California English

Name: California English
Address: 9276 Scranton Rd, San Diego, CA, United States, 92121-7701
Telephone: (858) 201-3461
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.5

4.5

204 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

Top Tags:

Located in the Sorrento Valley, California English is the newest culinary creation from celebrity chef, Richard Blais. Blais is creating an all-day menu for California English that’ll interpret classic British dishes through the lens of Southern California ingredients.
The idea is a fusion of sorts: the laid-back California lifestyle that makes San Diego so unique, mixed with a cozy pub convivial atmosphere where you can meet friends (or mates) for a pint after work, set up a client lunch with fresh oysters on the menu or have a cozy family dinner over a Sunday roast. Everything on the menu is made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients that make for fresh and flavorful dishes.
The effortless vibe of casual yet stylish makes for the perfect place to celebrate the joy of the unexpected coming together to make the perfect culinary match.

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Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 1, 2023

10:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
American, British, Californian
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sun 3:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(858) 201-3461
Website
http://www.californiaenglishsd.com/
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Richard Blais

Location
9276 Scranton Rd, San Diego, CA 92121-7701
Neighborhood
Sorrento Mesa
Parking details
None

What 204 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.6Service
4.7Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
Innovative

204 Reviews

C
mikeC
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall3food5service5ambience3
the food was good, but pricey. service was good. the place overall was good, just expensive food.
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MT
MargaretT
New Orleans
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall4food4service4ambience4
We went for restaurant week & were pleasantly surprised by this upscale English food restaurant. The aesthetic is playful & relaxing for the office park it is housed in. The food & service was wonderful! The funky-named cocktail list did not disappoint. We will be coming back to sample the rest of their menu.
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CE
ChrisE
San Diego
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved our first visit to this restaurant. The food, atmosphere and service were all outstanding. Will definitely return. Started planning a return visit as soon as we left the restaurant. Also shared the info on Facebook.
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DW
DW009
San Diego
18 reviews
vip
5.0
18 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
My wife and I thought we would give Richard Blais’s new restaurant a try for lunch, sure glad we did! The concept is the food he grew up with and it was simply delicious. My wife said the chicken is the best she ever had and the Scotch egg is not to be missed.
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p
pillowparade
New York Area
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall4food3service5ambience3
I was impressed by the restaurant week menu, but the food wasn’t executed that well. Best part was the crispiness of the fish and chips, though the fish itself was a bit overcooked. Soup was hot but not well seasoned. Dessert was overwhelmingly sweet and soggy. Curry was OK but not as good as you get at a legit Indian restaurant. Scotch egg was fine, had a light heat. Sauce needs to be reconsidered.
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MD
MD8Y
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food, ambiance and service. We are definitely returning again soon.
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IB
IanB
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food, amazing concept, and our derived was top notch. I always review based on whether I would go back or not - this place I am actively already thinking of going back and which menu items I need to try!
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MR
MR99
Montreal
65 reviews
5.0
65 reviews
Dined on September 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was out of this world! Richard Blais has once again outdid himself. The fish and chips was the best I've ever had. The service was impeccable and friendly, full of little information. The drinks we,re so good and fun. Great glasses A+ all around
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DV
DillonV
Greater Boston
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent all around - great food and lovely service
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F
Fondue
San Diego
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We took friends here for a birthday dinner. We ordered entries (chicken, fish of the day, fish and chips, and short ribs) as well as some bits and bites to share among 4 of us. Everything was reasonably priced and delicious! Craig, our server, was great, answering all our questions, providing food explanations as well as recommendations. He checked on us several times throughout the meal and later delivered a complimentary birthday dessert. Dinner was a big hit!
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j
jena
San Diego
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Beautiful restaurant. The outdoor and indoor has nice ambience. Service was excellent. We had an early Saturday lunch so it wasn’t busy. Foods are excellent. I’m not impressed with the risotto. Fish and chips a little pricey. Overall the experience with had for first visit was good.
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KS
KimSanDiego
San Diego
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Unique menu for San Diego plus high quality service.
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VD
VanD
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall2food2service2ambience3
Definitely not worth the $150 tab. Went there for anniversary with gf, no acknowledgement of it even though note was left to waiting staff. Food was below average. Ordered the branzino and while it was cooked properly, there was nothing worth the 38 bucks of the dish. Gf ordered the je pesto orichiete, but it was way below par. Pesto tasted really bitter and there was so much sprigs in the dish, almost like the whole basil plant was blanched and just thrown in the plate. But he part of the dishes that saved it was the scallops we asked on top. And for a place that tries to be business dress code but has a couple people wearing a hoodie and sweat pants, that dismisses the experience.
1 person found this helpful
LR
LawrenceR
San Diego
4 reviews
vip
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Attractive venue. Interestingly prepared food. Excellent service!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and great space! We will be back for sure. The menu had so many great options.
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JR
JRDD
San Diego
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Great food menu and drinks selection, particularly Scotch which although not extensive were excellent choices. Service friendly and well informed on both food and beverages.
1 person found this helpful
MP
MiguelP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A must go for amazing food and lovely environment
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S
Seda
Pittsburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved it, will definitely be back to try other menu items.
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SG
SohoGrl1
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ambience was great. Lovely indoor and outdoor spaces. Friendly staff and the food was amazing. Highly recommend the beef Wellington.
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h
havok1980
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Went on a Friday evening. The Wellington was very good and the sticky toffee pudding was great.
1 person found this helpful
MC
MarieC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food and ambience !! Service was outstanding
1 person found this helpful
TC
TinnyC
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent customer service! The food was amazing! I came here to celebrate my 40th birthday celebration! I ordered their English Scotch egg ( it's a must try)! Fish and chips (the batter is perfect and crispy) served with 4 different kinds of sauces! You won't regret it! Of course, finally they have provided me with a complimentary dessert which was absolutely heaven in my mouth! I am definitely coming back here with my husband who missed it for his deployment! Thank you California English team for making my day so special ❤️
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
10 reviews
vip
4.0
10 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
Great food choices! Decent portion sizes to share. Risotto was a bit hard and plain. Charred peas were my favorite as was panzanella salad were both refreshing! Short rib was great and soft but tad expensive. Branzino was done right with crispy skin. Service was a tad slow for a our large party but great ambiance and beautifully decorated.
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IF
IvorF
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very nice. English and American combination, excellent food. A little pricey.
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R
Reviewer
San Diego
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 17, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
The team had a nice time! The triple fried chips were a little on the airy side, and the vegetable plate was a bit small, but people enjoyed the experience!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very delicious our server was amazing. Very knowledgeable
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G
Giege
San Diego
31 reviews
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
We tried the fish and chips, chicken tikka masala, scotch egg, and Cornish pasty. Overall the food was good, but being British I’d say the Cornish pasty was more like a beef empanada.
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E
Erebar
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall2food1service3ambience3
The food was so bland. Not at all what I expected from the menu descriptions. None of our party of 4 was impressed or would go back. The two best things were the sweet potato fries ( that we were served by mistake ) and the spicy blackberry mocktail. It should have been a clue when I had no problem getting a reservation and it was pretty empty on a Sat at 6:30pm.
1 person found this helpful
A
Alan
San Diego
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Birthday celebration for my wife at her favorite restaurant. Started with the classically prepared Scotch Egg done to perfection. We shared the traditional Fish & Chips plated lovely with Peas and an Avocado Tartare Sauce, all tasty and served piping hot. Also shared the Panzenella Tomato Salad with Ahi Tuna. The scones as the bread added a wonderful touch to the texture to the balanced vinaigrette and a mixed of heirloom cherry tomatoes. To top off the meal the restaurant served us a Birthday Flourless Chocolate Molten Cake. Truly a wonderful dinner!
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PA
PeggyA
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was so delicious and the wait staff were very polite and accomdating. We were sitting on the patio and a few bees were swarming around our food, so they quickly responded and moved us to a nice table inside.
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m
miken
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food in a causal open air location. Unique offerings, with great flavor. Drinks were amazing and served by a personable and knowledgeable staff.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
4 reviews
vip
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 6, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience3
Caught wind of this location through social media; elected to have a wonderful dinner. Everything tasted phenomenal - especially the dessert!
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C
Charles
San Diego
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our visit was on Saturday, August 5 at 5:30PM. It was a wonderful experience. The service was outstanding. The food exceeded our already elevated expectations. The atmosphere was delightful. I especially appreciated the music which was loud enough to enjoy but allowed for easy conversation. We will absolutely be back. Can't recommend California English enough.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good and service was great! Will come back. Especially for Happy Hour.
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A
Allan
San Diego
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience4
I've been here twice the food was good. But the portions and quality you pay for is not worth $$$.
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CD
CherD
San Diego
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Overall an excellent experience, mostly due to our amazing & very knowledgeable waiter Matt, the cocktails, & setting. Food was great, the best mushy peas i have had, definitely fresh.
1 person found this helpful
M
Mike
San Diego
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on July 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Had lunch there with a friend and enjoyed our experience. It’s a great business lunch spot.
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H
Happy
Los Angeles
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on July 15, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience4
We had the Scottish egg and pasty appetizer and the beef Wellington and fish and chips. The chips were amazing with the mashed potatoes on the inside but the rest of the dishes were good but not extraordinary based on the prices.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on July 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and drinks. Really good portions, clean creative flavors. Sam’s service was spot on. The manager came and checked on our table which is always nice. Last time we were here the bar didn’t have TVs and the patio seating wasn’t covered so these are great new additions. We celebrated Wimbledon by drinking Center Courts…. Great drink!
1 person found this helpful
S
Saks
San Diego
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 12, 2023
overall3food3service2ambience2
Check was incorrect and nothing was done to correct it once it was caught by the server upon arriving with the check.
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FAQs

California English is rated 4.5 stars by 204 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 1, 2023

10:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

9276 Scranton Rd, San Diego, CA 92121-7701

Additional information

Neighborhood
Sorrento Mesa
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sun 3:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Cuisines
American, British, Californian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None
Executive chef
Richard Blais

Website
http://www.californiaenglishsd.com/
Phone number
(858) 201-3461

California English

Make a reservation

Additional information

Menu

What 204 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

How is California English restaurant rated?

Is California English currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information