San Diego's culinary scene is grabbing national headlines again with two local restaurants, Lilo in Carlsbad and Lucien in La Jolla, snatching spots on this year's "Most Beautiful New Restaurants" list. Robb Report's compilation features a spread of aesthetically pleasing dining establishments from across the U.S., and these two have clearly set their tables a notch above the rest. According to FOX 5 San Diego, Lilo landed at impressive No. 4 while Lucien was not far behind at No. 9.
Lilo, a transformation of an old boogie board factory into an elegant eatery, stands out with its unique approach to indoor-outdoor dining. Visitors are greeted by a garden before being enveloped by an earth-toned dining room inspired by the surrounding cliffs, with walls and white-oak rods that echo the ocean waves. The chef's counter, in particular, highlights the use of quartzite and oak, creating an ambiance that's hard to replicate. According to a Robb Report article, the design efforts by L.A. studio Bells + Whistles are definitely turning heads.
Not to be outdone, Lucien presents a fascinating duality in design, featuring both a bright, airy courtyard bar and a dark, moody dining room, which draws its aesthetic from the nearby sea caves. The creative minds at design firm Tecture have clearly made their mark, adding touches of bronze and oak to complement the stone surroundings. Diners are also offered a peek into the expansive kitchen, where they can watch Chef Elijah Arizmendi work his culinary magic.
Both spots aren't just pleasing to the eye but also to the palate. Lilo, which opened its doors in April, quickly earned a Michelin star just 10 weeks after its opening, a testament to executive chef Eric Bost's prowess. Along with owner John Resnick, he has garnered recognition for other Carlsbad haunts, including Jeune et Jolie and Campfire. Lucien sticks to a chef’s tasting menu that spans more than a dozen courses, all masterminded by Arizmendi, whose experience includes time at Michelin-starred restaurants. The fine dining establishment is led by Arizmendi and his team, which was highlighted by FOX 5 San Diego.
