Nice view and great service but food was too salty even the pizza had an excess amount of salt.
Emelie O.
I went here with my family visiting all the way from Sweden and had no expectations. They exceeded beyond anything else I have been to in the area. The food was absolutely phenomenal and the service as well. We had a lot of questions and our waiter knew every inch of the menu down to where the ingredients where picked. So grateful for the view, atmosphere and overall experience. Favorite dish was the smoked duck liver appetizer, and sunchoke entree. And if you have room for more the Nutella semifreddo was delicious!
Esther L.
The food was great but the ambiance and service is somewhat lackluster. There are really dark booths inside or some really lackluster tables outside near the stairwell. The STAIRWELL. The only somewhat good seats are the bar area with the sunset but those are few and far in between. Wish it were more romantic, because the electric mini table lamps instead of candles are a vibe killer. The sunchoke agnolloti we ordered were outstanding, though, as well as the grilled octopus over chickpeas and sweet pea salad. Cocktails also were super tasty. The servers were all business the night we went, didn't tell us about any specials and weren't super personable. Just took orders and rushed off even though it wasn't crowded. Food is worth it, just lower your expectations for everything else.
Floria C.
This review is strictly based on customer service. We have been coming to Catania every time we visit La Jolla because we love the food. We called the restaurant to check availability and they noted although reservations for inside were full, there are seats on the patio that can accommodate us. We arrived 15 minutes later and the hostess was working to check on how they can seat us. A second hostess came and was extremely rude, noting the only availability was the bar. Mind you, there were four of us: My husband, myself and my two toddlers. My husband asked if the patio was opened and she answered "no" with a negative attitude. Unfortunately due to this incident, we will no longer be returning. We did not feel welcomed.
Aiden Afshar
It was mediocre food with a high price. You’re better off going to ambrogio.
Kata Budapest tour guide
Food was just average.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Arancini, Pizza
Steven Parks
I’ve been here 3 times already and I feel like each time I eat here the food quality and service gets better each time. It’s hard to go wrong with any menu items but, some favorites of mine are the Wood Roasted Cauliflower, Roasted Asparagus, Tagliatelle Allá Portofino, Sicilian Pistachio Pizza, and the Diavola Pizza.The customer service is always top notch, the food is always fresh and tastes high quality. The drink menu is vast, and they make their own Amaretto, so I personally recommend their Amaretto Sour and Espresso Martini with a Cheesecake slice or the Nuetella Semifredo.You can’t go wrong with anything you choose on the menu is what I’ve experienced, and will be back for more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nutella Semifreddo
Russell Hirschorn
Tuna app was amazing, octopus just ok, pizzas were fresh but not a lot of flavor, shrimp risotto was not what i was expecting. Chocolate nemesis cake was amazing. View was beautiful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jessica Strobehn
This place is so amazing! The food is great and the service was outstanding! Came in here with my bestie and she loved it too! 10 out of 5 stars! Upscale and romantic
Great atmosphere and good food. I had the mushroom pizza and it was tasty. Good crust. Only downside was center was soggy. Too much moisture or not hot enough oven. Atmosphere is awesome.
I'll start by saying this place is doing fine. Well rated, fantastic food and La Jolla, CA. You really could stop reading, go there and love every minute. But let me say this. As a single traveler, who sits at a lot of bars, this place could improve on customer engagement. Bartender outgoingness (yes I made up that word) is a big big big part of the bar patrons experience. If I didn't want to chat, learn, engage and exchange I would have sat at a table by the restrooms. Albeit, it's not why most people go, so I go back to the beginning - the place is doing fine. My bill was over $200. I wanted more myself. All customers matter, not just the regulars. I tipped 10% because the tip is for my experience, not the rising costs of minimum wage. Their service charge can cover the rest.
Nicole P.
Such a beautiful restaurant in La Jolla! A bit difficult to find from the street, we finally found it walking back and up the stairs. We sat at a beautiful table outside with views of the ocean in the distance on a sunny evening. They had heaters outside by the tables as well. I really enjoyed the gnocchi with rabbit ragu which was creamy and filled with flavor! I was a bit nervous to try rabbit but the waitress recommended it when I asked, saying it was one of their popular dishes. The menu also had multiple pizzas that sounded delicious! Service was great and prompt, though we did not have a reservation they were able to accommodate us on a weekday evening.
Adeline S.
Awesome views, ambiance is lovely, service is spectacular. The food though is quite lacking. The pasta and even the mushroom pizza were insanely salty. I've had plenty of Italian food, and I've never tasted anything as salty as this place. Parking is street parking in La Jolla Downtown. So add in an extra 10-30 minutes for your trip here. Catania is on the third floor in the corner building, and I couldn't find the stairs so I had to take an elevator haha
Robert S.
Very nice restaurant with a great view of La Jolla sunset! Open air with inside and outside dining. Large drink menu, Coastal Italian cuisine. Bartenders are the best. Servers are very friendly and attentive, Casual dress, I will be back!
Sam D.
What a great place! Catania is run so properly; from management down. All of our food was great & the setting was perfect. But the standout was the Crudo. Also, Natalie was super helpful, kind & knowledgeable with guiding us through the menu. Great job to the manager, Steve & to his team.
Nice view and great service but food was too salty even the pizza had an excess amount of salt.
I went here with my family visiting all the way from Sweden and had no expectations. They exceeded beyond anything else I have been to in the area. The food was absolutely phenomenal and the service as well. We had a lot of questions and our waiter knew every inch of the menu down to where the ingredients where picked. So grateful for the view, atmosphere and overall experience. Favorite dish was the smoked duck liver appetizer, and sunchoke entree. And if you have room for more the Nutella semifreddo was delicious!
The food was great but the ambiance and service is somewhat lackluster. There are really dark booths inside or some really lackluster tables outside near the stairwell. The STAIRWELL. The only somewhat good seats are the bar area with the sunset but those are few and far in between. Wish it were more romantic, because the electric mini table lamps instead of candles are a vibe killer. The sunchoke agnolloti we ordered were outstanding, though, as well as the grilled octopus over chickpeas and sweet pea salad. Cocktails also were super tasty. The servers were all business the night we went, didn't tell us about any specials and weren't super personable. Just took orders and rushed off even though it wasn't crowded. Food is worth it, just lower your expectations for everything else.
This review is strictly based on customer service. We have been coming to Catania every time we visit La Jolla because we love the food. We called the restaurant to check availability and they noted although reservations for inside were full, there are seats on the patio that can accommodate us. We arrived 15 minutes later and the hostess was working to check on how they can seat us. A second hostess came and was extremely rude, noting the only availability was the bar. Mind you, there were four of us: My husband, myself and my two toddlers. My husband asked if the patio was opened and she answered "no" with a negative attitude. Unfortunately due to this incident, we will no longer be returning. We did not feel welcomed.
It was mediocre food with a high price. You’re better off going to ambrogio.
Food was just average.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Arancini, Pizza
I’ve been here 3 times already and I feel like each time I eat here the food quality and service gets better each time. It’s hard to go wrong with any menu items but, some favorites of mine are the Wood Roasted Cauliflower, Roasted Asparagus, Tagliatelle Allá Portofino, Sicilian Pistachio Pizza, and the Diavola Pizza.The customer service is always top notch, the food is always fresh and tastes high quality. The drink menu is vast, and they make their own Amaretto, so I personally recommend their Amaretto Sour and Espresso Martini with a Cheesecake slice or the Nuetella Semifredo.You can’t go wrong with anything you choose on the menu is what I’ve experienced, and will be back for more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nutella Semifreddo
Tuna app was amazing, octopus just ok, pizzas were fresh but not a lot of flavor, shrimp risotto was not what i was expecting. Chocolate nemesis cake was amazing. View was beautiful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
This place is so amazing! The food is great and the service was outstanding! Came in here with my bestie and she loved it too! 10 out of 5 stars! Upscale and romantic
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Panna Cotta, Grilled Mary's Duck Breast, Whole Roasted Branzino
Great atmosphere and good food. I had the mushroom pizza and it was tasty. Good crust. Only downside was center was soggy. Too much moisture or not hot enough oven. Atmosphere is awesome.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
I'll start by saying this place is doing fine. Well rated, fantastic food and La Jolla, CA. You really could stop reading, go there and love every minute. But let me say this. As a single traveler, who sits at a lot of bars, this place could improve on customer engagement. Bartender outgoingness (yes I made up that word) is a big big big part of the bar patrons experience. If I didn't want to chat, learn, engage and exchange I would have sat at a table by the restrooms. Albeit, it's not why most people go, so I go back to the beginning - the place is doing fine. My bill was over $200. I wanted more myself. All customers matter, not just the regulars. I tipped 10% because the tip is for my experience, not the rising costs of minimum wage. Their service charge can cover the rest.
Such a beautiful restaurant in La Jolla! A bit difficult to find from the street, we finally found it walking back and up the stairs. We sat at a beautiful table outside with views of the ocean in the distance on a sunny evening. They had heaters outside by the tables as well. I really enjoyed the gnocchi with rabbit ragu which was creamy and filled with flavor! I was a bit nervous to try rabbit but the waitress recommended it when I asked, saying it was one of their popular dishes. The menu also had multiple pizzas that sounded delicious! Service was great and prompt, though we did not have a reservation they were able to accommodate us on a weekday evening.
Awesome views, ambiance is lovely, service is spectacular. The food though is quite lacking. The pasta and even the mushroom pizza were insanely salty. I've had plenty of Italian food, and I've never tasted anything as salty as this place. Parking is street parking in La Jolla Downtown. So add in an extra 10-30 minutes for your trip here. Catania is on the third floor in the corner building, and I couldn't find the stairs so I had to take an elevator haha
Very nice restaurant with a great view of La Jolla sunset! Open air with inside and outside dining. Large drink menu, Coastal Italian cuisine. Bartenders are the best. Servers are very friendly and attentive, Casual dress, I will be back!
What a great place! Catania is run so properly; from management down. All of our food was great & the setting was perfect. But the standout was the Crudo. Also, Natalie was super helpful, kind & knowledgeable with guiding us through the menu. Great job to the manager, Steve & to his team.