Experience insideOUT’s Enchanted Oasis in Hillcrest During the Month of October

With a Seasonal Menu and Stunning Courtyard Setting, This San Diego Restaurant Is Sure to Sweep You Off Your Feet

In the heart of Hillcrest, on the ground floor of the Eitol Towers luxury apartments, you’ll find San Diego’s only urban oasis to marvel and dine at. insideOUT is situated in a lush atrium, where you feel like you’ve stepped outside the city walls. During the month of October, guests will have an opportunity to experience the restaurant’s modified interior with their “Enchanted Oasis” theme decorations. Chanel your inner Alice in Wonderland and fall down the rabbit hole at the sight of giant mushrooms, neon flowers and larger-than-life butterflies. Look a little closer and you’ll find a flowing waterfall that feeds into a pond, which is fully decked out with faux lily pads and whimsical life size pink flamingos. At night, the open-air courtyard comes to life with colorful mood lighting, making this Hillcrest haunt a sexy yet refined destination for a night out.

Credit: Bhadri Kubendran

“All of your senses will feel stimulated,” says Matthew Ramon, owner of insideOUT and Urban MO’s and longtime San Diego restaurateur.

insideOUT is the brainchild of Ramon and Executive Chef Johnny Duran, who has worked at a number of renowned San Diego restaurants and is now making a name for himself. “We wanted to create a space for the community to be able to unwind with good food and drink,” says Ramon. “We didn’t want a bar scene that was too loud or a restaurant with mediocre food. It was important to us that we deliver quality without compromise.” With the goal of creating an elevated, high-quality restaurant, insideOUT was born.

Credit: Bhadri Kubendran

The menu offers a fun, fresh take on California- and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

“We take guests on a unique journey they never thought they’d be on with our food” says Chef Duran.

“We’re known for our wild pairings. We make it a point to use lots of different textures and flavors to really take you on that journey.” And unique pairings are exactly what you’ll get—insideOUT’s Panzanella salad is a Tuscan dish with juicy heirloom tomatoes, julienne red onions, Persian cucumbers, buttered croutons, mirrored in a basil buttermilk aioli and a dollop of arugula mint pesto. It’s a combination that surprisingly works.

For something innovative, try the grilled double-cut pork chop with nectarine, smoky almond brown butter, goat cheese, and sweet potatoes. They finish the dish with watercress and pickled red onion, creating a flavorful, balanced bite that feels both creative and comforting.

“We have something on the menu for everyone,” guarantees Duran.

“You should order depending on how bold you’re feeling, but know that our dishes are elevated but never pretentious.” Their signature dish—the Australian hot stone steak—features an 8-ounce aged Angus filet mignon. They serve it rare on a sizzling stone, letting you cook it exactly how you like.

The desserts are simple, but like the rest of the menu, they’re light and won’t leave you feeling overly full. You can’t go wrong with the Black Forest cake or lemon blueberry cheesecake, made with fresh, tangy lemon curd. Make it in time for happy hour (Tuesday–Friday, 4–6 p.m.) and enjoy cocktails like the $8 Freaky Tiki. They make it with Mt. Gay Barrel rum, Bacardi coconut, Passoa Passion Fruit, sweet n’ sour, pineapple, orgeat, and a float of Kraken rum.

Credit: Bhadri Kubendran

insideOUT is also open for brunch on weekends (would be a crime if they weren’t!). Bring your friends and loved ones and order a pitcher of Pamplemousse Rosé for the table.

Their Monte Cristo is the perfect marriage between sweet and savory flavors. They layer thick country ham, Swiss cheese, and smoked turkey between slices of artisan levain bread. Then, they dip it in French toast batter and finish with powdered sugar and raspberry preserves.

Credit: Bhadri Kubendran

No matter when you decide to pay a visit, a trip to insideOUT is guaranteed to be an elevated experience. This magical restaurant will tantalize your taste buds and ignite your senses. Future experiences to expect (and are sure to impress) include their Winter Wonderland Oasis that will be available throughout December.

insideOUT
1642 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
619.888.8623
@insideoutsd