The Amalfi Llama

4575 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego
(858) 224-9606

Recent Reviews

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FREDERICK

The service and atmosphere were amazing but it was super loud, heater was out of gas and we had to send the overcooked sea bass back.

Wayne

First time here and we really enjoyed everything. The starters were all good, special shout out to the Focaccia and Wood Roasted Shrimp. All of our entrees were great. Top two choices in out group was the Barnzino and Prime NY Strip with Gorgonzola Crust. Will be heading back!! Service was on point and ambience was great, energetic but not loud.

Ashleigh

We arrived at 7:15 and were seated by 7:30, which we appreciated. However, we had specifically requested outdoor seating and were instead placed indoors at an awkwardly angled table directly in front of another couple and two groups. It did not feel romantic at all, and for our 10 year anniversary dinner it was disappointing to look up and accidentally make eye contact with strangers instead of my husband. Our server Oscar was incredibly sweet and very accommodating. The issue was not the service, it was the pacing. We ordered around 7:45 and did not receive our food until nearly 9pm. That was extremely frustrating, especially since my husband is an active duty Marine who only had a short window at home before returning to work. Our time together was very limited, and most of it ended up spent waiting. Oscar offered us bread while we waited, but the restaurant had run out, so he brought calamari instead, which we appreciated. The cocktails were mid. I ordered the lychee martini because it had great reviews, but it tasted like straight lychee juice, overly sweet with no balance. The Sorento Spritz was not much better. For food, we ordered oysters, short rib empanadas, the filet Oscar style, the strip, garlic chili broccolini, and the mushrooms. I also ordered the steak sauce board and we never received it, which was another frustrating detail. For the price point we expected the meal to be outstanding. It was just okay. The filet itself was cooked well but the sauce was extremely salty. The broccolini was overly charred and the empanada breading tasted like plain flour, very underwhelming. The strip and the mushrooms were fine. Overall, the ambience and service were great, but the food and value did not match the hype or the cost. Given the long delays, the missing items, and the importance of the occasion, I left wishing we had just stayed home.

Joanne

We got seated in the bar area to partake in happy hour. There was a great selection of bite and drink options. The service was so expedient and thoughtful and food came out warm and delicious. Ambience was also very beautiful and had a live piano player who sang for the evening as well.

Apoorva

Too loud to sit inside. The outdoor patio is better than inside if you want to converse with your guests.

Phillip

There are plenty of good dishes, but it's a steakhouse, so don't pass on the steak. Everything was well seasoned and nicely presented.

Martha

Beautiful interior. Excellent food, priced appropriately for the caliber of restaurant. Would definitely recommend.

Tashawna

The service was prompt and staff was friendly. This was our first time to this establishment but it appeared to be a small crowd for that Sunday night. It was my daughter's birthday so I wanted to take her somewhere nice. We were seated quickly and our hostess and server was warm, greeted us, told us about the menu and specials then brought some water to the table. We ordered starters (chopped house salad, oysters, Caesar salad) then our entrees (half chicken, Cacio e Pepe and Scottish salmon). The starters and entrees were standard and did not fit the price point. Moreover, my chicken was ice cold, my daughter's salmon was lukewarm and my other daughter's cacio was just a little hotter than lukewarm. I told the server about my meal being cold and he gave me a dessert on the house. I appreciated it. We spent almost $300.00. We won't go back because, again, the price point does not match the flavors of the items that we ordered. Thank you for the experience.

Natalie

Amalfi Lama delivered an exceptional dining experience from start to finish. The ambiance is sophisticated yet inviting, creating the perfect setting for an elevated evening out. The cuisine was impressive — the branzino stood out for its delicate flavor and flawless preparation, while the prime ribeye was cooked to perfection and beautifully seasoned. The hamachi crudo and shishito peppers were equally delightful starters, showcasing thoughtful execution and balance. While a few dishes leaned slightly on the salty side, the overall quality and presentation were outstanding. Cocktails were inventive and well-crafted; the Amalfi Old Fashioned and Jalisco Bramble were particular highlights. A memorable experience with excellent service, ambiance, and culinary creativity. We look forward to returning.

Tatiana

Amalfi Llama is a must-stop whenever I'm in town. I love everything about it, the restaurant is gorgeous, the service is always exceptional, and the entire staff is wonderful. No matter who we interacted with, from the hostess to the servers to the managers, everyone was incredibly friendly. The food is excellent, with plenty of variety. Overall, it's a fantastic spot!

andre

Irey our server was very kind and professional. The food was great and served beautifully. It was a nice bonus to have live music, the singer was very talented!

John

Great assortment of traditional and unique dishes with locally sourced seafood. Wonderful hot loaves of focaccia. Great service and upscale ambiance.

Amy

I really wanted to love this place. I have lived in Argentina and love the wood-fired concept. I have to admit, my filet was overcooked and our branzino was good, but forgettable. The tuna tartare was ok. The burrata and the broccolini were probably the best items. I would recommend Fort Oak for anyone that once to taste excellent wood-fired food.

Fredel

Overall excellent but too dark, could use some light and something are unnecessarily too expensive like the fries

amer

Have been there three times, twice at lunch and once for dinner and all three times the food was great

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