Waypoint Public

Visited with my wife on a recent trip to San Diego and Los Angeles.

Tried the following:
AleSmith Oktoberfest (draft)
Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale (draft)

Both were drinking well. Had a nice meal in the open-air dining room and my wife really liked her wine. Warm, inviting, and family-friendly vibe here. Service was solid as our drinks and food arrived quickly, and the waitress was happy to describe the dinner menu and beers. Our overall experience was very good, and we would likely come back.

Cool little corner gastropub in what once must have been a mechanic's garage a block or so off the main drag in North Park. The glass walls on 2 sides gives the place has a very spacious and opened feel. Large L-shaped bar opposite the entry seats about 20 with plenty of table seating and a counter bar running along the perimeter with a view of the street. 32 widely assorted and mostly local beers on tap. Friendly and informative bartenders. I did not try the food.

 

 

Went there for Saturday brunch. Food was amazing and beer selection was pretty good. Also very family friendly since there is a play area with toys and books. The windows were open, so very comfortable on a breezy March afternoon. Only downside was that it was a little cramped.

First stop on my trip to SD and it was a good break in. Very friendly place with some quality food (not a huge selection) and a nice selection of beer. Nothing wild or crazy but just a solid selection of styles from several breweries. A good start to the trip.

The immediate impression is the big, open dining room when the garage door windows are open. It has more of a U-shape around the bar as opposed the the L of The Linkery. White is the dominant color here (paint, not a commentary on North Park's demographics). No AC, just fans.

Beer selection is decent, mainly So-Cal, but only a limited number of San Diego breweries. Food menu is the chef's take on pub fare. Menu has suggested pairings, almost all come with a Belgian in the mix of pairing reccomendations.

Tried the Craftsman (Pasedena) Ursa Minor Flanders Red, looked to be an 8-ounce pour (not really adept at the visual volume thing, a Waypoint employee can correct me). Wife had the Societe Bachelor. Both enjoyed.

I had the sausage. Power of suggestion since last time I was here it was The Linkery? Don't know, but it was very good. Wife had the roasted chicken. I know, roast chicken is not for eating out, it is for home. But his thing was perfect. I couldn't do that at home.

Unfortunately because of the open windows, the flies had the better part of the night.

Staff friendly, very knowledgable about both the taps and the food. Definitely worth a try.

 

This is the place that took over the location of the Linkery on 30th St., a block south of University. The Bottlecraft people are behind it. Thirty taps of wide-ranging brews with a variety of southern California but not so much from San Diego, though it included Bruery, Lost Abbey. Others included Allagash, DeProef/Cigar City, DeDolle, and two nitros. Prices are average for the area, i.e., high.

The menu is interesting, though very similar to the old Linkery menu, and the several other beer and alleged local food places. Tasty dabs and bites like charred octopus, and salad with tiny romaine. Ham hock and apricot terrine with tiny toast. The big sausage looked like the thing if you're actually hungry or possibly the fried oyster tacos. On the fancy and expensive side, but again, typical of the more upscale places.

Service was fine, and samples were offered. I was not so taken with the atmosphere. The bar is larger than before, and they added a thicket of tables. Chairs are hard. Everything is hard, including the wood wall of art. It got unpleasantly noisy after a while. Sports on the TVs over the bar to distract you. The walls of roll-up garage doors let in the air, which is usually a great thing, but you also get the motorcycles and buses periodically.