***UPDATE****SHORTLY AFTER POSTING THIS HONEST REVIEW, I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING BACK TO BACK CALLS FROM A PRIVATE NUMBER.THE RESTAURANT HAS MY NUMBER BC I MADE THE RESERVATION. IM NOT STUPID. I KNOW THE OWNER IS HARRASSING ME.IF YOU WANT THIS REVIEW TAKEN DOWN THEN STOP CALLING ME !!!!This was my first time hereI will say the only pleasant thing about my visit here was the hostess. Young blonde girl-forgot to get her name. She was friendly and greeted us with a smile.My husband & I arrived about 30 mins sooner than our reservation so we got a drink at the bar.What seemed like the owner-italian guy wearing a leather jacket, made our drinks & they were very good.About 10 mins into our drinks and the man is replaced with a lady. She wasn't very pleasant and closed our tab as soon as she knew we weren't going to be eating food at the bar.The restaurant was getting busier and I see the man in the leather jacket criticizing the hostess in the MIDDLE OF THE SEATING!!!so UNPROFESSIONAL HE SHOULD BE ASHAMED.It was almost time for us to be seated at our table. We requested the outside patio due to the small & crowded restaurant inside.I was halfway thru my drink when I decided to check in with the hostess to see if we could now be seated outside.However, I was not able to approach her for a few mins bc the leather jacket guy was what only seemed to be criticizing her based on his facial expressions and hand gestures and her sad look on her face.AGAIN, this is the dinner rush & there are ppl still coming in to be seatedThe poor girl I felt bad for her so I checked on her and she explained that she is used to itThe food.....the pics online look great, and thats it. It was bland. There were very few veggies and the brussel sprouts were hard and not edible or seasoned. I got the brusato.I was disappointed.I will not be returning here or recommending this restaurant. It is chaotic, the owner is rude to his staff and the food has no flavor.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
San Diego Restaurant Week offered a special menu or house menu. Special menu included choice from 5 starters, 5 entrees and 3 deserts. The price was worth the quality of this meal. Wow!
don messerschmidt
Staff was excellent food was delicious atmosphere was
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kate
Went here for restaurant week, had never been before. What a fantastic atmosphere and great staff. Our waitress made excellent recommendations regarding both food and drink and we were never disappointed. Would recommend to everyone.
RyanG
Our new favorite restaurant - I've visited 4 times in the past 2 months, trying a different dish each time, and always been happy. Pappardelle, fettuccine, penne, and branzani dishes are all excellent.
DowntownDiner
Second visit - glad we went back! Just as great as the first visit. Had a wonderful time last night during restaurant week. Excellent option!s! We chose the restaurant week menu - one veal, and upgraded one meal to try the seafood special - sea bass. Delicious. Rice ball appetizers and meatballs. The almond tort for dessert was amazing. Service was excellent even though restaurant was full. Food timing perfect and servers were friendly and fun.
Food was mediocre and service was awful. Bit of an attitude on waitress. 2 entrees sent back because they were barely warm, late in getting a glass of wine and cup of coffee at the appropriate times of dinner and dessert, respectively. Also they add a 4% service charge to the bill. Will not return. Much better Italian food to be eaten elsewhere.
Our dinner was fantastic as always. Our group had the shrimp ravioli special, lasagna, butternut squash ravioli, carpaccio, and they made the spinach salad with romaine for us. Had a wonderful bottle of red wine from Daou.
Rocelyn Penrose
Great food last night from this place and the service was impeccable from Roberto! Grazie Mille - The linguine seafood was excellent as well as the veal saltimboca that my husband ordered. the staff was proficient and the atmosphere was great! A true gem if you are travelling in that area of San Diego.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is one of our favorite, La Mesa restaurants! We hadn't been in for quite a while, but we're not disappointed. Both my friend and I have food allergies and our waitress was so wonderful helping us find things on the menu that would work for us. Service was great and the food was fantastic. We highly recommend.  It is a little loud in there, so for those that have hearing problems that might not be the best choice.
Just an unfortunate mixup. Sat 25 minutes before waitress arrived. Waitress unaware we were in her section. Very apologetic, but also had to have another waiter help with bill. Waiting again for 10 minutes + Server in section next to us realized and notified waitress.
KarenA
It was great, as always, We have been here so many times, brought friends who are now patrons, and love it each time. This evening we asked for changes to a dish, it was no problem and the server had a very helpful hint to make it perfect. It can get moderately loud, but not as much since they opened the patio seating. Try the calamari steak or the gnocchi, can't go wrong. The brussel sprouts were great, too.
Hani Alqaji
Our neighborhood go to place!Yes they opened new italian restaurants in La Mesa and we tried them already, but they are no close to the quality, friendliness, tastefulness, decore and the vibe of this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rack of Lamb
InSearchOf
Food was OUTSTANDING however, small and cramped - chairs were like sitting on a park bench. Very loud (and we got there just after opening). With all that, we'll be back again- the food was that good - just on a week night. ?
JimN
This restaurant is a neighborhood jewel. It is one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego. We have been going there for years and is always been exceptional. I highly recommend this restaurant for any occasion.
***UPDATE****SHORTLY AFTER POSTING THIS HONEST REVIEW, I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING BACK TO BACK CALLS FROM A PRIVATE NUMBER.THE RESTAURANT HAS MY NUMBER BC I MADE THE RESERVATION. IM NOT STUPID. I KNOW THE OWNER IS HARRASSING ME.IF YOU WANT THIS REVIEW TAKEN DOWN THEN STOP CALLING ME !!!!This was my first time hereI will say the only pleasant thing about my visit here was the hostess. Young blonde girl-forgot to get her name. She was friendly and greeted us with a smile.My husband & I arrived about 30 mins sooner than our reservation so we got a drink at the bar.What seemed like the owner-italian guy wearing a leather jacket, made our drinks & they were very good.About 10 mins into our drinks and the man is replaced with a lady. She wasn't very pleasant and closed our tab as soon as she knew we weren't going to be eating food at the bar.The restaurant was getting busier and I see the man in the leather jacket criticizing the hostess in the MIDDLE OF THE SEATING!!!so UNPROFESSIONAL HE SHOULD BE ASHAMED.It was almost time for us to be seated at our table. We requested the outside patio due to the small & crowded restaurant inside.I was halfway thru my drink when I decided to check in with the hostess to see if we could now be seated outside.However, I was not able to approach her for a few mins bc the leather jacket guy was what only seemed to be criticizing her based on his facial expressions and hand gestures and her sad look on her face.AGAIN, this is the dinner rush & there are ppl still coming in to be seatedThe poor girl I felt bad for her so I checked on her and she explained that she is used to itThe food.....the pics online look great, and thats it. It was bland. There were very few veggies and the brussel sprouts were hard and not edible or seasoned. I got the brusato.I was disappointed.I will not be returning here or recommending this restaurant. It is chaotic, the owner is rude to his staff and the food has no flavor.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
San Diego Restaurant Week offered a special menu or house menu. Special menu included choice from 5 starters, 5 entrees and 3 deserts. The price was worth the quality of this meal. Wow!
Staff was excellent food was delicious atmosphere was
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went here for restaurant week, had never been before. What a fantastic atmosphere and great staff. Our waitress made excellent recommendations regarding both food and drink and we were never disappointed. Would recommend to everyone.
Our new favorite restaurant - I've visited 4 times in the past 2 months, trying a different dish each time, and always been happy. Pappardelle, fettuccine, penne, and branzani dishes are all excellent.
Second visit - glad we went back! Just as great as the first visit. Had a wonderful time last night during restaurant week. Excellent option!s! We chose the restaurant week menu - one veal, and upgraded one meal to try the seafood special - sea bass. Delicious. Rice ball appetizers and meatballs. The almond tort for dessert was amazing. Service was excellent even though restaurant was full. Food timing perfect and servers were friendly and fun.
Food was mediocre and service was awful. Bit of an attitude on waitress. 2 entrees sent back because they were barely warm, late in getting a glass of wine and cup of coffee at the appropriate times of dinner and dessert, respectively. Also they add a 4% service charge to the bill. Will not return. Much better Italian food to be eaten elsewhere.
Our dinner was fantastic as always. Our group had the shrimp ravioli special, lasagna, butternut squash ravioli, carpaccio, and they made the spinach salad with romaine for us. Had a wonderful bottle of red wine from Daou.
Great food last night from this place and the service was impeccable from Roberto! Grazie Mille - The linguine seafood was excellent as well as the veal saltimboca that my husband ordered. the staff was proficient and the atmosphere was great! A true gem if you are travelling in that area of San Diego.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is one of our favorite, La Mesa restaurants! We hadn't been in for quite a while, but we're not disappointed. Both my friend and I have food allergies and our waitress was so wonderful helping us find things on the menu that would work for us. Service was great and the food was fantastic. We highly recommend.  It is a little loud in there, so for those that have hearing problems that might not be the best choice.
Restaurantji Recommends
Just an unfortunate mixup. Sat 25 minutes before waitress arrived. Waitress unaware we were in her section. Very apologetic, but also had to have another waiter help with bill. Waiting again for 10 minutes + Server in section next to us realized and notified waitress.
It was great, as always, We have been here so many times, brought friends who are now patrons, and love it each time. This evening we asked for changes to a dish, it was no problem and the server had a very helpful hint to make it perfect. It can get moderately loud, but not as much since they opened the patio seating. Try the calamari steak or the gnocchi, can't go wrong. The brussel sprouts were great, too.
Our neighborhood go to place!Yes they opened new italian restaurants in La Mesa and we tried them already, but they are no close to the quality, friendliness, tastefulness, decore and the vibe of this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rack of Lamb
Food was OUTSTANDING however, small and cramped - chairs were like sitting on a park bench. Very loud (and we got there just after opening). With all that, we'll be back again- the food was that good - just on a week night. ?
This restaurant is a neighborhood jewel. It is one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego. We have been going there for years and is always been exceptional. I highly recommend this restaurant for any occasion.