Enoteca Adriano Reviews

If you are craving Italian food, not the chain restaurant bs but the real deal Italian, soft in-house made bread with oil/balsamic, fresh produce for salads, even grandma’s recipe lasagna, and a dessert that was made for the pope himself “popes pillow,” with decadent strawberries, creamy marscapone cheese and a flaky pastry crust that’ll make you understand why everyone is going here!! (Yum craving it now.) Then you will NOT be disappointed. With a selection of beer and wines/ports you don’t see elseware this is my go-to spot in SD. From romantic dates, girlfriend get together and I’ve even seen Birthday party’s to weddings! Love Enoteca Adriano ❤️

We felt lucky to get an early reservation for NYE. The minestrone soup was excellent. The gnocchi was fresh and tasty; good for the vegans. The special Osso Buco was tender and delicious.

Charming Italian restaurant in the heart of Pacific Beach. Great food, friendly service and cute atmosphere.

Great gathering place for friends in a friendly neighborhood setting. It was our first visit at the recommendation of our friends. The setting was nice though we weren’t thrilled with the food selections we chose which were spaghetti carbonara and veal saltimbocca. Both were mediocre. Others at our table had favorable reviews for the bolognese and sea bass. Parking is available on the street. Seating is available indoors and outside.

There are Italian places like Olive Garden. And then there are ITALIAN places like Enoteca Adriano. It is real Italian with a flair. It's not a large place or an elegant place. But it was fun, and it was good. My dish was pasta shells with shrimp in a pistachio sauce. I've never had anything like it, and I really liked it. The portions were plentiful and reasonably priced.

Be sure to reserve a table outside in the patio near the sidewalk. Otherwise it gets too loud in this festive Italian gem of a restaurant. Parking is easy, and you can dress 'beach casual'. The lobster raviolis are amazing. The bread is the best I've ever had. Everything is reasonably price considering how delicious it is.

Upon entry of this warmly lit patio, I was greeted in such a friendly way that it automatically felt as if I was family with the hostess. As we sat down, we were immediately served warm bread and balsamic/oil garlic sauce. What seemed to be basic bread was...anything but. Crispy on the outside and soft in the middle...with the surprise of cheese in it. I thought to myself if the bread is this good, I couldn't wait to see the menu! Like clockwork, the menu arrived in our hands and then I saw it;They have a whole section on burata. For those who don't know what burata is...its creamy deliciousness. I chose the no.19 (which is tied to the name of the restaurant, it was Adriano's favorite number explained the waiter Hugo.) I was not disappointed. The sweet with the salty was impeccably balanced and I couldn't wait for my main meal: Ravioli stuffed lobster with shrimp in a rose sauce (as they call it aurora). For the love of everything holy, I was floored. I have eaten in countless Italian restaurants and thought the one closest to my house was the best I had ever eaten at. I was so wrong. The texture of the perfectly cooked ravioli with lobster filling blew my mind away. I deliberately ate slower to savour it longer. I then asked for more bread to soak up all the leftover sauce. I was stuffed ...but how could I not try dessert? So I did. Thankfully we were many on the table and I was able to try the creme Brule (rich creamy and perfectly made) Pope's pillow (a pastry flake that is enormous and has ties to the Pope!ask for the story! It's pastry cream is made with mascorpone and had I not been stuffed I would have finished it myself) and of course classic Gelato. I was so impressed that for my 4 day San Diego trip, I ate there twice. The second time I ate the Gnocchi. I again ordered a second round of bread. I didn't even care that I didn't run that day as...I was so happy. Writing this review alone makes me want to go back immediately. A must try in San Diego! Oh and bonus- they have gluten free options too!!!

Last night of our trip and we came here! The Pesto Burrata was fantastic and the pasta was super fresh! Ended the dinner with homemade gelato that was phenomenal!

Three of us visited for dinner. The menu has enough to satisfy everyone. We shared two appetizers, and then ordered three pasta dishes - which were excellent to exceptional. We also brought our own bottle of wine (corkage fee). And, shared two different desserts. One of the best meals I have had in the past year. Note that reservations are essential here. And, although I would consider it fine din8ng, the prices were in the moderate range. A definite gem !

This place is awesome make reservations if you are more than 2 we had to wait a few minutes it was so good would go once a week if we lived here you don't need to go to little Italy to have some fine food.

Beautiful food (really, really beautiful) and perfect service. As a solo traveller you can feel a bit awkward sometimes eating alone in a restaurant but I was totally at ease here and just enjoyed the whole experience. Can't wait to go back again one day :)

All 8 of us found our meals to be just OK. Portions were small and the dishes were pricey. How it is #7 in San Diego baffles us.

Jay and I chose Enoteca Adriano for our anniversary dinner. Charming, cozy atmosphere, superbly gracious and attentive server, enticing menu items and a great wine. We'll be back!!!!!

Exceptional cuisine, great vibe and wonderful people. I've traveled all over the world and this is our favorite Italian restaurant.

Spent several weeks in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego recently and visited this ristorante a couple of times. Located just a couple of blocks off Mission Blvd hence the neighborhood feel. Walking up to the restaurant you see decoration lights surrounding the outdoor patio which hints at the feel of the place. The patio was a great place to enjoy the really good Italian food. Service was attentive but did not give you a feeling of rushing you. We tried one of their burrata specials each visit - a must! The lasagna was very traditional and tasty. Gnocchi Casalinghi was yummy but very rich. Would highly recommend.

We went here because we had an event later that night nearby....what a lovely spot! Outstanding food, friendly service. I can heartily recommend the oriechette with duck ragu, something out of the ordinary, and the bruschetta is quite amazing. And Italian wines by the glass including some out of the ordinary ones.

Avoid the hustle and bustle of San Diego's Little Italy and stop in here for a fantastic Italian meal. Burrata in a number of different preparations features prominently on the appetizer list and you would be cheating yourself if you do not try one of them. The cheese was extremely fresh and tasty. Although lasagna is not on the menu, make sure to ask if they have it that night. We were lucky enough to have been there on lasagna night and it was some of the best I have had. The beverage menu (beer and wine are your only alcoholic choices) is small, but features some great wines.

Great Italian restaurant with a strong focus on pasta dishes. The food was very good and the service even better. Good atmosphere and the vintage movie playing in the background was a neat way to. Bring ambiance to the place.

This is one of my go-to restaurants for a special occasion - mother's day, birthday, etc. The restaurant is small and casual, tables are close together, but the ambience is friendly and vibrant. My favorites are the Burrata Enoteca followed by the black linguine (Linguine Neri) with seafood sauce. It's the Friday special and not on the main menu but, if you ask, they will make it for you on days other than Fridays. Reservations are highly recommended and make sure, if you do have a reservation, that you show up on time.

Fabulous restaurant! From the greeting to the dessert we experienced a lovely evening on their patio. Nice selection of wines and menu choices. We had apps, entrees and split a unique dessert- Pope’s Pillow.Great service by Ada added to the overall experience. She knows her stuff and is a gem.

We were so fortunate to have found this place especially not being locals. We were 5 min away from our hotel at the Sea Beach Hotel & found this place online. My husband was impressed at the music played on their website because he also owns that vinyl so that sealed the deal to check out the place. We went on a weekend and were quickly seated. The place has outdoor seating as well with such beautiful ambience throughout. Dimly lit but enough to not have a struggle to see anything, it was perfect. We were very cozy and the waiter tending to us was amazing! There is a wonderful selection of dishes here as well as wines. I think although the place is intimate and people are friendly, I would make a bit of an effort with dress wear. The portions were very fulfilling and you never felt cheated! Money well spent on quantity and quality. I can't stop thinking about how delicious the food is here. Kid friendly!

After reading several reviews of this restaurant, we decided to try it and it exceeded its reputation. Three different pasta dishes and all were excellent.Also, the pasta fugioli was outstanding. You must start the meal with a bowl. Only knocks is too loud for easy conversation and no non alcoholic beer.

We visited twice during our time in Pacific Beach. On the last visit, the day before we left I booked a table on line and got an e mail back within minutes from Chef Franco, we explained it was our last night and we had visited before and enjoyed our meal and the atmosphere, the staff were so attentive, not pushy, the food was fantastic again and we had a little surprise from Chef Franco too. The Popes pillow dessert is highly recommended. Great food, great atmosphere, great staff Fantastico!!!!!!

As Italians from the East coast we haven't found much in SoCal that excites our taste buds, until Enoteca Adriano! What a find! A charming little place with some outdoor dining not too far from the beach in Pacific Beach, a community in San Diego. Menu items are authentic and well prepared. Many of the usual Italian offerings and some innovative and delicious choices as well. Don't miss the chocolate mousse dessert. reservations suggested, the line forms down the block!

On the high recommendation of our rental owner, we made reservations (a must) from the beach and strolled over for a fantastic Italian meal. Everything was perfection from the complementary fresh bread with burrata in the middle, delicious misto salad to entrees to dessert. I had the veal (vitelle saltimbocca) which had an amazing tomato cream sauce, perfectly prepared spinach and mashed potatoes. The veal was a tiny bit tough but not enough to distract from my enjoyment of it. My husband ordered the orecchiette with duck, loved it. Tiramisu was rich and creamy, Hub's gelato had sauce and a special chocolate surprise in the middle! The only negative is it's VERY noisy. Recommend getting reservations on the patio. (We tried but they were all booked.) I'd take off maybe 1/4 star for the noise factor. Otherwise, highly recommended!

This Italian Wine Bar with food is fabulous; off the heavily trodden path of the boardwalk, this is a great experience. Our server on this occasion, Barbara, knows her stuff and advises accordingly. The food is plentiful and really good, service prompt and the wine list is great for a neighbourhood restaurant. We’re British and have travelled extensively in Italy and Europe - this is a good restaurant and a great evening out. we always go several times when in San Diego - listen out for the specials as they’re always good.

I ate their twice in a week. My son loved the bolagnese(?) and the salad I made him eat. My wife and I loved everything. I wish I remembered our servers name. We had her both times and you could tell she loved her job and the restaurant. She was very familiar with the menu and made sure we had a great dining experience.

We were so impressed we ate here two nights in a row! Reservations a must. The Burrata is to die for.. We sampled the special one night with honey baked butternut squash and then the Enoteca the next night. Both wonderful. The pastas are delicious.. especially the Oreccheti Bosco, Polpettini a Pasta, Soups are homemade and delicious. I had the Pistachio Cod with capellini on the side... Excellent. Everyone was delighted with their meals. THis is the best italian in the area. Service is pretty good and the hostess very helpful. Definitely worth a trip if in San Diego.

My husband and I are visiting the San Diego area for the month of August and have been very frustrated to find overpriced, mediocre restaurants so far this month until our discovery of Enoteca Adriano. We love Italian food and always try to search out the best an area has to offer when we travel. Last night we discovered this little gem in the Mission Bay Area. It was a bit of a drive from Coronado, but well worth the effort. I started off with a great Carpaccio which was a very ample size of very lean, sliced steak accompanied by shaved Parm and topped off with Arugula and a drizzle of caper olive oil. For my main course I had the Chicken Piccata and substituted the mashed potatoes and spinach, which it came with, and replaced it with the Gnocchi with a cheese sauce. They were very kind and accommodating when I asked for the substitution. I wanted to try the Gnocchi which our server said was made in-house and was very light and not your typical heavy potato gnocchi. Everything about this dinner was a standout— 2 very large chicken cutlets cooked to a moist perfection with a lemon butter sauce with just right balance of lemon to butter ratio. I don’t normally have dessert and coffee, but since the first two courses were great, I decided to go for a home run and ordered the Cannoli and a Mocha Coffee which I shared with my husband. Oh, I forgot to mention another great attraction to eating here is that on Monday thru Wednesday there is no corkage fee when you bring your own wine to dinner. Also, the outside patio was a very pleasant place to eat on a nice evening. This entire meal was great, and we can’t wait to go back and experience the food again at this “Little Gem”.

Every time we go to Pacific Beach we eat at Enoteca! It has not only the best food, but wonderful staff. The atmosphere is wonderful! You won't be sorry !

We have been here a number of nights for dinner but the last couple of times we were disappointed with the food. It lacked in flavor and quality. With that said the atmosphere is very nice, it is romantic for a date night. The service was great as well.

This is a quaint, neighborhood, charming venue. The clientele seemed to be mostly locals, although it is in close proximity to touristy beach areas. More than half of the menu items are fish/seafood. I ate the salmon w spinach and pomegranate served on mashed potatoes; it was delicious! If fish is not your fancy, the pasta with meat sauce was also yummy. My kids also dined here and are not adventurous eaters. The chef made them "grilled cheese" sandwiches with this delicious bread. Bon Appetit!

We enjoyed it so much we went twice. First night I had fish (see pic) and it was cooked perfectly. Yes that’s a lot of tomato and Vegs but it was superb. The next night I had gluten free pasta with bolognese. My background is Italian and I admit I’m a tomato sauce snob. This bolognese was outstanding and rivals mine. Prices are very reasonable, service is very good. Make a reservation because space is limited. The only downside is that it is very loud and with it being a small space, the sound really is intensified. Ask for a table towards the back corner. Both evenings we had a hard time hearing each other. In fairness, each evening they had a table of 6-8 and that added to the volume. Despite that, we loved it - both times!

Good food (caprese was really good) and atmosphere. It was already busy when we arrived for our 6pm reservation. No kids menu but they made a simple rigatoni with red sauce which the kids enjoyed.

Enoteca Adriano is a very pleasant surprise, out of the hustle and bustle of San Diego's Pacific Beach neighborhood. This is the 2nd time we've been there in two years (on an annual trip to San Diego), and with the large number of restaurants in San Diego, that says something in itself. We got there quite early to assure a reservation; in the old days, it was a mexican restaurant, then a sandwich restaurant, and now italian. The others were rarely filled up, if ever -- but this one stays busy. Service is great and attentive, and the staff keep a good eye on you. The selection of wines and food is great, with a few specials each night, and the typical Italian choices in different "plates". This time, I had the pork chops, which were excellent. Three others had pasta dishes (carbonara, lasagna, and not sure about the other) as the entire meal, and had more than enough without an additional course. The selection of food is broad with a wide variety of italian dishes. It's the kind of place you go back to try the other dishes.

Wonderful meal at this restaurant. As other reviews have said , the burratas are absolutely delicious! Food, wine , service first class - so glad we found this and booked ahead!

Worth finding this place, very high quality food. Great ambience and service. Not cheap but worth it!

We were searching for where to eat dinner our last night in San Diego. Hubby suggested we try this restaurant. Glad we did. It was walkable from our hotel too. Service was excellent and so was the food. I highly recommend!

My partner and I recently ate dinner in Enoteca Adriano when visiting Pacific Beach. The setting was wonderful with a lovely terraza out front. The staff were very friendly and attentive. I ordered the Bruschetta for a starter which was so fresh and delicious and I had the Bolognese for my main which was good but nothing to write home about - very average. I thought the restaurant was slightly overpriced for what it is, although I did enjoy my meal here. My only real gripe is that we sat outside in the corner next to a large family reunion who, let's say, didn't understand the etiquette of eating in a restaurant. As the family were sat in the corner and surrounded by 3 walls, their voices echoed throughout the whole restaurant which made it uncomfortable for other diners and, I can say, spoiled my experience. Perhaps better planning when allocating tables in future may resolve this. Overall, I did enjoy my meal here and would recommend the Italian to those in the area.

We had reservations for a Friday night--not really necessary, but a good idea. This is a house that has been converted into a funky and classy casual dining mecca. Portions are quite large. The service is over the top excellent. We had a lovely bottle of chianti and started with the burrata--a must. Then on the the sea bass in linguini and the gnocchi. We should have ordered one main course and split it--tons of food. This is authentic and tasty and creative food at very reasonable prices in a lovely setting. Only two other observations. It was odd seeing the hostess chomping on bubble gum throughout the evening and the dessert (chocolate gilato--not my favorite) took forever to show up This is a must restaurant.

The restaurant is small and personal with Very good food. The pappardelle bolognese was very tasty. The bread was excellent. Service was also very good. My husband was a little disappointed that they do not serve ant soda. They had just flavored water, sparkling or flat and wine.

This place is a local gem in Pacific Beach. It has a great atmosphere and great food to boot! Make reservations because the place is hard to get a table.

Just amazing food, great service and lovely atmosphere! Fresh pasta dishes were unique and tasty! Dessert is supposed to be amazing but we were stuffed.

A fantastic meal. Truly something different for flavors and taste. Also great service by Barbara and the atmosphere was great for a romantic dinner on a Friday night. Highly rate it. While in PB, not right on the Main Street so close enough, but not within the bustle.

You could miss this Italian eatery if not paying attention. Cass Street is busy, so a quick drive by is likely and unfortunate. The food was super. The menu is filled with Italian dishes to wet your whistle. Calamari to as a started was very good. The four of us each ordered a different dish as diner choice. We had plenty on each plate so to be able to sample to others choice. Each of us thought our choice for Italian dining was excellent

We ate dinner here twice in a recent visit to San Diego. First visit had a very helpful waiter Food overall was excellent, as was the second dinner. However, we were not do positive about the Carne Pizza.

Great Italian food, great service, I would come back anytime for a great experience. We had two types of calamari dishes, the soup Minestrone with local fresh vegetables, salmon and the Bolognese pasta. Wonderful selected wine list, we had a very good Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay. The portion sizes were big for us, a family of two adults and two children. We tried two deserts including the famous Cannoli. Everything made to perfection, taste impeccably balanced and a pleasant culinary surprise. Atmosphere was warm, and the service excellent.

On a local street, a little out of the tourist path, is this small and locally liked Italian restaurant..........used to be that the chef would come out from the kitchen and walk around, greeting the diners, which made us all feel special, but things have changed....... However, the food is very, very good, simple dishes and clean flavors in the best of Italian way !

This restaurant has great food and is Italian. Great menu and food is very good. Enoteca Adriano Fresh burrata wrapped with parma prosciutto, arugula, fresh fig jam, baby heirloom tomatoes, crosti is worth ordering and very good. An enjoyable place for good Italian food and worth visiting.

No better way to taste the real Italian food in San Diego!!! The service was great, starting with the reservation, the reception at the door and the service at the table!!! Will be back for sure!!!

Went here on a cold and rainy night with my wife. Was looking for someplace that would have the feel of a neighborhood restaurant in Europe and this did not disappoint. The place was filled with locals chatting away, with a warm ambience. We sat outside under the heaters and found the place charming. Food was good, service excellent. We will be going back to try the burrata as that is supposed to be their specialty. It’s a perfect place to wander into when you just don’t want to cook tonight. Enough variety to visit often. And the bread that they bring to the table is to die for! Fresh and right out of the oven.

three of us went for dinner to celebrate a birthday. two had the sea bass special, and the other person had a ravioli dish. all were judged to be terrific. The waitress was very friendly and efficient. This is a relatively small restaurant, so reservations are essential. There is a good wine list, but you can also bring your own bottle, which they will serve for a corkage fee. Lots of choices in San Diego, but this was a definite winner.

The food was great, the atmosphere was nice and the service was very good. A warm welcome with tasteful pasta between all the USA fastfood. Need more places like this!

My daughter and I came here to celebrate her 19th birthday and were not disappointed. The restaurant was crowded and we didn't have reservations but we were able to be seated immediately. The food was incredible! The bread was warm sourdough with melted smoked mozzarella served with a balsamic vinegar dipping sauce. It was to die for! The lobster ravioli with grilled shrimp and spaghetti carbonara are my two favorite dishes there. We loved it so much we returned two more times during our week-long vacation! Highly recommended!

Each time I go everything is wonderful and VERY tasty! I am actually craving their food right now :) Enjoy, Buon Appetito!

Excellent service, food and atmosphere! The burrata was definitely a family favourite. Large portions - good for teenagers

Food is tasty, service warm and friendly(sometimes slow, BUT last visit was very busy night). Love the outdoor patio dining! GREAT pasta! Known for burratta appetizers. Try the Pope’s Pillow for dessert. Wines featured on wine list are very good, but Monday thru Wednesday there is no corkage fee! This place is in my top 5 of favorite places to eat in all of San Diego. So happy it’s in my neighborhood!

We've lived in the area for years and I'm not sure how we missed this place; it's a hidden gem for sure. Excellent food, house made pastas and sauces, good service. We ate outside but the inside looked really cute and will try that next time. I liked that our server offered to make a dish anyway we wanted (substitute pastas for example); you don't find restaurants often who are willing to make that offer. We are pretty particular about our Italian food since we travel to Italy often and appreciate the best. Enoteca Adriano met our expectations. We had a nice bottle of wine at an affordable price and all of our food was delicious. The Orecchietti Bosco was one of the best sausage pasta dishes I've had outside of Italy. I ordered the Bucatini Carbonara and substituted capellini. It was really good but after trying my husband's Bosco, I decided to order that for takeout dinner for the next night! The tiramisu was also one of the most heavenly I've ever tasted. Well done! We will be back often. One thing that isn't a negative for us but interesting to note - no pizzas on the menu that we could see.

Great local spot ... the meat ball are really good , Adriano is a good chef and he always come through the tables to see if everything is fine Very cozy and romantic little restaurant

To be honest, I was expecting more based on the reviews we read. The mozzarella in the caprese salad was fairly tasteless and our server was pretty disinterested which is surprising in the US.... would go for tacos instead.... save Italian dinner for a more Italian influenced area

Good food. Had the minestrone/veg soup - made fresh, perfect! My husband had the cod dish and loved it. Very generous portions. Think of sharing. Wonderful wait staff.

Delicious food. Make reservation to skip the long lines. Super crowded even on a weekday night. It's a small restaurant with nice decor. Street parking. Service was a bit slow.

If you want a respite from the beach scene and all the beer joints, take a couple of hours and go have a meal here. The food is FANTASTIC, the service is just at wonderful. The owner/chef Franco has a great flair for creating the most amazing flavor profiles. A must have is one of his burrata appetizers, this is THE BEST burrata I have ever had and we travel to Italy often. Ask your server what they recommend and go with it, they actually eat at the restaurant they work in, it's THAT GOOD. Make reservations, this is a small restaurant with over the top food. Good wine selection!! DO NOT SKIP DESSERT

We live in Boston near the North End and have lots and lots of delicious Italian restaurants.....BUT Enoteca is our all time favorite. We have loved every dish ever ordered. Sea Bass, Chicken, MEATBALLS !!! ( fabulous) apps are yummy and our favorite servicer Barbara ( Babs) makes our evening always fabulous ~ Our son and Daughter in law live in PB, so when we visit we always go for dinner one or two nights during our stay. Again everything is Delicious

Cute restaurant and terrific Italian. Loved the cheese burrata dish! Excellent pasta too. Enjoyed dinner with two friends.

The restaurant was recommended by the concierge. We thought little Italy was the place for Italian food, but they told us to go to adriano's Portions we plentiful...and I like to eat. Food was authentic enough. Pasta fagoli passed the test. Saltimboca and gnocchi were also good. Staff was very pleasant. Crowd was loud...like an Italian family is. Only fail was.....espresso machine was broken....broke my heart.... You will enjoy

Loved the bolognese sauce, loved the burrata and pear salad, and thought the tiramisu was divine. Very charming little place.

This place is the real deal! Authentic Italian food in an intimate quaint setting! Our server, Sarah was informative, gave great recommendations and pleasant! I highly recommend trying this place!

Went here upon recommendation of my son and we weren't disappointed. Burrata is the house speciality and with good reason - I had the Enoteca and it was great. My entree was pasta, shrimp and artichokes which was also very good. I'm from NY so I know Italian food and this was top notch, albeit a little pricey.

Amazing evening , delicious food and most importantly amazing waitress Barbara. I was dining with a family member who was in the midst of Chemo, Barbara went about and beyond to make sure everything was ok, not too spicy or saucy and just overall to make sure she was happy. AMAZING !! The food was delicious and we will returned again on my next trip out with additional family members

My fiancé and I came here last night for dinner and were seated on the patio which was lovely. We ordered the Orecchiette Bosco and the Gnocchi Casalingho. Both were exceptional, however the Orecchiette Bosco was extremely delicious! Definitely recommend this spot!

We went here on the recommendation of a waiter at another restaurant who said it was one of the best Italian restaurants in the area. He was right. It's a small place with an unimposing front on Cass Avenue in the northern part of San Diego. Not very big, but with about 10 tables inside and slightly less on the patio outside. With the suggestion of the waitress, the 4 of us had one Burrata appetizer, one pasta specialty, and 2 Osso Buco entrees. Osso Buco is only on Saturday nights. The meat was truly falling off the one and only lightly sauced, so you could taste the flavor of the meat. We shared the Pope's Pillow is a pastry square with mascarpone and strawberries--just right The wines are fairly moderate for a restaurant and we had an excellent Cadmium Aglianico bold red that we all enjoyed for $42. Service was excellent.

TripAdvisor members got it right! This is a great little neighborhood restaurant with a cozy cafe feel, tasteful decor, attentive service and a chef worthy of mention! The food was excellent, and if the relatively small space (60-80 patrons) got a little noisy as it filled up in late evening, it was families and friends laughing and talking together over a good meal, the sort of atmosphere that makes your own dinner experience more enjoyable. The spinach penne special was great, my wife enjoyed a papardelle dish wish shrimp, spinach and artichoke, and our daughter scarfed down her gnocchi dish before we could finish! Don’t forget dessert, the Pope’s Pillow is a treat you should experience!

We were encouraged to go here by the locals...And we are so glad we did! The Burrata with artichoke and pesto was tasty and calamari so fresh! Our waitress was lovely and gave good suggestions. The chef came out to check on dinner, which was a nice touch. Come here for a local Italian dining experience. A bit out of the way but worth the über ride.

Yum! We were looking for a quick bite on a random Tuesday night and boy, am I glad we found this place! I had a salad and my husband and son both had pasta and all was delicious. The only bad thing about our experience is that we didn't have room for desert. Our server was super helpful in selecting wine for each of us. Definitely worth it!

I am biased. But not like you would imagine... I did work there. Many moons ago. Franco Tassone (the owner and the executive chef) and I would fight like Cats and Dogs... If I was going to write a review that was trying to hurt him, that would be unethical... If I was still in any way connected to the restaurant and would benefit from a good review, that would be unethical... As I am one of the last true ethical and snarky people on the planet, I assure you that I am not writing to help or to hurt... just to tell the truth... to your benefit. First, there is a misnomer out there that food can either be "authentic and traditional" or "avant garde and hip"... Nope. Completely wrong... You can have the best of both worlds... you need a Chef who was taught how to cook from traditional family recipes from family members who loved them, encouraged them and were willing to share their wit, wisdom and experience (Franco Tassone: Check!!!). Then, you need to spend an entire life pursuing art and culinary skill with passion, attention to detail, humor (when possible), heart (always, and 110%) and superb intellect (no space for small or poor minds in the restaurant industry...) (Franco Tassone: Double Check!!!) What you get when you mix these two very different worlds and experiences is a dining experience that elevates the diner and allows them to experience what perfection tastes like. The dishes are beautiful to look at... The meals are created with a sense of sensual delight and generosity of spirit. The dining experiences are not only enjoyed in the moment but create memories that will be fondly revisited for years to come... This is a place you need to visit if you love Italian food and the generosity of heart that is the Italian culture. Franco doesn't have a specialty... All of the dishes are flawless. My favorites? This is going to sound pretty tame... but understand that I have been in the Marines for 20 years and I have gone hungry many times, eaten MREs at the far corners of the globe and I have dined with kings, princes, presidents, prime ministers, congressmen and governors... Of all the people I have dined with across the globe, it feels most comfortable and like dining with family when I dine with Franco and his team... Okay.. now that we have given the disclaimer... The favorites: Burrata - Must start with one... It is a shell of fresh mozzarella filled with strips of mozzarella soaked in fresh cream... it is soft, creamy, dream-like and takes on the flavors of whatever it is sharing the plate with... He always has a Burrata of the day... and it usually sells out by 7:30 - 8:00... If I were to describe my favorites, this paragraph would go on for pages.. Spaghetti Carbonara - Best I've ever had... and as a Veteran of the Armed Forces, this dish is near and dear to my heart. It was invented at the end of WWII by the recently liberated Italians for the American servicemembers who came to their rescue. The Italians asked the servicemembers if there was a way that they could thank them and the soldiers replied "We really miss bacon and eggs...". The Italians didn't have "Bacon and Eggs", but they did take whatever ingredients they did have and create a dish that tastes just like "Bacon and Eggs"... This dish is literally going to kill me someday... but I will have no regrets. So good!!! So rich!!! Perfect. Orechiette Bosco - Okay... Look... Don't judge me. I am only going to tell you that if you have kids or are a kid at heart, try this dish. This dish could very well be the key to my own happiness and have the same effect as pain killers and endorphins working together for me. It is the ear shaped pasta (little cups) tossed with the most hedonistic mix of minced sausage, red sauce, white sauce, fresh garlic.... it keeps going and it always delivers smiles and a happy tummy... Yep... It is slightly embarrassing to be hooked on a dish.. but that's what's going on here. I am now going to tell you to try a litany of dishes: Try the Gnocchi.. Try the Bistecca (Steak)... Try the Pork.... Try the Fish.... Try (dear God!!!) the Osso Buco.... Try the Lasagna... All on different days... So, plan your trip accordingly. Wine? Wine. Great selection of real Italian wines... If you are cutting your wine teeth, this is the best restaurant in San Diego to learn Italian wines. I could literally go in depth if it was warranted, but I will just say... if you want to learn, this is a great place to come and experience Italian wine without killing your pocketbook or wallet. Dessert? Dessert. Pope's Pillow.... Must have. Everything is great... but have the Pope's Pillow. Really. You should go. It will be worth the trek and worth your time and money. Franco... you drove me absolutely crazy when I worked for you... but you deserve all the credit you get... Still the best Italian that I have had in all of my travels... and although you are stubborn and slightly crazy, you know I applaud your work and culinary masterpieces! Bravo!!!

Celebrated the last night of a terrific beach vacation at Enoteca Adriano.Wonderful service, wine and food. My son’s dish was not quite ready when the rest of the party’s orders were ready so he was presented with a delicious bowl of pasta while he waited. Soda? Only Italian served... loved the authenticity and tradition this restaurant serves up. Definitely returning next year.

We are staying in Pacific Beach and generally all the bars are great but the food in them all is quite similar. This Italian however is different and so authentic. We have travelled extensively in Italy and can guarantee the quality of this restaurant. Really friendly servers and awesome food. We are returning tonight for our last meal on vacation.

sometimes one course is just so good that it deserves special mention, even in the context of an otherwise really enjoyable meal. the Ravioli-- stuffed with lobster and with the most subtle and perfect sauce was one for the memory. go here and enjoy

My friend, her mom, and I visited this restaurant for dinner. Although we had a reservation, it did not look like we needed one. We were seated right away, and we had great service. The bread that they brought was delicious and great to eat while we were waiting for our food. The food was delicious-I got the pollo piccata. I would highly recommend for good Italian food in the San Diego area!

I'm in love with this place! The food was impeccable and so was our service, especially since we had a party of 8. Next time I'm in PB, I will absolutely positively return to this restaurant!! The one thing this restaurant could use is more variety in the non-alcohol drink department.

Can't say enough good things about this place. Small neighborhood restaurant in an unassuming area of Pacific Beach. My husband, daughter and I liked it so much the first time we went, that we immediately made reservations for the next night as well. When we arrived back the second night the hostess remembered us and remembered that our 9 year old didn't like cucumber in her water. Sure enough, when the water arrived - no cucumber for her! Such warm and friendly service and the food is EXCELLENT. Definitely try any of the burratas. We also had bolognese, which was great and a delicious salmon dish. Everything we ate was just great. I wish I didn't live in CT because I would come here every week!

Franco never disappoints my guests with excellent tasting, well prepared dishes. Have to start with the burrata, then pasta, but you must save room for the Pope's Pillow dessert! Like the outside seating. Excellent wait staff.

We are regulars here and love it. My favorite is the Ravioli Rossi with lobster. My husband loves the orecchiette pasta with sausage, but most everything is great, including the fish dishes. Our favorite server is Ada. It is a very friendly place with authentic and delicious northern Italian food. The only drawback is it is loud inside, sometimes very and unpleasantly loud. Some of our older friends and family won't go there with us for this reason. The patio is better for conversation but we would like to see the restaurant add some noise absorbing material inside.

For our last night on our beach vacation, we decided we wanted something different (not Mexican or burgers), within walking distance of our hotel in Pacific Beach and not so fancy to be stuffy. Enoteca Adriano fit the bill perfectly. We called to make a reservation, even on a Monday night because we heard it is a small restaurant. Good call, though something tells me they would have found a place for us. The staff was immediately welcoming and helpful,and we were seated right away. We could tell that there are lots of regulars and the chef stopped to visit every table to say hello. We found the menu to be just perfect for what we were looking for: nice traditional starters and salads, a whole section devoted to burrata (we didn't try but heard great things), excellent pastas and classic entrees. We split a spinach salad to start (you start to crave salads when you eat Mexican food a couple of times a day). The staff was kind enough to bring it out in two plates, always a nice touch. I had spaghetti and meatballs for my main. It was delicious, nice fresh tomato sauce, well cooked meatballs, and the surprising addition of ricotta cheese on top which added a nice richness that put it into another league. My wife had the seafood ravioli which was obviously homemade and had a fresh tomato sauce with a bit of cream, and served with some juicy shrimp mixed in. The ravioli filling was a nice mix of seafood and tasted very fresh. Both dishes made us very happy. We saved room for dessert, somehow, and ordered the tiramisu, which came molded into the bottom of a large glass. It was again obviously homemade and delicious. We really enjoyed the enthusiasm and attention from our waiter Drake. He helped a nearby table celebrate a birthday. Enoteca Adriano is such a wonderful find, a place where you can get a delicious homemade meal, surprisingly close to the beach. We also found it to be a very good value. Highly recommended..

As I wrote the title I had to chuckle since I was somewhat scandalized that the burrata came from Wisconsin - which after all is the home of the Cheese heads. The meal - outstanding. The service by the most attentive Hugo with the best haircut in the place was attentive and professional, and the experience was well worth the the quick Uber ride form the Gaslamp quarter. Although a visitor from the East Coast I was overwhelmed by the hospitality, ambiance, great food and wine and service. MILLE GRAZZIE!

Excellent restaurant - everything about it was great! We arrived later in the evening around 8 pm and were seated right away. The waiter had some great recommendations and was very helpful. The restaurant is small but nicely decorated. My husband, daughter and myself all thought our food was the best Italian we had ever had!! I don't remember what we had as it's been several months since we were there but everything was delicious! I do remember by daughter had the best meatball ever!

The food is special and wonderful; setting and service is beach terrific. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu . They have a free corkage for your wine the early part of the week. The service is terrific, and the food is top notch for a beach location. Make sure to book an outside patio ( front) table and bring some good wine.

Our last night in the Pacific Beach area and we were looking for something delicious, and possibly away from the noise and slightly loud groups in establishments close to the beach (we had enjoyed them other nights, just wanted something different this night!). We found ourselves here. It appears to be in the middle of a neighborhood. It had a nice outside area, where we ate, with soft lights. It was perfect for conversation. The food was amazing Italian - burrata app, gnocchi, spaghetti, gelato. Would definitely recommend it.

We chose this Italian with our children (9 and 11 years old), because we wanted to eat good pasta again. And we were not disappointed! The food was really good. And the wine selection was appealing. The service was ok, but could be better. Our daughter had a problem with the pasta, but that did not seem to interest the waiter.

Great recommendations, great place to have a delicious dinner!!!, good service, the place is very confortable. Saludos

The restaurant is very pretty with fairy type lights outside. The food was great. We ordered some anti pasti dishes and one main and every one was delicious. The only tiny suggestion I'd make us that the outside tables have slightly better lighting. It was actually a little too dark to see and appreciate the well presented food. But it didn't trouble us.

We had dinner recently at this wonderful, authentic Italian restaurant tucked away in San Diego. Five of us enjoyed a variety of pastas, main course dinners and appetizers...even a desert. All we’re tasty, sauces and seasonings were excellent, great wine selection and we enjoyed a really nice super Tuscan. We picked this out of a bunch of good, online reviews and had a wonderful, unhurried dinner on their patio. We will definitely go back! I highly recommend this little, friendly “foodie” restaurant.

We found this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try. It is located in a residential area and has indoor dining and patio. We chose the patio which had a street view in a residential neighborhood- nothing fancy or overly pretentious. The restaurant is nice and comfortable. The menu looked great and I love it when a waiter shares he has tried everything. We started with the Enoteca Adriano Burrata. This dish is as colorful as it is delicious. The flavors of the prosciutto, grilled tomatoes, arugula, and fig jam blended together nicely. A savory dish with a lot of flavors going on. It is a bit difficult to eat and we asked for extra crostini so we could lap up every bit. The Orecchiette Bosco, which is an ear shapped pasta with minced sausage sauce, was flavorful and the portion size was generous. Finally for dessert I recommend the Pope's Pillow. It is the house specialty dessert with a pastry square with whipped marscapone, vanilla custard, raspberries and strawberry glaze. The only dessert not made in house is the gelato. The flavor of the night was Chocolate Hazelnut and it had a little surprise of chocolate in the middle of it. Service was friendly and visits to the table were perfectly timed. As this was a birthday celebration, the house also gave us piece of lemon cake with candle. It was not on the menu, but equally delicious. Overall a great experience. I would recommend this restaurant. They offer Gluten Free and eggless options for pasta. Beer, wine only. Go early on a Sunday for easy street parking.

This place never disappoints! We dine here frequently and try something new every time. Best Italian I have had in a San Diego. I love the causal atmosphere.

Burrata is very good. Pastas all needed more salt. The spaghetti EA is good but pasta could be al dente. The nest of spaghetti with pesto and burrata was interesting but just ok. The pappardelle with meat sauce (bolognese) was not a hit. Wine options are nice and service was attentive too.

Was in town on business, this place was recommended by my hotel. The food was fine, the portions were small. Being an East Coast person I was expecting something a little more authentic and flavorful. Just missed the mark, I avoid pork and most of the entrees have pork, the lack of protein variety was disappointing as well.

Lovely Italian restaurant a bit out of the way but worth finding. Service was friendly and helpful, the food was gorgeous - beautiful pasta dishes. Could thoroughly recommend.

This is a fantastic restaurant for traditional Italian food with a flare. The Calabrese soup was amazing, as was the chicken Pollo Piccata. They also made it with gluten free pasta which was lovely. I look forward to visiting there again soon.

I want to preface this review by saying that I have traveled all over the world. You can see from all my extensive reviews that I've dined out in literally thousands of restaurants all over. I also hate leaving negative reviews and almost never do in the over 15+ years I've been on TripAdvisor. I had reservations for 2:30 here for Mother's Day lunch. We had friends tell us good things about it so we wanted to try it out. It was especially special as it was Mother's Day and we chose to spend it here. We got there and a friendly receptionist greeted us. They seated us in a shaded table and the place was busy. They brought out a small basket of bread (that was good) and some water. But that was the extent of the service. We tried to order drinks twice and a few staff members said they would tell our server to come over and take our drink orders. The place was busy still at 2:30 and we waited and waited and waited. Finally at 2:50 I asked if we could please order our drinks. The waiter looked puzzled and said, "Oh I thought you already ordered with someone else". I said no we tried but everyone was busy and never came over. Then shockingly he tells me, "I'm sorry, the kitchen closed at 2:45 ". I asked him if that meant we couldn't order???? He said no. In all my years of dining out and traveling, I've never encountered anything like this. It was literally about 2:53 at this point. It didn't make sense so maybe they ran out of food? Either way, this was horribly unprofessional. I thought about asking to talk to a manager but I just didn't want to eat there at this point after the rude treatment. Again, I'm not a complainer. Look at all my almost positive reviews. This was just horrible considering it was Mother's Day. They really ruined Mother's Day for my wife and 3 kids. The kids were in shock as well. I'd totally avoid this place. It's shocking they could do something like this on Mother's Day let alone any day.

But seriously, this place is special and our favorite meal of the trip! Gave it a try after seeing the stellar reviews on yelp (sorry TA) and popped in around 8. Place was blowing up and the hostess took my digits and told us about an hr. No probs. We popped back on our scooters and had a beer down the road. Came back and place was still off the chains, but was able to grab a table. Score! Would def get a reso next time as there were others that were turned away. We were immediately greeted by a warm toast miracle - bread stuffed with cheese complimented by the most perfect olive oil and balsamic dip. Okay this is getting good. Next up, the pasta fagioli enraged me as it surpassed both my grandma’s, bro’s, and my version. Wtf. Amazing depth of flavor and orecchiette seemed homemade. On to the special burrata to drown my jealousy. Upon seeing, I was immediately concerned by the lack of crostini. How can I eat this without a carb?! But such thoughts immediately dissipated as I dub in. Figs tasted as tho they were picked that night and the burrata blew the doors off the building. Seriously best ever. But it gets better. Ordered the gnocchi. My favorite of all the foods. Something I’ve been making my whole life with my family and now as an adult. I even spent 6 months researching recipe/technique improvements, but again here I lose. Dang, these gnocchi are the lightest of light, airy pillows of deliciousness. I will not forget you anytime soon. Sauce was great too and we subbed pancetta for perfectly cooked shrimp (cause we extra like that). Naturally, after such a dream of a meal, I wanted to see what the crafty crew in the kitchen had up their sleeves for dessert and we were not disappointed. This epic mealtime culminated in lightest, flakiest, creamiest cannoli ever. Sigh, sad it’s over now. These folks can cook some stellar Italian food, which blew the socks off of this Italian girl!

We stumbled upon this neighborhood restaurant by surprise and boy, are we glad we did. It was a block from our rental in PB. Most of the tables were reserved, but we lucked out with an open table for 4. The service was great; the wine was phenomenal; the food was delicious, especially the fresh, squid-inked pasta. Love it!

We visited our grandson at UCSD, took him out for dinner. It was our first time here at Enoteca Adriano which have outside dining. The restaurant was recommended by our family member. The food and staff was excellent.

Everything we ordered was excellent, including the carbonara (tough to replicate well in a restaurant setting), homemade gnocchi and orecchiette with sausage. Great prices on very good wines and excellent atmosphere. I wish we had another night in SD and we would definitely come back again.

The dood was amazing! From the Chianti, to the most amazing Burrata. I’m not a big pasta person, but it was amazing, and the Sea Bass was delectable! Everything was so fresh tasting and seasoned so well!!

We were looking for a place for a really good dinner on vacation that was in walking distance of our rental. After a quick google search we decided to come here... and what a pleasant surprise! The waitress was friendly and attentive, the wine was excellent and the food amazing. I had the Cacio e Pepe al Romano and I can't say enough good things about it. I hope that travel brings me back to that area, because I would definitely go again and recommend it to anyone wanting a great Italian meal.

Absolutely perfect restaurant from ambiance in twinkly lit patio to the freshness and taste of everything we ordered. I would definitely go back if in San Diego again. Tough parking in neighborhood so maybe Uber instead.

Our family had 2 meals here during Spring Break. The food is excellent and they have patio seating too. The Shrimp tagliatelle was wonderful. They have burrata specials everyday. The eggplant burrata on garden salad was great. The restaurant is in a great neighborhood in San Diego, Pacific Heights.

Fantastic Italian Restaurant. A full menu made my dinner choice difficult... so many entrees looked excellent. I had the Lobster Ravioli with Tiger Shrimp, and it was exemplary. Not huge... seven raviolis and five large shrimp... but remarkably tasty and delightful. Several other guests told us that this is their "go-to" Italian restaurant in all of San Diego.

Excellent local restaurant with very reasonable prices, excellent service and consistent Italian food. Reservations are a must. Can be very loud when crowded so sitting outside is a nice option when the weather permits.

Recommended by our hotel. This was in a quiet location and popular. Service was really good and it was good mainstream wholesome Italian food. The restaurant was very clean

The food is special and wonderful; setting and service is beach terrific. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu . They have free corkage for your wine the early part of the week.

Was looking for an inexpensive but tasty place to eat in the area. This spot popped up on an internet search and the reviews were not wrong. Set in an adorable little building with great ambiance, this place had a fantastic menu, great prices and wonderful staff. Everything was on point!

Unbelievable gem in Pacific Beach. This Italian spot offers some great Italian food options at a good price. Best I've had so far for your dollar in PB

I don’t often give 5 stars, but this place deserved it. If you are looking for a nice, quaint, Italian restaurant in San Diego, then this is the place to go. We made reservations, arrived early, and were immediately seated. It was a bit chilly today, but the restaurant has heaters that worked wonders. I highly recommend the calamari appetizer. Everyone in my family loved their dish, and the bread was amazing. Friendly staff, and even the owner came by to check on us. I HIGHLY recommend!!

I hate to share how great this is because it is such a local spot - but I would appreciate if I were traveling and wanted a great dinner after a long day on the beach.

We finished San diago zoo at 4:35 pm and called in for dinner at 5 pm. The waiter from Eddie V strongly recommended this restaurant to us and told us this is the best and also his favorite . He is so right !The food blew me away from burrata to meatball to lobster ravioli ! I love the burrata the most as it was beautifully presented as if It was a piece of art and the fig jam brings out the flavor of the burrata . I’m not s cheese eater but I would order Enoteca burrata when I return . Meatball was Perfect in taste .ravioli was awesome !! And there are so many interesting items I wanna try next time !

To me this was a little like the emperor's new clothes. My wife and I visited on a busy Saturday evening to celebrate my birthday. The place was crowded and very very loud, to the point that it was difficult to have a conversation. I must say that the service was a little too familiar and kind of brusque. Good wine list. My wife and I had a good cross-section of the menu's highlights. Nothing was bad, but I have to say nothing blew us away. Honestly. We will not be returning.

The most delicious Italian meal I’ve ever eaten! Plus amazing service - authentic Italian hospitality. Can’t wait to come back!

The food, people, atmosphere, EVERYTHING is amazing about this place. If you haven’t been here please do so you will not regret it.

We were a party of five plus baby. We took a table in the corner of the covered patio and were very comfortable for an early dinner. Food was generally good although the Orecchiette Anatra disappointed as lacking flavor and too grainy texture to the sauce. Our server was outstanding in her helpful and friendly approach. We brought our own wine. The no corkage aspect here is a big plus.

We dined here with friends for dinner, and are so pleased that we have a new "find!" We started with the burrata salad-fresh and flavorful! My tagliatelle bolognese was made with fresh pasta and traditional bolognese. It was hearty and flavorful without taking over the dish! My husband was equally pleased with his vitello saltimbocca and we were all impressed with the wine selections. Service was pleasant and attentive. We will be back!

If your looking for a real Italian restaurant in San Diego then this is the place to go. With a great selection of pastas and entrees there is something for everyone. There is also a great wine list to top this off. We shared the burrata wrapped in prosciutto to start which was delicious. For mains I would recommend the spaghetti EA and the chicken breast in lemon butter. The carbonara was also nice, if a little dry. We then had the tiramisu to finish which was heavenly. With good service and reasonable prices, this is definitely a restaurant I would recommend.

My wife and I visited our friends in La Jolla and they suggest to go out for dinner at Adriano. We brought our own fantastic California wine and started with Adriano’s famous burrata with pesto. It did not knock my socks for as was promised but paired well with our wine. The burrata was tasty but did not have the mozzarella stringy shell and creamy inside. It was a mixture of the two without “definition”. My burrata ravioli were tasty. Again, nothing amazing. Service was attentive, our wine was delicious, we enjoyed the evening with our friends.

Great atmosphere, amazing service and delicious food! Stop scrolling and go eat there! I have no doubt that all the food is great here. I had the rigatoni with short rib and my hubbie had the potato dumplings with Gorgonzola. Very generous portions - we will have the leftovers for lunch.

I chose this restaurant for its TripAdvisor position (17th) and not too high prices. Because my expectations are high, it didn't live up to them. Of our 3 plates, one was excellent, one was correct and one was bad (carbonara just tasted like burnt bacon). However the service was excellent and the place had a cachet, terrace especially. In short good restaurant as long as your expectations are not too high.

This restaurant has a few warts, but is a place to experience a California spin on Italian food. Parking is problematic....Most people have to drop off a spouse and then drive around trying to find a curb parking spot within walking distance. Restaurant opens at 5pm and not a minute before. Tables are allocated 1.5 hours and service is nice and slow making a bit worrisome of being on Overtime. Strange way to run a restaurant. Service is good and the outdoor seating is nice, especially when the Dumpster trash truck is making its rounds across the street. Our meals were interesting...still not sure if they were just okay or good...which is a strange statement but captures our thoughts. I had the veal cutlet Saltsamboca. Veal was TOUGH!

Friends in San Diego told me that, in their opinions, this is the best Italian restaurant in San Diego. So I was intrigued and my wife and I decided to pay a visit to it. LOCATION: B. It is in the area that my friends told me is called Pacific Beach. It is fairly close to the Ocean, but from the hotel itself there is no view of the Ocean. Parking is street parking and, since this is a real neighborhood, in the evening hours, it can be a tad challenging to find a spot, but during the weekdays it was not a big deal HOST/HOSTESS: A. Very gracious. We did not have a reservation and she managed to sit us within 2 minutes. The restaurant is busy. We were told that, except on Monday, it is a very good idea to make reservations. Being Monday, we did not, but the place was quite full. If someone stays in San Diego, it is about 20-30 minutes by car to this location, depending on traffic and route chosen. AMBIENCE: B. It is a neighborhood restaurant and it is pleasant, but there is nothing nice to look at outside. It is fairly basic, but tables are reasonably sized and chairs are comfortable. I hate those restaurants where you get a table so small that you cannot even fit the servings for 2 people. This was not the case, so kudos. Some of the table are indoor, some are on a veranda. In San Diego for some people it can be cold to eat outside when the temperature is around 60F or a tad lower in the evening hours. So, if you sit outside, it is wise to bring something extra to wear. MENU/WINE LIST: B+. It is not extensive, but there is a good variety of selections that should make everyone happy in a party. Interesting appetizers, wide selection of pasta dishes (first courses), and decent variety of second courses. Intriguing dessert list too. The selection of wines is acceptable, around 30 varieties, plus a few beers with the traditional Italian brands Moretti and Peroni doing the lion's share. I found the selection of wines a little bit all over the places, but I give them kudos to make an effort to present red wines from light bodied to medium bodied and full bodied. With a name like "Enoteca" or "Wine Repository", I was expecting more of a Wine Bar; instead it is a restaurant. But that is not necessarily bad. DISH EXECUTION: B. We tried several pastas and a couple of second courses. The pasta could have been cooked better. One of our pastas, the "carbonara", was fine, but the second one, "cacio e pepe al romano" was clearly overcooked and lacked some pepper. Also, one caveat, if one eats outside, dishes tend to get cold fairly fast. The Vitello Saltimbocca/veal saltinbocca presented a puzzle. Overall, the meat was half tender and half not so tender, and veal is supposed to be very tender, but the preparation using sweet marsala was quite eclectic. I am not a fan. I much prefer my saltinbocca dishes in the traditional fashion, i.e., with lemon and capers. The Merluzzo/cod was good but I had less to compare it to. Ran out of tiramisu', so I settled for the cannolis and they were good. The Pope's Pillows seemed the most popular dessert among patrons as we could see those coming at tables around ours. Looked yummy, but very big and lots of mascarpone cheese too.. Not ideal after all the pasta and cheese we have. Only regret is perhaps not being able to give their burrata dishes a fighting chance. But we were too full. WAITERS: A. Very attentive. Water and bread were readily available. I am a tad surprised that in what is supposedly an Italian restaurant they do not see to bring a spoon for people who order spaghetti or stringy varieties of pasta. That's the ABC of any Italian restaurant. COST: A-. It is not cheap, but there is enough variety to fit most pockets. The wine list has selections ranging from inexpensive to a "little expensive". They do not offer the "big names" and rightly so. I do not think this is the place i would go if I am planning to spend $100-200 or more for a bottle of wine. The servings were reasonably sized too. So, why did I give it a 3-star which is just average? Well, if I give 5 star to a 3 Michelin star restaurant, it would be completely useless to give other restaurants 5 stars. Or, else, the entire ranking system is bogus. So, I had to choose between 3 and 4 stars. Ideally I would have assigned 3.5 stars, but that was not an option. The truth is that in LA I have dined at similar restaurants, also run by Italians, and gave them 4 stars and to me those have something more working for them. By the way, I am Italian by birth and know the cuisine over there very well. I also thought that Enoteca Adriano took a few liberties with the recipes and I am not a fan of that. I like dishes to stay the traditional way. If they have been around for ages, there must be a reason. Veal Saltinbocca with sweet marsala, perhaps took me too much by surprise. I was not expecting that.

They have very friendly service! Our waiter was Drake and he was super awesome and attentive! They use very fresh and good quality ingredients. The popes pillow for dessert is a must!

I am not a "foodie", but I do like my Italian restaurants. I like to try different menu items (not always the chicken parm). This is an Italian wine bar/restaurant. Small restaurant (seating for 50?) with indoor and outdoor options. Visited end of May, without reservations, but seated quickly. Recommend you get reservations in the Summer-season. Room does not look like their website photo, but that is a small matter. Noisy room, common to smallish restaurants. Good, attentive service. Bruschetta was ample, but mildly flavored. Interesting. Spinaci salad (spinach, pears, pecans, parmagiano) was quite good. Cavatelli vegetariano (mushrooms, squash, pesto sauce) was good. The lasagna special (only on wednesdays) was, well, ok...but nothing really special. Wine choice was welcome. Overall...worth the visit, but, well, umm...enjoy your visit.

overall an enjoyable night out good food - great taste to several dishes but some were just warm like it had been sitting a while great service - very pleasant and personable cozy atmosphere - ate on porch which is probably great in the summer but overhead heaters were extremely hot when they cycled on challenging parking

Had dinner on Saturday after receiving a suggestion from a friend. I owe that friend a grateful thank you! While not an imposing building or a fancy interior they certainly make up for it with great service, a very interesting menu and superior food. This is my new favorite Italian Restaurant in the San Diego area. The Sausage and White Bean Soup was absolutely terrific; the fresh bread served with melted cheese and a dipping bowl with EVOO, Balsamic Vinegar with a touch of Kahalua, Vanilla and brown sugar indicated a special place. Everything following was to the same level of special attention. Go enjoy and you will not be disappointed.

My daughter and I dined at this little neighborhood Italian restaurant in north PB recently when I visited her on a business trip to San Diego. We both enjoyed our dishes, spaghetti and meatballs in my case and a Cod fish dish in hers. The portion sizes were large, and neither of us could finish our plates. We also spit a mixed greens salad. We also tried a couple of desserts, also large portions, also excellent (Tiramisu and Pope's Pillow). Enoteca Adriano offers wines by the glass. I had a glass of Chardonnay and my daughter had a class of Vermentino. Service was excellent. Dinner for two came to $110, including a 20% tip.

Exceptional food. Worth $30 cab fare from downtown. World of difference between happy chatter of well fed diners and noise. This is a happy place. Lobster ravioli was opulent. Burrata is a must - knowledgeable chef adds touches that make everything special.

If you want great Italian food and outstanding service, this is the place. Would recommend starting their house made Burratta plates (we had fig and prosciutto) or the Carpaccio. Entrees were outstanding- thick cut pork chops, spaghetti w/meatballs, lobster ravioli, and Chicken Piccata. Our waiter, Hugo, was about as good a waiter you will ever have Outstanding Italian wine list, charming ambiance, great meal, reasonably priced!

Great food amazing service and all and all the best meal of our 34 day cross country trip. This is a true gem and probably the best Italian meal I have had in a long time. Our waitress was checking on us at least every 15 minutes. For a full review check out our channel “Incredible Adventures with NJC” on YouTube for more info

Twenty three family members enjoyed a great evening of eating dinner & drinking wine at this restaurant. The food was very good and the service was excellent!

We arrived near 7p without a reservation & waited about 25 minutes for a table. They are currently only doing outdoor seating & the ambience is great! Tables spaced out, a movie playing on one of the walls, it’s wonderful. They could use some heaters though as the evenings are starting to get chilly. Bread with oil & vinegar brought right away and the bruschetta & caprese starters were wonderful. The lasagna was a special and it was amazing!!! Everyone loved their dishes. Shrimp ravioli was very good too. We were too full for dessert but they looked amazing! Will be back!

The minestrone was very tasty, if a tad too salty. "Pomodoro" salad featured wedges of unripe, flavorless tomato. (Why even offer this dish, if you're dependent on out-of-season tomatoes? I had an excellent caprese salad a couple of days earlier at the Butterfield Dining Room in Borrego Springs that used heirloom grape tomatoes.) Our main course--vitello saltimbocca--was good. A glass of Chianti matched it well. We fled the restaurant as soon as feasible; the cramped quarters and resonant acoustics encourage diners to shout at one another to be heard. Most unpleasant! But then we were elderly tourists, neither neighborhood residents nor young adults.

Found this place by virtue of it's proximity to where we were staying and we ultimately decided to give it a try after seeing that hey had seared calamari on the menu (a fav of mine). Since we hadn't made reservations we went a little on the early side and were seated right away at nice two top on the patio. Not quite the views you might get at other places closer to the beach, but a nice atmosphere overall. They had a fair priced wine selection, we tried the Merlot Blend and enjoyed it. The bread and dipping oil was fantastic! We shared an order of the seared calamari which neither of us could get enough of. My wife had the cavatelli bolognese and I got the veal saltimbocca, we were both very happy with our choices. My wife and I both agreed that this is one of the better Italian restaurants that we've eaten at in recent years.

We stumbled upon this place because we were staying literally a half block away. We weren’t prepared for how fabulous the ambiance and food were going to be. Every dish we tried was amazing but save room for dessert because we are still talking about the pastry stuffed with mascarpone and fruit! Incredible- make a reservation and keep in mind that it’s not on the beaten path in Pacific beach so allow yourself time to find it. So much better than any other place we ate in that area- highly recommend

We had a very laid-back beach vacation in Pacific beach but had a craving for Italian and went here based on very good reviews. We didn't regret it. Showed up a little early for our 6pm reservation but were seated immediately in the semi-outdoor patio area. The server was very friendly and attentive and quite helpful in explaining the specials and the menu items. This place got quite crowded close to 7pm so make sure to make reservations. I had the pasta shells with pistachio pesto dish which was excellent. Would definitely dine here again if looking for a romantic italian dinner.

The food was great and some nice menu choices. Portions very ample and wonderful homemade pasta. Their meatballs melt in your mouth!

We were seated immediately without reservations. The wine was excellent and the bread was very good. We ordered the risotto and the salmon. The salmon was very good; however, the risotto tasted awful and to make it worse we found a hair in the dish. We immediately sent the dish back. Our server was great and offered us something else but we said no. The server didn't charge us for the risotto.

We stayed on the board walk at Pacific Beach and settled on Enoteca Adriano to catch up with an old east coast high school friend now living in SD. What a great place! Set back from the bustle of Pacific Beach, this cozy Italian restaurant is well worth the visit. We started with calamari and a tomato Mozzarella salad while our server, Barbara, guided us through the menu without being overbearing. Our party of four each ordered different mains - bolognese, special lasagne, pancetta and chicken piccata. They all were great. A couple bottles of house Chianti and, to a person, our crew was pleased. We splurged for a few shared desserts, one of which came with a legend - “the Pope’s Pillow.” As Barbara explained, the chef had the honor of cooking for the Pope and, when he did, this desert was the pontiff’s favorite - heavenly pastry shell, light cream and strawberries explained why and, though we may all need to go to confession to forgive the extra carbs, we all agreed that the Pope was right (at least about this!). A word about our server - Barbara was nimble and sharp in her knowledge of the menu, was fun and friendly without being intrusive and if she could be cloned, she’d be our choice for the ideal server in any restaurant. We felt like this was fine dining with out busting a budget or being at all stuffy. You’ll be happy here!!!

Fantastic Italian! Been here several times and have been very happy each time! Burrata is amazing and highly recommend the pasta plates with Pistachio sauce. On Monday and Wednesdays there is no corkage fee. All in all- a fantastic place

We found this little place doing a simple Google search for Italian restaurants near San Diego. It was a belated anniversary dinner and we love Italian food so we gave it a shot. Although small (no bar) and seemingly in the middle of a neighborhood, the entire meal was fabulous. It started with warm bread stuffed with mozzarella and served with a balsamic dipping sauce. We started with a Buratta salad and each of us ordered a different pasta so we could share. Both were extremely good. For our main course we split the veal saltimboca and it was more than we could eat. They have a small wine list but all of the wines were very reasonably priced. They surprised us with an anniversary dessert to end the night. Everything we ate was delicious, generously portioned and fairly priced. All in all we were very glad we stumbled upon it!

Reasonable Italian dishes in a popular neighborhood restaurant. Busy and noisy so not a romantic date place if you want a quiet place to talk. I would come back to try other items on the menu. I had the shrimp and pasta which was fine - but I don't believe the pasta was home made.

My husband and I were lucky enough to get a last minute reservation for Friday evening. We loved the bread and dipping oil which was fresh, warm and flavored with mozzarella. Our meals were equally delicious. My salad of tomatoes, cucumber, thinly sliced red onion with an olive oil balsamic dressing and just the right amount of goat cheese was both simple and perfect. Our meals were also excellent and we somehow made it to dessert. I had a gelato that was enhanced with shaved dark chocolate and my husband had the Pope’s pillow. This is the place to go for authentic Italian food and great service.

It is easy to drive past this little restaurant but one should not. Service was superb! The burrata is flown in from Italy and was delicious and paired with interesting flavors. The pastas, fish and meat were all superb. Four of us shared three entrees and each was delicious. The cheese infused bread was delicious and most importantly, don’t miss the Pope’s pillow dessert! This unique dessert of puff pastry, cream and berries is somehow light but fabulous!

We went there as soon at it opens at 5pm and the place filled up quickly, best to have a reservation. Good value wine and the food is well prepared in good size portions, I would recommend the prawns for starter and the gnocchi for main, so tasty!

Perfect after a long days work. Lovely room, skilled servers and great food, including an array of house made pastas. A few block walk from the beachfront hotels was a great way to top off the meal.

I spent a year searching for authentic Italian food in San Diego when I first moved here, so thankful I found this place! I bring all of my friends and family here, we do our Birthday dinners here, it's our favorite spot! The Burrata appetizers are delicious- and I'm not even a huge cheese person. We usually will try to special of the night. This is one of the few restaurants where the nightly specials are actually fresh and good quality- everything I've had has been fantastic. The chocolate mousse is amazing, but I always suggest people try the Pope's Pillow dessert for the whole experience. They have great espresso too- a bonus for me since I don't drink alcohol. But the wine is fantastic as well from what I've heard! The atmosphere is great, but I usually call and make reservations for the patio. If you're looking for real Italian food this is the place for you!!!

We are foodies and have been to Italy often. That said, we are delighted to have found this gem in San Diego. I won't go on endlessly, but will just say Enoteca Adriano is authentic and exceptional in all respects. My only "complaint" is that the noise level is a little high. But hey, that's the sound of people enjoying themselves! Try it. You won't be disappointed.

This is the real authentic Italian stuff! Try the mouthwatering burrata specials - deliciouso! Everything else is amazing too. Enjoyed the treats in the bread!

We would never have found this place without TA as it’s a little off the main drag in Pacific Beach, which is s good thing as it therefore seems to attract locals & tourists who are prepared to make an effort (no swim shorts & vest tops here!). Burrata seems to be their speciality, so we opted to share one as an Appetiser - I’m pleased we did as it was delicious, creamy Burrata wrapped in prosciutto ham with dressed rocket & fig jam served on top of a crostini - yum!! For mains, my daughter’s Carbonara was a little dry (but that said it was a proper one with no cream in sight), my son loved his spaghetti EA & equally so my wife with her pasta gamberetti. I opted for the chicken dish with lemon & caper butter sauce, Parmesan mash & sautéed spinach - again delicious. Wine choice was wide, we opted for an entry level Chianti (Melini) at a reasonably priced $26 - a light easy drinking red. Courtesy of TA reviews we tried the Popes Pillow for dessert, along with a Tiramasu - the former was indeed a delight but the latter was the star of the show, one of the best we’ve tasted since spending 10 days travelling round Italy last summer!! If you can, try to get a table outside on the patio - street side but secluded. All in all, a lovely way to round off our 3 week California road trip & probably worthy of 4.5 stars!

The food here was good, I would definitely eat the food again, but maybe take it out instead. Our waitress acted as if we were putting a damper on her evening for being there. She was inattentive, and made us feel unwelcome.

We came here on a week night in February, & based on reviews we had read, we had made reservations...so glad we did, as it was packed! My husband started with the minestrone that he liked a lot, and I got the salad topped with the tuna...I was hesitant about it, but the waitress said it was one of her favorites...so glad I got it! It had a nice olive oil richness & the diced tuna topping was dense & flavorful. We shared the lobster ravioli, & it was plenty for the two of us. I would recommend it, as well! Finally we shared a tiramisu, and it was thick & creamy...just decadent. Parking was a little hard to find. We parked a couple of blocks away, so not too bad.

We visited with another couple twice in one week! It was so good. The burrata special was delicious. Great wine list. Were able to share a several appetizers, pasta entree and dessert (Pope's pillow). Everything was delicious. The owner stopped by to say hello. Very authentic Italian! Highly recommend.

My colleague and I fell into this place after a long conference day and picked it somewhat randomly (and with the help of trip advisor, of course). As soon as the Uber pulled up we knew we had chosen well. Plopped in the middle of a neighborhood it has a very welcoming ambience. The food was delicious from the Bolognese sauce on my colleague’s plate to the delicious seafood dish on mine. Great wine selection and wait staff too! Highly recommend this restaurant!

We've been coming here for years. There are a lot of restaurant options in San Diego but this is one of our tried and true go-to's. It's a place where locals visit regularly and it's usually busy. It's always spot-on, the food is incredible. We visited last night and I had the Polpette e Pasta which is Spaghetti, meat balls, ricotta and aurora sauce. It's decadent. My boyfriend had the Orecchietti Bosco (Minced sausage, bread crumbs, creamy tomato parsley sauce) - he's had it many times and loves it. The bread and balsamic dipping sauce that they bring you is delicious and the wine list is extensive. Definitely have the Enoteca Burrata or one of their Burrata appetizers on special. They're to die for. I recommend their Primitivo if you're a red wine drinker. I've celebrated my birthday here, gone for Valentine's dinner, and gone to other's birthdays here. It's a great place for date night or going with a group. It really can cater to everyone. This place is one for the list if you're visiting the Pacific Beach area! Call ahead for reservations.

In an area of San Diego that features mostly taco joints and bars, this was an unexpected find. Used their webpage to grab a reservation for two - we had one of their burrata appetizers and two delicious pasta entrees! Quant, fairly priced, good service - would definitely recommend to anyone in the area!

The food was really good and the service was great. There was a movie, in Italian, projected on the wall of the patio. We love the neighborhood and we’ve been to Enoteca multiple times and will go back again.

Have been driving down from North County over the past years to taste this incredible food! The daily specials are always something special including the creative burratas! We have brought our Italian friends here and they all loved it. Can't say enough about Enoteca Andriano. The servers are knowledgeable who explain about the food and wine with enthusiasm!

I can understand why Enoteca Adriano continues to get rave reviews. The ambiance is fitting for Pacific Beach...very casual and laid-back. Neighbors can been seen walking their dogs or jogging by...if not stopping in because they know all too well that this is a great place. The greeter was friendly and initially seated us at the back of the side porch. It was like an echo chamber back there and nothing to look at, so we asked our server if we could be seated elsewhere. The greeter must have read our minds, because she met us to say that a table for two had opened up on the front porch. That was much better. If you're not terribly happy with your table location, it wouldn't hurt to ask to sit elsewhere or wait a few minutes for another table to become available. Rachel was our server. She was very nice and informative about the menu. I had read many Yelpers rave about the burrata, so we initially intended for one of us to order that and the other to order the spinach salad....not knowing exactly what the burrata was. Rachel explained that the burrata is an Italian mozzarella cheese and suggested that we split one of those before deciding whether we wanted a salad as well. (both are very generous portions) We ordered the Enoteca Burrata which was wrapped in proscuitto, served on a bed of warmed garlic spinach and topped with delicious fig jam. What a wonderful mix of tastes! The Burrata, along with the small plate of garlic bread that arrived on the table with a nice olive oil to dip in was plenty and we agreed that we didn't need a salad. For the entree, I ordered the Ravioli Rossi and my husband ordered the Orecchiette Bosco. A couple of recent Yelp reviews commented that the serving size of the ravioli was small so I was expecting a small plate. Quite the contrary. There are 5 raviolis in addition to 3 beautiful, plump shrimp. I love rich, flavorful pasta dishes (which this was!) but even after satisfying my appetite there was one left on my plate. The lobster reduction was creamy and flavorful. At $20 a plate, this is very reasonably priced. My husband's Orecchiette Bosco was very good. The pesto pistachio cream sauce was full of flavor. The orecchiette/pasta was on the tough side...perhaps a little overcooked, but still he enjoyed the meal. After reading so many rave reviews about the "Pope's Pillow" on the dessert menu, we decided to get an order to take home. Rachel said that because it was our anniversary it was 'on the house'. The serving she gave us was huge...must have been 100 calories for each of the 41 years we've been married! It was amazingly delicious! They have free corkage on BYO bottles of wine (Monday - Wednesday), which added to it being an even more reasonable dinner. It was clear to us on this balmy Tuesday evening in the summer that they didn't need this offer to 'drum up more business.' They were constantly busy with diners who came in for a little taste of Italy in Pacific Beach. This was our first visit to Enoteca Adriano but definitely won't be our last!