Beautiful rooftop bar with live DJ playing house music. The truffle pizza is delicious but super small (snack-sized, for one person-small). The service is not the best. We were told by the hostesses downstairs there was space for a party of two at the bar. We headed up. There was no space at the bar. There were plenty of empty tables-I'm talking more than five empty tables, and they told us they couldn't seat us. We made a reservation via Open Table (reservation at 9:30PM), and they still made us wait past 9:40 to sit us because they were looking for menus. -.- They could have just sat us, and then looked for the menus. The rolls are hit or miss.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Angela Lin
Came here with a reservation for birthday brunch. It started off bad, was bad the whole time, and ended badly.First they placed us at a table in full sun on May. Luckily there was another table we requested to move to. Then oddly the waiter got the orders for some members of our group and not others. He may have been new so have him benefit of the doubt and flag him down again to get the other orders in. This made our food come out delayed where some people were eating before others. When the manager came by our table we let him know our concerns and he offered to make it up to our table with a free healthy booster shot, however when the bill came they charged us for the "free" booster shot. We had to flag them to correct our bill to get it removed. Terrible service, mediocre brunch food, all hype. Terrible birthday brunch.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Tom Marsh
Our party ordered and ate nearly everything on the menu. The sushi was similar to what you would get at Winco, Hy vee, or Safeway. The pork robs tasted off and the seafood was not fresh. Cool spot with good service, but we talked and agreed we would not go back. I had no more than one piece of each roll because I kept hoping they would bring out something good. I left hungry.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Michael Boswell
On a busy Monday night, my wife and I walked up to the hostess and requested a table for us + our infant in a stroller. Minutes later, we took the elevator to the roof where we were greeted and the table had a chair removed for the stroller. A server came and gave us water and told us that our waiter would be over shortly. The restaurant was super busy and the hostess noticed that our waiter hadn't yet stopped by and asked if we wanted to put in anything while we were waiting. The wait wasn't very long at this point but we loved the attention being paid to us. We ordered a Suntory highball that was refreshing, edamame, the Lumi roll, the signature "pizza," and a ceviche. The food was delicious and we were quite full from this. Throughout the night, the DJ was fantastic! We probably would have stayed all night to enjoy his mixes that had us singing to 90s, 2000s, and some current hits. Added bonus was a rocket that flew over us. The trail from the rocket paired nicely with the restaurant lighting for a cool image.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lumi, Akira Back Pizza Plate
P Stratton
We booked Lumi and we thought it was very good overall. The welcome at the door missed something and the first table we were sat at wasn't good, but, without us having to say, the manager scooped us up and moved us to a much better table and she kept an eye all evening to ensure we were happy. The food was excellent; the wine delivered with knowledgeable comments and most enjoyable. So a big thank you to Darby and to our server Casey.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Timothy Evans
My first night in San Diego, California was not as good as I had hoped it would be. I choose to dine at Lumi by Akira Back only because I have had some wonderful experiences at Akira Back’s other restaurants Yellow Tail at the Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, NV and Salt in the Cellar at The Ette Hotel, Kissimmee, FL . We started off with a couple of cocktails that were just ok. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and some sushi rolls. The first appetizer that came out was the Akira Back Pizza. We immediately knew something was wrong with the pizza because it didn’t look as appetizing as it did when we had it at Akira Back’s other restaurants mentioned above. The pizza’s crust dark brown and over cooked and the tuna looked very dry…almost like beef jerky. It didn’t have that nice pink hue I was used to. It was brown in color and looked liked it had been smoked, but it wasn’t smoked. After taking a bite, I realized it was old and dried out. Our second appetizer was the Rock Shrimp Tempura that was over battered and greasy. It didn’t have the flavor I was hoping it would have. Two rolls are now placed on the table, The Crispy Cream and The Surf and Turf. The Crispy Cream didn’t taste or look fresh. The seaweed was chewy. The Surf and Turf was just ok. After tasting those two rolls we immediately canceled any remaining food yet to come. We decided to tap out.When I am in Las Vegas or Kissimmee it is a must that I indulge in Akira Back’s restaurants who is a Michelin-starred chef. Lumi was not that Michelin-star experience I was hoping for. I must mention the one positive critique I have for the restaurant which is for our server Kaycie M. She was very accommodating and attentive just what you would expect from your server. Kaycie M is a Rock Star and an asset to this establishment.Look at the pictures in my review that show the difference in what the Tuna Pizza from Lumi (picture 1), vs Yellow Tail (picture 2), and Salt and the Cellar (picture 3). Pictures 2 and 3, show fresh tuna vs picture 1, which shows dark, old, dry tuna.And before anyone comments, please know that the pictures have nothing to do with lighting.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Kim Alyssa Aquino
This place is nice! We went for dinner. The atmosphere was lively on a weekday, so I imagine it could get way busier on the weekend. I can understand why the pricing is a little on the higher side. The portions are decently sized and good quality. We did not order any nigiri or sashimi in exception to the Yellowtail Serrano. From the many things we tried, I would recommend the Akira Back Pizza and Rock Shrimp Tempura - not to say that the other items we ordered weren't delicious... it's just these 2 items are special enough to come back for.
Recommended dishes: Yellowtail Serrano, Akira Back Pizza Plate
Reagan
Don't be afraid of the mystery box if you're at all intrigued and have an open mind. The combination of flavors were incredible and the fish was so fresh. Service was kind of slow but they were thorough and knowledgable. The DJ played house music which can be a lullaby depending on how you react to sake. Sake flights were really great :)
DebbiD
We loved our dinner at Lumi. The menu is a bit complex (in a good way) and our server Bailey provided the perfect assist to help us navigate it. The covered rooftop setting also provides a great ambiance.
Eri
Gabe, Toma and Payne were amazing! They all made sure that my order was top notch and they helped me out with San Diego recommendations! Got the chicken Katsu and it was moist chicken with a good amount of crisp on the outside!Their drink recommendations were great!
3 key individuals: Arden, Skylar & Darby Excuse me, but HOW can one establishment contain this much talent, hospitality, and great vibes and not have a perfect 5-star rating? We came here as a few friends catching up all while out of town and left with 3 new friends at the end of the night. I can't say enough about the staff here. OBVIOUSLY the food is amazing, but the staff makes this place soar above any other establishment I've ever been. EDIT: I came back the next night and I met Stacy and Gabe at the bar and this just solidifies my beliefs. Stacy hand crafted 4 different cocktails for me to suit my needs and they may be the 4 best cocktails I've ever had in my life. Gabe went above and beyond helping me with meal selection and just overall great conversation. I'm convinced this place is where great service talent congregates. I will come back any and every chance I get.
Rakim S.
Lumi is really one of the quintessential downtown SD rooftop spots - The menu pairs perfectly with the ambiance. The food and drinks are EXCELLENT, but the staff is really what sets this place apart. Great service; timely, welcoming, and super knowledgeable- Stacey & Darby made sure my experience was as good as it could get- super thankful
Aimee S.
The service and ambience were awesome- the water tasted like dishwater. And the Sushi had a weird flavor. Didn't love the food.
Uracha Y.
Food is ok the ambiance is great wish service would be better server is rushing us and forgot our drinks refill water he seems nice but no thank you
ParisaK
Per my request we got a table on the roof top which was the right way to experience Lumi for us. Food presentation was beautiful as mentioned in other reviews. My boyfriend tried two of the rolls (lumi special and another one that I can't recall). He said they're just ok. I'm a fan of eggplant and enjoyed my eggplant appetizer as well the octopus cubes. Beef skewers were a bit chewier than we wanted them to be. We both loved our entires: salmon and pork belly were prepared with unique flavors and cooked perfectly. Their mezcal cocktail was tasty. I ended up having two. It's obviously on the pricier end and we knew that going into it. Overall, the creativeness of the chef made for a memorable date night. Thank you
Beautiful rooftop bar with live DJ playing house music. The truffle pizza is delicious but super small (snack-sized, for one person-small). The service is not the best. We were told by the hostesses downstairs there was space for a party of two at the bar. We headed up. There was no space at the bar. There were plenty of empty tables-I'm talking more than five empty tables, and they told us they couldn't seat us. We made a reservation via Open Table (reservation at 9:30PM), and they still made us wait past 9:40 to sit us because they were looking for menus. -.- They could have just sat us, and then looked for the menus. The rolls are hit or miss.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Came here with a reservation for birthday brunch. It started off bad, was bad the whole time, and ended badly.First they placed us at a table in full sun on May. Luckily there was another table we requested to move to. Then oddly the waiter got the orders for some members of our group and not others. He may have been new so have him benefit of the doubt and flag him down again to get the other orders in. This made our food come out delayed where some people were eating before others. When the manager came by our table we let him know our concerns and he offered to make it up to our table with a free healthy booster shot, however when the bill came they charged us for the "free" booster shot. We had to flag them to correct our bill to get it removed. Terrible service, mediocre brunch food, all hype. Terrible birthday brunch.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Our party ordered and ate nearly everything on the menu. The sushi was similar to what you would get at Winco, Hy vee, or Safeway. The pork robs tasted off and the seafood was not fresh. Cool spot with good service, but we talked and agreed we would not go back. I had no more than one piece of each roll because I kept hoping they would bring out something good. I left hungry.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
On a busy Monday night, my wife and I walked up to the hostess and requested a table for us + our infant in a stroller. Minutes later, we took the elevator to the roof where we were greeted and the table had a chair removed for the stroller. A server came and gave us water and told us that our waiter would be over shortly. The restaurant was super busy and the hostess noticed that our waiter hadn't yet stopped by and asked if we wanted to put in anything while we were waiting. The wait wasn't very long at this point but we loved the attention being paid to us. We ordered a Suntory highball that was refreshing, edamame, the Lumi roll, the signature "pizza," and a ceviche. The food was delicious and we were quite full from this. Throughout the night, the DJ was fantastic! We probably would have stayed all night to enjoy his mixes that had us singing to 90s, 2000s, and some current hits. Added bonus was a rocket that flew over us. The trail from the rocket paired nicely with the restaurant lighting for a cool image.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lumi, Akira Back Pizza Plate
We booked Lumi and we thought it was very good overall. The welcome at the door missed something and the first table we were sat at wasn't good, but, without us having to say, the manager scooped us up and moved us to a much better table and she kept an eye all evening to ensure we were happy. The food was excellent; the wine delivered with knowledgeable comments and most enjoyable. So a big thank you to Darby and to our server Casey.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
My first night in San Diego, California was not as good as I had hoped it would be. I choose to dine at Lumi by Akira Back only because I have had some wonderful experiences at Akira Back’s other restaurants Yellow Tail at the Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, NV and Salt in the Cellar at The Ette Hotel, Kissimmee, FL . We started off with a couple of cocktails that were just ok. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and some sushi rolls. The first appetizer that came out was the Akira Back Pizza. We immediately knew something was wrong with the pizza because it didn’t look as appetizing as it did when we had it at Akira Back’s other restaurants mentioned above. The pizza’s crust dark brown and over cooked and the tuna looked very dry…almost like beef jerky. It didn’t have that nice pink hue I was used to. It was brown in color and looked liked it had been smoked, but it wasn’t smoked. After taking a bite, I realized it was old and dried out. Our second appetizer was the Rock Shrimp Tempura that was over battered and greasy. It didn’t have the flavor I was hoping it would have. Two rolls are now placed on the table, The Crispy Cream and The Surf and Turf. The Crispy Cream didn’t taste or look fresh. The seaweed was chewy. The Surf and Turf was just ok. After tasting those two rolls we immediately canceled any remaining food yet to come. We decided to tap out.When I am in Las Vegas or Kissimmee it is a must that I indulge in Akira Back’s restaurants who is a Michelin-starred chef. Lumi was not that Michelin-star experience I was hoping for. I must mention the one positive critique I have for the restaurant which is for our server Kaycie M. She was very accommodating and attentive just what you would expect from your server. Kaycie M is a Rock Star and an asset to this establishment.Look at the pictures in my review that show the difference in what the Tuna Pizza from Lumi (picture 1), vs Yellow Tail (picture 2), and Salt and the Cellar (picture 3). Pictures 2 and 3, show fresh tuna vs picture 1, which shows dark, old, dry tuna.And before anyone comments, please know that the pictures have nothing to do with lighting.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
This place is nice! We went for dinner. The atmosphere was lively on a weekday, so I imagine it could get way busier on the weekend. I can understand why the pricing is a little on the higher side. The portions are decently sized and good quality. We did not order any nigiri or sashimi in exception to the Yellowtail Serrano. From the many things we tried, I would recommend the Akira Back Pizza and Rock Shrimp Tempura - not to say that the other items we ordered weren't delicious... it's just these 2 items are special enough to come back for.
Recommended dishes: Yellowtail Serrano, Akira Back Pizza Plate
Don't be afraid of the mystery box if you're at all intrigued and have an open mind. The combination of flavors were incredible and the fish was so fresh. Service was kind of slow but they were thorough and knowledgable. The DJ played house music which can be a lullaby depending on how you react to sake. Sake flights were really great :)
We loved our dinner at Lumi. The menu is a bit complex (in a good way) and our server Bailey provided the perfect assist to help us navigate it. The covered rooftop setting also provides a great ambiance.
Gabe, Toma and Payne were amazing! They all made sure that my order was top notch and they helped me out with San Diego recommendations! Got the chicken Katsu and it was moist chicken with a good amount of crisp on the outside!Their drink recommendations were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
3 key individuals: Arden, Skylar & Darby Excuse me, but HOW can one establishment contain this much talent, hospitality, and great vibes and not have a perfect 5-star rating? We came here as a few friends catching up all while out of town and left with 3 new friends at the end of the night. I can't say enough about the staff here. OBVIOUSLY the food is amazing, but the staff makes this place soar above any other establishment I've ever been. EDIT: I came back the next night and I met Stacy and Gabe at the bar and this just solidifies my beliefs. Stacy hand crafted 4 different cocktails for me to suit my needs and they may be the 4 best cocktails I've ever had in my life. Gabe went above and beyond helping me with meal selection and just overall great conversation. I'm convinced this place is where great service talent congregates. I will come back any and every chance I get.
Lumi is really one of the quintessential downtown SD rooftop spots - The menu pairs perfectly with the ambiance. The food and drinks are EXCELLENT, but the staff is really what sets this place apart. Great service; timely, welcoming, and super knowledgeable- Stacey & Darby made sure my experience was as good as it could get- super thankful
The service and ambience were awesome- the water tasted like dishwater. And the Sushi had a weird flavor. Didn't love the food.
Food is ok the ambiance is great wish service would be better server is rushing us and forgot our drinks refill water he seems nice but no thank you
Per my request we got a table on the roof top which was the right way to experience Lumi for us. Food presentation was beautiful as mentioned in other reviews. My boyfriend tried two of the rolls (lumi special and another one that I can't recall). He said they're just ok. I'm a fan of eggplant and enjoyed my eggplant appetizer as well the octopus cubes. Beef skewers were a bit chewier than we wanted them to be. We both loved our entires: salmon and pork belly were prepared with unique flavors and cooked perfectly. Their mezcal cocktail was tasty. I ended up having two. It's obviously on the pricier end and we knew that going into it. Overall, the creativeness of the chef made for a memorable date night. Thank you