Books + Records

Books + Records reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. J

   Jason

   San Francisco1 review

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food and great service. When we asked the server for recommendation’s he was spot on
   

   Is this helpful?

2. T

   Tammy

   Orange County1 review

   1.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   The food was actually horrible. I don’t know how the chefs made the food but the bucatini pasta was hard. The steak was too charred and there was no good balance. The wagyu tartare was way too sour and the flavors did not blend well together. Definitely not worth the price at all.
   

   Is this helpful?

3. M

   Matthew

   San Diego10 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Came here for my anniversary with my partner and was pleasantly surprised to find out it’s all-day happy hour on Wednesdays—such a treat! I loved the margaritas, the chicken bao buns, and the s’mores brownie dessert with ice cream. Our server, Posha, was very attentive, which made the experience even better. The place did get busy and loud as the night went on, so I’d recommend making an earlier reservation if you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe. Great spot to meet up with friends too. Definitely coming back!
   

   Is this helpful?

4. L

   Lauren

   Los Angeles1 review

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Such good food, very nice and accommodating server Dalton, great ambience, drinks were strong. Happy hour all night on Wednesday, Definitely making this our new date night spot.
   

   Is this helpful?

5. C

   Candis VIP

   San Diego12 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on May 18, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   The service was great, however, the food was incredibly salty. I like sodium but the salt was overwhelming in every dish we ordered except for the crudo. The drinks were great. Will definitely go back for the drinks & the night time manager, Dalton was fun & very nice to look at - it was super loud though and hard to have conversation. A great place to have drinks, but maybe not for dinner again.
   

   • 

   Books + RecordsResponded 6 days ago

   Hi Candis, Firstly, I'm so sorry to hear that the food was too salty for your liking. We always aim for well-balanced flavors, so your comments are incredibly helpful as we continuously refine our dishes. I also really appreciate your note about the noise level — we understand how important a comfortable atmosphere is for conversation, and we will definitely be taking this comment into consideration moving forward. I'm so happy to hear you’d come back for drinks, however, and stay tuned as we continuously upgrade our menus with seasonal ingredients! All the best, Curtis Jackson Senior Reservationist
   

   Is this helpful?

6. L

   Linda

   Baja California2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 18, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Books and Records in San Diego is hands-down one of my favorite date night spots. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance—vintage charm with a modern twist that feels both cozy and stylish. Their happy hour menu is seriously impressive, packed with all my favorite dishes (and yes, they nail every single one). The drinks are top-notch too—expertly crafted and beautifully presented. Whether you're going for a casual evening or something a bit more special, this place delivers. Highly recommend!
   

   Books + RecordsResponded 6 days ago

   Hi Linda, Wow! I'm thrilled that we are one of your go-to date night spots and it means so much hearing that our happy hour items and drinks are consistently impressive! We put a lot of heart into creating an experience that feels both memorable and welcoming - so feedback like this is so rewarding. We can't wait to have the pleasure of welcoming you back soon! Best, Curtis Jackson Senior Reservationist
   

   Is this helpful?

7. B

   Bri VIP

   Denver2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 18, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Absolutely amazing wait staff. Amazing food. Crazy delicious drinks- can’t recommend enough!
   

   Is this helpful?

8. R

   Rochelle VIP

   Phoenix4 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on May 15, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   We went to Book & Record to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday, hoping for a special evening, but it turned out to be a huge letdown. Despite arriving early and being seated promptly, we waited 15-20 minutes just for water, and the service was inattentive throughout the night. The atmosphere didn’t match the theme at all, and the vibe felt completely off. The appetizers, including the pork belly and chicken buns, were mediocre and disappointing. The ribeye we split was served on a cold plate, looked unappetizing, and tasted flavorless. They even forgot our sides, which arrived after we finished the steak. Nobody checked on us, and the only positive aspect was the bottle of wine we ordered, which saved us from a longer wait for drinks. To top it off, there was only one working bathroom, causing a long line. Overall, it was not worth the time or money, and we left without even having dessert. Definitely a one-star experience.”
   

   Books + RecordsResponded on May 16, 2025

   Hi Rochelle, Thank you for your honest feedback — I’m truly sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet expectations, especially on such a special occasion. We had some unexpected staffing issues the evening of your visit, which unfortunately left our team overwhelmed, and it’s clear that impacted the level of service and quality we strive to deliver. We never want anyone to leave feeling let down, and we deeply regret that this was your experience. The delays, missed items, and lack of attentiveness are not reflective of the experience we aim to provide, and I completely understand your frustration. I’ve reached out to you privately, as I’d really appreciate the opportunity to connect directly to provide you the experience we are capable of and you deserve. Best, Curtis Jackson
   

   1 person found this helpful

9. J

   Janet VIP

   New York City1 review

   5.0

   Dined on May 12, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Loved everything the food the people the vibe. I did think that there was a shelf Mother’s Day. It did say that on the website, but we still had a great time me and my son. Thank you. Definitely be back.
   

   Is this helpful?

10. A

    Austin

    Cincinnati1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Great food and simple drinks on happy hour. Cool space with friendly service.
    

    Is this helpful?