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Animae
Pan-Asian
Sky-high ceilings, velvet drapes, and cushy curved booths set the stage for chef Tara Monsod's Filipino- and Asian-inflected steakhouse, a room that takes a night out seriously. The menu moves between wagyu, kinilaw, and kare kare without apology, and the bar is worth a stop on its own. Monsod is a two-time James Beard nominee for Best Chef California, which tracks with how the kitchen handles comfort food this opulent.
The awards strongest first
- AAA Three Diamonds
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Nominee · Best Chef: California · Tara Monsod
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Nominee · Best Chef: California · Tara Monsod
- Eater Chef of the Year · Tara Monsod
- Los Angeles Times The 101 Best Restaurants in California
- The Infatuation The 25 Best Restaurants In San Diego
- Eater The 38 Best Restaurants in San Diego
- San Diego Magazine Best Asian Fusion Restaurant · The Best Restaurants in San Diego
- San Diego Magazine Best Chef · The Best Restaurants in San Diego · Tara Monsod
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: California · Tara Monsod
One number, weighted & current 89
How we scoreThe dishes from the writeups
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Tuna kinilaw
“Monsod’s cuisine brings a new perspective to Asian classics with dishes like tuna kinilaw, short rib kare kare, Taiwanese fried chicken, and wagyu fried rice.”
Eater -
Short rib kare kare
“Monsod’s cuisine brings a new perspective to Asian classics with dishes like tuna kinilaw, short rib kare kare, Taiwanese fried chicken, and wagyu fried rice.”
Eater -
Pork tomahawk steak
“The strongest dishes here are like glow-ups of traditional homestyle plates, like sweet pork tocino that’s transformed into an outrageously succulent pork tomahawk steak with a beet glaze.”
The Infatuation -
Buko pandan
“Don’t skip desserts like chocolate crèmeux and buko pandan.”
Eater
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The neighbors closest first
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- False Idol Tiki Bar Drink · 65
- Ketch Grill & Taps Eat · 70
- Buon Appetito Italian Eat · 70
- Osteria Romantica Italian Eat · 66
- Ironside Seafood Eat · 44
- Davanti Enoteca Italian Eat · 70
- Morning Glory American Eat · 74
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