0 Followers
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the city.
- 77
- 115
8 Places
-
David’s 5-star review: Everything I personally look for and more? Yes, my boyfriend has all those things. Luckily he was with me when I ate at La Focaccia--the most delicious, best bang-for-your-buck eatery I can remember. The setup is simple, decor is minimalist and elegant. The tall glasses are square-ish on the top, so prepare to spill all over yourself. I went during a hot summer day, so the spilt water felt good on me. Aaaaanyway, our server--whose name escapes me...and who reminds my boyfriend of some tennis player lady from Argentina--was animated and wonderfully Italian. Hailing from Rome, she was more than happy to indulge us culinary students with food talk. Very knowledgeable, she knew that menu through and through. And lucky her. It's a goooooood menu. She also had a great way of describing the selections so that we'd order more, heheh. "Tutto fresco," which is how she described the fresh-made pasta, and basically everything else here. Down to the proudly-displayed "organic" certification, this place is for real...and it won't break your bank account to experience it. My boyfriend and I were predictably torn. The menu is well-sized. He ended up having the Aneletti, which was yummy in a subtle and authentic way. But the true magic happened when I tasted the Cannelloni. Both of us were floored. The last time I had something this good was in a hole in the wall in Venezia. And the boyf says it was amazing--he NEVER says anything is amazing. Basically, it's a couple lasagna sheets of fresh pasta rolled around chunks of free-range chicken and fontina. Baked and served with basil chiffonade, rosemary sprigs and a perfectly seasoned Pomodoro sauce, this is my new "Dish for which I will hug you forever if you bring it to me at work for lunch." On top of it all, the prices are blessedly low. For this quality, the boyf insists that they could charge over double the amounts. I'm inclined to concur. Even then, I'd gladly come here for another round with the Cannelloni. *drool* -
David’s 4-star review: Their raspberry cheesecake is NOTHING MORE THAN FROZEN BOXED CRAP!!! I'm so disillusioned. I think I'm going to pretend to faint so that David the hot Italian waiter will catch me and reassure me that better sex... I mean... better cheesecake is on the way. In the meantime, I'm off to Cafe Zucchero for dessert! -
David’s 4-star review: Awesome wines, talented bartender, good entrees and pretty courteous staff--they'll tolerate you if they suspect you plan on spending a lot on drinks. That's assuming you find parking before they give your table away. But once you flash some cash they'll love you again. Then the only people giving you dirty looks will be your fellow diners--most of which live up the hill not far away. For a place in LaJolla, these prices aren't bad. If only there were more to do in the area around dinnertime, maybe then I'd come here more often.
-
David’s 4-star review: Authentic...better than I expected...bar-raising...which I suppose is the point of paying $60+ for a dinner for two. The aroma of stinky cheeses somewhat assaults the senses at first, but then it slowly becomes a part of the ambiance that reminds you that this isn't just another Americanized Italian eatery. The tasty, potent Ossobucco alla Milanese is served generously but the risotto was a bit undercooked. It could use a nice crisp texture or a surprising burst of sharpness or even acidity, but it's a very comforting dish nonetheless. The Scaloppine Di Vitello Ai Funghi (mushroom veal marsala) was tasty but my date and I could swear we tasted something similar to curry powder in the sauce. Not unpleasant in any way, just unexpected. I love that I've finally found a place that serves more than just "California" Italian. I have yet to order the tiramisu, but if it's anything like mine, I'll be happy :-D -
David’s 5-star review: I curse myself for not returning sooner. ...well honestly...I curse my bank account. But I reviewed this place for Rage Monthly and I vowed to return--and failed. My mouth still waters at the memory of my meal here. The service was obviously impeccable because I was reviewing it, but from what I see here, the staff/management treat everyone just as hospitably. ...mmmmm, honey wine and tiramisu -
David’s 5-star review: As a gay man, my rave opinions about afternoon tea at this swanky place don't really help to abolish the stereotypes, but hey. I know a great lunch experience when I...uh, experience it. First off, you'll be most comfortable walking around here if you wear a decent jacket--it's mostly for your own peace of mind, since there's a surprising absence of snoot. But the decor that abounds here is amazing. If you look up "fancy-schmancy" in the dictionary, you'll see a picture of the Westgate lobby. Okay, the tea. My sister, whose idea it was to spend the mid-day here, gushed about the Ambrosia Tea. I tried and loved it. It went perfectly with every course of biscuit, hors d'oeuvre and dessert that was presented. Each place setting was distinct--the cups and saucers looked as though they were handmade by your doily-clad grandmother. Even the bathroom was plush and blessedly non-smelly. I suspect that my sisters and I were the loudest group among the room's tea-slurpers, but no one gave us any looks that had the slightest trace of dirt. We weren't rowdy or anything, but the years of "Sex and the City"-style table-talk has certainly molded us into unapologetically outspoken individuals. Anyway, everyone was very gracious and the talented harpist lady even offered her services at my sister's up-coming wedding. Under the "good for kids" section, I voted yes because this is a great little treat for kids who actually want to be there. Believe me, I NEVER vote yes. Anyway, I saw a couple of mother/daughter parties who were having a pleasant time. Maybe Yelp should divide the "kids" option into two separate yes/no choices: "good for well-behaved kids" and "good for insane little people." Great eats and awesome champagne...if you can spare the $$$...but well worth the cost if you go for it. -
David’s 4-star review: I've never felt so out of place in my life. It was awesome, lol. I almost felt like Scarface in the "say goodnight to the bad guy" scene, only I wasn't quite that coked up. The consomme was amazing. I could have had a whole pot of it. Amazing salads, great bread, creepy old mummies sitting all around you and eating. I just know the femme little waiter was talking mad smack about our group, but the food was so good, I'd still give his ass a little smack after thanking him for the meal. Hey, the bill as paid, wasn't it? I can do as I please after a splurge like that. -
David’s 5-star review: When I'm old and I no longer care what I look like to other men (I'll probably have to be coupled to feel this way), THIS is where I will have dinner every night. The family feast (or whatever it's called now) is a great value for groups of people who don't hate eachother. One price = unlimited quantities!!! It's good that no locations have opened in San Diego. My ass would be many times its current mass it that were to happen. The only place I've ever experienced a better Tiramisu was at a hotel in Baveno near Lago Maggiore (yes, that's in Italy, and YES, it's THAT good). For now, I'll continue starving myself in anticipation of my 48th birthday--that's my scary age when I predict that the title of "old" will overcome any of my preoccupations of vanity. At least I'll have a table of desserts waiting for me! (Think back to the final scene of scarface and replace the moutain of coke on his desk with Tiramisu)! Who's comin' with me?!?
About
Discover
Languages
Countries
Copyright © 2004–2024 Yelp Inc. Yelp, 
, 
and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp.