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Salvatore's Cucina ItalianaReservations
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Italian Restaurant Reviews
Salvatore's Cucina Italiana Reviews List
Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Raffaella Morelli, born, raised and educated in Rome, Italy, has been Salvatore’s heart and soul, since its opening in late 1987. Passionate about her country of origin’s cuisine, she has painstakingly trained a staff, with whom together, she has made Salvatore’s one of the best dining spots in the City.
Deceivingly simple, Raffaella’s dishes, using the finest and freshest of ingredients, find a delicate balance, only achievable through her many years of loving labor in the kitchen, saying, “Each dish is much more than a combination of flavors. It is a reflection of Italy’s history, culture, and inherited memories.” Consequently, one experiences flavors, aromas and subtle textures, rarely found even in the best restaurants of Italy.
With a philosophy of “hospitality over pretention,” every guest is treated as if she or he were a loved family member at each and every step of their dining experience.
Benvenuto & Boun Appetito!
See more Salvatore's Cucina Italiana details
Deceivingly simple, Raffaella’s dishes, using the finest and freshest of ingredients, find a delicate balance, only achievable through her many years of loving labor in the kitchen, saying, “Each dish is much more than a combination of flavors. It is a reflection of Italy’s history, culture, and inherited memories.” Consequently, one experiences flavors, aromas and subtle textures, rarely found even in the best restaurants of Italy.
With a philosophy of “hospitality over pretention,” every guest is treated as if she or he were a loved family member at each and every step of their dining experience.
Benvenuto & Boun Appetito!
37 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Rating Breakdown 37 reviews
5 stars
(24)
4 stars
(10)
3 stars
(2)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- special occasion(27)
- romantic(23)
- fit for foodies(17)
- neighborhood gem(14)
- notable wine list(11)
- good for groups(8)
Salvatore's Cucina Italiana Reviews List
Review 1 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Absolutely Loved This Restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I knew we were going to have a great experience when David, the manager, called and left a message detailing how to get to the restaurant. I called him back to confirm. What a great guy. The perfect person for the front of the house. We arrived. The place is beautiful. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed a great bottle of wine at a reasonable price. This place is old school great Italian food. Go! We met the chef, Raphaella. What a gem! She sat with us and we talked for 15 minutes. She cooks her family recipes. This food is cooked by real Italians!...this is the real authentic deal.
GO!...HURRY!"
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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Review 2 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Comlimentary Proseco.Very enjoyable meal. Harpist was a nice added touch."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 3 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great food and excellent service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I had the best caesar salad I've had in a while, the pasta dishes we had were simple yet excellent, and the wine was great (the Federalist Dueling Pistols -- I highly recommend it!)"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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Review 4 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent Experience
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This is a gem. We were seated at a great table. The wine list was very good to excellent. The menu is exceptional and they were more than willing to go "off menu" to suit my particular tastes. The plates were hot, the portions excellent and the presentation was spot on.
The white Christmas lights that at first bugged me--i grew to like by the end of the meal.
The chef and manager both came over to greet--in a friendly, non-intrusive way.
This place is excellent."
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 5 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Amazing local Italian eatery
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Amazing local Italian eatery in downtown. They were so helpful that they allowed us to have custom orders! I will definitely go again if I ever find myself in San Diego. Awesome service and fantastic food!"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2005
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Review 6 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
perfect romantic spot
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent service, just let them know if you are celebrating anything when you make the reservation and they will accommodate you!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2012
Special Features: great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 7 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
excellent find - A+
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Found this on Yelp. Convenient parking garage under the building - free with validation. Spectacular service, delicious food, small but great wine list. Our waiter was attentive, knowledgeable and pleasant. We had a live jazz pianist providing a great atmosphere. It was very quiet when we started dinner, and got only a bit louder as more guests arrived."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 8 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Classic Italian
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The food in this restaurant is superb. In fact, it is the best Italian food I have had outside of Italy! Rafaella, the chef owner is simple and focused on flavor. The dining room is done in quiet cream colors and the service is excellent as well. Nothing like having a chef owner. I can't wait to return to San Diego and dine here again."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 9 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Pricey but the food is excellent.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Pricey but the food is excellent. Background music could be worked on to improve the atmosphere."
Dined on 04/08/2013
2008
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 10 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Has Been
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Big disappointment. Salvatore's was probably something special twenty years ago but it is sadly lacking now. The food was nothing special and the service just ok. We were greeted by the owner who then went to get our glasses of prosecco which never materialized. Instead he sat at the bar the rest of the evening. I feel like they're just going through the motions. There are several other good Italian restaurants in the area and I would definitely choose one of them instead. If you want a true dining experience go to Bice."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2011
Special Features: romantic
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Review 11 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Salvatore's is a fabulous
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Salvatore's is a fabulous place to have a very nice dinner and dining experience. For the past 10 years we've celebrated Our wedding anniversary here and the food continues to amaze our taste buds!"
Dined on 03/21/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 12 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Would definitely go again.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Would definitely go again. We had a large group and everything was top notch"
Dined on 02/21/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 13 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Wonderful dining experience.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Wonderful dining experience. Get food quality and service. Wish we found it earlier"
Dined on 03/19/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 14 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best of everything!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My husband and I found Salvatore's on Yelp. It came highly rated and we echo the positive sentiments! Excellent service, delicious food, and very romantic ambiance. We will definitely come back the next time we are in San Diego."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2011
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 15 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
My wife said her lasagna was
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My wife said her lasagna was excellent and my mussels were close to excellent. My osso bucco was good to very good but not the best I ever had. There was a harpist playing that night and it was a very nice addition to our night but we were right behind her so I found it I bit too loud (it was amplified through speakers). I would definitely go again. My waiter was superb but not overbearing. I would like to get back to try the lamb."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 16 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Restaurant was not crowded,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Restaurant was not crowded, but waitstaff seemed to be somewhat more concerned with large party. Pasta with crab was very good in appetizer portion. Halibut was well done, but could have had more sauce. Nice overall experience, but nothing to suggest it is in 5-star category."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2003
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 17 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We would recommend this restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We would recommend this restaurant to everybody who enjoys best Italian food and friendly service."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 18 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This place had the most polite
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This place had the most polite service I have ever experienced. The ambiance was great, everything from the art on the walls, the moulding, and the live pianist and harpist all went perfectly together to set a mellow and romantic atmosphere. We had a special Valentine's menu but everything we ordered tasted amazing."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 19 for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Outstanding lamb chops
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"Outstanding lamb chops and excellent service. Nice harp music on my visit (Saturday night)."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Salvatore's Cucina Italiana
Based on the average of (18) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.7
/
5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate