The Asian Bistro
| Address: | 414 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA |
| Phone: | +1 619-296-4119 |
| Site: | theasianbistro.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 5PM–3AM 5PM–3AM 5PM–3AM 5PM–3AM 5PM–3AM 5PM–3AM 5PM–3AM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
A
A Private User
I have complaint with this place that is the same complaint for Kitima, and its kind of a weird one, so you may have the opposite reaction. When I eat a curry, what I look forward to in each bite is a layer of rice, a bit of meat, and 2-4 slices/pieces/chunks of (hopefully a variety of) vegetables. Oh and sauce of course, which is done quite well here. But Asian Bistro seems to think the only way to justify their somewhat high prices is by giving you lots of meat and no veggies. Also, now that I think of it, there are vegetarian options for almost all dishes, so if youre a vegetarian this place may work out for you as well, because (hopefully) youd get enough vegetables that way. Lots of items on the menu have 2-4 vegetables listed in the description. But when you actually get home and look in, youll be disappointed. For instance, if you were to order the Chicken Red Curry (bell peppers, bamboo, and hot basil), you would find a lot of chicken, 3 or 4 two inch long slivers of bell pepper, 5 or 6 bits of bamboo, and 2 or 3 basil leaves. For the price, Id expect at least twice that amount to accompany my chicken. But, if youre looking for a whole lotta meat and no veggies to get in the way, this place may be for you! The sauces (and range of sauces) are quite good...
GE
Gem Bond-Valenzuela
Food was excellent! Service was adequate. The Happy Hour menu was in effect, which offers an entree, dessert and soup for $11.95 every day, 5-9pm. Super good deal. I decided to just get appetisers because they all sounded great; I got the gyoza and the Too Wong Foo ( :D love it!) sampler which includes two Thai Me Down (spring rolls), 2 Cheesy Wontons, 2 Hedwigs (Ive never seen this before but it was good: marinated shrimp wrapped in noodles, deep fried until the noodles are crispy, on a stick), and Spicy Lettuce Wrap. I didnt keep the menu with me and couldnt identify what turned out to be the spicy lettuce wrap (some assembly required), but it was DELICIOUS! My friend had the pork shanks (small portion was perfect for one person, actually she shared some with me) with the 3 flavour sauce. Definitely recommended. Beer & sake is more expensive than most other Asian restaurants in the area. Website warning!! Auto-playing music! Seriously?! What is this, 1999? Overall: Id go again.
GH
Ghoulia Child
The presentation of the dishes, flavor, and late night hours earned most of the stars in my review. The vegetables were cooked to perfection (didnt taste bland and I can tell they were fresh, not thawed) and the menu had decent variety. This is a great place for a light dinner, those with large appetites may not be entirely sated (my boyfriend, who is a meat and potatoes kinda man felt hungry again 2 hours later after leaving this place) yet, we both agreed the chicken he ordered was absolutely delicious. The service was prompt, friendly, and very balanced (not under or overly attentive). The atmosphere is just right for a nice date or place to unwind after work or clubbing since it wasnt too noisy or too brightly lit. I minus one star because finding parking was a pain in the butt since the bistro doesnt have its own parking spot so you probably have to find parking a block or so away from it.
SA
Sabrina Paul
Ok, I want to love this place. I love the location, the tea was amazing, they are open late, the atmosphere is laid back, prices good. My friend had an amazing noodle dish (I cannot remember the name), and we shared some egg roll type thing (an appetizer). What was wrong you say? I got the chicken lettuce wraps. It looked delicious. It smelled like stinky feet after a long day of sweating in gym socks. I wish there was a better way to describe it. It smelled so bad that I could not enjoy it :( I WILL DEFINITELY give them another try. Perhaps there is an ingredient in there that just does not agree with my nose...? I will up date my review after I try again.
DA
Dan Krefft
The Asian Bistro aka "Jimmys Wong" is really a place you must experience for yourself. If you find yourself in Hillcrest winding down after a night out you owe it to yourself to try this joint. Feast of some drunken noodles (nothing to spicy for me at a level 5) or salt and pepper shrimp which my wife and her cousin introduced me to, I have a feeling everything on the menu has something different and magical to offer your palate. Parking can be kinda tough so I recommend walking to this place if at all possible. Decor is very modern and zenny (is that a word!?) and staff is always moving and shaking waiting on the late night crowd. Great place to end a fun evening.
ED
Edith Fainsod
This Thai place could do much better. The rice was dry, the soup was just OK, my papaya salad was a bit over spicy and they wont exchange it without a charge even though they say a "3" spice level is their medium spice it tasted like a 6. The salmon teriyaki is what you get at any so so quick stop not a restaurant and not for the price. Beef was bland and peanut sauce is strange if ordered on the side. I didnt dare order the curry cause it looks very watered down in the menu pictures. For this price and location the competition is better and a short walk away. Will not ever return.
A
A Private User
Me and my girlfriend come here all the time. Ive been here more times than her since I was the one to bring her here on our first date. The people know her by her first name and only know me by face cause of her :). She always orders the yum salad so thats a dead give away who its for. The crying tiger is my favorite 5 stars on the food!! Ive taken so many people here and they all loved it. Ive came here one time for my bday and no reservation and they were on it. I keep telling people to go. Oh yea my gf never had thai food till she ate here and is in love with it now. Thanks!
ME
Megan Michelle
I Absolutely LOVE This Place! Honestly, this is one of my favorite asian restaurants in the entire city. I have never had a bad meal here. Food is fabulous, staff is great, plus theyre open late! What else could you ask for?!?!?! The Wonton soup, Drunken Noodles, Walnut Shrimp, Fried Rice and Salmon Salad are all to die for! If you are looking for great asian food at a moderate price, this is definitely the place and a MUST try!
JO
Jo-annie Jacquet
Love the fact that I can order food super late at night. Ive always ordered from home but the food is always good, they preserve the ice cream with a bag of ice, so thats pretty considerate, and any meal with duck is amazingg; the pad thai, the spicy fried rice etc. If you guys added the curry puffs to your menu Id literally go no where else for Thai.
A
A Private User
Nice atmosphere, and stays open till 3am, even on weeknights. But the food is of such poor quality. It will satisfy your hunger, but thats about it. I had Teriyaki beef for take out. What I got was soupy stir-fry with hint of teriyaki flavor. Veggies are frozen, not fresh. Beef is standard quality.
