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I am amazed that this restaurant gets 5 stars! I have been
I am amazed that this restaurant gets 5 stars! I have been twice because I thought, I got it wrong the first time! Ok! The hostesses at the front ...outside? Not so good. The rest of the staff from manager to servers? Overall great!!!! My food???? Not good!!! The parpadella is not just Al dente, it is way undercooked...like chewing glue. My partner thought his lasagna was decent. Second time we went with friends. Another mistake with ordering parpadella Al fungi and one bolognese. We finished 1/2 the plate and called it a night. Didn't even want to take it home. Won't be going back. The servers and head staff are super nice people but , do not plan on table conversation with friends as , it is constantly disrupted by the servers from trying to pour your wine to table clean up and the list goes on! I hate leaving this review as it is a " happy place, very lively!" The staff is great amid the constant disruptions at the dinner table. But they may want to send their chefs for a quick cooking lesson at the Cordon Bleu! Their chefs definitely need some fine tuning!
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Food was incredible and service very good.
A true hidden gem. We will definitely be back!
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I made a reservation and when i arrived it was already set
I made a reservation and when i arrived it was already set for 1!The servers are talian, good service.. prompt too.My pasta was perfectly Aldente, no complaints here!
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Update: the owner contacted us right away and did what he
Update: the owner contacted us right away and did what he could to make things right with us. We appreciate it. We understand everyone can have a bad day and we probably were there when multiple of the staffs were having a bad day. When we come back to SD, we will definitely give them a try again! After all, our food tasted good .
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This is a couple of my friends favorite Italian restaurants
This is a couple of my friends favorite Italian restaurants in San Diego. They have watched raved about it a number of times. I am big on outside dining and they have two patios. One in the front of the restaurant facing the street and the other along one side in a very small parking lot. (It's 99% street parking, btw unless you are super lucky. ) Ambiance wise it is cute. Italian dinnerware style plates, a rooster water pitcher, lots of plants and blankets. To start off I had. Maracaibo Spritz which is vodka and Prosecco with Ramazzotti rosato (an aperitif that has tastes of Hibiscus and orange blossom) Jamaica (another hibiscus like flavor) lemon and pineapple. It was good eat to drink and bright pink. Caprese insalate was a tower of heirloom tomatoes, red onions and capers topped with burrata and pesto. The burrata was very creamy. For entrees, I got to taste a few things. The paccheri vodka and scampi. The sauce was really good. Creamy lots of flavor but it did have a seafood flavor as the sauce seems to made with it, but just has the seafood added to it. Still good but if you do not like a strong seafood taste to sauces, be aware. The bucatini pomodoro fresco with guanciale was also really good. The tomato sauce was bright and fresh and the cheese gave it some creaminess. Rigatoni Carbonara - As advertised it was very "savory." It was quite rich with the cured pork bits (not sure if they do theirs with guanciale, pancetta or other, but my guess is the guanciale) and a good crispness and crunch. It did get more salty as I made it further through the dish. The pasta and sauce almost tasted more salty at one point than the bits of pork. If you love carbonara and the strong flavors and richness you will like this. If you only "like" carbonara I would still suggest it but maybe convince someone else at the table to get something different and share both. I also got to taste the crime brûlée cheesecake. I'm not a big fan of either dessert to be honest but this was really good. Best of both worlds I would say. I also hear the lasagna Bolognese, Vegan Lasagna and the Vegan pasta Norma are delicious. It gets crazy busy even on weekdays so I highly suggest reservations and if you are still weary about crowds you may have a tough time even outside.
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The service was very good, the food was good.
I ordered a gluten free pasta and was perfectly cooked. Our server was very nice and knowledgeable which I love.
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We came here to celebrate my friend's birthday and let me
We came here to celebrate my friend's birthday and let me tell you from the start this place was amazing! The customer service was excellent. We were greeted several times by the whole staff asking if we needed anything or how everything was. Our waiter was Miho. Everything he recommended was delicious! He was very animated and enthusiastic with his suggestions that he made you want to try everything he suggested. He did know disappoint. First we had the tiramisini cocktail and it was delicious the started with the zucchini blossoms and calamari for appetizers. The zucchini blossoms were stuffed with a ricotta cheese. I highly recommend!! The calamari not only had calamari but had anchovies, lemon, potato chips, shrimp & basil fried in batter. The lemon was surprisingly tasty. The girls had the arrabbiatissima had a spicy kick to it but also delicious. I had the lasagna, also delicious. Very authentic Italian cuisine. We had the tiramisu for dessert that they made right in front of you! The gave a complimentary Polaroid to the birthday celebrant. Our dessert beverage was the Sara perche ti amo. We definitely would come back. Ask for Miho, very nice, made great recommendations!
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No need to go to Italy, folks.
The finest pasta in the world awaits you here in this friendly garden terrace in an unassuming area of San Diego. No views or cliffs, no song and dance and fire show, no live music or standup comedy, but simply exquisite attentive service and mind blowingly perfect pasta of every kind. Cool tip: grab a weekday lunch reservation if you can't snag a dinner table.
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This place is so cute and the food is delicious! Also,
This place is so cute and the food is delicious! Also, their customer service, buenísimo!!!John was our service and he was exceptional!! :D He explained all our options of the day, answered all our questions, and was just so friendly. I ordered their bean soup which was delicious, but I was expecting a more Italian flavored soup. I shared my thoughts with John when he asked how our food was.He was willing to exchange it or bring out something else. The soup itself was delicious so I declined for an exchange or other food. Well at the end of our dinner he surprised us with a dessert. He didn't have to do that, but it really showed how much value they place on you as a customer and want you to have an amazing experience. I will definitely be going back! :)
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I dined at Cesarina Sunday evening with a group of six and
I dined at Cesarina Sunday evening with a group of six and had the best service I have experienced anywhere from beginning to end. Our waiter was so knowledgeable and gave us excellent advice as to building our pasta dishes from scratch. The celebrated a birthday in our group with a special dessert prepared right at our table. The portion sizes of yummy dishes were generous and they automatically provided boxes with bags for all of us.You won't be sorry you selected this restaurant at a busy time. They have it down to an art!
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Had a reservation at 8, they took us right away.
5/5 by
B T. on 03/25/2022
The food was delicious and the waiter was great. Definitely will be coming by next time we're in town.
The staff here is thoughtful, caring, and go above and beyond. The food is impeccable. Always feels like enjoying a great meal, with family at Cesarina.
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We walked in for late lunch/early dinner on a Sunday and
We walked in for late lunch/early dinner on a Sunday and only waited a few minutes for a table. I saw the 5 star rating and had high expectations. The hostess and servers were nice but not genuine. Our server was only interested in taking our order and didn't care much to provide a memorable experience. He knew it was our first time and only gave us the basics, with not very good recommendations or lack thereof. On the other hand, he spent more time, was informative, and genuinely more friendly towards the table next to us. We ordered the pulpo appetizer, spaghetti bolognese with burrata, and the special for the day-seafood ravioli with tomato sauce simmered with clams, shrimp, and prawns. The pulpo 4/5 was seasoned well, crispy, and tender. Spaghetti was 3/5 and nothing special. The ravioli special 2/5 was undercooked with a salty, fishy sauce. I'm always on the lookout for fresh, house-made pasta and both of these dishes were disappointing. The bread basket was decent with the herbed butter. And the tiramisu was okay. I'm on the fence on returning, maybe we went on an off day.
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Made a reservation for my birthday.
Peking is a difficult here--you have to find street parking or hope something in the small parking lot is open across the street. We showed up a little early but they sat us right away. The food was very good, services was amazing, and the decor inside was beautiful. They are also very accommodating to dietary restrictions. Plus I got free tiramisu for my birthday.
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Pasta was absolutely terrible.
Extremely undercooked, the meatballs were not tasty at ALL and the sauce was just bland. Had high expectations based on all the 5 star reviews but this was honestly one of the worst meals I've had. Being completely honest, Mama D's is 10000x times better. Go there and I guarantee you'll never come back to Cesarina.
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Outdoor seating is lovely.
3/5 by
D M. on 03/20/2022
We had zucchini blossoms($16) and tomato dipping sauce, both under seasoned. Meat lasagna again was very bland but the chili paste provided added flavor. Cacio Pepe was extremely salty. Another fresh pasta with bolognese sauce was average. Overall, our bill with a bottle of rose didn't justify the meal experience. Waiter was attentive but took 1/4 of our conversation time with his details on dishes.
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From start to finish great experience, first time eating
From start to finish great experience, first time eating alone in a while so I sat at the bar. The staff was very engaging. I felt right at home. Incredible flavors and perfectly made pasta. I had the parpadelle with funghi sauce so rich! I can't wait to go back with more people so I can try more.
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What a Jewel this place is!! Staying at a nearby resort we
What a Jewel this place is!! Staying at a nearby resort we decided to try a local spot for date night dinner and it delivered!! There's a pasta bar where you can watch the magic unfold pre dinner. We started with Vino and the Caprese! Talk about delicious! We both tried Homemade pasta dishes. I chose Ravioli's stuffed with Shiitake Mushrooms, Prosciutto and Ricotta topped with an Arrabiotta sauce with a subtle kick. It's not a normal choice for me to opt for something with Mushrooms and we had a win, this combination was spectacular! My wife opted for Rigatoni with a Pomodoro sauce with Sausage, Crema and funghi. This was also spot on and my wife was really stoked! I should also throw compliments at the fresh bread, especially the Yellow one! OMG! So good! Finally, we were set to pass on dessert but our bartender snuck us the Tiramisu as an apology for a wine mix up that wasn't even his fault! This was better than dinner, this was an elegant experience and a trip through wonderfully created flavors!! It pays to explore the local scene when you travel!! 5 stars in my opinion and I'm an extremely well traveled guy who entertains frequently at high end restaurants!! We loved it!
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Second time here and was just as amazing as the first!
Second time here and was just as amazing as the first! Outdoor seating is great, cute lights and provide blankets if you're cold. We were celebrating our anniversary and they surprised us at the end with a complimentary tiramisu and even made it vegan for us
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Wow. A wonderful meal. I recommend making early
Wow. A wonderful meal. I recommend making early reservations here (like a few days in advance) because it's a popular restaurant and difficult to get a table here.And for good reason! The handmade pasta is absolutely perfect. You can choose a type of pasta and a type of sauce from the menu, or order one of their classics. I ordered the pappardelle with "arrabiatissima" which was a spicy tomato sauce with Calabrian pepper, pork, and burrata, and it was so, so, good. The bread they served was also top-notch, and it was perfect for mopping up the leftover sauce.Service was good, and the ambiance of the restaurant was also really nice (cool ostrich feather lamps and a decorative wall that was entirely jars of preserved foods!). It would be a great place for a date or to celebrate a life event.
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Absolutely incredible!! My friends brought me here for my
Absolutely incredible!! My friends brought me here for my birthday on a Saturday for lunch. It was pretty packed the whole time we were there. The restaurant is super cute and the design of everything is well thought out. The patio area outside is really nice! The food was divine! I ordered from the build your own pasta menu and I got the pappardelle with the funghi sauce. It was out of this world delicious! I also tried their lasagna and fell in love. Honestly, some of the best pasta I've ever had. After our entrees we ordered the tiramisu and the cannolis for dessert. The tiramisu is something else. You've never had a real tiramisu until you've had it from here. They make the tiramisu table side and it's really awesome to see. The cannolis were ok, I wouldn't really recommend it. Every since our visit, I've been thinking about when I'll be back!
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Our experience at Cesarina was absolutely impeccable! We
Our experience at Cesarina was absolutely impeccable! We booked a reservation on a Tuesday night to celebrate our anniversary on recommendation from my fiancé's coworker who used to work at Cesarina. Immediately upon arrival, we were greeted with complimentary champagne for our anniversary - it was the most thoughtful touch! We then tried two cocktails (a mezcal one and a gin one), which were both delicious and refreshing, and ended with a glass of wine (they have a wonderful wine list). For food, we started with the octopus as our appetizer (so flavorful!) and their complimentary bread is to-die-for! Both of our pastas were out of this world, the best I have had in San Diego. And ending the night with the tiramisu is an absolute must! Besides the wonderful food, the service was unforgettable. Our server (I so wish I remembered his name!) was extremely kind and attentive, along with everyone who came by our table. Also the decor is very fun and eclectic, yet also romantic. This is the perfect spot for a date, a girls night, or to take your parents - it's so versatile! I could not recommend it more and cannot wait to return. Cesarina, thank you for giving us such a wonderful anniversary!!!
Where do I begin. This pasta was the best flippin pasta I've ever had. I literally want this pasta at my wedding, birthday, funeral, cats graduation party, etc etc. literally I want a dress made out of this pasta and wear it out everyday it's so good. The sauce choices you honestly can't go wrong with any of them. I'm not huge on red sauce but I tasted the red sauces and fell in LOVE. They accidentally gave me a red sauce instead of the white mushroom sauce and seriously it's as if they gave me the wrong baby in the hospital. They gave me the incorrect order in a togo box and they compensated the meal without me asking (I'm not a Karen I would never make a scene). But sheesh the customer service here. Don't get me started on the actual vibe of the restaurant, it was GORGEOUS IN THERE. The wall decor, the water dispenser, the setup of the bar. Like who decorated this place? Can they come decorate my house sheeeshhh. I'm coming back here y'all it was so good
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This was such a cozy place with DELICIOUS food and wine.
My boyfriend and I will definitely be coming back.
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Amazing service and the food was fantastic ! It was cold
Amazing service and the food was fantastic ! It was cold and they even had blankets and personal warmers for each persons lap.
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Order:- Pomodoro Fresco + Bucatini (5/5)- Gnocchi al Tegame
Order:- Pomodoro Fresco + Bucatini (5/5)- Gnocchi al Tegame (4.5/5)If you're looking for places to dine on Yelp, stop searching and book a reservation for this place NOW!!! I love everything about this place and it honestly deserves more than 5 stars. The service, food, and ambiance were all amazing. I was a bit put off by the prices at first, but they're completely justified. The food was so delicious and the portions were very generous. The Pomodoro Fresco sauce is a must-try. The Gnocchi texture was great and there was lots of flavor, but the dish was just a little on the heavier side for me. The dishware had all sorts of fun designs which really gave the restaurant more character. My boyfriend noted in our reservation that we were celebrating an anniversary and we were surprised with complimentary tiramisu! All of the staff were super kind and wished us a happy anniversary. I wish there was a NorCal location for this place so I can bring my family. Will definitely dine again when I visit San Diego!Came on a weekday afternoon so it was a lot less crowded, but you still need to book a reservation in advance!
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service was great and food came out fast.
overall food was very good and summer our waitress was perfect. will go again when in point loma.
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Literally every inch of this place has been thought through.
The whole experience was perfect. From the phone voicemail to the ambiance to the FOOD to the service. It's like the Disneyland of restaurants. This place was packed on a Monday night. I know why. Emelio (god I hope I spelled your name right) was just fantastic. He was extremely personable and knowledgeable.Our food was incredible and the ambiance had this "everything is perfect without trying too hard" vibe that we just couldn't get over. Make sure you book early. This place is packed for a reason.
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Ok, first the parking is a little tough but right across
Ok, first the parking is a little tough but right across the street is a very small public lot, this will help, but that's So Cal life if you're close I'd suggest an Uber or Lyft. When we checked in it at 8:45 for dinner the hostess was very kind, while waiting for our table on a very chilly, windy, rainy night they brought out insulated water bottles, a first for me and my lady, all o can say is wow! What a great idea, we have now ordered two for the house when people sit on the outside patio. Waiter was efficient took our drink order and brought some wonderful bread and garlic spread. The calamari was fantastic we've had a string lately of poor Calamari so we were extremely happy that they nailed it. The gnocchi and meatballs was good and the pasta tasted homemade. The outside eating was perfect even on a cold night , blankets, heaters , water bottle , fireplace, 100% recommend this place. Oh took 3 weeks for a reservation so plan ahead.
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Perfect venue for birthday celebrations! Loved the food and
Perfect venue for birthday celebrations! Loved the food and especially the service....the tiramisu dessert was also perfect . Will definitely return...
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My husband and I live in Point Loma.
We never can get reservations here. Tonight because of the rain we got lucky. I had the rigatoni pasta with the fungi sauce. Everything including the silverware the plates the ambience is impeccable and the food was to die for!!! The captain is fabulous he's from New York and I felt like I was in a little boutique restaurant in the city !! Patrick is amazing and makes you feel right at home !!!
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Wow - super fun, super cute, excellent vegan options
What a lovely restaurant. We celebrated a birthday and were pampered with all the right service. Excellent cocktails and fantastic Italian vegan options on the menu. We were lucky to get a table for two without a reservation, but I strongly recommend making a reservation - even for a 5:00 dinner.