Addison - San Diego

Very surprised to see this restaurant received a Michelin Star. The food was excellent, and beautifully presented. The sticky rice with caviar (yes really) was amazing. The oysters with foam divine, and the sashimi style « rosette » truly great. Yet, a star should support a great experience overall, and it is here that Addison falls quite short. All the more upsetting at this price. The space is all wrong. Even allowing for Covid era distancing, it feels institutional. Is this a train station? A wedding venue pre- decoration? No ambiance. No sense of occasion. Not remotely minimalist. The decor is confused. The music matched neither space, place, occasion or cuisine and was actually so discordant that it was distracting. Reception and bar service was just poor. We were not so much greeted as checked in. We were then abandoned at the bar. Over minutes before we were even addressed in order to order a cocktail. No one offered to check our coats, and when we asked we were told to carry them until someone could get to it. Yet the place was not even close to capacity. The term « experience «  was repeated a lot, but no insight to the evening’s tasting menu was offered at booking, any of confirmations or even upon seating. We learned only as each course was served. Table service was generally smooth, though a bit offensive at first. Our Captain greeted us by suggesting we upgrade from the per person tasting menu to a premium menu featuring wagyu beef and truffles. Still offering no insight to the standard menu. We declined the per person upgrade. Wine pairing was excellent and efficient though overpriced at per person. We have dined at many Michelin star restaurants and found Addison a great disappointment, overall. We discourage dining here. The chef is superb though, and deserves a new space or a redesign and a skilled re-working of « front of house »

Probably the most exquisite service and attention to detail I’ve ever experienced in my life. Dishes were creative, meticulously prepared and memorable. Went in not really expecting it to be fully worth the price, but ultimately it was an experience that we’ll remember for years and years. Highly recommended.

Hands down the best service I’ve ever experienced at a restaurant. All of the servers were personable, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. I had the luxury tasting menu and wine pairing which were equally incredible. The “rice and eggs”, Wagyu tartare, Wagyu, and Sweet Treats courses were all divine. A+ experience.

Where do I start? I had to ask the waiters to fill my water glass times. Couldn’t get a answer on the Beef Marbling Score of the Waygu even after asking twice. doesn’t always indicate the best quality or marbling and when I’m fine dining I expect to have the best. As a matter of fact the majority of my questions about the courses were left unanswered, I had even opted for the luxury Dinner with all the add ins. The truffle course was the best course. But didn’t make up for the quality of the rest of my meal. Brought my wife to celebrate her birthday and we were both fairly unhappy with the majority of our plates. I believe the stars they’ve received are in regards to service and plating, not for the quality of food. They basically were coming out with a course and selling me short of the description every time. Not even telling us the type of fish the course was composed of. I don’t recommend you dress in sweats on a cold night as you’re immediately judged as you walk through the front door for not wearing formal attire, and this I imagine is probably half the reason my experience went as it did. Over all I don’t think we had a great dinner, however we made the most of it considering it was my wife’s birthday. Do I recommend you come here? To put it simply, no.

The dining experience (as they themselves call it) is second to none. By far this is the most elegant, creative, culinary experience in San Diego and probably in all of Southern California. The service was INCREDIBLE. the food beyond outstanding. The atmosphere amazing. I have been to this restaurant maybe or times in the past decade, but this is the first trip since COVID and they have upped their game making this the best restaurant destination available. It is pricey. Dinner for with the tip and added truffle tasting was almost figures. Worth every penny and I will be back again for sure