We celebrated my husband’s birthday at Lucien, and from the moment we arrived, the attention to detail was unmistakable. Having dined at many Top 50 restaurants internationally, we’ve felt that San Diego has been missing a true fine dining experience that meets that level—Lucien is a meaningful step in that direction.
The personalized welcome, acknowledging both our names and the occasion, was thoughtful and set the tone immediately. A welcome drink allowed us to settle in and take in the space, which felt intentional and refined.
Each dish was impeccably executed, with pristine presentation and a clear sense of purpose. Timing throughout the meal—especially with the wine pairings—was seamless. The descriptions of both the dishes and wines struck a perfect balance: succinct yet expressive, with a touch of creativity that made us genuinely curious to learn more.
The chef’s lineage and training were evident in the technique and cohesion of the menu. It was especially meaningful to see the team involved in delivering that vision, reinforcing that this is a collective effort executed at a high level.
Overall, it was a beautiful evening with thoughtful, polished execution from start to finish. We look forward to returning.
Absolutely amazing experience! From the moment we walked in, everything felt elevated and welcoming. The food was fresh, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor — every dish tasted like a Michelin-star dining experience. The handcrafted drinks were just as impressive, perfectly balanced, creative, and clearly made with care and attention to detail.
A special shoutout to our server, Jeff, who made the evening even better with his outstanding service, attentiveness, and friendly personality.
The staff was incredibly attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, making the entire evening feel special without being overly formal. The atmosphere was elegant yet comfortable, creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable meal.
You can really tell this restaurant takes pride in every aspect of the dining experience. Easily one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time, and I’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend — a true 5-star experience!
Michelin star Lucien is a welcome addition to La Jolla, San Diego. Truly enjoyed the 13 course, locally sourced dining masterpiece and wine pairing journey. Special thanks to the team for creating such a memorable experience from our host, waitress, sommelier, and chef(s): Joyce, Kyra, Royal, Corey, Jessica, Brian, chef Elijah, chef Bella, su chef Melinda, Valeriia, Jefferson, Sergio, Sal, Jason. To co-owner Brian Hung we really appreciated the special personalized touch after the sorbet tasting. Wishing you all continued success.
Had a terrific experience at La Jolla's Lucien for NYE. Great new addition to the San Diego food scene. This is one of perhaps less than a handful of restaurants in SD offering world class ingredients and innovative cuisine with impecable service (Lilo and Addison come to mind). The food was extraordinarily creative with standouts including a light and silky risotto with a soft poached egg and white truffle; a delicate wild turbot with celeriac and a hazelnut sauce; and a wonderful uni dish flavored with fennel and light flecks of Espelette pepper. Another standout was arguably the best buttery, laminated brioche I've ever tasted with impossibly fine layers; a viennoiserie love letter. The palate cleanser was also a triumph, somehow preventing a truffle sorbet with shaved black truffle from overwhelming after two earlier dishes containing truffle. On the pastry side there was a terrific Mont Blanc with the traditional chestnut vermicelli and an exquisite chocolate tart. There were no outright misses, though a lobster dish with a wonderfully flavored dashi broth felt a tad underwhelming on the lobster front, given the presentation of the beautiful blue lobster ahead of the dish. Service was on point; far from pretentious, it was warm, welcoming, and efficient. This felt like a professional group of good human beings who love what they do. The Sommelier was approachable, engaging, and knowledgeable; and the wine list is interesting with some non-obvious gems, but, as one could expect, a work in progress that still needs some breath and older vintages. All in all, we could not have asked for a better experience on NYE and look forward to visiting Lucien again. This restaurant is worthy of Michelin recognition and of customer support to ensure it remains a star in the San Diego food firmament.
Best restaurant in San Diego, and maybe the most exciting in the country!! Young, energetic kitchen lead by executive Chef Elijah Arizmendi and rockstar pastry Chef Isabella Alicea- both with serious Michelin 3 star pedigree showing off California cuisine with excellent seafood, local Iberico pork, and fantastic vegetables from Chino Farms and other locations.
