De Nada Kitchen & Market

Found this spot one night searching for ceviche. I still have not had the ceviche, but it's because we are obsessed with the picsa and red sangria! I knew the moment I saw the word Picsa that something good was happening. Everything we've ordered has been the kind of tasty that means maybe you won't be going on that after-dinner walk, because you couldn't stop grazing after you swore you were full. This is the new date night go-to, and the things we have done to our guts are unspeakable...the side salads alone are a full meal.

De Nada ... aka Cueva Bar is one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. Oz the the owner & head chef he was also featured on Chopped. Cueva is cute, comfortable, quaint and has a very relaxing feel to it. Cueva is a Spanish tapas restaurant. The food is absolutely fantastic. I think I’ve tried almost everything on the menu. The shrimp tacos are great, the empanadas and fresh Chimichurri is the best. The pizza’s are cooked in a clay oven which gives it a taste that irresistible. I did not think I liked dates until I tried his goat cheese stuffed dates. I also did not think I like olives but Oz had his way with them. The mole is great, and papas con chorizo is so good. Oz features specialty wines that are great as well. If you are looking for a home grown place that does not disappoint ... give this place a try, you will not regret it. Tell Oz Kesia sent you!

Tapas are always pricey. But they always seem to have superb service and quality taste. The menu seemed to be as small as the portions and the staff was as well. It was Tuesday at 6pm and there was 1 waitress with 18 customers seated. The chicken empanadas all tasted the same and tasted like gamey lamb. The rotating menu fish had bones in it. Our plates stayed dirty on the table as well as our water glasses empty while waiting for the next item. She seemed rushed, a little rude and the wait seemed to be long for everything. If you're going to have pricey tapas restaurant at least have superb service.

Chef is a celebrity as he’s appeared on multiple cooking shows, but his food says it all. It is fresh and inventive, and super tasty. You should go and get some takeouts and see why he was on all those cooking shows.

Intimate space, fun food, some artist jewelry and scarves to look at. Chef was friendly and welcoming. Street parking is limited.

We, out of towners, decided on this as I thought the pictures online of the inside looked nice. It was nice and comfortable, and the food was a knockout. It took me sometime to try and gather flavors in my mind, as the menu will tease ones brain a bit, because of the options. I find the tapas and well restaurant chosen drinks, can easily catch you off guard for ordering again and again. Why not, it's hard to not want to try different combination tapas to drink pairing. We behaved tonight, but on a loose day, that would be another story. It's a good time. Someone will have to play some Spanish guitar on some nights.

A bit over a month ago I tried something new. I ordered the Chimichurri Picsa for 20 bucks and it was better than any so called pizza spot's specialty pie. From ordering until walking out took about 20 mins and the aroma was killing me to only walk two doors away and upstairs to try the 1st slice. The chimichurri sauce makes it pop but the dough is where the party's at. The mushrooms & pepperoni were great as well. Looks and taste like a pizza should.

Food was good, but if its not happy hour its not worth the normal prices. Really small place, so I suggest making a reservation because it fills up pretty quickly. Walk ins were also possible, but you should get there before the rush. Came on an early Saturday evening around 545 and it started to get busy around 630. Moderate selections of wine, small selections of beer. It's a good place for 2 or 3 friends to catch up, but bringing your family and 2 babies or 6 friends will definitely be a tight squeeze. Nice staff, only 2 people working on a Saturday night so they got busy pretty fast so it took awhile for refills. However, I was very disappointed and unimpressed by the braised brisket empanada. $7 for a thing maybe 2.5 inches wide and at the longest points maybe 4-5 inches long was definitely not worth it. Lacked flavor and chimichurri sauce was also lacking as well. But most of the happy hour options were good and worth the happy hour price of $5. They had 8 out of maybe 25 items available for happy hour. Personally, I don't think at normal price its worth it, but the presentations and flavors for the items we ordered were relatively good. Overall good place, not super impressed or amazed, but a good solid place to eat at. Credit for photos go to BH. Braised Brisket Empanada (Not good, would not order or recommend) D' cola de Diablo taco (Good, but would not order again) Norteño flatbread (Pretty good, favorite, would order again) Queso Panels Frito (Not bad, not good, would not order again) D' Adobada taco (Pretty good, would get again) D' Andouille sausage (Pretty good, would order again)