Service was friendly, though a little inconsistent when it got busier, with longer waits between orders. Overall, it's a solid place for drinks and atmosphere, but the food and consistency don't quite match the upscale vibe it's going for. read more

We had an incredible experience thanks to Nathan, the manager, and Roy, our server! From the moment we arrived, everything was exceptional. The cocktails were perfectly crafted, the service was attentive and welcoming, and they made celebrating my brother's birthday feel truly special. The food was absolutely amazing, and my brother couldn't stop talking about his steak--he said it was the best steak he's ever had! Every detail of our evening exceeded our expectations, and it's clear that Nathan and Roy genuinely care about creating an unforgettable dining experience. Thank you both for making such a special celebration even more memorable. We can't wait to come back! read more

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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Our first visit to Starlite was very memorable. It was a great way to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Exceptional service by all staff. Food and ambiance was AMAZING!! What we ordered: * Wagyu & Local Yellowtail Tartare * Dry-aged Half Duck * Herb Scalloped Potatoes * Roasted Broccoli Kristina was our waitress. She was very friendly and attentive. We felt very welcomed. We even got complimentary champagne for our anniversary dinner (special touch). Our food was a special culinary experience. Everything was so full of flavor. Nice shareable portions. This business really shined..... Just like their name Starlite. This is a must try place. Especially for a special occasion. #DiningWithTheAndersons #TryingNewPlaces #ExceptionalExperience #CelebratingUs #WeFancyNow read more

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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Loved Starlite. Attentive servers. Ambiance and vibes are immaculate. I had the French onion soup and Jidori Chicken. I had leftovers from the chicken it was a generous portion. My friend had the burger. We shared the mac and cheese and carrots. All of the food was really yummy. I had the Honey Rider-dangerously smooth and tasty. Very fruity and refreshing. I forget what drink my friend had, but she enjoyed it. I can't wait to come back. I hope to get a table near the waterfall next time. read more

Starlite - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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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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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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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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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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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This place is amazing. My wife surprised me on our Anniversary with this culinary gem . Everything from the service to the delicious food. The vibe and decor of all three areas is amazing. You get a full resort vibe minutes from the airport. I highly recommend this place great for all occasions. Definitely can't wait to come back to try the other delicious food. 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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Getting reservation at this restaurant is mission impossible but do not let it scare you. Whatever spot you get - main dining room or patio is not going to disappoint you. Every detail in the establishment is very thought out - from bathroom to the ceiling full of stars. Absolutely fabulous. Food is on par with décor, halibut is well done with sprinkles of caviar and drinks are very boozy. I will be back (once I manage to get a reservation at the reasonable hour again) read more

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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Enjoyed a birthday dinner celebration with the girls in the disco room! It's such a cool space and worth the wait for a table. The burger was sooo good and worth it, as were the carrots at mushrooms that we split across the table. Cocktails are also fabulous, we enjoyed some drinks at the bar before our table was ready and our group loved the mix of mocktails and cocktails! We had such a fun time celebrating our girls birthday and felt that the servers went above and beyond to provide customized birthday cake and drinks just for the experience. 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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Such a great place for a nice dinner. Amazing ambiance! Loved the staff and the food was 10/10 read more

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First time back since the remodel! I came in with a big group for my birthday and they were incredibly accommodating. From the second we walked in, we were greeted warmly and sat promptly. Tina, our server was ON IT! She was delightful and attentive and never left us with empty drinks or plates. Nathan also helped out with our table and he was absolutely delightful! The food is out of this world! The steaks and sides...just wow. Definitely recommend the scalloped potatoes and filet. And they make an incredible pisco sour and paper plane. Thank you for making my birthday special!! read more

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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I had the burger and the crudite and pickles which I loved! The drinks were amazing too. The server was great and obviously the restaurant is beautiful! read more

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If I were to give this place based on food then it would be 3.5 while the ambiance would be a 4. It can get crowded and not enough room for walking in the bar area. I thought the wagyu and yellowtail tartare were decent, though not quite as impressive as I had expected. The wagyu was tender and well-prepared, but the yellowtail seemed like it may have sat in the fridge a bit too long, leaving the fish slightly dry. The steak, however, was cooked perfectly, and the herb scalloped potatoes were excellent. As for the grilled local sea bass, the seasoning was a bit too heavy-handed on the salt for my taste, which took away from the overall flavor. The cocktails, on the other hand, were refreshing and enjoyable. read more

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Starlite is an experience! The place is beautiful! Besides the room with the chandelier, there is an upstairs area with more seating for both big parties and smaller groups. The ambiance and lighting is dim and intimate. I came here for an anniversary and ordered only the steak sampler to share (unfortunately had a late lunch), but still very much enjoyed our time here. The steak sampler was delicious and trying all the sauces was fun! My favorite was the green sauce (completely forgot the name of it). I'd recommend trying the steak sampler if you are in the area and able to come back, especially if you're unsure what cut you prefer. They are a steakhouse!! It's great for sharing as well. The server was also very patient with explaining the menu and their options as well as recommendations, which I appreciate since we only took one of the many... I'd like to come back with a bigger stomach and try more things, but just the ambiance here is amazing! 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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This place was good. Limited seating so can be hard to get a reservation but very nice. The cocktails were good and refreshing. Not much alcohol so could use more of that and less mix. The sea bass was good (I didn't try it) but the people I was with loved it. The French onion soup was so good. Lots of cheese and bread and really good flavor. Not very salty so perfect The Mac and cheese was so good also. Not overcooked noodles and very cheesy. Loved it. The fries were crispy and delicious and the aioli sauce was very flavorful. Service was great. Fast and friendly. Very attentive. Seating was nice in the disco room but very limited. I think 8 tables. Try it out. read more

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Came here to get some drinks to celebrate my best friends engagement, and it was such a vibe! The decor made it feel like you were in Tulum, heavy on stone and greenery. The drinks were strong, and the pistachio ice cream sandwich was delicious as were the fries. I wish they did something special for my friend since they asked if we were celebrating anything and we had said yes, and it would have made the night even more special. Otherwise, lovely ambiance and would definitely come back. read more

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I love this place. Came on a Thursday and sat at the bar. Drinks were superb!!! I had the tequila Tarantula drink. My boyfriend order 2 drinks but the second one the best one. The second tasted like a boozy milk boba tea. I think it has "golden" in its name somewhere. The vibe was amazing. Music choices were fantastic! Vibe check and everything passed. 100% would come back again. read more

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

Shoutout to Julia for such genuinely friendly service! She really elevated the experience and made us feel very welcome. The food was great. All of our starters were fantastic, and the filet was beyond tender - we didn't even need a steak knife! The crab louie left a bit to be desired, but overall, we were impressed with our meal. My only note to future diners is to be aware of how cramped the space is. The main dining room is pretty small, and the music was VERY loud, so it felt a bit claustrophobic. read more

Starlite - Tempura crab louie salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

After a down period of renovation by the new ownership (Consortium Holdings), this longtime cocktail bar and lounge in the Middletown neighborhood came back online last March. You could tell that CH poured a lot of resources into sprucing up the business as their properties are known for intricate and opulent interior decor. When you walked in, the main bar area had been transformed into a dark sphere with a starry night sky overhead. It was reminiscent of another CH restaurant that opened last year. I remember coming to Starlite about a decade ago with some friends to enjoy their Moscow Mule. What I completely underestimated was the high demand for seating on most nights and weekends. I eventually made an OpenTable reservation to secure a spot as my walk-in attempts were futile. My visit occurred right as they opened at 5 pm. The central circular sunken bar had a first come, first serve policy. The rest of the seating on the perimeter was reserved along with a covered outdoor patio that was up a few steps in the back of the structure. The one-page food menu had more choices than I recalled under the previous management. Some were definitely expensive, however there were modestly priced items too. I chose the Grilled Local Sea Bass and the Herbed Scalloped Potatoes for my dinner. The fish fillet was doused in a black garlic-roe sauce. The salmon eggs provided bursts of saltiness to enhance the flavor of the sauce. The potatoes were prepared with cheddar, confit onions, and chives. I am glad I picked this over the twice baked potato which cost five dollars more. The Starlite Mule was the featured cocktail, but there were also three non-alcoholic selections on the bottom of the page. The Goldfinger was my drink for the evening. It was a milk tea mixed with seltzer, creme de cacao, and orange essence. This was the first time I encountered a milk tea as a mocktail at a local bar. It tasted just as sweet as a regular boba tea drink elsewhere. My server checked on me multiple times and was very polite. I can see why this updated version of Starlite has become a popular date night spot as you can be seated in the dark ambiance of the main dining area or the more tropical outdoor setting in the upstairs back patio. On-site parking was limited to several spots on the north side of the building so taking a rideshare is the recommended way to get here. read more

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This is prettiest bar/restaurant that I had ever visit in San Diego. Have Starlite on my checklist because of, one: it shares a same name with my favorite rooftop bar in SF, and two: all the beautiful reels I saw on Instagram definitely influenced my decision to check it out lol. I came at 5:30pm on Saturday with no reservation with my bestie and we got seated right away by the lovely host at the entrance. Our cocktail table is small but it right in the middle of the lower floor, perfect spot for me to look around and immerse myself in the beautiful vibes and decoration of this restaurant. It was mesmerizing and very unique, right in the center is the bar section, and each direction I look is a different type of interior art designs. I also checked out their famous bathroom vault with infinity mirror and the outdoor/2nd floor area, quite hot but if prefer nature scene likes jungle and waterfall vibes, you would love this area. Overall, this place is very beautiful but it actually wayyyy smaller than I imagine. Staffs was so friendly and I can feel that she genuinely care about our experience at Starlite, when we left the table to go around and take picture she put a napkin on top of my drink to make sure it safe, that was so so so sweet of her, 10/10 for the service and hospitality. I tried the Starlite Mule and Commander Strangeways, my bestie got the Goldfinger (non-alcohol), I really like the Commander Strangeways, the cream on top was really good, the Mule was alright and Goldfinger taste kinda strange imo. We splitted the Starlite Burger and a side order of Roasted Broccoli, it was pretty good but I asked for Medium and it was served Rare. Food portion is definitely shareable, I was so full to the point that I skipped the famous ice cream that everybody was talking about. Overall, I had a great time at Starlite with my bestie, we had a lot of fun and I got so many beautiful pictures taken at here, totally ig worthy imo ;) Definitely will be back for their ice cream and try other cocktails. read more

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I went to celebrate my birthday at Starlite a few nights ago and the interior, the food, and the service were all amazing! For drinks we got the Space Cadet and Fox trotter. Both drinks were good, but i would maybe be interested in trying their other drinks instead. For our starter we got the Mozzarella sticks with caviar and those were really good, I got a great cheese pull from it. For our entrees we both got Wagyu Ribeyes. We got different cooked levels and both were on point, really good crusts- the outside was slightly a little too charred to my liking, but still a great steak. For our sides we got the Mashed Potatoes and the Starlite Mac & Cheese. We enjoyed both sides, but my favorite between the two would be the mashed potatoes. Mozzarella sticks 8.5/10 Wagyu ribeye 9/10 Mashed potatoes 10/10 Mac & cheese 9/10 read more

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I had an amazing experience here for me and my boyfriend's anniversary. Definitely the spot for a romantic dinner or celebration! We got here right at 5 with a 5:15 reservation and parked right out front. There was a short line out front and we were taken to the bar area to wait for a server. The bar was soo beautiful I would love to dine in there next time. We ate in the cave area right in front of the waterfall. The one thing I'll say is the waterfall was a bit loud so it was hard to hear over there but the pretty view and ambiance makes up for it. We ordered the steak sampler, fries, and carrots. Everything was amazinggg, I especially loved the carrots! Service was great, everyone was super kind and welcoming. read more

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Finally got to check out the makeover, Starlite 2.0. What a beautiful job they did, such a dramatic entrance, and lovely upstairs area. My friend and I sat right in front of the waterfall and felt like we were on vacation somewhere haha. Food was good, drinks were tasty, we shared the steak sampler and it was the perfect amount for two. Scalloped potatoes and maitake mushrooms were delicious, and the ice cream bar was worth trying, definitely enough for 2 people if not 4! We liked the chips they made with the tartare and it was fun they put in some salmon roe into the mix. Service was great, prices what you expect for the area. read more

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I have been to Starlight several times now, and every visit reminds me why this place has such a hold on people. The food is genuinely good. The charcuterie boards are thoughtful and generous, with some house cured options that show real care. The cocktails are inventive and strong and always land exactly where they should. The atmosphere is the real star. It has that moody New York City energy that makes you feel like you slipped into a secret spot. During the week when it is quiet, the room feels intimate and special. It is the kind of place where you can settle in, enjoy the music, and feel like you found something that belongs to you. But then the weekend arrives and the whole thing shifts. The vibe turns from neighborhood sanctuary to a full studio fifty four audition. The hostess stand becomes a velvet rope. Suddenly it is not about when you arrived or whether there is space. It is about whether you fit the aesthetic they are curating. I watched twenty something zoomers in tiny outfits get waved in while my wife and I stood there like we were trying to get into a club we did not know we were auditioning for. I am in my early fifties. I am not in the whole trendy phase of my life. I am also not trying to be. I just wanted a table at the place down the hill from my house. The encounter with the hostess on my last visit was offputting enough that it changed how I see the place. It is one thing to have a cool vibe. It is another to turn the front door into a star fucking machine. That kind of gatekeeping does not fit the spirit of laid back San Diego. It feels imported from a different city entirely, and not in a good way. And that is the heartbreak. read more

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This place is so beautifully decorated! It's difficult to get a reservation and nobody ever answers the phone for any changes to the reservation or questions. The food and cocktails were all so good, we'll definitely be returning! We sat on the patio which seems to be enclosed and it wasn't a hot night but it was steaming hot up there. The service was great and the food made it well worth the drive. read more

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Starlite is such a beautiful spot! the decor and ambiance are definitely a highlight. I ordered the Wagyu ribeye, but unfortunately my first steak came out too charred. With every bite, I could taste the burnt flavor, so I respectfully asked if they could remake it. They were accommodating and brought out a new one, which was cooked perfectly the second time around, though it was slightly on the salty side. The appetizers were good, and the service were great Overall, the atmosphere and service stood out more than the food for me. read more

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Came to celebrate my birthday here on Sunday and it was an overall great experience. The staff were very attentive, Garrett, our server was amazing. The food was 10/10, already thinking of when else I can convince my bf to take me back. The vibes were great, prepare for loud music but besides that I loved the intimate setting. Tables are a bit close together but it was not a deal breaker since everyone is in their own world. Thank you to Nathan, the manager, who also came to greet us and ensure we had a good experience. read more

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We had such an amazing anniversary dinner here! The food was incredible, the atmosphere was perfect, and the service made the whole experience even better. Madison was absolutely wonderful she was so kind, attentive, and genuinely made us feel special throughout the night. Her friendly personality and great service made our anniversary one to remember. We can't thank her enough and will definitely be coming back! read more

Starlite - Tomahawk steak, mash potato's, Mac and cheese - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Gorgeous remodel blown away! Food- service- cocktails all 5 Star! Reservations required - when I go back I can't decide do I sit under the stars or by the waterfall! read more

Starlite - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California