ARTIFACT

On the museum's first floor at Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park, this restaurant seats guests among the collection's international craft and folk art. The kitchen, led by chef Jeff Armstrong and culinary director Tim Kolanko, draws on the museum's holdings for inspiration, turning out shrimp gyoza dumplings, short rib bao and Thai green curry noodles alongside a citrus-dried chili glazed pork shoulder. Dinner runs Friday evenings, plus a monthly themed dinner called Artifact at Night. Michelin added it to its 2023 California guide, calling the menu proudly eclectic and international.