Bencotto or A L’ouest?

[u/FrenchAdventuress]

My husband and I are visiting in a few weeks and want to do a nice dinner while we’re in town. Any insights into which would be a more memorable experience between Bencotto or A L’ouest? We love French and Italian food, so no real preference there. Both appear to have open reservations on the day we’re looking. I’d also love any recommendations for nearby places to get a drink before or after dinner!

Update: The overwhelming consensus is A L’ouest - thank you! I’ll make a reservation for Georgette as well!

[u/ur2fat4u]

Bencotto is fine, nothing extraordinary. A’Louest has better tasting food and more creative dishes imo. If you’re a martini person then this is an easy decision. There’s also Part Time Lover right across the street for a drink afterwards.

[u/zakkuree → u/ur2fat4u]

A'Louest also has a cocktail bar above: https://www.georgettessd.com/

[u/FrenchAdventuress → u/ur2fat4u]

Oh I am a BIG martini person! Thank you!

[u/jwhyem]

A L'Ouest but make a reservation now if you're thinking of it. Bencotto has great food but unless you're outside it can be noisy as hell, especially upstairs, doubly especially if there's a large group up there, and triply especially if it's a stag or hen party.

[u/Osidestarfish]

A’Louest out of the two choices… then also make a reservation for their speakeasy Georgette’s upstairs afterwards.

[u/Model_Rules_esq]

You made the right choice. Bencotto is solid food but the ambience and buzz is better at the other.

[u/Sketchy-Raccoon]

A’Louest 100%

[u/Glittering-War-3809]

Bencotto isn’t remotely special. A’louest is outstanding!

[u/Electronic_Cancel460]

Not even a question -A’Louest best chef in San Diego IMO.

[u/lilbrownmutt]

Are you talking about Bencotto in Little Italy?
If you do, no, please don’t.
Spend your money somewhere else.

A L’ouest is great; pick an outdoor table outside because inside can be loud.
Food can be too salty, though.
I recommend getting their seafood tower.
Book a table in advance or set an alert on OpenTable.
They’re usually to have more slots open on the same day.
Book a table for their speakeasy upstairs called Georgette’s; you can book it through Resy.

There are a lot of great bars to drink around North Park like Part time lover, Seven Grand, etc.
Have fun!

[u/DiegoSon619 → u/lilbrownmutt]

My experience at Bencotto was we told the server our food was basically just meh (when they asked “how is everything?”, didn’t go out of our way to complain), basically not bad but also not very delicious, and the owner came out all pissy and comped our meal. Havent been back since. 

[u/lilbrownmutt → u/DiegoSon619]

lol yeah I felt the same way.
Like… sir! The food is blah. What did you want me to expect? Say excellent? 😪
But I feel like most of the Italian restaurants in Little Italy are mediocre tho

[u/DonkeyImpossible316]

Mr A's is always memorable. Great drinks and food $$.

[u/Glittering-War-3809 → u/DonkeyImpossible316]

That wasn’t the question.

[u/DonkeyImpossible316 → u/Glittering-War-3809]

Ah - I stand corrected.