My wife and I went here last Sunday during San Diego Restaurant week. Like many people, we had heard great things about this restaurant, and seen it featured in airline magazines as one of... More

My wife and I went here last Sunday during San Diego Restaurant week. Like many people, we had heard great things about this restaurant, and seen it featured in airline magazines as one of America's "premiere steak houses." My wife and were fortunate enough to have a 3 course meal at a set price. We both decided to upgrade to a pepper corn fillet because that is what they are known for. Our first course came out and my wife ordered calamari while I upgrade and tried their ahi tuna appetizer. My wife's calamari was nothing spectacular, and my tuna was... well average. I guess I shouldn't have expected much, it being a steak house and all. For our main dish, the fillets came out with mashed potatoes and gravy. The potatoes and gravy seemed to be made from a mix, and while the steaks were cooked well, and very tender, it seemed to lack flavor. Not quite what you'd expect from a "premiere" steak house. We finished up with dessert. I enjoyed the bread pudding, and my wife liked her chocolate cake, though it looked a slight bit better than the chocolate cake they have at KFC. Aesthetically it was pretty dark in the place. My wife and I were initially seated by the bar (which was overflowing with people), so we asked to be moved some where else. They ended up putting us in the aisle way near the kitchen and bathroom. While this didn't bother us too much, the question remains: why would you put a table there? Overall I was pretty under-whelmed with the experience. The service wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. For the price you're paying, I would definitely say you're not getting your money's worth. You'd probably be better served going to Morton's, or possibly Ruth Chris. Bottom line- there are better steaks out there. Pros: Not much to say about this one Cons: Not a good value, flavorless steak, Unusual seating, Parking
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Rainwater's on Kettner came highly recommended by my friends who live in Washington, D.C. When I arrived in San Diego I started looking for restaurants with a view. After two experiences that were... More

Rainwater's on Kettner came highly recommended by my friends who live in Washington, D.C. When I arrived in San Diego I started looking for restaurants with a view. After two experiences that were only OK we decided to take the advice offered by my friend and tried Rainwater's on our third nite in the city. We had a wonderful time. So great, in fact, that I really wanted to take a moment to recommend them. My husband ordered the Pepper Filet which they claim is famous. After eating each and every bite he agreed. It is famous. I am not a meat eater so I tried the Dover Sole. Wonderful. Just the way it should be done in a light butter sauce. The server told us that the restaurant flies this fish in from Europe. It was so fresh. I can not say enough about our server. She was a warm and friendly person and had been at this restaurant for several years. She was so helpful and helped us to choose our wine. She guided us to a wine that was very affordable even though she knew that price was not our main concern. We will go back any time we are again in your wonderful city.
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We were eager to try this one because of an add we saw in the airplane magazine on the way back home to SD. They boasted that they were the top 800 in the world as far as wine selection and they had... More

We were eager to try this one because of an add we saw in the airplane magazine on the way back home to SD. They boasted that they were the top 800 in the world as far as wine selection and they had a guy that has been cutting select cuts of beef there for over 17 years. Well my Husband is a huge steak lover, so we were willing to try the $40-50 a steak (not including sides) for an exceptional steak. Well The waiter could not even recommend a wine for me and basically closed his eyes and fingered a wine, that should have been the cue to get up and leave. We ordered two ceasar salads, and two steaks, two coctails and two glasses of wine at $12 a piece, and the bill came out to $250 before the tip. The waiter did not give us the itemized receipt, and upon asking for it, the waiter mysteriously left for the evening. The steaks were ordered rare but yet was very fiberous. I have been trying to contact the owner for over three weeks now, and no phone call or email back. The place is very dated, like being in the 90's and was definately not worth it. The service was poor, the waiter was very anxious like he was brand new. I think I could have gotten a better meal and service at Mimi's or Denny's. These people are con artist and are definately pro's at avertizing something they definately do not have. Also, since I have been starting to complain about rainwaters to friends and family, I have heard many rumors of how bad the owners are about treating people. I wished I would have talked to people about a good recommendation instead of trusting an advertizement. Never again will I go to a new restaurant without getting great reviews from close friends now we are out more than $250 for a huge disapointment! Oh, by the way, be prepared to valet you car for $15 because this place is out away from every thing downtown has to offer. Stick to Donovans or Ruth Chris if you want a great steak dinner for a fraction of the price we wasted at this place! Pros: It was an excuse to go out Cons: A big waste of time and money
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I had terrible service here once many years ago. Since then, however, every visit has been wonderful. The steaks are well seasoned and never overcooked. The service (at ever visit but one) has been... More

I had terrible service here once many years ago. Since then, however, every visit has been wonderful. The steaks are well seasoned and never overcooked. The service (at ever visit but one) has been attentive and very polite. A great pick for a nice steak dinner inside the traditional dark "steakhousy" restaurant or a lovely lunch on the patio during the summer. Pros: Great Steaks and nice atmosphere Cons: None.
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A group of Six went for a 1:00 p.m. Friday lunch ... very very slow service, repeatedly had to ask for coffee refills EACH time a refill was desired; server spilled a water glass (only a slight... More

A group of Six went for a 1:00 p.m. Friday lunch ... very very slow service, repeatedly had to ask for coffee refills EACH time a refill was desired; server spilled a water glass (only a slight amout in glass thank goodness) on to one of the lunches as he served and was annoyed that apparently we had too many things on the table ... did NOT offer to get even a dry plate ... let alone replace the slightly wet sandwich. I ordered the ONLY steak on the lunch menu (at a steak house .. one steak?), and frankly it was absolutely WITHOUT flavor. For a famous steakhouse, it was TOTALLY disappointing. I called later in the day and asked for the manager, and was told I had Mrs. Rainwaters assistant Cathy. She listened politely although not seemingly very concerned about the poor service and mediocre food quality and indicated she would have Mrs. Rainwater call "the minute she returns" as she was not there on this day. Well, it is NINE days later, have NOT heard a word from ANYNONE. I called back ... got a song and dance about Mrs. Rainwater was only in two days the week before because she had a cold, and must have been too busy to call ... What a disaster .... poor service; mediocre food; very pricey; arrogant ... will NEVER return ... there are too many top quality restaurants with great service to waste time going to this overpriced, underperforming dungeon of mediocrity. Pros: NONE ... ambiance was NOT a pro ... just average, but better than anything else about this place Cons: Quality of food was very very mediocre, flavorless steak, and service was terrible
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I have been trying to make all of the Independent cattleman's steakhouses around the country. Most of these so far have been great, prcing is comparable, the Bone-In Ribeye I ate on Friday at... More

I have been trying to make all of the Independent cattleman's steakhouses around the country. Most of these so far have been great, prcing is comparable, the Bone-In Ribeye I ate on Friday at Rainwater's was not as good as a Costco Steak I can cook myself. Very little Marbling a very dense piece of Meat all around like eating a pork tenderloin ( I ordered it Medium-Rare). My Wife's Filet was nice. Thje wine list is very extensive by the glass or botttle. Nice Martinis. Dessert was great as were side dishes, the steak at nearly $50 al a carte was however a dissapointment. I had to ask waiter to hear the specials, after overhearing at other tables. Pros: Nice Atmosphere, good rinks, and desserts. Cons: Lacking in Service, and meat quality.
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