San DamiáN

San Damian is a perfect addition to Abbott Kinney. With neighbors like Alisa Wine & Friends and Felix, it fits right in with its fresh take on coastal Mexican cuisine. The space is bright, open, and minimalist without feeling cold or overly designed. The restaurant has bar seating, a small semi-communal area, and plenty of dining room space. Really liked the fact that it doesn't feel like they're trying to cram as many tables in as possible. The layout feels open and comfortable. Service was great! Wild that they've only been open a couple weeks because the staff already seems to have everything figured out. Plates get cleared fast, fresh silverware shows up with each course, and they're always around if you need something without constantly bugging you. The Drinks: Margarita ($22) Fuventino ($21) Canuto ($21) All three had great flavor and felt unique. Feel like the Margarita offers the best value and was easily my favorite of the group. The Fuventino was delicious but felt a little light for a $21 cocktail. All three were delicious though. The Food: Aguachile ($27) Clams (Market Price - $27 today) Tostada de Cangrejo (Crab) ($22) Tlayuda Chorizo de Pescado ($26) Carne Asada Hanger Steak ($56) Aguachile The shrimp was fresh and flavorful, paired with onions, thinly sliced cucumber, green salsa, and pickled red onions. This was good, but not really what we were expecting. The menu mentions lemon, so I was hoping for a brighter, more citrusy flavor, but it tasted a lot more olive oil-forward. Still enjoyed it overall, but probably wouldn't order it again. The fried corn tortillas and crackers it comes with are really good though. Clams Incredibly fresh with a flavorful broth that has just the right amount of kick. The rice soaks everything up perfectly. Definitely a dish I'd order again. Tostada de Cangrejo If you're into crab or tuna, definitely order this. Super simple dish, but honestly one of the best things we had all night. It's light, insanely fresh, and lets the ingredients do all the work. One of those dishes that doesn't need anything fancy because everything in it is already so good. Tlayuda Chorizo de Pescado Think of a Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, but way better and made by someone who actually knows what they're doing. Crispy, super fresh, and loaded with chorizo de pescado, black beans, and a bunch of bright flavors. The fish isn't overpowering at all, and everything tastes insanely fresh. Easily one of the best things we ordered. Carne Asada Hanger Steak Don't skip this one. We ordered it medium-rare instead of the recommended medium and it was cooked perfectly. The outside had an awesome crust with a little crunch in every bite. The potatoes were unreal and probably my favorite side of the night--sweet, salty, and unlike anything I've had before. The peppers were great too. Tons of flavor without any real heat. Overall Really enjoyed our meal here. San Damian is such a great addition to Abbott Kinney and works whether you're just stopping by for drinks and a few bites or sitting down for a full dinner. The team was incredibly friendly and helpful, and you can tell they're genuinely excited about the food. We'll definitely be back to try the desserts and the Kanpachi Al Pastor, but after this visit, I'd feel pretty confident ordering just about anything on the menu.

It’s def got potential but needs to work out some kinks. We had a rez for 8:30pm but didn’t get seated until 9:15pm with no offer for to make up for it (a free drink while we waited is a no brainer). They were out of all the N/A options on the drink menu and said they probably won’t have a program longer term…. guys it’s 2026 and many people no longer drink. The atmosphere and vibes were great but the food was hit or miss. Tuna tostada was a standout. Prawns had great flavor but super pricey ($12 each), hard to de-shell, and should have been cleaned better. Guac was good, but I’d pass on flautas and aguachile as both really lacked flavor. The chocolate mousse for dessert was definitely a smash though. Ultimately felt a bit lacking in the value for the $$. Love the concept and once they’ve got their sea(food) legs under them I’d be willing to give ‘em another whirl.

Took myself on a solo date here and it was really cute and aesthetically pleasing. The food was fresh and just so good even with the simplicity, yet complex flavors and textures.

We’ve all had seafood before and know how delicious it can be, but I don’t know what they do at this place it’s absolutely incredible. I swear, you have to eat here!