First, I want to make it be known that I am personal friends with Mary Kay Waters, but if I were to get married again (we are going on 20+ years so don't think that will happen), I would want Waters to do it. Mary Kay is an incredible cook, her food is always delicious and she cares about the quality of food and service to the top degree. To get an idea of her food, she has "Waters Fine Foods to Go" on Morena Blvd next door to her catering kitchen. Go there and get lunch or stuff for dinner, we have never had a bad meal at any catered events she has done. Plus her staff has been with her a long time and they really care about the customer. Also Waters I believe is the only San Diego caterer to be invited to cook at the James Beard House (easter dinner around 2004 or 2005.)

My second choice would be Crown Point Catering. I have gone to 4 things they have done in the past 6 months and all food served was creative and delicious. One party for a 40th wedding anniversary at the Luce courtyard in Liberty Station, Crown Point did and it was so good I wanted to eat everything 3 times. Plus one station was asian where they served dim sum in these adorable miniature rice steamer baskets, a very wonderful presentation.

So I hope my comments help.

Bread on Market does some very good cupcakes, they look alot like the back page of the barefoot contessa cookbook. Also if you can ahead, Baked by Etta does some fabulous cupcakes. Since she sold the shop to "cake" , she is in only in the mornings, but usually has a selection to sell which we love.

Just wanted to let everyone know that on feb. 6 I sent an email to Linda about my experience at the Guild. Unfortunately I have not received any response. I basically reprinted my posting from here and tried to be polite and positive. I've heard the chef left so things do not seem to be positive at The Guild. I would think 10 days would be sufficient for a response, plus I gave my telephone number if they wanted to talk face to face. I think a lack of response speaks highly of lack of customer service. Sad, I had high hopes.

I agree with both of you and am sending a letter to the place. After all if you don't tell them directly then how will they know there is a problem? We tried to give a gentle complaint when there and got a rolled eye look and since we were there to celebrate grandparents day, I thought I would bring it up separately with the owner.

By the way, Alice Q, I love your food blog and check it out before I eat out and I always recommend it to others. Thanks for doing it. Like you I am a foodie trapped inside the body of a lawyer.

Took the family to The Guild and based on our experience we will not return. Too many other great places in Sd to be bothered with a bad experience. Plus we got the vibe that the place is considered so "cool" now that they cant bother with you if you have a bad experience. Our service was terrible, dirty plates still on table when they brought 3 of 5 entrees. Another 15 minutes when by before 4th entreee came out -other entrees now cold since we didn't want to be rude and start eating without others having their food. Another 5 minutes passed before they said that the paper in the machine had tore off too soon so chef didn't know to prepare my daughter's mac and cheese. Now had to wait for her food to be prepared which was 35 minutes from the time we got first entrees. We had eaten by the time she had gotten her food. It was boiling hot so she had to wait until she could eat it. Our reward, they charged us twice for mac and cheese-I thought at the least they would comp it like a good restaurant would. Server never asked us if we wanted refill on drinks. When I asked for more tea, 20 minutes when by before I got it.

The place was also freezing and when I asked if they had any heat, they said no. So we had to keep on our coats. Plus they were doing construction upstairs so workers would walk by us with construction material etc.

Food portions are way too small for the price. As my son said, "mom is this the place from the Mastercard commercial that serves elf food." Also anything we asked for special such as no mayo was ignored by the kitchen.

Only redeming fact is that we had reservation to Market that night for restaurant week where we had an outstanding meal.

So if overpaying for food, freezing while you eat and having poor service is your thing, then the Guild is your place. I was dissappointed because I had high hopes for the place.