Tucked in the middle of a condo complex lies the hidden gem of Hillcrest. InsideOUT is one of the most popular Instagram-worthy restaurants in San Diego. This restaurant has gained popularity in recent years due to its constantly changing themes, especially during holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Valentine’s Day. And now they have introduced their newest theme – Spring Oasis!
Spring Oasis at InsideOUT San Diego
One of the things that sets Inside Out apart from other restaurants is its ever-changing décor. The restaurant is decorated in a way that is perfectly aligned with the theme of the season or holiday. For example, during Christmas, the restaurant was adorned with beautiful Christmas trees, wreaths, and ornaments. During Valentine’s Day, the restaurant was decorated with hearts, roses, and other romantic elements. This creates an immersive experience for guests that goes beyond just the food.
And now that spring has sprung (classic spring caption), they have transformed the restaurant once again. With flowers that glow and fake cherry blossom trees, you can enjoy the ambiance as much as the menu. Inside Out offers an impressive California and Mediterranean-inspired dishes and drinks. Their menu is constantly changing and evolving, and they use only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Be aware though that this is a very small venue. The walkways are thin and there aren’t a lot of tables. In fact they use some of the benches leading up their walkway as “tables”, which can’t make for a very comfortable dining experience I would imagine. Unless of course you happened to just be getting drinks, then it would be nice to maybe sit on a bench.
In addition to the restaurant’s unique theme and menu, guests can also enjoy a variety of cocktails, wines, and beers. Inside Out has an extensive drink menu that features handcrafted cocktails and a rotating selection of local and international beers. Visiting this restaurant is just one of many things to consider doing during spring time in San Diego!
Thoughts on the food and drinks
For as pretty as this restaurant was, I was underwhelmed by the food. I got the bolognese and my husband got the cheeseburger. Neither of these dishes were something to write home about. Even though the burger had claimed to be “the best”. This isn’t to say that the food was bad – it just wasn’t anything special.
For cocktails we got the Peachy Keen and Cherry Blossom Bloom. Peachy Keen was very delicious, and Cherry Blossom Bloom was very strong. Honestly for being named after something so delicate, it really packed a punch! But my husband liked it and I really enjoyed the Peachy Keen. In total our bill came out to just over $80.
As much as I love seeing the themes at InsideOUT San Diego change through the seasons, I probably won’t be back any time soon. The food was good but wasn’t great and to me that was a really big bummer. But they do change their menu regularly so who knows – maybe I will be back sooner than I think!
How to experience InsideOUT
The best way to experience this ever-changing restaurant is to make a reservation. Since their themes are only available to dine in for a limited time, this will ensure that you get to be a part of the experience as well. To make a reservation at Inside Out, guests can visit their website or call the restaurant directly. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and they also offer brunch on the weekends. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during holidays and peak hours.
Overall, InsideOut is definitely a restaurant to consider in Hillcrest, San Diego. It is a great place for locals and visitors to experience something new and exciting each time they visit. Its constantly changing themes make it a standout among other restaurants in the area. So why not make a reservation and experience it for yourself?
Be sure to check out more fun things to do in San Diego during the spring season here!
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