarian diet then I would convert.  

We ate there over this weekend for like the millionth time and everything about the experience was absolutely top of the line.  The owner introduces himself & guides you through the entire experience, and they wait on you hand & foot.  The food is the absolute freshest, most original, and beautiful that I've ever seen.  The only place I can compare it to is Mix, Alain Ducasse's restaurant in Vegas!

I can understand how there are going to be some people who just don't get it, and that's fine.  But anyone who really loves quality, unique food, and is adventurous, and doesn't spend their life completely dependent on tofu dogs or whatever it is vegetarian people eat, will love this restaurant just as much as I do.

People thought this was:

Useful  (2)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of dan g.

 

19

91

dan g.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
02/25/2008

So my girlfriend and i walk into this place, I'm thinking they're gonna have like 30 different kinds of hummus or something cause it's called SPREAD.  But we walk in and i'm like "did we miss the miami vice reunion shoot?" because there are crazy bubble chairs and all this wierd bullshit going on with the decor.  Frankly i was a little scared.  We sit down and some guy with fat mutton chops comes over and asks if we had eaten here and when we tell him no he goes into a trance-like state to tell us about the restaurant, but you can't understand a fucking word he's saying because his trance had made his tongue go deep into the recesses of his throat and he can only pronounce sounds like mmmgh.  Then he poured us water from a pitcher with a vegetarian still life in it.  When that was over he brought over the chalkboard menu which had seven items but two were crossed out, the lowest costing $15 (in my head i was like FUCK, isn't this a vegetarian spot?).  Then the owner comes over, explains the restaurant some more (in cognizant english) and goes over the options, which sounded pretty crazy and not really up my alley (french toast for dinner? - I would have gotten it but they were out of jalapeno bread, another what the fuck moment for this place).  We ordered and the salad came in a few minutes.  It was very good, arugula, but not too bitter, and the dressing was perfect with it.  I even ate the flowers in it and those weren't too bad (don'e judge me).  Then the artichoke grits came, and they were fantastic.  It didn't taste much like artichoke which is a plus for me, and it came with roasted vegetables that added to the flavor and all were delicious.  I was very impressed, especially after my initial fears of turning into Zoolander upon entering the restaurant and/or eating the food.  Before we left we ordered a can of their famous peanut butter, which was butterscotch almond.  It was awesome, at $9 I'm not gonna get one tomorrow but it is a great dessert.  The most unexpected, bizarre dining experience I've ever had, but i truly enjoyed the food, minus points for the expense and the ridiculous decor though.

People thought this was:

Useful  (4)

Funny  (5)

Cool  (2)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Wendy S.

 

7

31

Wendy S.

Saratoga, CA

5 star rating
01/21/2008

I walked into this restaurant for dinner not exactly sure what to expect. The decor was.. interesting, to say the least. I'm usually not into the mod avant garde thing, I guess. I was also a little apprehensive since the restaurant was right next to what appeared to be a very tacky Chinese restaurant.

After we entered, my boyfriend and I were quickly seated, served water, and the owner of the restaurant explained each of the night's items to us in detail. I thought the service was pretty amazing -- the owner kept periodically checking in on us to see how we were enjoying the food.  And, ohh, the food.

The food was amazing! Okay, actually, the mac and cheese was AMAZING. The salad was good, but a bit difficult to eat. I think it was a bad choice to use hazelnuts and pomegranates. While both provide delicious flavors, they're also a little cumbersome to eat. I'm glad that the mac and cheese came out second though since it was a definite show stopper. The presentation was gorgeous -- handmade macaroni covered with melted cheese, lightly decorated with flowers and giant cubes of sweet toast, toppling over the sides of a bowl into a plate.

Other reviews have said that the restaurant's portions to be too small, but my boyfriend and I didn't find that to be the case at all. Admittedly, we didn't go into the restaurant hungry, but by the time we left, we were both filled with food. My stomach hurt from eating so much. I also don't think $15-20 was an unreasonable price per entree, especially considering that the owners change the menu daily depending on what's freshly available at the market.

Anyway, just for that heavenly mac and cheese and the great service, I'm giving this place five stars.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of julia b.

 

4

30

julia b.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
04/16/2008

i would love to give this place 4.5 stars!  

servers=very nice and supa cool.
decor=very zoolander.   i didnt get to sit in their plastic bubble chair, but it looked so fun!
food=i am a health freak, seriously, so i get stoked at the chance to eat and ORGANIC RESTAURANT!  i am also on a gluten free diet and this place had stuff for me to eat.  

it's called spread for a reason!

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Natasia K.

 

84

303

Natasia K.

La Jolla, CA

3 star rating
09/01/2007

I'm just not that ok with organic food being this expensive, so -1. The average person cannot visit Spread and enjoy the wonders of real veggies, which sucks.

Good salad, good pasta, small portions, posh environment, like the menu board and the daily changing menu. Just good... not excellent.

People thought this was:

Useful  (3)

Cool  (2)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Wendy B.

 

0

4

Wendy B.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
05/12/2008

Honestly, the BEST Vegetarian restaurant in San Diego. This amazing place has a new menu every day based on what they find at their local farmer's market and what is organically in season. As soon as you walk in the door the aromatic fragrance will let you know that you;ve made the right decision. There are usually anywhere from 6-12 offerings per day. Usually a salad or two, an appetizer or two and several entrees. Everything is served family style, so take friends with you, it is a great place for everyone to experience.
Though it is 100% vegetarian, there are times when the menu is more than generous with vegan offerings as well. Last Saturday was completely vegan and totally amazing. Chef Andrew and his wife do a phenomenol job with this place.
If you enjoy a cocktail, don't miss out their spiked lemondades and/or sangrias- amazing! No beer, but enough booze in the mixed organic drinks to keep everyone in good spirits :)

If you are going to have a large group call for a reservation. They also do catering and peanut butters that are so tasty that I use them at home on the weekend for my pancakes!

I could not ever say enough good about Spread. It is everything you want and more. Delicious, tasty, healthy, upscale-type food, but a totally chill atmosphere (which, you will get totally as soon as you see the funky bubble chairs in the window). Just a fun place!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of michael E.

 

2

2

michael E.

San Diego, CA

2 star rating
02/09/2008

Spread is an all vegetarian restaurant and all of the ingredients are fresh and from the local area. The food is very different from most places and very good. It's not as good as the owners think though. I've been to Spread several times and the best experience I had was when the owner was not present. They seem to try to get you to order more than you can eat and they cannot stop talking about how great their own restaurant is. It also has strange hours and is not open when you would expect it to be. I don't go to Spread any more because I cannot deal with the pretentiousness of the place. The last time I tried to go it was 8:00PM, the restaurant was empty (not one person) and I was told they were completely booked up for the night. I guess I didn't make the cut.

People thought this was:

Useful  (4)

Funny  (2)

Cool  (2)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of yvonne m.

 

9

25

yvonne m.

San Diego, CA

2 star rating
01/20/2008

i'll give two stars for the bubble chairs and the friendly service.

this place is so pretentious and overrated that i want to scream.

aaaahhhh!

there, i screamed.

my companion and i had no idea of what we were stepping into when we tried "spread."  i just had to see what this place was about.  the bubble chairs, the weird name of the establishment...so in we went.

the atmosphere is mod, removed, and sterile.  it reminds me of  influx coffeehouse.  the guy who waited on us was friendly.  we sampled the various nut spreads, which was cool.  we had water with our samples as we waited for our food.  the water was lukewarm, served in plastic goblets which were supposed to be kitschy and chic, but came off as tacky and cheap.

we both had the thai pizza and some sort of salad with a fancy-schmancy name.  the pizza was awful;  glorified peanut butter sandwich with no jelly.  the salad was ok, but afterward i was left feeling like my companion paid for some greens, and the atmosphere - not a meal.

if you want to try something different, spend money on the image/ambience, nibble on abnormal foods,  and pretend that you are hip, go to spread.

avoid this place if you are expecting a normal dining experience, with some great tasting food.

People thought this was:

Useful  (5)

Funny  (3)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Joanne L.

Elite '08

76

222

Joanne L.

CA

5 star rating
08/28/2007

So amazing that I came here two nights in a row.  After my meal, I couldn't stop gushing about how much I loved it to every single person I talked to.  Awesome presentation of the food and the dishes are all very creative.  Everything is so fresh and I love that they use organic and locally grown produce.  I wish I could give them an extra star.  They're also very vegan friendly and offered my non vegetarian self and my vegan roommate lots of flexibility with dishes so that we could share and I wouldn't miss out on cheese hahah.  

The papparadelle pasta is handmade and yummy and chewy and awesome and makes me miss the handmade Chinese noodles I get back home in the Bay Area.  The salads are light and lovely.  My sister is coming down to visit this week so I'm going again.. that'll be three times in the span of a week.  I'm in love.

Next time, I'm gonna get their peanut butter.. it's expensive but if their food is this awesome, it's gotta be amazing.  After eating here, I've also realized the need to be with a man who can handle not having huge portions of food and/or meat in every dish.

People thought this was:

Useful  (2)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Denise Q.

Elite '08

363

969

Denise Q.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
06/21/2007

Such an awesome place.  

My first encounter with the owners was at the Hillcrest Farmer's Market.  They make that amazing Nutter Butter (organic peanut butter) in about a million flavors from raspberry, to mint chocolate chip to girl scout cookie.  I used to have literally, about 30 jars of peanut butter in my old condo, because every week, I would go and buy some and never finish it before I wanted another flavor.  

Anyway, the restaurant is part 2 in their master scheme to conquer the world.  

Hip, modern and funky complete with hanging bubble chairs from the ceiling, in the front two windows.  

The menus change daily according to what they have in the kitchen that is fresh.  Everything is so fresh, the water comes with fresh flowers floating through out.  Their drinks also rock, and it is here that I fell in love again with the mojito and also the Bellini.  

The waiters know their stuff, and they have to as their menus change daily.  Things I've had here that I loved : the peanut butter banana sandwich, the pad thai, banana curry oatmeal, and thai pizza.  

This place opened at the perfect time: when I was thinking that San Diego was never going to catch up to everyone else in terms of really good original food.  And now it's proven me wrong.

People thought this was:

Useful  (2)

Cool  (2)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Allison H.

Elite '08

226

232

Allison H.

San Diego, CA

2 star rating
06/20/2007

I'm all for fresh, organic and innovative but my food fell short.  I wouldn't take anyone here.  It's like eating a slapped together (but healthy!) meal in someone's cold and unfriendly kitchen.

People thought this was:

Useful  (2)

Funny  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Meadow Muffins A.

 

3

5

Meadow Muffins A.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
06/13/2007

Such a dope fucking place....

I was just about throwing in the towel with SD dining experiences.

The menu is created daily from whatever fresh, organic ingredients the owners find. Their heart and soul in completely in this place. Fun, modern, minimal atmosphere.

Excellent food, and nothing too crazy for those who are not as adventurous. I tried the duck eggs....not my favorite, but I knew if I was ever gonna try them, they would have to be here. Me and my friend had to order 4 dishes for brunch...

Fucking awesome. Amazing. Well worth the money, and I am happy to support the owners....

People thought this was:

Useful  (2)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Diwaker G.

 

1

6

Diwaker G.

La Jolla, CA

4 star rating
04/02/2008

Spread is a nice, small restaurant with space-age furniture but no paper menus. The menu changes every day so they write it up on a small wooden board and that is basically the menu. Our server brought the board to us and gave us fairly detailed descriptions of all the dishes. Its a little pricey, but the food is just amazing. I would have loved if the servings were a bit larger, but well, you can't have everything!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Rachel M.

 

8

3

Rachel M.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
07/23/2007

San Diego doesn't seem to know how fortunate it is to be home to this amazing restaurant. I've rarely had to wait at all for a table. In San Francisco, there'd be a line around the block. I'm torn between wanting to sing it's praises, and wanting to keep it on the down-low. But I just gotta give it up for the creative culinary talents of Andrew & Robin. They make you re-evaluate what food is all about.

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Photo of Victoria B.

 

2

23

Victoria B.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
07/08/2007

Wow! who knew vegan could be this yummy?  I loved the cinnamon french toast with stone fruit and flower petals. And the water that is flavored with flowers is delicious.  Never would have found it without yelp. I will definitely be back!

People thought this was:

Useful  (1)

Cool  (1)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

1 to 40 of 57