Books + Records

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

Review summary

1. C

   Candis VIP

   San Diego12 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   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.
   

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2. L

   Linda

   Baja California2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   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!
   

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3. B

   Bri VIP

   Denver2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   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!
   

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4. R

   Rochelle VIP

   Phoenix3 reviews

   1.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   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 4 days ago

   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
   

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5. 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.
   

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6. 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.
   

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7. M

   MIchael

   San Diego12 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 9, 2025

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

   Great spot for tasty craft drinks, cool ambiance, great food, and cool atmosphere
   

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8. L

   Luz

   San Francisco8 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 4, 2025

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

   The french toast and hashbrown dish were so good! Would definitely come back with my husband for a date.
   

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9. L

   Lisa

   San Diego3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 3, 2025

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

   Great food, nice selection. Fantastic service. Go. You will enjoy it!
   

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10. N

    Naivi

    Los Angeles2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

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

    Our server was very attentive & food was excellent Poema, sparkling Rosé, top tier.
    

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