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Georges on Fifth

THIS RESTAURANT IS NO LONGER OPEN FOR BUSINESS. - Georges on Fifth offers two things not common in the San Diego restaurant scene: dining in the company of San Diego’s elite and a twelve-ounce Prime Filet Mignon of Certified Angus Beef ®. The first takes the form of a vibrant mural of accomplished San Diegans which adorns the restaurant’s two-story walls; the latter is one of the most exceptional cuts of meat in the city. Georges’ menu, with culinary highlights that include USDA Prime steak, day boat scallops, and the highest grade sushi, prioritizes quality ingredients highlighted by beautiful presentation. Factor in its unique location in a former gambling hall and saloon in the Gaslamp, elegant historic private dining rooms and Grammy-nominated pianist Tom Barabas performing on weekends, and you have one exceptional dining experience.

Georges on Fifth: San Diego's Steakhouse

Georges on Fifth sits on the ground floor of one of the most photographed buildings in the Gaslamp quarter, occupying a notable historical space. In the 1880’s the restaurant was home to Wyatt Earp’s (then-legal) gambling hall and saloon, The Oyster Bar.  Today, Earp’s presence permeates the restaurant, from the giant mural of his likeness overlooking the bar to the preserved card room where he dealt cards, which now serves as a private dining room offering an unrivaled view of Fifth Avenue.

Upon arriving at Georges’, we received a gregarious greeting from George L. Harrington III, the restaurant’s owner and namesake. He led us through the gentle curves and bold colors of the main dining room to a plush semi-circular booth against the building’s original brick wall.  We passed by the grand piano where, on weekends, Grammy nominated pianist Tom Barabas graces Georges on Fifth with his talents.

Seated, our eyes were drawn to the dramatic two-story walls, which are adorned with vivid portraits of significant San Diego personalities. Wyatt Earp is in good company--figures from Dr. Seuss to Dr. Salk have been painted on the walls by former Disney and San Diego Zoo portrait artist John Wismont. After testing our knowledge of the accomplishments of various San Diegans, we turned our attention to the menu. 

The menu at Georges focuses on quality, epitomized by a commitment to serve only USDA Prime steaks. Georges’ generous selection of Prime steak cuts are joined by a seafood selection of equal quality, as well as veal, lamb, pork, duck, and free range chicken.  Our server, Kirsten, enthusiastically recommended many of George’s Signature Dishes, all starred on the menu, highlighting the Grilled Pork Chop and the Prime Filet Mignon as staff favorites.

It is because of these Signature Dishes that Harrington is reluctant to call his restaurant a steak house, although steak and seafood are what Georges on Fifth is known for.  The menu refuses to conform to the traditional “steakhouse way” of serving unadorned entrees while offering vegetables and starches a la carte. At Georges, while the selection and preparation of meat receives enormous attention; equally doted on are the accoutrements and, not least of all, the presentation.  Executive Chef Jose’s Kelley’s talent lies in his ability to focus on appearance and flavor simultaneously without detracting from either.

We started our meal with a sampling of signature starters, along with a glass of medium-bodied 2003 Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay, which proved a well-suited accompaniment. Kirsten first brought us Dungeness Crab Cakes drizzled with a colorful array of sauces—red bell pepper cream, classic béchamel, and delicate chive oil. The aroma of the two crab medallions wafted up to awaken our senses as we eyed the festive dish.  With each bite a delicate crunch gave way to a creamy center that resonated with intense flavor.  The red bell pepper cream was sweet and rich, while the unique flavor of the chive oil offered a subtle bitterness. 

Next we sampled the California Seafood Bisque, which again delighted our eyes before our palates.  The rich golden soup was populated by a New Zealand green-lipped mussel, a solitary prawn, and a small square of salmon, all aligned as if they were marching across the bowl.  To their side an unassuming poppy seed crouton floated atop the viscous soup.  The soup itself was rich with flavor yet somehow not that heavy, offering up a creamy essence of the sea with each bite.

While many of the salads looked appealing, we decided we could not pass up the Tower of Tropical Tuna Tartare, which upon arriving confirmed our decision.  The dish was beautifully plated, running the gamut of colors and textures. A thin layer of sauces coated the plate in a prism-like effect, with brown hosin glaze fading into golden citrus ponzu fading into light green chive oil.  Crowning the plate was a lively bright pink stack of saku tuna topped with a pale layer of pineapple, deep green seaweed salad and an explosive nest of crunchy wontons.  We found ourselves reluctant to dig in, not wanting to disrupt the beautiful presentation. But dig in we did, and we were delighted.  The saku tuna, which is sushi grade yellowfin from the underbelly, was more flavorful than most sushi.  Firm, with a satisfying give and bursting with flavor, we almost forgot it was uncooked. My date, ordinarily not a tartare fan, was especially surprised at how much he enjoyed the dish.

We next turned our attention to the entrees, but not before chatting with the sommelier.  Rick Bates joined Georges on Fifth about two months ago, bringing expertise from the Napa Valley Grille and the Yard House in Irvine.  His first move was to revamp the wine list to provide an accessible selection of familiar wines alongside those from lesser known vineyards, hoping “to introduce folks to wines they might not try.”  At Rick’s recommendation, we opted for a 2002 Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, which seemed fitting as we had sampled their chardonnay earlier. 

As we let the wine breathe we took in the entrees as they were set in front of us.  The Jumbo Sea Scallops presented a delightful array of four panko-coated scallops arranged around a nest of crunchy chives and tomato coulis. Atop each scallop sat a generous dollop of sundried tomato tapenade, while underneath hid a thin sliver of new potato, all drizzled with house made Green Goddess sauce and red pepper cream.  Chef Kelley uses only dry day boat scallops, which are sold the day they are caught and are not preserved with any additives.  The difference is phenomenal, as these scallops are intensely flavored, deliciously sweet, and firm to the bite.  Each bite of the gently seared scallops provided an intense burst of almost buttery sweetness. 

Then there was the steak—the signature dish on the menu. An eight ounce Prime Filet Mignon of Certified Angus Beef® commanded its plate, sitting tall in a shallow sea of port wine demi-glace.  Accompanying it were sliced fingerling potatoes, shitake mushroom ragout, and a generous cut of Roquefort cheese.  The sensation of biting into Prime Angus filet mignon deserves a moment’s contemplation: the meat, soft to the touch and barely requiring a knife to slice through its tender grain, feels like velvet and practically dissolves upon touching the tongue.  After a pause, savoring our first bites, we ecstatically tackled the rest of the dish, delighting in the firm give of the fingerling potatoes, the woodsy bite of the ragout, and the ideally-suited port wine demi-glace and creamy Roquefort.  The dish was absolutely sublime. 

Feeling that we could not be more satisfied, we were surprised when our desserts proved us wrong.  Several of Georges on Fifth’s desserts are prepared in house, and their freshness is evident.  The Grand Marnier chocolate mousse, served in a wafer-thin candied almond bowl rooted to the plate with crème fraiche, was an explosion of decadence.  The Berries and Cream, also served in a candied almond bowl with airy crème fraiche, offered refreshingly light sweetness, an ideal conclusion to a decadent meal.  We also sampled the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake which, while not prepared in house, was admittedly addictive, with a tart creaminess and gentle texture.   

Georges on Fifth was developed as a “local’s place”—and everything from the portraits on the walls and the building’s rich history to the inviting atmosphere suggests that locals will feel at home.  The staff is friendly, the sommelier approachable, and the owner one of the most gregarious hosts around.  Details such as a low-priced children’s menu and live entertainment clearly have the local in mind. However, the menu, with its exclusive selection of Prime meats and quality seafood, makes Georges no ordinary “local’s place.” Whether you are in San Diego for the weekend or have lived here for years; whether you are looking for a taste of history or a taste of Prime Certified Angus Beef ®, Georges on Fifth provides an elegant and epicurean dining experience for San Diegans and visitors alike.

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Reservations


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Restaurant Info

  • Address: 835 5th Avenue, San Diego CA 92101
  • Cross Street: F Street
  • Location: Downtown | Gaslamp Quarter
  • Cuisine:
  • Cost: $$$ | Moderate | $50 - $75
  • Category: Fine Dining
  • Star Rating:
  • Reservations: Recommended
  • Dress Code: Business Casual
  • Meals Served: Dinner |
  • Parking: Street | Valet Parking |
  • Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover | Diners Club |
  • Corkage Fee: 20.00 | Per 750ml bottle.
  • Phone: (619) 702-0444

Business Hours

Monday
Upper | Dinner 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Tuesday
Upper | Dinner 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Wednesday
Upper | Dinner 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Thursday
Upper | Dinner 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday
Upper | Dinner 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday
Upper | Dinner 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday

Features

  • Full Bar
  • Live Entertainment
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Private Room
  • Prix Fixe Menu
  • Smoking Area
  • Takeout Available
  • Winning Wine List
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Valet Parking
  • Happy Hours
  • Personal Wines Allowed
  • Lounge / Bar
  • Healthy Options

Occasion

  • Child Friendly
  • Romantic Dining
  • Dining Alone
  • Business Dining
  • Meet for a Drink
  • People Watching
  • Quiet Conversation
  • Special Occasion
  • Dog Friendly

 


F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, During the 1880’s, Wyatt Earp ran a saloon and gambling hall here called “The Oyster Bar“, dealing “Faro“- a card game popular at the time - in what we now call The Wyatt Earp Room.
Georges on Fifth serves the only hand selected, "center-cut" and Aged Prime Certified Angus Beef in San Diego.

Menus

Dinner Menu

  Monday-Sunday: 5:00pm-10:00pm. This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Appetizers

Soups

Salads

Irresistible Dishes

Our Finest Cut of Beef

Certified Angus & USDA Prime Steaks

Side Dishes

Specials

Seafood

Pasta

Kids Menu ($6.95)

  Monday-Sunday: 5:00pm-10:00pm. Available to children ages 12 and under. This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Kids Food

Dessert Menu

  This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Dessert

Coffees & Teas

Cognacs and Armagnacs

Ports and Sherries

Scotch

Bourbon


Map

Restaurant Address: 835 5th Avenue, San Diego CA 92101

User Reviews

Great Steak and Seafood  

Had dinner the other night with a friend and he had the filet and I had the sushi entree. Both were some of the best we ever had in town. The piano player Tom? even came over to say Hi! I was even more amazed when the owner came by, George, to check on us. This was amazing service and a very friendly staff! Thank You

The best steak ever!!  

We went to G5 last night, and it was the best ever! My husband loves his steak and he had the filet, he was in heaven. The service was excellent, we will go back.

Best of the Best!  

Words can't describe this place. Excellent food, Excellent service, Excellent EVERYTHING! You must experience this place to really appreciate it.

Best Steak  

I have eaten in restaurants from the East to West Coast and can honestly say i have never had as good a steak like that 28 day wet aged angus served at G5. The service was crisp, friendly and attentive. The atmosphere sophisticated yet not intimidating. The night my wife and i were there we had the pleasure of enjoying the music of their Grammy nominated pianist. I highly recommend this restaurant. Every friend and colleague travelling to San Diego are encouraged to stop and experience G5. Chas Reece VP Hotel Operations Foxwoods Resort Casino Mashantucket, CT.

great atmosphere and food  

My husband and I love to go to G-5 for the pork chops, wonderful service and to listen to Tom Barabas the award winning pianoist. It's a great place to meet friends even if just for a drink and an appetizer. George Harrington (owner) is so warm and friendly, that he makes you feel welcome and at home. We recomend "Georges on Fifth" for any special occasion.

Food, service, entertainment  

What a treat to visit - the service from the greeting to the check were superb. The food was fabulous and the entertainment was perfect for our evening. Our server, Maria served up a delicious lobster starter in a martini glass. The entree, a certified Angus filet was the finest cut of beef I have ever eaten. What really made the evening special was the owner, George constantly tending to our table after each course was served. It has been too long since I have enjoyed such a wonderful evening in such a gracious setting. Thank you, George.

Super  

Just Superb  

After several dining experiences at G5 I felt compelled to share my excitment at finding such a jewel of a resturant. The food, service, and ambience has repeatly been special whether for business or with my family. I look forward to my visits to San Dieg if just to enjoy the fresh fish and the great steaks. Tell George Jim sent you!

Still Our Favorite  

What a great meal! We were proud to take our business guest to G5. The food was terrific, the service was very professional and the atmosphere was sophisticated. We each had a different starter, entree and desert and we all loved our choices. The side walk patio makes for great people watching and the pianist played "Time To Say Goodbye" especially for us. Perfect!!!

Great Atmosphere  

Had dinner on a Sunday night. Restaurant was very empty. Only about 3 other tables. Entire Gaslamp district was empty. Service was excellent and the prime rib special was to die for.

The best Filett Mignon ever  

My name is Tom Barabas and I play the piano at G5(George's on Fifth) close to 5 years. On my last birthday even that I work in the restaurant Wednesday to Saturday every week I decided to celebrate at G5. I consider myself a Filett Mignon expert kind of. I love a good beef and I have been in many restaurants during my concert tours all over United States and especially San Diego where I live for most of my life. I have been in Mortons, Donovan, Gray Stone, Ruth Chriss and many others. The Filett that I had on my last birthay about 2 weeks ago was the best and most outstanding in my life. I had the 12 ounces and my wife had the 8 oz. and we both cleaned our plate completly. If anybody would like to taste the best of the best visit G5. If I know I will play your favorite song too.

WONDERFULL  

It had been some time since I took my wife out to dinner; so at 7 months pregnant we decided to go to G5; and it was worth the wait. George greeted us and took us to our table, he was very attentive to my very pregnant wife; the food was excellent and the best part for us was the service. If you get the chance to go, you won't regret it.

Excellent  

This restaurant has the greatest service and the food was outstanding, highly recommended. A++++++++

great time!  

Not a frequent Gaslamp diner, however I wanted to show my son and his new girlfriend a wonderful time. It was a Friday night before New Years, however the atmosphere was casual and quiet...perfect for a "get to know" occasion. Our server was a young man who was formal, outgoing, and made our fine dining experience very comfortable. The food was amazing! Lamb, halibut, salmon. Truly more then just a steakhouse. Can't wait to go back!

Best Steak, Best Live Piano!  

George's on Fifth has the best Meat selection. I recently dined with a client and we both ordered the Lamb. Excellent!! My client became an instant regular! Service, Wine selection & the Historical significance of Wyatt Earp's Gambling Hall and Saloon is striking. The Live Piano music is the best in San Diego, Period! The Pianist, Peter the Prince of Piano is a Winner of the Liberace Crystal Piano Award, Catch a Rising Star and Super Star Talent Searches. Peter's performance emcompasses quiet dinner music to show stopping, bench licking selections when appropriate. Peter the Prince of Piano is a regular with the San Diego Symphony Summer Pops each year. He has opened for Marvin Hamlisch, Burt Bacharach, Monica Mancini nad others...GO TO GEORGE'S ON FIFTH!!!

Best Live Piano!  

Georges on Fifth Steakhouse Peter the Prince of Piano Friday & Saturday 6:30pm to 9:30pm Peter the Prince of Piano plays Classic Rock to Modern Pop & Rock selections. NOT YOUR GRANDPA'S MUSIC. The Prince of Piano is a winner of the Liberace Crystal Piano Award, Catch a Rising Star and Super Star Awards. Pleasing sounds while you dine at Georges on Fifth. http://www.princeofpiano.com http://www.youtube.com/princeofpiano

Amazing!  

My fiancé and I went there for our first time on his 24th birthday and our last date night before he was shipped out for boot camp. This place was the perfect place for our last date night. The decor was beautiful, the waiter was amazingly nice, food was delicious and the bar was amazing. Definitely recommend this place!

Love G5  

I Love G5. THis is one of my fav resturants in San Diego. The food is great and love the history of the building.

Perfect restaurant for a business dinner!  

My bosses loved this restaurant! They said it was fantastic all around.

Georges on Fifth  

This was our second time dining at Georges. The atmosphere was comfortable and warm. The service was good and food outstanding.

Great meal at George's on 5th  

WE loved the cozy and warm atmosphere along with the food. The booths are great for intimate dining.

Pan seared scallops  

The diamond next to the dish on the menu is the clue to George's specialties.

First time in San Diego  

Great Food, Great Service

Delicious food, great atmosphere.  

This is a great restaurant with delicious steaks and a nice atmosphere. We had a great waiter, and although the menu was pricey (as to be expected in an upscale restaurant downtown), I was actually suprised at how reasonable the bill was at the end for a party of 7 (even with an appetizer, dessert, and 2 bottles of wine).

Best Filet Mignon Ever!!!!  

So I live far north of S.D. and took my lady to dinner there just by looking through the internet, I made reservations. We arrrived to a nice little spot with a private patio. We chose to eat inside. There is quite a bit of history to this place, I won't ruin what the history is you have to go find out for yorself. But the filet they have there is hands down thee best steak I've ever had. Cooked to perfection upon your request and the flavor was incredible and this is NO small filet by any means. The waiter there was mollasses for only 3 tables being there but that wouldn't stop me from coming back for this steak again. Ill just make sure and ask for another waiter..and I still tipped him very generously just because of my meal. So hats off to the chef.

Soup of the Day  

As wonderful an overall experience I had once again at Georges on Fifth in the Gaslamp District, I found the chef's soup of the day was a BEST BUY. Frankly speaking, for the $6.00 a bowl charge I don't believe they can stay in business. The soup could have been considered a whole meal by itself: Beef/vegetable with enough steak tenderloin cuts and mixed vegetables to have taken care of my appetite all by itself. I had the teriyaki stir-fry vegetable dish as the entree for $18.00 which could have accommodated two people. On top of the reasonable cost for the delicious meal, George's offered a 20% coupon I found online good for Saturday evening during Restaurant Week. Bon Appetit!!

Valentines Dinner  

Well, here we go again! It is Valentines Day and I am searching for a restaurant for my Honey. I have been wanting to go to Georges for a while now and figured tonight woudl be the night. Well, I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with the location, service, and especially the food. I have read many reviews about this place with some recommendations. I followed most, if not all of them. We started off our night with some crab cakes that were delicious. We followed it up with their seafood bisque (just about every review recommended it). It was fantastic and the portion was definitely a bit generous. For the main course, I had their double sized pork chop. It tasted great with their vinegary sauce and the sweet potato mash was very delicious. My wife had the lobster linguni. She did not care for it too much, but it was a very generous portion and the taste was ok. We finished it all up with their creme brulee. Overall, we were not disappointed at all with Georges. Our waiter, Mike, was very good and his supporting cast were very attentive to all of our needs before we even asked. I would definitely return to Georges again!!

Customer Dinner  

Food delicious and wine at terrific prices! Would definitely return.

promotion  

A+, George greeted us and sat us at our table, service was excellent and the food was incredible. would go back again.

Great steakhouse  

G5 was a great steakhouse. ALthough pricey, the filetmignon was superb and the ambience was delightful. Definately a place to visit in San Diego

Amazing Atmosphere  

I dined here on a Friday night and it was great. The piano was great for the mood and the food was really good. I had the prime filet and my date had the scallops. Our bottle of pinot noir was top notch. Defintely worth going back even for the price.

very nice!  

good amount of food, great atmosphere with live piano playing. overall, very nice!

Would dine at G5 again.  

I visited G5 on Friday Feb 6th 09. I made reservations in the Wyatt room, and had a special request for the pianist to perform a certain song for me. The reservation request, (my first through this SDR website) went through without any hassles or hold ups, and within approximately one hour or less I had confirmation on the request from G5. I was sorry to hear that the pianist was no longer performing at G5, however they were in the process of trying to find a replacement so that I could hear my requested song while dining, (very thoughtful of them).

When I showed up, the hostess was very welcoming and polite, and not to mention she was extremely cute as well. I was also sad to see George did not greet us though. We were promptly seated at our table. The service then and through-out the rest of the night was great. First up was the bread and butter to hold us over. It was absolutely incredible. Small pieces of french bread with a light butter, it was so good.

Then we ordered Banko fried shrimp and a bowl of their seafood bisque soup as an appetizer. The seafood bisque soup was a bit overdone with the seafood portion I thought with large mussels, shrimp, and clams/oysters in the shell, however the flavor was good. The Banko friend shrimp were excellent, crispy and crunchy. Next, for our meals we ordered a bone-in Rib Eye, an 8 oz. prime cut Filet Mignon (not the certified Angus beef cut) and the Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken, with baked potatoes and asparagus as sides. The Filet I had was very tender, although a smidgen bland in the flavor department. The cut itself was a very nice cut of beef however. The potatoes were nothing to rave about. Per my other guests, the Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken breast and bone-in Rib Eye were excellent.

As we were finishing our meals George made an appearance and greeted the guests dining at the table behind us, and spoke with them at length. As he finished speaking with them, he moved out of the Wyatt room and never spoke to us. We did not try any desserts, but they had a nice selection of after dinner drinks and desserts and a lot of them sounded delicious. My experiences were not bad by any means, just a few things left out that would of made the night and experience exceptional.

Excellent for first time visit  

The restaurant was a differerent experience for the 2 of us, who really dont go out to classy restaurants. The food was wonderful and had good flavor.

Great dirty martini  

The steak and martini and dessert (key lime pie) was excellent. The side dish of vegetables was just so-so for having to pay extra for it. The potatoes were good. The service was excellent! The bathrooms are a little shotty for such a nice restaurant and the table for 2 felt a little cramped against the wall or next to a pillar. Otherwise the atmosphere was very nice.

Date Night  

We had 7:30 reservation and arrived on time. I was surprised that the crowd was a lot older than we are(mid 30 - 40) at that time of evening. By the time we left, the crowd was closer or even younger to our ages. With that said, the service was really great. Our server knew alt about the restaurant history and the building, and of course the food and wine selections. He told us what he restaurant was known for as well as what his favorites were and why. As a result we got exactly what we expected and enjoyed everything.

Great meal  

Restaurant has a nice feel, I liked it.

George's on 5th great  

Food is excellent and service efficient, but not overpowering (not pushy). The atmosphere is quiet, allowing an intimate private evening evening. The history connection with the early west's Earps is interesting.

Good date night  

Overall, a nice experience. A little pricey for the average joe, but very good food, nice ambiance, friendly waiters.

914nut  

Nice restaurant.Good service,but the entrees for the price should of included a side dish!

Above Average  

It is an above average restaurant with above average food and service for an above average price. I would absolutely go back again.

GI Faculty Dinner  

Surprizingly a great place for a large group.

Wonderful  

Quaint, throwback type of restaurant...Quiet, very nice...Food was excellent..The Tuna tatare was very good ...Service was top rate

Lobster Martini!  

Would go back for the delicious lobster martini! The other menu items were just so-so.

Just okay  

The atmosphere is nice when the piano is playing, the service is good when they are not busy and the deserts are good with the free coupon. Actually the food was fairly good, I had the linguine with lobster and she had the halibut. Mine was good, but had to add salt and pepper to give it some more flavor. Her's was actually pretty good with a little Chipolte kick. We went on a Wednesday and they advertise their martinis are $5 (on Weds), but it turns out only when you are sitting at the bar, otherwise they are $8(That kind of pissed me off). She had a chocolate martini that was again "okay", they don't use Godiva liquor so it's a bit watery. After dinner, we agreed that it wasn't bad, just okay...not worth $120 with tip. If you are fine with mediocrity, then give it a shot...but if you're looking for a "knock your socks off" dinner, I suggest to look elsewhere.

disappointed  

I have heard so much about G5 that I just had to try it and share it with out of town guests. Overall the atmosphere was so so; the service was mediocre and the food was not anything to write home about. The mushroom soup had to be sent back because it was so salty. One of the filets came out different then how we specified it to be. We ordered 2 cabernets by the glass only to find out that they did not have any available....what, no cabernet by the glass??? Wow!!!! Furthermore...as a female writing this review, I was a bit turned off that the male wait staff was uneducated in the area of White tanks or 'wife beaters' that should ALWAYS be worn under a dress shirt (the nipple/hairy chest action not cutting it!). I will go to Greystone the next time!!

Good service but steak was disappointing  

Had their signature one of a kind fillet and it was tough and not tender... Was expecting more.

georges on fifth  

the only reason we went to this restaurant was because we were given a groupon for it; however, we didn't find this to be a place to come back to as the prices are ridiculously high for average portions.

Ok  

Very mediocre food. No free cake on your bday. I say pass.

Pricey  

I suggest you drive a little further north to George's in La Jolla to get the true George's dining experience.

Jan 2013  

The wine was good and not overly expensive, the server was excellent but the food quality was inconsistent and not great. Not horrible, but not excellent.

Disappointed  

I was disappointed to hear my boss' review of G5. He indicated that the food was mediocre and the service was very inexperienced. "The restaurant is not yet what they are trying to be."

Think again.  

The atmosphere at G5 was quite pleasant and the staff were very nice. Our waiter was quite attentive without being overbearing. The food, on the other hand, was a different story. It was, at best, OK. I had the Muscovy Duck with the cranberry cabernet sauce - both the meat and the sauce were tasteless. Even the addition of salt and pepper did little to liven it up. The side dish, supposedly a scallion laced wild rice cake, was horrible. It had a foreign spicy flavor that I did not like and did not complement anything else on my plate. My husband ordered the USDA Prime filet mignon. He ordered it medium, and it came out rare and once again, both the meat and the sauce were tasteless. We decided to top off this disappointing meal with some creme brulee. We thought that at least should be good. Again, disappointment. The flavor was severely lacking and the texture was just wrong - like they tried to thicken the custard with cornstarch. Heck, the brulee at Nordstrom's Cafe was to times better!! Seriously, do they taste test their own food? I certainly won't waste another $100 there.

test  

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Not the best!!!  

Steak was expensive (I don't mind paying high price for quality)....tough and served cold. Later learned that the steaks are purchased from a food supplier versus being hand cut on site. The menu says that the steaks are "hand selected"....don't know what this means but for the two of us it meant two very tough NY strips that were served at way less than "fresh off the grill" heat. Service staff was attentive. Probably wouldn't go back.

Very nice until ...  

The NE Clam chowder was excellent and the salad equally tasty. But the steak was a disappointment - overdone and tough.

poor value & experience  

ATTN: George L. Harrington III Tonight we had the very unfortuante experience of eating at this resturant. The experience is one that we will not forget for some time. We were looking forward to a wonderful Valentine dinner. Instead, from the moment we arrived to departure, we were left with the feeling that we had just dined at a feeding frenzy steakhouse. This was our first visit to this resturant and we were expecting fine dining but quickly observed a "meat market" atmosphere. When we were seated at a two top table directly outside the kitchen area and requested to be moved, the Hostess advised that all tables were reserved for other guests. She was correct because when larger groups of men arrived, tables were quicly pushed together as if they might escape and take their business elsewhere (which is what we should have done). The food definitely was not worth the price. Thank you for the wonderful lesson - don't believe everything you read on an internet page. p.s. We salvaged the night by having a wonderful experience at the Extrodinary Desserts resturant on upper 5th.

Not worth for money  

I decided to post my review because we choose this restaurant by using this web site and I think people want to know everyone's opinion. We went to Geores on Fifth for our Anniversary but we did not like our main dishes (Rib eye stake & Halibut). There are no seasoning and didn't taste much. My husband only ate about 3 peices of Rib eye stake and didn't want rest. I ate half of my Halibut. Appetizer was so so. Tuna Tartar was good but Shrip cocktail was not flesh but we liked dessert which was Fresh berries. We spend $200 for two. Price and food quality doesn't match... Server was OK but I don't think she has much knowledge of wines. Maybe we were disappointed because we ate at Donovan's week before and it was well seasoned, tender and delicious. Plus price was about same but Donovan's came with side dishes and George doesn't. So, we had to order separately. But Piano play was very nice.

We gave them two chances  

I wouldn't have given them a second chance, but my husband heard that G5 was under new management. We selected the Prime Filet and Prime NY Strip, and were again disappointed that these very expensive steaks had no flavor. We even joked about asking for some steak sauce. Heh.

Not what we expected  

The music was great. The atmosphere was great. The food was VERY VERY bland. We don't like to send food back.... but this was a meal that should have been. Of all to choose from, probably will not go back.

Inconsistent, mediocre, and bland  

My father took us to George's last night to celebrate his graduation. He was eagerly anticipating a filet mignon and lobster tail. The restaurant is nice and the service is attentive. We had a nice booth, and our appetizers (soups & various salads) were fine, though not amazing in any way. The entrees were extremely mediocre. I ordered the top sirloin medium well (yes I know that's a sin), but I still expected it to be uniformly cooked and mildly tender. Instead, the outside was charred and tasted burned, and was tough - while parts of the inside were extremely well done and the middle was bright pink in parts, possibly medium at best. I also ordered asparagus and a baked potato on the side, for another $13. The asparagus was overly crisp and completely bland. My baked potato appeared ok, but there were extremely hard spots as if it had not been cooked all the way, and there was a large brownish/blackish spot with in it, as if the potato were possibly rotten. I eat out a lot and have been to many nice dinners, but this dinner several times more expensive and only half as good as any normal chain steakhouse like Outback. I was very disappointed. My sister and mother ordered stir-fried seasonable vegetables, and they came in a cream sauce, which they didn't expect. It seems silly to offer a healthy item like stir-fried veggies and then present it in a cream sauce. And finally, my father's lobster tail was "fine" but his filet mignon, ordered medium rare, was medium at best and more like medium well. So overall, all our entrees were mediocre. The desserts were great, however - creme brulee and a chocolate mousse. An overall expensive and disappointing experience, food-wise. None of us were impressed. And based on previous reviews, they do have an inconsistent reputation and a tendency towards blandness.

Not a Great Experience  

Where do I begin. First off, I am not from San Diego, so I made my reservation at G5 based on the reviews from this website and the recommendation of an acquaintance. We had a 7:30 reservation on a Saturday evening and the Gaslamp district was in full swing; so we were immediately suspicious when we found G5 to be very empty. From the outside, the place looks relatively nice, but once inside you realize it is in dire need of an update. The decor is old (it even smelled old) and overplays the "Wyatt Earp" history of the building. We thought the idea of live piano would make the evening nicer, but the piano player was odd. He reminded me of Wayne Newton and wore a hilarious gold trench coat that was straight out of a Vegas prop shop. And instead of playing jazz or classical (more appropriate for a nicer meal) he banged out Billy Joel and Elton John. It would have been nice if we were in a bar, but it was too loud and upbeat for a nice dinner. Our table was not ready when we arrive (despite the restaurants emptiness) but we were seated within 5 minutes. After sitting down we were immediately tended to by our waitress. I will say that her personality and service were by far the only redeeming factor of the meal. The wine list consisted of 100% supermarket labels, which I found to be horribly disappointing for a nice restaurant. I started off with the Spinach Salad and my girlfriend had the Caesar. Both were decent, though they lacked some refinement. For our entrees, I had the duck and my girlfriend had the salmon. My duck was extremely overcooked and was served with a very strange side that I can only compare to a dry baked stuffing. My girlfriend had the salmon, which the menu stated came with a cherry fennel relish. She was a little apprehensive about cherries on salmon, but figured it couldn't be that bad if it was on the menu. It was not good. As we suspected, cherries don't belong on Salmon. Neither of us decided to send back our food because the restaurant was so dead that they probably would have needed to make new meals from scratch. Apparently they are known for their steak, but at $79 for a 12oz cut, it had better be the best damn steak in Southern California (I don't think Morton's best cut costs that much). Besides, who wants to wash a $79 steak down with a glass of BV? By the time dessert came around both of us were looking to pay the bill and leave. After all, our waitress went so far as to recommend NOT getting certain desserts. While waiting for the bill, we decided that we wouldn't be surprised if G5 ends up on the next edition of Kitchen Nightmares. And to confirm our suspicions, the waitress gave us a comment card with our bill. Nice restaurants don’t give out comment cards unless they are having serious issues. So to sum up our experience: so-so ambiance, great service, bad food.

Worst food I have ever had!  

Worst food I have ever had. Dry fish, tough steak...disgusting! I would pay $1 for this meal again let alone $20! Service was good though...the place was dead.

Dinner  

MESSAGE: attn: George, I'll try and make this as short as i can. I was at your restaurant on Saturday, night for my 6th wedding Anniversary. It was not a good Experience at all.. sorry to say i felt like you should know what took place . The service was VERY slow my wife had to send her dinner back three times. and did not end up eating it. And every time the same sides were left on the plate. by the third time the sides were pretty bad and as this was happening my food was NEVER taken from the table they did not clear the table till my wife gave up on her food( there were plates everwhere). the salad that my wife had was bad as well. She did not eat her lobster salad not one time were you told of this we have been to many restaurants (all over the word ) and this was unbelivable to say the least we had heard that your restaurant was pretty good sorry to say that was not the case we ended are meal very unhappy .my wifes dinner was taken from the bill and the evening was not what i had hoped! for. As i was walking out, i was going to tell you what had happen and you were outside having a drink with a friend and did not look like you wanted to be troubled we took it as a lession learned .threw the entire mess not one time was it mentioned that it was are Anniversary i thought that was bad management as well. this would have never happened at many of the other places that we were thinking about going .Each time a plate was set at are table it was wet we would have to wipe it off.i could go on and on but i think you get the picture so for that dinner i spent $90.00 i have never sent a letter to anyone reguarding a meal but this time i felt i had to...... richard gilroy .

Worst service that I have received in 10 years...  

Let me preface my review by saying, I eat out 2 or 4 times a week at very nice restaurants. I grew up in the restaurant industry and I understand how a kitchen and/or server can get back up. Unfortunately, Friday night was not one of those occassions. Our dinner started at 8:30pm. When the busboy brought bread some 10 minutes later, he asked if our server had been to the table yet. After she was told that she had not been to the table yet, he walked away muttering to himself in disgust. This entire fiasco continued through the night. A non-existant server, despite he only having 2 to 3 tables the entire time we were there. Let me toss out a few other gems... We were at G5 for about 2.5 hours for a 3 course meal. My date's baked potato was brought to the table when she literally had 1 bite of her steak left. Our main course plates were taken from the table about 15 minutes after we finished with them. It was another 40 minutes until our sub-par desserts arrived. It was obvious that they had been sitting awhile because the sugar on top of the creme brulee was soggy and no longer hard. The absolute worst service that I have received in 10+ years and the food was sub-par. In case anyone from G5 doubts that this review is true, you can look it up. We dined at G5 on Friday Feb 11, 2006 at 8:30pm. The reservation was under Dr. Spyro and our server's name was Sunshine. Based upon my meal, there are lots of better restaurants in San Diego and you can get better service at a taco shack in TJ.

Another Kitchen Nighmare  

We made reservations for a place that was empty. The decor was out dated. Other reviews said the attire was dressy, but we were the only ones dressed (besides the couple going to prom). We got our salads and the were aweful. The lettuce was wilty and the spinach was soggy. In fact, the presentation was so poor and the food so bland we were afraid to see what our over-priced entres would look like. I cancelled our order and asked for the check. The one saving grace is that they did not charge us for the food. However, they did charge me 9.50 for glass of beer that was only filled 2/3 of the way. This place needs a major overhaul and a new chef.

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