I want to start this review with a disclaimer: it is very hard for me to give out five stars. I have high expectations that both the service and the food must be amazing to reach that level; I don't believe in giving a top rating just because a business "tried." You have to earn your review and your tip, and Callie has absolutely earned both. We have visited twice now, and while the experience is an investment, it is worth every penny. However, if you are just looking for cheap burgers at a fast food restaurant and can't acknowledge when food is truly good, then this is not the place for you. This is a destination for those who appreciate high-quality ingredients and technical skill. On our first visit, the service was a bit slow as they seemed to be understaffed, but the kitchen more than made up for it. The Bolognese was excellent, the hummus appetizer was a perfect start, and the passion fruit dessert with the cotton candy meringue was a highlight. Most importantly, they went above and beyond to accommodate our allergies with total precision. Because the food was so phenomenal, we wanted to give them a second shot to see if the service could match the kitchen, and we are so glad we did. On our second visit, they made up for the initial slow service tenfold. The dry-aged duck is easily one of the most phenomenal dishes I've had, and their clarified margarita is truly top-shelf. It is rare to find a place that balances such incredible flavor with genuine care for the guest experience. Callie is a standout in San Diego, and for us, it was worth every cent. read more

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All the servers were very polite, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. Inside was very nice, great for a date night out. Food order: baba ganoush with Pita. Good but not great Focaccia with whip cheese and honey Crusted Halibut, with no side including. That was a missed. It was a little over cooked, read more

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I'm so glad I came in after a busy day! The front desk was super nice and informed there would be a wait. We were greeted right away when entered a table. The waitress kindly walked us through the menu and specials for the day. The uni toast was so comforting as a tasty starter. And everything we ordered was equally amazing (ordered babaganoush, pasta, halibut special, wine). Despite being a bit louder than expected, perhaps due to an event happening at the convention center), I would definitely come back every time I'm in town. read more

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I was able to snatch a last-minute reservation at this very popular restaurant. After seeing this restaurant recommended by a Michelin star Chef based in San Diego, and being on the Michelin Gourmand list, I was really looking forward to eating here! To be honest, I was not impressed by the food. The ambiance was great. The interior was open, inviting, modern and elegant. It had good energy. The chicken came highly recommended, and it was good. Maybe it was because I wasn't very hungry and also because of the abundance of good Mediterranean food in LA and having had Mediterranean food in Greece and Turkey, I thought the food was good but not exceptional. We also got the baba ghanoush (eggplant dip) with puffy thin bread. That was good. I didn't like the flavor profile of the hanger steak. The broccolini was my favorite dish. It was refreshing. This dish exceeded my expectations. The flavor and texture were nothing like any broccolini I had before, and all the components of the dish worked beautifully together! Service was a bit hit and miss. We told our severs (our waiter 2x and the drinks person once) that we needed a split check and they still all forgot. I felt a bit rush as my friend and I were catching up and we kept getting interrupted. Pro Tip: If you decide to try this place, there is complimentary validated parking for 3 hours offered by the restaurant. The garage is a bit hard to find. It's located right next to the restaurant but very easy to drive pass it especially at night. read more

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What an absolutely fantastic restaurant and meal. First off the ambience is just gorgeous, it's crazy how truly open the entire space is. Service was top notch, my water never went below halfway. Staff was friendly and checking in throughout the night and able to answer all the questions we threw their way. SUPER accommodating for gluten free with tons of options here. The menu is cool as it has a feast option that's more like a prix fixe set menu. We considered this but decided against it after asking what would be included with it. The menu presents the ability to sort of create your own adventure and so we went with that. Started off with the baba ghanoush, wow this one is incredible. It makes me question everything else I've ever eaten with the same name. The smokiness truly comes through and the depth and richness of the eggplant is captured in a way I've never tasted before. Definitely get this. The pita it came with was so fluffy and perfect as well, and they had no problem giving me a pita and my friend the gluten free crackers. The octopus was also one of the best I've ever had. Really nice portion when sometimes it can feel expensive for a little bit. It was so absolutely tender I couldn't believe it. With sort of like a crisp char on the outside, just cooked perfectly. Definitely recommend this one. Hanger steak. Another banger, the meat was tender, perfectly charred and salted. But the standout here was the sauce. Like give the saucier a raise cus this sauce was magic. I could eat this sauce on literally everything for the rest of my life and die happy. It's like they melded the best essence of every herb into a smooth clean emulsion that just turns the steak into something to die for. You could have given me a hamburger on top of this sauce and I'd have been happy. Broccolini and patatas bravas were nice sides, but didn't blow me away like the other dishes so I'll keep it short here. Lot of cool cocktail options that don't deviate too far from the classics but have fun twists. Thoroughly enjoyed the ones that I had - including farmed and dangerous which was an old fashioned riff. Also had a daily special cocktail that I forget the name, it had private barrel elijah craig which was exciting, but the cocktail was a bit on the sweet side and really lost the whiskey which was unfortunate. Nothing to complain about, was still great, but going back I'd elect for something else. Dessert we had the rice pudding which was surprisingly kinda reminiscent of a creme brulee. Lot of different flavors here with the dates and pistachio, it really is a fun one to try, especially if rice pudding is your thing. Worth noting it was a bit loud of an environment. The airiness of the room I think also echoes the sounds a bit more. We were also seated pretty close to the people to our left and right, like close enough we could easily hear their conversations and talk to them. Not something that bothered us, but something to be aware of, especially if you're looking for an intimate date night, maybe request a particular table. I really can't wait to come back! read more

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I'd definitely come back for the lemon uni tagliatelle and the Aleppo chicken. The Aleppo chicken was full of flavor, with lots of spice and a creamy sauce underneath that balanced everything out perfectly. It had just the right amount of kick. The lemon uni tagliatelle was tangy, creamy, and rich, with perfectly cooked pasta and plenty of sauce in every bite. The dessert could use some improvement. We tried the pavlova, but it wasn't as memorable as the savory dishes. read more

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Had a good time trying this highly acclaimed restaurant in downtown. Big plus is validated parking in a covered garage in the same building as the restaurant. Although the food was a good quality, the prices are also quite high, so the overall experience is only worth it if you're looking for a great ambience with sophisticated food. I found the baba ghanoush to be one of the best dishes with a nice smoky flavor paired with fresh pita that is made in house. I found the hummus to be rather bland, tasted mainly of olive oil so would definitely favor the babaghanoush to start. For the main dishes, I think the saffron lemon pasta the highlight; the sauce was very well balanced, and the saffron flavor shines through. I found the Aleppo chicken (although widely acclaimed on here) to have a rather peculiar spice on top that I was not a big fan of. The hanger steak was tender, but not particularly flavorful. Overall, I think this place hits the mark on ambience, good service, and sophisticated food although it has the very high prices to match. If you're looking for just pure food quality, I think there are certainly other places that are better but if you're looking for the whole package, Callie is hard to resist. read more

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Sunday Funday Dinner with friends - we made a reservation on OpenTable. We were seated in 5-10 minutes. The servers were attentive and explained a lot of the menu items and loved what their recommendations were. There were 4 of us and we shared all the dishes from the appetizers to the dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious. Location was easy to find and parking validation was perfect in the same building. The restaurant was beautiful, not loud but pleasant. We would definitely recommend. read more

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First time at Callie and it did not disappoint. We did the Mediterranean Feast for $80 per person and it was a good experience. The portions were actually good size especially the chicken dish and we were so full by the end. Everything felt super thoughtfully made and really flavorful. You can tell they care about the details. The only thing we didn't love was the fish dish. It was super salty, but that was honestly the only complaint. The flavors would have been great if the salt was toned down. Besides that everything else felt really balanced and so good. The drinks were delicious, the service was top notch, and the vibe is just fun but still feels special. I also love that they have an attached parking garage with three hour validation. That makes such a difference downtown. Next time I think I would just order specific dishes instead of doing the feast because it did not feel like a huge deal compared to ordering off the menu. But we will definitely be back! read more

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I don't know why it took me so long to try Callie--I've been seriously missing out. It's been a while since I've had a multi-course meal where every single dish hit, but this one delivered from start to finish. We did the Mediterranean Feast tasting, and honestly, it's a steal for what you get. You start with a trio of dips--hummus, avocado labneh, and babaganoush--served with fresh pita and crudité. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, the hummus was perfectly smooth, and the lemon olive oil on top tied it all together. Pro tip: save some of that pita...you'll need it later. The kanpachi came next--simple presentation, but packed with flavor and sliced perfectly. Israeli hot sauce and black lime salt combo *chefs kiss*. For the pasta, we swapped into the truffle cacio e pepe bucatini and wow...easily one of the best parts of the meal. This is where that extra pita comes in--use it to soak up every last bit of sauce. Trust me, you're not leaving that behind. For the entrée, we had the Aleppo chicken. I almost never order chicken at restaurants, but this completely changed my mind. It was hands down one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had--easily a standout. We also tried the crunchy Egyptian carrots, and the pickling on them was so good. The cashew dukkah added a really nice texture and flavor. To finish, the Meyer lemon pavlova was light, balanced, and super refreshing--exactly what you want at the end of a meal like this. Highly recommend Callie. The food is actually that good--you won't leave disappointed or hungry. read more

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Located in downtown San Diego. Beautiful upscale restaurant with culinary delights. Parking is a little challenging here, so take rideshare or public transportation. Otherwise, prepare to pay $30-$50 for parking. I suggest you make reservations if you're coming Thursday to Sunday. We ordered a set course, the Mediterranean meal for 4 people. Delicious, can't get enough. We all loved it! Every single dish was exquisite. It came out to around $500 for 4 persons and was worth every penny. We were all full, and I had a little food to take home as well. Service was amazing as well, they were busy but on top of it. Thanks for the wonderful food and experience Callie! read more

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Loved the chicken main. 5/5 Beets salad 5/5 Potatoes 4/5 crispy Beef tartare 3/5 Hummus and pita bread 5/5 Mushroom side dish 4/5 Leman pasta 0/5 - super sour and salty unfortunately Tahini cookie with fig ice cream- super salty 2.5/5 Good customer service. Celebrated valentines here. It's super loud, you can hear everyone talking. I wish it was better insulated but it's super loud every time I come here! read more

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Amazing service!! Amazing!! Very attentive and made the experience feel premium :) Food was stellar - obviously expensive (and small portions) but excellent quality ingredients. Favorite was the pumpkin pasta and crudités. Have to also get their pita! It's too good! read more

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Celebrated our anniversary at Callie with our family of four, and it turned out to be such a great choice for a special-but-not-stuffy night out. We kicked things off with Patatas Bravas (just ok for us) and the Setas Con Migas, which were so good -- earthy, comforting, and full of flavor. For mains, I finally tried the famous Aleppo Chicken and WOW -- absolutely delicious and a huge portion (easily shareable). My husband had the Harissa Grilled Lamb Chops; I'm pretty picky about lamb chops and thought they were good-not-great, but he loved them, so that's a win. The kids were very happy with their choices: Lemon Saffron Linguine and the Duck & Korubotta Pork Ragù Pappardelle -- both excellent pasta dishes without being boring. One standout for me was the "Sans Booze" menu. I was genuinely impressed by the variety and creativity. The kids and I tried a few, and they were actually flavorful and balanced -- not just sugary syrup with food coloring. My husband also loved his cocktails. Dessert sealed the deal: warm tahini chocolate chip cookie, passion fruit pavlova, and Turkish rice pudding. All were excellent, and we each had a different favorite, which says a lot. Overall, Callie delivered on food, drinks, vibe and great service-- perfect for a family celebration or a date night. Would absolutely come back (and order that Aleppo chicken again). read more

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Perfect Xmas Eve dinner for two. Service was attentive and the space is large and airy. We were seated at a small table for two in the center of the dining room, but it never felt loud or crowded from the rest of the fully-booked restaurant. Since we were there for a special pre-Christmas service it was all prefix and coursed out, with a few options to select from on a few courses. Drinks were good. The standard dirty martini was well made, and the Kook Juice I ordered had a nice smoky/sweet balance from the combination of mezcal, passion fruit, aleppo, and lime. Our first course of spreads and breads was a nice collection of flavors, textures, and temperatures. The avocado labneh and crudité were chilled over ice, while the pita was steaming hot and fresh-baked. Almost seemed like a wheat pita which was a nice variation. The babaghanoush was the standout dip, but all had a reason to be there. Second course was the spiny lobster and it was incredibly rich and garlicky, served with crusty bread that I did my best to sop up every drop of the flavorful oil with. The lobster had the consistency I prefer, of butter-poached shellfish. Third course we upgraded from a risotto to the highly-recommended-by-our-server white truffle gnocchi, and he did not lie. The castelmagno fonduta was somehow so creamy and velvety, yet also light and smooth. No cheese pull here, and I mean that in the best way. The handmade pillows of potato gnocchi and fonduta topped with shaved white truffle and crunchy toasted hazelnuts made for such an irresistible combo it's no surprise it was my favorite bite. Fourth course was our shared main, a cut of swordfish, grilled with Spanish spices and served with pomegranate seeds and cherry tomatoes over a sharply acidic and smooth sauce. Delicious by all counts. To round off the night with something sweet, our fifth and final course was Turkish rice pudding, which I enjoyed but my husband did not, citing the strong cardamom notes, which were admittedly prominent. I thought the other coffee and pistachio favors were nice compliments to the cardamom favored pudding. It took us some time to make our way to Callie after hearing the buzz for years and safe to say we're new to the fan club. read more

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I now understand why Callie has such high reviews. It's good! And beautiful! And delicious! We started by parking in the building's underground parking lot which made for a much better experience dining downtown. Parking is validated at the restaurant. Our reservation was for when they opened at 5pm so the entire lobby was full of other people with reservations, plus about a dozen people waiting to claim a first come first serve bar seat. We were promptly seated at a comfortable table that had a nice view of the open faced kitchen. For our party of three, we ordered some hummus and babaganoush with pita and bread (yum), plus some crunchy carrots, potatas bravas and two entrees - the chicken and hangar steak. Not a bad bite was had at that table. An odd compliment from me, but my favorite item was the Aleppo chicken! This is a great restaurant for a special occasion or simply a date night where you want some high quality eats. Just be sure to make a reservation several weeks in advance. read more

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Wow! Truly delicious flavors. Everything from appetizers to entrées to desserts are well done with truly unique and delicious flavor profiles. A lot of thought and care have gone into the dishes. Spreads and breads: hummus and pita - the spicy green zhoug! I don't even know what that is, but it made the hummus extraordinary. Appetizer: The octopus was tender and flavorful, not chewy at all, and some of the best octopus I've ever had. The kanpachi was also really good if you like sashimi. Mains: the Egyptian carrots were tangy and full of flavor. The Allepo chicken and hanger steak were both excellent proteins. Grilled wax beans packed a lot of flavor with a lemon accent. Dessert: the rice pudding is good if you like, pudding based desserts, but I prefer chocolate, so the chocolate chip cookie and ice cream was the bomb. Excellent and attentive service and the place was packed for dinner so you know it's good. read more

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The UNI TOAST omg I am still dreaming about how fresh and buttery this one was. $29 for 2 pieces seemed insane but as soon as I took a bite worth every penny. Turkish rice pudding was also so unique and never tried anything like it. Definitely need to try the duck and lamb chops next time. read more

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I enjoyed Callie, however would expect more service for a $100/head. When we sat down our waiter asked if we were ready to order. Huh? It's just us two and we just sat down! That's not how this kind of place works (the assistants doing water and stuff were much more professional) Then about 20 minutes pass and I see him on his phone in the corner and awkwardly make eye contact! He came back, so we were like "ok let's get the hummus and potatoes" But then he said we have to order everything at once so they can "time it". Ok - we order everything, then he says you need a pasta course you're gonna be hungry! Well that was a bad idea to take his rec because it turns out we had TWO boxes of food leftover! Everything was delish food wise minus the tiny portions for the pasta course (it really is an appetizer). While good hot out of the oven, the seasoning on the chicken, as with the lamb chop lollipops started to become a bit much. I'd suggest getting one or the other as they have very similar flavor profiles Overall great flavors just disappointed we weren't taken care of service wise, and felt judged from the start by our unwelcoming waiter. read more

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Celebrated a friend's birthday here. The food was very good. Everything is meant to be shared family style. We had a really rowdy party sitting next to us to the point that we couldn't even hear ourselves speak, so we asked to be seated at a different table and they accommodated, which was very much appreciated. The servers were very friendly and attentive. Waters were filled constantly. The atmosphere of the restaurant was great, especially from our new table. Some places will offer a free dessert when you mention that you're there to celebrate a birthday. Callie didn't do that, but they did give the birthday girl a birthday card when we were seated and a candle in the dessert we ordered. We ordered the babaghanoush, avocado labneh, and a focaccia from the specials list for appetizers. Then we ordered the tomato fattoush salad, the patatas braves potatoes, and the setas con migas mushrooms. For entrees we shared the lemon saffron linguini and the Aleppo chicken which had a real kick to it. For dessert we ordered one chocolate chip cookie for the birthday girl which came with a candle. This is definitely a more upper scale restaurant price wise. We were a little disappointed by the size of the appetizers, especially since we were splitting things 5 ways, so we all just had a little tasting of every dish. We received one pita with our babaghanous, so my friend asked for some more because sharing 1 pita bread among the 5 of us was hard. I said that we'd probably get charged for it and we did. $12 for 3 pita breads. So just be mindful of this. The bill came with a 4% surcharge and a 20% tip automatically added on. read more

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I've only had three dining experiences this year where every course was absolutely delectable and the most notable of them all was at Callie. Gorgeous interior and much appreciated parking garage in this area of town with two hour validation. Amazingly busy place with a great upbeat vibe and decor throughout with a gorgeous open kitchen. We were part of a larger group and opted for family meal which was perfect because we could try a little of everything. I'm not into cocktails but, everyone who was absolutely loved the selection. I did try the clear margarita with a spicy foam and that was unique and tasty. They have a limited wine by the glass selection but they are quite a nice selection. The crowd here obviously tends to cocktails but they also have a very impressive NA cocktail selection but I just had a glass of the very good champagne they offered. The avocado labneh, hummus and baba ghanoush were smooth and delicious. The crispy veg served with the labneh were cold and crisp and so fresh. I've never opted for cauliflower or turnips to dip with and then once I tried them, I actually preferred to keep using them to dip. That crispy and fresh! And this was probably the best baba ghanoush I've had in ages. Perfectly smokey and savory and not overly garlicky. Another cheese app with honey and caraway crisps was lovely. All winners. Softest tasty pitas. The best of the night for me was the hamachi carpaccio uniquely paired with zhoug and grated dried limes. It was like a Persian/Israeli twist on sashimi that was otherworldly for me. Many times this type of thing leads to "confusion cuisine". But this was the most innovative flavor twist I've had in ages that was perfect! Right up there was one of the best octopus dishes I've had. Perfectly cooked with a great taste but tender and juicy with just the perfect accompanying garnish with acidity. The tartare was also amazing. Many of these were a served with various breads and pitas and crisps...each better than the other. I wasn't really thinking about a pasta course but out it came and I honestly sort of dreaded the pumpkin stuffed pasta with butter and brown sugar but it was my surprise dish of the night. Absolutely delicious. The crunchy bits on brown sugar were perfect. And the sausage pappardelle was the right blend of meaty goodness and a tangy tomato sauce. On to the mains and my most anticipated Aleppo chicken was awesome! Only wish more pickled veg were served with it to elevate the rich spicy chicken. The hangar steak was perfectly cooked but the other dishes were so unique this was not tops but perfectly executed for those steak people out there. I had three servings of the chilled broccolini...and I typically don't enjoy chilled veg with warm mains. So yes, it was delicious with a tahini sauce. The patatas bravas were yummy but the small bowl they were served in had the top over sauced and the under patatas undersauced. But all were perfectly cooked with a great taste. Maybe serve on a longer shallow plate? Here's another important thing that made Callie a standout of the year for me. Every single sauce and accoutrement was perfectly balanced to the main. None of these sauces were what I tasted first. They were that vague then singing element that joined the main to make it just perfect. This is where many places this past year fall down. Other starred places we've been to, the sauce drowns and kills or totally overpowers main. This chef at Callie is a maestro- the dishes sing! Desserts were excellent but not the highlight for me because the other dishes were so very unique. The rice pudding was very good and the crispy nuts made it extra interesting. Maybe a little hint of rose water in the pudding would have been extra enticing. The lemon pavlova was delicious but a tad too sweet? I think I was maxed out then on food. Our servers were amazing and warm and knowledgeable and efficient. Awesome crew! What a great experience! Design, ambience, service, drinks, food. A+. Not to mention this was for a group of almost 20 diners and we all felt the same! Give this place a Michelin star next time! Bravo! read more

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PERFECT meal from Callie. The food was out of this world. Service was quick and thoughtful. And the vibe in there is spot on. They don't over do the decor the whole focus is just creating a great meal for their guests. read more

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I'm going to keep this short and simple... IT WAS DELICIOUS AND YOU SHOULD GO. All the flavors of each individual dish paired so well and everything was so perfectly cooked. The uni toast made my eyes roll back, the avocado labneh had the freshest veggies, the lamb had the perfect crust and was so flavorful, the patatas bravas so crisp AND THE SAUCE, the chicken was so moist and juicy, and the tahini cookie was fantastic esp the fig gelato on top (but hopefully they take the shortbread crisps off the cookie ) love love love. Fast and friendly and considerate service. read more

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Callie will validates parking in the parking garage under the building they are located at. They called us in advance of our reservation to make sure we knew to park there. We arrived a few minutes early and sat on some of the nice couches and lounge chairs they have at the front. We were then seated at our table. The restaurant was busy, even though it was a weeknight. Our server gave us excellent recommendations on how many and which dishes to order. We enjoyed all of our food, but especially the grilled lamb chops and fattoush salad. We also loved the focaccia, though it came from their seasonal menu so may not be available all the time. We each enjoyed 2 cocktails, which were excellent. Our drinks and food for 2 came out to $280. read more

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Where do I start? Came to Callie for my Wife and my 24 year anniversary . Private secured parking garage for patrons . Downtown Sandiego. Amber lit large dining room, electric buzzing vibe . Got there 10 min early for a 730 ressy.. Was seated promptly, less than 5 min later .Brought a bottle of Perrier Jouet Rose Belle Époque. Handed it off to the Hostess , management respected the bottle asked when where and how I wanted it . 50$ corkage. Did the avo Labneh, Foccacia and beef tartare to start. Veggies were chilled on ice crisp and refreshing and popped with the bubbly . Second round did Beets and blood orange, Setas and Migas and Cacio e Pepe bucatini with Black truffle. The pasta was the highlight of the meal. Third round we did Aleppo chicken and Lamb chops with Pappas Bravas and Egyptian Carrots. 4th round we finished with Tahini chocolate chip cookie and fig gelato. All the food was well executed. Presentation was sharp.The food was aggressively seasoned . Staff was attentive, courteous and hospitable. Bill was 441 with tax, 20% tip and 4% server wellness charge. Went home full with food left over. It was our pleasure dining here, shout out to our servers and Trav and co in the kitchen . Give them a try if you're in Dtown Sd. We'll be back. read more

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The food here is DELICIOUS. I emphasize this because it is honestly one of the best tasting meals I had in a while. We had reservations and only had to wait for a few seconds while our table was ready. My favorite dish was the uni lemon pasta. This dish was so well balanced it was the first time I felt like I could eat the whole plate of pasta by myself. The interior is very cozy like a home masquerading as a restaurant from all the cookbooks lined up on the service table. The service was attentive but short. The time between the dishes were timed well, but I felt the servers were always rushed whenever they came to our table to clear plates or describe the dishes. read more

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My wife and I went to Callie's for Valentine's Day Weekend. The service was impeccable. Literally, as soon as you take a sip of your water, someone is there at your table to refill it. Every time you finish a course, someone is there to clear up your table and provide the next set of silverware. It feels like you have 5-6 people serving your needs at each table. The food was fantastic. For Valentine's Day, they had a 5 course pre-fixe menu. The only course we were underwhelmed by was the pasta. But the steak, Mediterranean octopus, hummus and lava cake were all delicious. It had nice music and ambiance as well. This restaurant is a bit pricey so I wouldn't go here all the time. But for a once in a while experience, this is definitely a great restaurant to go to. read more

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I came to Callie with 3 other friends for the Infatuation deal with Callie! Overall, the flavors were unique and robust. My favorite dish was probably the Aleppo chicken. It was tender and so flavorful. The carrots were also surprisingly one of my favorites as well. A few things were a bit too salty though, I don't know if that is a one time thing or in general. I was a bit astounded that the pumpkin caramelle came with SIX pieces of pasta for $32. I think it would've been better if we never got that, because I thought it was so overpriced that we could not stop talking about how crazy that was for the rest of the meal. The main dishes also took 30+ minutes to come out after the initial dishes. By the time they came, I wasn't very hungry anymore. My drink was good though, I got the prickly pear gin cocktail. Our server was really nice and I enjoyed her fun personality. There is parking validation in the garage connected to the building. Overall, I enjoyed it, but probably not dying to come back. read more

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Great service. High expectations & excitement due to the Michelin rating. I've been to many Michelin-recognized (i.e. guide) restaurants, but this was my first Michelin-rated (i.e., starred) restaurant. We ordered a bit of everything. Hummus to start, lamb chops and pasta to split, cocktails, and pumpkin ice cream dessert. The food was good, but didn't reach the exceptional level I've had at any Michelon-guide establishment to date. I wish this place the best of success and it's certainly a fine establishment, but for $200 for 2, consumers should know that their dollar can be spent elsewhere. Other reviews seem to indicate the same. Pita bread was exceptional, lamb was good, pasta good, hummus average, ice cream average. Cocktails were good, but downtown has better $18/19 cocktails elsewhere. read more

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Callie has long been established as one of San Diego's standout restaurants, and while I've visited several times over the years, it never rests on its laurels. It continues to shine. I recently had a wonderful dinner with friends, and everything--from the warm service to the great vibe and, of course, the incredible food--made for another exceptional evening. We chose the Mediterranean Feast with wine pairings, and I'm so glad we did; it allowed us to experience a wide range of the menu. Treat yourself and go--you won't regret it. read more

One of the most New York-esque restaurants I've been to in SD. The environment is lively and the food, while simple at it's core, is creative and full of flavor. It was perfect for the birthday occasion I was attending. Between the 7 of us we split 2 of the Mediterranean Feasts, which ended up being way more than enough food by the time we got to the mains. But so worth the food coma! Every dish felt intentional and beautifully balanced. The Octopus, Kanpachi, and Pumpkin Caramelle pasta completely stole the show. The pasta's sweet-savory combo was unreal, and the kanpachi melted on our tongues. The veggie crudités and dips were the perfect, light warm-up. The only dishes I'd skip next time are the Grilled Lamb Merguez Dolmas and Pappardelle pasta, which felt a bit heavy in the mix. Everything else? Incredible. The staff had perfect timing with each course, and the whole meal just flowed. Will be going back soon to relive those favorites! read more

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Def a pretty penny to dine here, and really difficult to score a primetime dinner resy, but 5pm door busts seem to work. Callie has earned itself a great reputation within the San Diego food scene and for good reason. Shared plates, balanced cocktails, really cute atmosphere. Highlights include: Baba Ganoush -smokey eggplant with roasted onions, paired with their puffy and warm pita; def a must starter Beef Tartare: Black harissa, atop a creamy labneh and crisp lavash bread Uni Toast: Iberico ham topped, pan con tomate, with a fresh oceany punch from the uni Kanpachi: thin sliced fish with avocado atop a bright green and fresh "hot sauce" Crunchy Egyptian Carrots: a must-try side, (even tried to make them at home but my Dukkah was no match for theirs) Alleppo Chicken was super juicy, super flavorful, slightly sweet on top of some yogurt and sumac pickles on the side Finish the meal off with their warm chocolate chip tahini cookie and a rice pudding, and you're set. Looking forward to my next visit here, or maybe a birthday in their private dining room. read more

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Came here to dine for the first time with girlfriends visiting from the east coast. Food +service + ambiance were all excellent! One of the best places I have dined since I moved here few months ago! I WILL be back! read more

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Callie is one of, if not my most, favorite restaurants in San Diego. We love the 5 course mediterranean feast - definitely a bang for your buck and you get to try so many different things that way! Drinks are always fabulous, waitstaff is super knowledgable. read more

Callie - Apps - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

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We had the patatas bravas and hummus (my favorite!) appetizers, and the chicken and steak plates. The servings are generous and so there are great plates to share. The restaurant has lovely decor and its a lively location with kind and quick customer service. You can park in the connected structure and they validate parking if youre there for 3 hours or less. read more

Callie (Greek for 'the most beautiful') is a restaurant and bar serving local fare with a Mediterranean twist that received Michelin bib gourmand recognition. AMBIANCE Upscale space design by STUDIO UNLTD SERVICE Hospitality is on point, attentive, friendly, welcoming FOOD RAW & CURED 4.5/5 JAPANESE KANPACHI (buttery) green israeli "hot sauce" was a very mild spice for me, black lime, avocado SALADS & VEGGIES 5/5 CRUNCHY EGYPTIAN CARROTS cilantro, creamy cashew dukkah, Smokey and acidic burnt orange-habanero dressing. This overwhelmingly checks every box for texture and taste. LAND & SEA 4/5 HARISSA GRILLED LAMB CHOPS thick tzatziki. I missed the harissa and cucumber 3/5 DUCK Much milder flavors here compared to every other dish SOMETHING SWEET 4.5/5 TURKISH RICE PUDDING (coconut cream), With a crunchy caramelized sugar top, coffee-date jam at the bottom, and topped w chopped pistachios read more

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Really creative cuisine and really lovely aesthetic and just a perfect place for a fancy dinner! Tip 1: take a reservation before 8:15ish because we had an 8:45 reservation and they were out of the chicken that we really wanted and also the seasonal duck breast. Tip 2: get a salad or side if you want some vegetables along with the entree item because they are just protein with no vegetable that comes with. (The server will probably tell you this) I read a lot of reviews before heading here and I stand by them how you can't really go wrong with any dish you order! Go Figure 12/10 cocktail! Just the perfect amount of sweetness and you generally taste the alcohol. Just the kind of drink husband and I both love. Hummus - 10/10 I think this might be the smoothest hummus we have ever had! It's like they kept blending and blending until it was so drippy smooth! We asked for the olive oil on the side just so we could control how much oil we put into it and it was the really good decision! I personally just love the hummus with that spicy green paste they had in the middle And of course the pita on the side was top notch! Lovely how they gave the whole freshly baked pita, but it would have been great if there was the second one as well. The pita felt too little for the hummus haha. Uni Toast - 9/10 Honestly, the combination was really creative and love how it was just cute bite size item but personally not something I would order again. The meat on top fell fairly salty to me ( I know that's how it actually is supposed to be) so just my personal opinion here. It's also just to two pieces so if you want a big appetizer to share for a group, this might not be the right choice. Crunchy Egyptian Salad - 11/10 What a magnificent salad! Such a creative item where it's just the carrots and the cashew dukkah with a little bit of crunch that they add on top (which I believe is just roasted whole spices wow!) Just a heads up that the "dressing" here is actually the spices. What you would usually expect as a dressing is the cashew dukkah that comes underneath all the carrot! Overall though, it has a phenomenal flavor and everything goes perfectly well together. Harissa Lamb Chops - 10/10 I would have going for the chicken to get some bean protein but they were out and has been absolutely loves lamb chops so this worked out perfectly well! They cook it medium well and I recommend taking it as is because it was perfectly cooked. Crispy on the outside with the flavoring and soft and juicy on the inside. Tzatziki on the bottom goes so well with the flavor of the lamb chops! Turkish Rice Pudding -12/10 Husband loved this so much, he actually got a second one after we shared the first one. What an unbelievable combination here! Date+fig jam on the bottom with the actual cool rice pudding and the caramelized top (like a creme brulee) and pistachios on top. I would recommend asking them to crush up the pistachios instead of putting the whole ones. Also make sure you get everything in the spoonful that you have because it just tastes superior that way! read more

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This is my second time dinning in at Callie and it both times have been amazing. The food is outstanding. I've really enjoyed just about everything I've ordered. Ive always had great service. In my opinion these are must orders Carrots Dolmas Tartare Lamb chops Chicken Tahini cookie. You'll thank me later. read more

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Tasty middle eastern food in downtown San Diego. Went for a Saturday dinner - had their chicken, ravioli, and babaganoush. Chicken and ravioli were on point - the dip was good also but don't compare to the other two. Also had a couple cocktails that were delicious. The service and the vibe were good as well - a very date-y type of place. Would come back if I'm around town. read more

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Definitely make a reservation! Even though it opens at 5pm, the seats start to fill up quick. We were able to get an early 5:15pm reservation or else we probably would have had to wait a bit. There is a parking garage that gets validated which is nice. Instructions for that are easily to follow as there are signs for it. Service was good, but it seemed a little too much for my personal liking. It was nice to get our plates changed and drinks filled but it just got awkward for me every time we were waiting as the server was switching out our used plates. I also wasn't a big fan of how the food came out one at a time by starter, pasta, main entree, etc. I guess it kind of works because I got more full than expected, but the wait just took awhile. As for the food, it was good but some dishes were too salty for my liking. The portions were small and the number of items we got was just enough for 2. If there were more people it probably would not have been enough. The lamb chops weren't mind blowing- I didn't really taste any of the lamb flavor the protein usually has. The duck was probably my favorite. The sauce and puree it was placed on was so good. You can't go wrong with babaghanoush and the gnocchi we got from the weekly specials menu was good but too mushy imo. Overall a good spot to try but not sure if I would come back again. read more

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