Mediterranean 5 course meal for 2 w/ wine tasting is what my husband and I got ($80pp + $45/ea wine pairing). The service is just wonderful (after each course, new silverware, plates and wine glass with new tasting, table cleaned after each course). Each course was so good, very citrus forward, fresh, good portion size and prompt). One thing I didn't expect was the parking structure lead basically to the restaurant, 3 hour complimentary parking included with validation for each reservation. Parking basically in the same building as Callie. All the food was so good, the fish, pasta and chicken was by far the best part in my opinion. Love that the produce is fresh and sourced from farms in San Diego. Great place to try some local delicious cuisine on a date night. read more

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Went again because my friend was visiting town and got the feast instead. I was so much more impressed with the items and was shocked at the quantity of good that came out. By the end of the dinner all 4 of us were stuffed and loved most dishes. Our favs were the chicken and the lamb dolmas. I like that they allow you to substitute items which is nice flexibility. I also like that they don't rush you to finish your food quickly to push you out so it makes the meal more enjoyable. read more

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The negatives first - I was surprised at how long it took for them to bring out the different foods. After the appetizer it took close to 45 minutes to get the pasta... seriously we were baffled. Then another 20 min after we finished the pasta to get the meats. At the end and on the way out I got my parking validated and the host person made a comment that we took a long time and to try and be faster next time. If I wasn't inactive a hurry to leave because we told our sitter we'd be back 1.5 hours ago, I probably would've lost my temper. We were slow because the food was incredibly slow. Appetizers- portions and pita were off. Got the hummus and babaganoush with an extra order of pita bread. That ended up with 3 pita breads. Ordered another side of pita bread and got two. Ordered another side and got one. Ended up ordering another hummus and babaganoush because the portions were very small. The wellness surcharge - ok this was a first to me and I had to google it. They auto add 4% to your bill to provide better healthcare to their employees. It says we can ask to have it removed. Honestly that is very very tacky to me. Just up the price of the food. Don't make it this whole guilt trip to try and get more money. That's gross. There rest of the dinner was fine except the appetizer and the slow speed of everything. Only my second time going there but will probably be my last. I think I just have higher expectations when spending some 900$ for 5 people. read more

In my top 3 San Diego restaurants. The food is amazing and the service is too, well, the drinks are as well. The Aleppo chicken is next level and the left overs make an excellent sandwich or glow up a green salad. The uni toast is a bit pricey but so worth it, 2 little two-bite toasts for just under $30 is a complex pairing of quality uni with salty meat that makes the two flavors match like ying and yang. Derrick is perhaps my favorite waiter there. He is always happy and gracious. He appreciates his guests and is excited about the food. The decor has a nice vibe with an open kitchen and wine cellar. The location is okay... not a great neighborhood but gets redemption points for being a block from the trolley stop and easy freeway entrance after you dine. The cocktails are imaginative and the wine list is notable. My hubs always gets the Farmed and Dangerous and I always go for the De La Montaña, which I just learned has carrot juice which is made in house - it is a bit spicy with Smokey mezcal and sweet pineapple juice. It used to come with a teeny carrot on a tiny clothespin but that was replaced with a dried orange garnish a few years ago - maybe a fresh pineapple wedge would provide the snack I miss because nobody wants to eat a rock hard dried orange slice. The only downside, which may be the one thing keeping them from a Michelin star is the desserts. I have tried them all, and other than a rhubarb special they had a year or two ago, they were not impressive. The gelato is good, and made in house with quality ingredients but to get that star, they need to be more than a creamy scoop. read more

Callie - Strawberry shortcake gelato was creamy with an excellent flavor profile but was short on the shortcake crumble. GELATO & SORBET - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

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We had a very nice dinner here to celebrate two birthdays. They had a nice handwritten card on the table upon our arrival which was so thoughtful! The restaurant is in downtown San Diego and we were luckily able to find street parking nearby. The restaurant is beautiful inside! Service was good and all of the waitstaff was helpful and nice. We decided to try the Mediterranean feast with the wine pairing. I'm not sure if the feast portion sizes change based off the parties but for some of the serving like the vegetables or amount of pita I wish it matched the amount of people in the party (for example the vegetables had three pieces of veggies per type of veggie but we were a group of four and there were three pitas). We thought the babaghanoush and hummus were delicious! My favorite dish was the corn and shishito ravioli. Their popular Aleppo chicken was well seasoned and a good dish to share so everyone can try. The Meyer lemon pavlova was tasty but on the smaller side. The ice cream that came with the tahini cookie was amazing! Overall a great meal that is good to have shared so you can try a variety of their dishes. Not sure if I would do it with the wine pairing again but I'm glad I got to try so many things on the menu by choosing the feast option. read more

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The restaurant itself is beautiful, and the food was generally very good, though I personally felt the experience was a bit overhyped. The staff were warm and welcoming initially, but the atmosphere seemed to shift after one person in our group ordered only the hummus and carrots due to limited vegan options. Food-wise, there were definitely highlights. The harissa grilled lamb chops were cooked perfectly, though a little saltier than I would have liked. The lemon saffron linguine was excellent, and I really enjoyed both the hummus and the chargrilled hanger steak- the sauce on the steak was especially memorable. The beef tartare was also exceptional! Overall, I'm glad I tried it, but it's probably a one-time experience for me. Worth a Callie-ng curiosity visit, but not necessarily somewhere I'd rush back to. read more

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Wow -- absolutely incredible flavors from start to finish. Every dish we ordered was unique, memorable, and packed with flavor. We came for a date night and ended up sharing dishes across multiple sections of the menu, which made the experience even more fun because every plate brought something different to the table. We honestly couldn't decide on a favorite. The hummus was unbelievably smooth, rich, and flavorful, and the fusion of Asian and Mediterranean influences throughout the menu was so creative and well executed. The beef tartare and lemon saffron linguine were especially standout dishes. Everything we tried was delicious, thoughtful, and unforgettable. We can't wait to come back and explore more of the menu. read more

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If you haven't been to Calle, you are seriously missing out. From the moment we arrived, the experience was smooth they're connected to a parking structure, so finding a spot isn't a problem. Inside, you're welcomed into a rustic-meets-modern space that feels like sitting at a friend's dining room table for a special dinner. The menu is perfect for groups because you'll want to order several dishes and share everything. Everything we had was amazing, and since it's Mediterranean cuisine, my gluten-free husband was able to enjoy almost everything except dessert without feeling like he was missing out. read more

I was able to snatch a last-minute reservation at this very popular restaurant. After seeing this restaurant recommended by a Michelin star Chef based in San Diego, and being on the Michelin Gourmand list, I was really looking forward to eating here! To be honest, I was not impressed by the food. The ambiance was great. The interior was open, inviting, modern and elegant. It had good energy. The chicken came highly recommended, and it was good. Maybe it was because I wasn't very hungry and also because of the abundance of good Mediterranean food in LA and having had Mediterranean food in Greece and Turkey, I thought the food was good but not exceptional. We also got the baba ghanoush (eggplant dip) with puffy thin bread. That was good. I didn't like the flavor profile of the hanger steak. The broccolini was my favorite dish. It was refreshing. This dish exceeded my expectations. The flavor and texture were nothing like any broccolini I had before, and all the components of the dish worked beautifully together! Service was a bit hit and miss. We told our severs (our waiter 2x and the drinks person once) that we needed a split check and they still all forgot. I felt a bit rush as my friend and I were catching up and we kept getting interrupted. Pro Tip: If you decide to try this place, there is complimentary validated parking for 3 hours offered by the restaurant. The garage is a bit hard to find. It's located right next to the restaurant but very easy to drive pass it especially at night. read more

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What an absolutely fantastic restaurant and meal. First off the ambience is just gorgeous, it's crazy how truly open the entire space is. Service was top notch, my water never went below halfway. Staff was friendly and checking in throughout the night and able to answer all the questions we threw their way. SUPER accommodating for gluten free with tons of options here. The menu is cool as it has a feast option that's more like a prix fixe set menu. We considered this but decided against it after asking what would be included with it. The menu presents the ability to sort of create your own adventure and so we went with that. Started off with the baba ghanoush, wow this one is incredible. It makes me question everything else I've ever eaten with the same name. The smokiness truly comes through and the depth and richness of the eggplant is captured in a way I've never tasted before. Definitely get this. The pita it came with was so fluffy and perfect as well, and they had no problem giving me a pita and my friend the gluten free crackers. The octopus was also one of the best I've ever had. Really nice portion when sometimes it can feel expensive for a little bit. It was so absolutely tender I couldn't believe it. With sort of like a crisp char on the outside, just cooked perfectly. Definitely recommend this one. Hanger steak. Another banger, the meat was tender, perfectly charred and salted. But the standout here was the sauce. Like give the saucier a raise cus this sauce was magic. I could eat this sauce on literally everything for the rest of my life and die happy. It's like they melded the best essence of every herb into a smooth clean emulsion that just turns the steak into something to die for. You could have given me a hamburger on top of this sauce and I'd have been happy. Broccolini and patatas bravas were nice sides, but didn't blow me away like the other dishes so I'll keep it short here. Lot of cool cocktail options that don't deviate too far from the classics but have fun twists. Thoroughly enjoyed the ones that I had - including farmed and dangerous which was an old fashioned riff. Also had a daily special cocktail that I forget the name, it had private barrel elijah craig which was exciting, but the cocktail was a bit on the sweet side and really lost the whiskey which was unfortunate. Nothing to complain about, was still great, but going back I'd elect for something else. Dessert we had the rice pudding which was surprisingly kinda reminiscent of a creme brulee. Lot of different flavors here with the dates and pistachio, it really is a fun one to try, especially if rice pudding is your thing. Worth noting it was a bit loud of an environment. The airiness of the room I think also echoes the sounds a bit more. We were also seated pretty close to the people to our left and right, like close enough we could easily hear their conversations and talk to them. Not something that bothered us, but something to be aware of, especially if you're looking for an intimate date night, maybe request a particular table. I really can't wait to come back! read more

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I'm so glad I came in after a busy day! The front desk was super nice and informed there would be a wait. We were greeted right away when entered a table. The waitress kindly walked us through the menu and specials for the day. The uni toast was so comforting as a tasty starter. And everything we ordered was equally amazing (ordered babaganoush, pasta, halibut special, wine). Despite being a bit louder than expected, perhaps due to an event happening at the convention center), I would definitely come back every time I'm in town. read more

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I'd definitely come back for the lemon uni tagliatelle and the Aleppo chicken. The Aleppo chicken was full of flavor, with lots of spice and a creamy sauce underneath that balanced everything out perfectly. It had just the right amount of kick. The lemon uni tagliatelle was tangy, creamy, and rich, with perfectly cooked pasta and plenty of sauce in every bite. The dessert could use some improvement. We tried the pavlova, but it wasn't as memorable as the savory dishes. read more

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Had a good time trying this highly acclaimed restaurant in downtown. Big plus is validated parking in a covered garage in the same building as the restaurant. Although the food was a good quality, the prices are also quite high, so the overall experience is only worth it if you're looking for a great ambience with sophisticated food. I found the baba ghanoush to be one of the best dishes with a nice smoky flavor paired with fresh pita that is made in house. I found the hummus to be rather bland, tasted mainly of olive oil so would definitely favor the babaghanoush to start. For the main dishes, I think the saffron lemon pasta the highlight; the sauce was very well balanced, and the saffron flavor shines through. I found the Aleppo chicken (although widely acclaimed on here) to have a rather peculiar spice on top that I was not a big fan of. The hanger steak was tender, but not particularly flavorful. Overall, I think this place hits the mark on ambience, good service, and sophisticated food although it has the very high prices to match. If you're looking for just pure food quality, I think there are certainly other places that are better but if you're looking for the whole package, Callie is hard to resist. read more

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Sunday Funday Dinner with friends - we made a reservation on OpenTable. We were seated in 5-10 minutes. The servers were attentive and explained a lot of the menu items and loved what their recommendations were. There were 4 of us and we shared all the dishes from the appetizers to the dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious. Location was easy to find and parking validation was perfect in the same building. The restaurant was beautiful, not loud but pleasant. We would definitely recommend. read more

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Went to Callie to celebrate a birthday, and the team made the occasion feel really special from start to finish. We kicked things off with the hummus and pita. The pita was warm, soft, and fresh, while the hummus was perfectly seasoned. The spicy green zhoug added a nice kick and really elevated the dish. Next, we had the pappardelle. Another great dish overall. My only critique is that the sausage was a touch saltier than I expected, but it was still incredibly flavorful and well-executed. The harissa grilled lamb chops were a standout. They were juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. Paired with the cucumber and tzatziki, every bite felt balanced and delicious. We also ordered a side of the patatas bravas, which were crispy, generously portioned, and exactly what you want from a potato dish. Simple, satisfying, and perfectly cooked. For dessert, we ended with the warm chocolate chip tahini cookie. Decadent without being overwhelming, it was rich, flavorful, and comforting. The ice cream balanced the warm cookie beautifully and made for the perfect birthday treat. Overall, Callie delivered on all fronts: thoughtful hospitality, memorable food, and a great atmosphere for celebrating a special occasion. Looking forward to coming back and exploring more of the menu. read more

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I accompanied my husband to Callie for a business dinner while in San Diego. The restaurant is beautiful. A darker, muted decor--incredibly elegant. We chose to do the Mediterranean Feast as a table. This four course option was a great choice with a diverse group. Every item that was brought out was delicious. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. The most surprising dish was the carrots. I never would have ordered them, but they were amazing! Service was top notch as well. Everything was executed to perfection. read more

First time at Callie and it did not disappoint. We did the Mediterranean Feast for $80 per person and it was a good experience. The portions were actually good size especially the chicken dish and we were so full by the end. Everything felt super thoughtfully made and really flavorful. You can tell they care about the details. The only thing we didn't love was the fish dish. It was super salty, but that was honestly the only complaint. The flavors would have been great if the salt was toned down. Besides that everything else felt really balanced and so good. The drinks were delicious, the service was top notch, and the vibe is just fun but still feels special. I also love that they have an attached parking garage with three hour validation. That makes such a difference downtown. Next time I think I would just order specific dishes instead of doing the feast because it did not feel like a huge deal compared to ordering off the menu. But we will definitely be back! read more

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The food was excellent- best hummus I've ever had. The service was noticeably slow but I would recommend it as a must visit for the flavor and quality alone. Ambiance of the restaurant is super cute too! read more

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Located in downtown San Diego. Beautiful upscale restaurant with culinary delights. Parking is a little challenging here, so take rideshare or public transportation. Otherwise, prepare to pay $30-$50 for parking. I suggest you make reservations if you're coming Thursday to Sunday. We ordered a set course, the Mediterranean meal for 4 people. Delicious, can't get enough. We all loved it! Every single dish was exquisite. It came out to around $500 for 4 persons and was worth every penny. We were all full, and I had a little food to take home as well. Service was amazing as well, they were busy but on top of it. Thanks for the wonderful food and experience Callie! read more

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I came here because of the great reviews and the Michelin recognition. The chicken was crispy and flavorful on the outside, but unfortunately the inside was still raw, making it difficult to enjoy. We also ordered the watermelon salad. The portion was surprisingly small for the price ($24) The pasta was okay, but nothing memorable. I was expecting more based on the restaurant's reputation. The patatas bravas were excellent and ended up being one of our favorite dishes. The hostesses at the entrance weren't very welcoming, which made us feel a bit uncomfortable when we arrived. On the other hand, our waitress provided excellent service and was friendly and attentive throughout the meal. read more

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Loved the chicken main. 5/5 Beets salad 5/5 Potatoes 4/5 crispy Beef tartare 3/5 Hummus and pita bread 5/5 Mushroom side dish 4/5 Leman pasta 0/5 - super sour and salty unfortunately Tahini cookie with fig ice cream- super salty 2.5/5 Good customer service. Celebrated valentines here. It's super loud, you can hear everyone talking. I wish it was better insulated but it's super loud every time I come here! read more

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All the servers were very polite, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. Inside was very nice, great for a date night out. Food order: baba ganoush with Pita. Good but not great Focaccia with whip cheese and honey Crusted Halibut, with no side including. That was a missed. It was a little over cooked, read more

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Celebrated our anniversary at Callie with our family of four, and it turned out to be such a great choice for a special-but-not-stuffy night out. We kicked things off with Patatas Bravas (just ok for us) and the Setas Con Migas, which were so good -- earthy, comforting, and full of flavor. For mains, I finally tried the famous Aleppo Chicken and WOW -- absolutely delicious and a huge portion (easily shareable). My husband had the Harissa Grilled Lamb Chops; I'm pretty picky about lamb chops and thought they were good-not-great, but he loved them, so that's a win. The kids were very happy with their choices: Lemon Saffron Linguine and the Duck & Korubotta Pork Ragù Pappardelle -- both excellent pasta dishes without being boring. One standout for me was the "Sans Booze" menu. I was genuinely impressed by the variety and creativity. The kids and I tried a few, and they were actually flavorful and balanced -- not just sugary syrup with food coloring. My husband also loved his cocktails. Dessert sealed the deal: warm tahini chocolate chip cookie, passion fruit pavlova, and Turkish rice pudding. All were excellent, and we each had a different favorite, which says a lot. Overall, Callie delivered on food, drinks, vibe and great service-- perfect for a family celebration or a date night. Would absolutely come back (and order that Aleppo chicken again). read more

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Where do I start? Came to Callie for my Wife and my 24 year anniversary . Private secured parking garage for patrons . Downtown Sandiego. Amber lit large dining room, electric buzzing vibe . Got there 10 min early for a 730 ressy.. Was seated promptly, less than 5 min later .Brought a bottle of Perrier Jouet Rose Belle Époque. Handed it off to the Hostess , management respected the bottle asked when where and how I wanted it . 50$ corkage. Did the avo Labneh, Foccacia and beef tartare to start. Veggies were chilled on ice crisp and refreshing and popped with the bubbly . Second round did Beets and blood orange, Setas and Migas and Cacio e Pepe bucatini with Black truffle. The pasta was the highlight of the meal. Third round we did Aleppo chicken and Lamb chops with Pappas Bravas and Egyptian Carrots. 4th round we finished with Tahini chocolate chip cookie and fig gelato. All the food was well executed. Presentation was sharp.The food was aggressively seasoned . Staff was attentive, courteous and hospitable. Bill was 441 with tax, 20% tip and 4% server wellness charge. Went home full with food left over. It was our pleasure dining here, shout out to our servers and Trav and co in the kitchen . Give them a try if you're in Dtown Sd. We'll be back. read more

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Wow! Truly delicious flavors. Everything from appetizers to entrées to desserts are well done with truly unique and delicious flavor profiles. A lot of thought and care have gone into the dishes. Spreads and breads: hummus and pita - the spicy green zhoug! I don't even know what that is, but it made the hummus extraordinary. Appetizer: The octopus was tender and flavorful, not chewy at all, and some of the best octopus I've ever had. The kanpachi was also really good if you like sashimi. Mains: the Egyptian carrots were tangy and full of flavor. The Allepo chicken and hanger steak were both excellent proteins. Grilled wax beans packed a lot of flavor with a lemon accent. Dessert: the rice pudding is good if you like, pudding based desserts, but I prefer chocolate, so the chocolate chip cookie and ice cream was the bomb. Excellent and attentive service and the place was packed for dinner so you know it's good. read more

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I enjoyed Callie, however would expect more service for a $100/head. When we sat down our waiter asked if we were ready to order. Huh? It's just us two and we just sat down! That's not how this kind of place works (the assistants doing water and stuff were much more professional) Then about 20 minutes pass and I see him on his phone in the corner and awkwardly make eye contact! He came back, so we were like "ok let's get the hummus and potatoes" But then he said we have to order everything at once so they can "time it". Ok - we order everything, then he says you need a pasta course you're gonna be hungry! Well that was a bad idea to take his rec because it turns out we had TWO boxes of food leftover! Everything was delish food wise minus the tiny portions for the pasta course (it really is an appetizer). While good hot out of the oven, the seasoning on the chicken, as with the lamb chop lollipops started to become a bit much. I'd suggest getting one or the other as they have very similar flavor profiles Overall great flavors just disappointed we weren't taken care of service wise, and felt judged from the start by our unwelcoming waiter. read more

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Amazing service!! Amazing!! Very attentive and made the experience feel premium :) Food was stellar - obviously expensive (and small portions) but excellent quality ingredients. Favorite was the pumpkin pasta and crudités. Have to also get their pita! It's too good! read more

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I love Callie. The staff are always so attentive and sweet. The restaurant itself is unique and everything I've had on the menu has been delicious (shoutout the octopus and lamb). It's also very easy to navigate the menu with gluten free and dairy free diet restrictions and they're very willing to work with you on substitutions! This place will always be one of my go-tos! read more

Perfect Xmas Eve dinner for two. Service was attentive and the space is large and airy. We were seated at a small table for two in the center of the dining room, but it never felt loud or crowded from the rest of the fully-booked restaurant. Since we were there for a special pre-Christmas service it was all prefix and coursed out, with a few options to select from on a few courses. Drinks were good. The standard dirty martini was well made, and the Kook Juice I ordered had a nice smoky/sweet balance from the combination of mezcal, passion fruit, aleppo, and lime. Our first course of spreads and breads was a nice collection of flavors, textures, and temperatures. The avocado labneh and crudité were chilled over ice, while the pita was steaming hot and fresh-baked. Almost seemed like a wheat pita which was a nice variation. The babaghanoush was the standout dip, but all had a reason to be there. Second course was the spiny lobster and it was incredibly rich and garlicky, served with crusty bread that I did my best to sop up every drop of the flavorful oil with. The lobster had the consistency I prefer, of butter-poached shellfish. Third course we upgraded from a risotto to the highly-recommended-by-our-server white truffle gnocchi, and he did not lie. The castelmagno fonduta was somehow so creamy and velvety, yet also light and smooth. No cheese pull here, and I mean that in the best way. The handmade pillows of potato gnocchi and fonduta topped with shaved white truffle and crunchy toasted hazelnuts made for such an irresistible combo it's no surprise it was my favorite bite. Fourth course was our shared main, a cut of swordfish, grilled with Spanish spices and served with pomegranate seeds and cherry tomatoes over a sharply acidic and smooth sauce. Delicious by all counts. To round off the night with something sweet, our fifth and final course was Turkish rice pudding, which I enjoyed but my husband did not, citing the strong cardamom notes, which were admittedly prominent. I thought the other coffee and pistachio favors were nice compliments to the cardamom favored pudding. It took us some time to make our way to Callie after hearing the buzz for years and safe to say we're new to the fan club. read more

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I now understand why Callie has such high reviews. It's good! And beautiful! And delicious! We started by parking in the building's underground parking lot which made for a much better experience dining downtown. Parking is validated at the restaurant. Our reservation was for when they opened at 5pm so the entire lobby was full of other people with reservations, plus about a dozen people waiting to claim a first come first serve bar seat. We were promptly seated at a comfortable table that had a nice view of the open faced kitchen. For our party of three, we ordered some hummus and babaganoush with pita and bread (yum), plus some crunchy carrots, potatas bravas and two entrees - the chicken and hangar steak. Not a bad bite was had at that table. An odd compliment from me, but my favorite item was the Aleppo chicken! This is a great restaurant for a special occasion or simply a date night where you want some high quality eats. Just be sure to make a reservation several weeks in advance. read more

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I'm going to keep this short and simple... IT WAS DELICIOUS AND YOU SHOULD GO. All the flavors of each individual dish paired so well and everything was so perfectly cooked. The uni toast made my eyes roll back, the avocado labneh had the freshest veggies, the lamb had the perfect crust and was so flavorful, the patatas bravas so crisp AND THE SAUCE, the chicken was so moist and juicy, and the tahini cookie was fantastic esp the fig gelato on top (but hopefully they take the shortbread crisps off the cookie ) love love love. Fast and friendly and considerate service. read more

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I don't know why it took me so long to try Callie--I've been seriously missing out. It's been a while since I've had a multi-course meal where every single dish hit, but this one delivered from start to finish. We did the Mediterranean Feast tasting, and honestly, it's a steal for what you get. You start with a trio of dips--hummus, avocado labneh, and babaganoush--served with fresh pita and crudité. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, the hummus was perfectly smooth, and the lemon olive oil on top tied it all together. Pro tip: save some of that pita...you'll need it later. The kanpachi came next--simple presentation, but packed with flavor and sliced perfectly. Israeli hot sauce and black lime salt combo *chefs kiss*. For the pasta, we swapped into the truffle cacio e pepe bucatini and wow...easily one of the best parts of the meal. This is where that extra pita comes in--use it to soak up every last bit of sauce. Trust me, you're not leaving that behind. For the entrée, we had the Aleppo chicken. I almost never order chicken at restaurants, but this completely changed my mind. It was hands down one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had--easily a standout. We also tried the crunchy Egyptian carrots, and the pickling on them was so good. The cashew dukkah added a really nice texture and flavor. To finish, the Meyer lemon pavlova was light, balanced, and super refreshing--exactly what you want at the end of a meal like this. Highly recommend Callie. The food is actually that good--you won't leave disappointed or hungry. read more

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I've only had three dining experiences this year where every course was absolutely delectable and the most notable of them all was at Callie. Gorgeous interior and much appreciated parking garage in this area of town with two hour validation. Amazingly busy place with a great upbeat vibe and decor throughout with a gorgeous open kitchen. We were part of a larger group and opted for family meal which was perfect because we could try a little of everything. I'm not into cocktails but, everyone who was absolutely loved the selection. I did try the clear margarita with a spicy foam and that was unique and tasty. They have a limited wine by the glass selection but they are quite a nice selection. The crowd here obviously tends to cocktails but they also have a very impressive NA cocktail selection but I just had a glass of the very good champagne they offered. The avocado labneh, hummus and baba ghanoush were smooth and delicious. The crispy veg served with the labneh were cold and crisp and so fresh. I've never opted for cauliflower or turnips to dip with and then once I tried them, I actually preferred to keep using them to dip. That crispy and fresh! And this was probably the best baba ghanoush I've had in ages. Perfectly smokey and savory and not overly garlicky. Another cheese app with honey and caraway crisps was lovely. All winners. Softest tasty pitas. The best of the night for me was the hamachi carpaccio uniquely paired with zhoug and grated dried limes. It was like a Persian/Israeli twist on sashimi that was otherworldly for me. Many times this type of thing leads to "confusion cuisine". But this was the most innovative flavor twist I've had in ages that was perfect! Right up there was one of the best octopus dishes I've had. Perfectly cooked with a great taste but tender and juicy with just the perfect accompanying garnish with acidity. The tartare was also amazing. Many of these were a served with various breads and pitas and crisps...each better than the other. I wasn't really thinking about a pasta course but out it came and I honestly sort of dreaded the pumpkin stuffed pasta with butter and brown sugar but it was my surprise dish of the night. Absolutely delicious. The crunchy bits on brown sugar were perfect. And the sausage pappardelle was the right blend of meaty goodness and a tangy tomato sauce. On to the mains and my most anticipated Aleppo chicken was awesome! Only wish more pickled veg were served with it to elevate the rich spicy chicken. The hangar steak was perfectly cooked but the other dishes were so unique this was not tops but perfectly executed for those steak people out there. I had three servings of the chilled broccolini...and I typically don't enjoy chilled veg with warm mains. So yes, it was delicious with a tahini sauce. The patatas bravas were yummy but the small bowl they were served in had the top over sauced and the under patatas undersauced. But all were perfectly cooked with a great taste. Maybe serve on a longer shallow plate? Here's another important thing that made Callie a standout of the year for me. Every single sauce and accoutrement was perfectly balanced to the main. None of these sauces were what I tasted first. They were that vague then singing element that joined the main to make it just perfect. This is where many places this past year fall down. Other starred places we've been to, the sauce drowns and kills or totally overpowers main. This chef at Callie is a maestro- the dishes sing! Desserts were excellent but not the highlight for me because the other dishes were so very unique. The rice pudding was very good and the crispy nuts made it extra interesting. Maybe a little hint of rose water in the pudding would have been extra enticing. The lemon pavlova was delicious but a tad too sweet? I think I was maxed out then on food. Our servers were amazing and warm and knowledgeable and efficient. Awesome crew! What a great experience! Design, ambience, service, drinks, food. A+. Not to mention this was for a group of almost 20 diners and we all felt the same! Give this place a Michelin star next time! Bravo! read more

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This is an overdue review of Callie. I made reservations for 3 on a Saturday evening and we were seated promptly. Our server walked u through the menu and made several great recommendations. The food was outstanding and so were the cocktails. Parking is easy in the garage. Highly recommend this place! read more

I came to Callie with 3 other friends for the Infatuation deal with Callie! Overall, the flavors were unique and robust. My favorite dish was probably the Aleppo chicken. It was tender and so flavorful. The carrots were also surprisingly one of my favorites as well. A few things were a bit too salty though, I don't know if that is a one time thing or in general. I was a bit astounded that the pumpkin caramelle came with SIX pieces of pasta for $32. I think it would've been better if we never got that, because I thought it was so overpriced that we could not stop talking about how crazy that was for the rest of the meal. The main dishes also took 30+ minutes to come out after the initial dishes. By the time they came, I wasn't very hungry anymore. My drink was good though, I got the prickly pear gin cocktail. Our server was really nice and I enjoyed her fun personality. There is parking validation in the garage connected to the building. Overall, I enjoyed it, but probably not dying to come back. read more

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The food here is DELICIOUS. I emphasize this because it is honestly one of the best tasting meals I had in a while. We had reservations and only had to wait for a few seconds while our table was ready. My favorite dish was the uni lemon pasta. This dish was so well balanced it was the first time I felt like I could eat the whole plate of pasta by myself. The interior is very cozy like a home masquerading as a restaurant from all the cookbooks lined up on the service table. The service was attentive but short. The time between the dishes were timed well, but I felt the servers were always rushed whenever they came to our table to clear plates or describe the dishes. read more

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Great service. High expectations & excitement due to the Michelin rating. I've been to many Michelin-recognized (i.e. guide) restaurants, but this was my first Michelin-rated (i.e., starred) restaurant. We ordered a bit of everything. Hummus to start, lamb chops and pasta to split, cocktails, and pumpkin ice cream dessert. The food was good, but didn't reach the exceptional level I've had at any Michelon-guide establishment to date. I wish this place the best of success and it's certainly a fine establishment, but for $200 for 2, consumers should know that their dollar can be spent elsewhere. Other reviews seem to indicate the same. Pita bread was exceptional, lamb was good, pasta good, hummus average, ice cream average. Cocktails were good, but downtown has better $18/19 cocktails elsewhere. read more

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Callie has long been established as one of San Diego's standout restaurants, and while I've visited several times over the years, it never rests on its laurels. It continues to shine. I recently had a wonderful dinner with friends, and everything--from the warm service to the great vibe and, of course, the incredible food--made for another exceptional evening. We chose the Mediterranean Feast with wine pairings, and I'm so glad we did; it allowed us to experience a wide range of the menu. Treat yourself and go--you won't regret it. read more

One of the most New York-esque restaurants I've been to in SD. The environment is lively and the food, while simple at it's core, is creative and full of flavor. It was perfect for the birthday occasion I was attending. Between the 7 of us we split 2 of the Mediterranean Feasts, which ended up being way more than enough food by the time we got to the mains. But so worth the food coma! Every dish felt intentional and beautifully balanced. The Octopus, Kanpachi, and Pumpkin Caramelle pasta completely stole the show. The pasta's sweet-savory combo was unreal, and the kanpachi melted on our tongues. The veggie crudités and dips were the perfect, light warm-up. The only dishes I'd skip next time are the Grilled Lamb Merguez Dolmas and Pappardelle pasta, which felt a bit heavy in the mix. Everything else? Incredible. The staff had perfect timing with each course, and the whole meal just flowed. Will be going back soon to relive those favorites! read more

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Def a pretty penny to dine here, and really difficult to score a primetime dinner resy, but 5pm door busts seem to work. Callie has earned itself a great reputation within the San Diego food scene and for good reason. Shared plates, balanced cocktails, really cute atmosphere. Highlights include: Baba Ganoush -smokey eggplant with roasted onions, paired with their puffy and warm pita; def a must starter Beef Tartare: Black harissa, atop a creamy labneh and crisp lavash bread Uni Toast: Iberico ham topped, pan con tomate, with a fresh oceany punch from the uni Kanpachi: thin sliced fish with avocado atop a bright green and fresh "hot sauce" Crunchy Egyptian Carrots: a must-try side, (even tried to make them at home but my Dukkah was no match for theirs) Alleppo Chicken was super juicy, super flavorful, slightly sweet on top of some yogurt and sumac pickles on the side Finish the meal off with their warm chocolate chip tahini cookie and a rice pudding, and you're set. Looking forward to my next visit here, or maybe a birthday in their private dining room. read more

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