Lilo - Te dictionary of Obscure Sorrows Says n.a friendship that can lie dormant for years only to pick right back up instantly, as if you'd seen each other last week--which is all the more remarkable given that certain other people can make every lull in conversation feel like an eternity. My words? Choreographed Consumation Paragonial Perfection Culinary Eruption It is a bit like being hosted at a private homes dinner party, starting in the garden and being served then moving through to a tea patio. A highly choreographed, friendly, experimentation of flavors completed in front of you with detailed guidance of what you are experiencing read more

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It's Chef Eric creating yet another magical experience. Do I really need to say Michelin Star Chef Eric again? Lilo is his second Michelin Star Restaurant in Carlsbad. And the second time I am going to this restaurant. Of course! (I had to check it out myself first, before bringing anyone)! So I am at Lilo, Carlsbad once again but this time I am bringing a small group! They seat us outside first, with the most amazing appetizers anyone could ever ask for. They also give us a grape pressed drink that is so thirst quenching and yummy. What a great start. Just check out the pictures here. Then they come to escort us to our table. There are only 2 tables in the entire place. The rest are comfy seats around a counter. Fortunately, we are right in front of the chefs working to create, plate and deliver the food, giving us the details of what we are about to eat. Is this really worth a trip to Carlsbad and spending this much? Yes. A hundred times YES! Please look at the Pix to get an idea of what was served. So many wonderful flavors, beautifully plated. One of the first things we get to try in the courtyard is Black Truffle Sable. It's goat cheese and more between a thin roasted Chicken Skin. That plus a few other tastings. What a great way to start a meal sitting around a beautiful tree that had to be airlifted into the courtyard. There is not one thing about this experience that does not make you feel warm and fuzzy ... well taken care of.  It's worth the expense. And again, a great way to start the experience. "Madai Rock Crab is a perfect bite" says Robyn. It's course after course of creative and a creatively plated variety of fish, with amazing sauces that no one normally makes at home. You certainly, I certainly would not be able to create these flavor profiles. After a couple of courses, Ana Maria is still talking about the starter that was 'very earthy the first bite, but with wine as a gelatin you can really taste, as well as the goat cheese". Halfway through the meal we find ourselves agreeing that N25 Kaluga Caviar is 'the bomb'. So good. So unexpected. Ice Cream & Caviar. It's their signature dish, because Chef Eric says: "It's been on the menu from the start". All their seafood is seriously, intentionally fresh and good. The quality and creativity is off the charts. Miyazaki Wagyu has a sauce that is just ah-mazing. And while the beef itself is great, "it's the sauce that really makes you appreciate what you're eating". Ana Maria continues "I love the contrast of flavors and the meat is very tender". Robyn adds: "The vinegar flavor is just exquisite". If I'm being honest, I don't even eat steak, but the flavor profile on this dish is what you would hope beef tastes like". I went back in my blogs to hear myself say this very thing about Ludo Lefevre's Steak at one of this pop ups in Los Angeles, 2012. I guess I can't say I don't eat cow any more. I'll have to change it to 'don't eat cow often'! As we continue Madhu comments: "This is just the right amount of food". Ana Maria comments: "The scallops are amazing with 2 different sauces". And I must say beef and scallops are my most unfavorite proteins, but both of these are so good, both of these are treated with such love and care, you find yourself enjoying food you haven't really enjoyed before. Towards the end, Ana Maria comments: "I like it when there are more chefs than people". There's about 14 chefs and 35 people, but it's less people at any given time. And she's right. There's so many chefs preparing and presenting their food to you that it feels that way. It's time to pay our bill and they give us a special space to do so. We are back in the courtyard sipping tea when I overhear Robyn say: "This whole meal has been a perfect bite". What a wonderful birthday she is having. And they did give her what I call 'A Birthday Bite'. We each take our own small taste and find it hard to believe how delicious this dessert is. My favorite thing about this evening happens at the end, when Chef Eric let's me know he is participating in Chefs Across America with Chef Marian, so I get to interview him for my new series soon! Whoo hoo! I will say if you are looking for a special occasion place, Lilo is like going to France without having to pay for the flight. Everything is created with such love and care. I say: 'Do it'! And I'm sure I will be back! With garlic, gusto & gratitude, Chef Marian San Diego Foodies Carlsbad Foodies read more

Heard about lilo gaining a star in 2 months so decided to check it out. Overall a seafood forward place that has the intimate open kitchen bar seating paired with a course tasting menu. Very protein and seafood focused with lots of japanese and Californian inspirations. Some highlights were: Caviar w/ ice cream: well paired, addition of thr salty cured and smoked celery root actually added a nice touch. Reminded me of noma 2024 seafood. Ribeye wagyu: the truffle addition didnt add much but for 35$, not too much. Overall if you are in the area, lilo is a great visit for a special occasion. If you have the chase saphire reserve credit, it also counts toward the open table credit. read more

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This was hands down, one of the best dining experiences I have ever had! I took myself out for my birthday & Lilo did not disappoint! As soon as I walked up, they knew who I was, spooky yet cool. Customer service was superb & I have been to several Michelin star restaurants & this has been the best yet. Everyone was so professional & personable, which truly made a lasting impression. The restaurant is inspired by the California Coast so I started in their beautiful, heated outdoor area. Then transitioned inside. At the end, they moved me back outside where I ended the evening with a wonderful cup of tea. All of the dishes are made thoughtfully using the freshest ingredients. I loved all of the seafood & meat dishes & how all of the flavors just complemented one another. It was exciting watching the chefs create their dishes, meeting each chef & learning about each dish. They were all so passionate, it was amazing to encounter. I especially loved how the attire was not stuffy & seemed more lax, definitely appropriate to the California Coast theme. Some guests were dressed nicely, some casually & more importantly, everyone was comfortable. This was a key point that I heard many people raving about. Overall, perfect vibes, superb service & excellent food, 10/10 a must go to! PS. Please open an ice cream store & serve that addicting ice cream dish with the caviar on top! I still dream about it...! read more

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A truly memorable experience from start to finish. Lilo received a Michelin star for 2025 and it's absolutely deserved! If you have the chance to dine here, absolutely do! You will pay for your dinner upon reservation, but if you happen to order any additional drinks/upgrades, you will pay that after your meal day of. - PARKING - Private lot specifically made for Lilo patrons. Since they have a limited amount of seating, I don't think you'll ever have an issue grabbing a spot here. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - From the moment we walked out of our cars, we felt so welcomed and valued. The staff member waiting outside the courtyard entrance immediately greeted us warmly, even with our names correctly! (they must do extensive review/research of each customer) They also offered to take a photo which I wanted to do - it's the small acts of service that add up to the entire experience! The outdoor courtyard is simple yet beautiful. My husband and I love open kitchen layouts, which is what they have for the main dining room. It's very intimate, but you still get the feeling of your own meal from the way the staff guide you through your courses. - EXPERIENCE - Starting at the courtyard garden area, you get some initial small bites here and a drink if you'd like! They also let you review the main dining drink booklet, where you can order pairings or individual cocktails. You're then led into the main dining room where the seats are arranged in a u-shape around the open kitchen. There are two 4-seater tables as well. Every single dish was presented so beautifully, I felt bad destroying the art they created! I do think some chefs seemed to be more confident in the dish they were serving, and had more to say on the background than others. Highlights: - Big Eye Tuna and Wagyu Beef Croustade - Scallop: That white asparagus flavor is so unique! Scallops were cooked perfectly! - N25 Kaluga Caviar: Orgeat Ice Cream with the Celery Root Bushi AND Caviar? A mix of flavors I absolutely LOVED! - Laminated Brioche: I'm a huge bread lover, and can appreciate the love and effort that went into this! They let us know it took over 4-days of labor... I could tell! A5 Miyazaki Wagyu: You can never go wrong with this cut! I do think the Radicchio and Dashi Vinegar was a bit too bitter and salty though. - SPECIAL THANKS - They gave us complimentary champagne for our anniversary, as well as some brioche to take home, without us asking! I probably showed my excitement too much... but they happily sent us away with two little loaves! Matthew also came by to review our experience as we were sitting in the courtyard enjoying our tea, and he told us about Wildland which is their bakery behind Lilo. He went above and beyond to grab us a baguette, which we appreciated so much! We were already planning on going to Wildland on another day, but now are even more excited to after trying their bread. I also really appreciated his candor and wanting to hear about our experience at their other restaurant, Jeune et Jolie, which wasn't nearly as good as Lilo in our opinion. Another special thanks to Aubrey who was just delightful in every interaction we had with her. - OVERALL - Such an amazing experience that we will continue to rave about to our friends! We will absolutely be recommending Lilo to our friends and family! It's an expensive meal... but the memories made here were priceless. read more

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I loved it! I'm not a fine dining gal, but I'm married to a fine dining guy, so I get roped into these situations a lot. I know, poor me. But I think Lilo actually fixed what I didn't like about fine dining establishments. The food is always great, but the service and ambiance feels stuffy and overly formal and pretentious. Lilo is intimate. You're basically sitting in the kitchen and prep area. The wood-heavy decor is warm, earthy, welcoming. We were taken on a culinary journey of 18 different offerings. As expected, some were standouts and others were just okay, but everything was interesting and worth experiencing. My favorite item was the scallop -- an unbelievable sear that I'm still thinking about. I wish I could order 10 of those à la carte! I also loved the big eye tuna + wagyu croustade, N25 kaluga caviar with orgeat ice cream, and amazake. We left perfectly satisfied-- full, but not stuffed. Some logistics: -Parking lot in front. Street parking is also available if the lot fills up. -Pay for your dinner upon reservation. Any extras (beverages and upgrades) can be purchased during your meal. -You will get a printed menu to take home at the end. -They did not have an N/A red wine on the menu, but the sommelier found one for me. They really strive to go above and beyond expectations. read more

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Lilo recently received its Michelin star and it's well deserved! Expect a long dinner service (~3 hours) with beautiful vibes, unique flavors, and amazing service. We made a reservation on OpenTable and you will have to pay in advance to book. Even though they have a set menu, they can accommodate pescatarian menus, as well as gluten, dairy and shellfish allergies with advance notice. But I would recommend inquiring before booking since all reservations are nonrefundable. There is some flexibility where you can shift to a different date up to 72 hours prior to the reservation. The whole experience starts outside in a beautiful garden-like space. There are heat lamps everywhere and if you're still cold, I believe they could provide some blankets. You can order drinks but if you added on any of the drink pairings, that starts when you're seated inside. It seems like the outdoor area is used to help space out the guests. As other diners finished and left, they would bring the next group in to continue the experience. Even if that is the case, it didn't feel like we were just waiting for a table. They brought out several dishes and a welcome drink for us to enjoy. Once inside, the experience continued with more delicious bites and our drink pairings. And with each round, the server would explain the dish/drink and go so far as to explaining where the ingredients were sourced. As for the food, the presentation was all so beautiful and it felt like they were going for earthy and coastal themes. I remember thinking there were a lot of tart flavors, especially in the non-alcoholic drink pairings. Out of everything, my favorites were: - Outdoor small bites: scallop, sea urchin - Maine Lobster: the tartness paired with the lobster stuffed into what I believe was zucchini flower - Abalone: the tempura leaf with the oyster dip was particularly good - N25 Kaluga Caviar: caviar was nice but the best part was the orgeat ice cream with almond oil - A5 Miyazaki Wagyu: such a good cut, so tender and fatty Overall, the experience was wonderful and I'm so glad I got to try them out. The drink pairings were decent and I liked the alcoholic ones more but because of the price, I didn't think it was too worth it. If I were ever to go back and try their seasonal menu changes, I'd skip and just order individual drinks. As we left, they handed us a handwritten card along with the menu. What a nice touch! read more

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I went to Lilo for my birthday and it was such a special experience! It was my first time at a Michelin one star restaurant, and it definitely lived up to the expectations. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the celebration feel even more special. The atmosphere was beautiful, cozy, and elegant at the same time. Every dish was incredible, not only delicious but also beautifully presented like art. You can really see the care and creativity behind each plate. Honestly, compared to the amazing experience we had at Lilo, the price didn't even matter. It was absolutely worth it and made my birthday unforgettable. I would definitely love to come back again! Food : 5 star Vide : 5 star Service: 5 star read more

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I mean, delicious... This place is pretty awesome and totally holds weight against the heavy hitters in the culinary world. I absolutely love Somni in Los Angeles and this kinda reminds me of a smaller version of that place. The food is spectacular, the service is amazing and the table side cocktails are remarkable. I can honestly say I didn't dislike any of the dishes and I will continue to visit on a frequent basis. Yeah it's pricey, but I'd totally recommend a visit for any special occasion. Michelin, give this place another star, cmon now. read more

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Phoned in to inquire about using a gift card for a reservation. You still have to pay up front and make the reservation online, then they refund the gift card amount upon paying the bill. This worked out fine. All of my phone interactions with one person (can't recall her name) were very friendly and polite, and like a Michelin *, they called to inquire about dietary restrictions, food allergies, etc and left nothing to doubt. Parking lot is out front on a nondescript street, but once you walk in behind the facade, you're in a lovely little courtyard with small outdoor tables. You're greeted shortly and given a beverage (in our case, no alcohol-see the menu attached) and then they start with about three small appetizers. They were initially good tasting but nothing over the top, with beautiful presentation for everything. Nothing at the beginning here was overwhelmingly amazing. Shortly thereafter, you're brought inside to your table. I had great seating close to the kitchen where you could see all the plating going on, everyone working with tweezers and flowers and all kinds of great garnishes. Every dish was a work of art, beautifully presented. I found as the courses went on the flavors got bigger and more exciting...I don't think this was by design, it just happened that way. I found seasoning very on what I call the "French" side. Just enough that you're getting plenty of flavor, with a mild doubt that maybe just a little more would push it over the top. But that's not the way most French food is-no punchy or bold flavors here, but just enough to keep you very satisfied and wanting another bite, but not too much. Our menu involved a number of seafood dishes including scallops and lobster. An outstanding one was the "chips and dip" version of tempura fried herb leaves with an oyster mousse. Wagyu beef was also excellent, and for and additional $35 you could get a generous shaving of fresh black truffles over the top. Orgeat ice cream with caviar as a palate cleanser was memorable. Two desserts for closing, I thought the order should have been reversed with the coconut and passion fruit served at the end, it would have been a cleaner palate cleanser than the banana dish, but so be it. Comparing this to Chef's other location at Jeune and Jolie, I appreciated the less performative service-almost every dish was brought out by one of the cooks and explained in detail. Nonetheless, the dishes are highly performative and technique here is definitely a big driver of cost-there were literally at least 12-14 cooks in the kitchen at any time in order to pull off the feat of such ornately presented dishes. I'm still flabbergasted that Michelin level dining here is so expensive compared to some places in Paris or other parts of France. At $318 per person including a 20% service charge, and additional tax, I enjoyed our experience, here the food was all around on point, and service was good. If I don't have to foot the bill, I would only go back then. Be prepared to drop serious $$$$ here. read more

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2026 San Diego. Dinner review. Tasting menu. Michelin* A WARM WELCOME Green Tomato. Tarragon. Chamomile DEER ISLE PETITE SCALLOP Fermented Raspberry. Green Shiso. Marigold BIG EYE TUNA AND WAYGU BEEF CROUSTADE Radish. Ginger. Meyer Lemon BLACK TRUFFLE SABLE Goat Cheese. Vin Jaune. Juniper. Roasted Chicken Skin (Highlight) SANTA BARBARA SEA URCHIN Butternut Squash. Myoga. White Alyssum. Lime Kosho GOUGÈRE Comté Mornay. Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup. Ibérico Lardo SPINY LOBSTER Guava. Kinome. Tomatillo. Nasturtium SCALLOP Buttermilk. Koji. Wasabi. Shiso. Parsnip (Highlight) ABALONE Grilled Over Embers. Brushed with Fermented Pepper and Guanciale. Tempura of Brassicas. Oyster Emulsion. Allium Powder. A Broth of Roasted Chicken and Bone Marrow (Highlight - Best) N25 KALUGA CAVIAR Orgeat Ice Cream. Smoked Celery Root Bushi. Freshly Pressed Almond 011 MAINE LOBSTER Fuyu Persimmon. Charred Onion. Bronze Fennel. Hoshigaki. Sauce of Dried Chilies. Laminated Brioche A5 MIYAZAKI WAGYU Costa Rossa Radicchio. Braised Kombu. Dashi Vinegar. Black Walnut Nocino AMAZAKE Coconut. Passion Fruit. Sake (Highlight) BLACKENED BANANA Koshihikari Rice. Medjool Date. Shiro Miso Caramel. Roasted Rice Donut STROOPWAFFLE Burnt Orange. Tonka Bean CARROT TARTELETTE Ginger. Sesame Praline. Bronze Fennel MATCHA MOCHI Buddha's Hand. Finger Lime +++ Tableside cocktails. WATASHIATO Junmai Sake. Jasmine. Salers POET'S DREAM Gin. Savagnin. Chartreuse. Cerignola BOULEVARDIER Bourbon. Barolo Chinato. Campari. Carciofo MONTE CARLO Reposado Tequila. Miso Caramel. Palo Santo Overall, great tasting menu and experience. "As good as it gets." read more

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Makeba reservation online, it has to be prepaid. Ended up being about 350$. I enjoyed this experience, the building is very beautiful and theres parking out in front. I found that the menu had a lot of interesting combinations. I can appreciate that they are trying new things and introducing new pairings to the customer. I think the meal as a whole was very rich. I found that in several plates I had already hit my "limit" in how intensely flavored the food was and I couldn't really bring myself to finish the entire plate. Come hungry! They serve about 16 small bites and you will get full. Overall this restaurant is worth a try and I would come back once the menu refreshes. read more

Lilo - Seafood Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Bougie experience, that I found the place to be too pretentious. Seating arrangement is not optimal -- folks are seated in a U-formation facing the center. Staff is professional and well-knowledged, but it was uncomfortable. They would recite a little speech for each dish (I get it - you want the customer to know what they're eating), but with the loud volume it was difficult to hear and they're throwing in all these "fancy" terminologies and ingredients without good explanation. Again, pretentious -- I appreciate good food for what it is -- it shouldn't be padded with all this showiness. I get trying to experiment with flavors, but some of their bites clashed, that I felt confused -- what the heck am I eating? What are they trying to do here? Other dishes, flavors fell flat - many of which were forgettable. Apart from a couple of the appetizer bites, I wasn't Wow'd. Highlights: oyster (yum!), wagyu beef croustade, orgeat ice cream with caviar that came mid-meal as a palate cleanser, and the end-of-meal tea by the fire. For a $342.65 meal, I expected more... and I'm not new to the Michelin game, been to quite the few. Likely they're just not my style. Cool experience as a one-time thing. But I'm not likely to come again... unless someone wants to front the bill for me. ;) read more

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Truly amazing ambiance and top tier service from beginning to end! Food is spectacular, and food presentation is just so impressive, but short of amazing for the value. Be prepared to spend some $$$$$. We went all-out with the add-ons, and this was the most expensive dinner we've had in a while. The entrance right now is easy to miss, no lights in the parking lot, and between some construction areas. The private parking area has plenty of spots though, right in front of the restaurant. They start you off with a few appetizer bites outside, with an appetizer drink menu. Then they bring you inside for an 8?-ish course meal which is a fabulous journey. They carefully explain details of every course, where the ingredients are sourced, and how everything is prepared. It is truly impressive. Each course has small portions, but we were so full at the end. Flavors were unique and tasted great, some maybe a touch overpowering the rest of the dish. They have these alcohol pairing options, which is very generous in portions. Some really did complement the food course, bringing out an extra layer of flavor. But I'm not sure I would recommend it because it was an expensive add-on and really just made us more full by the end. We couldn't finish the pairings at the end. There was another add-on of white truffles with the caviar and ice cream, which was just so sensational. It was delicious, but I'm not sure it was worth it. At the end they take you back outside by the fire for additional small dessert bites and tea, but at that point we had to get ours to go. This is probably the longest review I've written, but this was such an experience! Overall, I would recommend going here at least once. I wouldn't necessarily recommend the pairings or add-ons unless that's your thing. Compared to other omakase places and overall value, I'm not sure I'll be back. But try it out for yourself. read more

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I've been to Lilo twice now, and while the experience was consistent, this last time did not execute the magic that the first time managed. In the garden, we enjoyed a scallop, wagyu, uni, and corn bite. The wagyu and uni tartlets came in shells that were too strong in flavor, too thick and hard. Last time, the appetizer bites were nuanced and fun, this time they felt like they were striving to be something important. The food here is tasty, but at this price point, to visit again 6 months later, you expect to see some new dishes. This dinner preserved most of the same main components with a few shifting taste profiles and it was boring. The spiny rock lobster dish looks decadent but is flat in flavor. I saw the same lobster dish, the fish dish with sabayon, the same wagyu dish, the same caviar and ice cream dish, all disappointing repeats. The food isn't my biggest complaint.. it seems like the magic has worn off for the staff bringing out the dishes as well. The pacing has gotten stilted and too long. I wish we could opt for a dinner experience without the long winded explanation of dishes that seem to be delivered by hostages under duress. 3+ hours is too long to sit in those wildly uncomfortable counter height stools. By the end of my experience last night, I was just completely sick of sitting there in that uncomfortable chair. At the price point, there are more inventive options that don't have to be an endurance sport. read more

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I mean... what even is food after this experience?! How do I go on eating what I have my entire existence on this planet? Friends, this is my cautionary tale, based on the after effects of dining at Lilo, so be warned. One day, a husband decided to book the first available mid-week evening date about a month in advance, after he and his wife had been ever so curious about this new location. Being long-time fans of Jeune et Jolie, they thought... yes, it shall be great food, presumably on par with their sibling restaurants but... what, even better? Stop it. I still don't even have the right words to describe this experience. Other worldly? Tbh I couldn't even absorb most of the dialogue when these beautiful dishes were presented to us, much less understand what was happening once we actually tasted them. I truly don't believe I've said the word "wow" as many times as I did that night. True story. Even now, all other descriptives seem to fall short, continue to leave me at my absolute peak of stunned-ness. Let's just say the flavors and non-alcoholic pairings we had were incredible. Nope, that doesn't even do it justice.., The ambiance, the staff, *everything* was the miso-infused-sourced-straight-from-Japan and fermented-for- two -weeks cherry on top. I promise I wasn't paid to write this. Actually our favorite new little bougie restaurant in town. Thanks a lot, Lilo. read more

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Dinner at Lilo was delightful. Thoughtfully curated and a lovely flow through the overall space from the patio to chef's counter. The vibes and ambiance with the decor, music, flowers and candles was cozy but elevated. Service was excellent and the chefs and staff explained each dish as they were finished in front of us with the open kitchen. Another gem from Chef Eric Bost with sister restos in Carlsbad. I opted for the non alcoholic pairing add-on ($110) and didn't love every tonic/beverage but overall was pleasantly surprised by the unique flavors. Presentation and quality of all the food was worth the price and experience. My favorite dishes: black cod, abalone, A5 wagyu, and the ice cream course in between. Least impressed by the first dessert course with a tomato sorbet with various strawberry elements and felt like the black banana dessert dish was too sweet personally. We loved ending the night by the fire with Paru's tea custom blend outside on the patio. Full description of what we ate in the menu photo I posted with this review. Private parking lot for the restaurant was easy and we were able to be seated before our reservation time since we arrived early which was appreciated. Made reservations and pre-paid on OpenTable and could communicate dietary restrictions and allergies ahead of time. We will be back, thank you Restaurant LILO! read more

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I'm really wondering why this restaurant doesn't have more reviews. It was Michelin starred within 1 month of opening their doors and the food is unbelievably innovative. It was a 2 part location service. The starters were in a desert looking outdoor patio area followed by the main room that sat everyone with views of the talented chefs creating their art. Service was attentive to say the least and I counted 15 employees to 22 guest ratio. I truly enjoyed almost every dish. Only thing I would change is possibly the dessert courses. The flavors were too innovative for my palate. At 285 per person I believe this was a steal and if you enjoy tasting menus you need to run and try and get a reservation before they get a 2nd star and raise their prices. read more

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I am impressed beyond words. The architecture comprised of white oak beautifully designed to create a grand entrance into the courtyard. Upon arrival, the hostess greeted my friend and me by name and escorted us into the courtyard where we were seated. Drinks were brought out to cleanse our palette. Shortly thereafter, 4 appetizers were presented: Little Neck Clam Big Eye Tuna Tartare Umai Caviar Tartelette Gougere When we finished our appetizers, we were escorted indoors where we were seated at a chef's counter that was u-shaped surrounding the prepping station in the center. This is an open kitchen concept where we could see the chefs busily preparing each dish. The base of each dish was prepared by the kitchen and finished with each server, each very well versed with the dish they presented. They each explained how the dish was prepared, the ingredients used, and they added the finishing touches (sauces and garnishing). There were 6 entree tastings that included the following: Rock Crab Scallop Wild Brittany Turbot (fish) N25 Kaluga Caviar with ice cream made from candied almonds and orange blossom water Maine Lobster & Laminated Brioche Masami Ranch Wagyu Ribeye Dessert consisted of the following: Strawberry (this is actually a tomato sorbet) Blackened banana with a roasted rice donut Stroopwaffle Plum Tartelette Brown Butter Financier Non-alcoholic pairing included the following. This is just the drink name, not the actual ingredients--no I did not drink "butter": Milk Punch Celery Rhubarb Cherry Lapsang Watermelon Butter The cost for the tasting experience was $265 per person (before tax & 20% gratuity) and the non-alcoholic pairing was $110 per person. My friend did not have the beverage pairing so she drink club soda that was complimentary. This portion of the dining experience was prepaid in full upon securing the reservation via Open Table. We opted to add 6oz of freshly shaved truffles to our Wagyu dish that cost $30 per person (plus tax and 20% gratuity). This portion of the bill was settled at the end of our evening. Lilo's cancellation policy is quite strict. All sales are final and cannot be refunded. Note that while it is non-refundable, it is transferable and you may reschedule to a later date, provided you contact the restaurant up to 72 hours prior to the event. Changes cannot be made via Open Table. If you are a no-show or cancel outside of this window, you will lose your full payment that includes the food & beverage tastings, tax, and 20% gratuity. I've been to quite a few Michelin restaurants and there have always been at least one item that I did not care for on the menu. The same cannot be said for Lilo. My friend and I enjoyed each and every dish that was beautifully crafted. Each was a work of art and the creativity that went into mastering each dish was truly remarkable. The ingredients that went into each dish were thoughtfully paired with each non-alcoholic pairing. I was truly impressed beyond words. The ambience was quite energetic, perhaps a bit too energetic. I didn't feel the music selection necessarily matched the elegance. There was an array of songs, some of which were rap! I did not expect this kind of music at such a fine establishment. The volume was also a bit too high, making it rather difficult to hear the servers explain each dish. Halfway through, my friend and I gave up trying to hear what was being said so we guessed at what we were eating since there was no menu available. I recorded most of the presentations, so my phone was able to pick up what we couldn't hear (phone was held closer to the server). When I inquired about the menu, I was told that it would be provided at the end of the experience. This was part of the design to evoke an element of surprise. At the end of our dining experience, we were escorted back to the courtyard where a blend of lemongrass tea was freshly brewed and served. We each received an envelope that had the menu and thank you card. One additional comment that I would like to share: Make sure you use the restroom and smell the candle. It's a $64 candle (I verified on Google). For elderly guests who have difficulty seeing well under low luminance settings, I would not recommend because it is extremely dark. The room is lit by a candle and a dim light. Overall, Lilo exceeded my expectations and I would highly recommend this experience! Now that I've dined here, I can understand why Lilo earned a Michelin star within 10 weeks of opening its doors. Owner John Resnick and Chef Eric Bost are the masterminds behind the restaurant group that includes Lilo, Jeune et Jolie, Wildland, and Campfire. I've dined at Jeune et Jolie, so Wildland and Campfire are on my radar! read more

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What a fun and fabulous evening. I didn't know what to expect. The service was stellar. Everyone had so much wisdom regarding the food and drink. We so appreciated the atmosphere with the projector looking music player. And all the items fermenting on the shelf for later use. We had a great time read more

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My husband and I went here to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and it was a fine dining experience like no other. The immersive yet intimate atmosphere, intentional details, innovative flavors, top quality food, and the genuine passion, enthusiasm, and service the Lilo team delivers is unparalleled. I'm 5 months pregnant and even if not pregnant my husband and I just aren't that into drinking so that usually prevents us from drink pairing dining experiences so we were thrilled that the offer a mocktail pairing, it was the perfect touch to elevate an already phenomenal meal. This was hands down my favorite fine dining experience, HIGHLY recommend! read more

Can I give this restaurant more than 5 stars?! Belated posting of our wonderful dining experience at newest Michelin-star restaurant, Lilo. This was our second visit to Lilo since it opened, but first visit after getting its Michelin star. Lilo only has 22-seats around its Chef's counter overlooking an open kitchen, so it is an intimate dining experience. Like our first visit, we were very warmly received by one of their staff and shown to our seats at the courtyard. They even noted that it was a return visit and welcomed us back. A stool was presented for my handbag which was a nice touch. While at the courtyard, the sommelier stopped by to review drink pairing options for the evening. Then, one-bite appetizers were served (littleneck clams, big eyed tuna and waygu beef tartare, sweet corn croustade and umai caviar tartelette, and gougere stick). Each had an amazing burst of flavors in our mouths. We were then invited to enter the dining space inside. Again, a stool for my handbag magically appeared next to my seat. We sat at the counter overlooking a quiet buzz of activity as chefs were assembling our courses. One entire wall is made of glass so you can view the courtyard from inside. A parade of chefs stopped by to explain and present each sumptuous course. Our high-end menu was filled with top ingredients such as Rock Crab, Abalone, Ikejime Black Cod, N25 Kaluga Caviar with ice cream, Maine Lobster, A5 Miyazaki Wagyu with black truffle, and 5 desserts. Each alcoholic or non-alcoholic pairing was perfectly coordinated to enhance each course. At the end of the meal, we were invited to return to the courtyard to have some herbal tea in front of the firepit. Everything was orchestrated with such finesse, precision and detail, right down to the personalized note and menu souvenir at the end of the evening. Kudos! Definitely an unforgettable evening! read more

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This experience was above and beyond my expectation for a dinner experience. Your RSVP is to a set tasting menu. If there are any food allergies or menu alteration requests, the kitchen contacts you personally a week ahead of your reservation date. Parking is reserved for guests in front of the restaurant. You get started in the beautiful courtyard before being ushered into the main dining area for the restaurant of your meal. Every bite was explained in depth and fantastic. Highly recommend the drink pairing. You finish your experience back in the courtyard with some tea. Well deserving of their Michelin star. read more

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Definitely Michelin level consideration and the service was top notch which distinguishes itself from the majority of San Diego dining these days. Make reservations well in advance as the Michelin word is out and luckily we were booked before that happened. This is not a drop in place. And there's no dine at the bar option. Also, this is a 3 hour experience, so know that. The restaurant sign is not very visible and we passed it twice from the street. But parking was easy in their lot right in front of the entry once we found it. Keep your eyes peeled! Lovely little outdoor area for pre dinner orientation and cocktails, and after dinner tea service with fire pits . I loved the attentiveness to service and it was just perfect...not aloof at all but not preening. 5/5. The appetizers were absolutely amazing and the courtyard setting with them was just perfect. Loved the special touch with the beverage chef talking to you about her creations and your options! The littleneck clam app with green strawberries was prob my favorite. But the amuses all were perfect. So much was good but here's the surprise hit for me. I was sure I'd hate then orgeat ice cream topped with caviar and smoked celery root but...I'm its biggest fan now. The ice cream was just perfect and unctuous and had that hit of citrus and the caviar was... Not fishy, maybe vaguely but mostly added umami with the salt and ocean brine and the celery root grounded it. Wow. This was otherworldly! My only negatives were ( I and the others i was with all agreed) the wagyu beef was too chewy. But...We all said the main ingredients were perfect in each course but the sauces/accoutrements way overpowered the stars. Big time. Their star ingredients are just perfect like the lobster or the crab or the turbot (we loved this!) but the accoutrements just were screaming instead of letting those flavors of the star ingredient shine in its beauty. I found myself shaking off these amazing sauces to taste the even more amazing proteins. These seem like easily adjustable tweaks.... The music all night long especially inside...(the best music selection I've heard in a restaurant to date!)...was just honestly too loud. Loved the vibe but when I can't hear what the chef is directly telling me at my table about the dish they've specially prepped and are serving right in front of me because music is blasting... We all said the same thing. Four of us paid almost $2000 for 4 meals at 260 each and pairings (NA, mixed or A) are all small sized (thankfully!) but costly. The NA pairing was delicious but small and $110! The cocktails are beautiful but very groovy and small and run around $30 each. Also they run on the sweet side. You finish back where you started in the outdoor firepit area with a calming tea service. It was a lovely experience so here's a great San Diego Michelin night dinner. The whole experience was just wonderful. Props to the staff who truly made it feel special and made it delicious. In future, If they had a bar seating option with a limited menu, I'd be in way more often. I just don't have the patience unfortunately,for extended dining no matter how beautiful read more

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Lilo has a beautiful space and an interesting concept, but overall, the experience fell a bit flat for me. The service could have been better, for a spot positioning itself as upscale, the attentiveness just wasn't there. They do have a small lot for patrons only, which is nice. I had the non-alcoholic drink pairing for my dinner and while the flavors were creative, they started to blend together..everything tasted a bit too similar. I'd probably go for the alcoholic cocktails next time. Before the main courses, they serve a few bites on the patio, but they were pretty basic and not particularly memorable which made me worry about the rest of the meal. The steak course that came as part of the menu was unfortunately on the chewy side, which was disappointing given the expectation for wagyu. Desserts could have been better too, nothing really stood out. At the end of the day, this is one of those meals that reminds me the San Diego food scene still has a long way to go compared to LA. read more

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I made a reservation at Lilo Restaurant for 5:00 pm on a Thursday evening. The buiding is set back from Roosevelt with a small parking lot right in front. There is one handicapped parking place on the left when you enter the parking lot. There was a staff member out front to greet the guests. You are taken to the garden in front of the restaurant to begin the adventure. You can choose from two wine pairings or the non-alchoholic pairing. I selected the non-alchoholic pairing and it was very well thought out. Each drink was meant to enhance the dish with which it is served. All the glassware is different and very beautiful. The young staff is very enthusiastic. Even though they are generally following a script, of course, their kindness shines through in every interaction. read more

Lilo - Thursday dinner - Seafood Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Incredible fine dining experience without the stuffiness. Starting out in the patio, then into the dining area and back out to the patio to enjoy desserts and tea was very immersive and well thought out to enjoy San Diego's great weather. Loved how the restaurant felt very elegant yet casual at the same time. The food and presentation of it was obviously top notch and well deserving of its recently awarded Michelin 1 star. I personally felt Lilo was short changed a star or 2, but an incredible accomplishment for a restaurant opened for just 2 months! Service was impeccable and loved how every dish's final preparation was explained and completed in front of you. Some of my favorites from the night were the Big Eye Tuna and Wagyu Beef Tartare (nice play on the surf and turf theme), Rock Crab (loved the citrus flavor and crab meat wrapped in Kohlrabi), N25 Kaluga Caviar (mixture of Orgeat ice cream and caviar created an explosion of flavors), and Masami Ranch Wagyu Ribeaye (the smoked and grilled Unagi was a perfect mix with the Wagyu that created an amazing savory taste). However, my absolute favorite of the night was the Wild Brittany Turbot that was cooked to perfection and mixed well with the Yuzu oil. I love anything Yuzu!!! The wife and I are already planning on our next dinner date at this amazing restaurant! read more

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Incredible dining experience at LILO. 5/5 stars, truly remarkable. From start to finish you will feel like a super VIP while at LILO. The staff is incredible friendly, knowledge, and attentive. The exterior and interior are stunning and makes you feel like you're in a secluded area. The food was literally amazing. Flavors that I've never imagined and combinations that seem strange when described but harmoniously meld together in the most beautiful way. I loved my experience at LILO and cannot wait for an opportunity to come back soon! You will need to come for yourself to see what I'm talking about. Words really can't describe the amazing meal I had at LILO. Thanks to the team for making me feel extra special for a milestone celebration! read more

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We heard great things about LILO and couldn't resist going there for a date night. The price overall is not cheap and even more so with wine pairings. The evening started outside with a few small bites and a walkthrough of the history of the restaurant (which is new). Then we moved inside for wine pairings and food courses. Every dish came with an introduction, every wine pairing a perfect story and explanation. The entire evening followed a delicate story, with food we'd never forget. The evening ended outside with a nice desert and desert wine. A perfect end to the evening. This place is worth every penny and all the hype! read more

It's my second time - and the staff do not disappoint. Enjoyed speaking with each of the members on the food prep and sourcing of ingredients - they truly do go to lengths to incorporate local foods around the surrounding areas and execute with exceptional arrangements and a very unique taste that cannot be emulated. The ambience, arrangements from entry to dinner are well thought and the curation of foods are like a journey through the ethnic diversity in SoCal. It's quite hard to describe in text because this is really a visual, auditory, and sensory experience that I recommend people try at least once. Indeed The Michelin star is IMO well deserved. Thanks for hosting me and looking forward to many more visits read more

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My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening at LILO. The ambiance - from the appetizers in the courtyard, to the seating around the kitchen, to the finale at the fire place - is unbeatable. Everything is absolutely beautiful and the service spectacular. A few of the savory dishes missed the mark for me as far as the balance of the sauces and flavors but all in all I appreciated their creativity and presentation. The highlight for us was their desserts -- it is all too often that the desserts on a tasting menu feel like an after thought, and more often than not overly sweet. The desserts at LILO were well balanced and delicious. We look forward to returning in the future and trying the pairing. read more

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It was a rare collaboration evening featuring three powerhouse chefs: Josiah Citrin, the mind behind Melisse and Citrin; Matthew Kammerer, executive chef of Harbor House Inn; and the talented duo Eric Bost and John Resnick from Lilo and Jeune et Jolie. Together, they brought seven Michelin stars under one roof -- and I couldn't be more excited. The moment I stepped inside, the space immediately charmed me. A biophilic aesthetic created an elegant, youthful, and grounded atmosphere. Hospitality here is both attentive and effortlessly comfortable -- the kind that feels more like a refined five-star hotel, where every guest is treated with the same warmth and respect. The restaurant itself is immaculate. Even the toilet seats are pre-heated, the hand towels are always perfectly stacked, and there's a gentle herbal fragrance drifting through the space. It is slightly dim, though. Service is where they truly shine. My glass was never empty, and the staff even noticed a stray lemon seed in my drink before I did. Each time I stepped away from the table, my napkin was quietly replaced with a fresh one. Every detail -- big and small -- was corrected with quiet precision. They seat you gracefully, pull out your chair, and carry themselves with a level of politeness that feels natural, not forced. Honestly, even Marina Bay Sands in Singapore could take a few lessons from this team. John charmed us with light humor and impeccable professionalism, but the outdoor seating was unexpectedly cold once the sun went down. Appetizers and welcome drinks were served outside -- beautifully presented but icy, just like the weather. Guests were wrapped in coats, leaning forward because the seats tilted back, the bonfire was far away, and the heaters weren't on, so even small talk came with a quiet "ugh... this is not the vibe." I eventually walked back to the car for my jacket. I smiled politely through it, but in the back of my mind I kept thinking, you know it's cold... why not turn on the heater? Once the reservation is confirmed on the msg, every question seems to disappear into silence. Some staff felt almost like beautiful robots--no response when you thank them. Compared with the rest of the team, this contrast really stood out. For the welcome drink, there were two options. When I asked to taste before choosing, they hesitated, it felt a little awkward. I'm perfectly fine with blind-buy tickets or prepaying the 20% tip. But when the drinks arrive with their own additional 20% service charge, it feels off. A double dip dressed up as hospitality. The kitchen and prep table sit right in the center of the room, almost like a T-shaped runway. It feels like a live fashion show, but for food. The whole performance is fascinating -- like watching a Netflix culinary series happening right in front of you, with you practically inside Because it's a collaboration among three chefs, the menu felt a bit unfocused -- about three-quarters seafood and only one land dish. It was hard to fully experience each chef's skill, since many items seemed prepped in advance. A lot of dishes arrived lukewarm, with textures suggesting sous-vide or reheated components, quickly kissed by the fire and plated. Still, there were moments where their talent peeked through -- I could taste and smell a hint The style of each chef was distinct and unmistakable. Matthew Kammerer's dishes carried a clean, fresh palate -- you could really taste the essence of nature. Eric Bost's style leaned close to Citrin's but with a twist: bold culinary R&D, all plated beautifully. Josiah Citrin's approach was classic Californian French -- rich, salty, and precise. Appetizers were beautifully crafted but on the salty side; fresh vegetables, pickled fruits, and sweet-acidic notes helped balance them. Only the sea cucumber felt perfectly fresh and harmonious. The tuna belly was the star -- its fragrance addictive. I could have eaten the spiny lobster endlessly if not for the accompanying components; here, perhaps the chef overthought it. The brioche was flawless in texture with a Calbee-like seaweed topping, but the accompanying cream was overwhelmingly salty. Croque Madame arrived broken and wasn't remade. The abalone was rubbery and bland, while the mussels felt mushy, stale, and overly fishy. The turbot had a rubbery cut but tender flesh, paired with uninspiring condiments that seemed soaked in salt. The venison arrived in a rather unappealing presentation -- a "bloodbath" of flavors competing all at once, overwhelming rather than delighting the senses. The ingredients aren't premium -- just the kind you'll find in any good-quality market. The food leaned heavily on salt, so much that I found myself drinking water nonstop throughout the evening. Normally, a night ending in stomach upset -- likely from the stale mussels -- and a caffeinated white tea that kept me awake would earn one star. Yet, the collaboration experience was unforgettable. read more

The good: The abalone and sea bass dishes were amazing!! Service is really attentive and the tea service by the fireplace at the end of the meal is a nice touch. The meh: I really did not like the chili oil they paired with the lobster. Def felt like it overpowered and detracted from the lobster for me. I also got the nonalcoholic drink pairing...I def think I would've enjoyed the meal more without the pairing. Might be just me but the drinks were way too interesting for me...they were all either spicy or bitter What really bothered me: The chairs had stains on them...for a newly opened Michelin starred restaurant at this price point, this felt really unacceptable Overall, some of the courses were delicious and some of them were a miss for me. If I see a menu that really appeals to me, I might give them another shot but the drink pairing is a def no go for me read more

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Lilo is one of the most enjoyable and thoughtfully designed dining experiences we've had. From the moment we arrived, the service felt special. My partner was wished a happy birthday multiple times before we even sat down. A thoughtful touch I liked was being given a stool just for my purse, which set the tone for the attentive service all evening. We started in the courtyard, a cozy space centered around a tree and warm wood accents, where we were greeted with five small bites and a Clarified Tomato Juice Aperitif. The Sweet Corn Croustade stood out as a perfect balance of flavor and texture. We enjoyed a non-alcoholic cocktail, the Tenderhook (pineapple, osmanthus, nori), which was refreshing and slightly savory. The Sommelier also stopped by to walk us through the pairing options. After the courtyard experience, we moved into the main dining room with views of the chefs at work, which is a highlight in itself, especially paired with the thoughtful design touches like the reel-to-reel music. The only downside was that the music was a little loud at times, which made it difficult to fully hear the chefs when they presented each dish. The tasting menu included eight courses, each beautifully plated and paired with creative non-alcoholic drinks (except for one of the dishes). We began with Rock Crab on ice with Kohlrabi and a Cucumber and Lime Leaf infusion, paired with a Milk Punch of Passionfruit, Saffron, and Aji Amarillo. Next was the Abalone in Roasted Chicken and Bone Marrow Consomme with Tempura Sesame Leaf and Shiso-Oyster Emulsion paired with a Clarified Celery Juice and House Herb Tonic. The third course was Ikejime Black Cod with Nectarines three ways and Sabayon of Pineau des Charentes, paired with Clarified Rhubarb Juice with Yuzu Kosho. The fourth dish was Kaluga Caviar with Orgeat Ice Cream, Smoked Celery Root Bushi, and Pressed Almond Oil. This dish was not paired with a drink. Next was the Maine Lobster with Grilled Cherries, a Seed and Chili Sauce, and Laminated Brioche, paired with Cherry Juice with Coffee and Cacao. The last savory dish was A5 Miyazaki Wagyu came with Unagi, an Oxtail Reduction, and Blackened Fuji Apple which was rich and indulgent. It was paired with Lapsang Kombucha infused with Porcini Mushrooms and Dulse. We were offered a Shaved Chilean Black Truffle supplement for $30 per guest not including tax or service fees. We opted to try one serving. Strawberry Granite and Consomme with Tomato Sorbet and Marshmellow Fluff was the first dessert course and it was paired with a Watermelon Agua Fresca with Sansho Pepper, Passionfruit, and Anise Hyssop. The Blackened Banana Entremet with Koshihikari Rice Ice Cream, Shiro Miso Caramel, and a Donut with Rice Pastry Cream was paired with a Brown Butter beverage with Miso Caramel and Burnt Vanilla Cream. Every course was unique, balanced, and beautifully paired, making it difficult to choose a favorite. The meal ended with a round of three small dessert bites and we enjoyed the Brown Butter Financier with Fig and Matcha Cream the most. To make the celebration extra special, my partner was surprised with a five-layer birthday cake alternating chocolate and vanilla, with crunchies on the side and a candle on top. Afterward, we were invited to sit in the courtyard with a white tea and lemongrass blend by the bonfire which was a "full circle moment" our server described perfectly. They even gave us a personalized thank-you card along with the menus, which made the birthday celebration feel extra meaningful. Overall, I would give Lilo 10 stars if possible. The combination of stunning design, warm service, and inventive beverages makes this one of the most special dining experiences we have had. Perfect for a celebration or anyone looking for an unforgettable fine dining experience. We would definitely come back and try a new seasonal menu. Thank you to the Lilo team for making this birthday celebration so memorable. read more

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Every detail of this meal is finessed and presented in great detail. Half of the time I did not know what I was eating but I knew it was delicious. The ambiance, plating, open kitchen concept were awesome. They were attentive to all the details and all the servers were knowledgeable in each dish presented. Save this for a special occasion. read more

At Lilo, the staff were professional, yet friendly and well informed; hired not just for their skills, but also for their warmth and ability to connect. The ambiance was modern, chic and comfortable. And the food was far from classic; it was new, refreshing and sometimes (for lack of a better word) thought provoking. They did this thing when you first arrive, you're greeted by staff or chef Eric Bost then seated in their patio and provided a non-alcoholic cocktail and amuse bouche. Then, you're led to their 14-seat chef's counter (or one of their two tables of four). After dinner, you're led back to the same (but more ambient under the night sky) patio to enjoy tea service. This roving dining reminded us of LA's Michelin Vespertine and takes advantage of SoCal weather. The food was delicious: there were a lot of sweet/savoury complementary bites within a dish; courses where it would never occur to me to pair things together; and delicious flavours and noticeable Japanese ingredients and techniques that left me utterly pleased. But what surprised me at the end, was their service by the way of a handwritten note. Go if you can; it's positively interesting and an altogether wonderful evening. read more

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Absolutely no notes. This place is a vibe, the food from plate wear, visual, to taste was top tier. Their beverage and non alcoholic options/tasting are elite with stellar sommeliers. The movement through different areas throughout the dining experience is a brilliant idea. The staff was hilarious and no matter who you asked a question to, they had the answers. Honestly blown away by this place. Music was perfect, decor, scent, literally everything. We already want to go back. Top fine dining experience we've ever had. Gather your shekels, this place is well worth it. read more

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Overall the food was really good, up there with one of the best restaurants I've had in socal. The caviar dish was a standout, one of the best dishes I've had in recent memory. I did wish the service was a bit better in the main dining room. In the beginning of the meal you get a few of the first bites in the courtyard outside. They were extremely hospitable. They knew our first names and wished my wife happy birthday. Once we got inside, it felt like each server / somm only had time to talk through the dish or drink they were presenting and had to run off somewhere else. I don't think anyone asked us a single question of how we liked a dish or how our meal was going. At the final dessert, the couple next to us got a candle for their birthday and a couple across from us as well but ours didn't come with one. I felt a little disappointed for my wife so I went up to use the bathroom and found our server to ask about it. It was kind of a weird / awkward interaction. He didn't really apologize, he just said he'll bring something out for us soon which ended up being awhile. I still really liked our experience but wish it ended a little better. read more

I don't even know how to explain this place without sounding dramatic, but... Lilo was honestly magical. We walked up to check in for our reservation and before we even said anything, they somehow already knew our names. Like what?! From that moment on, it felt like we were being taken care of by people who genuinely loved what they do. The space is gorgeous and totally transportive. We started off in the garden outside, and not even two minutes in, someone brought over a little stool just for my purse and labubu (if you know, you know) I was shook in the best way!! The tasting menu was UNREAL. Every course was like a little piece of art. so colorful and insanely creative. Usually with tasting menus I leave a little hungry, but here. I was full, happy, and honestly didn't want it to end but i swear my stomach was about to blow up. And the staff... sheeesshhhh. I can't say enough good things. Every single person we interacted with was kind, welcoming, and genuinely happy to have us there. Aubrey especially. Omg we love love love Aubrey. she's a total STAR. So sweet, so attentive, and just made the whole experience feel EXTRA special and warm. This place is something special. I'll 100% be back. As we were driving away, I was literally already texting my friends RAVING about Lilo. read more

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I had above average expectations when I dined at Lilo purely because I've had such surprisingly wonderful prior experiences at Jeune et Jolie. I don't normally like to leave a critical take, but it seems like the Lilo team is still trying to find their footing and I hope my feedback might be helpful to anyone who is open to it. I've spent a lot of my life dining around the world so my take is likely more critical than the average person, and I tend to favor the flavors of the food / drinks over asthetics and ambiance. To start the physical location, plating / presentation of dishes, and atmosphere are wonderful. For some, the setting itself will likely elevate their overall experience as it is truly a beautiful space; my only real comment is to please reduce the noise of the music. I had seen some reviews saying it was loud and I thought it could just be nit-picking but honestly it was so loud I actually had a hard time talking to my partner to my side, and it was really difficult to hear anyone that came to present the next dish. I normally never make comments on noise levels but the music at Lilo was so loud it really took away from the space. To the food, this is where Lilo really disappointed me. I'm not sure if people think of it much, but I find tasting menus to be kind of like an experience at a symphony. You have your start, build ups and breaks in between, your peak, and then a wind down. There's a general cohesion to a tasting menu and Lilos tasting menu was really a whiplash experience in flavors. Constantly there were dishes that were crisp, light, and refreshing followed by really rich, and savory dishes all throughout the entire experience. On top of this, the entire menu weirdly leaned really sweet. I have a bias as I don't personally prefer deserts or overly sweet things, but I really thought it was alot. Some examples, there was a fish dish paired with this light lemon custard foam sauce and the sauce itself was a few sweet notes from being on a potential desert. Another one was a main squabble dish came with a really sweet reduced berry sauce that could have been put on a desert. There were a alot of sauces used throughout the entire menu, and I thought all the sauces masked or overpowered the beauty of the great ingredients they were working with. If they could find a way to tone down the sauces to serve as a standalone but very complimentary component of the dishes, I think that could go a long way. We had the nonalcoholic pairing and it was generally good but as projects a little spotty. They are doing some really creative things on the nonalcoholic front, and it was great to see the use of tea. For nonalcoholic pairings I think the general trend will be a focus on tea as it can become really granular like with wines on sourcing tea leaves, methods used, etc. They also brew their own tonic water in house which is great. As standalone drinks I think the actual nonalcoholic drinks are really creative and delicious, as drink pairings it was generally really nice though spotty. Looking at the alcoholic pairing, we didn't order it but the focus here is California wines with some Sake, and just looking at the menu they are really up charging on the CA wines. The cocktails here are also $30 and while we didn't get any, at those prices it's on average more expensive than even at Kato in LA that has a Michelin rated cocktail program and accolated bar manager. Lastly the service was nice, though honestly it was inconsistent. Everyone was very nice but I don't really know how to put it, it just felt a little insincere and spotty. There were some that you could just tell were so passionate and lively, and some that really were just checking boxes or were a little robotic. Overall the bones of an amazing restaurant are here. Lilo has only been open for 7 weeks so there's plenty of time for improvement and I'm sure there are growing pains, but as it was from when we went this was disappointing. One of the appeals of Jeune et Jolie was it was well executed food at a very affordable price point. Lilo isn't cheap, with our nonalchoholic pairing after tax and tip you're looking at around $400 per person, and at those prices you're stating to compare it to restaurants in LA or even Addison in SD. Hopefully the restaurant improves over time and they take everyone's feedback sincerely. With such a beautiful space and plating presentation, it would be wonderful if Lilo could become a top restaurant destination in the future. As it stands today, there are so many better alternatives at this price point and I wouldn't recommend going to this iteration of Lilo. read more

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