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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Absolutely the best meal and service hands down. As a food allergy gal I avoided this place for a very long time as I was afraid I couldn't be accommodated. This wasn't the case. As soon as we sat down the waiter asked about allergies and took my menu and crossed out things that I couldn't eat and then marked up what could be cross contamination for me. He was kind and attentive. I got 2 different tuna appetizers. One had this lime coconut sauce that I'm still drooling about. We also got this sugar snap pea dish that was chefs kiss. For my main I got some sort of pesto pasta dish made with the most intresting rice noodles. They were al dente in the right way. I'm already planning a night out at Animae again soon. read more

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

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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

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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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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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Tonight was our second time visiting Animae. The first time was absolutely fabulous. Tonight was fantabulous. Our host was Jeffrey. Jeffrey and his team were superstars! They were on top of everything as we celebrated three birthdays and a pre-Father's day family gathering. Let us not forget about our spectacular meal! Animae is now for changing up their Filipino-Korean-American fusion menu rather frequently. So, our family was anticipating tonight's feast. We started with our light fair, scallop Crudo, WagyuCorned Beef Fried Rice and Crispy Pig Ear. The scallops were served in a tangy Calamansi nice man sauce sitting on a floating bed of cold, glass noodles. The scallops slid down nicely, slowly melting as it made its way down my throat. The Crispy Pig Ear was the pleasant surprise for all of us, especially the elders in our family. The elders were used to a bit larger seared and semi crispy and chewy slices mixed in a bed of onions and vinegar. The Animae chefs took us beyond the old school ways and prepared bite-sized extra crispy slices that made it seem like we were eating a new kind of French fries. They added crisp tofu squares, bean sprouts, and peanuts all sitting in a sweet tamarind glaze. Yuh-my! Definitely a family highlight! The Wagyu Corned Beef Fried Rice was like Lola's grown up version with cherry tomatoes, scrambled eggs and green onions. Masarap! (Delicious). Then came the main course - Lobster Palabok, Pork Tomahawk Tocino and the special of the day (only two available orders for the night - and it was not in the menu) - Broiled 3 lb. Ahi Collar Bone - actually, we were lucky to have 3.75 lbs. first, the Lobster Palabok was a new thing for us because we've never had lobster with our Palabok. The noodles were thick, like the Japanese udon noodles. We saved the savory sauce to eat over our rice. The Pork Tomahawk Tocino was something we had last December. We HAD to have it again. Broiled in a sweet char siu glaze with mango sawsawan. Loved it the first time, loved it tonight and I will love it again if they continue to offer it. I was ready to eat kamayan style (with my hands). And then, the Ahi Collar Bone. Broiled to a crisp on the outside and plump and juicy on the inside. It came with a fruit and veggie cup and various types of lettuce, meant to be eaten like lettuce wraps. My family started eating the traditional way (over white garlic rice) until I took a bite of my wrap and moaned in ecstasy. Everyone but my son was willing to trinity with the lettuce, chasing it with the rice. We poured a Calamansi-soy sauce dip over each wrap. We were in Heaven. The eight of us could not eat it all. So, we took the rest home. We didn't stop there! Had to have dessert to celebrate the occasion, right? We all shared the Buko Pandan, Turon Tart and Sticky Rice Crème Brûlée. I didn't try the Buko Pandan, but my adult kids enjoyed it. The Turon Tart wasn't your typical Lumpia-style turon with the banana inside. The turon was sliced into bite sizes and garnished the caramelized, brown sugar custard, all sitting under a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The Sticky Rice Crème Brûlée was the graduated version of Lola's kankanen, only to be topped by a layer of vanilla custard, coconut, Calamansi, fresh citrus and latik. Oh Lord, I actually asked Jeffrey to find a wheel barrow to wheel me out. One last thing, the Tempranillo wine was perfect with my dinner. Thank you, Jeffrey, crew and chefs! We shall return soon! Maraming Salamat po! read more

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Went to Animae for date night and had an absolutely fantastic meal. We had a pretty late reservation at 9:30 PM and honestly expected the restaurant to be winding down, but we were pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was lively and energetic, which added to the overall experience. Service was also prompt and attentive throughout the meal. We started with the Taiwanese Chicken, which was juicy, crispy, and surprisingly not heavy despite being fried. The basil aioli paired perfectly with it and added a really nice freshness. Next came the Hunan Lamb Chops and OMG. These were hands-down my favorite dish of the night. Perfectly tender, packed with flavor, and cooked beautifully. The Coconut Prawns were another banger. Crispy, light, and incredibly delicious. Every bite had great texture without feeling greasy. To finish, we got the Lobster Palabok. While I wouldn't have minded a little more lobster, the dish itself was incredibly flavorful and packed with rich, satisfying flavor. Definitely a memorable way to end the meal. Overall, every dish impressed us, and there wasn't a single miss. Great food, great service, and a fun atmosphere even late into the evening. Can't wait to come back and try more of the menu. 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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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

Great food and cocktails! The cocktails with milk clarified spirits (grape expectations) were really good. Standouts for food were the chocolate creameux dessert and the sea bass! read more

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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Animae was an excellent fine dining experience and a great spot to share dishes family style. We ordered several plates for the table, and everything was beautifully prepared. The standouts for me were the chicken, dumplings, noodles, and the fish, which was outstanding. The atmosphere feels elevated without being overly formal, and the whole experience felt thoughtful from start to finish. A great special occasion restaurant in San Diego that I would happily come back to. read more

Animae - Taiwanese Chicken - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

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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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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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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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 was such a wonderful experience! Came here to celebrate my cousin/aunts bday while we were visiting SD to surprise our other aunt and we really love the ambiance of the place so we booked it in advance and safe to say we're not disappointed! The service was lovely and everyone was so attentive and knowledgeable on what is popular with their customers so I really appreciated that. That food was amazing absolutely 10/10 and same thing for our beverages as well like WOW! read more

Animae - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Diego, California

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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Everything was amazing. What I liked the most was the ambiance and the service, and then the food. While the food options were great, perhaps the portions was a bit too much for me as we ordered only a few dishes, but was not able to finish them. I liked the Korean fusion fried rice the most as the rice was infused in the savory taste of the pork juice, which I like. The beets salad was also a really great touch with a unique look. The music selection gave a nostalgic 2000s ambiance with the 1960s vibes and the chef herself came out to greet us and go over some of the food menus. Oh and I can't forget the drinks, they were some of the best for sure. Overall highly recommend and would go again. 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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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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We visited Animae on a business trip to San Diego and I found it incredible! The restaurant has a cool, calming vibe. Nothing is rushed, but that doesn't mean that service is slow. On the contrary, it was excellent. The food was outstanding. There was nothing we ordered that I wouldn't try again, plus there were so many items I wish I had the opportunity to try. The cucumbers and the coal roasted cabbage were two of my favorites. I also loved the Taiwanese chicken. Animae was a highlight meal of our trip. read more

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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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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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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