Barrel & Board

One of my new favorites in Hillcrest. Great atmosphere, friendly staff and the best cocktails. We also enjoyed an amazing charcuterie board but we ate it so quickly I wasn’t able to take a photo. The kitchen doesn’t open until 5 so keep that in mind and enjoy some cocktails first.

WHY hadn't I gone here sooner?!?!? The food (OH THE FOOOOOOODDD) was AMAZING! The service was great, and the atmosphere was wonderful. I will be making a quarterly...if not weekly trip back! Moe was sweet enough to show us the bar and the 'speakeasy'!!! AND they have MOCKTAILS that don't make you feel like you're just drinking a Shirley Temple!

We ordered the "confident" drink and the " I'm coming out drink". Both were strong and delicious. The food was great and the bar was fun after dinner.

We had a reservation at 8 PM to get a charcuterie board and drinks. It wasn't busy. The drinks were good and the board was delicious. The downside was that service lacked. The waitress didn't come by to ask if we wanted more drinks or to check in on how we were doing. We felt ignored and had to flag her down to get dessert and the check. Would recommend going at an earlier time.

Second time to San Diego and first time in this beauty. They did not disappoint!! Uuuhhh from the layout to the menus to the staff, we had a 10 star experience!!! There for a baby shower and with all the decor we brought, they were so accommodating! From the food to the craft cocktails and beyond, we couldn’t have had a better time. Thank you to all the staff!!

Damn Delicious and beautiful presentations of their dishes. Drinks are on point and creative. The atmosphere is social fun and inviting. They're only drawback is that their service sucks except for the beautiful 22-year-old waitress who stepped in and took care of us. Thank You "M"

Recently I visited Barrel and Board. A perfect place to chill with friends and family. Scrumptious food, lit ambience, good music and swift service. I started with mocktails which were really refreshing. Next up I tried the fruit and cheese board which was really delicious and definitely a must try. Concluded with some dessert. Overall experience was amazing.

Wine and charcuterie board. What more can a girl want?! I went here twice in 3 days 🙃🙃 Portion of the boards are good. The place is super cute. Staff super friendly. Would definitely come back!!

The brick and mortar restaurant may be closed.... But they are still catering! Had a bridal shower for my daughter. They were prompt, professional, and as you can see, made a Board for 45 guests that was delicious and beautiful. We will do miss going to the restaurant. We had the honor of the head chef putting this Board together. Please invite them to your event! We will again!

Barrel & Board is sort of an all around, suits all your needs kind of place. They have outdoor seating, seating for large parties, a more relaxed bar area in the front and a speakeasy bar area in the back. I was surprised to see that there were so many different kinds of seating. The speakeasy definitely gave happy hour vibes whereas the front seemed like the place if you just want to have a drink and talk. The menu is rather small but they have all the regulars (a burger, some salads, appetizers, steak, poutine, etc). They also do two different sizes of charcuterie boards that have items you are able to add on for a certain amount. This is definitely a place you come to have a drink. The drink menu was more extensive than the food menu so keep that in mind. I ordered the Beyonce and my friend and I split an individual size charcuterie board. The individual size is definitely for 1-2 people. The shareable size is for 3-4 people. I loved my drink! It was so good and I would definitely order it again. I enjoyed the charcuterie board but I'm not sure I would order it again only because the prosciutto was something we had to pay extra for. I think I would try the blackened salmon if I were to go for dinner again. The service was really nice! The bartender was super attentive and helpful. I had alot of questions and she answered them all. She also offered to remake my drink when I knocked it over. I would come back here but likely for just drinks.

I am so thrilled to FINALLY find perhaps my favorite spot in San Diego - Barrel & Board, a gem in the heart Hillcrest that has something for whatever vibe you're going for. I would best describe the atmosphere as a cross between rustic and bohemian, cozy and warm, but fun, elevated and chic. The place is great for both dates and for group parties. They have a DJ on Friday and Saturday night and two bars: a dive bar you can shoot back Jager bombs and a beer back if that's you're thing to warm up before going through the refrigerator door to the main bar. Service is attentive and friendly. Portions are very satisfying, and you can tell the food is made with lots of love (and of course COLOR!). You can get a charcuterie board to share, there's an extensive cocktail, mocktail, and wine menu, and the food is great, too. I loved the salmon and "pad Thai." My friend ordered the steak and was practically licking the plate when he finished eating. I hesitate writing this review because I don't want to give away my best kept secret, but I must give credit where credit is due. Well done, B&B! Can't wait for next time :)

Do you want to take your friends to all the dive bars? Same. But sometimes they're all whiny "But Kourtney, why can't we go somewhere nicer? This bar smells funky and they don't even sell food." Barrel & Board definitely counts as nicer. The bathrooms are cute and clean, the drinks are classy with fresh flower garnish, and they have a tasty food menu. Also it doesn't have an overall stink, which I guess some folks prefer in their drinking establishments. B&B is a beautiful bar of optimism, successful dates, or fun friend hangs. Plus it's just down the street from its sister joint, Gossip Grill where we head afterwards usually to enjoy King Shows. I've had quite a few fun evenings at Barrel, even just solo, drinking at the front bar with Dom serving drinks. I haven't gotten to know the other bartenders names yet but they're all great. If you don't know what you'd like they're happy to recommend something or make you something off menu, like a drink they had on the menu but it's recently been swapped out, provided they have the fixins of course. With a big group I usually head to the back bar, it's a fancy little room with greenery, chandeliers, and a disco ball in the corner. It's got sophisticated party vibes back there. But also kind of slinky date lighting. It's hard to explain but you know it when you see it. How's the food menu? It's fun. If you're a snacker they've got these charcuterie boards that are perfect for sharing (or not) while you gab. If you're more of an eater they've also got you covered. My favorite app is the Ahi Tuna Al Pastor (Bluefin Tuna, Grilled Piña, Pickled Onion and Cilantro Tossed in Salsa Adobo Served With Homemade Chicharrons) which is a slightly spicy number. Why have boring chips and dip when you can have tuna and porky crunchies? Exactly. For mains I enjoyed the burger (a great bar basic) and So Cal Poutine only because I like soggier fries but that's not for everybody. My absolute fave so far has been the shrimp & pappardelle (RIP) but it's been removed from the menu. Petition to bring it back. It's like they're forcing me to order the very delicious sounding ribeye next time I come in. Drinks? Haven't had a bad one, but I do have faves. If you disappear for a bit and return you might find your faves are now off the menu, replaced with newer tasty options. B&B is really saving me from myself always ordering the same thing. Bee My Baby since I like basily drinks and Gold Dust Woman (a sweet little peachy number) are some gone away gems but on the current menu I like the Lipstick Lover and Barbie Dreams. The Smooth Operator wasn't as coffee forward as I'd thought it'd be, but there's always the I'm Every Woman to try. But again you can ask for a riff on something and they'll accommodate if they can. They've also got delicious mocktails! TLDR- Great bar for classy broads. Go to Barrel & Board solo or with somebody, order the drink that speaks to you (by booze or artist really), and get something to nibble on. It can't be a bad time, it's just not possible.

Finally able to give this hidden gem a try! I've heard rave reviews of Barrel & Board's speak easy but had no idea it had a full food menu. My brother and I stopped in after a full day of bar hopping for a night cap and bite to eat. B&B had exactly what we needed and more. I had the achiote skirt steak served with charred kale, potatoes and chimichurri. The Kale! Not sure how it was prepared but it balanced the roasted potatoes and steak perfectly and the chimichurri I could eat a full bowl of haha all in all, a nice option for late night bite, drinks and charcuterie if you find yourself in the Hillcrest area. Definitely will stop back in.

Even though the are shutting their doors tomorrow night I have to give them one final shout out because this place has my heart and has been my happy place to go for the last 3 years. From the tasty drinks and always have a great selection of wines, to the happy hour popcorn flights and overall the most incredible staff you've ever met this place really was a great one that I have so many memories at. They are open NYE so if you want to get one last drink in make sure to stop by. You will definitely be missed but excited to see what comes next!

Excellent happy hour place! Prices and quality really can't be beat. We got there around 4 and it wasn't busy at all. They didn't have the kitchen open until 5 but they still had snacks like popcorn and mini charcuterie boards. We both got glasses of wine ($4 on hh!) and they had a couple white and a couple red options. We also got the San Diego blend popcorn and char-cup-erie to share. The popcorn is essentially a kettle corn with cheddar on it. I think I would have preferred just cheddar honestly but it was different to try. The charcuterie which we thought would just be a small cup of cheese and meats was actually a mini board that was filled with so much stuff. A steal at $10. Only one cheese on it but it was a good sized wedge. Service was very fast and friendly. Would definitely come back!

We came here to celebrate a birthday and this place definitely passes the vibe check. It is a pretty cute and cozy interior. Along with the aesthetic drinks and beautifully decorated board, this restaurant can be described as a special occasion place. We ordered their signature board and Mediterranean board to share among the four of us. The signature board was very nicely arranged and packs a lot of colors. The cheeses were interesting since they came with green and orange. The jams came in cute holders and fruits were scattered across. This is good for sharing and might have been a bit too much of the same items for us. This is where we enjoyed the Mediterranean board as something a bit more savory and filling. The drinks were also really pretty and tasty. However, one of us didn't quite enjoy hers as it was a bit too strong. Everything we had here was beautiful but we did feel like it was a bit pricey for what it is. This is great place for celebrating though!

Came here on Sunday night. The availability of parking spaces around the restaurant is pretty much non existent however, there is a large parking structure a block away and I felt safe as a female to walk to and from at night as it was in a well-populated area. My friend and I were greeted promptly and they were very friendly and sat us within a few minutes. Our server, Cassidy (I believe that was her name) was very friendly and kind. She offered some great suggestions for beverages and dishes. I was hesitant about the salmon because I'm pretty picky with salmon. I think seafood is tricky and can often come out dry. She said it was popular and her favorite so I trusted her. It was delicious and I ate my entire dish. I was pleasantly surprised by the refried beans but it complimented the saffron rice and mango chutney perfectly. Well done guys! I look forward to coming back and trying other dishes, especially the dessert!

This place has been amazing for the last two years and the owner has decided to sell it. So, I went in there for the last day of business in December and it was great as usual! I have heard that it was purchased by a couple of men that are going to make it a sports bar..... and you will really like the bar area. It's so beautiful with two live plants in there and it used to be a speakeasy bar but then they opened the wall up on one side so it's open to the restaurant now..... The Service was great as per usual and the food is also good, it's all mostly charcuterie boards, so I don't know what will change when they turn it into a sports bar, but I'm looking forward to checking it out... Stay tuned...

This place is alright. We like whiskey-based cocktails, especially old fashioned, but we didn't see that on the menu. The bartender told us he could make one for us (awesome!!!) and so we ordered those. They came out good. We were seated in the back bar. It's a pretty neat little hidden area where it's more like a bar than a restaurant that you see from the outside. It feels nice and private; would make a perfect spot for a date.

Total vibe. If you haven't sat at the back bar, do yourself a favor and do it sooner than later. Maybe a happy hour would be a nice reason to make the trip? Perhaps you have a hot date you'd like to impress? Hell, just go because it's great! This review is short and simple because my drinks were basic AF and all I ordered was the charcuterie board. What can I say? Both were great! It's kind of hard to mess up a vodka/soda but that doesn't mean that the lack of skill required to pour may less-than-adventurous-cocktail doesn't make it special, because sipping my favorite drink in a room this beautiful is relaxing and comfortable. The meat/cheese was a perfect aside to the cocktails and if I lived closer I'd be here all the time.

It closed down and I am so sad. This place was gorgeous and a great place to hang w my family when they came to town.

Cassidy was amazing, they did their thing and handled us with care with a full patio. Made a great wine suggestion, we ordered a bottle. Food was SO good. Atmosphere is always a vibe. I've been here several times, always a great experience. Highly recommend.

Jessa was a very knowledgeable and attentive server. She made it very easy to order and the food came out quickly. Everything was expertly prepared and I was seated outside in the back patio by the fireplace where the ambiance is perfect for a Saturday night.

After dinner, we stopped by to grab a drink. The place was beautiful, with stylish furniture and stunning chandeliers. Pleasant 90s music was playing, and the lighting was just right. We sat at the bar and enjoyed chatting with the friendly bartender. It was a great experience, and we decided to return to dine-in next time.

I had the pleasure of dining at Barrel and Board the other night with a friend, and it was an experience worth sharing. We had a 5 PM reservation, which is right when the restaurant opens, so we had our choice of places to sit. The ambiance was welcoming and set the tone for a relaxing evening. For drinks, I opted for a glass of Cabernet, which was rich and satisfying. My friend chose a Japanese lager, but unfortunately, she wasn't very fond of it. However, this minor hiccup didn't overshadow our overall experience. The highlight of our evening was undoubtedly the shareable cheeseboard. It was, without a doubt, one of the best cheeseboards I've had in a long time. The board came with three exquisite cheeses, a delightful assortment of fruits, fresh bread, nuts, and jam. We also decided to add the salami trio, which was a fantastic decision. Each element was fresh, flavorful, and paired beautifully together. What stood out to me was how the selection of cheeses changes throughout the day. As they finish a block of one cheese, they introduce another, ensuring a dynamic and varied tasting experience. This attention to detail speaks volumes about their commitment to quality. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable, making sure we had everything we needed without being intrusive. The service added to the overall excellent dining experience. In summary, Barrel and Board is a gem for cheese lovers and anyone looking for a refined yet relaxed dining experience. The rotating cheese selection is a unique touch that keeps things interesting, and the quality of both the food and service is top-notch. Highly recommended!

2nd time here to celebrate my recent engagement with family and it did not disappoint! Friendly service, solid drinks, and such a beautiful atmosphere. Our board was perfectly balanced with fruits, meats, and cheeses and we loved how fresh everything was. I will continue to visit Barrel & Board!

Went here before our flower workshop next door so we were limited on time. Our waitress was soo sweet and nice to us. She made really good suggestions for our charcuterie board and it was soo delicious. The drinks we had were really good and refreshing even though they were mocktails. I would love to go back and try the rest of the menu. The place is very moody & farmhouse which I liked since it felt private and comfy. We went on a weekday and it was not busy at all which was nice.

Jessa was a great server, checked in, let us know if things weren't running fast (a Friday in hillcrest? I don't expect to order and have drinks a minute later). The food was AMAZING, achiote steak will always be a winner! The selection of drinks is next level both alc and non alc options so something for everyone. Plus we caught the Halloween playlist so 10/10

I had dinner here last night. Our server was Autumn. She was amazing, the food was amazing, the ambiance was amazing... I will definitely be coming back! Me and my friend split the ribeye. Never have I ever had a steak so savory and so Delicious. The butter it came with was decadent. We also split a garden salad with balsamic...I would recommend adding goat cheese to it. I didn't realize I should've requested it until I was done enjoying it I had the I'm Every Woman cocktail and it was so good! Then I had a glass of bold Italian Red... 2018 Zingari I believe? It paired very well with the ribeye and was so so delicious. Every detail from the table setting to the decor, the garnishes on the drinks to the way the food was presented will give you an amazing experience to enjoy any given day. The service was very very good as well. Autumn was warm and pleasant and willing to help with anything we asked. She was great! I will be back to try the customizable charcuterie boards, as last night I didn't want to fill up too much. I also want to try the brunch

How cute is this place! Our server was the best! She recommended the shareable charcuterie and we loved everything on it. We also paired it with some mock tails and it was so delicious. I ordered the like a virgin mocktail and I love the coconut foam. Would have loved to try other items on the menu... was looking forward to the steak but we were on a time crunch. Will definitely come back.

Service was AMAZING ( pls ask for Dominique). She was connecting with all 7 of us the whole night , definitely a ppl person, SMILING the whole entire time with every interaction with anyone of us, anticipated what we needed, checking up on us often enough . Greeted our group with a smile . Celebrated my bday just recently, first time here. The place was awesome , we were seated in that special dining room with all the mirrors. Place was so inviting. Food - NO Complaints here, fresh yummy, good portions to share with others. Dominique had the kitchen prepare my very own Charcuterie board , allergies ( amongst other request that she happily accommodated with a SMILE). We got the Barrel's Signature Cheese Board, The Mediterranean, Feta Bruschetta, Blackened Salmon ( just the way I like it, next best thing to sashimi ) , 12oz Ribeye (melts in your mouth ). DRINKS : Barbie dreams, cherry bomb runaways ( version of Old fashioned ) and a Call me Maybe, I'm every woman . The place was very accommodating , good photo- opp , FUN. All the staff the came in contact with us, were pretty good. Parking : challenging street parking but carpooling and UBER/LYFT always an option . We you LOVE you Dominique , you're amazing , thank you for making my bday celebration special.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to Barrel & Board to get some wine and appetizers before heading to another restaurant for dinner. It was my second time there and his first. We made a reservation for 6PM on a Saturday, to give us plenty of time to relax, and then head to our next destination. I was a bit confused when I made the reservation, as they required a credit card and stated that we would have to pay $10 as a cancelation fee if we did not attend, but it never said when we would have to cancel by to avoid it. We figured that we would not need to cancel, so we went ahead and booked. At 6PM, the place was mostly empty. We were given a cozy table by a window. I really liked the seating area. It was both quaint, cozy, and classy. It had a very different vibe than the back bar where I had been seated last time. Our server was very friendly, but it did seem that they were understaffed. She was serving at the bar, and also serving the few tables that were occupied at that time. I also felt that she did not know a lot about the wine selection, though she was willing to give us tastes of most and didn't complain when it took us three tastes to pick our bottle. We did find a wine to our liking. We enjoyed a bottle of the Falcone Syrah from Paso Robles. We also ordered a "small" cheese plate that was anything but small. It looks a lot bigger due to being full of fruit, but it is beautifully displayed, and really still has a lot of cheese. We stayed there for about two hours, enjoying the wine and cheese and soaking in the atmosphere. I think the charge for reserving is a bit much, but all in all, this was a big improvement over last time. It is a nice, romantic spot to enjoy drinks and appetizers with your special someone.

After coming here I dived into the reviews and saw that a lot of people some similar experiences to us. Wish I had read the reviews... We had a 7:30pm reservation, once we got there we waited at the host stand for a while and had to flag down a waiter to get seated. We sat in the bar section, where you would order from the bartender. We ordered drinks and a cheese board, and waited about 20 mins until she brought them over after making eye contact with her numerous of times. This would be alright if it was busy but the place was pretty dead. My friend's wine glass had a weird film in it so they took hers back to replace it, which took an extra 10 mins. When the other bartender brought it out we ordered our entrees with her. Our cheese board came out, and it was decent. About 30 mins after that we are worried about when our entrees were coming so we get the bartenders attention and ask her to check on it for us. She proceeds to have a 30 mins conversation with a guy at the bar and after seeing us staring her down, she goes to the register to check on the food, then checks with her coworker, and then comes back to us to ask what we ordered and who it was with. We tell her and then she goes back over to the other bartender. The other one comes over and explains she never put the food order in but the kitchen is now closed and the best she can do for us is offer us 20% off. So it's 9pm on a weekday and barely anything is open at this point and we're starving. The manager came over and comped our meal and apologized, blaming it on the new girl that was still in training, which didn't seem fair to do especially when the other bartender was the one we kept following up with about the drinks and asked to check on the food and she continued to ignore us. All around, terrible experience.

The place is so cute, we came for a girls night out and we loved it! Food is delicious, we ordered cheese board, esquites, Ahi tuna al pastor & barrel caesar salad. Drinks were well served. The place is awsome, will definetly be back!

Barrel & Board is the perfect hidden gem in Hillcrest! Situated between Flicks and Rich's, they have delicious fresh food in a warm and cozy atmosphere. I have gotten the caesar salad with skirt steak before, and tonight I got the bolognese with baguette. Both were super tasty, but the salads are especially creative! They have a great cocktail menu, and all of them are named after pop songs which was super cute. I always get the "flawless" and it never disappoints. Jessa was attentive and warm, and we felt taken care of the whole night! Oh and of course, the best part has to the be attached bar and speakeasy, & Bar! If you need a yummy dinner spot on a cozy night out, or you're looking for a classy place to pregame your Hillcrest shenanigans, Barrel & Board is the spot to be!

The wine selection here is second to none, particularly paired with one of their delicious charcuterie boards! I stopped by for the first time a couple weeks ago, and was also surprised at their dinner menu, which has more than just hors d'oeuvres options. I went with the salmon, which seems to be a favorite with many regulars. It was incredibly good, and paired with the terrific service and relaxed atmosphere -- myself and my guest left happy. I will be stopping back, most likely for happy hour and the charcuterie board!

Peaceful but festive. Several seating areas that are earthy, classy, and inviting. Fun staff. Will come back.

Love it there! Walking in, it feels like being caressed by class, culture, style and cousine, without any pretentiousness or having to live up to anyone's snobby expectations. The food is D-vine! The service is fan-tastic, the location is purr-fect. Gunther, Jordan, Petra, Dorian, you make me wish I could maintain a purely Creme Brûlée and Paloma diet! Oh! OOOOH! Forgot to mention, full bar and speak EZ located just past the walk-in refrigerator door, it's like walking into another dimention. See you there!

Very nice restaurant. It looks small outside, but open wider spaces when you go deep inside. We were turn down by the Inside Out Restaurant nearby with over 2 hours waiting, and tried our luck with this place, they let us get the table immediately over the phone. Other pictures in Yelp make the dishes look big, so we thought we will shre with 4 dishes will be good for a group of 6 ladies, turn out they are not that big, and we are hungry after walking under the cold, so we ended up other about 7-8 dishes total. Well, also because they made it so good, pretty delicious, otherwise we will not other more. The host and serves were pretty friendly. Our friend birthday and in the back they decorate very nice for Christmas so we took a whole bunch of pictures and a little dominate their 2 small empty tables (we won't do if there are customers with table though hahaha) and they are sooo much OK with it, even helped us take pictures too. P.S: try to get a parking nearby as close as you can coz the area around are not that good, has some drunkers and homeless on the street. We parked at DMV (because we thought we would go to Inside Out instead of this one) and it's quite scary to walk at night with all girls in our group.

I usually never write reviews because I'm lazy. But I love this place! I recommend it to everyone. Ambience, food, drinks, staff are always a 10/10! The cheese boards are fantastic. Special shout out to Cassidy for making me a special Barbie Dreams Mocktail and for being so nice! If you're stressed about parking- park across the street at the Ralph's; they don't check.

I was treated here as a belated birthday dinner . If you're a fan of 'charcoochie' boards this is the spot. Charcuterie Boards galore with almost every dish served on a artisan wooden board. This is place is so beautifully decorated inside, with heated out side patio. If you're looking for a nice quiet meal opt for inside. I love me some FLICKS, don't mind dance music but if your dinner mate is sensitive to loud noise the patio is not recommended. Again the place is beautiful & very clean - especially the bathrooms. If I am mentioning how clean they are - they are clean! The food was great. A must try though is the Ratatouille! Holy Moly Remy would be proud. I enjoyed my cocktail, definitely a craft cocktail joint. The stand out of the place was the staff. Everyone was so nice, efficient & made you feel like you were visiting a friend. I hope to come back.

What a wonderful experience tonight! We sat outside and the lovely Cassidy was so fun and helpful. The drinks she recommended (and made) were ON POINT!!! Food was amazing - get the bruschetta - it's so fresh and fun!

Went here for girls night (6ppl) to celebrate our friend's birthday. As soon as we walked in, we loved the decor and ambience, and everyone was really excited. We had a reservation and we're taken to our table. But no one gave us menus, so we got up and got our own from where we saw them kept. It took ages for anyone to come over. Our server was friendly and funny at first. We ordered our first round of drinks and a board to share as an appetizer. Most of us liked our cocktails. Our board came out and everyone really liked it. Only half of our group was given napkins & cutlery, so we flagged down someone to help us get more. Our server asked if we'd like more bread, and we said yes. By the time he brought it, the board was empty, but we took it anyway because we were so hungry. We were charged for it on our bill (I have a pet peeve of people offering things without warning of an up-charge), but the fact that it came after the board was finished was a reason to comp it in my opinion. Then we waited. It was at least 30 minutes or more before anyone came to see us and we still hadn't put in our dinner order. We finally flagged our server down to come back and after another 10 minutes he came back to take our order. We ordered our food and another round of drinks. Then never saw our server for ages again. The restaurant had pretty much cleared out at this point and we were one of the only tables left. Nobody came by to offer dessert or even a menu to look at, even though we planned to order some and we told them it was our friend's birthday. I asked another server if they do anything for birthdays and she said my own server would bring it out, but never did. Some of us also would have ordered more drinks but alas no service. When we finally got our server's attention and asked him to bring the bill, his friendly fun attitude became just attitude. We asked him to correct an error on the bill. The initial bill did not include gratuity, but when he brought it back he added the automatic 20% gratuity on parties of six or more. We asked why it wasn't initially included and now it was and he said, because sometimes people like to leave more. I was shocked because this was some of the worst service I've had in a long time. The bill was over $500 for the six of us and it would've been more if we had actually good service and were able to order more drinks, dessert, etc. TLDR: The food/ drinks were good, as well as the decor and ambiance- hence 3 stars. But the poor service ended up putting a damper on the experience. With better service, this place would be a gem.

This place is GREAT! Parking was tricky so we parked across the street. I made a reservation online for Saturday night last month - this review is a little late! If you're looking for a beautiful yet casual place with IMMACULATE vibes, this is your spot. We were immediately greeted by the host who gave us the option of where we wanted to sit. I wasn't sure so he walked us through the restaurant with a smile. We choose outside which was beautiful. Inside is more dim, which I think is great for a fun yet lowkey date. I love that this place has a dynamic floor plan instead of just being a rectangle - there are SO many places to choose from for seating. I was worried I was over / under dressed based on the Yelp photos, but it's truly a classy yet casual aesthetic. We interacted with 2 servers and they were hilarious!! There was another large party of 10 outside and the servers hyped them up and had everybody laughing!! It's so cool to be in a space where people are genuinely having fun while working. I wanted to be best friends with all the staff - that's how cool they are. The drinks were amazing, especially the non alcoholic ones! The cocktails have great names and are well done. Got a little buzz from mine which i love! The signature cheese board was great (we added meat). As a party of 4, we barely finished it - it's a lot! The entrees took a while to come out, but I didn't mind because the vibe was great and the cheeseboard really held us over. I got the Achiote Marinated Steak which was good and more filling than anticipated. As corny as it sounds, I truly felt everything was made with love. I used to go to a more ritzy spot for my birthday but their service declined significantly so I came here instead. I think this will be my new spot because the service was BEYOND AMAZING!!! 5 stars isn't enough! Thank you Barrel & Board having such amazing staff, it truly was a night to remember!

There's so many amazing things to say about this place. Large and delicious, unique charcuterie, boards. Craft cocktails, beautiful ambience, and great service. I come here and bring new people every chance I get.

I would give 3.5 stars, however I leaned to 4 as I feel the reason for less stars was just due to a busy short staffed night, not reflective of every day..: Our food was delicious, it did take about 40 min after ordering and we could tell it had been sitting in the window for a few minutes, but as I mention it was very tasty. I had the marinated steak, my partner the blacked salmon; and our friends a pasta and shrimp dish. Despite the wait we still enjoyed every bite of our dish. The spot was super busy. We could tell either they were down a server or two or something of that nature. Our server was very kind and even though we didn't see him too much all of our drinks and food arrived as ordered. We will probably check this place out again on not a weekend night :) thank you!

Best steak in all of SD county!!! Potato's cooked to perfection!! Chimichurri sauce on point !!! Love the ambiance and wonderful service! Will be coming back and bringing my friends and family!!! Beautiful restaurant.

Gunther was amazing! ‍ I always get service with a smile and the drinks are amazing! Definitely a great place to entertain and get the party going!

Came for a friend's bday dinner. Nice ambiance and decor and the food was good. The portion was smaller than I'd hope and for the price, but it was good. I tried a few cocktails and they were all fire, 10/10. The food took a LONG time to come out so plan accordingly. Also it was my friend's birthday and they said they'd bring out a little cake or dessert or something, they never brought it out lol. Also we had a group of 6 people and they waited until the check came to tell us that they don't split checks so keep that in mind. The speakeasy is the real gem tho, so dope. Definitely IG worthy. It's worth going to just for that alone

Came in for drinks this Sunday Funday and we loved the vibe! The drinks were happy hour priced at $5 and were delicious! The bartender, Gunther, was very friendly and had us chuckling the entire time! Definitely would recommend!

What an absolutely amazing concept for a restaurant. Specializes in beautifully crafted Charcuterie boards and equally well crafted cocktails in a modern and hipster restaurant situated in Hillcrest. Would be an amazing place for a bachelor/bachelorette party, a pre-game before a night out in Hillcrest, a date night, or just a fun evening out with friends. Despite how much I loved the dining experience here, what stands out most in my memory about this place was our AMAZING server. Sadly I didn't catch his name. He went above and beyond, not only to provide attentive service but also to keep our party entertained; the kind of person with a warm, positive energy who is hilarious and just able to make people smile and laugh without even trying or preparing. Truly captures and embodies the vibrant energy of the Hillcrest neighborhood. For our party of 7, we ordered 2 BYOB boards and the prosciutto & peach board. All incredible. I was a bit skeptical about having a charcuterie board for dinner but there is so much substance and variety on the different boards, and we all walked out feeling incredibly happy, satisfied, and surprisingly full. Each cocktail was also so unique and tasty. Hillcrest will be Hillcrest so parking can be challenging especially on busy evenings (street parking, may have to circle around a bit but it's typically easier if you go into the neighborhood streets). Will 100% be back and would highly recommend this place to anyone!

Cassidy was just lovely. We had a great time with our two dogs sitting outside. The food board was huge and had so many hidden gems throughout. Will come back!

I wanted to write a review for Barrel & Board after the wonderful dining experience we had last night. We'd never been here before and decided to try something new. The craft cocktail menu is INCREDIBLE! Next time I come here I'll need a designated driver for sure. Beautifully presented drinks look like art here. Next came the board...so many items arranged strategically with bursts of colors and flavor. New cheeses and old favorites surrounded by swirled melons, berries, crackers and a tasty cinnamon fruit compote. The shrimp pasta dish was a must order. My self-inflicted food coma was completely worth every scrumptious bite. Served attractively in a beautiful purple cabbage bowl. A feast for the palate as well as the eyes. We loved the friendly staff here. Great communication on a busy night and excellent service! We'll be back again soon

The food was amazing. The presentation was aesthetically pleasing. We had the Caesar salad and the pesto flatbread. The Salmon was ok. It just wasn't my cup of tea, but flavors were interesting. This place has a great vibe. It's good for large groups. There a party vibe in certain areas and chill+relaxing in others. There's a few different rooms to eat. Our waiter was very nice and observant. Service was excellent.

Best Dirty Martinis from Dominque! Super friendly, quick and happy! Come in and tell them Laurence sent you :)

I've been here twice. January 2023 & September 2023. The visit in January was far better than September. September: We had a 7:15pm reservation & sat on the patio. We each ordered the white wine flight, one individual board to share, & the crème brûlée dessert. The ambience is great if you're sitting inside. I would absolutely not recommend the patio after dark. There is little to no lighting, and we had to use our phone flashlights to see our food. Very disappointing. Service: 1/5 The restaurant was not full but the service was extremely slow. I understand the board taking extra time but we waited 20 minutes for our drinks. We waited over 45 minutes for a very small crème brûlée dish (which I would not recommend). The waitress did not check on us during that time. We had to walk up to the bar to get her attention (there was no one sitting at the bar, she was just cleaning) and inform her we hadn't received our dessert, and she had no idea. She made the excuse that the kitchen ticket machine went down, and they must've lost the ticket. Not sure how much longer we would've sat there if we didn't get up to get her attention. The table next to is hadn't been checked on in so long they were going to dine & dash. When the waitress finally came over & we pointed out she hadn't checked on us in over 45 min, she had an attitude & made excuses instead of owning up to the poor service. They comp'd the dessert, but we still paid over $100 & was there for 2.5 hours. It's a fun experience, but I don't plan to return & probably wouldn't recommend it.

Love Barrel and Board. Been here now 3x. Dinner boards are delish! tried the steak and it was delicious. Mediterranean board is never a disappointment and neither are the drinks. Had Gold Dusted Woman and Bee my baby. Sadly, the event I attended tonight was not well-structured and it bummed me out causing me to give the experience this time less stars. From 7-9 they had a tarot card reading for free as long as it was first come first serve. Got there at 645, signed up at 7, was already #8. Had drinks and my food and it was already 9 and my name hadn't been called. I went to look and people way down the list were crossed off after me and not me. So I knew something was up, so I closed my tab and left. I can't understand why advertise to get there on time and sign up but people way down the list got to go before me. This was ridiculous. Luckily I was with a friend and the food was delish, even though the wait at the bar was a bit longer than usual. It was an okay experience at the Board Room this evening. I have had way better experiences here.