Such a special evening at ANIMAE…read more Led by Executive Chef and James Beard Award Finalist Tara Monsod, ANIMAE brings a personal, deeply cultural perspective to San Diego's fine-dining scene. One of the things I appreciate most about Chef Tara Monsod is how she stays true to the Filipino dishes and flavors so many of us grew up with, while still finding a way to elevate them beautifully. The Tuna Kinilaw, Crispy Pig Ear, Short Rib Kare Kare, and Pork Tomahawk Tocino were all standouts. Each dish still felt unmistakably Filipino, but Tara brought her own creativity through technique, texture, presentation, and refinement. The Short Rib Kare Kare felt familiar and comforting, but completely elevated. And the Pork Tomahawk Tocino was such a fun interpretation of a flavor so many Filipinos recognize instantly. Then came dessert. We tried the Sticky Rice Crème Brûlée, Chocolate Crémeux, Buko Pandan, and Matcha Mousse. I especially loved seeing Buko Pandan, another familiar Filipino favorite, presented in such a polished and creative way. And we absolutely LOVED our waitress, Joy! Her enthusiasm for the menu was contagious. She was genuinely passionate about recommending the different dishes and explaining them to us, which made the experience even more fun. And I have to give her extra credit because her Filipino pronunciations were on point! We noticed, Joy! That is what I love about Tara's food. She respects where these dishes come from and keeps the heart and soul of the flavors intact, while still making them feel fresh, sophisticated, and completely her own. And what made the evening even more special was Tara taking the time to come visit with us after coming over from her other restaurant, Le Coq. She was gracious enough to stop by our table and spend some time visiting with us. Such a thoughtful gesture and such a wonderful way to end an already memorable evening. Amazing food, incredible service, beautiful surroundings, wonderful company, and a chef helping Filipino cuisine shine in such a beautiful way. Definitely a night to remember.

The lighting was okay, not as inspired as it could be but it will do. Just to give context, I am a…read morelighting designer so I am more focused than others in this area. The velvet booth/seats were comfy! The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable. The cold start tuna kinilaw (coconut, calamansi, cilantro oil, tiny copped cucumber) is one of the most delicious bites I have EVER had! Some say that it's overpriced. It was a fair price for such fresh tasty tuna et al. The wagyu fat washed bourbon, koji, bitters old fashioned was extraordinary! I look forward to next time!

Tijuana is a great place for food, but if you don't wait the 40 minutes the guy takes to make your…read morefood your insane!! the food is so great people wait 40 min, to get their plates!! but its that freaking good! good art takes time...and this is art at its finist

Hidden Gem. I love this place. I have nothing to say, other than you need to try this place if you…read moreare in Tijuana. Food is excellent and the dude is legit.

Very bad and poor service super rude. Not clean and it smell bad …read more Did not even offer a drink. And it was not busy!!!

Rinconcito, riquisimooo If you are ever in Tijuana and want…read moresome Pho, this is a little tiny place with big flavor

Tasty PHO !!AND nice service with good prices would highly recommend you to check it out!.read more

Very good food I love this place one of my favorite restaurants around oc I love that stuff working…read morethere

The food, drinks, service, and ambiance were all top-tier! I'll definitely be going back. If you…read morevisit, make sure to order the wings and the Jamaica Mezcalito; you won't regret it!

Great cocktails, incredible food, great vibe and amazing service. Highly recommend. Check out the…read morebathroom, the mirrors are wild and the decor in general is really fantastic. Will go back for sure.

Very fun atmosphere, kind and attentive wait staff, clean bathrooms, and good food. Plenty of space…read morefor a large group although chairs were a little tightly placed at the table. Portions were a great size for the price and food came out timely. We got some Pizzas and caprese salads for appetizers which were both good. Pizza was OK, probably wouldn't get again. And caprese salad was also average primarily because the tomatoes did not have a lot of flavor and were served warm. Main courses were very good including sushi rolls and the ochi! Wow it was super different with the mango sauce and I loved the tempura battered veggies. Would highly recommend! My coworkers enjoyed the other sushi rolls with Salmon. My coworker who got the spaghetti with meat boasts that it is the best he has ever had! Rice bowls got an OK review from my coworkers--- too much of veggies they didn't care for but overall solid. Great job all around... sushi and mozzarella seems like an odd combo but you all did a good job!

Hermosa experiencia en este lugar, celebramos el cumple de mi hijo Danie y la comida exquisita, el…read moreservicio no se diga10/10.. El mesero Jonathan es el mejor! Definitivamente regresaré pronto!!

Chicken karaage Po Boy sandwich. Plenty of fried chicken on soft roll with cabbage and sauces that…read morecompliment chicken. Friendly service and kitchen that is all business. Plenty of beers and drinks available. Big menu that I feel is legit.

Stopped by Imperial Beach Kitchen and it definitely delivered. This Asian-fusion seafood spot keeps…read morethings simple but done right. The fried chicken bowl was loaded--crispy, juicy pieces drizzled with a rich savory glaze and sesame, sitting on fresh greens with corn and veggies. Balanced, flavorful, and satisfying. We also grabbed a basket with waffle fries and potstickers on the side--perfectly crispy and great for sharing. The sauces (kimchi, house sauce, and chili oil) added a nice punch to everything. The place itself is neat, casual, and welcoming, and the service was friendly and quick. What really stood out was the great price-to-value--generous portions and quality food without breaking the bank. Great food, great service, great value, and a laid-back vibe. Definitely worth the stop if you're around Imperial Beach.

Roppongi is so legit. We went here the first night they were open. The Hot Rock steak is a really…read morecool dining experience. And that crab tower is really neat. The half price apps from 4-6 are where it's at. They're super affordable. Been here 3 times and it's just great every time. Plus they have NA Asahi. The Sweet & Sour Calamari. Damn. It's probably the best calamari AND sweet & sour sauce I've ever had. I'm picky about that sauce too. Like really it's that good. I hope this place actually sticks around because it's so good. Everyone who works here is super good at what they do too. Super nice people. Oh, and ocean views.

Roppongi Asian Bistro is a restaurant and bar serving Asian fusion cuisine…read more AMBIANCE Coastal, modern SERVICE Staff were friendly and helpful. Food was freshly made. FOOD 5/5 Shishito peppers: stir fried hot in oil and served with bonito flakes - some shishito peppers were spicy while most others were mild PARKING Streetside

Best dumpling spot! Made fresh every time and never disappoints! A must visit when in Chula Vista.read more

The food was good! First time visit! Thank you Jayden!…read more Super easy to order and food came out quick!

Nice to have a solid Peruvian spot in San Diego. The ambiance has a Latin vibe to it with all the…read morefoliage and decor. The presentation of the dishes were excellent. The dishes we had are not quite as they add a modern twist. The vegetarian soltado protein were "steak strips" versus just veggies/tofu/mushroom. It ate more hearty without a loss of flavor. We also ordered arroz chaufas de pato (Duck fried rice). The flavor was spot on but the duck was a tad dry. We did have Yucca Fritas and that was good. The spicy Aji had a long lasting kick and a smoky flavor. We definitely recommend this location for the food and experience!

Come here on a Sunday with my friend for lunch. It has such chill vibe to it, beat away the heat of…read morethe day. I really enjoy it here. My friend ordered a beef saltado and i ordered a saltado vegetarian, both dishes are amazing, more than we expected. The services are good too, our server was excellent and very helpful. I would love to come again!