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    Alchemy Choose Thy Poison

    4.8 (185 reviews)
    Closed 1:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    By appointment only

    Updated 1 month ago

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    ALCHEMY CHOOSE THY POISON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Negabadomi M.

    This place is a mix between Mexico City and Valle de Guadalupe. Every single item is crafted carefully. We ordered the Crema De Poblano, the Ceviche Negro and the Oxtail Tetelas. Everything was cooked to perfection with attention to detail. The place is small and tucked away but worth visiting. They do take walk ins but make reservations to secure your table. Can't wait to return!

    Gold bar
    David Z.

    This was a very cool experience. Highly recommend making reservations as they only have a couple of tables inside. We tried a couple of the menu options and everything we ordered was delicious. Our server was extremely friendly and explained everything.

    Crudo  SEARED TUNA, CHARRED HIBISCUS SALSA, CUCUMBER, AVO SALSA, PICKLED GRAPES, POMEGRANATE SALSA MACHA, FURIKAKE, CHIPOTLE AIOLI
    Karmen P.

    Every once in a while you stumble onto a place that completely catches you off guard. ALCHEMY was one of those places. From the outside, you'd never expect what's happening here. It's this hidden little outdoor nook tucked into the middle of urban grit with eclectic art, concrete walls, moody lighting, and this weirdly cool energy that feels equal parts underground gallery and secret dinner party. Then the food arrives... and suddenly none of your surroundings make sense anymore because the dishes coming out of that kitchen are on another level. The menu is small and intentional -- which I personally love. Every plate felt thoughtful, layered, and beautifully executed instead of overloaded with gimmicks. The mole sauce on the braseado was insane. Deep, smoky, rich, velvety... one of those sauces that makes the entire table go quiet for a second. The seared tuna crudo was fresh and balanced perfectly, the crema de poblano was silky and comforting, and even the cocktails felt crafted instead of just poured. And the service matched the vibe perfectly -- warm, attentive, relaxed, Just really good food, cool atmosphere, and people who clearly care about what they're doing. Honestly one of the most unexpectedly memorable meals I've had in a long time.

    Smoked Tuna Empanadas. IG @mel_foodie_ventures
    Melanie P.

    Saw this place through IG and had it saved to take the girls out for dinner. This place is tucked away in a patio space next to an Airbnb and a nearby apartment complex. It was small and intimate with interesting art throughout. I love the open, airy but private vibe of this place. Recommend making reservations since this is a small place but you may score some seats if you come early enough. We came during happy hour which was half off the entire happy hour menu! They didn't skimp on the food and cocktail selections which happens a lot at other establishments. What I ordered - Baja Caesar - Instead of romaine, this came with spring greens. It still worked, the dressing was lightly coated and it was a refreshing start to my meal. Bloodstone with gin - A pretty drink that was delicious to drink! Ceviche Negro - Love the freshness of the seafood and the squid ink sauce! One of my favorite dishes. Smoked Tuna Empanadas - I had to order another one! It was that good! Never had smoked tuna in empanada form and this was absolutely fantastic! The delicate crisp of the empanada paired with the smoky flavor of the tuna is another dish that you must put in your rotation! Oxtail Tetalas - The meat was tender and masa was perfectly crisp! Zarandeado - This one was a little too salty for me, which was a sentiment also shared with those in my group. Braseado - This also was super tender! Loved the mole, which was smooth and flavorful. Dessert - Rose Tarts - A pretty handheld dessert that was tart with raspberry flavoring. This was sweet but not overly sweet. I'm not a fan of fondant frosting, so it wasn't my fave. Tres Leches Cake - This dessert is the one to order. Perfectly moist and soft, this is the perfect ending to the night. Loved the experience, we got a random cat that decided to visit us while we dined :). There were quite a few flies around, so this took away some of the ambiance. I would definitely return for their elixir hour!

    Derrick J.

    The food and drinks here are unreal!! Everything is so fresh and delicious. It's a must-go to spot for happy hour!

    Courtyard where the restaurant is located.
    Jessica A.

    We did the tasting menu and really enjoyed it! I had the crema de poblano, smoked tuna empanadas, and the braseado. The location was very cool. Staff were super friendly and gave great recommendations. I would absolutely go back again.

    Willis N.

    Best elevated Mexican food I ever had. The restaurant was situated in a very strange setup lol it was quite literally a hole in the way alleyway seating embedded in a living complex. That in mind, every single dish shook what I knew about Mexican cuisine. Every bite, a bold tangy and bright fiesta to the senses. They sure do love their mole here. Their drinks were great too. I don't typically order spicy alcohol but our server was very enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and polite about his recommendations so I couldn't refuse. When even the servers care about what youre eating/drinking you know its gon be fire

    Menu
    Koji S.

    Fantastic flavors, delicious courses, excellent service in a charmingly quirky courtyard. We were a party of four, so we each ordered the tasting menu and between us ordered each dish and shared. I think we sampled every dish on the menu, and they were all excellent! The service was terrific too! Definitely going to go back soon

    Menu
    Jeff B.

    Incredible flavors, masterful drinks and the service is a cut above. I can't wait to come back, and you shouldn't wait to go. This is a hidden gem

    Ceviche and Crudo!
    Oliver E.

    Such a beautiful restaurant. I went here for my graduation celebration (intimate) with my mother and colleague and it was perfect! The food was unique and delicious. The service...the waiter and host were so kind and took the time to answer our questions. Will definitely return! Oli

    B&B Building
    Jeng L.

    While searching for an up-and-coming Mexican restaurant for a family trip to San Diego, I discovered Alchemy and was immediately drawn to photos of its photogenic dishes. Alchemy is a hole-in-the-wall spot with big ambitions, working to transform both the neighborhood and expectations of Mexican cuisine. The restaurant is set up in the courtyard of a small B&B. Aside from the kitchen and restroom, all seating is outdoors, with about half a dozen heaters keeping guests warm. I suppose San Diego seldom rain except this December. While waiting for food, you'll notice interesting art installations (particularly snakes) and white sage, burned wood scattered throughout the space adding to the experience. The flavors absolutely live up to the hype. Eddie--the owner, chef, waiter, bartender, and janitor all in one--was constantly moving and humbly delivered the best meal we had in San Diego. My two favorite dishes were the snapper ceviche and the huarache. The ceviche, completely coated in black ink, was extraordinary. Its depth of flavor came from a thoughtful mix of cucumber, mango, onion, cilantro, avocado, chiltepin, and charred pineapple ash. The huarache featured generous portions of braised beef, paired with beans, pickled tomatillo, and other fresh elements that brought balance and brightness to the dish. The food at Alchemy isn't typical Mexican fare, it is designed to feel like something you'd find in the chef's hometown of Mexico City. I highly recommend visiting Alchemy if you're looking for a memorable and exploratory dining experience while in San Diego.

    michelle n.

    Came for the name, stayed for the vibes. Alchemy Thy Poison is tucked near Chicano Park and feels like a hidden atrium inside a small apartment complex. Intimate, artsy, and low-lit--very moody in a good way. Food and drinks were delicious, though a bit on the pricier side. Perfect for a date night, catching up with a friend, or a small group where you actually want to hear each other talk. Only real con: parking is tight and limited. You'll likely need to park in the surrounding neighborhood, so give yourself extra time. Worth it--but plan ahead.

    Grecia I.

    Imagine an intimate, laid-back, trendy restaurant... with hotel rooms basically making eye contact with your table. You could literally eat, book, and be in bed in 30 seconds lol. Such a unique experience. Food: hands down stand out flavors, presentation, portions, taste *chefs kiss* we tried so many amazing dishes. My top 3 recs: 1)Ceviche Negro: Snapper, cucumber, mango, salsa Ouroboros (squid ink, tamari, charred pineapple ash), avocado, chiltepin, morita oil 2) Braseado: Slow-braised beef over a silky butternut squash puree, with charred brussel sprouts and a rich mole negro salsa. A deep, soulful composition of earth. fire, and time. 3) Dessert: Pistacho crusted ricotta cake berries fresas con crema with added blackberries Drinks: we tried the seasonal menu but they cocktails were so fresh and delicious. Service: Our server was awesome, knowledgeable, attentive, and fun! The menu varies but trust the chef and team know exactly what they're doing. I'm still full but also dreaming of the next visit! Ha Enjoy :)

    OXTAIL TETELAS - the oxtail just melted in your mouth and the sauce, I just wanted to drink it - 15/10!

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    Mexico City at its finest. Such an amazing hidden gem. Service was stellar as were the food and drinks.

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    Thank you Rachel & see you soon

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    Noble Experiment

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    I'm not an often a cocktail drinker. So when the bartender asked what I'm looking for I was ill…read moreprepared. From his view, it probably sounded like "I'm Ron Burgundy?" (It definitely did). His questions guided my indecision towards a Berkshire Old Fashioned that was fantastic despite my fumbling to get there. With the warm up round over and the old fashioned loosening up my creativity, round two was set to be a knockout. I love coffee (specifically strong espresso drinks), so I asked for a strong, coffee infused, punchy cocktail, but with a different base of alcohol from the old fashioned. What came out was the best cocktail I will probably ever have in my life. The bourbon cocktail with coffee liqueur (and a number of other garnishes I will never remember) hit the bullseye. Flavorful, strong, bold, delicious all at the same time. Unfortunately (?), this was a noble experiment so I'll forever be chasing the white whale of what this drink was. But that's the allure.

    My brother-in-law and I were looking for places to drink....And we just wanted somewhere chill. We…read moreknew that any bar by tacos el gordo would be too wild for us, so we walked a couple blocks and approached Noble Experiment. I would say this was probably our highlight of our trip in San Diego. Garrick, the bartender there, was super accommodating. Not only was he and the other bartender were making damn good drinks, they would legit talk to you. The ambiance of the place is cool too. Felt like I was going inside some continental room like John Wick. Definitely my vibe and definitely coming back. But if you ever get Garrick as your bartender, you're in for a treat!

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    Kindred

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    Loved the food. Drinks, ambiance and service - not so much…read more Chimichurri (4/5) - Delicious sauce, seitan was tender with a nice charred outside. My charred skewer was a little too charred though so that overwhelmed the other flavors a bit. Doom Bloom (4/5) - perfectly battered, crunchy and delicious. The yuzu gave the otherwise heavy dish a little brightness. Crab cakes (5/5) - so yummy no notes! Eggroll burger (10/5) - what an innovative concept - egg roll filling with the egg roll skin in crisp layers in the bun too. It has crunch, umami, a little sweetness. SO GOOD. They were out of both gin drinks I was interested in (Starspawn and Spinal Tap) so I tried the Palace of Certainty since it looked interesting. I thought there would some savoriness to it from the basil and peppercorn but it was mainly just a sweet drink with not much complexity (3/5). They were very busy on a Saturday night despite us having a reservation (apparently kitchen was very backed up). First sat at the bar and then got seated at our table maybe 20 min after our reservation time. Got a bottle of water but no cups so we had to ask for cups. And then our food came maybe 40 min after ordering. But the seating arrangement is just bad. The table was worse than the bar. We regretted moving. If you are unlucky enough to get seated at the big long table as a two-person party then you have to sit across from them and it gets hard to hear each other because you're sitting right next to other groups too. It's a bad environment for a date night. I haven't had that level packed into a restaurant since New York! Also, the lighting at night is all weird and dim. We even saw the group next to us shine flashlights on their food and request more lighting.

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    Books & Records

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    The happy hour and the vibes are immaculate!…read more A few months ago, I went here with my boyfriend, sisters and brothers in law for my going away dinner. I am so sad because I can't remember the name of our waitress! She was amazing because she was so ON POINT with everything -- from knowing the details of each menu item, to knowing what "medium+" is for a steak. She was attentive and amazing and shoutout to her! The food and tiny 'tinis were delicious! The steak and fries were such a good deal for $25. I could've eaten two of them, and now that I'm writing this months later, I'm thinking about that meal again. There is also a spot where the live musician plays, which is awesome! When I'm in San Diego, I have to come back.

    I really wanted to like Books & Records, but the service left a lot to be desired…read more After checking in, we waited a bit for our table, which was understandable. Once seated, though, we sat for about 20 minutes without anyone acknowledging us. I eventually had to flag someone down just to get water. We then waited even longer for our server to take our order. Because service was so slow, I ordered all of our drinks and food at once since I wasn't sure when we'd see our server again. What stood out even more was watching a couple seated next to us receive immediate attention. They were greeted, served water right away, and the woman was offered a purse hook. Meanwhile, we were sitting there with our purses shoved beside us and weren't offered the same courtesy. It may seem like a small detail, but combined with the lack of attention, it made us feel overlooked. The drinks came out quickly, and the chicken satay and mac and cheese were decent. Nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out food-wise either. The highlight of the evening was definitely the live music. The performers were fantastic and created a great atmosphere that honestly was the only enjoyable part of the evening.

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    Immediately fell in love with this quaint and chicly decorated speakeasy lounge. The staff was…read moreincredibly personable and helpful. The vibe was relaxed and unassuming. When I made the reservation, it was noted that there is a 1.5 hour limit on the table. Thankfully, Botanica isn't incredibly stringent about this rule as it gave us more time to eat, drink and be merry. My friend and I split the bill and I paid $87.49 with tip included. Here's what we had: Blistered shishito peppers - mild spice but flavorful New York strip yakitori - ordered two of these because they were that good! The steak was tender and the sauce rendered an umami flavor Botanika roll - tasted fine, but it ate one note. You can taste the citrusy parts but not much else. Mochi dessert - you can only get dessert if you order the pre fixe chef menu, but since our waitress didn't know this, she put the order in and gave it to us! We were incredibly grateful because it was the perfect end to a good meal For cocktails we ordered Spirited Away, Dragon of the West, Kyoko Sakura & Heads will Roll. All of the cocktails were beautifully presented and quite tasty.

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    Charade

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    First time here. Definitely out of our comfort zone but enjoyed the show. Cas, Mj and Josie were…read moreamazing host and had great hospitality. Come visit!!!!!

    As the self-appointed king of speakeasies, I'm back at it with another one. After having dinner in…read morethe area, we stopped by Charade for some drinks on a Monday night. I parked on the street close to the dinner spot I went to and then walked over to Charade. Ambiance (5/5): Charade is a speakeasy so here's your clue. It's located inside Balboa. Look for the room with the arcade games and you're on the right track. Once you enter the speakeasy, you'll immediately be impressed with the old school charm. It seats roughly 20-30 people and there's a bar on one end and a stage on the other end. Old school red curtains add to the vibe. And here's the best part. On Mondays, it's jazz night. Local musicians will play which makes for a great time. Service (3/5): There was one bartender working when we were there. Overall, she provided pretty good service. There was one comment she made which rubbed me the wrong way but no biggie. Food (N/A): I had dinner prior so were on a liquid diet. I did notice that they have a few snacks available like popcorn. Drinks (4.5/5): When you think of speakeasies, you think of elevated cocktails. I look for creativity and an interesting blend of flavors and ingredients. The menu here, while not huge, has some interesting options. Outside of the menu itself, the prices are reasonable (especially for California). And they make you stiff drinks which is always appreciated. Taking into account the cocktails and the ambiance, Charade is an awesome laid-back speakeasy. Make sure to stop by on a Monday for jazz night. That takes things up a notch.

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    The jazzy sound of Sip & Curl
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    Alchemy Choose Thy Poison - mexican - Updated June 2026

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