The Godfather — Restaurant in San Diego

Subject: Disappointing Experience and Missed Opportunity

I am writing to share an extremely disappointing experience at your establishment, which has left a lasting negative impression. We had a 6:45 PM reservation booked several days in advance to celebrate a special occasion. Despite arriving 20 minutes early and patiently waiting at the bar, the experience quickly spiraled into one of the most frustrating dining encounters we’ve had in recent memory.

The bartender was clearly overwhelmed, singlehandedly managing the bar, serving food, and fulfilling drink orders for the dining room. As a result, it took 10 minutes just to be acknowledged, and when our drinks were finally served, basic details like cocktail napkins were overlooked. This level of service might be understandable in a busy establishment, but what followed was unacceptable.

We sat at the bar for over an hour—45 minutes past our reservation time—before anyone even considered offering us a second round of drinks. There was no apology or communication about the delay. When we were eventually offered a table, it was not the reserved booth in the dining room but a table in the bar. This made it abundantly clear that the reservation was disregarded entirely, which was especially disheartening given the nature of our celebration. We expressed our disappointment to the bartender who couldn't care less - a very "oh well" kind of response.

The most egregious aspect was the utter lack of acknowledgment. We felt invisible—so much so that it seemed we could have walked out without settling our tab, and it likely wouldn’t have been noticed for quite some time.

As it happens, we were there not just for our celebration but also scouting potential venues for a company banquet. Suffice it to say, this experience has eliminated your establishment from consideration.

It’s a shame that an evening intended for joy and celebration turned into such a frustrating ordeal. I hope this feedback encourages you to re-evaluate your staffing, communication, and reservation management practices.

We did end up at Luce, where we were greeted immediately, seated immediately and served drinks within 5 minutes of being seated; the manager even popped by to greet us and make sure our food was to our liking. Night and day difference!

When you're on top of the mountain, it's best to throw a little dirt in the valley to cushion your fall. It's easy not to care when you're busy, but when times get lean, you'll wish you had that...

If you're looking for a spot in San Diego that feels like a genuine trip to Italy—complete with the feel, flavor, and flair—The Godfather in Kearny Mesa is it. From the warm glow of candlelight to the softly playing piano, it’s the kind of place that sets the perfect stage for celebrations, big nights out, or an unforgettable dinner party with friends and family.

A Place Made for Parties

Whether it’s an anniversary, birthday bash, or just a reason to get together, The Godfather radiates energy. The atmosphere is convivial and buzzing without ever losing its intimate Italian charm—you really feel like you’re invited into someone’s home. The live piano adds a touch of festive elegance, turning ordinary meals into memorable soirées. It’s the kind of place you linger in, sipping wine, clinking glasses, and toasting the moment.

Authentic Italian Vibes

This isn’t just Italian-inspired—it’s rooted in real, multi-generation family recipes from both Northern and Southern Italy. The décor, the service, the music, and most importantly the food all reflect that heritage. The waitstaff in smart attire, the red-checked table accents, even the framed family photos—it all contributes to a genuine old-world ambiance that transports you straight across the ocean.

The Food: Hearty, Honest, Delicious

Menus here are filled with classic favorites done right—rich pasta dishes, tender veal, succulent chicken, and impeccably cooked seafood. Everything tastes homecrafted, from the creamy ricotta in the ravioli to the bright, zesty notes in the seafood linguine. Portion sizes are generous, too—figuring leftovers into your evening is practically encouraged.

Wine That Hits All the Right Notes

And now, the wine—if you appreciate a well-chosen glass (or bottle), you’re in heaven. The selection here is thoughtful and extensive, with both Italian varietals and crowd-pleasing pours. Whether you’re pairing a crisp Pinot Grigio with seafood or diving into a deep, bold Chianti to match a hearty pasta, the list...

A great restaurant for a couple, a family, or even a group. We booked on OpenTable, prior to our trip to San Diego so we would have a nice dinner to bring in the New Year. They texted us a day prior to confirm our reservation, simple "reply 1 to confirm, reply 2 to cancel" text. We confirmed our reservation and were set to enjoy a nice Italian Dinner.

The restaurant was about a 15-minute drive from our hotel near downtown San Diego.

The restaurant is in the back of a small shopping center. It was night and New Year's Eve so all the businesses were closed and most of the parking lot was full of The Godfather's patrons. They offered valet parking as well. Not sure of the price, we found a spot prior to the valet booth. There seemed to be street parking too.

We arrived right on time and were greeted by a sweet elderly couple that seated us promptly. We were then greeted shortly by Ricardo (who was amazing). He came over to ask for drink orders while we looked over the menu.

He soon returned with our drinks and complimentary fried zucchini. He explained the menu/ specials to us and let us decide while he checked on his other tables.

When Ricardo returned, we ordered the Shrimp cocktail as an appetizer. They were large shrimp with some amazing cocktail sauce. For dinner, I ordered the Ravioli with a cream sauce and honey had one of the specials with fish, shrimp, and a small side of pasta. The food was amazing. It was seasoned and cooked to perfection and didn't need anything more than the cheese they offer you when you order pasta.

This place was filled with families and couples having dinner before the New Year. There was a group of middle ages people behind us who were buying bottles of wine, one of the ladies went to the restroom and got lost returning to the table. Ricardo had to walk her back to the table as her friends ridiculed her for getting lost in this medium-sized restaurant. The highlight of the night.

10/10 would recommend, and will return if I'm in the San...