insideOUT in Hillcrest - Tips for getting reservations during one of their spectacular pop-up experiences
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Hillcrest, insideOUT has taken the culinary and entertainment scene by storm with its enchanting pop-up experiences. If you're eager to secure a coveted reservation at this culinary haven, you're in the right place. In this blog post, we'll unveil a treasure trove of tips and tricks to ensure you don't miss out on the magic insideOUT has to offer.
Spring Oasis
What is insideOUT
insideOUT has been one of my favorite places on EARTH! Not only is it the most unique restaurant in San Diego, it truly is a destination. Worth a drive, or even a flight! I’ve been dining and drinking at insideOUT long before they started creating their seasonal pop-up experiences, and no matter when you dine, you’ll truly have a magical experience!
From their website:
“insideOUT is Hillcrest's elevated restaurant and lounge and San Diego's only urban oasis!
Situated in the eye-catching Eitol Towers, and adjoined by the new Harvey Hillcrest apartments, insideOUT is a casual elegant restaurant where you walk inside to be out. The venue includes a main dining room that leads to an outdoor open-air atrium with walkways, seating nooks, and a striking water feature for guests to enjoy our ambiance. Throughout the year, insideOUT is known for its elevated pop-up installations for guests to immerse themselves and relax in our modern oasis.
The menu, curated by Executive Chef Johnny Duran, is updated seasonally to reflect his creative approach to California-Mediterranean inspired fare, using the freshest ingredients provided by our local purveyors. insideOUT provides individualized guest-focused service, respectful hospitality and is San Diego's premier LGBTQ-owned and operated restaurant.”
Where is insideOUT
InsideOut is conveniently situated in the vibrant heart of Hillcrest, San Diego, right on University Avenue. This popular dining spot is a proud part of the unmissable Eitol Towers, whose sleek and modern architecture stands tall and draws the eye. The prominent location at Eitol Towers not only provides a striking visual presence but also offers easy access to the bustling energy of Hillcrest's lively streets but also provides the privacy and opportunity to dine outside….inside of the restaurant so you can enjoy your meal away from passersby’s and car traffic, making it a prime choice for those looking to savor delectable cuisine while immersing themselves in the eclectic atmosphere of this dynamic neighborhood.
Food
InsideOUT's scratch kitchen, helmed by Executive Chef Johnny Duran, undergoes a constant evolution to align with the changing seasons. Drawing inspiration from the wealth of local, in-season ingredients, Chef Duran meticulously curates a selection of the freshest offerings from dedicated growers, farmers, and suppliers. His unwavering commitment to culinary artistry ensures that every dish bursts with flavor and depth, inviting a symphony of taste sensations. The presentation is nothing short of artful, with each plate showcasing an exquisite visual composition that harmonizes seamlessly with the tantalizing aromas wafting from the kitchen, enveloping your senses in a delightful olfactory journey.
For the fall season during their Enchated Oasis experience Chef Duran has introduced new dishes such as the succulent and hearty Grilled Double Cut Pork Chop with caramelized local peaches and brown butter, the Moroccan-inspire Oven Roasted Chicken with tangy sweet pickled pepper combined with the zesty and bright flavors of chermoula, these are dishes you don’t want to miss! For dinner I recommend the BBQ Prawns to start, the pork chop, and the newly crafted
Parking
insideOUT is located in a bustling neighborhood so street parking is your only option. There is neighborhood street parking or some dedicated meters parking along University! I always recommend taking rideshare when dining and drinking at insideOUT. Especially on Friay, Saturday evenings and Sundays for brunch when the local Hillcrest Farmer’s Market happens right next door.
Hours
insideOUT is open 6 days a week serving dinner 5 days a week and brunch 2 days a week.
insideOUT hours as follows:
Monday Closed
Tuesday - Wednesday 4pm-10pm (Kitchen closes at 9pm)
Thursday 4pm-11pm (Kitchen closes at 10pm)
Friday - Saturday 4pm-12am (Kitchen closes at 10pm)
Weekend Brunch
Saturday - Sunday 10am-3pm
During non pop-up experiences the venue is 18+ after 4pm. During pop-up experiences the restaurant is 18+ at all hours of operation, no exceptions.
Pop-Up Experiences
insideOUT has several pop-up experiences throughout the year. During fall you can experience their whimsical fantasy land, Enchanted Oasis pop-up. During the holidays dine with close friends and family as snow falls from above during their Holiday Oasis. A quick and sweet, Sweetheart Experience for lovers during Valentine’s Day is the perfect way to celebrate love! Their most popular experience, Spring Oasis transforms the space into a cherry blossom escape. And as a LGBTQ+ owned and operated space, insideOUT’s PRIDE experience during San Diego Pride is your elevated celebration spot!
Tips for getting reservations during a pop-up experience
During non pop-up experiences and non-peak dining times, reservations can be attainable within 2 weeks of your visit. However, if you’re looking to snag a coveted reservation during one of insideOUT’s seasonal pop-up experiences, you’ve got to plan and reserve ahead. Here are my tips for snagging a reservation at insideOUT during their seasonal pop-up experiences like the current Enchanted Oasis. They typically block out reservations for 2 months or less out so they can release the bookings for the next experience.
Follow insideOUT on Instagram
insideOUT does not always have a pop-up experience happening. Although it is clearly marked on creators' content, on their page, and website, some people unfortunately don’t read and make reservations and show up expecting a pop-up experience when there is not one happening at the time they visit.
That’s why it is vital to follow insideOUT on instagram so you never miss out on announcements about when the experiences will be happening and when they open the tables for reservations on OpenTable. Plus, it's a great way to know when new cocktail menus, food menus, specials, and other events are happening!
Another note - just because you see a post about an experience on their instagram page doesn't mean the experience is currently happening, make sure you READ the caption for the details. I know from personal experience, some of their posts can get millions of views and continue to circulate on social media long after the experience has ended, so it’s important to read the caption to see if the experience is still running.
Subscribe to their newsletter
Much like following insideOUT on Instagram, subscribing to their newsletter is an exclusive way to snag pop-up experience reservations before the general public! You can head to their website and subscribe to their newsletter and receive emails about when the reservations drop or books open!
Walk-ins Welcome
During insideOUT’s pop-up experiences, if you’re not able to snag a reservation, fear not. They encourage and welcome walk-ins. In addition, the bar seating is first-come, first-serve with full dinner service available.
The ramps in the center atrium with standing room and seating nooks available is also first-come, first serve with light bite and cocktail service. The perfect way to immerse yourself in one of thier experiences and grab a cocktail while waiting for a table!
So there you have it! These are my top tips for getting a reservation during one of insideOUT’s spectacular pop-up experiences.
