Oi Fusion in Carmel Mountain is a casual Asian fusion spot with bowls, fries, wings, desserts, and…read morehonestly a menu where everything sounds good. One of my favorite things about this place is how easy it is. You order on the kiosk, grab a seat, and your food usually comes out within like 10-15 minutes. The inside has a lot of seating and even games like Jenga which makes it feel like a fun spot to hang out for lunch. I didn't interact much with service since I used the kiosk, but the worker upfront was really friendly and even brought my takeout to my table. This time I tried the Dynamite Crawfish Bowl and the Dynamite Fries. The bowl comes with crawfish, rice, dynamite sauce, eel sauce, seaweed, sesame seeds, and pickled radish on top. The fries normally come with sweet potato fries but I swapped mine for regular fries because I just wasn't feeling sweet potato that day. The fries were honestly kind of underwhelming. It was basically fries with dynamite sauce and only a few pieces of garlic confit, which was the part I was most excited for. They weren't bad, just really underwhelming. I honestly think the sweet potato fries probably would've worked better with the flavors. The crawfish bowl though was really good. The crawfish had this slight smoky flavor to it like it was lightly torched and they give you a lot in each bite. The rice was fluffy and cooked perfectly and the pickled radish on top helped cut through all the richness from the sauces. Everything worked really well together flavor wise. My only complaint is that halfway through the bowl the flavors started blending together a little too much and it gets boring, but overall it was still super satisfying and filling. Definitely still one of my favorite quick lunch spots in Carmel Mountain and somewhere I'd bring friends because the menu has so many good options. Their dessert menu also sounds insane so I already know I'll be back.

Love this place! If I lived closer, I'd be a weekly regular. Every time I'm in the area, I gotta…read moreswing by. I love their take on Filipino and Japanese fusion. My favorites are the chicken adobo and loco moco bowls. My husband usually gets their dynamite crawfish bowl. The food is tastefully crafted together. For an introvert like me, I don't mind ordering ahead of time or using their kiosk to order and wait in the dining room. They still greeted me and was super friendly when giving me my order. Their walls are decorated with pictures of their food and a wall of art. So cute. The tables looked new and clean.

Great to have Vietnamese cuisine out here. Me and the fam stopped by on our way to lake Jennings…read more The owner was very kind and sweet. She was super helpful. We ordered the pho dac biet which is their house special and some banh mi. It was authentic, although I wish they had pâté on it. The pho broth was clean and yummy it had shrimp along with some meat. I'd recommend it since it's their house special!

Might be the #1 pho imho. The flavor is top notch, and the…read moreservice is great. This soup brings you back to life when you're sick hahaha. The egg-rolls are delicious too. Whenever I am asked by friends for a pho spot this is the place is recommend. Check it out if you're near the El Cajon area. Seating is indoor as well as outdoor. Plenty of space.

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

My wife and I wanted to go somewhere upscale and special during our vacation in San Diego. After…read morereading reviews and looking at the menu, we settled on Animae and made a Dinner reservation. Food: With all the hype, we were expecting great food... and boy did they deliver! We ordered a variety of different appetizers and entrees, and each one was literally perfection in all ways possible! Presentation, texture, and taste, all came together in every single dish to create a unique and lasting memory. The food simply cannot be over hyped, it really is that good. Dessert: After having some of the best food we have ever tasted, we definitely wanted to give their dessert a try as well. We shared the Sticky Rice Creme Brulee. Simply wow! Once again made to perfection. Service: The staff were very friendly and our server was knowledgeable and answered all our questions to help us pick what to order for the evening. She even brought us a complementary desert when she found out we were celebrating an occasion. Ambiance: The restaurant looked and felt upscale. There interior design was very well done. I particularly loved the multiple sources of low lighting that created a calm atmosphere. To Summarize: We had some of the best food of our lives, honestly. You can tell that so much care and planning was put into each and every dish they make. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive. The ambiance of the restaurant was inviting and calm. Literally everything about our experience here was perfect!

The staff who helped mom with a takeout bowl was super friendly and packed some hot sauce without…read morebeing requested. I'll definitely be back when I visit North SD next. Thank you!

Yummy hot pots. Loved the food and service. I got the ribeye pot with no egg. The sauces are very…read moreflavorful.

Came back again and this spot continues to deliver exactly what I'm craving: hearty, comforting…read moreFilipino flavors done right. The bowls are generous, well-balanced, and clearly made with care. The glazed pork belly over rice was rich and savory with just the right amount of sweetness, and the soft-boiled egg added that perfect jammy finish. The crispy fried chicken bowl hit hard too--super crunchy on the outside, juicy inside, and satisfying without being greasy. Lumpia were hot, crisp, and addictive, especially dipped in the sauce on the side. Everything felt fresh, filling, and reasonably priced. Simple setup, no frills--just solid food that keeps me coming back. Definitely one of those low-key spots that's easy to overlook but worth the stop.

Did a late run here for food. Nabbed some longanisa and egg bowl with rice. Filling, tasty, and…read moregood if you're looking for brinner (breakfast for dinner).

I am so in love with this place. I gave up on my pho place in Poway and I found this place. It's…read morenext to the Ramona Noodle place. So, I called on a Saturday - about 5, to place an order. My order was done so quickly! I think this place is just a big secret because it wasn't too crowded. I ordered grilled tofu in the vegetarian spring rolls. Two orders, one for today I'm getting so hungry talking about them! 2 rice paper rolls stuffed with grilled tofu, lettuce, fresh mint bean sprouts & vermicelli noodles. This photo does not do it justice! Served with peanut sauce. So good - everything is so absolutely fresh - crispy vegetables. And the Stir fried egg noodle dish -crispy - OMG! I wasn't prepared for the "bird nest" noodles but was so wonderfully surprised (they need to put bird's nest noodles and more people would buy it - came with a bright tasting brown vegetarian sauce and amazing with the -vegetables and grilled tofu - (I ordered it that way). I did not touch the color on the photo. This was such a luxurious meal. So, they have a Buddha and what most people know who know Buddhists and their restaurants --Buddhist who own restaurants know how to cook fresh and keep everything clean - and they will not cheat you. It becomes giving you an amazing experience because it's really to honor Buddha - to make you happy. I mean, I wish all restaurants were owned by Buddhists. So don't be all weird when you see the Buddha out front. Seriously. Having spent a lot of time in fantastic Asia and India - the restaurants - this is very comparable. With everything going on right now in the fields and vegetable rotting in the dirt because of ICE raids, they have sourced their venders with care and can offer amazingly FRESH vegetables. Usually when I comment about vegetables in my reviews, it's to only describe them as, Meh. Not this place!!! Looks like a great date location. It's only 20 minutes from Poway. And a world away from Pho Ca Dao in Poway that NEVER gets my order right, not only not-right, you pick it up and you're paying for something more expensive - that you don't want That place is so wrong. This place is a keeper! Finding this place was like that moment when you hear angels singing aaaaaahhhhhhh I ordered take-out, but this will be one of mine and my husband's weekend places now. The interior is lovely and immaculately clean. Looks comfy - and the place is huge. Has outdoor seating.

Food is absolutely horrible and the employees are even more horrible, I ordered a number 13 which…read moreis a three meat pho When they brought my pho I saw nothing but straight fat/grizzle inside the pho it was absolutely disgusting, when I notified the waiter he gave me lots of dirty looks and refused to remake the order or even Bring actual meat, instead he rudely told me to leave and I don't need to pay. They obviously don't care about there customers in addition the bathrooms did were very dirty and dated and also had no hand washing soap. Save your time and money and just go down the hill Mira mesa has some of the best pho restaurants.

Came here with their revamped fine dining Korean Asian Fusion menu during Happy Hour and this place…read morewas 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.

My wife and I went here for dinner expecting to eat great food based on all the high reviews and…read morethe 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.

I am from San Jose and I am always looking around on Yelp or tik tok for Filipino breakfast spots…read moreas they are my FAVORITE. I am so glad I found Luna's Lunpias. When we walked in, the staff were so friendly and went over the specials and also let us know what they didn't have for that morning. (Thankfully everything I was planning to order they had all of it)! Drinks: Calamasi Refresher The nice staff member recommended this drink and it was the perfect pairing with our breakfast. I usually stick with drinking water but this was a really good pick! 5/5 Appetizers: Pork lumpia: 5/5, of course we had to get this! Combo plates: Longsilog bowls ~ which came with garlic rice, fried egg, scoop of Mac and cheese. It was super filling and I thought it was never ending witu the amount of longsilog they gave. This dish paired well with their spice vinegar. There were literally no crumbs left. I always love supporting family owned restaurants. Filipino food is my top favorite foods. I can't wait to come back in August!

We're not in the Poway area often, but decided to stop by Luna's Lunpias one day while heading…read morenorth. They are located in a large plaza with plenty of parking. LUMPIAS: Tried both the pork and beef lumpias and while both were good, we all liked the pork ones more since they just had more of a kick to them. Perfectly fried and crispy! BREAKFAST MUSUBI: We wanted to try this and see how well the hashbrown went with the musubi. It was decent but don't think it's something I would get again. It was a bit hard to eat as the whole thing fell apart quickly so we ended up picking at it like a salad. SISIG COMBO PLATE: I was able to get half half garlic fried rice and pancit for my carbs. Nice, crispy pork belly cut into the perfect bite sized pieces. Loved the mango serrano salsa! UBE CHEESECAKE: I wanted the minis but they were out at the time, so I ended up getting the full sized one. It's still not too big so perfect for 1-2 people. Good flavor and not overly sweet! Overall, great Filipino food although pricey for what it is; I got a bit of sticker shock when my total showed up. It's also a bit out of the way, but I'd definitely return to try other menu items if I'm ever passing though the area again. Definitely just a once in a while visit for me anyways because of the cost.

for nearly two years, Scout, my orange, husky-looking mut and I have been driving by their…read morenow-shuttered Encinitas location four times a week after playdates at Power Lines Dog Park. every time we do, I think "we gotta back there for another visit." pretty sure CHIKO has aged out of my draft queue. now that I've finally gotten around to finishing the review, they've been closed for months. in the draft, I suggested CHIKO might not be a destination restaurant, but if you happen to be in the neighborhood, it's definitely a place worth stopping by for eats. if you wait long enough, like I did, the nearest ones are in the DC area and probably not worth a cross-country trip. sad.

Post-mortem... I was sad to hear that CHIKO permanently closed their doors at the end of last year…read more It's rare for an East Coast based Asian chain restaurant to migrate to California, but that was what CHIKO did. As noted by its name, this place served a fusion of Chinese and Korean cuisines. Their Encinitas location took over what used to be a roadside diner along N Coast Hwy 101. The seating capacity was less than 40 people which included a few high-top counter spots. At my last visit, I came for a late dinner before their closing time. A large menu was posted on the wall behind the service counter that listed about two dozen food offerings. The items seemed to be comfort food like pot stickers, spring rolls, fried rice, and chicken wings but flavored with unique combinations of seasonings and spices. I started my meal with the Marinated Beef Tri-Tip Skewers which came as a set of three and a Chinese mustard for dipping. The meat was very tender and well-seasoned. I also ordered the Cumin Lamb Stir Fry which the cashier said was medium spicy. After tasting a couple of bites of the noodles from the serving bowl, I agreed that the heat level was moderate, even for my palate. I thought the portion size should have been more for the price. That was my main criticism for both items, otherwise the food was solid for an Asian fusion eatery.