I’ve always loved going to Vigiluccis because, although pricey, the food had always been well prepared and the service highly professional. Every experience has been completely enjoyable - until last night….We made a reservation for 7:30, arrived on time and found our table was not ready and by 8:00 the party before us was still not making moves to leave.This was not really thei fault of the restaurant and I understand that Saturday nights can be challenging. But we are generally flexible and said we would be happy to eat at one of the high tops in the bar.All was well - albeit a little cramped, until mid-meal when the door to the outer patio was suddenly propped and left open. The temperature outside was about 57 and raining so a cold breeze began blowing directly on us. We asked that the door be closed again - it wad closed when we sat down - and were told that it couldn’t be closed because the waitstaff needed to have the door open so they could bring plates in and out.Although we tried after that to enjoy our meal, and we put on all of the jackets and outerwear we had, we were uncomfortably cold for the rest of the meal, that door was never closed, even when the patio outside was empty, the heaters outside were off, and no one moving through that door most of the time. It was made completely clear to us that no one was concerned with the fact that we were all uncomfortable. Although we asked more than once, no one made any attempt to find a solution to help us.This is the sort of experience that has a lasting effect. We went out for an evening with friends and certainly didn’t expect to spend $500 to sit shivering in the breeze. I have eaten at this restaurant about a dozen times during the past couple of years but the magic is gone and last night will be my last.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
Randy L.
I have been dining here for over 25 years. To start: great server. Went all downhill from there. Menu prices now beyond absurd. $19.50 for a martini. $46.00 for a simple pasta with bolognese sauce. Desert prices equally ridiculous. The pasta bolognese came out at room temp / sent it back. When we had concluded dining and had paid our check (check sitting on table) a worker comes out and puts salads in front of us. Really? We were done dining and were ready to leave. Airhead. What happened to this place? When we arrived (yes, we had reservations), we pointed to the first table at window (they were all vacant), and asked if we could have that table. She says "yes". What does she do? She walks us over to the other side of the restaurant to a table next to a table set up for 14 people. I look at her and said "really?" Another airhead. Lest to say, I have no intentions of returning. Please save your "$20/hr" and "post Covid" excuses for another patron who will listen. I've been dining there too many years to know what you WERE, to know what you are NOW.
BOB A.
We had already been to the location in uptown Carlsbad and had always wanted to try this location by the beach. The crew members were very courteous and attentive. We were seated at an ocean view location, which was perfect til the screaming kid next to us kept testing the acoustics in the building. The parents had no intention of calming him down. We asked to move to another seat, and we took the option of sitting in the bar area. The outside dining area wasn't available for another hour. Unfortunately, we could periodically still hear the kid screaming, but it wasn't as loud. The food was great! Our waitress was excellent! The seating in the main lobby could've been a little more spacious, and the parking could be an issue if it weren't for the great valet parking. We definitely will be back.
Rita Mumm
Beautiful views of the ocean while dining on fabulous steak!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Tori Zimbardi
Great food and atmosphere. It has a beautiful view of the sunset. My husband and I both enjoyed our meals.
Daniel Walker
Came here while on a conference, the service was excellent!!!! Good was superb as well. Highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Lorrie B.T
Lovely resturant with a beautiful patio and a magnificent ocean view. Started out really nice. Waiter was very attentive. Our 7 year old twins ordered Mac and Cheese and Steak with fries...Oops no fries.. out of fries! Ok baked or mash potatoes? Nope no potatoes period. How does that happen? So spaghetti and steak. Not a great combo. Steak was delicious. Spaghetti ok. Mac and cheese delishous. I ordered my favorite "Cioppino" at $65 I was pretty excited. Came very impressively plated unfortunately that's where it ended. The beautiful garlic bread served in the dish was pure mush since it absorbed all the broth it was sitting in.....The beautiful soup base was bland and fairly tasteless. The entree was full of calamari which normally is not a bad thing if that's what you ordered. Two jumbo shrimp (rubbery) some very soft fish pieces and a few mussels. I think there was a clam or two? Maybe some crab or scallops would have been nice if included in tbere recipe.I had so much Cioppino left as I couldn't get past the bland base, yes I salted and even added a bit of hot sauce and no help.. Oh the fried Calamari appetizers were delicious. Yes we ordered that so lots of calamari that evening. So now the waiter. I don't believe we saw him after the entrees were served. Had other service people which were all wonderful but he was seen here and there but not until the check was brought. Never asked how the Cioppino was considering it was almost all there! They asked if we wanted to go boxes. No thank you. I might add there cocktails were delishous. One great "Old Fashion" and Expresso Martini. Would we go again ?? Maybe. Like I mentioned the ambiance is beautiful, drinks were excellent, appetizers excellent, steak excellent! They should NEVER run out of potatoes again, seriously bad move when steak is on the menu. Just be cautious when ordering the Cioppino. $65 for mostly calamari is a bit costly. ?Parking: Very small lot with Valet service. $9.00 charge.Wheelchair accessibility: All one level. No steps.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fritto Di Calamari E Gamberetti
Jessica S.
Check your credit card statement! Check your glassware! OR better yet: Do not come here since the servers (Alex) write in their own tips and the managers know it's happening. Came here for dinner on Easter. Ordered a $24 glass of wine, husband ordered a cocktail. The wine showed up with actual soap suds in the glass. The old fashioned seemed to have a film and suds as well but not as bad. Can't even believe I'm saying that as dish soap is toxic to ingest. Soooo, husband started to drink his, I sent mine back. By the time we had ordered our "seafood tower for TWO" (also don't do it, it's a scam with old seafood for $230)... My husband was feeling nauseous. This man has a stomach of steel so that should tell you something ... After the seafood tower designed for EIGHT, he couldn't even eat the oysters as they smelled like a foot. We managed to track down our non existent server Alex and asked for the check. During all this chaos my husband accidentally took both receipts and we had intended to call and talk to them about what happened. THEN the credit card statement came. Alex went ahead and tipped HIMSELF $40 on our $300 bill. Well unfortunately for Alex and management, we both happened to have worked in restaurants for 15+ years. We know the shady behind the scenes things that take place that should not. My husband called and spoke to the manager, who admitted that when both receipts are taken, they let the servers write in their own tip because "they have people to tip out" Not only is this unethical, it is illegal. To this moment, we were refunded the self appointed "tip". Way too many good options in Carlsbad. Do not come here and if you do, ask for a plastic cup and check your credit card statement in a few days
MT “Imma M.U.M.” Paddock
Everything is perfect celebrating my hubby's birthday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fritto Di Calamari E Gamberetti, Seafood
Priscilla L.
Wonderful Italian place with great foods. Service is excellent. Everything taste great
We decided to drop in for lunch, great view of the Ocean, nice seating area and decorated well with nice fur and linen at each table. I ordered the Prime Ribeye and my wife ordered the Salmon plate. We both had cocktails,, I ordered the Cadillac Margarita and She ordered the Under The Sea Margarita, we enjoyed both of them. Our server came asked what we want Ed for drinks took our order and it came quickly. All I have to say is, the Ribeye was the best I have ever eaten, seasoned well and cooked to perfection. Will come back again to this Jewel of a place
Beata B.
Unforgettable service by Carmela and authentic Italian cuisine makes this restaurant top notch! I will definitely be back to this restaurant again soon. Thank you
Lyra Chang
Delicious food.Great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Steve Lange
This is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, Italian Steakhouses I have ever eaten! We plan to drive down again, soo,, from Fresno just to eat at this restaurant! Great food, great service, the ocean, what more can you ask for!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Surf and Turf
Sal Storaci funny videos
Amazing place the view is to die for.Delicious food we had fried calamari and cape sante porcini mushrooms full of flavor. The ossobuco milanese was perfectly cooked and the rice was tasty.The waitress suggested a wine bottle that paired perfectly with our dishes. Perfect service professionals and friendly we will be bringing our friends.
I’ve always loved going to Vigiluccis because, although pricey, the food had always been well prepared and the service highly professional. Every experience has been completely enjoyable - until last night….We made a reservation for 7:30, arrived on time and found our table was not ready and by 8:00 the party before us was still not making moves to leave.This was not really thei fault of the restaurant and I understand that Saturday nights can be challenging. But we are generally flexible and said we would be happy to eat at one of the high tops in the bar.All was well - albeit a little cramped, until mid-meal when the door to the outer patio was suddenly propped and left open. The temperature outside was about 57 and raining so a cold breeze began blowing directly on us. We asked that the door be closed again - it wad closed when we sat down - and were told that it couldn’t be closed because the waitstaff needed to have the door open so they could bring plates in and out.Although we tried after that to enjoy our meal, and we put on all of the jackets and outerwear we had, we were uncomfortably cold for the rest of the meal, that door was never closed, even when the patio outside was empty, the heaters outside were off, and no one moving through that door most of the time. It was made completely clear to us that no one was concerned with the fact that we were all uncomfortable. Although we asked more than once, no one made any attempt to find a solution to help us.This is the sort of experience that has a lasting effect. We went out for an evening with friends and certainly didn’t expect to spend $500 to sit shivering in the breeze. I have eaten at this restaurant about a dozen times during the past couple of years but the magic is gone and last night will be my last.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
I have been dining here for over 25 years. To start: great server. Went all downhill from there. Menu prices now beyond absurd. $19.50 for a martini. $46.00 for a simple pasta with bolognese sauce. Desert prices equally ridiculous. The pasta bolognese came out at room temp / sent it back. When we had concluded dining and had paid our check (check sitting on table) a worker comes out and puts salads in front of us. Really? We were done dining and were ready to leave. Airhead. What happened to this place? When we arrived (yes, we had reservations), we pointed to the first table at window (they were all vacant), and asked if we could have that table. She says "yes". What does she do? She walks us over to the other side of the restaurant to a table next to a table set up for 14 people. I look at her and said "really?" Another airhead. Lest to say, I have no intentions of returning. Please save your "$20/hr" and "post Covid" excuses for another patron who will listen. I've been dining there too many years to know what you WERE, to know what you are NOW.
We had already been to the location in uptown Carlsbad and had always wanted to try this location by the beach. The crew members were very courteous and attentive. We were seated at an ocean view location, which was perfect til the screaming kid next to us kept testing the acoustics in the building. The parents had no intention of calming him down. We asked to move to another seat, and we took the option of sitting in the bar area. The outside dining area wasn't available for another hour. Unfortunately, we could periodically still hear the kid screaming, but it wasn't as loud. The food was great! Our waitress was excellent! The seating in the main lobby could've been a little more spacious, and the parking could be an issue if it weren't for the great valet parking. We definitely will be back.
Beautiful views of the ocean while dining on fabulous steak!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Great food and atmosphere. It has a beautiful view of the sunset. My husband and I both enjoyed our meals.
Came here while on a conference, the service was excellent!!!! Good was superb as well. Highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Lovely resturant with a beautiful patio and a magnificent ocean view. Started out really nice. Waiter was very attentive. Our 7 year old twins ordered Mac and Cheese and Steak with fries...Oops no fries.. out of fries! Ok baked or mash potatoes? Nope no potatoes period. How does that happen? So spaghetti and steak. Not a great combo. Steak was delicious. Spaghetti ok. Mac and cheese delishous. I ordered my favorite "Cioppino" at $65 I was pretty excited. Came very impressively plated unfortunately that's where it ended. The beautiful garlic bread served in the dish was pure mush since it absorbed all the broth it was sitting in.....The beautiful soup base was bland and fairly tasteless. The entree was full of calamari which normally is not a bad thing if that's what you ordered. Two jumbo shrimp (rubbery) some very soft fish pieces and a few mussels. I think there was a clam or two? Maybe some crab or scallops would have been nice if included in tbere recipe.I had so much Cioppino left as I couldn't get past the bland base, yes I salted and even added a bit of hot sauce and no help.. Oh the fried Calamari appetizers were delicious. Yes we ordered that so lots of calamari that evening. So now the waiter. I don't believe we saw him after the entrees were served. Had other service people which were all wonderful but he was seen here and there but not until the check was brought. Never asked how the Cioppino was considering it was almost all there! They asked if we wanted to go boxes. No thank you. I might add there cocktails were delishous. One great "Old Fashion" and Expresso Martini. Would we go again ?? Maybe. Like I mentioned the ambiance is beautiful, drinks were excellent, appetizers excellent, steak excellent! They should NEVER run out of potatoes again, seriously bad move when steak is on the menu. Just be cautious when ordering the Cioppino. $65 for mostly calamari is a bit costly. ?Parking: Very small lot with Valet service. $9.00 charge.Wheelchair accessibility: All one level. No steps.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fritto Di Calamari E Gamberetti
Check your credit card statement! Check your glassware! OR better yet: Do not come here since the servers (Alex) write in their own tips and the managers know it's happening. Came here for dinner on Easter. Ordered a $24 glass of wine, husband ordered a cocktail. The wine showed up with actual soap suds in the glass. The old fashioned seemed to have a film and suds as well but not as bad. Can't even believe I'm saying that as dish soap is toxic to ingest. Soooo, husband started to drink his, I sent mine back. By the time we had ordered our "seafood tower for TWO" (also don't do it, it's a scam with old seafood for $230)... My husband was feeling nauseous. This man has a stomach of steel so that should tell you something ... After the seafood tower designed for EIGHT, he couldn't even eat the oysters as they smelled like a foot. We managed to track down our non existent server Alex and asked for the check. During all this chaos my husband accidentally took both receipts and we had intended to call and talk to them about what happened. THEN the credit card statement came. Alex went ahead and tipped HIMSELF $40 on our $300 bill. Well unfortunately for Alex and management, we both happened to have worked in restaurants for 15+ years. We know the shady behind the scenes things that take place that should not. My husband called and spoke to the manager, who admitted that when both receipts are taken, they let the servers write in their own tip because "they have people to tip out" Not only is this unethical, it is illegal. To this moment, we were refunded the self appointed "tip". Way too many good options in Carlsbad. Do not come here and if you do, ask for a plastic cup and check your credit card statement in a few days
Everything is perfect celebrating my hubby's birthday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fritto Di Calamari E Gamberetti, Seafood
Wonderful Italian place with great foods. Service is excellent. Everything taste great
Restaurantji Recommends
We decided to drop in for lunch, great view of the Ocean, nice seating area and decorated well with nice fur and linen at each table. I ordered the Prime Ribeye and my wife ordered the Salmon plate. We both had cocktails,, I ordered the Cadillac Margarita and She ordered the Under The Sea Margarita, we enjoyed both of them. Our server came asked what we want Ed for drinks took our order and it came quickly. All I have to say is, the Ribeye was the best I have ever eaten, seasoned well and cooked to perfection. Will come back again to this Jewel of a place
Unforgettable service by Carmela and authentic Italian cuisine makes this restaurant top notch! I will definitely be back to this restaurant again soon. Thank you
Delicious food.Great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
This is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, Italian Steakhouses I have ever eaten! We plan to drive down again, soo,, from Fresno just to eat at this restaurant! Great food, great service, the ocean, what more can you ask for!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Surf and Turf
Amazing place the view is to die for.Delicious food we had fried calamari and cape sante porcini mushrooms full of flavor. The ossobuco milanese was perfectly cooked and the rice was tasty.The waitress suggested a wine bottle that paired perfectly with our dishes. Perfect service professionals and friendly we will be bringing our friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5