Spuntino Pizzeria Italia — Restaurant in Temecula

As an independent lover of food, I cannot tell whether the other reviewers are friends of the people at the restaurant or if the food used to be better at some point, but either way, my experience is going to differ from the rest of what you've read here so far.

I first walked into the front and apparently it was a slow night. The waitresses were slow at realizing I was there, taking a few seconds to see that I was at the front, and I asked one of them if I could have a smaller table since most of the tables were meant to sit groups, She led me to The Bar Next Door, which is an extension of Sputino's and I sat myself down.

After waiting a good 10 minutes, the bartender suddenly appeared next to the table, and didn't speak in a particularly clear voice. I ordered a Zinfandel and two slices of pepperoni pizza. The Zinfandel came first and I smelled it. It smelled warm (probably because it was warm, which is fine, it's red wine), but when I sipped it, it felt like it was barely there. Like it was watered down.

I then tried the first slice of pepperoni pizza. I decided to feel it with my finger and it was luke warm, not a good sign for a place claiming to serve pizza from a fire oven. I cut the gigantic slice into two pieces and tried the pepperoni. They tasted average, not very unique. I then had the pizza, which was average, but the lack of heat quickly became evident in the second slice. Despite this, the bread they used for the crust was particularly enjoyable.

When I asked for a young man from the bar for his opinion on the wine, he brought the bartender over. I then asked the bartender how he thinks Zinfandel should taste. He said spicy. I told him that despite him opening it up this morning, it clearly had no kick and felt watery. I then told him about the bland pepperoni and the luke warm pizza, and he then reached over in a hurry, grabbing my plates and glass, and walking off to set the glass at the bar counter and take the pizza plates back to the pizzeria side.

He didn't come to me again, not to apologize, not to tell me that I had a complaint registered. Only the waitress came with the bill, which they had cut one slice off of my total bill. Despite the kind waitress, it was an obvious sign they wanted me out of there. It was very clear that the head guys don't handle criticism very well and think their food is a cut above the rest when I can get similar pizza at Villa Pizza at the mall food court for the same price, which makes calling this an Italian pizzeria/delicatessen rather insulting to my sense of logic.

Take it from me. This place is overpriced and lacking in quality. There are definitely better pizzerias in Temecula, and this place does not deserve the 4.5 stars it's gotten. The management also needs to learn to take criticism better or they will lose customers from being arrogant...

I'm really liking the authenticity I find here. From the old family photos to the specialty items available for sale to the unique menu. The only drawback with the menu that I found was that there's no custom pizza build available but it's easy to substitute items in a premade selection. So I'm not really giving any lower stars for that. The servers are always very polite and also very hospitable which is not an easy trait to do simultaneously. A lot of props to this place. They did Italian right!

Post lockdown visit totally changed everything.

I only started visiting here after the lockdown. This was my goto place. Now that lockdown is over, it's like they don't care anymore. There were only a few tables sitting. Server was not busy so I figured this would be a good time to get my two slices to go. Was kind of in a rush and didn't have time for a long wait so I chose this place. First, I don't remember 2 slices being 10 bucks but maybe I'm wrong? Anyways, as I was waiting, a big family came in. I waited outside but after awhile I realized my pizza must've been done. It was just two slices and they just heat them up. I went back inside and saw the two slices sitting at the expedite station. Family was not even seated yet so I don't know why she didn't already give me my order?? I walked up to the cooks station just to double check that was mine and shortly after she takes those two slices to the register and as I'm standing there, she just sits them aside. Ugh. Like, she saw me looking but she didn't care, she just wanted the big family because that means a big tip?? But my pizza had already been sitting there and she hadn't even sat the family yet, then she hands me the slices, they were already on the verge of being cold again. No cheese. No peppers. Additionally, the pizza looks lame. A couple of pepperoni in one place. Just looks sloppy. The quality has seemed to take a dive here. 5 bucks a slice is now out of my value range.

I have not seen her before so I'm guessing she's new although I haven't been here for awhile. Either way. I miss the other girl that used to work at lunch. She was on top of everything all the time. Not sure I'll return...

Let me tell you, I was at a job in Temecula and finally had time after working to find some food and take it back to my hotel. I found this place conveniently 5 mins from where I was on the way to the hotel. So that was a win win. The restaurant was beautiful inside the walls were painted with the divine furniture, tables etc. it felt like I was in Italy. I wanted a sandwich but then realized they had pizza too so I got an XL mushrooms and pepperoni pizza and an antipasto salad. They said I could wait in the other room. There was a bar there, I was so excited because I was craving a beer. The waitress was very helpful to show me where that room was and where the bathrooms were. I sat on the bar side. I think it was called the bar next door. My bartender was pretty and she helped me pick out the right beer. We talked a bit about the drinks she was making and I noticed she was very professional and loved her job..the car side had a different theme very clean and modern styles but the bartenders and bar back had a very clean dress code. Like an underground bar you would find in Europe. My pizza came and we closed our tabs. We are out pizza at the vineyard hotel we stayed in just 5 mins away. It was hands down the best farm fresh to table pizza I've ever enjoyed. It wasn't extra oily or anything. I thought it would get weird if I waited to eat it. But when I got to the hotel it was still perfect. Not so hot of course but the flavors were perfect. The tomatoes were as if they were on a bruschetta plate. My antipasto could've had more meats but all good the vinaigrette made it happen. I just wish you could make it a chain restaurant so I can enjoy it in La. But that's okay. I guess I'll have to take more...