Starlite delivers that quintessential sleek, mid-century modern lounge atmosphere right along India Street. The iconic geometric wood ceiling, dramatic chandelier, and moody lighting make the space feel effortlessly cool. The craft cocktail program is legendary, and the elevated gastropub menu is just as impressive, the grilled octopus was tender with a wonderful smoky char, the Jidori chicken was remarkably juicy with perfectly crispy skin, and the sea bass was delicate and flaky. Taking off one star because street parking along India Street can require quite a bit of circling during peak evening hours, and the dining room gets rather loud and dim once the crowd settles in. Still, an absolute San Diego staple and a top choice for a stylish date night, late-night craft drinks, or dinner with friends. read more

I had a reservation for Thursday and it was packed but took less than 5 minutes to get seated. They do check your ID at the entrance it's 21+ only. Parking is a nightmare good luck finding parking within a mile of the restaurant. Pros: atmosphere, drinks, service Cons: food wasn't great for the price, restaurant was small and crowded, no parking Service: All of our servers were friendly and very accommodating. Gave us some knowledge on the menu and recommended cocktails based on our preference. I had spilled my drink and they were quick to make me another one. Food: I had intended to get the prime ribeye cap steak but they ran out for the night around 8pm. I shared the steak sampler which came with four different cuts of steak and 4 sauces. I ordered medium and it was cooked medium/medium rare which was fine with me, it also had a good sear, almost burnt though. Out of the four steaks, we only liked two based off flavor and tenderness. The other two were more tough and gamey. None of the sauces really stood out but the bordelaise and horseradish were good. For our sides we got fries, roasted broccoli, and the grilled wedge salad. Fries were average. The roasted broccoli had really good flavor, I expected the broccoli to be al dente but it was cooked to mush and drenched in sauce. The grilled wedge salad was decent, there was a slightly bitter taste to it. I know it says grilled wedge but the experience of biting into the salad and it being both hot and cold was not pleasant. Cocktails: I tried the Honey Ryder and New Wave. These were recommended as the more fruity/sweet cocktails. You can definitely taste the alcohol but it's only 2oz so it's not too strong. Ambience: 10/10 I got seated downstairs by the bar. Only thing about downstairs is that it's too dark to take photos unless you use flash. Overall, I agree with the other reviews saying to go just for drinks and appetizers. I would go again just to sit upstairs and get drinks and take pictures. We left unsatisfied and ended up getting in-n-out after. read more

Every thing from the food to the service was amazing!! My fiancé and I went for our anniversary, they sat us next to the waterfall and it was absolutely beautiful! Our favorite meals from our trip were actually from here! The sides are best in my opinion but we did not have a single dish that we thought could be improved! Our servers were so sweet and on top of it!! We also really enjoyed all of the cocktails we were able to try. If you're thinking about going here I'd say book the reservation! read more

Popped in after dinner and truly wasn't sure what to expect. SO GLAD WE DID!!! Very minimalist classy fun interior where they did an amazing job with the acoustics. Which was lovely to actually hear the music clearly but also be able to talk to the person you're with. The drinks were fantastic and although we didn't eat, the food menu looks absolutely drool worthy. Even little touches like the lights in the bathroom stall reflecting like stars on the floor. Every single bartender though was as consistently awesome as the one prior. Hard working and friendly! And all made incredible drinks. The Broken Meaning cocktail was so funky and layered with beauty in every sip - highly recommend for a more non sweet savory cocktail lover. read more

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Snagged bar seats at Starlite on a Friday night around 8 PM! The atmosphere is stylish, beautiful, and super inviting. While the bartender's Old Fashioned recommendation was just okay for me, the Tarantula Room cocktail completely blew me away--an absolute standout drink. Great vibes, top-tier drinks, and a fantastic setting overall. A must-visit whenever you're in San Diego! read more

Starlite - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Starlite, Star bright, first star I see tonight. This may be an "UnFriendly" take, but Starlite is a top 3 burger in all of SD. I said, I meant it, and there's no walking it back. Now if you're super into smash burgers, this ain't it, and you really need to rethink your life choices. This bad boii right here is a thickun', with beautifully melted gruyere cheese, dijonaise, and caramalized onions tucked inside of a majestic sesame seed bun-served with fries, a dill pickle, and a FANTASTIC aioli for $17!!!! Yes, $17!!!!!! This burger ain't no joke, and it's more than enough reason to skirt your buns on down to try it out. Now the fun doesn't stop there. Have you freaking seen this place? The outside does not do it justice whatsoever. Once you step inside the door, you'll forget where you are-partially because it's pretty dark and you can't see shit, but the other part is that it's magical. I love poppin' up to the bar and chillin' in this space. There are two more totally different experiences to dine in, but I'll leave that up to you to find and explore. Although they're known for their burger, delicious drinks, and signature ice cream sandwich, there's so much more to write home about. I RECENTLY HAD ONE OF THE BEST MEALS I'VE HAD IN A LONG TIME HERE. The steak sampler we had, with sides of honey gochujang carrots, and beautifully scalloped potatoes, left us in ecstasy! The four cuts of beef were incredibly tender, deftly seasoned, and seared to perfection. The accompanying sauces, except for the tomato one, were also really good. And I have even mentioned the twice baked potato or the BROCCOLI!!! YES, THE BROCCOLI!!! If you get nothing else, get yourself a burger and some broccoli-TRUST!!! I could go on, but I'll leave you with this...the parking is not pleasant, but the food is fantastic, the music is fresh, and the drinks are splendid. Starlite, you must be my lucky star. Super HUGE thanks to Dani, the chefs, and the crew for making Starlite so amazing. Enjoy my friends. read more

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Such a fun restaurant! My favorite were the mozzarella sticks and the ice cream sandwich! The steak was great but i ordered something similar at Born and Raised that somehow tasted a little better there. Its very intimate, of the other CH restaurants. Not pictured were our drinks, we got an old fashioned and beer. Service was fantastic! Our waitress was very sweet and helpful around the menu. read more

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Finally made it to Starlite!! This restaurant is beautiful! Each room is unique and a sight to see. Definitely one of the coolest restaurants I have seen. A lot of detail went into the decor of this restaurant and is beautifully made. The food was really good. One of our friends suggested the Burger so we had to try the Burger! It was pretty delicious and lived up to the hype. The Potatoes, the Mac N Cheese and the Brussel Sprouts did not disappoint either. Everything I ate was delicious. Our waitress was super nice and really helpful. Constantly checking in with us. My only small complaint would be our request to sit closer to our other group of friends. There was a table opening up next to us so we asked if our friends at another table could sit closer. We were told that we would be put on the same bill and a gratuity charge would be applied. I would understand that if we were all at the same table, but two separate tables didn't make sense so we declined because it felt like we were asking a huge favor although the table available plus we had only order drinks at this time. read more

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My 1000th review! This restaurant is all about the vibes. The bar area where you can get some food but not the main dining area is this cool all desk space with lights that makes it look like stars in the sky. The other area is a cool indoor space that makes you feel like you are outside, that's where we sat for dinner. I got the sea bass, scalloped potatoes and Mac and cheese. Everything was great but nothing I would crave again. I got a mule for a drink and that was also good. The prices for the food and drinks were very reasonable for what you good. The service was also really friendly. This would be a five star if the food would have been just a tad bit better. Other than that everything was great! read more

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This restaurant is so beautiful and well designed! Each room is designed a bit different but they each stand out. The food on the other hand was a bit underwhelming. We tried the steak sampler and the only one we enjoyed was the filet mignon. The rest of the steaks were tough and chewy. For sides we got the mac n cheese and scalloped potatos were delicous. read more

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Such a cool and unique restaurant! The design was probably the first thing that impressed me. There are several different areas, and each one has its own atmosphere and details. The cave-like spaces, beautiful bar, lighting, plants, and stone throughout the restaurant make it feel completely different from a typical San Diego restaurant. The food was also really good. Everything we ordered was delicious and nicely presented, and the service was great throughout the evening. Overall, I really enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. Definitely a 5-star experience for me. read more

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The vibes in here are immaculate! From the outside, Starlite looks really small, but it's actually huge inside with multiple rooms that are all decorated differently. Such a cool place to sit and drink and chat. For a cocktail bar, I was expecting more drinks and variety on their cocktail menu. The drinks we did get were just okay. What did stand out to us though was the ice cream sandwich!!! It's a (I think) snickerdoodle cookie with vanilla ice cream and lots and lots of pistachios. So so good, highly recommend! read more

Starlite - Ice cream sandwich - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

WOW this place is stunning!! Came by with a friend and reservations (!) for a Thursday evening and loved it so much I came back the following Saturday night! Yes, this is a bar + restaurant but I think most people come for drinks / photos. I highly recommend making reservations in advance ($50 reservation placeholder fee on OpenTable though, please be advised!!) Location wise, this place is very unassuming from the outside and is located near the airport and ~10-15 mins via car from Gaslamp. Once you walk in, everyone is immediately carded and checked in with the hostess. We initially thought this gorgeous part of the immediate interior was the entire place and were already taken away! However!! Past the DJ booth and futuristic bathrooms and up the stairs, there is a tropical area followed by this futuristic disco ball patterned dome shaped room with a waterfall. 100/10 for aesthetics!! Honey Ryder 5/5, I could only drink these and be very happy; sweet but not too sweet, very light, excellent pricing French Fries 3/5, average, not mad at this, would order again Mozzarella sticks with Caviar and Crème fraîche 3.5/5, okay yes enjoyable but I wish the mozzarella sticks were larger and more cheesy read more

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We made a reservation in advance months ago. This place is super Romantic yet fun at the same time. The food was delicious, the drinks were good, and the service was excellent! Definitely love the atmosphere! Worth trying at least once whether it's with your friend or a date. read more

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Shout out to the designer behind Starlite. The moment you walk in, your eyes are immediately drawn to the recess bar area, with those gorgeous Starlite chandeliers hanging low at eye level. Against the dark ambiance, it really feels like gazing into a night sky filled with bright stars. It was absolutely mesmerizing. Climb the short staircase and you'll find an indoor outdoor patio dining area, lush with tropical plants hanging from above and palm trees throughout. It gives off such a warm, exotic, vacation like feeling. Then, walk further to the right and you'll discover another dining room they call the Disco Cave. With all the sparkling mirrored glass decorating the walls, it feels like a time capsule transporting you to another era. The mood and ambiance were unexpectedly festive and magical. Our server, Mati, was wonderful. She constantly checked in to make sure we were doing well. We weren't happy with the sea bass dish we ordered, and she immediately took care of it and graciously offered us the menu to choose another dish. The food was unexpectedly delicious, especially the Prime Filet Steak, which was seasoned and cooked perfectly. Also the Chef's Vegetables Salad, I don't usually get excited about a salad, but this salad completely won me over. The vegetables were fresh, crisp, and beautifully presented. We'll definitely be back. read more

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One of the most beautiful cocktail bars ever! It looks like something out of a Star Wars movie. However, me and my friends had to share a small table and sat in tiny stools. If you make a reservation be sure to reserve the booth seats. Parking was HARD and nonexistent. Less than 10 parking spots provided by Starlite, then you need to drive through the hilly residential area for a spot. Drinks were decent but nothing special! You really just come here for the ambiance. Presentation was nice. Service could be better, was slow. read more

Starlite - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Loved Starlite. Everything we got here was delicious. The Starlite Ice Cream Sandwich was heavenly. The fresh ginger non-alcoholic drink the server recommended was exactly what I wanted, even though I didn't know it until I had my first sip. My grilled sea bass was perfection. I'm definitely getting it again when I visit. My husband loved his steak with puréed potatoes, and my friend really enjoyed her Starlite Burger. We also got a wedge salad, which was divine, and the mushrooms were so good. Fantastic place to visit for delicious food and a beautiful setting. You'll have a great time here. read more

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I would highly recommend Starlite to anyone who will listen. The cocktails were so amazing, we had zero intentions of staying for two rounds but we did. I would've stayed for 3. We cannot wait to come back for dinner here. The servers are on top of everything, and the inside is incredible. If you want to teleport to somewhere else, just take one step inside this restaurant. Truly is incredible. You won't find anything with this level of ambiance anywhere else in San Diego. read more

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My goodness what a stunning space this is! I was absolutely captivated by the interior of the restaurant downstairs, as well as the newer upstairs area where we ate. Everything is beautiful to look at, and I would say this was absolutely the highlight of the experience. Not all seating is equal, here, however. So it's kind of a gamble what you are going to get. We shared a salad and honey gochujung carrots which all were very tasty. The cocktails had a great presentation and were delicious as well. I really loved how they took notice of my birthday and even brought out a cake slice with my name on it!! What an amazing touch. My only criticism would be that everything took a while. I'm sure the place gets busy, but I did spend a lot of time waiting to catch a glimpse of our server who was busy running around. To me it just seemed like he had too many big tables to manage, which isn't at fault to him. He was actually amazing! I would definitely come back here for a special occasion again. read more

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Had our anniversary dinner here and it did not disappoint. The minute you walk in it's stunning. The service was amazing. Justin was our servicer and he was super attentive. The drinks, food and desserts were tasty. Would highly recommend this place for a special occasion night. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Starlite for your hospitality. read more

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This place is amazing to look at. The night that I was there, there was a DJ playing chill music, which was super nice. Sat at the bar and ordered a drink, it was a nice place to just enjoy ourselves. read more

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Was stuck between 3 and 4 stars because the ambiance is so cool and the service was incredible but the drink was strange. Not sure if it was just too strong or what happened but I had half of my drink and felt out of it. I had the starlite mule. Other than that Emily was so sweet and friendly and attentive and the ice cream sandwich was amazing. I'll be back but I might avoid that particular drink. read more

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Starlite was definitely a vibe! The downstairs is more a cocktail lounge, small seating and crowded but intimate. The upstairs is a whole different vibe with a waterfall and more space to eat. The food was good! I liked the apps and the steak sampler. I was expecting more from the potatoes but still good! They surprised us with birthday cakes with our names on them which was such a special touch! Service was a bit slow, it's very dark inside but totally a vibe! read more

Starlite - Tartare - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here again for the second time to bring a friend from out of town & we had a great visit! The ambiance is, of course, stunning. I love the "patio" area with all of the plants & fire pits. It is a totally different experience coming during the day (earlier dinner) versus night (later dinner). Parking can be tough so plan accordingly + reservations can be tough so I would recommend planning ahead for reservations also. We had the tartare starter (incredible), broccoli & scalloped potatoes side & the steak sampler, as well as a cocktail and mocktail. 2/4 steaks did come overcooked (we ordered medium, though they came out closer to well done) but they did a recook & all was well. They also do such a cool birthday dessert (a fun confetti vanilla cake) with your name on it. Our server, Dani, was fantastic. Very nice & attentive. The manager came and checked in to make sure all was well with the recook. Service was truly fantastic. I would highly recommend this restaurant. Food/drinks, service + the ambiance cannot be beat. read more

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Fanciest ig worthy restaurant with the gourmet food to match. Staff is also on point and always welcoming. This is the newest remodel to this restaurant and it's all worth the hype. I know everyone wants to get the waterfall section, so make sure u make reservations early because they fill up. Sometimes I get weary on going to restaurants that are social media worthy, and it doesn't taste good. But everything on the menu is so delicious. Best thing to always get? Salted croissants and the cocktails ! Still trying everything on the menu. Can't wait to get back. read more

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The coolest bar I've been to in SD! The interior space alone gets a 5/5 from me. Each room feels like an art installation. Super immersive! Every corner you look is a snap-worthy moment. Don't be afraid to walk around a bit when you're here! The ambiance is pretty chill. Some areas are more intimate than others. It really depends on what you're looking for! From a romantic date or some drinks with friends, they've got nooks for all if it. The night we were there, there was a live DJ! I wouldn't say the music was my favorite, but it was a nice touch. On to the drinks! Of the ones we got, my favorite had to be their Starlite Mule. Probably one of the best mules I've had! Super fresh and light. The pricing is pretty steep here, so we didn't delve too deep into the food menu. The fries we got for the table were solid. Can't really go wrong! read more

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Food 7/10 Service 7/10 Ambiance 9/10 Average food for what you are buying I personally wasn't impressed with anything. The service is fine nothing to write home about yet. The ambience was absolutely amazing. read more

Popped in late with a friend, and honestly, finding a spot that's open late with vibes this good is a total lifesaver for night owls. The ambiance is top-tier--that stunning starlight ceiling light fixture sets the coolest, moody tone the second you step inside. Ordered the Starlight Mule, and it was crisp, refreshing, and crafted perfectly. Great drinks, incredible mid-century modern aesthetic, and standard-setting late-night hospitality. Will definitely be making this a regular late-night haunt! read more

Starlite - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Went for a date night after seeing tiktoks about this place. Had to wait 20 mins after my reservation time but that was expected due to the popularity. The interior is very glam and great for taking pics! There was a dj spinning vinyl records if you like that vibe. The service was great and the food was surprisingly solid for a spot thats viral on social media. They have decent coffee drinks as well. Gotta try the mozerella sticks if you come here. read more

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Such a cute and aesthetic spot! I originally couldn't get a reservation, so I joined the waitlist and ended up getting notified last minute. Check-in was super quick and easy. I was a little disappointed that we ended up sitting at the bar area because I was really hoping our reservation would get us into the beautiful waterfall room. Other than that, the service was great and the food was SO good! Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a cute dinner spot with a fun atmosphere. read more

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Starlite is absolutely beautiful and the food was incredible. The staff were very nice as well. We asked our waitress if we could eat inside (we made a reservation for anywhere because we didn't know the layout). She said it was full but said that we could eat outside (which is also a very beautiful area btw) and then have drinks after at the bar inside. She even reserved us a place after we finished eating. I highly recommend the roasted mushrooms. They had a great flavor. read more

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CH does it again with their monopoly on the trendiest restaurants in San Diego. They absolutely nail the aesthetics as well as the food. Entering the restaurant felt like I was entering space mountain. Each of the different rooms all have a different feel but I'm so so glad we got sat in the back section with the disco mirror walls and waterfall. Jay was our waiter and he even brought us specialty shots to celebrate our promotion dinner. Food was delish as always, special shout out to the broccolini. Another perfect dinner spot to check out in SD! read more

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What an unexpected surprise! I love me a "CH" experience! I had read reviews before going and so glad that I kept an open mind. It was a pricey dining experience that was so worth it. We sat in a spacious table meant for 4 right outside the kitchen. We watched the food as it paraded in front of us. We went with the seasonal salad which was amazing. I never order salads at a restaurant. We ultimately went with the porterhouse medium rare with the splurge of garlic butter (which was! It's own experience!). I loved the filet mignon. We had the macaroni and cheese, fries and croissant. To top it off- we got the pistachio ice cream Sandwich. The service was great. Justin was very attentive! I cannot wait to go back and get the burger and sit in the main dining room! Overall- it was truly a sensory dining experience! The vibe, the food, the music and the hospitality was worth every penny! read more

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Picked Starlite to celebrate my birthday because of all the videos I saw on TikTok. Highly recommend to go for drinks or to celebrate a special occasion. Multiple staff greeted me happy birthday. Service and drinks were good. Food was a mix. The mozzarella sticks with caviar was amazing. Herb scalloped potatoes and roasted maitake mushrooms were good. The steak sampler and dry-aged half duck were ok. At the end they surprised me with a cake with my name on it. read more

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This restaurant is so pretty! It's just really small so recommendations are absolutely needed.. if you plan on walking in the only spot you can sit is around the bar to get the full menu. Although the bar is still very pretty, the seats were not comfortable. It's extremely loud. And not ideal for a date night romantic evening, dining somewhere. Making sure you get the reservation reservations deacon considered an actual table is the way to go. The onion soup was amazing very rich very flavorful. They had a second bar upstairs. As well as outdoor sitting on the patio and then. Seating in the cave that leads to a waterfall. It's a very pretty restaurant. Definitely worth celebrating something fun there. read more

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I absolutely loved this place! Everything felt reasonably priced, especially compared to similar spots in San Diego. My only complaint was that we didn't get to sit in the disco room--it looked so fun and was definitely one of the coolest parts of the restaurant. We skipped the cocktail menu and ordered pornstar martinis instead, and they were incredible. The passionfruit tasted fresh and natural, not overly sweet or artificial. For food, we shared the mozzarella sticks with caviar crème fraîche ($23), which came with a surprisingly generous portion of caviar. We also ordered the Caesar salad, which was a great size for sharing, and the Starlight Burger with a Wagyu patty and fries. Everything was delicious and exceeded our expectations. The service was just as impressive. Our server was attentive without being overbearing and checked in frequently to make sure we had everything we needed. Overall, every part of the experience was on point. Great food, great drinks, great service, and such a fun atmosphere. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Beautiful restaurant. A little dark for my aging eyes but the food was delicious. Service was fabulous only not a 5 star because the bathrooms were unkept. Our waitress was very attentive and never let my water evaporated for longer than 5 minutes. read more

Starlite - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

When you search restaurants in San Diego this place comes up 90% of the time and with fair reason, this restaurant is an experience. From the entire wall being filled with stars to the decor, it truly makes you feel like you're in space. The name of the cocktails caters to the experience as well. The food was decent, we ordered the sea bass, jidori chicken, an order of roasted broccoli + honey gochujang carrots (which were to die for) the glaze was so good. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. read more

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Very hip and fun spot to grab a drink and/or bite to eat. This was my first time back at Starlite in 15 years, when I used to live in San Diego. Glad to see the ambiance remains eclectic. Had a couple of drinks post dinner elsewhere and sat indoors in front of the bar with hanging chandelier. The dining area looked really nice as well. Will definitely return on future visits. read more

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I can't believe that in my 18 years living in San Diego, this is the first time I have visited Starlite. I have seen it off the freeway and have heard about it through the grapevine, but just never got around the trying it. I found out recently that my sweet husband has been keeping a list since we started dating, of things, activities and places that I have mentioned being interested in and Starlite was on that list so he made a reservation for my birthday. The restaurant is very unassuming off the road as it looks almost like a dinky, small building. But once inside, you are transported into what feels like a supernova bar with Star Wars cantina vibes. It was so cool! We were seating in the back, semi outdoor patio and it was so beautiful and the ambiance very romantic. I am definitely interested to see what kind of events they hold here, I've heard in the past that they have a great NYE event! I opted for the Sea Bass, my husband the Jidori chicken and we shared four sides: honey carrots, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, and the buttered croissant. I cannot even choose a star of the show becuase it was all so incredibly delicious. I literally ate the remaining butter for the croissant by itself because I couldn't let it go to waste! The complimentary almond confetti birthday cake with my name emblazoned on it (spelled wrong, maybe a little more attention to detail on the reservation notes haha) was a wonderful and surprising touch! read more

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