Animae in San Diego

I came here with my family for Thanksgiving dinner. The price was pretty high ($114 each) but it was really a tale of two different course selections. The menu was fixed with three options for each course. Three of us went straight meat and my wife and daughter went for a pure vegetarian menu. To say the meat courses were amazing is an understatement. We started with beef tartare, then a lamp chop, and finally short rib. Each course got better and better with a perfect cook, seasoning, and it all paired perfectly with the sides. The two vegetarians were far from impressed. The first course was basically a plate of beets with little flavor and a too soft texture. The next course was cabbage which was so tough they could not cut it with a steak knife. The waiter noted, “yeah, I have been seeing it is hard to cut”. I still rated the restaurant a 4 since the meats were so making, but they have a lot of work to do on their vegetable dishes.

Animae left me utterly blown away with its contemporary ambiance and elevated flavors. From the moment I stepped in, I was captivated by the modern and chic atmosphere. The menu featured a delightful fusion of cuisines, and each dish surpassed my expectations. I was blown away by the exquisite flavors and inventive combinations.The service was a standout, unparalleled in every aspect. The staff was attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about the culinary experience they offered. My dining experience reached new heights with the help of a knowledgeable waiter who expertly guided me through the menu and tailored my dinner to match my palate perfectly.Overall, Animae is a gem that delivers an unforgettable dining experience. Whether youre a food enthusiast or simply seeking a unique culinary journey, this restaurant is a must-visit. I cant wait to return and explore more of their exceptional creations.Price wise, this is a very expensive restaurant but it is completely worth every penny. If you’re looking for a completely renewed fine dining experience, this is the place to go.

Not sure if worth the price at all. Have had fancy dinners for cheaper. The combination of flavors of some dishes were good, but not all that interesting. Spicy lamb noodle was solid though and combined great Chinese noodles with Malaysian flavors. Pork chop was good and juicy. Their mango sticky rice was good, avocado mouse had an interesting presentation but tasted like an avocado smoothie. The lamb and pork dumplings were solid, recommend.Was too dark imo before they opened the curtains

Food was excellent. The atmosphere was really great too not too overly Asian and over the top but subtle.The mango sticky rice wasn’t the best I ever had but the sorbet on top was really good. The appetizers and side dishes are decent size so if you want to try more you can without going to the plates.

Writing a restaurant review after some time today. Animae deserves one.Excellent choices of food, service was great and ambience I really enjoyed.So many good choices and every dish was delicious. We love the sharing of dishes and this place is all about sharing. Even the peas and mushrooms were out of this world.For the price, wagyu could have been little better though.Will go there again soon. Cant wait.Oct 23. Went there again and had another great experience.

We came for our anniversary and had the best meal. this has been on our wish list for a while. mariah was our bartender, and shes soooo sweet and knows the menu front to back. We definitely will be back. we had the spicy halibut, short rib, and cabbage, and it all was amazing, especially the halibut!! Pricey but worth it. Thank you, Animae;)

Animae has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. When my family came to visit my husband and me in San Diego, we decided to celebrate my mothers birthday there. We were excited to experience the Asian-inspired menu with its nods to Filipino cuisine. As we arrived at Animae in downtown, we were immediately captivated by the stunning decor, elegant tables, and inviting ambiance. Needless to say, we were not disappointed.We indulged in a variety of dishes from the menu, including the delectable Caviar Shrimp Toast, Lechon Kawali, Crispy Pig Ears, Short Rib Kare Kare, Pork Tomahawk Tocino, Hokkaido Scallops, Grilled Cabbage, Tuna Kinilaw, and garlic white rice.Out of all the dishes, my absolute favorite was the Pork Tomahawk Tocino. It was incredibly flavorful, tender, and simply delicious. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Crispy Pig Ears and the Caviar Shrimp Toast. For drinks, the Three for Tea, a delightful blend of Matcha, genmaicha-infused whisk, passion fruit, matcha, cold brew tea, mint, and lavender, was my favorite choice.Dining at Animae proved to be the perfect setting for a celebratory dinner with my husband, family, and me. I find myself daydreaming about the day we can return to Animae and savor our favorite dishes once more, while also exploring new delights on their ever-evolving menu. I highly recommend giving Animae a try, especially if youre in the mood for Asian-inspired cuisine with a focus on Filipino flavors.

Ive been going to this restaurant since it opened and it still manages to be one of my favorites in town. The ambiance and decor is awesome and the food is better still.My wife and I like to go in and order a lot of small plates like the lamb chops, the buns, shrimp toast, and some of the crudos, but sometimes you have to go for the whole fish or a nice short rib Kare Kare.Special shout-out to the bar crew - Daniel, Mariah, and Lom. We went in the other night specifically for the Hello Pandan, our favorite drink there, but they had taken it off the menu. These superstars were able to find us the last batch and give us the recipe before we left!

As always, Chef Tara doesnt disappoint. The caviar shrimp toast is a staple favorite for me, but tonights most memorable dishes were the tomahawk tocino-- sweet and tender, with steaky feels, and the chocolate cremaux -- a play on textures and flavors, with chili and the various crispy bits all around it. Service is always good, my husband couldnt help but comment how much training these guys undergo. The ambiance is definitely high-class, cozy, and the interiors are well thought of. All in all, made for a memorable birthday celebration for my husband

Brian Malarkey, you genius, you have done it again! Animae smashed away every expectation I had. Located in the swanky, Pacific Gate building, this is more than a restaurant, this is a statement.If you are unfamiliar with Animae, that needs to change immediately. Easily one the top restaurants in town, from the mind of Top Chef’s, Brian Malarkey, Animae is an amazing steakhouse with an Asian spin to it. If you are unfamiliar Brian Malarkey started the restaurant, Searsuckers, which is literally what changed the food scene in San Diego. That was a pivotal moment in our restaurant landscape. Before that we were very subpar in the dining scene.On to Animae, we were in a large group, and every single item was a hit! You really can’t go wrong, obviously it’s a steakhouse so you have that option or plenty of others to try, or try them all, it’s that good! I love that people dress a little nicer to come here. Don’t stop by in your joggers, but you probably can. The decor is something that San Diego lacks, which gives big city vibes, love it! Service was amazing, and we were lucky enough that Brian Malarkey was there. He stopped by and took picture with us, great guy! As a debt of gratitude we should all be going here regularly.