Our experience here was great! We came here for the Mother's Day Brunch. The food was exceptional. At first we thought the portions were small, but we were getting full halfway through our mains. Even though it was a dim sum style service, they still served the food in sequence (cold, hot, mains, dessert last) which was great. They also have cocktails available to order. Everything that came out tasted great, we particularly loved the Sinuglaw Oysters, Ensaladang Bulaklak, Chicken Arroz Caldo, Taiwanese Chicken, and Banana Coffee Cake. Pork Tocino was great too, although I wish it came with steamed rice (personal preference, lol) and the sawsawan it came with was delicious! Duck Confit Bao was greasy, but it tasted fresh and duck was cooked nicely too. We thought the Wagyu Wonton tasted okay, the portions were differently sized which was odd. Everything else tasted good. Parking is available across the street, about 2-3 mins walk. Valet is also available for $20. We were going to bring and infant and stroller but decided not to, which was great since the ambiance is more "adults only" which is not a bad thing. There were families who brought kids and strollers and it seemed to have worked out great, as Animae accommodated the strollers too. Our server Shanice did a fantastic job and took care of our needs very well. Overall the experience was great, Chef Tara is amazing. They even handed out roses for the moms which was very thoughtful. We will definitely come back here when we are in San Diego. read more

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Super fun date night at Animae No food allergy issues, server attentive, venue cute, ended the evening at golden hours. Food in order of favorites Wagyu Fried rice: I know random, but hubby really liked it 5 out of 5 would get again Hunan Lamb chop: savory spicy, super tender, would get again. I liked this with the fried rice Kare Kare: hubby liked it. Would get again but hubby wants to try tocino first then would chose which to get again. Meat fall off the bone tender. Got the white rice with it and it's better with white rice than fried rice. Fried rice needs to be eaten alone Carpaccio: super buttery tender, liked the citrus and sweet and crunch would get again Espresso turon martini: super fun would get again. But maybe I would try to melon milk tea next time to change it up Mango sorbet: fun and tasty, I like having fruit chunks in my sorbet but the mango was frozen which made the sorbet more icy then creamy Charged carrots: not good, not for me If you are in San Diego and want fancy Filipino food then you have to go here Also if you want a really nice date place this is a great choice All my food allergy issues were also well take care of. Appreciate read more

Was so looking forward to this place and the day finally arrived. We had to book this place at least a month out and still, we were only able to get a 9pm seating on a Saturday. Thankfully, the service was not affected by such a late booking. They do close at 10pm and that would be my concern. They are located right by the train station and there's barely any parking available. If you can score street parking, you are very lucky. Valet is $20, but there is also a parking lot right across the street that charges $25 for the first 2 hours. I think that lot is more for the people who ride the train, but it seems to be open for everyone. We decided to do valet as it was cheaper and you get your car right in front of the restaurant. We walked in and they immediately took us to our table. One of my biggest pet peeves is when you go in to a nice restaurant, or any restaurant at all, that their seats suck. We were seated at a booth and the seats were very comfy and it reminds me of a couch you would sit in at home. Walking in, you can hear and feel the energy this place was giving off. But I do feel that the music is too loud that it was very difficult for us to hear our server go over the menu. I just nodded and smiled at that point. Ordered a couple of drinks to start. Then ordered the tuna kinilaw, grilled beef belly, lobster palabok & pork tomahawk tocino. Food took a little longer than expected, that's not an issue when you have great company. The tuna & beef belly came out first and presentation wise, it looked appetizing. Unfortunately, the execution was not on par. The tuna was a little on the bland side. Though the tuna was fresh, the flavors was just not there for me. It was very light. The beef belly was not as tender as I would have like it to be. Flavor wise, it was on the salty side and reminded me of char siu marinated in fish sauce. Which is not a bad combo, but I didn't taste any of that grill flavor that the dish is supposed to have. Our mains came out and the lobster palabok didn't really taste like palabok. I tasted more of the lobster than anything. The lobster meat was very tender. The Pork Tocino was a pretty large piece of meat. I am so glad they sliced it up for you so you don't have to work for your food. It had a nice char with the burnt sugar flavors. The meat was tender and fatty. It also came with a vinegar dipping sauce that isn't too vinegar heavy. I didn't have to use the sauce as the flavors on the pork chop kind of cut down on the richness form the fat cap. We then finished the night off with the turon tart and they also brought out a mascarpone sponge cake as a birthday treat. The mascarpone was light and makes a good dessert. But the star here was the turon tart. Now, tarts are not really my go to when ordering dessert, but this dish was not just about the tart, but all of the flavors that went with it. The banana ice cream tasted like bananas. Would have like a bigger scoop. The jackfruit sauce surrounding the tart was also good. The tart itself was made of brown sugar I believe. It was thick and gooey and the shell was a bit too hard for me to break through, so we ended up not eating too much of the crust and just scooped out the brown sugar part. Overall, our experience here was good. Our server was great and the team worked in unison well. The atmosphere was great, though I wish they didn't have to play the music so loud that it was difficult for us to understand what our server was saying and having to shout at each other from across the table was not ideal when trying to carry a conversation. The appetizers were just ok, but the pork tocino was my favorite of the night. read more

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I hosted a celebration dinner here for 10 people, and Animae delivered from start to finish. We started off with 1x lamb chops, 2x Taiwanese chicken, and 2x scallop crudo. Out of the starters, the lamb chops and Taiwanese chicken were MUST haves. For our main, our table split a pork tomahawk, chicken adobong, and 30 oz ribeye steak with a side of crispy potatoes and wagyu fried rice. I have to say that the starters were surprisingly better than the mains. I really enjoyed the ribeye steak-- it was tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection-- but the steak wasn't sizzling hot when it came out nor would I say it was worth the price point. The pork tomahawk was also delicious though it could be too fatty for some. Wagyu fried rice was just okay, but the crispy potatoes were bomb! Overall, the table's favorite dishes were the lamb chops and Taiwanese chicken for sure. We would have been happy to eat just that all night long. As for cocktails, the espresso martini was great-- we liked the banana forward taste. The Midnight in Manila was insanely sweet and in an artificial way. Otherwise, service was attentive and great. We were too full for dessert. read more

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Service: 5/5 (great, no complaints) Food: 2/5 (see below) Ambiance: 4/5 (dressy, but cold - temperature wise) Parking: valet only Service was great! Special s/o to the manager who was very attentive and took a couple shot for us at the best photo spot in the restaurant. I had high hopes for this restaurant since it was affiliated with Herb and Wood, and the chef came highly acclaimed. We also had to use up our Sapphire Reserve dining credit so we decided to come here specifically. Unfortunately, the food did not agree with our taste buds. We ordered: 1. Grilled beef belly (2/5) -off to a bad start. The grilled beef belly was not just charred but burnt and 80% was fat, so it was basically inedible. 2. Taiwanese chicken (3/5) -every table seemed to be getting this one and our waiter recommended it, but it was just regular fried chicken (nothing special) and the sauce didn't add to it at all. 3. Coal roasted cabbage (1/5) -another dish that was overly burnt, oily, and soggy too. I couldn't taste much except grease and char, which is not my favorite thing to have in my mouth. 4. Crispy potatoes (1/5) -couldn't understand why it says "crispy" on the menu when it's far from it. It was not crispy; again, just greasy and soggy. It needs to be actually crispy. 5. Pork Tomahawk tocino (4/5) -this was our favorite out of everything we ordered and it was the mostly highly recommended menu item by the restaurant. It was still very burnt and half of it was plain fat, but I liked the flavor and generally enjoy tomahawks. It was great to experience once but I wouldn't see myself returning for the food. Love the idea of innovating and creating fusion dishes though! read more

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Made a reservation though it didn't seem super busy at 6:30PM on a Wednesday. If you can't find street parking maybe consider the valet since many of the nearby lots are kind of pricey anyways. I was surprised it was on the first floor - and was a little annoying that they opened the windows so early during sunset it was somewhat blinding. Staff were great, very attentive. Drinks were all good, we got a variety. For food nothing was disappointing. I didn't actually have high hopes for Taiwanese chicken but it really stood out, not too much breading, not a single gristle or bone and the sausage was great. Tuna kinilaw wasn't my favorite but others enjoyed it and it was well executed. Roasted cabbage was good. The short rib kare kare was more generous portion than expected and really did fall off the bone. I had to use a spoon to get it off the serving plate! I was worried that we were going to spend a bunch of money and not get much food but we had leftovers. I would consider going again. Generally a pleasant surprise all around. read more

Animae - Midnight in Manila - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

We made a reservation at Animae, 5pm (opening time), for our anniversary after seeing the restaurant on YouTube. We were sat on a nice booth that could sit at least 5 people (now we're talking)! The place slowly got packed for a Monday. Our server was knowledgeable and gave us good recommendations. However, he took long to serve our wine because "he had a hard time" opening it. We've already had our appetizers when it was finally served. We ordered the Italian wine Lange, Black Pepper Prawns, Wagyu Corned Beef Fried Rice, cucumbers, Tuna Kinilaw, Pork Tomahawk Tocino and for desserts, we had Chocolate Cremeux and our complimentary anniversary cake. Hands down, the foods are so delightful with spectacular presentation. Our favorites are the prawns, fried rice, tuna kinilaw and both desserts! You bet we'll be back to try other items perhaps order our favorites on top of it! read more

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Reservation recommended. Amazing asian-inspired cocktails. There are so many to choose from and each one sounds so delicious. We really enjoyed all the cocktails we tried -- midnight in Manila, uncle Iroh, turon.espresso martini, and the crimson spice. The food are Asian fusion. Great, friendly service. read more

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I would give this 10/10 if I could. I've wanted to go to this restaurant for years. Just hadn't based on price, how hard it is to get a reservation and well life, but we finally got to dine here last night for my finances promotion celebration and I am so happy we did. Our server Bonny was 10/10. So knowledgeable, kind, swift. We had the scallops and tom nah kaho for starts. The scallops were good they did have an interesting flavor/spice to start. The tom nah kaho was so delicious. There was an unexpected crunch I loved and the flavors all mix beautifully. We had the 4oz strip lion Wagyu. Wow, best steak I have ever had. It was my First time getting Wagyu, I now understand the hype. The sides that come with it to cleanse the pallet and the egg for steak sauce was so delicious. For sides we had the fried rice and carrots, again amazing. All the flavors an added texture For dessert we had the chocolate one and the tart. The tart had banana ice cream and crunch. I can't remember the drink names but the Anna's kitchen with tequila so good! The tequila you can barely taste. I had the grape one as well. The vibe and decor inside is dark and moody and sexy. I have seen some negative reviews but we did not have anything negative to say. If you are thinking about going I 100p recommendation. read more

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Animae has become a staple in my dining rotation I find myself visiting at least once a month. That consistency comes down to their exceptional attention to detail, consistently high-quality food, and a level of creativity that keeps the menu exciting. What truly sets Animae apart is its thoughtful inclusion of ample vegan options, along with a well-crafted selection of mocktails that feel just as intentional as the rest of the experience. It's an easy choice when dining with a group, as the menu comfortably accommodates a wide range of dietary preferences. The food itself speaks volumes without needing much explanation. Animae's fusion of classic steakhouse elements with Philippine influences is both unique and expertly executed. While it's categorized as a steakhouse, that label can be misleading there is an extensive selection of non-steak dishes that are just as compelling, if not more so, than the traditional offerings. After more than 20 visits, I can confidently say the experience has been consistently excellent. Not once have I left disappointed, which is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality and innovation. read more

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What a fun visit to San Diego over Easter weekend! Lots of good restaurants and fun times especially at our Hotel, which just happened to be right next to Animae! We didn't realize how close they were to each other. We made a reservation over a month ago because I know how hard it is to get in there, especially at a prime time on a Saturday. The friendly hosts had us seated right away at our table for 2. We were seated at this area on the non-window side that has one long bench (usually for the ladies!) and then the individual chairs (usually for the dudes!) on the opposite side. I cannot stand this type of seating, as one person always gets stuck with the view of the wall. Oh well. Someone came right over to give us water and say hello. A few minutes later our server came over to introduce himself and offer menu suggestions. He was so great, we really got amazing service by the whole team. Now for the cocktail, it was delicious! How did I not get a photo of that?! It was the Crimson Spice and it wasn't too sweet and had a wonderful flavor combo with the tequila, blood orange and aperol. For starters, we ordered the tuna crispy rice and that was pretty good. Super crunchy and came with a side of an aioli. We also got the cucumbers. Those were ok, nothing great. They do add yummy microgreens on top. The dressing is super salty. For the mains, we ordered the tocino tomahawk and the fried rice. My man loved the tocino - there was plenty of meat! I had one bite to try it and it was tasty. The rice was just ok to me. There was a strong flavor of the meat, which he liked but I wasn't a huge fan. Price is UP there so not sure I would come back, especially since I liked the food but I didn't try anything that I must have again. Ambiance and service is top tier. The view from the bench side was nice - the sunset is stunning. read more

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Came here for Easter brunch, they had pre-fixed menu. Read the review was great so we booked a brunch here. Service is impeccable, ambiance is perfect. Now about the food. Cold dish: the oyster and scallops are fresh and excellent. Ensalada bulakak is too fishy for my taste. Hot dish: lumpia wrapped in perilla and duck comfit bao are worthy of the reputation but the wagyu wonton is overcooked and they have been left on the table too long the skins stocked to each other and dry. Main dish: how can you messed up pork belly? We got two slices, mine was hard, dry and burnt at the end that you could taste it, and the accompanying sauce is too vinegary. The slice my husband had was better. Quality control is an issue here. Chicken fried stick is awful! Dry and tasteless, the saving grace is the black garlic gravy that's delicious. The chicken arroz is great! Dessert is not bad, I just think the fruit bowls don't really pair well with the coconut cream and crumble. I'm read more

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From the moment we made our reservation to our arrival complete with an extra guest the staff greeted us with genuine warmth and effortless hospitality. The atmosphere is aesthetically stunning: an open, airy space with inviting seating, all set to a soundtrack of nostalgic music that immediately sets the tone. Our waiter Andre was exceptional friendly, patient, and deeply knowledgeable guiding us through the menu with thoughtful recommendations. With a larger group, we opted for a family-style approach, eager to sample a variety of dishes, and it was a decision that paid off beautifully. Each plate showcased a meticulous balance of flavors, every bite harmonizing with the next. We couldn't leave without trying lamb, pork tomahawk, tuna, aged ribeye! Don't worry we added veggies and side to round out the evening. It was, simply put, an outstanding evening and a perfect setting for a night out with friends. Thank you, Animae and Andre were already looking forward to our return to try more of the menu. read more

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Food: really good food that is elegant and elevated for Filipino inspired dishes! The drinks were sooo delicious and that means dangerous for a lightweight like me (must try crimson spice) Honestly the pork tomahawk tocino was the highlight of dinner! It was so good! A must try! But everything imo was very good! Was not disappointed in any of the dishes. Serivce: Perfect! Matt was so nice and knew the menu well and gave great recommendations! Ambiance: super chill and classy. A little dark though. Will come again just for the vibe and food! read more

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This Asian fusion spot impressed me. The food is incredible. So many items on the menu are creative! There were so many unique combinations that actually work. It's definitely on the pricier side, but you can taste the quality. The service was absolutely impeccable. They were running a bit behind on one of our entrees, but they handled it perfectly. To our surprise, they comped one of our dishes and surprised us with an extra dessert! Totally unnecessary, but incredibly appreciated. The atmosphere is also a highlight. You can tell they put a lot of thought into the interior design. It feels elevated without being too stuffy. Only downside is parking. Being in downtown makes it a bit tough, so plan ahead or give yourself some extra time to find a spot. Overall, amazing food, top-tier service, and a beautiful space. It's just a little pricey for what you get. read more

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We had a big group and they were very accommodating. We had some late comers and they didn't make us feel rushed because of that, a few of us were early so we got a drink at the bar and the waitstaff just told us to let them know when we were ready and they would take us to the table. A small detail but makes the overall experience feel more lux and cared for in contrast to places that won't seat you until your whole group is there or rush you to seat you. The food was amazing, stand outs for me were the lamb chops and wagyu fried rice! Amazing experience read more

Animae - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

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Once you step into Animae, you will feel its vibrant and energetic atmosphere. This upscale Asian-fusion wagyu steakhouse is the perfect spot to celebrate special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries, or even a night out with friends. Make sure to book a reservation in advance. My husband took me here to celebrate my birthday and we had an amazing experience. We started with the cold cucumbers appetizer, which was mixed with soy, fresno chili, sesame, and cilantro. It was a light and refreshing starter - only mildly spicy, and super crunchy. Next we were served the grilled beef belly, a hot dish. It was super delicious and tender. I loved the deep flavor of each piece and the smoky char from the grill. Great starting dish to share before we were introduced to our entrees. The star of the night was for sure the 16oz Australian wagyu. This steak had beautiful marbling with the perfect ratio of meat to fat. I was impressed with how tender, juicy, rich, and buttery it was all at the same time. Dipping the steak in the soy sauce with raw egg yolk created a truly divine flavor. I would recommend getting this to share, as the portion size is quite abundant. Our last dish was the Chicken Adobong Pula, a very juicy and filling dish. I was shocked that the plate included half of a chicken, which is a generous amount, along with fingerling potatoes. Various flavors from the garlic-shallot oil, annatto, and piparra peppers all stood out. At the end of our meal, I was surprised with a complimentary birthday dessert. It was some kind of matcha ice cream with mixed berries and strawberry pocky sticks - very enjoyable to eat. This felt like the cherry on top of an already amazing dinner. Aside from the spectacular food and ambiance, the staff here were also phenomenal. Their attentiveness and hospitality made our evening perfect. Valet parking is probably your best bet here - there is no dedicated parking lot, whereas street parking is limited and nowhere close by. read more

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Had tried Animae a few years ago and was a bit disappointed with the menu. Decided to come back with some friends and after hearing about some changes since that time. Significantly less disappointed compared to my first experience. We ordered a lot of dishes to share and all were well balanced and presented beautifully. Flavor combinations overall weren't phenomenal or groundbreaking given the locale, but they were all satisfying. Overall ambiance is very date-like so still a bit dim. Service was attentive and helpful. read more

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Visited San Diego for our anniversary and family treated us to dinner at Animae. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful! The staff were very friendly and service was great. And the food, amazing! The Taiwanese Chicken was definitely a favorite, along with the cucumbers which were so refreshing. I'm not a huge fan of lamp chops, but these were so tender and delicious. A few other items that we got but aren't pictured are the crispy potatoes, wagyu corned beef fried rice, and the malarkey mocktail. read more

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We chose to celebrate our 35 anniversary at Brian Malarky's Animae. The ambiance is very upscale and comfortable. "Of the soul" the servers are attentive and keeping dinner moving along at a nice pace. They had excellent recommendations. We loved the shrimp and lamb as starters which paired well with our Spanish red wine. The meal got better with the pork tomahawk which would bring me back again. The sea bass was a bit of a let down since it was in curry yet lacked the pop of flavor like the other dishes. We also loved the corned beef fried rice. Thanks for such a nice celebration meal. Thanks read more

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We had such a great time celebrating a special birthday here. We heard so many great things about this spot, and it didn't disappoint. Great food, delicious cocktails, and a vibe! It was easy to make reservations for a Friday evening dinner at 7pm. Upon arrival, we were seated within 5 minutes. Our server was super helpful in providing recommendations based on our preferences. The ambiance is quite nice as well, very clean and intimate vibe. I'd recommend taking a Lyft or Uber here as parking can be challenge. They do offer valet service for $20 though. || D R I N K S || -Momo Fushi: light and refreshing peach gin cocktail. don't get freaked out by the red bell pepper syrup. it's not spicy but adds a sweet and extra floral flavor to the drink -Uncle Iroh: must get if you love a matcha and whiskey! -A5 Old Fashioned: Your typical Old Fashioned, so smooth and strong -Bad Medicine: Japanese whiskey with apple szechuan honey, super unique! || F O O D / D E S S E R T || Tuna Kinilaw $23 - This was highly recommended by our server, and it did not disappoint. I was initially hesitant since it had coconut (not a super big fan of it) but it meshed so well with the calamansi, such a refreshing way to head to flavor town! Black Pepper Prawns $33 - The sauce is quite flavorful and would pair well with some rice or bread. The prawns were easy to peel and were not overcooked. It was yummy but I'm not sure if the price justified it. Crispy Potatoes $18 - Highly recommend to order this side! It tasted like an elevated version of the potato skins at Lamplight Lounge in DCA! So yummy! Miyazaki Strip Loin 8oz $264 - So worth it!!! Initially I was afraid that there wouldn't be enough food so I also ordered the Lobster Palabok, but let me tell you, this is the fattier cut compared to the tenderloin, and because it was so rich and melted so quick in my mouth, I got full pretty quick! I tried to savor each bite before the steak got cold. Highly recommend! Lobster Palabok $85 - Luckily I was able to sneak in a couple bites of this before I got too full. A good portion of lobster in the dish. It did kind of remind me of uni pasta in a way, but with lobster instead. Definitely on the pricier side because of the lobster. If I wasn't already getting steak, I would have went for the Short Rib Kare Kare or the Pork Tomahawk Tocino, but I guess that just means I'll have to come back! Sticky Rice Creme Brulee $16 - Such an unique dessert, who would have thought to use sticky rice with creme brulee! Absolutely recommend! Peach Sorbet $15 - such a pretty presentation, i really liked the matcha meringue. It was like a deconstructed peach pie with matcha cream! read more

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Amazing food and ambiance! The standout dishes for me were the Pork Tomahawk Tocino and the Crispy Potatoes. The pork was incredibly tender, and the sauce paired with it helped balance out the richness nicely. The Tuna Crispy Rice was an interesting take since it came deconstructed. It was unique, but I personally prefer the traditional version. I came here to celebrate my birthday, and they were kind enough to surprise me with a complimentary dessert, which was a lovely touch. The service was excellent. Our waiter walked us through the menu and was very attentive throughout the night. I would definitely recommend this spot for a special occasion or a nice date night! read more

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5 STAR PERFORMANCE - no notes! Ambiance - sexy, chic. Great for a special night out. Service - staff and servers were very attentive and had great recommendations. I spent my birthday there and they made it very special! Food - FANTASTIC! Compliments to the chef as everything was super flavorful and dynamic! The fusion of Filipino and Asian cultures at a high level was such an experience for me (as a Filipina American) I wis I had room for more! Tuna kinalaw - EXCELLENT STARTER- wow. Is meant to eat with all components included to get a great mix of citrus and coconut flavor with the freshness of the tuna. GET IT and order more! Black pepper prawns - savory started with a garlicky and peppery sauce that goes well with rice. YUM Lobster palabok - not your average palabok, but ELEVATED. The sauce is bold and was recommended with a side of rice. YUM DRINKS Uncle Iroh - I love a whiskey cocktail, but this was paired nicely matcha and pandan. Not too sweet, but bold and a touch of creamy. Highly recommend the Malarkey - I had to drive home and settled on a non- alcoholic mocktail. It has a nice kick to it with the Thai chili, but also a tart and sweet balance.! Dessert Turin Tart - I love turon and this was a nice take on a Filipino stable. Flakey and crispy wrapper adorned atop a tart with bananas and ice cream. If you can get a reservation, you won't regret it! read more

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We had ana amazing time dining and drinking here. The vibes are contagious, the people beautiful, and the food outstanding. Nothing but good times here, it's worth every penny. Decor-beautifully decorated. This place screams elegance and class. The large mural above the bar is so cool and the drapes make this place so high end. Service-great service, our waiter was wonderful and very welcoming. He made our experience great. Food-food was on another level! Every bite from our appetizers to the dessert was perfection. Tuna appetizers-5/5 stars. Both were very refreshing and tasty. Freshness to the max. Beer salad-5/5 stars. Possibly my favorite app here. It was so good. Wagyu fried rice-5/5stars. Perfect blend of meat and rice with wonderful seasoning. Taiwanese fried chicken-4/5 stars. Not my favorite app. But I'm not a huge fried chicken fan. A5 Japanese Wagyu-5/5 stars. Simply the best steak in the word. The quality, tenderness, and flavor ruins all future steak. So worth every penny. Australian wagyu 16oz.-4.5/5 stars. Great steak, but it didn't hit like A5 hit. Everything was wonderfully done. Can't wait to go back. read more

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During our trip, we had Animae on the list to try and we're very glad that I was able to show my wife this spot as I wanted to celebrate her birthday here. (Reservation recommended) Firstly, Parking here is hit or miss. You can find street parking but watch out for metered parking. I opted for valet parking as there wasn't any street parking available. I paid $20 for valet parking but it was essentially curbside parking, they didn't even move the car. Regardless, payment was through the phone which made it easy to retrieve the car after the meal. Withe reservation, we were immediately seated, the vibe inside is very much a "romantic" type vibe. We were seated by the wall, from the looks of it, it was paired with other diners that were themed "couples" which was a nice touch. I usually don't point this out but the chairs were really comfy and my wife sat on the inside with a wall sofa/couch style seat. There's many round tables in the middle surrounded by round sofas, perfect for groups. There's also bar seating. Very big restaurant overall with a dimmer lighting overall. Staff here is very quick, professional, and friendly. Our staff gave us plenty of recommendations, checked up numerous times, and even replaced our plates and utensils. Very impressed overall. -- WHAT WE ORDERED -- Cucumber Salad ($10) A classic appetizer to start the meal, very flavorful with the sauce mix of sesame and soy. Love the bits of cilantros that add too the taste. Love the crunch and the cucumbers are definitely fresh and crisp. Can't go wrong with it as portions aren't small either. GRILLED BEEF BELLY ($25) Delicious beef belly covered in chili jaew sauce and kumquats. Just wow, super flavorful dish, not very tough and most definitely a shareable dish, I was impressed with the presentation and how chewy each piece was, but not too chewy which was perfect. AUSTRALIAN WAGYU 16 OZ ($160) STAR OF THE SHOW!!!! Rarely do I have Aussie Wagyu but this was a special occasion. Provided with the wagyu was egg yolk soy sauce and my goodness, it was sensational. I've never had wagyu this tender and soft but at the same time, melts in my mouth. With or without the sauce, the wagyu was very tasty. Was it worth the price? I would say yes. Felt super high quality and no corners were cut when making this wagyu. CHICKEN ADOBONG PULA ($38) I've never seen chicken that fell off the bone easily until now. This dish is just full of flavor. Very similar to BBQ type of chicken but at the same time, it wasn't. The best part is that the chicken wasn't very salty and portions are huge. Staff provided us with complimentary dessert to celebrate my wife's birthday. I was very impressed with the gesture and the dessert itself was spectacular. It was the perfect finale to the meal. Overall, Animae is a top tier restaurant in San Diego. It's certainly on the higher end of the spectrum and it was the perfect spot regardless of the occasion. My wife and I enjoyed our meal very much and a grand gesture to celebrate her birthday was excellent. Most definitely revisiting the next time we're in San Diego. read more

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Clever, delicious, and paying an homage to Filipino culture. Located in the Pacific Highway/downtown area, parking isn't terrible. There is valet, limited metered parking on the side of the restaurant, and a parking lot directly across the street. The interior is absolutely beautiful, mixed with a top tier R&B/hip hop playlist from 2016-2018, what more can you ask for?! Most of the items are à la carte, so my party and I ordered/shared: - Beef belly (the kumquat sauce was a little overpowering--7/10) - Steamed buns with sour cream butter (10/10 I would love this in a bigger portion and option to have it catered lol). - Wagyu corned beef fried rice (10/10-IYKYK) - Short rib Kare Kare (10/10! & a Filipino favorite that was elevated exceptionally well). - Crispy potatoes with Chinese sausage (10/10) -Turon Tart (8.5/10. Definitely a lot of layers and thought went into this. Banana ice cream was great). Thanks for a great culinary experience, Animae! read more

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Was happy that they got us in earlier than our reservations. Atmosphere was great. Really happy with where we were seated. Server did go over the menu with us. Asked us if we were celebrating anything and she did tell us happy anniversary. The Taiwanese Chicken was fantastic as was the lamb chops. The Pork Tomahawk was good. Short rib was meh as was the fried rice. Was not a fan of the A5 Old Fashioned. For the second drink I ordered a Black Manhattan. This was very good as was the Malarky with rum. At the end of the meal I asked for the dessert menu. Noted that coffee was not on the menu. My wife asked about coffee and was told that the machine was broke. Decided not to do a dessert. I then asked about military discounts she said "no we do not" matter of factly. Brought the card back told us to have a good night and walked off, no happy anniversary thank you for your service... nothing! read more

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4 star dining experience to celebrate my sister's birthday. We got valet in front of the restaurant for $20. Our server was really friendly and food was good overall. We ordered craft cocktails to get started and got a few appetizers and main entrees to share between the 4 of us. The scallop crudo was small, Taiwanese chicken paired with the thai basil aioli was perfection, wagyu corned beef fried rice went well with the meat, pork tomahawk tocino had a juicy fatty side and a lean side, and the medium rare 16 oz New York strip was fine, but not worth $160. It wasn't as good as the pork and was a little chewy. For her birthday they gave her a complimentary dessert. Heads up, there was a surcharge on our receipt, so be prepared to pay quite a bit for this place. Bill was over $100 per person including tip. read more

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Made reservation for a group of 4 on a Thursday night at 7:00pm, arrive on time and was seated right after we checked in with the host. Restaurant seemed pretty busy most tables were taken but seemed like there was some space at the bar. Drinks: Momo Fushi - nice balance of sweetness with a slight bitterness, bell pepper added a touch of vegetal flavor, gin is subtle and served in a Collins glass so great for slow sipping Artemis - really nice light and creamy from the egg white, sweet from the lychee liqueur with a very subtle touch of spice, gin is subtle in this one as well but really enjoyed Uncle Iroh - delicious, favorite cocktail of the night, creamy foamy from the egg white, slight grassy earth notes from matcha, hint of vanilla coconut from the pandan, whisky paired really well in this one added depth and richness to the cocktail Breakfast at Tara's - also really good, sweet but balanced with acidity, the cinnamon aroma is warm and comforting, super smooth from the clarification, subtle apple flavor as well, like drinking a very refined apple pie Food: Grilled Beef Belly - fantastic, beef was melt in the mouth tender, with great savory umami flavor, roasted chili jaew added a bit of spiciness, the garnishes added pops of herbal freshness, definitely order one for the table if you visit Tuna Kinilaw - beautifully presented, thin slices of tuna with crispy rice, a creamy coconut sauce, sliced serrano and cucumbers added spiciness and freshness to brighten up the dish, wish slices of tuna were a bit colder but still really enjoyed this one Pork Tomahawk Tocino - good, perfectly cooked, belly portion had a nice fattiness which contrasted the meatiness of the pork loin well, the glaze on the exterior reminded of of chinese bbq pork sweet and sticky with a touch of soy, mango sawsawan added a vinegary contrast for dipping Short Rib Kare Kare - great, tender and meltingly soft beef short ribs in a rich creamy peanutty sauce, eggplant really soaked up the sauce which made it so flavorful and delicious, green beans added a bit of freshness wish there was a few more of them, my piece was a bit too fatty but other pieces were more balance, thoroughly enjoyed the flavor of this one Assam Seabass Curry - perfectly cooked seabass with a nice crispy exterior, flaked apart easily and was still moist, curry is very bright and acidic with tomato forward flavor and subtle curry spice, fennel slaw added a bit of crunch and freshness, this was solid but compared to the other dishes didn't stand out as much Waygu Corned Beef Fried Rice - good, a great side for soaking up all the sauces, great beefy flavor and lots of pieces of meat throughout, rice kernels were plump and fried in maybe some beef tallow, tomatoes added so brightness Charred Carrots - really well roasted with a lot of umami flavor, crunch from the almonds, and fried shallots were a nice touch, this almost had a fish sauce type flavor, was expecting a bit more sweetness from the maple black garlic glaze but might have been my bites, not my favorite carrot but good if you like a lot of umami Service was good, our server was very knowledgeable about both food and drink menu and went into great depth about each dish and drink we were interested in. Fairly attentive but a bit difficult to get a specific recommendation on what to order. Water was refilled throughout our meal, pacing was great, we also got plates refreshed between courses which i appreciate. Overall an amazing meal at Animae, great modern fusion Filipino cuisine with fantastic cocktails, a great spot for a special occasion, definitely on the higher end of the price point but do think it's worth a visit. read more

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Animae is an upscale fusion dining experience. The low-light ambiance sets a moody, intimate tone and the space is sleek and clean. Service was polished and attentive. Our server walked us through the popular hits on the menu and always happily answered our questions. Street pay parking is available. For the food... The scallop crudo was the undeniable highlight of the evening. Bright, refreshing, and perfectly tangy. The nuoc mam added a delicate umami depth that balanced beautifully with the sweetness of the citrus and freshness of the scallop. The noodles were a surprising addition that I initially wasn't sure about. Texturally and flavor-wise, they completed the dish in a way that felt unique. Even my partner who isn't the biggest fan of raw seafood loved this dish. I would 100% come back just for this. The tuna kinilaw was creamy and clean-tasting. No overpowering fishiness, just smooth flavors and fun combination of textures. The short rib kare kare was deeply peanut-forward, rich, and flavorful. The meat was tender, though not quite melt-in-your-mouth as hyped up to be. If you love bold peanut flavor, you'll appreciate it, but it may lean a bit strong for those wanting a more subtle taste. Non-alcoholic bevarges were a nice treat. The Spirited Away drink was lightly herbal and refreshing. The taro cocktail was light, sweet, and milky. Nothing special but a nice safe basic flavor. For dessert, the chocolate crémeux delivered a dark, savory richness . The seasoned nuts really brought somthing new to the table. The meat offerings didn't quite reach the standout level. Still good, just not something I'd rush back for. I look forward to more of the cold and hot dishes and desserts. That said, the overall experience, atmosphere, and select standout dishes absolutely make Animae worth visiting at least once. read more

Animae - Kare kare - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

Pretty great spot. Think classic steakhouse... but it took a trip through Asia and came back cooler. The location by the bay is already a win, and inside the decor is fresh, modern, and a little dramatic. It kind of invites you to look around and take it all in before you even open the menu. The menu is diverse, but let's be honest, the big meat dishes are the kings. The pork and the steak were off-the-chain good. Cooked with precision, packed with flavor, and easy to share if you're feeling generous....or not if you're feeling gluttonous! Service was dialed in and attentive without hovering. If you're in San Diego and want a steakhouse experience with a twist, this one absolutely delivers. read more

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Oh easily one of the best restaurants in San Diego! I came here for a family celebration on a Monday night. I had a reservation but there was no wait to be seated, I'm sure a reservation is good for a weekend though! Plenty of street parking a block away. Such a beautiful restaurant - we went right at sunset and the lighting was pretty reflecting on all the decor. It was very clean and felt upscale but still social. We were seated at a booth. We ordered the prawns, crispy rice, and popcorn chicken to start. Hands down the spicy tuna crispy rice was the best appetizer, such a good spin on a classic! The textures are everything! We ordered the kare kare, crispy potatoes, and pork tomahawk, and fried rice as shareables. I'd honestly pass on the fried rice, it was good but didn't wow me. The kare kare and tocino were soooo good, I was so surprised how much I liked it!! I grew up with these dishes but I was blown away by the quality of the meal and proportions. Service was good, drinks were yummy, and all the food was delicious. I'd return for a special occasion for sure!! read more

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I mean, what an excellent place in every sense. The building and interior space is so unique and beautifully designed. Stopped in on a Friday evening around 5:30, and we were able to snag a seat at the bar easily! Recommend to look for parking on kettner or state st and enjoy the stroll. The drinks were very well-balanced & delicious, and the food was even better. You can tell each element of every dish is very intentional, and each stood out in their own way. The scallop crudo was very fresh and light, 8/10 for me. The crispy potatoes were amazing, great crunch and the sour cream served with it was particularly nice. We really loved the chicken dish and the Thai basil aioli served with it--would order that over and over again. Light breading, fabulous Filipino flavors and seasoning, not heavy at all for fried chicken bites. They also gave a delicious dessert for my birthday :) So happy with the service, location, food and drinks. Would take people here who are visiting from out of town to showcase San Diego's amazing food scene! read more

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By far from the music to the ambiance they covered it all here! The food is to die for the service meets all my expectations! We ate here for our anniversary and I loved every minute of it! read more

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Simply amazing. Was so impressed with this restaurant, the service & the ambience. Ordered the CUCUMBER SALAD, HUNAN LAMB CHOPS & TAIWANESE CHICKEN to start - then got the SHORT RIB KARE KARE as a main with the CABBAGE & CRISPY POTATOES as sides. Finished with the CHOCOLATE CRÉMEUX. Everything was outstanding - quality was 10/10. Would definitely return! read more

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We had an early dinner reservation so it wasn't busy! The service was amazing. We loved everything that came out. Our favorites were the scallop crudo & crunchy spicy tuna rice. We will be back to try more items! read more

Animae - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

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2026 San Diego. Dinner review. Upscale asian fusion. (Highlight - Best) TUNA CRISPY RICE wakame, charred pepper ponzu, spicy aioli COAL ROASTED CABBAGE brown butter miso, lime (Highlight) CRISPY POTATOES A5 fat, chinese sausage jam, koji sour cream MANTOU steamed scallion buns, sour cream butter, sweet soy +Trout roe (Highlight) PORK TOMAHAWK TOCINO sweet beet glaze, mango sawsawan STICKY RICE CREME BRULEE vanilla custard, fresh cirtus, kumquat, latik ++ Unique cocktails Overall, everything was great. "As good as it gets." read more

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We celebrated with an intimate dinner at @animae.sandiego created by @tara.monsod who is nominated for @beardfoundation was soo truly amazing. The flavors, the vibe -- everything was masarap! Obsessed with the Chicken Adobong Pula, tuna kinalaw, Taiwanese chicken, taro milk tea, and THE MALARKEY cocktail. Here's to many more birthdays, great food, and even greater memories together read more

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Animae was on the list for Chase Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables on OpenTable so I was excited to try it. There's valet parking or street parking. I went on a weekday so parking was easy to find on the street behind the building. I highly recommend a reservation and coming different times as the menu changes with the seasons. grilled beef belly: the dish smelled pretty fishy but the beef belly was very tender and didn't have the fishy smell. chicken adobong pula: reminded me of a chicken adobo and this chicken was tender yu Xiang rice cakes: oddly this was one of the stars of the meal. The rice cakes are tteokbokki but are seasoned really nicely. It's a little spicy but delicious. crispy potatoes: the potatoes were indeed super crispy and I really enjoyed the Chinese sausage jam - slightly sweet and salty. buko pandan: my least favorite of the meal as the pandan flavor was almost essence of pandan. There wasn't much flavor. turon tart: my favorite dish of the whole meal. The dish took a Turon, deconstructed the elements and put it back into a delicious tart. Highly recommend. read more

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Who suggested this place for me?? I'm so confused... This has been on my list since I moved to SD. I love supporting woman executive chefs and Asian cuisine. So I had to check this place out. They do offer valet parking, but there were street parking as well. Currently, parking is free on Sundays and holidays. Other days before 6 or 8pm, you have to pay. I thought I would have to make a reservation but it seemed like it wasn't really busy at the time I was there. I was the only one seating at the bar for the entire time. I do think, if you have a smaller group, and don't mind sitting at the bar, I don't think you will need a reservation. Got greeted, hostess asked if I wanted to sit at the table or at the bar. I chose the bar, but immediately I regretted it. Bartender vibe was off. He definitely wasn't having a good day. He wasn't entertaining making the drinks. He honestly looked annoyed that I chose to sit at the bar. Whatever, I'm there. Please take my order lol thankfully, lady bartender came to the rescue. She was kind and took my orders. I've ordered: Red wine - Tempranillo - can't go wrong with Spanish wine 4/5 THE MALARKEY- this is spirit free drink and it was sweet and tart. One of my favorite I've ordered here 3.5/5 MIYAZAKI STRIP LOIN - 2/5 this is their Japanese wagyu. Honestly, I've had better wagyu from a street vendor in Japan. What is happening here?? Not as tender as I thought it should be.The sauce that had raw egg yolk that came with it did help the matter. Also it came with side dishes (banchan). Which is very common in Korean cuisine. They brought out 3 different fermented vegetables. Two types of kimchi and 1 radish. For the price we pay for this food, I expected that we would get some fresh made kimchi. But no. This tasted like it's weeks old. Maybe more. Was that the vision that you would want to serve days old kimchi with Wagyu? I was so confused. Honestly, mad. Not even going to talk about the other two side dishes because no point there now. TUNA KINILAW 3/5 - better dish of everything I've tried here. Fresh tuna, not a huge fan of the sauce that came with. It felt like it was trying to mask the taste of fresh tuna. MANTOU 1/5 - basic steamed buns. You can get something better at h mart. What do you mean this is $14? Can you please explain yourself... lol I love carbs and didn't even finish this dish. CHARRED CARROTS- 1/5 no comment. This was my fault that I even ordered carrots. I usually get dessert but due to disappointment from main course, I skipped. Overall, this was a huge disappointment. I honestly wanted to love this place but I just think this wasn't it. If you want high end Asian cuisine, maybe try somewhere else. read more

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