Candelas Restaurant

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME

Name: Deb | Date: March.21.2010

HORRIBLE! HORRIBLE! HORRIBLE Service. Waiter was given money and asked for change. Never came back with the change ($75) and when asked about it, he said he gave it back to us! After dealing with the useless manager, we were finally given the change. Only to be followed out by the waiter and asked, "Did you find the money YOU lost?" Basically accusing us of lying and stealing from him! A friend dining with us said that she had a bad experience there too, but was giving it another shot with us, and realized it wasn't just her experience, it's that whole Restaurant! We will never return and never let friends or family waste their time there!

Candelas

Name: Carlos | Date: February.22.2010

4/5 just because of the prices. our dinner for two with appetizers, entrees, split dessert and 2 drinks was $180. It seemed like a lot even for downtown.

1st cow burned up and 2nd one mooed!!!

Name: Paige | Date: February.19.2010

I won't return! I actually had a wonderful waiter but the kitchen needs some help! My ribeye was overcooked and beyond repair ... it should not have been plated or servered!!! The replacement steak was rare ... still quivering, I opted to take it home and cook it myself!

Candelas - Mexican/French fusion... kinda cool!

Name: Michael | Date: January.22.2010

I like to try new things, or have something I wouldn't have ordered because I didn't know about it. With that said, I love it when you can ask the waiter to order for you...sounds lazy i know, but i love it, and Candelas came through big time. Our waiter (forgot his name) showed his passion for the food they served, and knocked it out of the park! Every course and drink pairing was excellent!

Really Different

Name: Sandra | Date: November.22.2007 From the warm red lighted interior to the beautiful smells coming from the kitchen, you enter a different world here. The rolls were a nice start to the meal. The cheese one got raves at our table as did the jalapeno. The salads were fresh and different. The black bean soup thick and nicely spiced. The entrees (all seafood) were plentiful and nicely prepared. There was an interesting wine list and it was well presented. A pleasurable meal all around.

Candela's

Name: ALEX | Date: October.19.2007

The ambience & moood was nice. Even the Lounge was happening after dinner. The restaurant elegant,attentive staff & good food..Mexican with a bit of fusion..

I had the "Estructura de aguacate"(which is basically shrimp ceviche)very good though, for my dinner entree I had "Camarones Cabo de Puertas" (Jumbo Tequila Shrimp)very tasty & for dessert I had a delicious crepe..

The overall experience was great, The only thing is the portions are a bit small & pricey, So if you are going with a big appetite, this might not work for you..

The bread is one of the highlights, they give you several to choose from I would compare to Il Fornaio Italian Restaurant when it came to the bread. I would give Candela's 4.5 out of 5 stars !!

The best in San Diego

Name: Jenny | Date: May.31.2007 My husband recently took me to Candela's to celebrate my birthday. Everything was superb. We started out with Margarita’s in the bar. Our server Tony was great and he steered us through the dinner menu and provided wonderful suggestions for our meal. The bread service was perfection, only to be matched by the bread service at Emeril Legasse’s French Quarter Restaurant - NOLA’s. Overall, we have found the “Fine Dining” restaurant choices in San Diego very disappointing, but since discovering Candela’s we look forward to many great meals to come. We will return to Candela’s and request Tony as our waiter every chance we get! The Caramel Crepes were to die for!

Worst Dining Experience Ever

Name: Brian | Date: March.25.2007 We were extremely disappointed by this dining experience. We have heard nothing but good things about Candelas, but not only will we never return, we will actively discourage our friends from going there. The hostess was rude, and she did not seat us until 20 minutes after our reservation time. The dining room was practically deserted, and it remained that way while we were there; there was no reason for us to wait. Other posters have raved about the seemingly endless supply of hot rolls. We received one room temperature roll apiece. The roll server did not even approach our table until about 30 minutes after we had ordered. We were similarly ingored by the waiter, who made no effort to refill our drinks (no free refills!) or sell my boyfriend another beer. My entree was supposed to come with mashed potatoes, but it did not. When I asked the waiter about it, he insisted that mashed potatoes were not included. I checked the menu as we left the restaurant, and the entree in question should have come with mashed potatoes. We essentially paid 38.50 for a petit filet with no sides. We could have gotten great food in larger quantities with exceptional service if we had gone to Oceanaire or Mister A's instead. The food at those restaurants is worth every penny; the food at Candelas is not worth even half of their exorbitant prices. Because we live downtown, we eat out quite frequently. Believe me, Candelas is a mistake we will not make twice.

Great meal

Name: Brian | Date: February.08.2007 Candelas completely lived up to my expectations, which were high after reading the other glowing reviews on this site. The food was fantastic and the service was attentive but unobtrusive. The only thing I would change was the noise level at the restaurant, which was a little high in our part of the restaurant due to two large parties dining in our immediate proximity. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this restaurant to others.

Absolutely Amazing

Name: Emily | Date: December.08.2006 This is one of my favorite downtown restaurants. It isn't what you think of traditional Mexican, but much better. I have never had a bad dinner there. The steaks are always great and my boyfriend just loves the scallop appetizer. Aside from great food their servers are always wonderful and the decor is very romantic and nice. Definitely worth a trip to the Gaslamp.

Great food/atmosphere

Name: Craig | Date: February.27.2006 Hosted a client dinner for 23 at the restaurant. We were seated in a semi-private area over three tables with room to move around among the group without squeezing between seats. Excellent setup. Food was outstanding as was the wine. Service was attentive but not intrusive. Would strongly recommend restaurant. Only negative: with larger groups you must choose from pre-selected menu options which is not uncommon. However, you are given no flexiblity in which entrees are available. Restaurant wouldn't substitute one entree for another which could be an issue for some. Otherwise, choices were excellent and prices fair and inclusive of appetizers, salad/soup, entree and dessert. Wine prices/selection were good.

We keep going Back

Name: Thomas | Date: January.13.2006 I made the reservation for my wifes birthday and they gave us a table by the window. The meal was super and I always order the Black bean soup. Super again. The waiter was pleasent and attentive. The meal was excelent and they provided a desert for us which we shared. We eat downtown often and with this location we sometimes we forget about it But when we do go back we always say why it wasn't sooner

Great intimate dinning

Name: A | Date: February.09.2004 The "estructura de aguacate" and the "fillete de res franco" we ordered , were prepared to perfection. The service was great, thanks to Hector! and the dimmed lighting was perfect for a romantic weekend night dinner. The Candelas merlot house wine was very good also. Definitely will be back.

Excellent food keeps me coming back

Name: Lisa | Date: January.17.2004 I've been drawn back time and time again to this quaint, stylish restaurant off the beaten path downtown. The Filete de Res is always tender and flavorful on a bed of zucchini flower sauce as well as the delicious salad with hearts of palm that they serve. The duck dish is also flavorful and moist. Desserts aren't as memorable but the service and endless supply of hot, cream cheese stuffed rolls make me yearn to come back for yet another wonderful dining experience. Alberto and Conrado always make you feel welcome...

Unique & delicious

Name: Janet | Date: December.17.2003 My husband and I loved this restaurant. The excellent food was a refreshing change from the norm and the service was impeccable. We both highly recommend this place!