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Located at 401 W Ash St, San Diego, CA 92101, Watercolors is a California cuisine restaurant that brings together a varied menu, casual dining, and familiar dishes with interesting flavor combinations. Whether you're planning a relaxed lunch or sitting down for dinner, this San Diego dining spot offers options that suit different appetites. From breakfast-inspired favorites to hearty pasta and sandwiches, the menu gives diners plenty to explore.
One of the appealing things about Watercolors is the range of dishes available. The Hummus is a lighter option for anyone who enjoys a savory, creamy spread. It's a simple choice that can work well when you're looking for something less filling. Meanwhile, the Chilaquiles bring a Mexican-inspired element to the selection. Traditionally prepared with tortilla chips and sauce, this dish offers a satisfying combination of textures and bold flavors.
For those who prefer classic breakfast flavors, the French Toast & Breakfast Potatoes is worth considering. French toast is known for its soft center and lightly browned exterior, while breakfast potatoes provide a savory contrast. Together, they create a comforting combination that appeals to diners who enjoy sweet and savory foods on the same plate.
The Steak Sandwich offers another direction for guests seeking a substantial meal. Steak sandwiches are popular for their rich, meaty flavor and satisfying texture, making this menu item an appealing lunch choice. For dinner, the Braised Beef Ragu Pappardelle stands out as a particularly hearty option. This pasta dish combines the traditional appeal of slow-braised beef ragu with broad pappardelle noodles, creating a combination associated with rich sauces and comforting Italian-inspired cooking.
Beyond the food, Watercolors provides table service, allowing guests to enjoy a seated dining experience. Its casual atmosphere makes it suitable for everyday meals without the expectations of formal dining. The restaurant also offers wheelchair-accessible parking, an important convenience for visitors who need accessible facilities.
When comparing California cuisine restaurant locations in San Diego, Watercolors presents an interesting mix of familiar comfort food and dishes influenced by different culinary traditions. Its menu includes lighter selections, breakfast favorites, substantial sandwiches, and pasta, giving diners several directions to consider.
For visitors browsing restaurant reviews or exploring dining options around W Ash Street, the combination of lunch and dinner service, table seating, and a varied food selection provides useful reasons to consider Watercolors. The Hummus and Chilaquiles offer alternatives to heavier meals, while the Steak Sandwich and Braised Beef Ragu Pappardelle cater to those looking for something more substantial.
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I decided to try breakfast here while im staying at the hotel as their menu options sounds really delicious with great variety and included some of my favorites! (Chilaquiles, turkish eggs, lemon blueberry pancakes). I ordered a soy milk latte which was solid and a large size and id rate 4 stars and I decided to order the chilaquiles with avocado after confirming with my server they were authentic . Im very picky about chilaquiles as many mess this delicious dish up. However Canvas did not disappoint! Large portion, good amount of sauce, the beans were so so good and good amount of cheese with some picked onion and cilantro microgreens. The sauce was a red sauce but slightly smokier than the traditional guajillo, it was delicious and mixed with beans so well. The tortillas were nice a crisp so the sauce was poured over them at right time without sitting to long. Everything was perfectly balanced with great flavor. The eggs were cooked overeasy, which was my fault I meant to ask for poached eggs but they were good nonetheless. I would definitely try them again! Thank you for a great service and delicious meal!
Whatever you do NOT order an espresso based drink here. IMO a restaurant that has an espresso machine should not be serving espresso drinks when the wait staff have not been properly trained to do so. The first day I had ordered an iced americano, and it was sloppiest one Ive ever had. I saw the "barista" grind n pack the portafilter without clearing the edge of it. As a trained barista you always clear that edge to create a tight seal so that the espresso grounds do not end up in the drink. The next morning I had ordered a SMALL latte during breakfast. The drink came to the table in a very large, glass mug. I intentionally ordered a small because I didnt think that the waiters would know what a cortado or flat white is. As you can seen in the photo it was mostly hot milk. I had asked the waiter how many shots of espresso were in it and they said one! I told them to take it off the order. My friend had an avocado toast w a poached egg on top, which he enjoyed. Avo toast is quite popular in CA so its a difficult thing to screw up. I had ordered a yogurt parfait, which tasted fine BUT it was like a kids menu in size. Very little granola and fruit, disappointing because I was expecting to be an adult sized portion.
We enjoyed our breakfast at Carte Hotel. The ingredients were fresh, portions were generous, and the service was excellent. My lox bagel (technically smoked salmon) had a bit too much arugula for my taste, which made it slightly bitter, but that's purely a personal preference. Next time, I'll ask to skip the arugula. Our server, Brandon, went above and beyond-truly exceptional! Nat too was very personable.
Had family visiting from out of town so decided to check out the hotel offerings and really enjoyed the lunch we had there. No fuss, easy service, with quality options. Had the fried chicken sandwich but can’t do spice so they were kind enough to have it on the side. Still tasted great and rivals any good chicken sandwich out there. My cousin loved his wagyu burger and apparently it’s one of their most loved items. Great space and atmosphere and may have to come back to check out their live music events!
We loved the breakfast at Watercolors! The French Toast is to die for - so much that we ate here every day of our visit! The service was great - we had asked for everything to come on the side for the French Toast and every time the order came out just right! We hope to be back for the best French toast we’ve ever had some day
I ate at the bar and all of the food was so delicious! The rock shrimp was fresh with a kick, the fries were cooked to perfection, the Brussels were spot on and carrot cake was decadent paired with the pistachio Gelato. I've never had this much food in one setting so I got the dessert to go but it was amazing! Kudos to Mikey the bartender and the chef, looking forward to going back!
We tried a few dishes at Watercolors during our stay at the Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton. The hummus was solid-pretty much what you'd expect from a dip-and-bread starter. The braised beef ragu pappardelle, though, was a bit underwhelming and could’ve used a bit more flavor. The steak sandwich was tasty and filling, though it had a bit too much blue cheese for our liking. Overall, a convenient spot to grab a meal, but some dishes hit the mark better than others.
We loved this restaurant! They are located at both the main floor and rooftop of the Carté hotel. Their rooftop has very beautiful city view with several fireplaces. I had their tiger shrimp and calamari pasta and my husband had the braised veal shank, they tasted absolutely amazing!! Especially the house-made cavatelli was cooked to perfection and the tiger shrimps were super sweet and fresh! Our waitress, Jessica, made our night even better with her outstanding service! She went out of her way to make sure we enjoy everything. Thank you! If you stay in the Carté hotel like us or happen to be close by, make sure to try it! :)