Homemade pasta every day. Great sauce choices. Wonderful service. Good wine selection. Great house made bread bites. I love the chicken with lemon and capers. The house salad with the lemon dressing is wonderful.
Josh Miller
This is our favorite Italian restaurant in all of San Diego. The food is authentic and all the dishes and desserts are so delicious. Handmade pasta every day. Quality ingredients and great prices. The owners and all of the staff are great. Super friendly. This is been our favorite Italian restaurant for many years. Never disappoints.
baubau_13
I went to Cucina Basilico several times but this last one I was disappointed in finding that their standards were lower. We got some rigatoni all'arrabbiata and they presented rigatoni with tomato sauce and a piece of bacon on top.....horror for an italian from Italy. They served gnocchi with Alfredo sauce.....we asked gorgonzola sauce. Alfredo sauce is not italian but its an american invention! The choppino was spiced with chili mexican pepper and lastly the small bocconcini of bread were not the usual fresh one. Sorry to see that also Cucina Basilico has been influenced by mixed tastes.
paul l.
Delicious pasta. Great family feel restaurant. Friendly service. Look forward to returning for another meal. Aglio E Olio has a great kick to it. . Fried Calamari is tender.
Kim H.
Food is authentic! They make fresh pasta for dish. Seafood was delicious. Pasta was light, sauces tasty, food served hot. Service is amazing. Based on the dish you ordered, waiter had other suggestions that you might like better. He was right every time. Food was exciting. We will definitely return!
T Lewis
Quality Italian food in unassuming spot in La Mesa (little strip mall). We ordered the special of the night, which was ravioli stuffed with ricotta, lobster, and shrimp, topped with additional shrimp in a turmeric cream sauce. It was superb and probably one of the best ravioli dishes I’ve eaten. We also ordered the caprese which was seasoned to perfection; the tomatoes had wonderful texture. Our meal, paired with a delightful glass of wine, made for a fantastic meal. What makes this establishment amazing is their homemade pasta- so fresh and authentic. Also, the staff is friendly, warm, and inviting. I took off one star because I felt it was a little pricey. $120 for an appetizer, two entrees, and 2 glasses of wine seemed a little steep. Thank you Cucina Basilico for a loving evening!
Arnold J. Baldeaux
We arrived for dinner and were seated immediately, the server we had was friendly and attentive.The restaurant offers fresh pasta, made in house and a sample of the pasta of the day is placed on table with and explanation of each pasta by the server. (photo) On the menu you can select the pasta you want with the multiple sauce options, 12 options of sauces on the menu. (photo) You can order add-ons along with your pasta and sauce choice, chicken, shrimp, sausage, mushroom and salmon fillet for additional charge. Or you can order a main dish (3 chicken, one salmon, cioppino or lasagna) There also a few side dishes and appetizers, salads.After sitting down along with the sample pasta we were served little bread rolls, warm and tasty. (picture) Dessert menu available also after meal.Our party ordered the bruschetta and arancini appetizers (photos). I recommend a pass on these two appetizers. We were not expecting that the bruschetta was on a flat bread with a tomato wedge on it. We were expecting traditional bruschetta. The menu did say homemade "piadina" bread marinated baked tomatoes, so out fault not knowing what a "piadina" bread (Italian flat bread) was, but one tomato wedge per piece. The other appetizer was the arancini which was bland and needed something, it came with a bolognese sauce which was good, that is what it needed. The bolognese was the only good thing form the appetizers.For the four main dishes three ordered pasta with sauce and one order was for the chicken parmigiana. (Photos)The chicken parmigiana was not breaded (as mentioned in another review), but cooked in sauce and had mozzarella cheese on it. Shouldn't be called chicken parmigiana as it is not breaded, but the menu description was accurate. It did taste good, worth a try if you want a chicken dish in sauce, not breaded.One pasta order was the mushroom pasta (dark green in photo) and the aglio e. olio sauce - it was good and tasty (the dish I ordered). My favorite of the three pasta dishes, I sampled all three.Second pasta dish was the fusilli with the formaggio sauce. We asked for a small sample of the sauce for the person who was considering ordering this dish, as they were unsure of liking the sauce or not. The waiter said that they can't do that and mumbled something. It would have been good to offer a sample of the sauces for those ordering. The person that ordered this dish did not like the sauce. I tried it and didn't care for it. I really like blue cheese and the main part of the sauce is a Italian blue cheese "gorgonzola", but wasn't for me either. Again, if we could have sampled the sauce, it would not have been ordered.Third pasta dish was the gnocchi with the polpette sauce, marinara with meatballs. I tried this also and the person who ordered it loves gnocchi. The meal was finished but was ok according to the diner. I didn't try a meatball so can't comment on it, but the gnocchi and sauce were just ok for me.We did not order dessert. The bill came to $100, one glass of wine and a soda were ordered and the price of two beverages was reasonable, actually lower cost than I estimated before getting the bill.Overall we had a nice dinner, disappointed in the appetizers, main dishes were good, but not anything that was outstanding. Server was nice and attentive and explained the dishes. I would visit again to try some of the other sauces on the menu. Give them a try!Vegetarian options: You can order dishes without meat, not sure about vegan though.Parking: Free parking, lots of open spaces during the visitWheelchair accessibility: I had crutches and could get in, wheelchair can get in but the nearest ramp up over the curb is a little distant from entrance.Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian and gluten free options available
Rick Schwartz
Very good Italian food. Four different types of pasta and a wide range of different sauces.
Ken Barbie
We eat here quite often. The owner and chef are awesome people. They treat us very well and the food is outstanding. Bandit loves the patio and the meatballs! Recommend to anyone that wants good food, great service, great people, and nice atmosphere.
Elle P.
Amazing Italian food and great prices. Staff is always friendly and the food comes out fresh and fast. This is my go to Italian place. I love the norcina!
Could not be more impressed by this place. The service, food and ambiance is the best. Absolutely reasonable prices for their fresh handmade pasta, gnocchi and dessert. We ordered the spinach ravioli and the pesto gnocchi for dinner. A beautiful Italian table wine paired well with our dinner and finally tiramisu at the end of the night. They have a tawny port that I would recommend as well. Wow. This place has made customers for life. Grazie!!
Jessica H.
We love this special place. We have followed this restaurant for years and it never disappoints. Always fresh and delicious and wonderful service .
Zamudio A.
Omg this place is a hidden Gem. I always drive by it and today I finally decided to come in and try this place out & it was so good. You can taste the differences in the pasta. I don't think I will taste any other pasta like this place. And also the best customer services. Will be coming back!
Brett Morris
Have been here many times, casually and on "dates" with my wife, and have never been disappointed. It's now our go-to for Italian food outside of Little Italy.Friendly service and great food! Only down side is beer and wine only.
Mack E
Celebrated birthday.Reservation same day.La Mesa location.Excellent service. Loved our server - a gentleman from Italy.No stuffiness at all. Casual. Comfortable.Very accommodating.Excellent fresh made spinach parpadelle.Lemon chicken delicious and generousBrought our own wine - no problemTHE BEST TIRAMISU I'VE HAD IN SAN DIEGO!
Homemade pasta every day. Great sauce choices. Wonderful service. Good wine selection. Great house made bread bites. I love the chicken with lemon and capers. The house salad with the lemon dressing is wonderful.
This is our favorite Italian restaurant in all of San Diego. The food is authentic and all the dishes and desserts are so delicious. Handmade pasta every day. Quality ingredients and great prices. The owners and all of the staff are great. Super friendly. This is been our favorite Italian restaurant for many years. Never disappoints.
I went to Cucina Basilico several times but this last one I was disappointed in finding that their standards were lower. We got some rigatoni all'arrabbiata and they presented rigatoni with tomato sauce and a piece of bacon on top.....horror for an italian from Italy. They served gnocchi with Alfredo sauce.....we asked gorgonzola sauce. Alfredo sauce is not italian but its an american invention! The choppino was spiced with chili mexican pepper and lastly the small bocconcini of bread were not the usual fresh one. Sorry to see that also Cucina Basilico has been influenced by mixed tastes.
Delicious pasta. Great family feel restaurant. Friendly service. Look forward to returning for another meal. Aglio E Olio has a great kick to it. . Fried Calamari is tender.
Food is authentic! They make fresh pasta for dish. Seafood was delicious. Pasta was light, sauces tasty, food served hot. Service is amazing. Based on the dish you ordered, waiter had other suggestions that you might like better. He was right every time. Food was exciting. We will definitely return!
Quality Italian food in unassuming spot in La Mesa (little strip mall). We ordered the special of the night, which was ravioli stuffed with ricotta, lobster, and shrimp, topped with additional shrimp in a turmeric cream sauce. It was superb and probably one of the best ravioli dishes I’ve eaten. We also ordered the caprese which was seasoned to perfection; the tomatoes had wonderful texture. Our meal, paired with a delightful glass of wine, made for a fantastic meal. What makes this establishment amazing is their homemade pasta- so fresh and authentic. Also, the staff is friendly, warm, and inviting. I took off one star because I felt it was a little pricey. $120 for an appetizer, two entrees, and 2 glasses of wine seemed a little steep. Thank you Cucina Basilico for a loving evening!
We arrived for dinner and were seated immediately, the server we had was friendly and attentive.The restaurant offers fresh pasta, made in house and a sample of the pasta of the day is placed on table with and explanation of each pasta by the server. (photo) On the menu you can select the pasta you want with the multiple sauce options, 12 options of sauces on the menu. (photo) You can order add-ons along with your pasta and sauce choice, chicken, shrimp, sausage, mushroom and salmon fillet for additional charge. Or you can order a main dish (3 chicken, one salmon, cioppino or lasagna) There also a few side dishes and appetizers, salads.After sitting down along with the sample pasta we were served little bread rolls, warm and tasty. (picture) Dessert menu available also after meal.Our party ordered the bruschetta and arancini appetizers (photos). I recommend a pass on these two appetizers. We were not expecting that the bruschetta was on a flat bread with a tomato wedge on it. We were expecting traditional bruschetta. The menu did say homemade "piadina" bread marinated baked tomatoes, so out fault not knowing what a "piadina" bread (Italian flat bread) was, but one tomato wedge per piece. The other appetizer was the arancini which was bland and needed something, it came with a bolognese sauce which was good, that is what it needed. The bolognese was the only good thing form the appetizers.For the four main dishes three ordered pasta with sauce and one order was for the chicken parmigiana. (Photos)The chicken parmigiana was not breaded (as mentioned in another review), but cooked in sauce and had mozzarella cheese on it. Shouldn't be called chicken parmigiana as it is not breaded, but the menu description was accurate. It did taste good, worth a try if you want a chicken dish in sauce, not breaded.One pasta order was the mushroom pasta (dark green in photo) and the aglio e. olio sauce - it was good and tasty (the dish I ordered). My favorite of the three pasta dishes, I sampled all three.Second pasta dish was the fusilli with the formaggio sauce. We asked for a small sample of the sauce for the person who was considering ordering this dish, as they were unsure of liking the sauce or not. The waiter said that they can't do that and mumbled something. It would have been good to offer a sample of the sauces for those ordering. The person that ordered this dish did not like the sauce. I tried it and didn't care for it. I really like blue cheese and the main part of the sauce is a Italian blue cheese "gorgonzola", but wasn't for me either. Again, if we could have sampled the sauce, it would not have been ordered.Third pasta dish was the gnocchi with the polpette sauce, marinara with meatballs. I tried this also and the person who ordered it loves gnocchi. The meal was finished but was ok according to the diner. I didn't try a meatball so can't comment on it, but the gnocchi and sauce were just ok for me.We did not order dessert. The bill came to $100, one glass of wine and a soda were ordered and the price of two beverages was reasonable, actually lower cost than I estimated before getting the bill.Overall we had a nice dinner, disappointed in the appetizers, main dishes were good, but not anything that was outstanding. Server was nice and attentive and explained the dishes. I would visit again to try some of the other sauces on the menu. Give them a try!Vegetarian options: You can order dishes without meat, not sure about vegan though.Parking: Free parking, lots of open spaces during the visitWheelchair accessibility: I had crutches and could get in, wheelchair can get in but the nearest ramp up over the curb is a little distant from entrance.Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian and gluten free options available
Very good Italian food. Four different types of pasta and a wide range of different sauces.
We eat here quite often. The owner and chef are awesome people. They treat us very well and the food is outstanding. Bandit loves the patio and the meatballs! Recommend to anyone that wants good food, great service, great people, and nice atmosphere.
Amazing Italian food and great prices. Staff is always friendly and the food comes out fresh and fast. This is my go to Italian place. I love the norcina!
Restaurantji Recommends
Could not be more impressed by this place. The service, food and ambiance is the best. Absolutely reasonable prices for their fresh handmade pasta, gnocchi and dessert. We ordered the spinach ravioli and the pesto gnocchi for dinner. A beautiful Italian table wine paired well with our dinner and finally tiramisu at the end of the night. They have a tawny port that I would recommend as well. Wow. This place has made customers for life. Grazie!!
We love this special place. We have followed this restaurant for years and it never disappoints. Always fresh and delicious and wonderful service .
Omg this place is a hidden Gem. I always drive by it and today I finally decided to come in and try this place out & it was so good. You can taste the differences in the pasta. I don't think I will taste any other pasta like this place. And also the best customer services. Will be coming back!
Have been here many times, casually and on "dates" with my wife, and have never been disappointed. It's now our go-to for Italian food outside of Little Italy.Friendly service and great food! Only down side is beer and wine only.
Celebrated birthday.Reservation same day.La Mesa location.Excellent service. Loved our server - a gentleman from Italy.No stuffiness at all. Casual. Comfortable.Very accommodating.Excellent fresh made spinach parpadelle.Lemon chicken delicious and generousBrought our own wine - no problemTHE BEST TIRAMISU I'VE HAD IN SAN DIEGO!