Il Posto — Restaurant in San Diego

Il Posto : “B- or 3 stars” meaning “not bad, a reasonable choice if in the area, and it’s difficult to find a better restaurant.”

5 weeks old, with 4.8 stars on Yelp gave me very high expectations. I so so soooo want to fall in love with another Italian restaurant, but unfortunately, this one isn’t it. Ambiance is very nice, but I think they’re still trying to figure out their footing in the service department. And the food, a little inconsistent, some dishes very good, others not so much.

Given the location, the spacing between tables was quite generous and comfortable, in a dining room with clean, simple, modern decor. I studied the menu prior to arrival, so it didn’t take long to make up our minds on what to order. This is where we hit the first service snag; it took about 30 minutes before a waiter was able to take our order. Given how busy the restaurant was, and the fact they’re only 5 weeks old, not a big deal. What irked me a little was that our waiter never told us about their specials, and only learned about them from overhearing another table’s order. Oh well, first world problems, but the pork chops that we never knew about sounded pretty scrumptious!

As usual, we ate family style so that everyone got to try everything. We are Chinese afterall!

Linguini ai frutti di mare (B+ ) : very good pasta, perfectly cooked al dente linguini in a light tomatoey sauce, with shrimp, clams, mussels and calamari. The shrimp was very good, the calamari was overcooked, the mussels tasted fresh, and the clam I picked was an empty shell. Despite diligently looking, I couldn’t find another clam. I’d still eat it again without the clam!

Cotto e funghi pizza (B ) : my default is margherita whenever eating Neapolitan style, but I compromised on something with meat in it for our guests. The dough was on the soft side with no crunch even around the edges, but had a good flavor. This contrasted with the somewhat flavorless mushroom and ham. Luckily, the cheese was very fragrant, saving the day. Overall, a good pizza I’d gladly eat, but nothing to write home about.

Pollo parmigiana (B- ) : the chicken parm was good; breading had a nice aroma, wrapping some juicy chicken - definitely one of the better chicken parm’s I’ve had. The pasta, however, was overcooked and bland. The problem with group projects, the “B+” chicken was dragged down by the “C” pasta partner.

We were about ½ way done with the three dishes they served when the waiter came to check on us. “We’re still waiting for our salad,” I told him. He immediately fixed the situation, and came back with our salad within 3 minutes.

Insalata arugula (C+ ) : veggies tasted fresh, but the lemon vinaigrette was a tad boring with no lemony, citrusy punch that I expected. And, the dressing wasn’t mixed well so some parts of the salad was just naked arugula.

All in all, not a bad experience, but I would prioritize Catania or even Siamo Napoli just a couple miles away. So the search for the ultimate San Diego Italian restaurant continues. Cesarina, I will soon visit you, I just need to plan better!

Food Grading Scale:

A+: Life changing. You remember these bites for the rest of your life. Occurs very infrequently and when it does, you’ll know it. You don’t even know how to further improve it with a magic wand. A: Wow! Excellent. You felt happy biting into it. You’re considering whether it’s life changing, but know it misses the mark. A-: Very very good. Whatever it is, it’s one of the best, but you can think of further improvements. B+: Very good. Very enjoyable, not to the point of “impressive,” but worth revisiting. B: Good. A solid example of whatever it is, offering enjoyment, but not enough for making an effort to get. B-: Not bad. If in a pinch to eat something, this offers some enjoyment and is a reasonable option. C+: Mediocre plus. Pretty average, but with one or two positive characteristics you can identify. C: Mediocre. “Meh”. Very average. Not bad enough to make you angry, but nothing good...

My wife and I, along with another couple, recently dined at Il Posto in South Park, San Diego, and the experience was nothing short of spectacular. This charming Italian eatery impressed us with its exceptional food, outstanding service, and warm, inviting ambiance.

Food: The culinary journey began with the Squash Blossoms, which were perfect—crispy on the outside and delicately stuffed with a creamy filling that melted in your mouth. For our main courses, we opted for the lobster ravioli and the halibut specials. The lobster ravioli was a standout, with tender pasta envelopes generously filled with rich lobster, bathed in a decadent sauce that balanced the flavors beautifully. The halibut was equally impressive, cooked to perfection with a crisp exterior and a moist, flaky interior, complemented by a medley of fresh, vibrant vegetables.

We also sampled the risotto, which was a revelation. Creamy and velvety, it was infused with a harmonious blend of flavors that made every bite a delight. Each dish was not only delicious but also artfully presented, reflecting the chef's attention to detail and commitment to excellence.

Service: The service at Il Posto was impeccable from start to finish. Our waiter was knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the menu. He provided excellent recommendations and ensured that our glasses were never empty and our needs always met. The staff's warmth and professionalism added to the overall enjoyment of our meal, making us feel truly valued as guests.

Ambiance: Il Posto boasts a cozy and intimate atmosphere, perfect for a romantic dinner or a relaxed evening with friends. The décor is elegant yet comfortable, with soft lighting and tasteful accents that create a welcoming environment. The ambiance made our dining experience all the more enjoyable, allowing us to relax and savor each moment.

In conclusion, Il Posto in South Park is a gem that delivers on every front—food, service, and ambiance. Whether you're looking for a special night out or simply a fantastic meal, this restaurant is a must-visit. We left with full hearts and satisfied palates, eagerly anticipating...

Really lovely outdoor aesthetic, and it's great that they allow dogs on the patio. Our puppy got to do dog date and also socialize with other dogs. It was hard to get a reservation for the outdoor space as nothing was available online but we called in and got something set up so that was nice.

We came here for San Diego Restaurant Week and it was actually a very good deal for just $35 for a 3 course meal!

Insalata Di Cesare - 8/10 I was actually expecting a proper big salad here, but this was essentially just three leaves of lettuce with shaved, croutons and parmesan. Portion size was very very small here so a little bit disappointed at that.

Mortazza Pizza - 10/10 (Pistachio Cream, burrata cheese, mortadella, basil, EVO oil and black pepper) First time having a pizza with this flavor combination and was actually really nice! Added some chili flakes on top and this was perfect! I actually didn't even have dessert because I loved the pizza so much that I wanted it to be my last taste! Really big pizza here as as you would expect on a dinner menu and I really like that.

Tiramisu - 8.5/10 Very light and airy here. A large amount of cream compared to th biscuit. I wasn't as much of a fan but Husband loved it.

Pollo Al Marsala - 8/10 (Organic chicken breast sautéed with mushrooms, in a marsala creamy sauce served with potatoes and vegetables) Ordered this outside the restaurant week menu to get some extra protein in. We'd asked for less oil on this, but there was still a good amount of oil on the veggies with was sad. I used my napkin to press out as much oil as I could. Chicken was cooked well and good quantity so that was nice. Marsala sauce wasn't as good as the sauce we'd had at a different restaurant just last week so knocked off some...