San Diego’s Top Restaurants for Wedding Receptions and Dinners | Eater San Diego

"Acclaimed Filipina-American chef Tara Monsod has been shaking up the restaurant scene with Asian fusion cuisine and triple-seared wagyu steak. Couples can celebrate in the whimsical Art Deco space designed by Los Angeles design firm, Bells + Whistles. The main restaurant — a modern spin on a Japanese zen garden mixed with post funk futurism — is available for a buyout and can host 175. The adjoining private event space, NIMA, is a sleek venue with green shrubbery dripping from the ceiling that holds 75 reception-style guests. For a more mysterious venue with tall curtains and rich blue velvet seats, couples may also book The Heart which is a private space for 45 guests that is hidden in the restaurant’s dining room. Three-course private dining menus give attendees the opportunity to savor Animae favorites: ahi tuna crispy rice with charred chili ponzu, the som tam salad with green papaya and rice noodles, as well as the kare kare short rib." - Roxana Becerril