Food was absolutely amazing. Beautiful presentation and taste. We enjoyed multiple dishes and all wer5++stars!!! And we were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset as a bonus. I was served a delicious surprise birthday treat that was off the chain!!! read more

Animae - Sunset outside the window - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

This is probably one of the very few restaurants that just keeps getting better each time I come back, even when I though it was impossible for them to outdo themselves yet again. The ambience is posh and decadent, perfect for a fancy date night, but each time we came with friends, so we can try as many of the delicious dishes as possible. Definitely recommend family style. The service was impeccable and attentive. I never felt like we needed to flag someone down. They just magically showed up at the perfect time. Someone even brought out a little stool for my purse, which I've never seen outside of the best Michelin starred restaurants. The drinks were well-balanced and inventive, and perfectly matched the food. Apologies for the poor photos of the dishes - I was tipsy ;) The menu is mostly Filipino fusion, with some additional Asian fusion (ie Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean). If you expect traditional flavors and textures, you might be disappointed. Come with an open mind and your taste buds will thank you. The finesse and effort was evident in even the most humble sounding dish. The roasted cabbage was the dish that came to mind. It was at once soft in the center and crispy on the edges, with a flavor punch from the brown butter miso. The cucumber appetizer was such a hit, that we ordered it a second time. The kare kare short rib was fall off the bone tender. As far as creativity, I have never heard of tteokbokki with perilla pesto, but it absolutely works. It was probably my favorite dish of the night, even if it didn't quite match the rest of the dishes we ordered. Some dishes will still hit that nostalgia factor. For me, those dishes were the Wagyu fried rice and the Taiwanese chicken. Were they the best dishes ever? Probably not, but they were tasty and felt like a warm hug. Sometimes cooking with soup is just as important as all the fancy tricks. This time we did not order any of the mouth-watering steaks, because we wanted to try so many of the dishes on the menu. However, the last time I did have steak, and it was divine. They've done the A5 wagyu justice, and it is well worth the money. In short, I highly recommend checking out Animae. I know I for sure will be back! read more

See all

I am probably one of the few Filipinos that I know of (lol) who is not a snob and does not normally make "my lola cooks it better" statements and can appreciate and embrace filipino fusions. I think creativity like this one is what chefs stand out for me. I am super grateful that a friend of mine decided to invite me for dinner here and it totally lived up to how I imagined it to be - presentation and service alone will give this place 5 stars. Unfortunately, I forgot the server's name but to have a server who is not originally Filipino and can speak about flavors and cuisine is amazing to me.cI attached the photo of everything we ordered from the beef belly, crispy pig ears, kare kare, and pandan (to name a few). Actually, the tomahawk tocino is brilliant. Everything was flavorful and a gastronomical experience. What also really warms my super Filipino heart is seeing other ethnicities coming to eat here and enjoying the dish. I look forward to coming back here to treat myself and whenever I am in the area. read more

See all

OVERALL: Disappointed in our experience here. Service was okay and food was disappointing overall. As someone who is filipino, grew up with the culture and dishes, I was excited for a filipino fine dining experience. But this food does not actually stay true to the flavors of the cultural cuisines. This food is made for those who don't know the true flavor or culture, but PERSONALLY, I believe the importance of cultural fusion dishes like this are to deliver a story, a rich culture, in each bite. Not just something that looks familiar to the "white palate" and slap a name and some vague cultural notes. I understand this is an asian fusion establishment, but it really felt more like asian sprinkle than a true fusion. But once again, this is all just a personal opinion, and isn't something that should be taken as a bible. I came to this establishment seeing so many other people enjoy this! But after trying the food and reviewing who reviewed with high praise, it makes a bit more sense. These are people who did not grow up with these dishes and don't yearn for an elevated version of the cultural touch they grew up with, and that is completely fine! But once again, this is all just my personal opinion and personal experience. FOOD + DRINKS: Let's start off with drinks. Drinks were okay! They were your basic drinks. I got an espresso martini, which, if i remember correctly, is supposed to have a hint of turon taste. This drink did achieve it! And I did enjoy it! On to the food. We got the wagyu rice, which was just okay. When we go to a type of establishment like this, we expect our socks to be blown off. Our socks stayed on. As a matter of fact, our socks clung on. So underwhelming. Kei Concepts does miles better at their fried rice than Animae does, which is crazy because you would expect something insane from a fine dining establishment versus an "elevated" dining establishment. We also got the tomahawk tocino. This was also underwhelming. I get the cut of tomahawk is the way it is supposed to be, and I did get the glazed taste of the tocino on there, but it was just so lack-luster. It was just a tomahawk that was covered in this sweet glaze. But it just didn't hit home. The dessert was also okay, better than the main courses! But overall, I just felt so disappointed in the experience. AMBIANCE: Dark, chic, classy. Would love to wear a dress here! Lasting thoughts: If I wasn't expecting a better asian fusion and I was not culturally from any of the fusion inspired flavors, I probably would be more impressed! But that is not the case, and I was thoroughly let down. read more

See all

Was in the area for San Diego comic con and knew about this restaurant from YouTube videos. We took the trolley to the San Diego depot station and this restaurant is across the street. The inside is very modern and clean. We had a reservation at 7pm but were seated early. Had a nice view from our table to the outside. We ordered the midnight in Manila drink. 4/5. Was delicious but didn't really taste any Ube. You wouldn't know it was Ube if it wasn't purpose. Tasted more coconut. For the meal Tocino tomahawk Wagyu corned beef rice Crispy potatoes Cucumbers Everything was 5/5. It was "I wasn't on my phone all meal" good. That's huge these days. The crispy potatoes were especially a pleasant surprise. So good. The pork tocino tomahawk was worth the hefty price. Love a good meat + vinegar dish. For dessert we got the turon tart. Delicious and aesthetically pleasing. Shout out to Bailey our waitress for being very attentive and super friendly. This place was super busy on a Saturday night and we can see why. Definitely recommend. I feel like the San Fernando valley could use an elevated Filipino fusion place like this. read more

See all

A five-star night from beginning to end. The service was reserved but polished and professional. I have had warmer, more personable servers here in the past, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with the service. The Japanese Wagyu was the best steak I have ever tasted. I had the pork tomahawk, which was incredibly tender and delicious. The sea bass was amazing, the filet was five-star, and every side dish was excellent. The rice pudding crème brûlée was completely out of this world. Beautiful food, a great atmosphere, and an overall fantastic evening. read more

See all

Came here for belated anniversary dinner. Short walk from our hotel so the location was convenient. Inside Ambience was modern and decor was pleasing to see. Service was excellent, appreciated the attentiveness. Food was excellent. Ordered the bass dish with curry like flavor, very rich taste and it was easy to eat. The best dish of the night was the Miyazaki a5 wagyu. It was out of this world. The combination with the banchan was an excellent touch. Dipping the meat in the egg soy sauce was a flavor that was unforgettable. Wagyu was melt in your mouth type of experience. Reminded me of the Kobe beef I had while in Japan. Dessert was sticky rice crème brûlée. So glad we tried it. Super tasty. Highly recommend this place for anyone. This was an experience that was well worth the trip. read more

See all

I had been to Anime before, but not in a while, so the menu was completely different. Let start by saying the ambiance is modern, luxe, and fun. Even down to the cool art in the bathroom. I notice details. lol Music very cool! I loved it. Best moment was while we were having our drinks at our table at a booth next to the window, the shade all in unison all went up and we saw the sun set! Yes!! Anyway, the staff from host to the waitress to bus-lady. Everyone was top notch and pros at their craft! The waitress was really on top of her game and really nice. Loved her! Thank you to her. I didn't catch her name. I'm sorry. Wine selection was fab. Ordered the chicken and wagyu rice. Omg! Soooo delicious! I literally when I ate it was saying "omg". I tasted a bite of the pork tomahawk and that was amazing as well! Everything was amazing. I honestly couldn't believe we waited so long to come back. Thank you everyone at Anime for all your hard work and for making our experience amazing. read more

Animae - Chicken and Wagyu rice - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Finally got a reservation to Animae! This place stays busy and books out well in advance, so a reservation is absolutely a must. We came here to celebrate an anniversary, and it turned into a night to remember. The restaurant is located on Pacific Highway. Parking is tough, and we were pressed for time, so we went with their valet -- reasonably priced and super fast. We were greeted by two kind hosts who congratulated us on our anniversary, which set such a sweet tone for the night. The ambiance is gorgeous: vibey music, dim lighting, very high ceilings, and a long, narrow layout that feels dramatic and intimate. Behind the host stand is the bar, which is walk‑in friendly and offers the full menu -- a great option if you don't have a reservation and don't mind bar seating. Service was excellent. I had a lot of questions about the menu, and our waitress answered everything with ease, gave thoughtful recommendations, and explained dishes we weren't familiar with. The menu is divided into cold, hot, sides, and entrées. We ordered the Tuna Nam Khao, coal‑roasted cabbage, short rib plate, and the wagyu steak (one of their signature items). Everything was incredible. For drinks, they have a wide selection of cocktails, wine, and mocktails. I tried the Spirited Away mocktail -- hands down the best mocktail I've ever had: crisp, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. My partner ordered two cocktails and loved both. Close to sunset, they rolled up all the shades to reveal an amazing city view, and the entire dining room cheered and clapped. It was such a fun, unexpected moment that added to the vibe. The staff was on it -- dishes came out quickly, waters were constantly refilled, silverware swapped out between courses. Very impressive given how busy they were. We ended the night with a surprise anniversary dessert: matcha, cream, berries, and boba -- sweet, thoughtful, and just the right amount. We left full, happy, and with plenty of leftovers that they boxed up for us. Definitely recommend Animae for a special occasion -- the food, service, and atmosphere all deliver. read more

See all

A fantastic fine dining experience. If you're a fan of Asian fusion and wagyu, this place is a must. Parking is horrific by the way and you can ask for valet for $25 or make a few circles to find some street parking. This place does not have a large sign facing the street. It's very easy to miss when you're driving to look for it. I would just aim to park near the giant art sculpture and the entrance will be towards the other side of that. When coming in, the art was already breath taking. They had the Iron Giant painting above the bar area, with very nice booth seating throughout the middle. The blinds were down for the harsh sunlight, but nearing 8 p.m. the blinds were brought up for us to see the sunset (it was cloudy though haha). Our server was excellent. His name was Raphael (Rafael?) and he frequently checked in on us to see if we needed anything else. He was amazing at his job! Shout out to him! We ordered several items tonight: Tuna Kare Kare - has shellfish, therefore I did not try it. Hunan Lamb Chops - amazing! Doesn't taste earthy or musky at all. The cilantro cream was a great touch. Crispy Pig Ears - probably the star out of all the appetizers. Tasted exactly like chicharrones. There's a smell when it arrives, but that didn't matter once you took a bite! It was perfection. Wagyu Corned Beef Fried Rice - yes, therefore is wagyu, but I thought it was okay. Fried rice is rice to me. Crispy Potatoes - this was good. I enjoyed the cream the potatoes were in and its crispy texture. Short Rib Kare Kare - I couldn't have this because of my shellfish allergy. Pork Tomahawk Tocino - FANTASTIC. MUST GET. Perfectly marinated and perfectly soft. Absolutely mouth watering. Sea bass Cha Ca - pleasantly soft and delicious. Did not taste fishy. It was a nice surprise and the curry was great as well. Buko Pandan - tastes exactly like Pandan! It was a nice copy of actual Pandan. Turon Tart - my favorite. Tasted exactly like Turon. The banana ice cream was good. Sticky Rice Crème Brulee - very good! Not my favorite, but my family enjoyed it. Overall, I truly enjoyed this place for its Filipino inspired dishes. The servers were all super attentive. Every time they brought out a dish to us, they reminded us about the shellfish allergy to insure I wouldn't eat it; they were mindful of our allergies. The experience was heightened with the cocktails we ordered as well. Again, an exquisite experience which I'd highly recommend to anyone. read more

See all

Sexy pick for date night, but make it poly so you can share all of the flavor-packed Asian fusion dishes family-style. ;) Reservations highly recommended--this place gets busy! Our party of 4 kept pressing our ever-patient service team for their personal faves, resulting in the following extravaganza-- Cocktails: GRAPE EXPECTATIONS clarified vodka milk punch, white grape, rhubarb, thai basil ARTEMIS gin, lychee liqueur, white peppercorn orgeat, lemon, egg white MIDNIGHT IN MANILA toasted coconut infused rum, ube-coconut syrup, pineapple, lime Mocktail: MELON MILK TEA honeydew, jasmine tea, oat milk, boba Wine: Nebbiolo, Arnaldo Rivera, "Undicicomuni", Barolo, Piedmont, 2020 Small Plates: TUNA KINILAW coconut, calamansi, cilantro oil TUNA NAM KHAO crispy coconut curry rice, chili vinaigrette, fresh herbs HUNAN LAMB CHOPS cumin, szechuan peppercorn, cilantro cream WAGYU CORNED BEEF FRIED RICE pork, tomato, egg, green onion Large Plates: SHORT RIB KARE KARE green beans, eggplant, bagoong peanut oil PORK TOMAHAWK TOCINO sweet beet glaze, mango sawsawan PERILLA PESTO TTEOKBOKKI rice cakes, peas, garlic bread crumbs, parmesan, yuzu Dessert: PEACH SORBET matcha cream, coconut crumble, fresh peaches, matcha meringue BUKO PANDAN young coconut mousse, pandan anglaise, pandan gelée CHOCOLATE CREMEUX miso sesame cream, chocolate crumble, korean chili cashew STICKY RICE CREME BRULEE vanilla custard, fresh citrus, kumquat, latik read more

See all

Heard about this place and wanted to give it a try. It's supposed to be asian/Filipino food. Very lively as soon as you walk in with music, dimmed lights, and people dressed up to the nines. We ordered: Kare Kare, you definitely know it's a Filipino dish - 9 out of 10 Garlic Rice Scallop crudo, had thai influence - 9 out of 10 Spring pea salad, very fresh and crispy with a yogurt sauce - 9 out of 10 Beef carpaccio - 8 out of 10 Tomahawk pork, tasted like a Filipino barbecue on a stick - 8 out 10 Turon Tart, definitely tasted like a Turon - 8 out of 10 Latte - 8 out 10 Prices are on the higher side for what you get, but definitely worth a visit - 9 out of 10 for me! Enjoy. read more

See all

This place is very sexy and perfect for date night! We had reservations at 9:30pm on a Saturday night but I saw they close at 9:30pm so I was scared they were closing soon and decided to come a bit earlier. When we arrived, the restaurant was bustling. Fortunately, the bar is located in the front next to the check in counter and they have couches where you can sit while enjoying a drink and browsing the menu. The only thing I didn't really like was that they make you close your tab at the bar before you get seated instead of adding the tab to your final bill. For drinks, we ordered the Artemis, Midnight in Manila, and 7 Star Sling. Midnight in Manila tasted like coconut juice with a hint of ube flavor. That was our favorite drink. The Artemis was also good but I wish the lychee flavor was stronger. We did not like the 7 Star Sling because it tasted very sharp and bitter. For a non-alcoholic option, we ordered the Melon Milk Tea which was surprisingly really good. The drink was light and refreshing and the boba was the perfect chewy texture. For food, we ordered the tuna kinilaw, coconut prawns, coal roasted cabbage, wagyu corned beef fried rice, and lobster palabok. Everything was good except for the coal roasted cabbage. The portion sizes were bigger than expected so don't be like us and order too much. Their dishes are definitely meant to be shared. Overall, I loved the ambiance and service was great. Our dishes came out fairly quick and the servers were good with clearing out finished dishes and switching out the silverware. Would definitely come back next time I'm in San Diego. read more

See all

FINALLY tried Animae during our babymoon back in February and it definitely lived up to the hype. Reservations are hard to get, but we got lucky and found a good dinner time a few weeks before. Every dish felt thoughtful, creative, and beautifully presented. You can really tell the chef puts a lot of love into reimagining Filipino flavors in a different way. We started with the Taiwanese chicken and WOW -- so delicious. Perfectly coated, crispy, and seasoned perfectly. We also got the cabbage side dish which ended up being one of our favorites. It was so different and flavorful. My husband usually does not even like cabbage, but he loved this one and still talks about it to this day. The wagyu corned beef fried rice was probably the only dish that was just okay for us. Not bad at all, but nothing super memorable and probably wouldn't order it again. The short rib kare kare was AMAZING. The peanut sauce flavor was rich and unique compared to traditional kare kare we're used to. The bagoong is already mixed into the sauce which was different but went well with the dish. Could maybe use a few more vegetables, but overall the dish was incredible. The short rib was perfectly cooked and so tender. We also tried the pork tomahawk tocino. Definitely a different presentation for tocino, but it was delicious. Some of the end pieces were a little dry, but the rest was tender and flavorful. The vinegar sauce paired with it perfectly. For dessert, we got the turon tart. Basically a deconstructed turon on a tart shell and we were honestly impressed when it came out. Not what we expected visually at all, but it was so good. Service and ambiance also stood out to us. We noticed how much care the employees put into setting the tables and placing the plates and glasses. Even the women's restroom reminded me of a nice Vegas hotel bathroom -- dark, clean, spacious, and upscale feeling. Overall, Animae was such a memorable experience and one of the best ways to enjoy Filipino-inspired food in a creative and elevated way. Definitely worth the hype and somewhere we'd happily come back to for another special occasion. read more

See all

We have been wanting to try Animae since moving to SD in 2020. Finally got to do so and everything exceeded our expectations. So proud to see how Chef Tara was able to elevate humble Filipino dishes while still sticking to their roots. We loved all the dishes but my most favorite would be the pork tomahawk tocino. The servings are pretty good for two people to share. They also have a lot of Filipino-forward cocktails to choose from and I had a hard time deciding which one to get. Everything was amazing and service was impeccable! Dining out in SD is already pricey as it is so I love it when a restaurant is actually worth it. read more

See all

This is my second time here and I absolutely love it!! Both times, our servers were incredibly attentive, and didn't really miss a beat. The inside is beautiful with dim lighting at night and vibrant vibey music. Parking is a little hard on busy days, and the closest/cheapest would be street parking. Reservations are highly recommended when trying to go during busy eating hours, but the bar often has open seating and they also serve food. When waiting for the bar, there's a few couches to wait on (that are also perfect for photos!) I highly recommend the lamb! I think it's great value and not gamey at all. The pork tomahawk is also very tasty, but reminiscent of chinese bbq pork, so it may not be worth it to some. Other than that, I think their menu is pretty consistently good, and there's nothing you can go wrong with. read more

See all

Beautifully decorated restaurant on the first floor of a downtown high rise. Great spot for a date night or celebration with unique filipino-inspired asian fusion cuisine! Food and drinks were good, standouts were the taiwanese chicken (I was skeptical about spending $20 for a few pieces of fried chicken, but trust! it will be worth it), and the braised beef belly which just melts in your mouth. The short rib was cooked perfectly in a delicious peanut sauce. The lamb chops and carrots fell a little flat in my opinion, especially compared to the price. Service was fast, and our server was very helpful with recommendations. Overall a very unique spot that i'm very glad I tried! read more

See all

Absolutely phenomenal! The ambiance is very nice and chic, great for a date night or girls night out. We ordered the Hunan lamb chops, wagyu rice, and tomahawk tocino. Everything was delicious, but I fell in love with the lamb chops! Highly recommend if you're in town and looking to try something yummy. read more

Animae - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

As a Filipino myself, it took me a long time to finally try this place. I was skeptical of an elevated, sit-down Filipino dining experience compared to the casual, home-style cooking the cuisine is traditionally known for. But Animae proved me wrong. We ordered the wagyu corned beef fried rice, short rib kare kare, and the pork tomahawk tocino. All three were excellent, and the main dishes paired beautifully with the rice. The sauce that came with the tocino was traditional and delicious. I would definitely recommend checking this restaurant out if you're curious about an elevated Filipino dining experience. The atmosphere, ambiance, and customer service were also on point. read more

Animae - Pork Tomahawk Tocino - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Cabbage - my actual Favorite dish of the night; the sauce was so good Braised short ribs - so yummy Wagyu fried rice - little dry, nothing special Curry Sea bass - just okay Sticky rice Creme brûlée - soo good Chocolate dessert was also tasty It's best to order a few things and split stuff. I would like to come back and try more of the menu I liked that the chef actually delivered our meal. It was a nice touch Our server seemed in a dad mood but did their job It's a really cute restaurant but you need to make reservations since it's very popular read more

See all

We dined at Animae with a group of seven and decided to order family style, which ended up being the perfect way to experience the menu. The food was excellent across the board. We shared everything from the scallop crudo and tuna nam khao to the grilled beef belly, Hunan lamb chops, charred carrots, coal roasted cabbage, wagyu corned beef fried rice, short rib kare kare, pork tomahawk tocino, and seabass cha ca. Every dish brought something different to the table, and there was not a miss among them. The cocktails were just as impressive. Beyond the food and drinks, the restaurant itself has a great atmosphere. The dark, modern aesthetic creates a fun energy without feeling overly formal, and the music added to the overall vibe of the evening. To finish, we shared a combination of all the desserts available and they were the perfect ending to an already fantastic meal. read more

See all

Food is always fantastic. Service is always nice. The pork tomahawk and crispy potatoes are a must. We got the pork tomahawk, tteokbokki, beef belly, sea bass, and crispy potatoes. The pesto tteokbokki is an interesting take and very different than what I've had at other places. It's very refreshing and almost like a palate cleanser. It did seem be more basil leaves than the actual tteokbokki. read more

See all

I've been looking forward to coming here for a while now, and really do admire the creativity in the appetizers. Staff was friendly and talkative. Crispy pig ear- The flavors were reminiscent of pad thai, very crunchy and caramelized. Hunan Lamb chops - Very cumin forward much like traditional skewers; cilantro cream sauce was a little thin and touch too sweet. Great overall, though I wish there had been more sauce and a bit more freshness. Potatoes- Definitely my favorite dish of the night. The potatoes were cooked perfectly: crispy and delicate on the outside and extremely soft on the inside. Went nice with the tangy cream and sausage jam. Only thing was the jam is sweet, and I wish there was less. Perilla pesto tteokbokki- I liked it more as I ate it. Very fresh of course, but the yuzu was strong, and the overall flavors were quite sharp. It felt like it was missing something earthy or savory for sure. Chocolate crémeux - This dessert was amazing. It was sweet, salty, nutty, creamy, rich, with a hint of spice and just very well balanced. You can tell this was well thought out and put together. Sticky rice crème brulee- I liked the citrus supremes, but the sticky rice gave it a kind of gummy texture that wasn't my favorite and leaned a bit too sweet. I would say they do a great job of thinking about the components and building flavors. The only note I'd make is sometimes less is more and a recurring critique was some dishes were sweeter than necessary. That said, I enjoyed the experience and look forward to coming back and trying what's next on the menu! read more

See all

Animae is an absolute gem of a place that made my girlfriend and I's trip to San Diego, which was already amazing, that much better. I highly recommend booking well in advance because their books get full. I think I booked my reservation about a month out. Upon walking up to the restaurant, I was a bit underwhelmed, but then I walked in and was amazed by the ambiance: dark, moody, and sexy. The host was very nice and I could tell right away that she was a professional and really good at what she does. The same goes with our server, Andre, who was amazing at what he does. Even though he was covering quite a bit of tables, he made us feel totally taken care of. Huge shout out to Andre! The food was OUTSTANDING and so were the drinks. I got the Malarkey to start off. For food, we ordered the Beet Salad, Wagyu Corned Beef Fried Rice, Lobster Palabok, Chicken Adobong Pula, Sticky Rice Creme Brulee, and Matcha Ice Cream. Is that too much food for 2 people? Probably. But we ate every bite. It was that good! I would write a review on every item but that would be a VERY long review and all I really have to say is you can't go wrong with anything you order here it seems like. Maybe base your decisions off my pictures! The entire experience from the food, drink, atmosphere, service, everything was amazing. I cannot recommend this place enough! I look forward to my next visit. read more

See all

Animae absolutely delivered. The coal roasted cabbage, beef belly, and pork tomahawk were all packed with flavor, but the pork tomahawk was easily the star, insanely tender and basically melt-in-your-mouth. The ambiance feels upscale and modern with a beautiful open space, and service was quick and attentive throughout. They even surprised us with a complimentary treat for our anniversary, which made the night feel extra special. read more

Animae - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

I put off eating here for a long time because I questioned if I would truly like the fusion of Filipino food (mind you I am Filipino) and didn't want to be disappointed spending all this $$$ when I'm truly basic and can appreciate typical Filipino cuisines. We came here to celebrate my birthday and right off the bat the ambience was amazing! The music, the vibe and our server was wonderful. Started off with the tuna kinilaw. Hubby said and I quote "this is literally the best thing I've ever had in my life!" Got the Taiwanese chicken and it just melt in your mouth like butter. The basil aioli accompanied with this appetizer was just perfection. How do they come up with this? Wagyu corned beef fried rice was also good but definitely not the star of the show! Crispy potatoes were definitely a favorite and that sweet Chinese sausage made it ten times better. Short rib kare kare was so tender. The flavor I wasn't really feeling, but it was still good! The star of the show was definitely the pork tomahawk tocino. So tender, so flavorful! Just when you thought they couldn't get any better. The sticky rice crème brûlée...omggg I want to have this everyday! Please if you were ever hesitant to eat at Animae, you need to now! Everyone needs to try this at least once in their life! I can't wait to go back. read more

See all

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

See all

Staff were great. The room had a fun vibe. A delicious meal and drinks. We got many plates to share. The tomahawk pork chop and pigs ears were my two favorite. The drinks were delicious. One of my top meals in the past year. read more

See all

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

See all

The food and drinks here by far exceeded my expectations. Made a reservation for a Sunday evening and was seated right away. Tried 2 cocktails which were just fabulous. Not too sweet, but so much flavor. And then for food we went a little crazy (had our Saphire reserve credit to spend). Favorites: tuna app, corn salad, cabbage, potatoes and sea bass. But also close seconds was the cucumber salad and the vegetarian entree (with pesto). Service was friendly and efficient. Vibes were elevated Animae lol. But the food just blew everything out of the water. read more

Animae - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

We had dinner reservations here at 5:30pm and we were able to get seated earlier since we arrived earlier. We have a toddler with allergies and the wait staff was so very accommodating. Both the service and food were great! My personal favorite is the Taiwanese chicken and their tuna collar special. All the desserts were amazing and I think we ordered most of them. This is a fancier place and great for date night! Proud to have Filipino food represented this way. read more

See all

Really nice establishment with unique food plates and a good selection of cocktails. The music was also a great vibe and service was amazing. I do think there should be a larger and more diverse cocktail list. The food is pricey and with the lack of views of San Diego, the price point just doesn't match up. The portions were a good size and they recommend sharing. The old fashioned was one of the best I have ever had. The fried rice, Taiwanese chicken, New York steak and potatoes were our favorite. We did not like the carrots at all. read more

See all

This was my 3rd time at Animae and I will continue bringing my friends/family here! - close to the waterfront so great to take a nice walk after dinner - interior was classy and elevated - very attentive staff who made great recommendations and knew the menu well - recommend the roasted cabbage, pig ears, scallop crudo - honestly anything you order will be great! - parking is difficult around there so recommend trolley since there is a nearby stop! read more

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

We were in town for the Race The Base event and was trying to get a reservation ahead of time few weeks before - not successful. So we decided to just walk in at opening in hopes they have space. No such luck since they're fully booked for the night. So ... they do not have walk in seating once they're fully booked. However, the bar is open seating and serve full dinner menu. So ... we did get seated. The food were amazing. I could have licked the sauce of the kinilaw off the plate. The crispy pig ear so good. Never had that taste profile before. We got the tomahawk tocino for our main dish - the meat was so tender and the sauce perfectly balanced. We got a side of white rice to go with it. The sticky rice brûlée was a great end to our meal. This is a fine dining upscale Filipino restaurant experience. There's multiple parking options - valet, lot parking across the street, and if you're lucky metered street parking near the Office Depot. TIP: plan ahead and make reservations ... otherwise you'll be rolling the dice that there's seating at the bar read more

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

See all

Oh Animae - how can I distill how I feel about this restaurant in a simple review? Is this my favorite restaurant, period? My wife and I have come here three years running for special occasions. Whether it be a birthday or an anniversary, we leave immensely satisfied and clamoring for more. While the menu has some seasonal changes, the short rib kare kare, Taiwanese chicken, charred carrots, and crispy potatoes are a must. Our favorite cocktails from our recent visit are the Hinata and Artemis. Service is incredible, the views of the USS Midway at sunset (and a firework show if you are there on the right day) are lovely, and the restaurant itself is stunning. Don't skimp out on dessert - the chocolate cremeaux is a must! read more