I'm sincerly sad that Choi's has closed. We've met Jiwoo Choi multiple times, he's kind, truly engaged in his craft and very creative. We've eaten here on our anniversary a few times - It seriously was the best Asian restaurant we've tried in San Diego, bar none. I'm a chef as well and this guy impressed me. To Chef Choi - I hope you pick yourself up and rebuild. I know the industry is tough, but you have what it takes. Good luck! read more

My second time at Choi's was not as memorable as the first, but still one of my favorite restaurants in the entire Southern California region. Not sure who was the chef today but the food in general needed a pinch of salt. Food Birria tacos - A bit underseasoned and dry but some bites were so good. 4.4/5 Dolmas - Very punchy app that is a good one to try. I've never quite had something like this before. 4.5/5 Mexican corn - This was a bit underseasoned too but after adding some salt it was the best corn dish I've ever had. Balanced poblano flavor with creamy notes. 4.7/5 KFC - An absolutely incredible dish... but... a tiny bit underseasoned. 4.8/5 Octopus taco - I only had a bite of this but holy fuuuu this was the best bite of the night. 4.9/5 Peachy lemonade mocktail - An excellent elevated drink for happy hour. 4.7/5 read more

I'm not too sure what happened to this place, but unfortunately it went down hill. Maybe a new chef and new management? We came back and ordered the crispy chicken again since we enjoyed it last time and also the birria sandwich which was new. The chicken tasted nothing like before and the flavors were all wrong. The birria sandwich was completely inedible- not sure who decided to slap a little bit of meat into this stale burger bun with old smelling cheese and call it a sandwich, but we could not eat it. We had to send back our food and leave unfortunately. Our server was nice about it and let us leave but really sad about this place. Seems like they might've gotten their alcohol license removed as well, so no more alcoholic drinks here either. Overall would definitely not recommend this place. There was a reason there was no one there on a Friday evening for dinner. read more

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Stopped by for dinner after preview night at comic con and I appreciated the delicious sandwiches and cocktails here in this Korean fusion spot with great ambiance. My cousin got a refreshing berry soju drink and I had a delicious old fashioned that was perfectly balanced. The menu this week didn't seem to have the galbi bowls or tomahawk steaks or Bo ssam that I was looking for, but they had good chicken sandwiches and burgers. Wife had a nice braised pork with mustard seeds and greens. I'd definitely come back for their dinner menu items. The place is good and it should have been much busier. read more

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We were excited to try Choi's after seeing the recommendations and high reviews. We unfortunately came away really disappointed. Choi's is located near Petco Park Stadium and was easy to find. We made a reservation the night before and chose to get seats at the bar. Choi's itself looks fairly nice from the inside with a mixture of both a zen look near the front and a more modern look in the actual restaurant. Unfortunately from there, the experience fell apart for us a bit and think much of it has to do with the restaurant being understaffed and potentially mismanaged. Our first negative experience started with the front of house. It took over 15 minutes for several people to be taken care of when at the front including us. This seemed mainly due to the front of house staff member doubling as a server as there was no front of house to greet guests. It seemed to be only him and another server as the only people serving food alongside a kitchen cook member. And so service seemed really poor. We had included in our reservation that we were coming to Choi's for celebration but no mention of this was given. This along with back-ups in the kitchen would constantly cause laggy service throughout our night there. Once the front of house noted we were there, it took another 10-15 minutes for us to be seated. Once seated, we made our orders which took about 30-35 minutes to come out - an order of 6 oysters, a pair of vampiro birria tostadas, and an octopus entree. When we noticed the food taking a while to come out and another pair of patrons leaving without their food, we pinged the bartender to try and get in another pair of orders so we wouldn't end up hungry with the long wait. We ended up getting the first order. Food-wise, we thought the birria tostadas had the most flavor but was pretty salty. The octopus entree wasn't bad but came out a little cold. And the oysters ended up being uneven and sandy. We ended up trying to wait another 45-50 minutes for our second order to come through which was another 6 oysters and the tempura which now was pushing past happy hour. During this wait, we also had to call the bartender each time we needed a refill on water as his attention was usually trying to grab all the orders from the bar himself as well as managing bar orders from patrons at the restaurant. We ended up cancelling the second order as we had to go to a concert. We don't blame the staff here as it felt like the few staff members there really felt like they were trying to hustle. But whether it was needing more staff members in general or better management of patrons and letting patrons know about the wait time better upfront, the expectation wasn't met on most levels here and left a sour taste in our mouth. read more

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They have happy hour from 4pm- 6pm and brunch on Sundays. Paid parking lots only, but supposedly they offer validation at a specific location, check their website for more details. Came during happy hour. They had one server for 6+ tables that grew over time. Server was pleasant and refilled our waters. Another staff member brought food from the kitchen. Getting the check at the end of our meal took quite a bit of time. They have a mandatory 20% auto gratuity but also have another line on the bill for even more gratuity. Tried: Bulgogi birria vampiro $10 HH - two small tostadas piled high with toppings. Very messy to eat. Flavor was okay. Beef was very fatty. Multiverse fries $18 - super disappointed that these were absolutely drenched in franks buffalo sauce. It has a very unique flavor profile so we knew right away. Fries were soggy and beef and fried chicken thigh pieces were both on the fattier end. Not worth the price. Needed sour cream or guacamole. Cosmic Crunch Shrimp $12 - 4 very small shrimp that tasted pretty oily. Skip this. Yeosu Bliss $14 - a very raspberry forward drink. Overall it was just okay but the flavor profile just wasn't our thing. read more

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We see Choi's every time we go to the Padre's game, and finally had time to come by for a pre-game happy hour. I really wanted to get their $1.50 oysters that's marketed on their sidewalk sign. Upon being seated, we were greeted with water and a palate cleanser shooter. After ordering a dozen oysters, and crab tacos we were informed that they were sold out. (Bummer) Ended up ordering the silkworm tacos, yellow peppers, birria tacos, and the crispy chicken dish. Everything was plated nicely, but the fusion flavors were a little overwhelming for me. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Ambiance, decor, and cleanliness. The hostess also was kind enough to call me to let me know that our phone was left behind. read more

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An elevated escape into Oystery & Bubbles @chois.sandiego @eastvillagesd Where $1 oysters from Baja, the Pacific Northwest, and the East Coast meet crisp pours of bubbles--simple indulgence done right. Each bite feels like a quiet luxury, especially when paired with decadent touches like caviar service atop lingcod chicharrón with crème fraîche. The happy hour bites are just as refined--bold, unexpected, and beautifully executed. From the rich duck liver mousse to the vibrant bulgogi birria vampiro and delicate stone crab taco, every plate is a balance of flavor and artistry. A moment to slow down, savor, and toast to the finer things... without the splurge. fun times read more

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I had a great experience at Choi's in San Diego. A lot of items on the menu were unfortunately sold out because one of their suppliers was delayed, but honestly, we made the best of it and still had a really good meal. We ended up ordering the crispy chicken, octopus, and the bulgogi birria vampiro. Everything we tried was flavorful and well done. The food had a fun, creative twist and still felt comforting. The service was also really good. Dillon was our waiter and he was super down to earth, friendly, and easy to talk to. He made the experience feel relaxed and welcoming, even with the limited menu situation. Overall, even though they were missing quite a few items that night, the food we did get was delicious and the service made up for it. I'd definitely come back to try the rest of the menu when everything is available. read more

Choi's - Charred Gochujang Octopus - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Elevated decor for an Asian restaurant, friendly staff, surprisingly tasty dish off a small menu It looks like they have an extensive drink menu but I wasn't here to drink. They don't have too many offerings for food maybe six appetizers five or six entree choices in about three dessert options. There was a Padres game tonight so they were sold out of several things but I opted for one of those substitution items which was a prosciutto wrapped seared ahi steak on a bed of forbidden rice and charred baby bok choy. I was doubtful how it would taste to have Pursuit wrapped around a raw piece of Ahi but it surprisingly works! The presentation is one of the most unique I've ever seen. See the picture. Almost seems like someone squirted soap suds all over the dish but it was tasty. I probably wouldn't come again because I like more choices on the food side of the menu and because I found out when the check came that they automatically had a 20% gratuity and I was only a party of one! Thus i give it only 4 stars. read more

Choi's - Seared ahi wrapped in prosciutto on a bed of forbidden rice and charred baby bok choy - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Came for happy hour, and enjoyed our overall experience because of the decor and the hospitality. But the food experience was a little inconsistent: - loved the $1 oyster specials and the bulgogi birria - there was a lot (2 of the 5 items on the HH menu) that wasn't available due to suppliers, but it was items we did want to try. This was disappointing. - the fried chicken entree was tasty but didn't match the "fine dining" elevation of this dish we were expecting. - the risotto was bland. We were told the rice is really al dente, that wasn't the issue. read more

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The oysters were bad, and my sandwich was below average. Fries were good! We were seated outside at high top tables and they didn't have chairs. The service was good. read more

Came here with their revamped fine dining Korean Asian Fusion menu during Happy Hour and this place was absolutely amazing!!!!! First off, there is free parking available, just circle around the building until you see a garage entrance for retail parking. Two hours for free! Let me first explain the aesthetics of this place. Clean and modern with mid century feel accented with greenery throughout. Please note that they won't seat you until most of your party is present. We came here for Happy Hour which was from 4-6pm from Tuesday to Sunday! This is fantastic that HH includes the weekend!!!! To start, got a wellness shot which had a meld of juices and ginger. A great drink to ready your palate. For cocktails, I tried the Suika Spritz, which was refreshing! The Absolutely Pho-nomenal definitely tasted like cold Pho broth but spiked. It wasn't my favorite drink, but glad I tried it nonetheless. Of course we ordered the $1 oysters, and ordered all three - Baja, Pacific Northwest, & East Coast. It came with some Asian fusion sauces to dress our oysters. My fave was the Baja as these were the freshest! All three were smooth and non briny. On the HH menu we also tried - Bulgogi Birria Vampiro - Tender meat with bulgogi seasoned beef on top of a tostada. Really liked the meld of the two cultures in this dish. Duck Liver Mousse - Comes with rustic bread & crème fraiche. Very duck forward. I liked this because it was rich with flavor. Stone Crab Taco - Loved the nod to Loganisa in this taco! This was by far, my favorite protein dish on the HH menu!!!! Regular Menu - Mango Nasturium Kimchi Salad - I absolutely loved this vibrant and fresh dish!!!! I had to go back for second and thirds! Shishito Peppers with Bonito Flakes - This was definitely a fun and flavorful dish with lots of umami. Dessert - Hotteok and Vanilla Ice Cream - this was my favorite dessert! The pancakes were flaky and delicious!! Bonbunja Tiramisu - Beware! This has a strong coffee taste. It reminded of the strength and flavor profile of a Vietnamese coffee. I can't believe it's not cheesecake - Definitely a mix of a brûlée but with a cheesecake flavor. Confusing but works lol. We met the executive chef, Kyler, who explained and served some of dishes we ordered. The entire staff was so accommodating and even reminded us if we needed our parking validated! Our water never ran empty and our dishes were promptly taken away as we finished. Definitely a place to visit during HH since they offer amazing food and cocktail choices. read more

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FOOD Choi's Oyster Hour 4-6pm Tuesday-Sunday is a deal and so good for $1/oyster - I really like the Baja ones compared to their east coast and Pacific Northwest counterparts - plus the peppery cocktail sauce, black pepper mignonette and lychee liquor were super unique. The Silkworm Pupa Adobada Tacos are novel and Kimchi forward, served with charred pineapple wedges. It's a nod to the Korean fusion menu here. PARKING Validated for 2 hours in the garage on 12th Ave, don't forget to take your parking ticket to exit and re-enter the garage via elevator. AMBIANCE The interior has an elevated/refined modern vibe with a hightop bar and several tables throughout. There are also outdoor tables. SERVICE Staff were friendly, super helpful, and knowledgeable. read more

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For the first dinner for our Spring Break 2026, we booked Choi's at East Village. The restaurant is sleek and modern, and the service along rivals those of Michelin-quality restaurants we've been to. You even get a personal welcome card upon arrival. Parking validated 2 hrs in the secure, ACE parking structure behind the restaurant. The food is Korean-inspired, but with some influences from Mexico. Overall we enjoyed 4/5 dishes, so overall 4 stars. Although there's no kid's menu, our 5yo really liked 3/5 of the dishes. Best dishes: *Birria Taco with Bulgogi Sauce - This appetizer had shredded beef mixed with Mexican cheese and light bulgolgi sauce on a large, crispy blue corn (?) tortilla. Great contrast in textures and the flavor was more sweet than spicy. *Gochujang Octopus - Great tart flavors from the sauce, though octopus slightly on the chewy side. Wife enjoyed the dish. * KFC - Two crispy fried chicken thighs that are crispy and sticky outside and warm and juicy inside. Great flavors with sweet and tart balancing out. Our 5yo son ate like half this dish. * Dessert - It was a bowl that had the sugary, burnt crust of creme brulee, but underneath it was a light cheesecake filling that was thicker and less sweet than traditional egg custard. Loved this dish - and one order is good to share with 2-3 people. Mediocre Dishes: * Unfortunately, the wife did not enjoy the Miso Ling Cod. The side of Korean congee was well flavored with mushrooms and Bonito flakes. The fish itself was soft, but a bit mild in flavor. The real downer was the skin - although seared crispy it was super bitter for some reason. Overall an excellent find in San Diego for a modern take on Korean-inspired food and soju cocktails. I would probably recommend sticking to the meat-based dishes on the menu. Their menu does seem to change periodically. read more

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Honestly quite dumbfounded on all the 4-5 stars reviews on here. Is this the same restaurant? Went to the Padres game on Tuesday & happened to walk by & saw their HH sign outside so we gave them a try. Upon walking in they weren't that busy, the bar area was full & a couple of patrons inside & out. Checked out their HH menu. They offered $1 oysters 3 types Baja, Pacific & East coast. Everything else food wise looks good. Except if you're into soju types of cocktails. Strictly beer & wine. We ordered a bottle of flat water, half a dozen oysters of each (this came out last & they were out of almost every thing), bulgogi birria vampiro (lukewarm temp a tad too sweet), silkworm pupa adobada tacos (crispy silkworm but also lukewarm temp) & duck liver mousse (needed some type of acid like pickled onions to cut through the richness & sweetness). Hubby had their IPA (ordered another one & they came back with half a pint & a shot of soju on the house cause they ran out) & watermelon soju cocktail (too sweet). Service is extremely slow due to being understaffed maybe? Our drinks took awhile it came out after our two taco items. They ran out of oysters which took awhile & came out last (I didn't care for their 3 sauces). One was way too salty, some type of icy clear maybe lychee infused sauce & house made hot sauce VERY VERY SPICY one note (no explanation from waitress) & their IPA's. This is where we asked for our check. Beware, there's an automatic 20% service fee added to all checks no matter the size of the party or even for happy hour. They don't tell you this in person upon walking in but do advertise on their website. I have no problem with this if the service & food is great. But for you to advertise your happy hour for oysters & bubbles but you're out of oysters & beer on a Tuesday with very slow service?? And on a crazy busy Padres game & heritage night?! Plan better!! All in all food is okay nothing mind blowing for 4-5 stars, our waitress is nice but service is slow. Maybe dinner is better & not their Hh? read more

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I was heartbroken to hear that Choi's has closed its doors. It was easily our absolute favorite spot in San Diego. Every single meal there was truly exceptional, filled with incredible food, warmth, and hospitality. It's going to be missed so much. read more

We made a reservation at 5:30pm and we were slightly late due to the increased traffic near the area from the Padres game. But although they had a 15 minute grace period, they were still able to hold our table and were super accommodating. They also had happy hour from 4-6pm I believe, which had a different and separate men Duck Mousse: It was part of there happy hour menu which ended at 6:00pm. The toast tasted so nice and the creme fresh complimented the duck mousse and toast. It was an amazing appetizer to get. Charred Gochujang Octopus: I love the flavors of the gochujang and how it doesn't taste too overbearing. The octopus felt a little chewy and may have been overcooked slightly. I liked how the charred tasting complimented the gochujang and it was not too spicy. Braised Short Rib: MY FAVORITE DISH. The wasabi mashed potatoes and kimchi demi was sooo delicious. The short rib was so tender and juicy and melted in my mouth. It was cooked to perfection and fell apart so nicely and smoothly. read more

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I've been to Chois twice now, and unfortunately, it hasn't lived up to the expectations. The service is decent but the food lacks authentic flavor. The restaurant is located next to Petco Park and you can either try for street parking or park in the structure nearby. Interior is set up with bar seating and tables. The oysters during happy hour were a good price but messy (found several shell fragments), and while the octopus and lobster were cooked to the right consistency, the sauces were unrecognizable. The "Gochujang" octopus didn't taste like gochujang, and the "K-Town" lobster bisque tasted nothing like tteokbokki sauce. To top it off, the Hotteok was a stale puff pastry rather than the traditional version. If you're looking for real Korean flavors, this might not be the spot. read more

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We were welcomed with a hand written note from the team. the ambiance is lovely. Very spacious and well planned. I liked that it was busy but it didn't feel crowded. You must get the fried chicken. My fiancé wanted to lick the plate - it was so good. The scallops were beautiful and fresh. And the pork belly wraps were my favorite. By the time we finished dinner, I requested we come back for my birthday. Then dessert came. And that was the nail in the coffin. Those Korean pancakes I could eat every day of my life. read more

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Choi's is quite unique for a Korean restaurant in San Diego. Super design forward, stylish and contemporary, gives me KATO vibes almost. Love that they have lotsa plant-based options that are very creatively plated and executed. The service there is almost Michelin-quality like !! Parking tip: Can be really difficult especially during Petco games/special events - Please call them on the day of to check if validation system works to park in the same complex. read more

Choi's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Choi's was such a great place to celebrate our anniversary this year! we were staying in the Gaslamp area and i wanted to find somewhere close-by that we could walk over to - it's right by Petco Park, and if you're driving they offer validated 2 hour parking which is a great option! when we walked in we were instantly welcomed into the clean, aesthetic restaurant, and they even gave us a little happy anni note, which was very kind :) our server Dylan was great and attentive, and service as a whole was timed perfectly. we ordered: - juri's melon margarita: so refreshing and light - da nang skies: creamy lychee lemon goodness! the makgeolli in this was chef's kiss - yellowtail crudo: the pickled ginger brine + coconut cream was a match made in heaven with the fish! - prime filet: cooked to medium perfection! so tender, juicy, and the banana ketchup sauce was A+ and matched well with the slightly salty filet. the green beans with a type of feta cream threw me off at first, but honestly i was addicted to it by the end - verlasso salmon: my fiancé really enjoyed it! salmon cooked really nice, longanisa aioli was unique and enjoyable!! the furikake rice felt like a great pairing too since it balanced sweet + salty too just like the filet - hotteok & vanilla ice cream: they prepared this for us as an anniversary treat and we were so happy with it! the hotteok was nice and flaky, the brown sugar with the strawberries + vanilla ice cream... it was just the perfect ending to a great meal very happy with our experience here, and we hope to come back soon to try more of their menu - the cocktails especially because they all sound so delicious! thank you, choi's team! read more

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If you're a frequent purveyor of Korean food, this place is exactly what you should be anticipating as you read the menu. Overall, the menu is a surprisingly unimaginative take on classic Korean concepts and dishes (a lot of "good, but...", as you'll read); price doesn't translate well into execution or portions. It's astonishing that this restaurant was rated so highly by so many. Came here with a group of friends on a Friday evening; while the time we chose was late (7PM), the restaurant was only partially full - plenty of tables sat empty for the rest of our meal. First red flag for a Friday night, despite having a chic, modern layout and moderately lit interior (one would've guessed that this would've been a great date spot or general hangout, especially at 7PM on a Friday). We were seated as soon as the rest of our table arrived, and our server was quick to assist us. There's more nuance to how the service was (you can message me about it, I'm not dinging them for it, it was an observation), but overall what you'd expect from a restaurant of this status. While the cocktails started us out well, unfortunately that's where the evening just plateaued. I will state, I'm aware this restaurant is considered "Korea Fusion" and that dishes are served single-portioned but we were treating them family-style. Yellowtail crudo - great, crisp flavors that are balanced out well by the brine and coconut cream that accompany it. Portion for even a single person is on the smaller side. Saewoojang crudo - as advertised, closer in concept to an aguachile - flavors were predominately orange and oil; textures were of interest here in that they all matched effectively a "firm citrus" (you'd understand if you had it). Charred Gochujang Octopus - Sauce was good but could've stood to be a bit more punchy to match the firmness of the octopus. Crunchy onions on top did add a bit of texture and saltiness to it, but would've preferred that the flavor came more from the gochujang and that the onions were a textural boost. Octopus itself was good, but was just a touch firm (for the pre-portioned bite) to my personal preference. K-Town Lobster - Honestly just a butter-poached lobster sitting in a tomato bisque. The tteokbokki inspiration felt the same way that La Croix gets its flavor inspirations. The arancini texture did not come through as gimmari. Braised short rib - For the price, a lackluster portion atop some unoriginal sides. Wasabi was completely non-existent in the matched potatoes. Doenjang Risotto Gone Wild - The umami one would pull from a doenjang wasn't the star here, it was the oyster mushroom flavor, leaving the dish tasting like a standard mushroom risotto. Arborio was slightly undercooked in places. Choi's Crispy Chicken - A KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) that honestly tasted identical to bonchon chicken. Take that as you wish. Avocado mash (read: simplified guac) didn't augment the flavor of the dish in any significant way. Bokbunja Tiramisu - I'll help you with the description - it's Korean black raspberry wine that makes it Korean-inspired. Elements of a traditional tiramisu all are there enough to get by. Hotteok and vanilla ice cream - exactly as described - extra-crisp hotteok with vanilla ice cream. Nothing special. Last thoughts: As a fusion restaurant, I came to Choi's hoping to see Korean classics blended with local ingredients, local knowledge, and playfully re-imagined displays or executions that take what we know to be Korean dishes and changes how we think of their key elements. What I got was what felt like an upscale-d and glossed-over Korean dining experience. -1* - Price for value -2* - Flavor profile P.S. - Da Nang Skies implies a pan-Asian influence that is not seen anywhere in the menu. Not sure where out of all the Korean elements on this menu there is suddenly a Vietnamese reference. read more

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Its year 3 for Choi's, and they've revamped the menu to include some new items! - PARKING - They validate up to 2 hours of parking! Go on 12th Avenue and you'll see a sign for Choi's parking. The gate is closed but once you drive up, it will automatically open. Make sure to take your ticket with you for them to validate! - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - Although the menu changed, the ambiance did not - still the same beautiful and classy atmosphere! They have a new soju infusion wall towards the back that I would recommend checking out - you'll see the labels of each jar and find the corresponding cocktail on the menu! Service was great then, and still great now. Very attentive, even though it was extremely busy! Javier was our server and although he was new, he definitely seemed like a veteran staff! So friendly and accommodating! I was very impressed when he remembered every thing we ordered without writing it down! - FOOD/DRINKS - = COCKTAILS = Gimhae Airport: So refreshing and delightfully sweet! Da Nang Skies: My husband ordered this and I was jealous because this was SO good!! = APPETIZERS = Saewoojang Crudo : The chive oil and chili oil with the marinated shrimp... just try it!! It's a fantastic way to start the meal if you like raw shrimp! Muscat Grape Toast : Sweet, savory, creamy - I'm also a mascarpone fiend so I loved it! Bulgogi Birria Vampiro : Compared to the other two, this didn't get a huge reaction but still good! = ENTREES = Tonkatsu Frontera : Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside! The grilled pineapples were a nice fresh bite to accompany the Tonkatsu. K-Town Lobster : Gimmari Arancini is a genius cuisine mashup! Lobster was just slightly chewy, but still a great portion. Galbi Glazed Tomahawk : You can't hate this cut of meat, especially when it has BONE MARROW BUTTER on it! This was the only slip up, but we mentioned my husband has a mango allergy and it looks like they still included the mango kimchi on this dish. Luckily he was OK eating the meat furthest away, but it would have been better for it to be completely separate. Note: must be ordered 24 hours in advance! = DESSERT = Bokbunja Tiramisu : Have I had Bokbunja before this? Nope. After eating this dessert I'm very intrigued! Think Raspberry Chocolate, but without the bitterness! Overall a wonderful dinner and a great way to start off 2026. I think as they hone in on this new menu and work out any adjustments, it will lead to another successful year for them! read more

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Asian fusion restaurant reopened and it did not disappoint. The ambiance is light yet decadent with pockets of seating giving privacy. The drinks are fun and vibrant in combination of flavors. The apps were delicious from the oysters to the octopus to the crudo to the grape toast. The grilled octopus was my favorite - just needs extra sauce! The entrees were decadent especially the tomahawk with bone marrow butter and kimchis. Definitely a hearty entree with the crispy potatoes. Lobster was cooked perfectly and the sauce was so good. The miso lingcod was my favorite. The soupy sauce with mushrooms was light and full of flavor. The "cheesecake" was my favorite dessert. Light and airy with the tart fruit is a great combo. Family style dining is the way to go so you can try a bit of everything! From the ambience when you walk in to the friendly servers and chefs, this was definitely a wonderful dining experience. read more

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Wonderful dining experience! Great decor and vibes! We had an excellent server (Joyce Z) that helped with our selections. Limited menu but wonderful offerings! We wanted to share each dish to maximize the tastings. Joyce was great helping us figure out how many dishes to order and made sure we would get enough to eat for our party of five! We brought our own wine. It was a very special bottle for our evening out and paired very well with our dishes (Niner Twister Spur). Corkage fee was $25, very reasonable. They offer cocktails mixed with Soju that are supposed to be very good. Next visit, we are definitely going to try a cocktail or two! For the food, we started with Fire Roasted Olives (compliments of the restaurant) and Bao Tacos. Just as other have reviewed, excellent and a must here! For entrees we ordered Choi's Crispy Chicken, Ahi Tuna Tataki, Doenjang Oyster Mushroom Risotto, and the Galbi Tomahawk. The Tomahawk usually requires advance ordering as it marinates for five days, but they had one to offer us. We were an early dinner, first patrons, so if interested in the Tomahawk, I would suggest ordering in advance. The Tomahawk was quite a show (see video)! The Rosemary accents were smoked at the table. Such a nice aroma. Beautiful presentation with mashed potatoes creatively placed in balls on the platter. Truly a work of art! The marinade flavor was very good. Ahi Tuna and Oyster Mushroom Risotto were both excellent! The star of the food show was the Choi's Crispy Chicken! OMG so good! We all agreed the best dish of the night (all were excellent). Definitely had a nice kick. Great seasoning and flavors. Personally, I would skip the Tomahawk and order more Crispy Chicken next visit! Crispy Chicken and Bao Tacos! We ended the mea .with a dessert to share. One dessert was more than enough with a the dishes we had but it's always nice to end on a sweet note! We ordered the Hotteok with Ice Cream. Crispy Korean pancakes filled with brown sugar syrup and topped with Vanilla Ice Cream with fruit compote. Definitely delicious! All of the dishes were beautifully arranged. Highly recommend sharing, we had plenty of food but finished everything and nothing came home except bones for a special dog (Luca). The restaurant is located across from Petco Park. Definitely would suggest having dinner here and skipping the ball park food! Parking is located in an adjacent parking structure, with signage for "Choi's". Validated for the first two hours. Parking location and information is included on their website, nice to see that. We will be back next time we visit San Diego! read more

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~Food/Drinks~ Mokpo Skies: Tastes like a lychee yogurt drink and it's not too strong. I love that all of their cocktails incorporate some Asian flavors. Scallops on the Half Shell: Each order comes with a single scallop. Unfortunately, the scallops are really small but the sauce was good. At first, you just taste the oil but then the yuzu breaks through at the end. Bao Taco: Also only comes with one bao per order and you can pick either bulgogi meat or mushroom. The bulgogi meat was kind of tough and stringy, not like KBBQ bulgogi meat that's soft and tender. I liked that the bun itself was fried and had a nice crisp while still being soft and fluffy inside. Bulgogi Birria Mulita - The bulgogi meat here was much more like what i would expect. I'm guessing they used different cuts of beef for the Bao Tacos? This was a very cool take on Korean-Mexican fusion food. It's saucy, sweet, and savory. Charred Gochujang Octopus - Cut into bite-sized pieces, super tender and smoky. The slightly charred pieces were my favorite because you get a little crunch. The gochujang crema didn't really have that much flavor to it but at least it's not spicy. Choi's Crispy Chicken: Comes with 3 pieces of chicken, very crispy and juicy. This was my favorite dish of the night because the chicken was cooked perfectly and the blend of sweet and savory flavors were so good. The yuzu avocado is creamy but light, and it's a nice balance between the sweet, savory fried chicken. Grandma's Pork Belly Bossam: We splurged and ordered the bossam as well. This dish comes with three different types of kimchi along with lettuce to make wraps. The pork belly was tender and fatty but the flavor tasted slightly different than what I've tried before. I believe Choi said that this recipe was a family one and the salt is infused with flavors reminiscent of his childhood and family. Shiitake Kimchi Risotto: Considering all of the food we ordered, I could've done without this. I was kind of hoping for something similar to kimchi pasta but it wasn't as creamy or kimchi-flavored as I wanted. Galbi Tomahawk: This is meant for like 3-4 people and you need to reserve and pay ahead of time. This giant tomahawk steak is served over a bed of rosemary (that's torched in front of you), along with two bone marrow mashed potatoes. The galbi marinade flavor is pretty good but doesn't penetrate as much as your typical short rib. The meat is tender and has a lot of fatty pieces. The bone also has some meat on it and unfortunately, we forgot to tell them to pack it or at least cut the meat off the bone when they packed the leftovers to-go for us. Hotteok and Vanilla Ice Cream - This was on the house for celebrating a birthday and it was large enough for 2, maybe even 3-4 people to share! It kind of reminds me of a funnel cake with the ice cream but I was also surprised to find like a brown sugar syrup stuffed in the pancake. Highly recommend! ~Service~ The service was so attentive here! The head chef/owner was manning the front and was very welcoming and friendly. He even came and checked in on us multiple times and it looks like he does it for all of his guests. ~Atmosphere~ Pretty casual vibe at Choi's. You can dress up but it's not required. We simply went in T-shirts and even wore a hat. ~Logistics~ Choi's is located right next to Petco Park so parking can be difficult. To avoid it, we just took the MTS to the 12th & Imperial stop and walked over. I also highly recommend making reservations beforehand. We got there right when they opened so it was pretty empty but when we left, the entire restaurant, including outdoor seating was completely full. They do have bar seating, which might be for walk-ins. ~Conclusion~ Overall, a pretty good meal. We basically tried everything off of their menu and found some favorites and some we could go without next time. If they change up the menu, I'd love to come back and try the new stuff! read more

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I really like this restaurant - it's a work in progress as they keep experimenting. And not everything slaps. But when the food or drink works, it's mind-blowing! Also, the patio is fabulous. Drizzly night and the place we initially had a reservation closed their patio. But I was happy to call Choi's and find we could still sit outside here. We were covered & dry and the heaters kept us nice and cozy. And neither of us eat meat, so my friend and I were glad to have a bunch of vegan and fish choices. We had Joyce as our server this time - Dylan, everyone's favorite server, was doing bar duty. Joyce was less schmoozy LOL - but very nice and the service was fine. Also a great busser whose name I didn't get. The disappointing thing: they have taken off the side dishes like the bean sprouts. Some people were mad paying for side dishes at a Korean restaurant - but this is upscale fusion, and I didn't mind because the bean sprouts were hella delicious. Also they were more filling than some of the other more expensive courses. Bring 'em back! I tried a non-alcoholic drink for a change, the Peaches Out in Choi's (Lemon, Mint, Peach). Tasted off, like something icky. No problem sending it back. I switched over to the Choi's, which is a raspberry bubbly cocktail, with bokbunja, matcha, soju, and prosecco. I would normally want something heavier and less sweet but it was fun to try. They comped us some fire roasted olives to start (normally $10). Holy flavor bomb, batman! The olives had manchego on them, which I was suspicious of - but the perilla oil and the fire roasting was spectacular. They were super rich, though, so I didn't want to eat more than 2 of them and I waited for the next course. Mushroom bao taco: amazing! I never ordered it before and was suspicious but my friend got it and it was another flavor bomb inside. I'll get this again. Ssamjang babaghanoush: Meh. My friend actually really liked it, and it's a little more filling than some other dishes cuz of the pita. But I wouldn't get this again. Ahi Tuna Tataki: can I say that the bok choy that came with this dish was AMAZING? Like, I'd eat a whole plate of this bok choy. Who gets excited about bok choy? Usually not me. But it was grilled and pretty spectacular. Unfortunately only 2 pieces on the plate, one for me and one for my friend. We wanted more! Put this on the menu on its own! As for the tuna, my friend liked it more than me. I felt that the texture or something was off - I don't know if it's the buttermilk or what. But I wouldn't order this again - I'd just ask if they can hook me up with bok choy as a side order. Doenjang Risotto Gone Wild: very delicious. Super fun. Not huge though. I devoured this and wanted more and was still hungry. We got the Bokbunja Tiramisu for dessert. Honestly, I did not taste the raspberry and it tasted like regular tiramisu to me. But it was super tasty and rich, and we both enjoyed it. Finally, the parking! You do get 2 hours free with validation. But keep in mind that you should wait until the very last minute to get it stamped! I asked Joyce to validate at about 2 hours but then we hung out and talked for a while - and when I went to leave the garage, I was charged $10 for 40 mins. In theory, it's only supposed to be $2 every 20 minutes beyond the free 2 hours, but I guess after she scanned it, it decided I was no longer a customer and it charged me $10 for less than an hour. I still love Choi's and look forward to coming again. Not every dish on the menu is a winner - but the chef is crazy talented and when a dish works, it's one of the most exciting places in town. read more

Went on a Saturday night. We had a reservation, which we had marked that we had a birthday at the table. Choi's reached out ahead of time to see the name of the person celebrating, which was quite considerate. The name, along with birthday wishes, was on the reservation card on the table. They have music on weekends, which I loved. It is a little bit loud at times, but there are tables farther away you could ask for if desired. Our server was very nice, but he does need to work on speaking louder when the music is playing. They do not have a full bar. Their cocktails are soju based, so not being a fan in soju, I chose wine. The others at the table also did wine or beer. We had two couples, so each couple decided to order a few dishes. On our side, we got 2 scallops, a seafood bao, the gochujang octopus, and the crispy chicken, which the server suggested we order with a side of rice. The scallops were simple and light, but well done. I have to say the octopus wasn't as tender as I hoped, but the sauce was quite good - just a hint of spiciness. The fried chicken was definitely on point - perfectly crispy, not greasy, and not overdone with breading. The sauce was a little sweet and a little spicy, but not too sticky like some Korean chicken can be. During the meal, they actually brought out a birthday soup. Not being a huge dessert person, I loved this option - especially since it had a cultural meaning behind it. The server said it was something maybe a mother or grandmother would make for a birthday. Overall it was a nice experience, and the food was good. The price point unfortunately is a little high, so probably not somewhere I would frequent. I think they have a happy hour, but I wish they would post that menu on their website as well. I might come more often and sit at the bar, but would like to know those options. Anyway, give it a try. They do have lots of other happy reviewers! read more

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My friends and I went downtown to Choi's for a little girls' night out. It was my first time trying this restaurant, which had been recommended to me by another friend. Based on her glowing reviews, I was really excited to try it for myself! In terms of parking, we parked in the structure reserved for guests. It's a little tricky to find, but there's a sign out front of the garage, so you'll know it when you see it. They offer 2 hours of free parking. We had a reservation, but there was also plenty of seating available, as we went on a weekday night. Our waitress was incredibly personable, and honestly? Her service was probably the highlight of my dining experience! Here is the breakdown of the food/drinks I tried, ranked from top to bottom: Bulgogi Birria Mulita: Best course of the night. Actually, I typically avoid beef in my diet, but I had to make an exception for this dish. It was so worth it, too! Incredibly flavorful meat, Smoky, tender, and packed with toppings. Just wish there was more of it! Risotto: This was also a solid dish! Not much to say, as it tastes exactly like what you think. This was actually a fair portion, too! Very creamy and flavorful. Mokpo Skies: This cocktail had notes of lychee and citrus, which made it perfectly sweet! I didn't even taste much alcohol, which probably made it dangerous...! Grandma's Pork Belly Bossam: I was very thankful we ordered something with vegetables, haha. I wish I liked this dish more, but the meat was just very salty in my opinion. I liked the sides, though. Scallops: My friends liked them! I'm just not a fan of seafood. Overall, it was a fun experience to get dressed up and eat good food. I don't know if I'd go out of my way to return, but I wouldn't be opposed to it either. I think that, because there are so many great (and more affordable) Asian options in San Diego, I'd only choose Choi's for a special occasion or celebration. read more

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Really good! Great service. I'd come here again. Really pretty interior. Loved the rack of lamb and the crudo. I definitely need to come back and try the bossam and also the desserts. read more

This might be the most pleasant dining experience I've ever had, from the service, the food, and the gorgeous interior design that was classy yet cozy. My coworkers and I came here after a conference. We were only in town for two days so we wanted to go somewhere nice! It was also my birthday and one of my other coworker's birthday within a few days so we decided to celebrate that since it's a pretty rare occasion to have us all in one place for a dinner. Our server Dylan was so attentive and friendly and we had the best time yapping with him throughout the night. He even brought us shooters (double for my friend and I who had birthdays) and dessert on the house which was great! The food was incredible and definitely worth the higher price tag. For appetizers, we got the shrimp crudo and raw scallops. Both tasted extremely fresh with citrusy sauces that paired so well with the seafood. The Choi's fried chicken was actually one of our favorites despite being one of the simpler dishes! The chicken's sauce was sweet and we all loved the yuzu avocado that it came with. The tuna tataki was another crowd pleaser. I had ordered this one (but we were all family styling it) and everyone in our group was asking for 2nds and 3rds. The tuna, bok choy, and fried scallions were perfect with the sauce it came with. If there was one dish to skip, I think we could have passed on the pork belly. It was good and I liked that there were many different types of kimchi, but it didn't blow my mind the way the other dishes did. Of course the star of the show was the tomahawk steak. We weren't planning on getting it at first but our manager said we should so of course we agreed... It was perfectly cooked and we loved how flavorful it was with the mildly sweet sauce and roasted rosemary aroma! The bone marrow mashed potatoes tasted like normal mashed potatoes but paired nicely with the steak. Dylan also kindly wrapped the giant bone for our friend's dog who really enjoyed it. For drinks, we got wine and cocktails! There was a very broad selection of wines to choose from which is great for wine experts like our manager. The cocktails were delicious and sweet and sooo gorg! Of course I had to take pics of them all together! Lastly, the desserts might have been the best part. Idk if my friends would agree but tiramisu is my favorite dessert ever so when Dylan brought it out I basically clicked my heels together in glee and yelped with joy. It was so fluffy and delicious!!! Might have been one of the best tiramisus I've ever had. The hotteok was also amazing and was flaky and fried and reminded me of Thai dessert roti. It paired really nicely with the vanilla ice cream. I'm so glad Dylan brought them out for us because I never usually order dessert, but if I knew it was this good I definitely would have!! Overall I thought the food was beautifully plated and made with so much thought and care. I would definitely come back! read more

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Chose Choi's for a 1:1 birthday dinner for one of my closest friends and it was an awesome experience! First off, service was S-tier. Shoutout to our server, Joyce, for the great service and awesome food recs. The rest of the staff that night was also really nice and attentive and the manager even came out to have a birthday shot with us! The food and drinks were delicious. From the two starters we got, I definitely recommend the octopus. Was the perfect texture and flavor combo I've had for octopus in a long while. For the mains we tried the risotto and the wellington and they were perfect portions for two people. I will agree with some other reviewers that the prices are on the higher side and there are other korean spots around SD with high quality for cheaper; but this is definitely a spot for special occasions so you're paying for the presentation, the up-scale twists, and the awesome vibes. Speaking of vibes, the inside is beautiful and spacious. Definitely room for small to larger groups and I can see it being pretty busy on weekends; especially with it being in downtown right next to Petco Park. Overall awesome downtown spot and would definitely come back to try more of the menu! read more

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So it is true. The third time is the charm. With Nikko, the problematic bartender, gone to God knows wherever - Bavaria? Io? A leather cult? - I could let my hair down and return to the first five-star experience I had (spoiler alert: see my previous review of Choi's. And, oh Lordy, I had it. (I found out Nikko was 86'd when Chef Choi texted me at 1030P, the evening I printed my review. The price for Nikko was - and there is always a price to be paid in life for getting want you want - is that Eric, the best bartender West of The Titons - moved on. And that makes me sad. Not in a I-just-found-out-they-have-to-remove-my-anus sort of way. But in a fuck-you-because-you-moved-on-and-I-didn't-get-to-say-goodbye way. But...as my first dish was being served, I just assumed it was Eric (this was before I learned that he had left), I said something snarky and memorable only to find out that it was Chef Choi serving me. I suddenly turned into a nervous, teenage girl meeting the singer of her favorite band. I didn't know what to say so I asked him about the Korean language which only made it more awkward for me and really a random thing to ask. He was gracious and as young as I presumed, but he also had an easy smile and a quick laugh. A sort of hail-fellow, well-met sort. He served me again at dessert, but by then I was hooked. You know in a thread when there's the up arrow followed by: 'This.' That's how I feel about Choi's. I'm hooked. I don't care if it takes Chef Choi ten years before he changes the menu. I'd still come back and be enthralled (and he has changed the menu as demonstrated by his really good sense of humor). read more

Choi's - Whipped Feta, Guindilla peppers, and a balsamic glaze? Fuck me! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

My wife and I went here for dinner expecting to eat great food based on all the high reviews and the upscale price, but we were instead left with disappointment and a big fat check with an unexpected automatic 20% gratuity fee for 2 people. Food: We got several appetizers and 3 entrees. We had the Mango Kimchi Salad, Bulgogi Birria Vampiro, Silkworm Pupa Tacos, Doenjang Risotto, Miso Lingcod, and Braised Short Rib. We got plenty of dishes to try, but unfortunately they were either simply mediocre or had an issue. The Kimchi Salad was too strong in spice and the mangos were unripe and hard. The Birria Vampiro was simply mediocre and sort of bland. Silkworm Pupa Tacos were again sort of bland. The Risotto was undercooked and crunchy instead of 'al dente'. Miso Lingcod had a very fishy taste and not much else. And the Braised Short Rib was too salty. Drinks: I got the Choi's cocktail and my wife got the Gangnam Style espresso martini. Both drinks were very well made and tasted great! Service: Unlike the food, the service was great! From the person who confirmed our reservation, to the staff at the front of the door, and to our server, they were all extremely friendly. We were celebrating an occasion, which we made known when booking and upon sitting down we got a handwritten card with a congratulations note. That was very unexpected and awesome! We also got a couple of complimentary cocktail shots from the bartender while we were there. Overall, I would say the staff and service was extremely good. Parking: The area of San Diego that Choi's is located is unfortunately very bad. Overfilled with homeless, drug addicts, and just plain shady looking people who roam the streets. I was overjoyed when I found out that they give you two hours of complimentary parking in a safe place! So to summarize: The staff that provide great service, the bartender with awesome drinks, and the free parking in a safe place simply do not make up for the main reason we were there: the food. The only reason I gave this place 2 stars instead of 1 was because of all these other factors besides the food. Before paying the bill and leaving, we did let the server know about the issues we found with the food in a very friendly and constructive way. She was thankful for the honesty and the feedback. read more

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This place is an absolute GEM!! Came here impromptu for a late dinner and couldn't have been more impressed. The restaurant oozes vibe without trying too hard and the food is thoughtfully creative and delicious. The inside decor is trendy without being over the top with the center bar being the highlight of the room. Ssamjang babaganoush - the star of the show for everyone at the table! We basically licked this dish dry! Lol. So unique - you can taste the nuttiness of the ssamjang and the sweetness of the miso honey. It all balances out with the crispness of the pita. Please keep this as permanent item on the menu so I can get it again when I come back!' *kneel, pray, beg* Choi's crispy chicken - served with a yuzu avocado sauce which was interesting. The chicken was cooked well and the sauce was on the sweeter side. Overall it was good, but given how blown away we were with some of the other large plates J would say this dish was a bit overshadowed. Grandma's bossam - melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. Best I've ever had. This dish feels like home and I almost didn't want to share! The different paired kimchi were perfection in adding texture and taste. Drool worthy. 11 out of 10. A very ordinary Wellington - we were so full by the time this dish came out, I'm not sure we did it justice! Crispy crust, moist steak that was so tender it cut like short rib with a regular butter knkfe. Asian flavors were definitely prominent coming through the soy duxelles. Chef Jiwoo Choi is a genius and I can't wait to come back!!!! read more

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We had the best server, Dylan, who took amazing care of us and had excellent recommendations. This is a great place for groups or date night & they even offer 2 hour parking validation in the nearby parking garage. My group loved the birria tacos, octopus, & tomahawk (remember to reserve in advance). The cocktails were tasty & presented nicely. They also have unique korean-inspired desserts that are definitely worth trying. read more

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Dylan was an incredible server. We're visiting town and will be back before we leave. He was kind, patient, and very attentive. The food was great, and you can't beat the oyster happy hour. See you tomorrow, Choi's. read more

This meal was simply not good. Inedible raw shrimp, crudo in gloopy unidentifiable sauces, undercooked risotto, tasteless cod in watery congee, a bizarre unappetizing"cheesecake". It's so rare to go to an upscale restaurant and not want to finish the plates but this is how we felt here. It was hard to want to eat. And this is an expensive place. Also very strangely, they kept letting us know that the food would not be spicy (almost as though we might be afraid of spice?). We love spice! When I think of Korean food I think of spice! But there was none here. Not sure why? What did we love? The kimchi salad and the birria taco. Servers were kind and trying very hard. I do not understand the concept of the restaurant and do not understand their high Yelp rating. San Diego dining can be so strange sometimes. read more

We had a magnificent time at Choi's. The food, ambiance, and staff were all above expectations. For appetizers, we had the oysters, kimchi salad, and crudo. We were told to mix the kimchi salad and all the flavors blended well. It had mango nasturtium, cucumber, and pineapple. For oysters, they had 3 different kinds and we had to get all of them. We loved trying each and comparing them. The bulgogi birria vampiro was also a favorite with a good fusion of flavors. For entrees, the braised short ribs were so tender and melted in our mouths. And we loved the K Town lobster in the lobster bisque and uniquely served with arancini's. For dessert they have a great selection. You can't go wrong with any of them. Javier was a really helpful and friendly server. After each dish was brought out, we liked how each was described as it was served. Highly recommend Choi's for an intimate dining experience. They also have a parking structure with 2 hour complimentary parking, read more

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