North Italia — Restaurant in San Diego

I recently had the absolute pleasure of dining at North Italia, and let me tell you, my taste buds are still singing with delight! This restaurant is a true gem for all lovers of Italian cuisine. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was greeted with warmth and a genuine passion for delivering an exceptional dining experience.

Let's start with their exquisite Italian cuisine, which is nothing short of perfection. Each dish is crafted with the finest ingredients, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will transport you straight to the heart of Italy. The attention to detail is impeccable, and every bite tells a story of passion and culinary expertise. Whether you're a fan of traditional classics or looking for innovative twists, North Italia has it all.

Now, let's talk about their wine pairing. Oh, the wine... It's like they have a magical ability to select the perfect wine to complement each dish. The sommelier's knowledge and expertise shine through as they guide you through a journey of exceptional wine pairings. Every sip enhances the flavors of the food, creating a beautiful harmony that elevates the entire dining experience.

And let's not forget about their in-house bread. I swear, it's like a taste of heaven. The warm, crusty bread arrives at your table, accompanied by a fragrant aroma that is simply irresistible. Soft on the inside with a perfectly crispy exterior, it's clear that the bread is baked with love and attention. Pair it with their truffle bread for an indulgence you won't soon forget.

Now, let's dive into some of the standout dishes I had the pleasure of enjoying. The eggplant parmigiana was an absolute revelation. Delicate layers of tender eggplant, perfectly seasoned and topped with a rich tomato sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese. It was a symphony of flavors that danced on my palate. The portion size was generous, ensuring that every bite was savored to its fullest.

Their mushroom pizza is truly a work of art. A crispy thin crust topped with a delectable medley of earthy mushrooms and fragrant herbs. Each bite was a burst of flavors, with the combination of different mushrooms creating a perfect balance that had me reaching for another slice in no time.

And finally, let's talk about their Alfredo pasta. Creamy, indulgent, and utterly divine. The pasta was cooked to perfection, al dente and full of flavor. The rich and luscious Alfredo sauce coated every strand, making each bite a true delight. It was a dish that showcased the simplicity and elegance of Italian cuisine in all its glory.

In conclusion, North Italia is a true culinary masterpiece. From their impeccable Italian cuisine to their outstanding wine pairings and mouthwatering bread, every aspect of this restaurant exudes excellence. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy night out or a celebration with loved ones, do yourself a favor and make a reservation at North Italia. Your taste buds...

With the pandemic firmly in the rear view mirror (at least for now), we were finally able to go check out One Paseo along with the rest of Carmel Valley. In the mood for Italian, we stopped at North Italia for lunch.

We had a 10 minute wait for a table for 6 at 1 pm on a Sunday and then ended up inside. They did have a lot of doors and windows open and all the servers were wearing masks though, so we didn't feel to worried with our first indoor dining experience in well over a year.

Once we ordered, our food took 40 minutes to arrive. Maybe I don't remember how things worked before the pandemic, but this was longer than we had hoped, though this could have just been our fault for showing up so hungry. It's also possible the weekend crowds celebrating the end of the pandemic and the lack of available workers made this worse than it normally is though.

I had the squid ink mafaldine and it was FANTASTIC!! I absolutely enjoyed every bite of that. The tuna crudo I shared with my wife was also quite good. It did feel like it needed some toasted bread to go along with it, but that could just be my ignorance of how such things are to be eaten. Our friend had spaghetti that looked like house made noodles that I really wanted to try. In non-pandemic times, I totally would have snagged some from her, but played it safe and didn't attempt to share any food this time out, so I don't know for sure how it actually tasted.

We were very disappointed with the food we ordered off the kids menu though. Our two 6 years got the cheese pizza and grilled cheese. Neither of them ate either of their meals. The pizza is just too fancy for a 6 year old. Though it looked great to me, to a 6 year old it looked "burnt" and she refused to eat it. She did seem to enjoy licking the cheese off the top. The grilled cheese was just not good at all. It's made with a thin slice of white cheese on fancy bread but just had no flavor. Even my wife who likes very mild cheeses found that it had no taste. That said, it was good to have just so we could soak up the extra sauce from the squid ink mafaldine.

So we'll try again in a few weeks after letting things settle down from pandemic reopenings and will try to figure out something different to do for the kids, perhaps just not bring them. I'm a little torn on how to rate it, but settled on 4 stars with a plan to come back again and revise my review later. Hopefully I'll be able to move it to...

Our visit to North Italia, nestled in One Paseo, on a Saturday evening at 5 pm left us with mixed impressions. While we had made reservations initially, it seemed unnecessary upon arrival, though the restaurant filled up quickly after we arrived. So, reservations are a good idea. The ambiance had a nice balance between upscale and casual, lending itself to a dining experience that felt both refined and relaxed. Fortunately, parking proved to be a non-issue at One Paseo, adding to the convenience of our evening.

A standout aspect of our experience was the commendable customer service. We were promptly greeted and seated, with Sam, our waiter, proving to be both attentive and helpful throughout the evening, striking the perfect balance between attentiveness and allowing us to savor our meal. The remainder of the staff mirrored this level of friendliness and efficiency.

As for the food, while it was generally enjoyable, there were moments where it fell short of expectations. We started with the Blackened Mediterranean Mussels, a true highlight of the evening. Each mussel was perfectly prepared with a rich flavor profile heightened by the delectable broth. Accompanied by bread, this appetizer could easily stand alone as an entrée.

Moving on to our main courses, the Chicken Pesto, with shrimp substituted for chicken, was a triumph of flavors. The dish had a perfect blend of pesto, pine nuts, capers, basil, and shrimp mixed perfectly with the pasta—and a satisfyingly sized portion. Conversely, the Ricotta Cavatelli failed to impress, both in terms of portion size and flavor. Despite its promise of crab and shrimp, the ricotta pasta lacked depth, with the crab barely discernible amid the plainness of the dish. The entree barely filled the bottom of the bowl it was served in.

Our dinner concluded on a high note with the indulgent tiramisu cup, which provided a delightful finish to our meal.

In summary, while our dining experience at North Italia was pleasant overall, the inconsistency in the execution of dishes, particularly the underwhelming Ricotta Cavatelli, left room for...