Manhattan of La Jolla Reviews

I made a reservation for New years eve at the beginning of Nov. Three days before New years eve I received a call that they would not honor my reservation since they had made other arrangements for the evening. The woman calling was very rude. I explained to her that I had made all my evening plans around that reservation. This is NOT a way to treat a loyal customer I wont be returning.

Manhattan wants to be a high-end restaurant, but they've missed the mark. Our Maitre D'/waiter was snarky, condescending, and ultimately rude - definitely in the wrong line of work. The menu has a lot of options, but our dinners weren't all that special. They do have live music some nights, It's convenient, in the Empress Hotel, but there are a lot of other good restaurants in the neighborhood, and it's worth your time to walk to them.

We had dinner at Manhattan of La Jolla recently. We were in San Diego for a quick weekend getaway and were looking for Italian dining. Of course, we went to Trip Advisor and checked the ratings. Manhattan of La Jolla was highly rated from TA so we went there for dinner. Our thoughts: 1. Place has the set up of an old speak easy from the thirties or forties. The wait staff, marginally efficient, I am sure worked at real speak easys in the thirties. They were ancient. Example: our waiter, decent guy in late sixties or early seventies (and he was one of the younger ones) came to the table about 10 minutes after we sat down. He asked if we wanted water. We said yes and were just about to tell him we would like to order drinks. He said he would be back after he got the waters. He did this several times at various points of the dinner. Would you like appetizers? Yes. Ok, be back after I put that order in. Completely inefficient. 2. Food is average at best. We ordered four different entries. All ok to not ok. I had the shrimp fra diavolo, my wife the Cannaloni (my wife hated it), our two daughters chicken parm and penne bolognese. You can tell the food is pre cooked and pre prepared since both the appetizer courses and entrees came out way too fast. 3. Wine list is ok. Prices were decent. 4. Place is an a weird spot. You have to enter thru a less than stellar hotel lobby. 5. I am half Italian, my wife full. Our standards for Italian food is high. We are used to good Italian cooking and this wasn't it. 6. WIsh we had more time to survey other places around the area but I would, in general, not recommend this place. 7. One of the few times I disagree with Trip Advisor reviews. Hope this helps. 4.

Manhattan of La Jolla Is an Italian fine dining gem restaurant hidden away in Empress Hotel in La Jolla. We have been to La Jolla multiple times but had not ever heard of this restaurant. The food, service, and ambiance are great and the live music makes it really energetic and fun. The decor is traditional and exquisite. I definitely recommend to try the Godmother and Godfather drinks; though, they are simple they are very tasty. The veal marsala and lobster ravioli were very delicious. The staff is very friendly and attentive.

Good food, the bar is a hangout for locals over 40 - piano & singer were nice entertainment. The bartender and patrons were friendly.

Had been to the cinema nearby and googled somewhere local. Very nice surroundings and lovely service. Food was delicious. The wine I had was very good. Starters arrived fairly quickly. Very tasty, but weirdly as I finished my starter my plate was removed and my main arrived. Both my husband and son were mid way through their starters. I asked for it to be taken away and brought back when we all had our main course. We’re from the UK but have never had that happen anywhere in the world. Other than that a really lovely evening in lovely surroundings.

The Manhattan Restaurant located in the Empress Hotel in La Jolla is reminiscent of an old style inner city night club. Dine on big leather seats next to each other for an intimate setting or out in the bar area for a more casual dinner, both are very nice. Cocktails, dinner and dessert were all outstanding. Great service during dinner. After dinner drinks in the bar area with live entertainment. Great piano and singer from 8 to 10 pm. Wonderful evening and entertainment, highly recommended for special occasions.

Excellent, fresh food!. Old fashioned service with cesaer salad prepared at the table. Vegetables fresh and unusually good! Highly recommended.

This is a classic old school place. The food is stellar and the waiters will break out in Opera or song at any moment. This is in the Empress Hotel on Fay avenue in downtown LJ and this is still at favorite of Tommy Lasorda of the LA Dodger's.. Caesar salad is fantastic and the dark room is great for a romantic meal.

By all means eat at Manhattan! Outstanding atmosphere, impeccable service and gourmet Italian food. We always dine here several times each visit to La Jolla.

Happy Hour prices are reasonable. There is a full menu with many dinner choices Service is efficient,

We had so much fun here on my husband's birthday. Every one was delightful. The service was wonderful, the food was outstanding and the ambiance was very seductive. They're busy, and I'm glad we made a reservation. We had to wait at the bar because nobody ahead of us wanted to leave. I don't blame them. It was worth the wait!

Old school service. Great table-side service: salads, steak with flambe and Cherries Jubilee. We had lots of fun with great server who knew lots of jokes. Highly recommended.

Ate dinner our first night in La Jolla. Has the wonderful italian garlic smell, dark woody ambience with interestibg art work. Menu was great along with a good wine list. I had the salmon and it was very good. Definitely recommend.

Excellent locals favorite restaurant with top-quality food - pricey though. Best deal is come for happy hour for half-off apps and drink discounts. Excellent nightly entertainment, good service, made-to-order table-side caesar salad.

Such a disappointing night. I read the reviews and selected this restaurant thinking it was going to be very nice and elegant. This was our anniversary dinner and I wanted it to be special. I don't mind paying for a nice meal if the atmosphere, food and service is exceptional. I can tell you it was NOT!Last year we ate at Eddie V's right up the street and oh how I wished we would have gone back there. That was excellent. I wanted to try another restaurant and what a mistake. To start the restaurant is located in a 3 star hotel. A hotel that reminds me of a Holiday Inn style. The dining room is closed off from COVID so you have the option of out on the street or upstairs in a courtyard. We dined upstairs. It was about 15 minutes before the waiter came to greet us after the busboy brought water and silverware. There were 3 open tables when we arrived. In the entire restaurant they had 2 waiters working all the tables, 1 busboy, and 1 runner bringing the food from downstairs. After ordering our salads and entrees we received our salads about 15 minutes later. They were fine. Then it was an hour and 5 minutes before we got our entrees. The other tables that came in after us received their food before us, ate and were gone before we got our food. We ordered the Lobster raviolis and shrimp scampi. It came with 6 small raviolis and the shrimp was 5 shrimp and and a side plate of green beans that were way over cooked and some carrots. The shrimp was $36.00. I imagined this beautiful presentation and it was terrible. We didnt get pasta with the shrimp scampi which was disappointing too. We just wanted our check and to get out of there. It took another 20 minutes after I went out and found a waiter and requested our check. The waiter was busy getting a steak removed from someone else bill, and that man was not happy. It was a long dinner for a disappointing meal. I would never recommend this place. With the kitchen downstairs it is not a good set up. Also the fire alarm kept going off and it was business as usual. Guess this must happen a lot as I just read it in another review. Caution please stay clear of this restaurant. It is not the charming upscale restaurant it portrays to be.

From the menu items to the tuxedo clad waiters, Manhattan is like a time machine. The eal oscar was superb and the candied carrots better than mom's. Order the Caesar salad and you won't be disappointed. They make it the right way and at your tableside!!

This is an 'old-world look' restaurant with an elegant menu and a vibrant bar scene located in the heart of La Jolla. The menu features seafood, meat and Italian dishes. I've never been disappointed in what I've ordered.

4 different sets of bus. friends said this was great--especially since we were staying at the hotel--The Empress in La Jolla. Not; despite the attempted decor update to Post-Modern the service was lacking and the awesomely inspiring food delivery was late and, uninspired. Skip it and do better for yourselves.

Since moving to SD 8 years ago, Manhattan of La Jolla has been one of our favorite spots for special occasions. We’ve been to MoLJ maybe four or five times. For menu selections my wife had the twin filet mignon Oscar and I had the Seafood Cioppino. I’ve had the Cioppino before and it didn’t disappoint. However, my wife said that the filet mignon missed the mark vs what she’s had previously. Additionally, the service was not as good. To start, I always request a table in the area with the salt water tank as it is quieter. That request wasn’t fulfilled this time so we heard all of the noise from the bar and larger parties as the place filled up. One thing we noticed was when the wait staff brought “to-go” containers for my wife’s meal. The guy started to open the containers to put the food in them but the hostess (young, attractive Asian female) insisted that she needed him to do something else at that precise moment. What she needed him to do was pour water and deliver bread to another couple. Did not see the urgency to redirect him at that time. It would have taken the guy maybe 5 minutes to fill the containers. So we were left to do it ourselves. Also we thought the elapsed time to get the check was excessive given that the place less than a third full. When you dine at higher priced venues, you expect better service than this. Previous times, yes, this time, no. We won’t write this place off for one less than stellar visit. Everybody has an off night sometimes – although that’s never happened at Donovan’s La Jolla…….just saying.

The Manhattan of La Jolla patio dining is not as enjoyable as the indoor restaurant but the food quality and service have not changed, excellent as always.

Good food and fantastic atmosphere. Attractive couples, enthusiastic singles and lively entertainment from a highly talented musician turned the restaurant into a dance floor. The pianist never took a break while we were there. Truly a blast from the past. We are going back this Thursday

A throwback to a glamorous era of dinning. The feel is definitely classic with personalized attention. Food is exceptional,drinks are perfectly crafted. Highly recommended for a special night out.

My friend arranged a b-day for myself and another friend. The food eas excellent. Caesar salad made at the table. We were complimented with Tiramasu & Cheescake. Delicous

It's sad to say that the food quality at this restaurant went from a 12 on a scale of 1 to 10 to a 2. Before Covid, I used to dream about the food and crave the food here. I used to eat here at least once a week and we brought friends to this restaurant all the time, and had parties here. Now the food quality is at best a 2 (on a scale of 1-10) and they still keep charging very high prices for very low food quality. This used to be my favorite Italian restaurant restaurant ever and in any city. Unfortunately now they can't compete with other Italian restaurants and are Ranked at the bottom. The recipes that originally came from the owner's grandmother and Italy have either been thrown out or not paid attention to because it is so sad to say that the food quality at this restaurant is so bad that I don't ever want to eat here again. We have tried it about 5 times since restaurants opened after Covid and have been severely disappointed every single time. Very sad to have to report this.

We were lucky enough to enjoy singer Roman Palacio on a recent Wednesday evening. He is a fabulous singer, and very charming. He sang old standards and some opera, ala Andrea Bocelli. And it's nice to have entertainment begin at 7:00! We had shrimp cocktails and bruschetta, plus a bottle of wine. The food was fine and the whole evening moderately priced. It was a wonderful evening!

The wife and I were visiting the city and decided to stop on a Thursday night by for a couple nightcaps after dinner nearby. It was later so the restaurant was fairly empty and the lounge area was half full. We sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the 'older set' in the lounge dance and sing along with the live piano player, who was decent I suppose. The place has a classy vibe, and the bartender served us up some strong cocktails...thus our solid rating!

We ordered two appetizers to share(fried calamari and carpaccio) both very good. Calamari tender and crispy. For main course I ordered linguini with clams and my wife the shrimp fra diavolo . Pasta al dente and very good

This restaurant is impressive, a bit old-fashioned for decoration but the dishes offered are really excellent even if the prices are a bit high, the service is just unreal so it was perfect especially if compared to many restaurants in France, there is also a piano bar area where you can find a nice atmosphere, remember to book

Manhattan has excellent Italian food but the restaurant is very dark. I'm not a fan of the atmosphere.

we loved this restaurant, the chefs prepare food by your table and the food is fresh and amazing. i had the best steak ever here.

Wow, what a wonderful experience! My daughter and I were extremely impressed by the ambience and staff, and the eggplant caponata was undoubtedly the best dish I have had in a long time. If you're craving a bit of old-time Manhattan charm, this is definitely a place to consider.

Wonderful service, exceptional dinner and fantastic entertainment. We had an great time with our friends.

It started off bad as my friend commented on Cesar salad for 26.00 and the waiter took off. We split the special which was a bone end and it was excellent. The potatoes had spinach in them—outstanding. We slit a desert with deep fried apples and berries plus ice cream. It was ok. The waiter recommended a wine. Cost 66.00. It was outstanding. Total bill was 140.00 plus a 30.00 tip for a total costs of approximately 170.00 I considered it a good deal.

We had a large birthday party for a sweet 16 ... And her aunt All the food was great, the service quick and attentive The ambiance nice... And there were free cookies. The lobby

The ambiance is great, like in NYC in the 60s and early 70s. We loved it rhe last time we we were there, a few years ago. This time the service was haphazard, the food plainly average at best. One of our party called the service a 'clown act, getting the orders wrong, etc. I had the pepper steak in brandy flambee. Not such a great steak, bland and flavorless sauce. My wife had the Veal chop that was voted the best in San Diego, according to the menu. It was average, at best. The bill came to over $125 a person, a very poor value. Looks like Manhattan is on a downhill trajectory. We won't be back. Don't go.

This place is an institution in La Jolla. If you still like table side service, Rat Pack music, great steaks and pastas, you'll love this place. The waiters are all seasoned veterans and they treat you like you're a special customer.

My husband, my nephew and I thoroughly enjoyed the "Supper Club" ambiance, the attentive service and of course the food. The tableside preparation of the ceaser salad was as impressive as the flavor. My husband's veal was the best that he had in California and my steak Sinatra was tender. flavorful and plentiful. The music was a great additon although I wanted to hear more Sinatra songs.The tiramisu was the lightest and most delightful ending to a special birthday evening.

Wow ! The service, the food, the atmosphere, the location - everything was amazing. We were visiting and not sure what we wanted so an Italian Steakhouse made sense - and it was perfect !! I loved the meal and my dessert - The Ecstasy was AWESOME !! And the team of servers were so spectacular. We will be back!

Looking for Italian dinner? Go here. Easy to find in the Empress Hotel. Generous servings (we'll split next time) of Cannoli - probably the best I've ever had. The other dish we tried, also enough for two, is the sausage and peppers - Wow!

I had lobster bisque soup, shrimp scampi, salad, berries on white chocolate ice cream with chambord liquor. Delicious. They had a Chilean Pinot Grigio that was marvelous.

We had a beautiful evening dinner. The service was outstanding as well as the food. Gretchen, the owner, was such a pleasure to meet! We will be back!

We've stayed at the Empress a few times and really enjoy the room service and the food in the restaurant. Very cool atmosphere, almost feels like I'm in a pub back in the city (Manhattan, of course). Bartender Stacy is excellent. Lobster bisque soup is to die for. Lobster ravioli appetizer with a caesar salad is enough for a small, but perfect meal, or you can get something more hearty. I had the eggplant parmesan once for room service, and it was delicious, but it came only with a chunk of bread. No veggies, no pasta, no fries. Did they forget?? Price was ridiculous for just that. Desserts are special. Would definitely go again, looking forward to it.

The first night my husband and I stayed at the Empress Hotel we decided to eat at the restaurant in the hotel lobby called Manhattan. The title of this review says it all. We ordered the calamari as an appetizer and it was more than enough. My husband ordered the linguini with white clam sauce and raved about it. I had the seafood cioppino and the broth was especially outstanding. There is an old world aura about this place and it is so very comfortable. We finished our meal with gelato. By this time we knew it would be delicious. We will be back!

This restaurant is ver very famous. The service is great, old fashioned, with very attentive waiters. The place is a little dark and they have amloud side and a not so loud side. The side at the bar, is very lively with good drinks and good music. The food was very averae, considering the prices. Their signature dish is a stuffed canneloni , that was the best thing af all the things we ordered. The pasta was average, and my swordfish below average. Defiently will try another restaurant in my next visit to San Diego. The inly thing outsanding was the waiters, also the wine list was very good.

We always make a reservation here when we are in town. We LOVE the ambiance, atmosphere, them and decor, and the warm and coziness of the restaurant. Usually there is someone in the main room playing the piano, next to the bar. The back room has a fish tank and circular booths. We prefer that room, as it is somewhat quieter and more cozy. The food is outstanding, as is the service. I will never get tired of coming here! Highly recommend. We always find street parking right out front, though I believe they offer valet. If you like Italian food, please give Manhattan of La Jolla a try!

This is amazing place. I visit it every time I come to La Jolla. Every time I try something new from their menu and each time it is amazing. So far, I would strongly recommend NY steak with garlic and halibut. Try their vines, but ask waiter for their recommendation. The main advice- don’t try to guess, their people know which each person would like more... This is the best atmosphere for dinner in small team or for two.

The very best steak …a filet…of my entire life. Also, the very best carrots. Perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned: simple and magical at the same time.

This restaurant has a wide variety of reviews, from excellent to terrible, and I have to say, I experienced both. I went twice while I was in town, both times as a single woman, first on Thursday and again on Sunday. On Thursday, my experience was excellent. Service by everybody, hostess, wait staff, water, wine, everybody, was very attentive. And the food was excellent. I had the salmon florentina, which was cooked perfectly. I had the Manhattan Cappuccino after dinner, which was excellent. I went away feeling like... Wow, single person, not a big group, not a big order, but I was still amazed and pleased at the level of service. On Sunday, I felt like I was being dealt with in passing - if they were already passing by my table, I got service. It took forever to have my order taken, it took forever for the food to come, I had to ask them to refill my water glass. I forget what I ordered for dinner that night, but I ordered the same Manhattan Cappuccino after dinner, and was very disappointed this time. On Thursday, it was served in a tall glass, like an Irish coffee. It was hot, I think it had whipped cream, it was delicious. On Sunday, they served it in a regular coffee cup. And it was about as blah as a regular cup of coffee. An extremely disappointing evening, especially after having such an excellent experience a few days before. So I don't really know how to rate this place, so I rated them average. I do have to say, Tad, the piano person on Thursday is EXCELLENT! I was sorry I was busy Friday and Saturday nights and could not go back to hear him again. The jazz trio on Sunday was good and enjoyable, but I had already been spoiled by Tad.

Dining room attached to piano bar with frequent entertainment. Service attentive, typical feel of old world Italian - pride in food and service. wine list more than adequate altho only two half bottle selections. Food good but the in house made cheese cake is OUTSTANDING. I enjoyed two meals in this welcoming place.

I took my family last night; they gave us two separate tables claiming we didn't have a reservation even if they still had plenty of empty space; anyhow, very average service with servers giving you attitude and the worst is the server "Manny" pass somebody else tab on mine with $200 extra I really couldn't miss that ! My advice is definitely go to different places as this one is obviously over rated. Will never return.

Whether going to a performance at the Bishop’s School, The newly appointed Conrad (opening in April 2019), or perhaps a lecture at the Athenaeum, Manhattan is perfect for dinner beforehand and even after (they’re the only place open after 9pm in the Village). My friend and I both enjoyed a delicious swordfish dinner... their preparation was so tender, moist, and exquisite. Their candied carrots are a classic and wonderful! I am generally a lover of green beans but theirs seem a bit tough or overcooked... or perhaps nothing can compare to the carrots!! The service is excellent and it’s fun to get to know the servers over frequent visits. The Caesar salad is the best in La Jolla. Enjoy!

Manhattan restaurant is in the Empress Hotel in La Jolla. It is an attractive room, the front somewhat loud, especially once the music starts. the rear room is smaller and more for conversation. The menu is reminiscent of a New York Italian restaurant, as is the taste of the food. The Ceaser Salad is made tableside and is excellent. There were foufr of us dining; three of us had steak, and one chicken. The chicken and two filet mignon stedaks were outstanding. I ordered Steak Sinatra, and was disappointed in the quality of the steak used in the dish. Steak Sinatra is a classic Italian dish, hard to see on West Coast menus and I was hoping to enjoy this eastern treat. The deserts were excellen; home made spumoni ice cream and cannoli. We would definitely return, but skip the Sinatra.

I have been here many times with family and have always enjoyed it. The service is excellent, the food is outstanding. I was with an aunt who was celebrating her 92nd birthday. They brought a delicious piece of cake at the end of the meal and gave her the lovely red rose from the table to take home. All of the wait staff sang Happy Birthday (sort of in Italian!), and it was a memorable day for her.

This place is in the lobby of a hotel but that seems more like a coincidence. The menu is ok but I had the most unique table-side made Caesar salad. It’s loaded with garlic along with everything else but very good. Several things are made/served table-side including some steak dish, cherries jubilee and maybe a few other things. This place is straight out of 1983. It’s like you went into a time machine and the restaurant stayed the same but all the people aged! Seriously its an older crowd but they also have a lounge singer starting at 7pm. The guy has a great voice. So - in summary, prepare to be entertained and enjoy some classic Italian food. Very unique and large portions. By the way, happy hour is only $1 off some of the items, but I’m including a menu pic. Also found the drinks to be quite cheap... also noticed that they offer corkage for up to 3 bottles. It’s really a blast from the past.

Atmosphere makes this feel like a special dinner out. Service attentive, food excellent. What we most appreciated was the fact that the jazz pianist provided very nice background, adding to the feeling of special, BUT while we could enjoy the music we could still talk to each other. Conversation was not drowned out as is so often the case. we were surprised that the hotel entrance doesn't have a sign indicating the restaurant... but we had the address so found it. Price was just about what we expected for this kind of evening.

I got two meals during my stay at the Empress, and they were nothing to write home about. The staff, however, was great - friendly and helpful.

Good food with healthy portions and convenient especially if staying at the Empress Hotel. The room service from the restaurant to the hotel is another great added plus.

We had dinner here for our 32nd Wedding Anniversary as we have done for a few years now.. Food and service were excellent. We time it so that Roman is singing, on Wednesdays. I had shrimp scampi and Rhonda had cannelloni as appetizers. I had the Manhattan salad and then the Twin Filet Mignon Oscar, Rhonda had the Filet Mignon Salad as an entree. Ara Scalini our server supplied the dessert, a very nice Tiramisu. Nice size crowd including a busy bar scene.

This restaurant is in the Empress Hotel, which hotel has a nautical theme throughout. However, the Manhattan Restaurant looks right out of NYC with a Sinatra look. The food is great, and there is often live music.

We stayed in the Empress Hotel and wanted Italian for dinner. This is a fairly upscale restaurant. We had a very nice dinner and the prices were not unreasonable. Both the food and the service were good. I had the veal picata and my wife had the lobster ravioli. I enjoyed my dinner more the my wife did hers. She did not feel there was enough lobster in the ravioli. We split a Tiramisu for desert which was good.

The positives. The bar is contiguous to the actual restaurant and has great 70's music in the evening and mixes some good cocktails. This is a local's hangout and was told that about 90% of the people there were regulars. Let me just say that the customers are quite unusual and if you are lucky enough to get a seat (not a chance in the bar) observing the people there is almost as interesting as the music

I did not eat here but did go on a Wednesday and sat by the bar area to enjoy the music. A duo with a great Italian signer and great piano player. Enjoyed the banter between them and the singer brought up some friends at the end of the set who were tenors that sang beautifully. Loved it.

We booked our reservation through open table for 5:30. We arrived at 5:00 and we were seated. We were dressed casually but we were not grubby and to the best of my knowledge did not have BO. My husband was dressed in a golf shirt with collar and shorts but they were clean and not ripped or torn. Our waiter also seated us. I think English is his second language. He showed us to a table near the bar so my husband could watch the Super Bowl. My husband said he did not want to watch the game and would prefer not to see it as he was tapping the show. Rather that offering us another table the waiter suggested that my husband just turn his back to the tv. The restaurant has a lovely ambiance with Sinatra music playing softly in the background, lovely linens on the table and soft lighting. Why we were not offered another table I don't know. As it was the table made the evening that much less enjoyable. There was a couple at the bar and the server was talking to them throughout the evening. This is wonderful as this is what people go to a bar /lounge for but if I'm paying fine dining prices I should be seated in your fine dining area. I got the feeling throughout the evening that because we were not dressed to the nines the staff felt that we were clueless as to what we should expect in a fine dining restaurant. Our waiter told us what the specials were but didn't provide the pricing. When he came back my husband asked him to describe one of the specials again and asked him what the price was. I think this is a fairly simple request and most restaurants will tell you the price of the specials when the give you the details. A small plate of cheese and hot crusty bread was brought to the table. They were both wonderful. We ordered linguine with pomodoro sauce to share as an appetizer. We were given angel hair pasta with pomodoro sauce (I may look like a hick but I do know the difference.) We did not say anything as it was delicious. For entrees my husband had the sea bass special with citrus sauce and it was terrific. The sauce was delicious and the sea bass was cooked perfectly. I had the veal Oscar and again it was a wonderful dish. The topping of asparagus and crab meat was very generous. They do have a great chef in the kitchen. My husband and I were sitting at a table for 4 - beside each other not across from each other. When the server brought our entrees he put mine down and rather that walking behind me to present my husband's entrée he reached right across me and presented his entrée. It's basic knowledge or is in most fine dining establishments that this is not the correct way to serve the dishes. The server was either ignorant of this fact or was too lazy to walk 2 steps and present the dish properly. We had ordered a bottle of wine and after the initial sample and 1st pour my husband sat with his wine glass totally empty for about 10 minutes. They were not that busy on Super bowl Sunday evening early. He ended up topping up my wine and pouring himself another glass. There was a man in white that seemed to be circling our table a number of times while we were having dinner. As soon as I put my fork down he asked my husband if he could clear his plate. My husband said yes so he cleared my husband's plate, my plate and our bread dishes even though I was still eating my bread. Really! Can't you wait until I finish my bread. Are you that anxious to get rid of us even although you're not busy. I rated this average because the ambiance and enjoyment of the evening could have been terrific if we were not seated right beside the bar with the TV going and the food really is good. However the service here really leaves a lot to be desired.

We had dinner here twice while we were staying at the Empress Hotel. They have a lot of specialty cocktails, but we are wine drinkers so we passed. The first night was good but not outstanding; I ordered the pasta with artichokes and mushrooms, but it had so much garlic that it was hard to taste anything else. The second night I had the eggplant, which was outstanding. We ate early because we were going to a concert, and the service was prompt; the waiters all look like they have tenure, and were attentive. We would go again, since we didn't have time for dessert and the dessert menu looked amazing.

We liked the romantic atmosphere and the music. Later in the evening, a piano player performed a lot of typical favorites.

My husband and I decided to hear Clyde play the piano on Tuesday evening and still have a small snack with drinks at a table near-by. We were pleasantly surprised at the Bar Food: salad with scrumptious grilled salmon ($17) and eggplant Rollatini ($11). Our four Tanqueray gin and tonics ($11 each) were excellent and strong. Clyde always plays a selection of jazz pieces and favorite other songs like "If I only had a a Brain" from The Wizard of Oz. ..a bit ironic since he is a brilliant scientist who works with my husband during the daylight hours. I decided to give this experience a "4" rating because my salad was quite small even though the salmon was cooked to perfection and just flaked off perfectly. Lettuce is not that expensive, so I felt an added amount was needed to justify the price paid. The service was excellent too, but then again, Tuesday can be a bit slow there.

We love this classic Italian restaurant for it's food, atmosphere and service. It has been the go to place for us for special occasions for many, many years. So consistent and wonderful

We made a reservation for dinner. Even though they weren't too busy the service was very slow. The food was good but over priced. It was extremely warm in the restaurant so it was not a comfortable environment in which to enjoy dinner.

We had two dinners with friends and the food was great. It is a little pricey so don't get sticker shock.

This is an Old School Restaurant. The servers, busboys and food runners were all 'mature' but gave great service. I ordered the shrimp scampi and it was delicious. There was a beautiful fish tank with assorted various coloured fish. Relaxing to sit back and look at. All booths in the main dining room, which I personally love.

A cozy, old New York steakhouse vibe with booths, red and black colors, low lights, and old photos on the walls. Friendly, attentive service, including the bussing and delivery staff. Ceasar salad was made at the table side with lots of flourish but not much flavor ($15 per person). It needed more garlic. Tasty zucchini chips for an appetizer ($16). The veal saltimbocca ($41) was a bit bland, as was the veal Oscar ($49), which was over-sauced and the crab seemed old. The veal Marsala had more flavor but wasn’t distinctive either. The place is noisy in the bar area, less so in the back booths, but still difficult to carry on conversation across the table. Corkage: $35.

We were able to get reservations as late as 9:15. The Manhattan had the charm of an old resturant - brick on the wall, leather booths, carpeting on the floors and lower ceiling which keeps the noise down, The piano player's music does spill into the restaurant. The food was fabulous, service great, the wine list fairly large and the prices very reasonable. Great experience and I would definitely return.

La Jolla is full of wonderful places for a Happy Hour, this was not one of them. We arrived st 4.45 and found the bar monopolized by locals and no barman. We waited a while before he returned. My husband had to go to the bar to order our drinks a white wine and a Cosmo. We were given no menu and when the drinks arrived the Cosmo was not freshly made and not particularly good. The cost for two drinks was $17.00 which seemed high for Happy Hour.,Service poor and not very welcoming....so back to Eddie Vs, Valencia etc. As winter residents in La Jolla good service is something we expect.

We have two old friends and we try to get together at least once or twice a month for "Happy Hour". At our age, it can substitute for dinner. They had "dined" here many time and felt it was time to take us. We were not disappointed. Great food, good drink choices and Happy Hour prices. The five of us tried a bit of everything. I really like the fried calamari. And for those of us who were DD's, they kept the glass of Arnold Palmer filled to the brim. Paraphrasing what Arnold says, "We'll be back"!

Manhattan offered delicious Italian and American entrees and appetizers. We had a trio of canneloni, scampi and lobster ravioli for an appetizer and it was delicious! For entrees, stay more towards veal, chicken or pasta. Everything was really good, just thought that the bone in rib-eye should be a thicker cut. Live piano player made the night and environment very nice.

Hubby and I had been here a year ago with dear friends. It was so good that I've been wanting to go again ever since! So last night we joined the same couple once more and also invited a third couple to join us. It was even better this time than before, if that is indeed possible.The atmosphere is old-school upscale Italian with dimmed romantic lighting, cozy brick walls, dark wood paneling and artwork on the walls. Service is impeccable here. Our well-dressed waiter simply oozed gentlemanly Italian charm, and was well informed about everything on the menu. We ordered the excellent caesar salad which was made table-side and it was the best I've ever had. Appetizers were the amazing cannelloni (in small portions) and the calamari. Delicious. Among the entrees we ordered were the shrimp scampi, the veal chop florentine, salmon, pasta and steaks. Green beans and tender carrots were served with the meal, and even the veggies were the best ever. I don't know how the chef here does his magic, but I have to say that each dish I sampled was tremendous.The sauces involved were rich and decadent and worth every calorie! For dessert, the 6 of us shared a tiramisu and their specialty treat--"The Manhatten" which was 2 apple fritters with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and the most delicious sauce. So rich, but SO good. Even their house merlot was mellow and hit the spot. I can tell you that the dance music coming from the lounge area was very enticing, and if we hadn't been so full, we would have joined in. As it was, we could barely waddle out of the place, we were so full! (But a happy and content fullness.) We all had such a wonderful time, that we're going back on New Year's Eve. Something to really look forward to! A big thank-you to everyone at Manhatten for making this such a special place to dine. I can't recommend it enough!

Great restaurant with music on certain week nights. This is an upmarket place with pricing that reflects this. The signature dish is the veal chop, superb, food is excellent generally.

Celebrated birthday dinner. Very difficult to find parking in the area close to the restaurant. Arrived 15 minutes early and had to wait for a table. The table was ready at our reservation time. Promptly seated . Before dinner drinks arrived promptly. Excellent service and dinner. I had the Lobster Manhattan and my companion had the Seafood combo. Could not ask for a better service or quality of the food served. We had an after dinner drink at the bar and listened to the live piano music. Very enjoyable evening, highly recommended.

We have dined at this superb restaurant several times--always brilliant. Imaginative, delicious food; incredible view. Highest recommendation!!

It’s the next day after and I’m still upset about my dinner the night before. I can’t help but feel completely disappointed. We went to Manhattan after hearing all the great reviews. We ordered salads, steaks, and a bottle of Veuve. The food looked amazing. Cut was perfect. Portion size was large. But it lacked flavor. I make a better steak at home. Also, the music was sleepy. The same piano guy plays at Mille Fleur on Wednesday and his set is much more lively there. We left underwhelmed. I wish we would have ate at Eddie V’s. I doubt we will be back.

This place is amazing. The food is amazing, the seafood, pasta, steak and desert are all amazing. Excelling with so many different menu items is hard to do. The food is only part of the experience though. Service in the bar area is good BUT the best service by far is in the dinning room. Some of the same wait staff has been here for years and they are amazing. They perfectly balance getting you whatever you desire when you want it while not getting in the way of conversations. Another thing I like is they always keep the reservation numbers low enough that you never have to show up and wait for a table (I hate when places fail to do this). This pace is great for special occasions.

Lovely fine dining experience featuring Tad Sisler piano player for your live music enjoyment. We stayed at the Empress Hotel and this was a lovely surprise to find on site!

We had 6 p.m. reservations and the place was 20% full. Service was slow. Food was good but not served piping hot as is should have been. We are locals and doubt we'll return to Manhattan.

My 97 year-old uncle drives down from Los Angeles to take my wife and me (in our early 60's) to dinner. He's a major foodie -- remembering nearly every meal he's had in 60+ years of world travel. We tried to impress him for years with every big name restaurant in San Diego but, now, he says ends the set-up phone call with the same phrase ". . . and I want to go to Manhattan." That is not to say you have to be in your 90's to enjoy this place but I think there are some good reasons it really appeals to those of us who remember the days of Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe and the type of authentic heavy Italian you might find in New York City in that era. Located in the Empress hotel in La Jolla Village, Manhattan has two main seating areas -- one quite noisy room with a bar as well as dining tables and an entertainer who plays and sings Sinatra-era classics early in the evening and early 70's disco as the evening "heats up" -- you know the wild and wooly stuff for us sexta- and septa- and octa-genarians! On the other side of the divider and large wine rack is a somewhat quieter area that we prefer -- as conversation is nearly impossible in the room with the bar. The decor is dark, with brick lined walls, dark carpets, black leather-look booths and chairs, with crisp white table cloths and tuxedo-adorned wait staff. Pictures of Rat-pack era stars (and a lot of Marilyn Monroe portraits) line the walls. There is absolutely nothing modern or chic about Manhattan -- so millenials take notice you're going to think you've walked into a themed party and not one of the light-decor, ultra-chic, open floor plan trendy restaurants you're used to. It's a good place to take your parents or grandparents -- they'll love you even more, but maybe not you're friends if your under 40! As far as food -- let's get to first things first. Hands down, one of the best Caesar salad's (made tableside the old fashioned way) I have had anywhere on the planet. Next time, I think I'm going to order one for myself (even though it's made for a minimum of 2) and eat the whole thing myself. That good! The menu is extensive, with a large variety of pasta dishes, seafoods, veals, chickens, and beefs. This trip we tried the Salmon picatta which was huge, flavorful and cooked to perfection. The chicken parmigiana was also a huge, plate-covering portion, very tender with a thick, flavorful sauce. The veal marsala was also excellent. Portions are uniformly gigantic, but none of us had anything left on our plate -- it was so good. This is not a place to expect a lot (or any, really) emphasis on presentation. You get a big plate with a big portion of entree on top of it. No garnish. No haute cuisine artistry. The vegetables that came with our meal were a plate full of deliciouslly sweetened glazed carrots and fairly average french beans -- and it was just that, a plate with vegetables. No fru-fru here. The service is very good. Water glasses are kept full. Most of the wait staff have heavy Italian accents and they can be a little difficult to understand -- but it adds to the authenticity of the place. There are obviously some regulars here (it wreaks of "Old La Jolla" in there and it seems they get a little extra attention but we certainly weren't hurting as a result. In summary -- this IS your father's Italian food place. Simple, classic Italian dishes with huge portions and no concern about being avant garde, just about you leaving full -- which you absolutely will. Prices are pretty reasonable for the amount of food you get, too. Enjoy it.

Celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary and had dinner in our hotel restaurant. Could not have asked for better food or service.

We ate there this past weekend and the food was incredible. Our service was good, the restaurant was like visiting a place where Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra would eat. You must eat there if in La Jolla!

Yelp Krista M. Manhattan of La Jolla Read our review guidelines Not good All changes saved Manhattan La Jolla was the worst and most bizarre dining experience I’ve ever encountered. My husband and I had dinner reservations for a long over due date night. Before dinner, we stopped by the bar for drinks and appetizers. We were having a great time chatting with the couple next to us when a belligerent woman sat down at the bar and started screaming at us to be quiet because she was on a call (at the bar). This person was heavily under the influence of drugs/alcohol. She was shaking when she entered the restaurant and the staff still let her in. She began shouting nasty obscenities and making horrible comments about weight / appearance. Our bartender told management that the woman needed to go. She left for a few minutes and came back. When she re-entered the restaurant, she was again visibly shaking from head to toe. Staff allowed her to stay, hugged her like she was the victim, and continued to serve her alcohol. My husband and I left completely disgusted by what had transpired and canceled our reservation after management let the belligerent guest stay. My husband and I were truly disturbed by what had transpired after what was supposed to be a nice date night. This was the trashiest evening of my life.

After various years we came back. A gem in La Jolla , very good Veal Chop, good food and good service, they have live music some days

In hotel where we were staying for a wedding. Had super dinner there the night we arrive. Old style urban restaurant - very 50's rat puckish. Went back the next day for lunch and the again after the wedding for a late night drink and snack. Impeccable service; great but not fancy food. Would certainly be my first choice if I ever get back to La Jolla.

dim lights, good staff, food is OK, the most savoury Cioppino I had in California. Large bar area, well-spaced tables

Ambiance, service and food were fantastic. Very accommodating with special requests. Hubby had what he said was the best lamb chops he has ever had! Such a nice vibe.

Valet parking at the door. Up scale dinning at it's best. Ambiance, service, food quality, wine selection, live music, everything you want for a special night out. The daily dinner specials covered a variety of tastes. The four-course meal was nothing short of spectacular. The Wednesday night entertainment is a must-see, Roman has a spectacular voice.

Wonderful food. Their cannelloni is the best I've ever had, including those in Italy. Just wonderful. Manhattan is also the best hidden deal for lunch in the village. Cannelloni, comes with soup or salad and delicious bread on a white table cloth with a rose, for the same price you'd pay for a burger, fries and a drink at other local venues (no... not McDs....) I'm here for lunch about once a week. Sadly, I usually have cannelloni. Dang hard to break the habit. Also try their burrata salad though and their desserts are lovely -- Almost Heaven is truly that! Delicious!

While staying at The Empress Hotel, we ordered room service from Manhattan. I was expecting a lot from seeing some other reviews on this place but it did not meet our expectations at all. The food was mediocre. Our calamari came up cold and the fettuccine alfredo was so bland. It was nice to have room service but I was expecting a lot more.

Excellent restaurant. Authentic Italian good. Varied menu. Wine selection is good. Lobster Ravioli was an excellent choice. Waiters were attentive and provided outstanding service. This is a restaurant you will want to try.

Had to stay in our room and could not go out for dinner. Trying to figure out what to do and decided on room service from Manhattan. Lobster Ravioli was yummy, especially the sauce. My only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 was the ranch dressing on the salad was bottled and not fresh. I would have expected fresh salad dressing at a restaurant of this quality.

This is a wonderful restaurant in the Empress Hotel. It serves Italian food as well as steaks, etc. The Steak Sinatra was absolutely delicious. The service was wonderful.

We were looking for a restaurant in La Jolla that served Italian food, so we made a reservation online. When we arrived and found that it was an elegant restaurant inside a hotel, we almost left, as we were a tourist family with two teenage boys. But we ended up going in anyway, and they treated us very well, even though we were not dressed like much of the other clientele. The food was tasty -- my son especially liked his fettucine Alfredo, although a couple of the meat dishes had too much sauce for our taste. The little touches like the hot, fresh bread were very nice. Overall, a good experience.

Had dinner here one evening and this restaurant is inside of a hotel off Prospect st. They serve Italian food. Wine was very good. The décor was like walking into the Frank Sinatra era. The food was excellent and big serving. The waiters were dressed in black suits and white shirts. Very classy. They have a entertainment, but we were there on the day the piano player wasn't playing that evening. Great food selection.

Stayed at the Empress Hotel, where the Manhattan is located, but foolishly did not eat there till my last evening. The restaurant is surprisingly attractive, the service knowledgable and attentive, with a broad, essentially Italian menu. My son and I shared a fine, more than ample calamari friti, and he had Shrimp fra Diavolo while I enjoyed an excellent Veal Saltimboca. Both dishes were very traditionally Italian. They have music a varying styles many nights, and there is a happy hr, 5-7pm, at the barnonly, with reduced $ for drinks and many food items. I would/will return any time I in the San Diego/La Jolla area.

Manhattan is a classic Italian steakhouse. Great service and atmosphere, and excellent food. Where can you have Caesar salad made table side nowadays? Here! A hidden gem in La Jolla.

Manhattan feels like Frank Sinatra might stroll in at any time. With its brick walls and darkened surrounding, it has a clubby feel. We need to eat at 5PM due to a &PM commitment and expected the place to be empty. We were surprised to see that not only was the bar busy, but several tables were will as well. One of us had veal picatta and the other had veal parmesan. Both were very generous portions. They were served with piping hot sourdough bread and a plate of green beans cooked with onion and honey glazed carrots. Again, a generous amount of each. For dessert we shared spumoni. The waiter, who was friendly yet professional, split the order into one scoop in each of two glasses... a nice touch. I also had a decaf espresso, and someone at the bar knows how to run an espresso machine... which is frequently not the case. This is not highly creative, new age food; it is the staples you know and love including meat, fish, chicken and pasta plus a lengthy list of desserts. We would definitely go again when we are in the area.

This is a nice restaurant in a hotel with a cool ambiance, table side caesar salad preparation (for 2+) and live piano music. The food was only pretty good with a bit of a heavy hand on the vodka sauce for the lobster ravioli and not as much flavor as we were hoping for in the cannelloni. That said, the salads were excellent and dessert was top notch.

We dined in the smaller room (which we strongly recommend if you value quiet) and had meal that greatly exceeded our expectations in terms of service and food. The table side Caeser was okay but veal chop was the best, by far that I ever had- Good meat perfectly cooked and wonderfully savory. Formal and timely service. But the main room can be really loud as we observed on the nest 2 nights (we stayed in the Empress hotel the houses the restaurant).

Manhattan is tucked away at the Empress hotel in the heart of La Jolla. The food is authentic Italian, served by an Italian speaking staff. The shrimp scampi, clams, pasta and all the dishes are first rate. That atmosphere is upscale bar, with live piano music.Not on the ocean but worth going to for a great meal, good music and excellent service.

If it weren't for the fantastic food at this restaurant, I wouldn't go back due to the poor service. The food here is amazing and I have been eating here for over 20 years. The service used to be good and unfortunately it is not great now. Don't let that deter you if you want a great meal.

We had a great meal last night at Manhattan. I had a veal chop with a side of pasta. Everything was excellent as was our waiter. Our Caesar's salad was made at the table. The restaurant was very busy but not too noisy. Wes at in the far room from the band.The prices are fair.

Manhattan is an old school New York type restaurant with the best Italian food in La Jolla. Thier specialty dish, cannoli, is the best.

We stayed at Empress Hotel and decided to give the restaurant a try. It's a white table steakhouse with a classy atmosphere. Our waiter Manny was great. He was very friendly, funny, and on top of it! We had the calamari and shrimp cocktail appetizers which were good. My husband had the New York steak, he said it was pretty good. I had the Manhattan Combo which is a sampler with cannelloni, shrimp scampi, and lobster raviolis ~ delicious! After dinner, we sat at the piano bar and enjoyed the music and some cocktails (so convenient cause we didn't have to drive after having drinks)! Some people got up to dance, the pianist was taking requests and the crowd was friendly, but not rowdy.

We had a very nice dinner in this fashionable restaurant in La Jolla. Our server was terrific. My martini was excellent as was our Caesar's salad, made at the table.I had pasta with clams in a white sauce, and my wife ordered chicken piccata. Our meals were very tasty. The chicken dish was particularly outstanding. I liked the Eastern vibe of the restaurant with its red leather booths and professional servers.

Manhattan is old school Italian--dark, brick walls, waiters in tuxes. An antidote to all those hip and airy California beach joints (if one is necessary!). While we skipped the pasta, we did enjoy several of their house specialties. First, the Caesar Salad made fresh at the table. I love this, and it was very nicely done, enjoyed every bite. My sweetie had their signature veal chop, and it was perfect. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked. And a large portion, which was good since it meant I had several large bites! I had their popular shrimp scampi, and it was also wonderful. Lots of large shrimp swimming in a yummy thick garlicky sauce. Was only sorry I could mop it up with pasta or their very nice bread (my sweetie loved it--can't eat starch at the moment). We had wine by the glass. Some reviews say that Manhattan is renowned for their cocktails, but we found that their vermouth selections (both dry and sweet) were not very high end. I enjoyed my white wine (I think it was chardonnay); my sweetie's chianti, however, was a bit disappointing. Still, overall a good experience and we'd definitely go again.

Our wonderful meal started out with great service and a feeling that you are NOT being rushed. The salads and main courses (ranging from steak to pasta) all turned out great, and our server made sure we always had enough water, wine, butter, etc. You will be spoiled here, both with the service and the food!

The food quality is very good and the service is above average. IF you are in LaJolla its worth a visit IF you can tolerate the price....very expensive for what you get. Fortunately San Diego has many other choices which would be a better value. That said there were 6 in our group and the noise (Saturday night) made it difficult to have a discussion with all at our table. The menu is very good and the quality of the meals likewise. A very good wine list with a knowledgeable server. Service is slow but not excessively so. They do have valet parking which is very reasonable and fast. Reservations are a must. As traffic in the area is always difficult plan your travel accordingly. Suggest you visit the web site to determine IF the menu works for you. The special on our night included Sea Bass which was very good. You may also want to check out trip advisor as if you are staying downtown there are better choices.

This whole place is like traveling back in time, in a funny way. Old leather sofas, fish tank, piano player and waiters that had been there for decades. Food was mediocre for the price level. Clearly not real Italian food but I'm starting to think there isn't any in US. The only dish I really loved was a dessert, some kind of baked apple in sirupsauce. A few of the waiters seemed kind of old and grumpy, almost grunted during service, but one was truly lovely and nice talking to (a bit shorter then the other's, from Mexico and told us he had been in the restaurant business over 40 years).

Decor is best thing about this restaurant. One gets the feel of being in the basement of a 1940s speakeasy, with pictures of Marilyn and Frank abundant. Blue-lit aquariums further set the scene. Food and wine appropriate. I think waiters are selected to be a little gruff.

With an old school feel, and wonderful food and vibe... I'm not sure how we didn't discover this place sooner. Their charbroiled veal chop was superb... and their martinis were spot on as well. We'll be back!

Excellent food and service. Very nice 60's NYC atmosphere. Very good wine list. I had the Italian sausage w/peppers while my spouse had Halibut w/lemon and capers. You won't go wrong eating here.

Friendly service. Fine food and delicious desserts. My wife and I had the Ceasar salad for 2, prepared right at our table. I enjoyed my Chicken Parmigiana and veggies. Should have ordered a small side of pasta to go along with it. My wife had the Veal Piccata with roasted veggies. She said it was very tasty. We then shared a Taramazu and coffee. The entire meal was expertly prepared D

helpings were large and food was great....piano bar was wonderful....you get what you pay for....Would gladly go back....Highly recommended!!!!!

We took my mother to dinner at Manhattan. She live in La Jolla and it is one of her favorites. What a treat! Old world service, great food, exquisite wine. We had the Caesar salad prepared at the table--wonderful. Mom had the veal chop Fiorention, I had it Milanese, my wife had the special seafood pasta. All amazing. We also had a beaurtiful bottle of Amarone. Greate everning; highest recommendation!

After reading the reviews, we were excited about eating at the Manhattan. We were quickly ushered to our table with drinks in hand. The service was very slow and the food not all that good. We were very disappointed, but I think I would give it another shot on a more normal evening.

The food is amazing! We had the eggplant appetizer and the melon prosciutto for a great start. The cocktails were tasty. Loved the atmosphere and the service. My husband is from the East Coast and he enjoyed the authentic Italian feel. Chicken Marsala and Cannelloni were our dinner entrees and it was memorable. We eat out a lot. And we eat Italian a lot, we will definitely look forward to returning here.

We came in early and a bit underdressed. The staff was very accommodating. Our food was delicious as a matter of fact my usually fussy eater said it was the best alfredo she had ever had. My lobster ravioli was delicious and the bread and butter were warm and fantastic. The servers were very attentive, we are big water drinkers and never saw the bottom of our glass. Highly recommend!

Horrible food and service. They forgot our reservation which we made a week in advance. My hubby ordered a birthday tiramisu for me. They forgot that also. He had to ask them three times for it. The food tastes like it was microwaved from a frozen dinner. Really gross. Don't eat there. WAY OVER PRICED!

We spent Christmas 2018 in La Jolla. The last evening of our stay we went to the Manhattan located in the Empress hotel. I'm always dissatisfied with hotel restaurants but this was different. The atmosphere was classy and quiet, the food was amazing and our waiter attentive and helpful. I had the filet Oscar and have to say it was the best I have ever eaten. We would recommend this 100% and look forward to revisiting the Manhattan.

Great dinner for end of the year. Located in the heart of La Jolla. Booths...bar...piano. food was good. Local older crowd. Make reservations.

Made a reservation in the main dining room based on a locals recommendation. The piano musician was great, not too loud and all songs you could sing along. The table side Caesar is one of the bests we ever had! Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and helped us with our entree choices. The ambiance was very old school "manhattan" and is a must try when in the area!

Went to Manhattan for dinner while on vacation in San Diego. We wanted traditional Italian food, Pasta, Red Sauce, etc. Manhattan covered. The food was excellent and the service very good, friendly and with reasonable prices. Nice atmosphere as well. Not many traditional Italian restaurants in the area with a menu catered to more east coast Italian. They celebrate all birthdays if that is your occasion. The restaurant is within a Hotel in La Jolla. Recommend it.

A family friend had her 50th bday there and we were a company of around 75, The food was very good, There was a 4 course preset menu to choose from and the wind that came with it was a nice compliment. I had the clam chowder which was fresh made and very tasty. For my main course I had the tender loin which was a large size and very tender, a little raw for requesting medium rare, I think for some it would be too bloody, but I m sure you could send it back if it was not to your liking. The service was good and the atmosphere was just lovely, Every one enjoyed them selves.

I can honestly say that I have never seen anyone else in here. The staff are mostly ageing gentlemen who seem to dislike your presence or even completely ignore you. On one occasion I had five different people serve me. The advantage I guess is that there is no one else around. I have always liked the food but the staff are totally weird. Note it's more expensive at lunchtime than in the evening.

My favorite restaurant- even better than meals I've had at great NY Italian restaurants and Italy. Great staff and service- and ambiance. It's been a local favorite for years, and trying any other similar place is simply a letdown.

Places that I visit have to be above and beyond exceptional for me to take the time to get online and write a review. I visited the Manhattan on a Wednesday evening two weeks ago. My group of friends and I (8 ladies total) were in San Diego for a convention, and I had researched restaurants on here for weeks leading up to our trip, searching for the perfect place for us to go. I am so glad that we made the trip to La Jolla for this dinner. Every minute of our time spent at the Manhattan was wonderful! Our waiters were extremely pleasant, the mood was amazing with the entertainer singing all throughout the evening, and the food was the BEST ITALIAN FOOD EVER!! All of the women at our table were 100% happy with our dinner and our entire experience at the Manhattan!! Everything about this place is just *special*. I only wish that I lived closer so that I could go here more often. Our convention is scheduled to be in San Diego annually for the next several years and I will definitely be returning to the Manhattan!

Nothing special. Adequate portions. Just nothing spectacular for price. $$$ -needs to be better for that many dollar signs.

This place had been quite good for a number of years; almost like a back East classic Italian restaurant. We went there for their cannelloni, which my mom has loved for years There was something very wrong with the pasta for starters. It was just AWFUL. Some sort of mystery filling, a decent tomato sauce, and some béchamel dotted around. Definitely not superb; not even good. Salad was basic and uninspired, to say the least. Calamari was just OK. I say if you are in La Jolla and want good Italian food, keep looking. If you were there before and loved the cannelloni, you won't now! Tons of great restaurants in this town. This one isn't worth your time or trouble.

I have been going here for many years and never have been sorry!! It is really a Manhatten Experience!! the food is outstanding and so is the service. Many of the servers have been here for years and really know how "to do it!!" The food choices are excellent, and the pasta is always a favorite. It is well worth the money to have such a delightful atmosphere, service, and of course... food!

From greeting to service by Dennis and table side salad prepared your Lamar; everything could not have been more perfect. Two of us had the sea bass special and my other friend had swordfish; all prepared to perfection. The Manhattan is a gem and not to be missed.

Food old school Itay-American excellent. Dark wood, leather, exposed brick Rat Pack elegance. Excellent service The entertainment consumate, seductively Professional. One can sit in the ber to be entertained or in the restaurant for quite. Very romantic

Staying at Empress Hotel where restaurant is. Popped in for Friday night appetizers and drinks. Talk about a great experience! Calamari, shrimp cocktail and Burrata were all excellent. As were the drinks. Then the piano bar kicked in. We hit it on a good night because Makayla Phillips (from American Idol) was sitting in at the piano bar. The house singer is fun, but then Makayla picked up the mic. Damn! She was fantastic. Before too long everyone was singing and dancing. While enjoying great food and drinks. Totally great venue. With great hospitality and location!

I am a weekly guest at the Empress Hotel where Manhattan of La Jolla is located. I have eaten at the restaurant several times and the food and service is fantastic. The restaurant, if I understand correctly, is independent of the hotel yet provides room service. Most often, I will get some food at a local take out place and bring it to my room to enjoy. Frequently I stop in at the restaurant to buy a glass of wine and borrow some silverware or a plate to enhance my dining experience. When Nancy is there, she is always friendly and accommodating, giving me everything I need with a smile. I feel like a valued guest when she helps me. I feel the need to say that one of the other managers, I believe his name is Bill, is not nearly as friendly. Whenever I stop in to borrow silverware or dishes, he seems completely irritated. His manner is very off-putting. Last week, I stopped in to ask for a fork. He disappeared for several minutes and returned with the thinnest, crappiest fork he could find. It was one of those cheap diner forks. The edges were actually sharp and it hurt to eat with it! I was very annoyed but didn't say anything although I should have. I would think as a manager, that he would understand that the restaurant and hotel experiences affect each other. I feel like a very valued customer by the hotel, and by Nancy, and not by Bill. I thought he should know. I stay at this hotel weekly. I'm not sure if he's annoyed because I don't frequent the restaurant more or he just doesn't like it when guests borrow things. I have heard that they don't like to give the good stuff out to the rooms because housekeeping doesn't always return items in a timely manner. I think that is something that needs to be worked out between the hotel and the restaurant and not taken out on the guests...particularly ME!

we got upstairs private room and was a great experience. food every guest loved and service was fantastic. would recommend.

The food and service was spot on. . Delicious bread and salads . Veal Parmesan was done to perfection and the sauce and pasta were fabulous .

Manhattan is an old school Italian Steakhouse restaurant. The food is always good. The drinks are always good and the piano bar is always lively. There are chain steakhouses in town, but they do not compare to Manhattan. For a couples night out, a business dinner or a big table with friends, you can’t go wrong with Manhattan.

Arrived late and wanted a glass of wine. They were about the close in 20 min, but they let me in. Small wine list but reasonable options. I had a J Lore Cabernet Sauvingnon for $10, which was good. Decided to have some dessert. Could not decide between cheesecake or chocolate hazelnut ice cream. Server suggested they could do half and half, which I did. Both were very tasty.

The veal chop Milanese is a house specialty and ooohhh is it delicious! My husband loves veal saltimbocca (saltimbocca means “jump in your mouth, fyi) and he thinks that Manhattan makes the best saltimbocca he’s ever enjoyed. I tried the veal cannelloni and it too was amazing, though two in a portion was too generous for me! Next rime I am asking that they put one in a take-home box from the beginning!! The bread is so delicious that our family has to hold back from filling up on it. The flavor is so good... no “blah” here... really tasty. As an appetizer, the bruschetta is amazing because the bread is so amazing. The waiters have all been there forever and will work with you on any special needs or requests that you have. Parking is on the street as well as valet. Make a reservation, as many nights it is packed. This is a favored restaurant among the locals. There is a piano bar and they h e live entertainment several nights so check the calendar.

Really enjoyed the food and the music! It was a prefixed dinner menu for the NY celebration, but numerous options to choose from in each category. Enjoyed the musical entertainment as well, which does change. On previous visits, food and music were consistently good. Excellent choice.

we had dinner here few weeks ago. Service and food were excelent. A bit pricey but what do expect in La Jolla

This Italian restaurant is located in The Empress Hotel. Servers wear jackets and ties but the dress code is casual. Our server was Ara who came to La Jolla via Montreal. He was most gracious without being overbearing. Our appetizers included beef carpaccio and melon with exquisite Italian prosciutto. We both ordered veal saltimbocca for an entree. The veal was so tender, there was no need for a knife to cut it. We selected a wonderful California Pinot Noir form a very extensive wine list for with our meal. Some dishes such as Caesar salad are prepared table side which is a nice touch.

Went for dinner during their frank sanatra night. Not sure if that's what they call it, lol, but there was a guy there singing that style of music live. He was fantastic. The dinner was amazing, the service was amazing. Our server was an older Italian looking guy and he was funny and charismatic and it was overall just a great experience. In a nutshell- We enjoyed the ambiance, the food was really good and so where the people! Will go back again!

Take out order with 15%gratuity before getting my order.careless lady working and irresponsible with no plastic utensils provided to eat my salad .will never go back there many other restaurants in town to get good food and service with no attitude .stupid incompetent people working at the restaurant and the owner must be the same

We have used the Manhattan for our go to anniversary and birthday celebration place for several years. The food is always great, cocktails generous and weekend music great fun.

I was staying at the Empress Hotel and wanted to eat at the restaurant in the hotel, just something light. The menu is geared towards fine dining, perhaps a few courses and to be enjoyed with company. There were clearly a few business travelers seated alone who looked as though they would prefer a more casual experience but that is not available within the hotel. A short walk away from the hotel will take you to more laid back settings. The food is very good, although I only had chicken so did not sample other things, and the portion was so generous I could not finish it. Lovely warm and dark environment well suited for a more serious experience then I was seeking. Service was very good however once they realized I was drinking nor ordering more then a single item the level of service declined. Another business traveler had been seated next to me well after I had arrived and left well before me as they were more attentive to his needs then mine. When I had finished what I could one waiter offered to package it up to take home and soon after another came along and took it away but did not return with a take out container. I then waited 10 minutes before asking for the bill and waited another 5 minutes to ask if I could add it to my room as they didnt provide that option when bringing the bill. That resulted in a longer wait to get a receipt to indicate my room. So, it was okay but their preference understandably leans towards the tables that have more then one seated at it, and those they recognize will order a multiple course dinner.

I visit San Diego periodically and always try to fit in a meal at Manhattan of La Jolla. Last month we celebrated my wife's birthday at Manhattan with my son, daughter-in-law and 6 month old granddaughter. The meal was superb all around. Everyone walked out full and satisfied. This is a fine traditional Italian restaurant with a broad menu, excellent service and top notch cooking. Each time I go back it reminds me why we love this restaurant so much.

This is Italian food at its best, accompanied by professional staff who know the food & the wine. Ask for Israel, if he's on - young man who grew up nearby and is very attentive. Any of the pastas are terrific. BUT, the desert called Ecstasy is the best desert I have ever had. It is blend of white chocolate and vanilla ice cream with fresh rasberries, mint and a liqueur - combined it is Ecstasy. I grew up selling ice cream and I have never encountered ice cream with white chocolate blended into a very viscous//delicious consistency!

After a brief interlude of 34 years (business trip), I returned to the Manhattan while visiting family, with the intent of reliving a meal I have never forgotten. It was like stepping back in time, the ambience, the menu, the dishes prepared table side, exactly as I remembered them. My personal meal consisted of Caesar Salad prepared table side, Veal Chop Fiorentina (charbroiled to a juicy medium rare with garlic, lemon, evoo), and Cherries Jubilee prepared table side . Some things should not be lost to history, kudos to the current management/ownership for maintaining the essence of this fabulous restaurant.

This is a tucked-away gem inside the Empress Hotel. Old school Italian steakhouse food, and live music every night. Very good service and a lot of fun too. If you are staying at the hotel, don't miss popping in for a drink, or even dinner.

We were directed to the Manhattan by the hotel staff. Our only visit was during happy hour. The very busy bartender, handling a full bar and several other tables, was tasked with taking our orders for drinks and food. During the course of the meal it was obvious that he catered to the " regulars". We had to wait over 10 minutes for our dessert and coffee and only after he placed the order a second time. While the food was tasty, the steak sinatra meat was quite chewy and disappointing.

We have been here before and decided to come back. The experience was consistent with our last visit. Amazing. The service is extraordinary and the food is delicious. We arrived early for our reservation, but they sat us right away. The atmosphere is very relaxing - so are the drinks !!

This was our second visit to the Manhatten since we moved to La Jolla four months ago. The restaurant is a throwback to Sinatra in his hey day. With pictures of sultry and attractive people hanging on the walls, dim, but inviting lighting, a snazzy bar, and a piano bar, the atmosphere puts you right back into the 1950's. The servers are all dressed up in their sophisticate best with the artistic serving skill to go along with their duds. The food, mostly Italian, is authentic and well presented, and absolutely delicious. The portions are good and the price is very reasonable for such a truly fine dining experience. I suggest that you try the melon and prosciutto as an appetizer . The drinks are generous in pour as well.

We had a dinner reservation for 7:30 but when we arrived on time we were told that they were just clearing our table and we could wait in the bar. After a 10 minute wait to self serve yourself at the bar we finally got a glass of wine. The noise precluded conversation of any kind. At 8:00 we went back to the hostess to inquire about our table and she said it still was not ready. Clearly not a case of just cleaning the table. The manager came by and confirmed that the table was not ready and there was nothing she could do. We left not to return. What shabby treatment of guests.

This is a very popular place for old fashioned Italian food and atmosphere. But it also rocks in the evenings with a lively pianist and a small dance floor. People of all ages, singles and couples, pack the bar area almost every night. The bartender used to serve the wonderful Whaler cocktail made locally famous in the old Whaling Bar at the La Valencia. Alas! The bartender has changed and the drink we had last night is a shadow of the real Whaler. Hopefully, the management will figure out how to bring the real Whaler back!

Establishment awesome Ms Nancy terrific owner wait staff truly exceptional .the seafood is prepared to perfection with great vegetables. The piano player gives the great old songs a new meaning but enjoyed tremendously

We ordered room service from the Manhattan restaurant on two occasions and found the portions plentuiful and authentic Italin, check out my name...mom's from Italy.

We were told this was a good Italian with live music. We weren't told the live music is virtually inaudible if seated at the back. Apart from that there was nothing specifically wrong with Manhattans..the food is ok, the waiting staff efficient but there's little positive either. An Italian restaurant should have soul, a feeling of welcome where the food is exquisite and special. Manhattans is a place to be seen and sadly it plays to that rather than ensuring the food is great. However a special mention must be made of the espressos. They were dreadful: large, bitter and unpleasant. and that says more than a thousand words...

Highly recommend dining here. The service is excellent, there is a good variety of vegetarian dishes, and the restaurant itself is very cosy - perfect for a romantic dinner.