Animae

"Draped in velvet and glowing with art deco glamour, Animae is one of San Diego’s grandest dining rooms. Its plush oversized booths have been perpetually full since the Pan-Asian menu took a more focused, Filipino direction. 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. Short rib subs in for oxtail in a more meatier riff on kare kare, a rich, peanutty Filipino curry. Eating these soulful dishes while dressed in your finest in what feels like an old-fashioned steakhouse never gets old." - candice woo, cora lee, candice woo, cora lee, candice woo, candice woo, candice woo, cora lee, cora lee, candice woo, candice woo, cora lee, candice woo, cora lee, candice woo, candice woo, cora lee, candice woo, candice woo, candice woo, cora lee, candic

"Draped in velvet and glowing with art deco glamour, Animae is one of San Diego’s grandest dining rooms. Its plush oversized booths have been perpetually full since the Pan-Asian menu took a more focused, Filipino direction. The strongest dishes here are like glow-ups of traditional homestyle plates, like sweet pork tocino, which is transformed into an outrageously succulent pork tomahawk steak with a beet glaze. Short rib subs in for oxtail in a more meatier riff on kare kare, a rich, peanutty Filipino curry. Eating these soulful dishes while dressed in your finest in what feels like an old-fashioned steakhouse never gets old." - Candice Woo

"An Asian diasporic restaurant where Tara Monsod, a semifinalist in the Best Chef: California category, showcases her culinary talent." - Nicole Adlman

"Animae’s Art Deco-style dining room is a romantic backdrop for any date night, whether you’re in a rounded velvet booth in the main stretch of the room or tucked into one of its cozy dining alcoves. Dinner might include dishes like sweet and sour cauliflower, wagyu and pork wontons, hot honey-flecked Taiwanese chicken, short rib kare kare, and a Nori Caesar salad — all inventive Asian diasporic dishes from chef Tara Monsod. If you don’t have room for dessert, at least take some of the ube profiteroles home with you." - Helen I. Hwang, Eater Staff

"Executive chef Tara Monsod, a 2024 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: California, is cooking the restaurant’s most compelling menu to date. Earning Michelin Plate honors for the restaurant, Monsod’s cuisine brings a new perspective to classics like lumpia and kare kare by showcasing Filipino flavors and ingredients on an opulent stage." - Candice Woo, Helen I. Hwang