Best Contemporary Asian Restaurants in Kearny Mesa

I loved the experience! I took my beautiful girlfriend there for our anniversary/Valentines Day and they were kind enough to write a little message on our dessert as per request. The food came out surprisingly faster than most restaurants. We got our food within 10-15 minutes when I excepted about 20-35 minutes with the amount of people there. I loved the vibe and will definitely come back again 🙌🏼

Fantastic flavors, well beyond savory and sweet. The last comparable meal we had was in Cape Town, South Africa.

Animae for Valentine’s Day was a worthwhile epicurean adventure. Highest recommendation. Was it on the expensive side? Yes. One of the most expensive steaks I’ve ever eaten. Worth it. As the server said…decadent and unctuous. And the bonchon was perfect. Would have preferred to sit next to my date instead of across from, but I totally get it. Only so many tables and so much space. Our server was attentive, engaging, just the right amount of funny, and enhanced the experience. Every plate surpassed expectations by the 4oz A5 Miyazaki steak and deconstructed tuna crudo were my favorites.

My lady and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience here. I knew it was going to be an amazing experience from when the chef & owner reached out to ask for details to make the experience feel more personalized for their Valentines Day Prix fixed menu. The wait staff were very kind and attentive , but not overbearing, effortlessly weaving through tables, making sure each guest was taken care of. The ambiance was a 10/10 from the simplistic yet elegant interior to the tabletop decorations and song choices. The food was amazing from beginning to end and left us wanting to come back and indulge in the remainder of the menu. We only wish the portion sizes were a little bit bigger. The cocktails were good. I wish they had a larger variety of mocktails for us non-alcohol drinkers. Lastly, the chef personally coming out to meet and introduce different dishes to his guest was an amazing touch to the overall experience. Will be revisiting in the near future.

Charming staff. Great location before the play at La Jolla playhouse. Food is always delicious and interesting