Alchemy - Choose Thy Poison — Restaurant in San Diego

I finally made it to this restaurant I’ve had bookmarked forever and wow, it did NOT disappoint!

We hit brutal traffic from Orange County, so I called to push our lunch reservation. No stress at all. I’d read reviews saying this place was tricky to find, but when we got close, Eddie himself spotted us and personally guided us to the entrance. Talk about hospitality! From that moment, I knew this was going to be something special.

The vibe? Artistic. Atmospheric. One-of-a-kind. In a city overflowing with Mexican food, Eddie stands out by being bold, inventive, and 100% authentic in his approach. This guy isn’t just the chef, he’s the owner, the server, the creative force behind every plate and cocktail. A true one-man show. His energy? Real. His passion? Next level. Honestly, Eddie deserves a full-sized restaurant ASAP because what he’s doing here is magic.

We walked in still a little shook from an accident on the way down. Eddie picked up on it immediately and boom he set us up with a mezcal and hibiscus shot to lighten the mood. That’s more than service; that’s soul. And get this: this spot has only been open 8 months. Unreal.

Cocktails:

Ancestral Flame – Had to order my own after trying my boyfriend’s. Incredible balance and depth. Hexy Colada – Not my jam because I don’t do coconut, but if you love it, you’ll love this drink.

Food:

Ceviche Negro – Tangy, salty, packed with layered flavors. Baja Caesar – That avocado mousse twist? Chef’s kiss. Special of the Day – Perfectly crispy snapper over handmade spinach pasta. I’m still dreaming about it. Tetelas de Cordero (bf’s pick) – He said it was rich, flavorful, and memorable.

The space is intimate, just a few tables inside Hotel Narcissus. We came for lunch but I can only imagine how packed it gets for dinner.

Eddie, you’ve created something truly special. If you’re in San Diego and want a dining experience that’s memorable, personal, and bursting with creativity, stop scrolling Yelp and GO HERE. You’ll leave just as amazed as we did.

Eddie, keep shining. You’re a rockstar, and we’re...

While this place is definitely fancy and checks the "instagram-able" box rightfully so, the food leaves much to be desired.

First, the restaurant has a tiny seating area that is shared between the entrance of several hotel rooms. Be prepared to see random people popping in and out of their rooms during your meal. The art and decor is all there, sure. But intimacy, privacy, no. Hotel guests have nothing to do with the restaurant and will stare at you like you just showed up their lawn unannounced (which you kinda do..).

We went in for the hyped brunch. The drinks we got were fantastic. A+

There were only 4-5 options to choose from. And only one if you aren't into seafood. I couldn't find the brunch menu anywhere on the website either, so there was no way for me to prepare myself for what was coming.

I got the chilaquiles. They were too salty for my taste. My partner got the squid ink dish, the flavor of the squid ink was quite overpowering and drowned out all the other flavors.

I don't have high hopes from the dinner menu, given my experience with their hyped up brunch.

Next, service. We were the only ones eating here. The seating area is disconnected from the rest of the restaurant in such a way that you're going to be sitting there by yourself a lot. We had no way to flag a waiter and ask for a straw. All we could do is sit there and wait for the waiter to show up. I don't think is a good setup for a pleasant service experience. The guests will often be left waiting for someone to show up.

If what you're looking for is specifically elevated Mexican street food, then I can recommend this place. But if having a decent Mexican meal is more of a priority to you, I'd say you're in San Diego! Do yourself a favor and get something authentic elsewhere.

PS I am also terribly confused by their reservation system. Their online system says they're fully booked when we were the only ones there for the...

You’ll find yourself stopping here just to try the food and realize that Alchemy is well worth adding to your shortlist of favorite restaurants in San Diego. The cuisine is elevated Mexican street food that’ll leave you very pleased you stopped by.

I wish I could’ve tried the whole menu, but I know I’ll be back soon to try the rest. We got the Augachile Negro short rib, the Shrimp Zarandeado, and the fresh bluefin tuna Crudo. All of the dishes were spectacular. My favorite being the Shrimp Zarandeado with my second favorite as the Crudo. I’m not much of a meat eater but the short rib was delicious and my favorite part was the Augachile Negro sauce — I basically licked that plate clean. All the drinks are made fresh and full of flavor — these guys know what they’re doing.

I met the owner’s Juan and Eddy when they were just a pop-up vendor at various venues in the San Diego area, known as the Barracrudo Boys. I knew immediately after I tried their pop up menu that they were destined for success. When they told me they were opening a brick and mortar I knew they were gonna blow people’s minds and tastebuds away. This restaurant has been at the top of my highly anticipated new restaurants opening list and it definitely did not disappoint!

Run, don’t walk! The guys behind Alchemy- Choose Thy Poison have the whole package and are sure leave their guests happy and awaiting their next visit. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for these amazing chefs...