La Gran Terraza - San Diego

Went to La Gran Terraza for a business lunch and it was outstanding. It's located on the University of San Diego campus within the University Center and they typically offer valet parking but during the summer parking isn't as difficult to find if you don't want to utilize their service. We were served by Nicole (trainee) and April at our lunch today and they started us with a complimentary plate of multigrain bread with olive oil side. For the meal two of us ordered Chell's Shrimp and Crab Louie and one of us had the Red and Green Caesar with Airline Chicken Breast. Both salads were attractively presented and tasted fantastic. They both featured ingredients perfectly chilled and the chicken was cooked perfectly. This restaurant always does a great job with their food no matter what you order. We come here pretty often both for the food as well as to be on the University of San Diego's beautiful campus and have never had a bad food experience. Nicole and April were both friendly and attentive in their service. I highly recommend giving LGT a try.

I was taken here for a work luncheon and it has been the worst service I have ever experienced. We were sitting at the table for over 2 hours and were not served any food. Our orders were taken and yet no food ever came out. They didn't even bring us bread or offer to refill our drinks while we waited. We ended up leaving without having received a meal. I will never return to this restaurant and if I could give them 0 stars I would.

Beautiful setting and views, but have to say, the food (at least for me, today), was just ok. I ordered a cup of the Lobster Bisque served piping hot and topped with a drizzle of basil oil and micro greens; not nearly as good as Dobson's famous mussel bisque, but all right, and the cup was a generous portion for $5. The Gazpacho might be better; would try that next time. Then, (since you can never have too much lobster), had the Lobster and Shrimp Salad; kind of like a ceviche, but way too much Mayo in it, and too salty; also served with Old Bay chips, which made it even saltier. Didn't love what I ordered, but might try the Cobb Salad next time. Also, took half an hour to get my check after I finished eating, and had to ask 4 times; sigh.

The Food was good I really enjoyed the short rib tacos and the sea bass they where delicious! They had excellent service as-well the waiters were very on top of it. They brought stuff out promptly after I finished my appetizer! I enjoyed the experience and will be coming back again

I've been to La Gran Terraza three times now. Once while interviewing at the University of San Diego then twice since starting my new position. While I do think the food is pretty good, especially for this to be a restaurant on a college campus, I think my rating of 3 stars is a reflection of a bit of inconsistency in service and the quality of the food. My first time I wound up simply ordering a salad. Those around me ordered other dishes but I was interviewing, so nerves. I'll also admit that having worked on a number of campuses in the past it is sometimes best to exercise caution with campus restaurants. This however would have actually been a good day to take a chance! The dishes that those around me ordered both looked and smelled amazing. The service was also really formal, down to their solicitation of either coffee or desert. I think this experience informed my adventurous approach to the my next round at La Gran Terraza. I wound up ordering the Seared Striped Sea Bass specifically because I wanted the mushroom risotto. That said I will admit that the mushroom risotto, though flavorful, did not taste much like mushrooms. I am actually unsure if there were mushrooms in it at all because I did not see one while eating the risotto. That said again the risotto was still good and the fish was cooked perfectly so all in all this was a positive visit. This last time though was a definite miss. During lunch four of us wound up ordering the same dish, the Steak Frites. Coincidentally we each also ordered a bowl of soup and asked for our steak to be prepared medium. When we got the steaks each of the four were well done as opposed to medium. The garlic fries that came with them were also hard as a rock. Additionally, I can't tell you what the Béarnaise Sauce tasted like because it lacked flavor. I love both steaks and garlic fries but I'm unsure if I'd order that again. Right now La Gran Terraza is about 2 for 3 so I think overall it's worth the visit. I've also heard amazing things in relation to when they do/did buffets. Given that each time I've gone it's been during their lunch rush I think that may be the buffet style is a better venture for them. I'll report back as they tend to have events and I plan to check out one of their buffet events.