Lilo's rapid ascent is highly unusual in the Michelin ecosystem, where consistency over time is typically one of the core evaluation criteria. In fact, one of the Guide's five stated pillars for awarding stars is "consistency between visits." Lilo only opened April 17, leaving a narrow window for multiple evaluations.
A Michelin spokesperson addressed the timing by stating the Guide had previous "strong experiences" with Bost and his team at Jeune et Jolie, another Carlsbad restaurant under the same ownership that also holds a star. That familiarity may have played a role in Lilo’s expedited recognition.
Situated just blocks from its sibling concept, Lilo offers a $265 three-part tasting menu featuring seasonal ingredients, elaborate plating, and personal dish presentations from the chefs themselves. The meal begins on a patio with small bites, progresses to a 12-course indoor dinner, and finishes by a firepit with tea and desserts. Dishes cited by Michelin include dry-aged Japanese kinmedai with geoduck and bone marrow, and orgeat ice cream with caviar and celery root bushi.
The star adds Lilo to a small but growing list of Michelin-starred establishments in San Diego County. The region now has five: three-star Addison in Carmel Valley, and one-starred Jeune et Jolie, Valle in Oceanside, Soichi in University Heights, and now Lilo.
Also recognized this year was Atelier Manna in Encinitas, which received Michelin’s Bib Gourmand designation for offering high-quality food at moderate prices. Its chef, Andrew Bachelier, was a founding chef at Jeune et Jolie and is also preparing to open a new concept, the much-delayed Chick & Hawk, in collaboration with skateboard legend Tony Hawk.
Notably, San Diego fared better this year than last, when no new stars were added and Sushi Tadokoro was delisted. Still, the speed of Lilo's accolade raises broader questions about how Michelin determines readiness and whether longstanding criteria - like sustained consistency - are being recalibrated for familiar chefs or rising markets.
For now, Lilo’s inclusion adds another spotlight to North County’s evolving dining scene and underscores the influence of a tight circle of local restaurateurs. Whether the restaurant continues to meet the star's standard in the long term remains to be seen.
Lilo is located at 2571 Roosevelt Street in San Diego's North County city of Carlsbad. For more information, visit restaurantlilo.com.
Originally published on June 25, 2025.
