Review By "Goodlife Magazine" San Diego 7/10/11

If you're wondering whether you should try Canapés, in San Marcos, I'll tell you that the food is worth it by itself. However, if you're looking for a place to enjoy a nice glass of wine along with a great meal, Canapés is a perfect choice. Nestled in the back corner of restaurant row, Canapés is just a two minute walk from the movie theater, making it a great place to have dinner on movie night. With live music on Saturdays and an outdoor patio area, the restaurant could be a nice evening out on its own.

The friendly staff and the casual atmosphere make the restaurant a nice place to hang out, as well. It would make a great meet up spot for dinner or just a drink and a snack.

My wife and I started our meal with a dish that contained eggplant. Neither of us would typically order eggplant, but since the Napoleon Stack is one of the restaurant's signature items, we went for it. Featuring a tidy mound of peppers, mushrooms and the aforementioned eggplant, held together with a layer of goat cheese, the Napoleon Stack is one of the "small plates" that Canapés is built around. And it is excellent. The flavors blend together into a whole much greater than the sum of its parts, the way that good food is supposed to.

The menu is full of small dishes that are meant to be shared by the table and ordered several at a time. The fare is eclectic, featuring food inspired by cuisine from around the world. There are sushi-style options and flatbread pizzas, cheese plates and scaled down versions of larger dishes, like roast beef and smoked salmon.

Canapés also offer a range of salads, sandwiches, burgers, and full size entrees, but one of the exciting parts of the restaurant is taking the opportunity to sample a variety of flavors through the small plate offerings. It allows you to try the crab roll, the stuffed mushrooms and the prosciutto-wrapped shrimp, all in the same meal.

Let's talk for a moment about wine. The owner and executive chef, James Allyn, is a wine connoisseur and has designed his wine menu accordingly. The selection is excellent. They have bottles from around the world and also offer flights, if you'd like to sample a wider variety.

And the staff really knows its stuff when it comes to wine. With a few pointed questions, our waiter narrowed down my tastes and brought me a glass of pinot noir that hit the spot.

The friendly staff and the casual atmosphere make the restaurant a nice place to hang out, as well. It would make a great meet up spot for dinner or just a drink and a snack.

Canapés offers a complete dining experience. Their menu is varied enough to offer something for everyone, providing opportunities to try something new and fall back on old favorites at the same time. If you're looking for some good food in a casual, friendly atmosphere, Canapés is a great choice.