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Nestled in the historic Mission Hills neighborhood of San Diego, Wolf In The Woods offers a captivating dining experience that masterfully blends New Mexico Southwestern flair with rustic European charm. This intimate restaurant, located at 1920 Fort Stockton Dr Suite C, creates an atmosphere that feels like a secret hideaway—cozy, warm, and enveloped in an old-world vibe that transports you far from the bustling streets of San Diego.
The culinary journey here is truly exceptional, with each dish thoughtfully crafted to showcase a harmony of bold flavors and delicate textures. Start your meal with the Yellowtail Aguachile, where the bright, citrusy marinade awakens the palate with refreshing zest, or savor the Harissa Octopus, infused with smoky, spicy nuances that highlight the chef’s talent for balancing heat and tenderness. The Sweet Corn & Piñon Soup offers a velvety, comforting richness punctuated by the subtle bite of Hatch chile corn fritters, a seasonal specialty that promises a unique sensory delight.
For those seeking depth and sophistication, the Steak Tartare melts on the tongue with its perfectly seasoned freshness, while the Wolf in the Woods Calvados Chicken Liver Pâté paired with dark cherry chutney and brioche toast points invites you to indulge in creamy, luxurious decadence. The cheese and charcuterie boards, featuring curated selections like Jamon Iberico and Vermont Creamery Bonne Bouche cheese, serve as ideal accompaniments to the restaurant’s thoughtfully curated wine list, which includes rare European gems and fine California vintages.
Wolf In The Woods also appeals to those craving hearty, comforting dishes such as the Duck Breast with Creamy Polenta and Roasted Mushrooms, where earthy flavors converge beautifully, and the vibrant Carne Adovada—a tender, slow-cooked pork drenched in a rich red Hatch chile sauce that guests fondly remember for its profound, lingering warmth.
Dining here is as much about the food as it is about the ambiance. Whether you choose the inviting heated outdoor patio or the cozy interior, the staff—from the attentive hostess to the knowledgeable sommelier—ensures every moment feels personalized and special. As one guest put it, the vibe is “like we were in Europe, not San Diego,” a testament to the restaurant’s ability to create an intimate, romantic setting that’s perfect for date nights or memorable gatherings.
Save room for dessert. The Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with sugared dark cherry and biscochito cookie crumble is a silky sweet finish that lingers softly on the palate, while the Winter Ricotta Chocolate Cake combines a rich, indulgent texture with bright notes of orange zest and a refined white wine reduction drizzle.
Wolf In The Woods is more than a restaurant—it's a treasured jewel offering an authentic fusion of Southwestern and European influences through thoughtful, artfully prepared cuisine. Each visit invites you to savor not just a meal, but a complete sensory experience that leaves you eagerly anticipating your next return. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this is a rare find where exceptional food, warm hospitality, and a uniquely enchanting atmosphere come together flawlessly.
What a lovely discovery and experience. Such a cozy little place with excellent food. Perfect for a date night. Pretty much everything we tried was great. Loved the ambience and the vibe felt like we were in Europe not San Diego. Must try spot!
It’s a unique jewel of a restaurant tucked in a historic neighborhood of San Diego. We sat outside and the heat lamps worked great as it was chilly. The hostess and wait staff were friendly and attentive. Food was delicious with a New Mexico southwestern flair. Lovely wine list. It’s a special place!
Incredible quaint and romantic spot with excellent food and service. The sweet corn and piñon soup was unlike anything I’ve had before. Unreal. The depth of flavor in the red hatch chile sauce from the Carne Adovada is . Spent every piece of that fry bed mopping up every last drop of the sauce. Had the citrus marinated octopus. Love the flavor. I thought the texture of the octopus was off. I was expecting firm and springy yet tender but it was firm and mealy :( Still an excellent place
Tried this place for the first time after hearing a lot about it and I wasn’t disappointed! The food was delicious my favourite was the carne adovaba while my husband loved the octopus and tartar, and the fresh focaccia is a must!! The patty for the mini burger was delicious and very well sized! While the croquetas are delicious, they are a little expensive as is the aguachile… there wasn’t much fish and the sauce was a little bland for my taste. I ordered the NA gin and tonic to drink, unfortunately it tasted very flat, it was changed but the second one wasn’t much better, wouldn’t order again. We took our baby with us and were thoughtfully sat at the end of the patio so we’d have enough space for the stroller. If you have Amex platinum book through resy for $100 credit a quarter! Will definitely be back!
Our most beloved restaurant in our Mission Hills neighborhood! It doesn’t matter what you order—the food is always delicious. The service is exceptional, and you must order a bottle of wine—the sommelier/owner is amazing, offering not just California wines but incredible European selections. Don’t be alarmed by dining outdoors—it’s quaint, lovely, and heated. Or you can dine inside; either way, you can’t go wrong. Truly one of the best-kept secrets in San Diego!
Definitely love coming here for celebrations. The food is excellent and the service is more of the same. They change their menu every so often, but we usually get the potato chips, corn soup and yellowtail aguachile. This time around we got the beef tataki and the adobada. Both were amazing! Fair warning, the tataki is a japanese style dish that is served barely seared and cold. Amazing flavor, but might not be for everyone.
Wolf in the Woods is undeniably cute and cozy — a small, charming spot that really makes you feel like you’ve escaped into the woods. The window looking out over the canyon adds to the atmosphere and makes the space feel intimate and almost magical. That said, the space is tight — if you’re claustrophobic or need elbow room, this probably isn’t the place for you. But for a small group (no more than four), it’s a lovely setting for a relaxed evening. Service was great — attentive without being intrusive. The staff kept things moving smoothly, especially given the 90-minute dining limit (a necessity due to the size of the place). As for the food and drink: I started with the Lupo e Luna cocktail, which was refreshing and delicious — a great way to kick things off. We shared several dishes, tapas-style, starting with the crudo, which was fresh but lacked that pop of flavor I was hoping for. The meatballs were just okay for me, but the octopus was solid. It’s worth noting that most dishes had a noticeable level of spice — possibly because they were running a New Mexico-themed menu that night. I would have appreciated a bit more variety in flavor profiles. Now, the star of the evening: the corn soup. OMG. Creamy, flavorful, perfectly balanced — this is the dish you start planning your return visit for before you’re even halfway through it. I would honestly go back just for that soup. Get it with the amazing focaccia. We also had the slider, which was juicy and tasty, and wrapped up with a carrot cake for dessert. It was decent, though also carried a bit of spice (continuing the theme of the night). Still, nothing came close to the corn soup — the clear winner. This spot specializes in tapas and wine, with a few main dishes offered. We were too full to try the entrées, but it’s good to know they’re available. I’d be curious to go back and try different plates — especially if the menu changes seasonally. Just keep that soup on the menu, please. In short: I wouldn’t rush back immediately, but I definitely plan to return. It’s not ideal for big groups, but for a date night or a small dinner with friends, it’s a cozy little gem — as long as you don’t mind being up close and personal with your fellow diners.
After hearing lots of good reviews about this place, I came in with a low expectation because I was thinking it was one of those overhyped restaurants. However, I was pleasantly impressed that food was pretty good, and service was great. The only thing I was disappointed about was the bread. It didn’t taste like it was freshly baked. The citrus octopus and sweet corn soup are to die for!! Both dishes have been consistently good every time I come here. Carne adovada was very tasty, the meat was super soft and the onion added some nice crunch. The richness in the creamy polenta paired very well with the roasted mushrooms which made the whole dish quite delicious and flavorful. Highly recommend!