I want to here for my friend's birthday this past Saturday night. It is an Italian and Steakhouse blend restaurant. I wasn't really sure what to expect although they had good reviews online. This place exceeded my expectations. If I'm being frank, I think this is the best restaurant I've gone to this whole year and I dine out to fine dining restaurants ALOT! Every appetizer to remain coarse and dessert was amazing. And it didn't stop there the ambience of this place is very dark Chic elegant with a lot of character, it looks like it would be loud but actually the volume is so perfectly balanced! Are waitress was so nice, super tentative, and very informative through our whole entire dinner experience. For appetizers we started with a lamb chop lollipop per person, sourdough bread and calamari. The Lamb Chop was so amazing we said we would come back and just order a few of those for a meal! The dip they had for the calamari had a lemon zest which was so well-balanced with every bite. They also include fried green olives with a calamari which I've never experienced before and me and my husband were obsessed with! I ordered the ribeye for my main entree my husband ordered the New York strip and a few others ordered ribeye and steak as well. Somehow we found it in us to order dessert, my husband and I shared the tiramisu cheesecake which was astonishly amazing! The cheesecake itself is definitely made fresh into the traditional recipe. I was very impressed. Since we were celebrating two birthdays but they brought out a little espresso cup filled with ice cream and candles for the birthday people. I will definitely be coming back here, I was overjoyed by my experience!
Teresa Ratcliff
Waitress were amazing and food was very good
David Hallak
Great food and service.
Rowell Dionicio
First time trying out Cardellino and we were here for brunch on Mother's Day. We sat outside in the patio where the weather was good. There was a set 3-course menu for Mother's Day.
The photos online looked really good but the food was lacking flavor.
I had the steak and eggs which was different from how other restaurants do it. Instead of a steak I got 4 sliced pieces of meat. There was no flavor to it. And the eggs were scrambled. The best part of the dish was the crispy potatoes.
The other dishes had more flavor but the sauce was very rich. The short rib was decent but the meat didn't have much flavor either.
Our food took a very long time to arrive. We weren't incredibly hungry but for a set menu I thought it would come out sooner. I think I estimated around 20-30 minutes of waiting.
Weirdly, we were all very tired after our meal and for four of us our bill was over $300. I didn't see much value there with the meals.
p spy
Nice views. The restaurant is very loud inside. Some of the dishes are somewhat spicy.
Kacey Jones
Food and service was phenomenal. Tony if I remember correctly was our server. Great service. Lamb chops were pristine. The chicken i would not reorder but it was good to try. The 22 oz bone in was perfect. The meatballs were perfect. The spicy rigatoni was ok but we had ordered so much food not realizing portions were so big. It was a pleasurable experience for a birthday. And the tiramisu and coffee ice cream was sooo good
Michael Klamerus
Updated 4/25
It's strange, words cannot really describe how much I love this place. The food here is just, on a different level, thank you to Chef Jeremy for making this vision reality. I don't know how they do it but, their dishes are a journey. I close my eyes as I bite into each dish and it feels like the scene from Ratatouille when the food critic is transported back to his childhood. They used to have a branzino and when I would close my eyes I could feel myself being on the dockside in Tuscany, feeling the salty air spray with the amazing flavors of this fish.
Recently we had the spring menu, one of the dishes we tried was the spaghetti vongole. The flavor of the sauce was so decadent I felt like I was in a ristorante outside of the coast of Naples. Amazing experience every time! A must try in San Diego!
Industry Baboy
Great cocktails and food. Bryan and Adric are the best
Sekaye Knutson
I was going to just see the menu but the server who greeted me was so upbeat and kind that I just had to stay, lol. He was the highlight and unfortunately I didn’t get his name.
Otherwise, however, the place is overpriced for what they offer. We’re right down the street from Little Italy, and you can find slightly better food at a slightly better price. If this place lowered its prices by 5-10% it would be in line with other restaurants of its caliber and I think that would warrant a 5 star review.
Isaiah
Great food and hospitality. John’s service was amazing as well
Recommended by a friend so we tried it. Everything was delicious. Steaks are THE BEST!
Mario Rodriguez
Like Fort Oak, this place is a gem!
Kevin
Food and drinks were good. Service was a bit slow, took 56 minutes from being seated to get first appetizers. Overall a good experience
Erica Angeles Tarassoff
From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, we were welcomed by an inviting atmosphere. The lighting was warm and well-balanced, accentuating the beautifully curated décor. The tables were spacious and comfortable, with enough distance between them to allow for a relaxed dining experience.
Service was impeccable from start to finish. The servers were not only knowledgeable about the menu but also incredibly attentive, offering prompt and professional responses to all our inquiries. They managed the timing of our meal flawlessly, ensuring that each course arrived at the perfect moment while discreetly cleaning our table in between.
We began our meal with a cocktail, which was crafted to perfection—neither too sweet nor diluted, just the right balance of flavors. The wine selection was solid, with enough variety to complement the meal.
For appetizers, we chose a fresh and vibrant salad featuring crisp snap peas, sweet strawberries, and finely sliced prosciutto that practically melted in our mouths. The sourdough bread that accompanied our meal was exceptional—its golden crust delivered that satisfying crunch reminiscent of a French boulangerie, while the interior remained soft and spongy, perfect for soaking up every last bit of sauce.
Our main course featured a beautifully prepared New York strip, cooked to a perfect medium-rare as requested. The fried potatoes were a highlight in their own right—crispy, well-seasoned, and finished with fresh grated cheese for a rich, savory touch.
The grand finale was the lemon meringue dessert, which truly stole the show. The balance of tangy lemon and subtle sweetness was spot on. The crust was flaky and buttery, reminiscent of a classic galette des rois. It was topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and an airy, creamy meringue that tied the entire dish together. This dessert was an elevated take on the traditional lemon meringue, showcasing expert technique and thoughtful execution.
Overall, this restaurant exceeded expectations in every way. The food was outstanding, the service impeccable, and the ambiance welcoming. I highly recommend visiting with a group so you can experience more of the menu’s delights. This is a place that understands the art of fine dining and executes it flawlessly.
Ahryana Holmes
If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Hands down some of the best food my husband and I have had. We had the beef carpaccio, sourdough boule, spicy rigatoni and ribeye and the tiramisu cheesecake. Everything was cooked perfectly, service was fast and attentive. Would go back!
I want to here for my friend's birthday this past Saturday night. It is an Italian and Steakhouse blend restaurant. I wasn't really sure what to expect although they had good reviews online. This place exceeded my expectations. If I'm being frank, I think this is the best restaurant I've gone to this whole year and I dine out to fine dining restaurants ALOT! Every appetizer to remain coarse and dessert was amazing. And it didn't stop there the ambience of this place is very dark Chic elegant with a lot of character, it looks like it would be loud but actually the volume is so perfectly balanced! Are waitress was so nice, super tentative, and very informative through our whole entire dinner experience. For appetizers we started with a lamb chop lollipop per person, sourdough bread and calamari. The Lamb Chop was so amazing we said we would come back and just order a few of those for a meal! The dip they had for the calamari had a lemon zest which was so well-balanced with every bite. They also include fried green olives with a calamari which I've never experienced before and me and my husband were obsessed with! I ordered the ribeye for my main entree my husband ordered the New York strip and a few others ordered ribeye and steak as well. Somehow we found it in us to order dessert, my husband and I shared the tiramisu cheesecake which was astonishly amazing! The cheesecake itself is definitely made fresh into the traditional recipe. I was very impressed. Since we were celebrating two birthdays but they brought out a little espresso cup filled with ice cream and candles for the birthday people. I will definitely be coming back here, I was overjoyed by my experience!
Waitress were amazing and food was very good
Great food and service.
First time trying out Cardellino and we were here for brunch on Mother's Day. We sat outside in the patio where the weather was good. There was a set 3-course menu for Mother's Day.
The photos online looked really good but the food was lacking flavor.
I had the steak and eggs which was different from how other restaurants do it. Instead of a steak I got 4 sliced pieces of meat. There was no flavor to it. And the eggs were scrambled. The best part of the dish was the crispy potatoes.
The other dishes had more flavor but the sauce was very rich. The short rib was decent but the meat didn't have much flavor either.
Our food took a very long time to arrive. We weren't incredibly hungry but for a set menu I thought it would come out sooner. I think I estimated around 20-30 minutes of waiting.
Weirdly, we were all very tired after our meal and for four of us our bill was over $300. I didn't see much value there with the meals.
Nice views. The restaurant is very loud inside. Some of the dishes are somewhat spicy.
Food and service was phenomenal. Tony if I remember correctly was our server. Great service. Lamb chops were pristine. The chicken i would not reorder but it was good to try. The 22 oz bone in was perfect. The meatballs were perfect. The spicy rigatoni was ok but we had ordered so much food not realizing portions were so big. It was a pleasurable experience for a birthday. And the tiramisu and coffee ice cream was sooo good
Updated 4/25
It's strange, words cannot really describe how much I love this place. The food here is just, on a different level, thank you to Chef Jeremy for making this vision reality. I don't know how they do it but, their dishes are a journey. I close my eyes as I bite into each dish and it feels like the scene from Ratatouille when the food critic is transported back to his childhood. They used to have a branzino and when I would close my eyes I could feel myself being on the dockside in Tuscany, feeling the salty air spray with the amazing flavors of this fish.
Recently we had the spring menu, one of the dishes we tried was the spaghetti vongole. The flavor of the sauce was so decadent I felt like I was in a ristorante outside of the coast of Naples.
Amazing experience every time! A must try in San Diego!
Great cocktails and food. Bryan and Adric are the best
I was going to just see the menu but the server who greeted me was so upbeat and kind that I just had to stay, lol. He was the highlight and unfortunately I didn’t get his name.
Otherwise, however, the place is overpriced for what they offer. We’re right down the street from Little Italy, and you can find slightly better food at a slightly better price. If this place lowered its prices by 5-10% it would be in line with other restaurants of its caliber and I think that would warrant a 5 star review.
Great food and hospitality. John’s service was amazing as well
Restaurantji Recommends
Recommended by a friend so we tried it. Everything was delicious. Steaks are THE BEST!
Like Fort Oak, this place is a gem!
Food and drinks were good. Service was a bit slow, took 56 minutes from being seated to get first appetizers. Overall a good experience
From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, we were welcomed by an inviting atmosphere. The lighting was warm and well-balanced, accentuating the beautifully curated décor. The tables were spacious and comfortable, with enough distance between them to allow for a relaxed dining experience.
Service was impeccable from start to finish. The servers were not only knowledgeable about the menu but also incredibly attentive, offering prompt and professional responses to all our inquiries. They managed the timing of our meal flawlessly, ensuring that each course arrived at the perfect moment while discreetly cleaning our table in between.
We began our meal with a cocktail, which was crafted to perfection—neither too sweet nor diluted, just the right balance of flavors. The wine selection was solid, with enough variety to complement the meal.
For appetizers, we chose a fresh and vibrant salad featuring crisp snap peas, sweet strawberries, and finely sliced prosciutto that practically melted in our mouths. The sourdough bread that accompanied our meal was exceptional—its golden crust delivered that satisfying crunch reminiscent of a French boulangerie, while the interior remained soft and spongy, perfect for soaking up every last bit of sauce.
Our main course featured a beautifully prepared New York strip, cooked to a perfect medium-rare as requested. The fried potatoes were a highlight in their own right—crispy, well-seasoned, and finished with fresh grated cheese for a rich, savory touch.
The grand finale was the lemon meringue dessert, which truly stole the show. The balance of tangy lemon and subtle sweetness was spot on. The crust was flaky and buttery, reminiscent of a classic galette des rois. It was topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and an airy, creamy meringue that tied the entire dish together. This dessert was an elevated take on the traditional lemon meringue, showcasing expert technique and thoughtful execution.
Overall, this restaurant exceeded expectations in every way. The food was outstanding, the service impeccable, and the ambiance welcoming. I highly recommend visiting with a group so you can experience more of the menu’s delights. This is a place that understands the art of fine dining and executes it flawlessly.
If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Hands down some of the best food my husband and I have had. We had the beef carpaccio, sourdough boule, spicy rigatoni and ribeye and the tiramisu cheesecake. Everything was cooked perfectly, service was fast and attentive. Would go back!
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