RoVino Restaurant + Bar — Restaurant in San Diego

Actual rating 4.5. There are 2 ways to eat in Little Italy. While several of SD's most hip restaurants reside along the hallway, the bulk of the city's remarkable Italian restaurants reside here. Rovino stands out among the Italian dining establishments by being noted by San Diego Magazine as one of the city's finest, along with having an impressive red wine checklist (both of which are also shown Solare, one more popular Italian restaurant). Since this creating it is additionally my favorite Italian restaurant in Little Italy as well as among my two favorite Italian restaurants in SD. PLACE: Contrasted to other Italian restaurants close by it inhabits a smaller area - hell also the Waterside Bar following door close by can inhabit even more individuals. Because of its dimension I can also suggest it as a dining establishment for days though you'll have to book more than a day ahead of time if you want primetime places specifically on weekend breaks. SOLUTION: The staff have been kind and useful every single time I go right here. As a result of the smaller dimension they are additionally much more realistic and are prone to having conversation with the tables they are serving.The toughness of their menu hinges on its protein alternatives.- Being a rosticceria their specialized is their roasted hen. The skin is crispy yet the chicken is wet throughout, consisting of the usually-dry bust which can mess up an excellent hen if overcooked. I was introduced to it as a tapa with red wine, nowadays a dish just isn't finish without the hen.- One of two areas that can regularly do calamari well. Tempura-like batter that does not make me really feel puffed up when eating it and the squid is prepared to excellence- Charitable part of meats if you order their charcuterie board or their carne miste. The accompanying cheeses and veggies that choose the meat on the board work well with each other as well as can make it challenging not to just consume whatever in sight.The pastas I've had got on the much heavier side. I had the gnocchi rovino (potato gnocchi, sun-dried tomato pesto, Calabrian chiles, herbed breadcrumbs, $22) and also their prosciutto tortellini (chicken stuffed tortellini, pesto cream, crunchy prosciutto, Romano cheese, tomatoes, lemon zest, $20) and while excellent, the sauces as well as pasta restrict me to a couple of items prior to getting full. On a future browse through I wish to attempt a lighter pasta so it would go much better with the much heavier meats.Their bread gets on the simple side but goes well with a little olive oil and also balsamic vinegar. It also does well when you warm it the next day.I've had their tiramisu at the end. While there was nothing spectacular regarding their version it approaches other great tiramisu at Italian restaurants with a suitable mix of ladyfingers to mascarpone and also chocolate powder.I have actually been below 3 times, each with different dining friends. All 3 times my dining buddies have actually appreciated their dishes here. With that said being claimed I always enjoyed my experiences right here and expect an additional...

On Friday, July 14, 2023 (evening) I took my colleague to RoVino's for dinner. My colleague is from Guyana and I wanted to take her to a nice Italian restaurant in Little Italy. We did not have reservations but did not think it would be a huge problem since there were several empty tables. The hostess was nice and sat us inside at a 2 top in between two tables already occupied. We sat there for sometime with no service. But meanwhile a waiter waited on these other 2 tables with no acknowledgement to us. This waiter rudely slid between our table and the other table to pour water into a glass that was practically already full. At first, I wasn't sure if what I saw was for real but he looked at me and my colleague and rolled his eyes like he was disgusted at what he saw and then looked at my empty water glass but instead poured water for his other customer. Several minutes pass and another waiter stopped at our table ...very nicely said hello and filled our water glasses. I asked if he was our waiter which he replied "no, he is" and pointed to the waiter who had given me a smirk. A few more mins goes by and we still have not received any acknowledgement even though this waiter walked past us a dozen times to wait on the other 2 tables. I had my back to the restaurant but my Guyanese colleague could see what was happening. She stood up and said "we need to go, our waiter is being extremely rude and disrespectful ...he has no intention on waiting on us". As we left, my colleague said our waiter was standing behind me making faces. She asked if this was normal in America which I promised her it was not. As we were walking out, I looked back and this jerk of a waiter was standing by our table staring at me, he then rolls his eyes and does a smirk again...and keeps staring right at me like daring me to say something. I have NEVER been treated like this in a restaurant ever. EVER. It was absolutely shocking. We did nothing wrong but sit down. I told the hostess what happened and she said he was mad that she put us in his section. She was very apologetic. But I was appalled and disgusted that a restaurant allows someone to behave this way. I will tell everyone I know to skip RoVinos and go somewhere else. Who cares if the food is good if an employee acts like a child and runs off customers. The manager and owners should be ashamed....Seriously we did nothing wrong and I've NEVER, EVER been treated like this. Maybe this waiter does not like black Guyanese women. I'm not black and have never been treated this way, we did nothing wrong so what else could it be????...

We ordered the Caprese, Ceasar Salad, and Calamari. We also got a bonus flatbread which I think was a rendition of a Caprese salad. It had pesto, tomatoes and mozzarella. All were delicious and opted perfectly.

For our entrees we had the Bolognese, the special Pasta with Braised Short Rib, and Rotisserie Chicken with Vegetables. All were equally delicious. We also got to try the cheesecake and canolli's, which I have never had a canolli and it was soooo good!

The owners, Tom and Antonia greeted us and checked in with us sporadically . I observed them doing the same for other parties as well. It goes to show the care they put into their restaurant, making sure their guests feel welcome. They were so friendly and welcoming, it felt as if you were having dinner with family which to me, makes this place stand out.

The chef, David Mendiola greeted us as well. The food he prepared was so delicious. I have to say the chicken and pasta is my favorite and he did such an excellent job preparing the food. It all tasted fresh and seasoned perfectly. A few hours later and I'm still full but yet, I wish I had more to eat!

I recommend RoVINO with a full FIVE STARS. Whether or not your a near RoVINO make it a point to eat here. The only advice I have to give is don't go hungry. The food takes a little long to prepare maybe because it's all done when you order? Regardless, it was relaxing dining experience and great spot to drink, eat and catch up with friends. The surrounding area is also a great place to walk around and you are close to the water or if you are here for a layover, close to...