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    Bencotto Italian Kitchen

    4.2 (3.6k reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Bars, Desserts
    Open 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Bencotto Italian Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

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    BENCOTTO ITALIAN KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Bencotto Italian Kitchen

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    Dennis T.

    Came here for my sons birthday and was not disappointed the food here is good. Our server here was amazing,He navigated us through the menu pretty quick. We got three pasta dishes and shared them, I really should've got the names, but we did get the pasta that they mix in the cheese and the big bowl and it was amazing, make sure you don't put no extra cheese on it cause it'll be too cheesy. I most definitely would return her for the good food and the good customer service.

    Kartika H.

    nice place and good ambiance. staffs are nice, polite, and attentive. for foods... * burrata: the bread is good and great combination with pesto... * calamari fritti: the batter is light but taste so good. both sauces are good but i prefer the marinara sauce better... * spaghetti: they cooked it al dente which is perfect. sauce is yummy... * stinco di agnello: the lamb shank is so juicy and tender. it serves with fries. if they can serve with other choices, it will be great... a bit pricey but must try...

    Gnocchi with four cheese white sauce and Italian sausage
    Kelly C.

    There are a lot of great Italian spots in Little Italy, but Bencotto Italian Kitchen is on another level! I've been coming here on and off for almost a decade, and the transformation under the new ownership is honestly incredible. What was once a solid neighborhood favorite has evolved into my absolute go to Italian restaurant in all of Little Italy. First off, the pasta!! Handmade and perfectly textured every single time. You can actually taste the difference! Incredible! And then there's the showstopper... pasta tossed in a giant cheese wheel. Yes, a literal wheel of cheese, melted and worked into the pasta right in front of you! It's as indulgent and unforgettable as it sounds. The gnocchi with four cheese sauce and Italian sausage? Unreal. Pillowy and packed with flavor. It's one of those dishes you think about long after you leave. Easily one of the best things I've ever eaten! Honestly, the gnocchi is better at Bencotto than I had in Italy (wild I know!) Beyond the food, the entire experience just hits. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate, which makes the whole night feel special without ever being stuffy. And the vibe? Cozy and intimate which is perfect for date nights or long dinners with friends. If I could eat here every night, I genuinely would. Thank you again to Steve, who made my last few experiences here great! Can't wait to go back!!

    Bolognese
    Vicky D.

    The calamari was chewy and not well flavored. The pasta was not well flavored but the pasta itself was al dente. The service was great. The food was good not great. The ambiance was also off. We were near a plant and it had gnats in the area.

    Menu
    Charlene S.

    Went with a friend on Valentine's Day (yes, a friend), and reservations were booked. They were able to get us seated early, though. From there, service was great. Vegetarian review: The pasta that they finish in a cheese wheel was great. The pasta was chewy in texture, sauce was so, so good. It was cheesy and lightly truffled. Mushrooms were great too. Ambiance was nice, and parking ain't great, but it's possible. Possible.

    Insalata Mista
    Diana T.

    Overall we enjoyed our meal at Bencotto Italian Kitchen. The service was good, and the food was delicious. It wasn't crowded when we arrived (5:30pm on Saturday) though we did make reservations. It did however get quite busy later in the evening so would recommend making a reservation. My husband and I split an Insalata Mista which contained seasonal greens, tomatoes, pickled red onions, almonds, cranberries, and balsamic dressing. The balsamic vinegar was a bit tart for me but the cranberries helped counteract some of that sharpness. I still enjoyed the salad overall as I am a big fan of picked onions and almonds. I had the Brasato Di Manzo Con Polenta which was a short prime rib braised in red wine. It sat on top of parmesan polenta cakes. The prime rib was tender and paired nicely with the polenta cakes. My husband had the cheese wheel pasta which was delicious. We ended up sharing which worked out well since the cheese wheel pasta was quite rich. Service was attentive. Our water glasses were always filled and someone came by to check in on us which I appreciated.

    Daniel A.

    Despite the like was seated at the bar quickly, offered good drink selection and nice recommendations on appetizers. Took fritz riso and it was delicious. Pasta was finished in the cheese wheel - omg. So good! And they located that wheel right next to an entrance so it feels really Italian place after all!

    Tiramisu
    Mary H.

    Bencotto was an overall delicious and enjoyable Italian dinner in downtown San Diego. Their handmade crab ravioli was absolutely delectable, and we thoroughly enjoyed the tiramisu and creamy espresso martini for dessert. From the hostess who seated us to the server who waited on us and the food runner who delivered our meal and offered Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper--service was superb. We will visit again!

    Renee C.

    My husband and I had a great experience prior to heading to the Dodger Game. Recommend putting Benacotto on your bucket list while in SD.

    Chile infused margarita
    Joshua P.

    The service was top notch, even though it was a Sunday night during the dinner rush! It's a really cool setting with an incredible location. The food was exactly what you would expect it to be, fantastic!

    Val R.

    We had a lovely dining experience in Little Italy this evening. It was a little tricky to find parking, but we worked that out. I didn't take pics of our appetizers, but the meatballs and the fried zucchini blossoms were a great start. After that, we had spaghetti bolognese and penne formaggi. We finished our dinner with tiramisu and chocolate mousse. Truly, everything was delicious! We appreciated the casual atmosphere of Bencotto and the service by Jacob G.

    Insalata Mista (1/2 portion)
    Alexa K.

    I easily made a reservation online on the day of for early Friday evening. The restaurant was fairly empty around 5:15pm, with a few tables filled, but quickly became very busy by the time we left. Highly recommend a reservation! There are seating areas inside (upstairs and downstairs) and outside. The vibe upstairs was much quieter/romantic than the bar area downstairs. To start, we ordered the Riso Fritto as it was on the happy hour menu for half price. They came served with a delicious bolognese sauce. While I loved the dish, I probably wouldn't have ordered if it hadn't been on the happy hour menu (particularly because it's a bit pricey and it's a heavy dish for just two people - it really spoils your appetite!) My husband and I also split the Insalata Mista which was very fresh and tasty - I really liked the dressing on this salad. For dinner, I ordered my favorite dish the Pesto Gnocchi and it did not disappoint! The gnocchi definitely tasted homemade and I appreciated the texture of the pasta being cooked to perfection, not too hard, and not mushy. My husband got the Pollo alla Pizzaiola (chicken Parmesan) and he loved his dish. We unfortunately did not save room for dessert. I would note that the reason I wanted to come to this restaurant was to experience the cheese wheel pasta. However, it was a bit disappointing to learn that there is only one featured pasta dish a week using this cheese wheel. Unfortunately the dish being featured that week we were in town was a dish featuring mushrooms which I cannot stand/tolerate. It would be cool if there was a rotating featured cheese wheel dish each week as well as a standard/plain pasta dish recurring on the menu for those who still want to try but don't like the flavor of the week.

    Wei C.

    Server was great. Friendly and not complicated. Interior seemed modern and clean. The pasta is clearly fresh made. Everything came out perfect. We ordered a couple different pastas, but the standout was an order of the pappadelle pasta with tartufo e funghi (truffle) sauce. Super fragrant and delicious. Great place to go to entertain or for special occasions.

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    4 days ago

    Delicious handmade pasta! The best Italian food my family has eaten! Generous portions and good service.

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    Bencotto Italian Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bencotto Italian Kitchen

    Is there a corkage fee?

    Hi Natalie, Yes we do have a $30 corkage fee per 750ml bottle.

    Gluten free options?

    Yes, they have many gluten-free options

    Do they accept walk ins?

    Yes! You might have to sit on the patio depending on current occupancy but they'll rarely turn away a walk-in :) enjoy!

    Do they have a well stocked bar? IE Captain Morgan, Bourbon etc? Or is it limited to their specialty cocktails?

    Hello Bob! Thank you for the inquiry about our beverage options. We do indeed have a fully stocked bar and look forward to serving you soon! Cheers!

    Hi! It's the marinara sauce option for the build a pasta vegan?

    Thank you for the inquiry! Yes, the marinara sauce for the build you own pasta is completely vegan, as is the arrabbiata sauce!

    Senior friendly? Wondering how much walking would be necessary and the level of noise inside.

    If eating outdoors there is one step up to the patio area. To get to the inside dining room there were about 5-6 steps. We ate outdoors the noise level was not excessive and when we were inside the noise level was not too bad. You would be able… Read more

    Will they do the cheese wheel pasta for you even if you ask for outdoor dining?

    Yes! They brought us inside to watch it being prepared and then we went back to our outside table and they served us!

    Is there a kids menu available?

    Are the ladyfingers in the tiramisu homemade also?

    Do I need to make a reservation?

    I highly recommend reservations for dinner. They get busy quick! Cheers!

    So you aren't open on mondays?

    They are not open for lunch on Mondays but are open for dinner.

    Are you now open for outdoor dining?

    Yes they're

    Are the cheese wheel pastas select pastas or how does it work?

    Yes they do! During my visit in August they had 2 cheese wheel pasta offerings.

    Small dog friendly outdoor area?

    Yeah they're super cool with dogs.

    What is the corkage fee?

    CORKAGE FEE $ 30 PER BOTTLE

    Is it kids friendly ? Has high chair?

    It's fairly loud and relaxed in there so I would consider it kid friendly. Not sure about high chair but my guess is yes. You could call and ask

    Do you have any VEGAN options?

    PROBABLY

    Does this place allow BYOB?

    CORKAGE FEE $ 30 PER BOTTLE

    Is this place dog friendly?

    Yes! They are. There is outdoor seating which is for regular dogs. I bring my dog all the time. Obviously service dogs are allowed anywhere a human goes.

    View All 22 Questions

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    4.2
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    10/10 service!! The waiters were all great in clearing the table, refilling our water carafes and…read morechecking in on us Food: Garlic bread: SO GOOD, light crispy, fluffy ciabatta bread Kids spaghetti: sweet tomato sauce and VERY SIMPLE, but also SOOOOO GOOD. And flavorful Kids Alfredo fettuccine: I didn't try personally but the child who did get it LOVED IT. Just be careful when they arrive--they retained their heat a little too well lol Short rib lasagna: so soft, flavorful and delicious! Frutti de mare: SUCH TENDER SQUID. SO DELICIOUS. SO FRESH. SO FINE. Carbonara: very good and creamy! Not too heavy! Love love love I can't remember the name, but the mushroom pasta: IM FREAKING OBSESSED. eating leftovers rn and I'm so happy Bone marrow: it was fine, tbh. But I'm not a big bone marrow person. It was sweet and spicy, which I felt like was the only thing I tasted. Meatballs: soft, tender, delicious--will def order again when we come back!! Caesar salad: SO GOOD. so hard to do a Caesar wrong.

    The ambiance was pretty cool, and I really enjoyed all the photos of famous people on the walls--it…read moregave the restaurant a lot of character. The service, however, felt very minimal and somewhat lacking. Nothing was necessarily wrong, but it didn't leave much of an impression. The food was definitely the highlight of the experience. The carbonara, served with a fresh egg on top, was memorable and something I would absolutely order again. The mussels were decent, and the ciabatta bread was delicious for dipping into the sauce. I also had a Pinot Grigio that was one of the best wines I've had in a long time. Overall, the food and drinks were the strongest parts of the meal and left a positive impression. The service was just okay. Would I come back? I'm honestly not sure, but I'd definitely be tempted by that carbonara and wine.

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    Piacere Mio - South Park

    Piacere Mio - South Park

    4.5
    (2.3k reviews)
    2.3 mi
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    This food was a religious experience from the first bite. I saw god in this Italian restaurant…read more Free bread/olive oil and balsamic vinegar was fantastic. Everything made in house and you can absolutely tell I got the Alfredo and it was outstanding, each bite better than the last Gluten free pasta options as well! Didn't try it myself but I would be willing to bet it's great too. Fantastic service, our server was kind and attentive. Reasonable prices! A wonderful dinner had by all, I will definitely be back!

    My partner and I made a reservation because we expected the restaurant to be busy. We got there…read morebefore they opened, hoping to be seated inside, but were placed outside instead. We asked if there were any tables available inside and were told no because they were being saved for other guests, even though there were empty tables for two. It was a bit chilly and windy outside, and we weren't the only ones asking to sit inside. I even watched one of the indoor tables get up and leave shortly after, which made the whole situation even more frustrating. That already left a bad impression, but we decided to stay and give the food a chance. Stinco Di Agnello: 4.5/10 The portion size was great and the dish looked delicious when it came out, but that was about the only positive. The lamb shank was overcooked, a little dry, and lacked the rich flavor you'd expect. Even the sauce couldn't save it. The pasta had a grainy texture, and the mushroom sauce was so weak that you could barely taste it. On top of that, the plate was too small, so the lamb sauce kept mixing into the mushroom sauce and completely threw off the dish. Saltimbocca Alla Romana: 3/10 This was honestly unacceptable. We specifically ordered the steak medium rare, and it came out well done. That's not a small mistake. It's one of the most basic things to get right. We didn't send it back because we didn't want to sit there waiting for another entree or waste the food, but it was tough, dry, and not enjoyable to eat at all. The sauce was bland and added nothing to the dish. The potatoes were the only thing worth eating. They also only serve wine and beer, so don't expect cocktails. The only reason this review isn't even lower is because our server was kind, attentive, and did a great job. I've given this restaurant multiple chances over the years, and every visit has been disappointing in one way or another. The ambiance wasn't great either. Between being seated outside in the cold, the noise, and the overall atmosphere, it definitely didn't feel like a place I'd choose for a date night. At this point, I can't justify coming back. There are far too many great Italian restaurants around to spend your money on food that is consistently underwhelming and poorly executed. Food: 3/10 Service: 8.5/10

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    Cucina Urbana

    Cucina Urbana

    4.4
    (4.9k reviews)
    0.7 mi
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    Food and service were amazing. Will definitely go back. The inside has a cool vibe too.read more

    Fab time here - I don't know why I hadn't come in a while…read more Current version of the patio is not huge - but it was sweet & comfy and on Laurel toward the park (not on 5th or toward the corner). So nice views into the park too. Josh was our server and he was super nice! I started with the pope's delight cocktail. It's listed online as "aged rum + amaro romana + salted cantaloupe olio + lime, $17." But they had decided to add a proscuitto crisp and make it $21. I didn't want the proscuitto so that was a little annoying. But it was a tasty little cocktail. Bread: it's amazing here. They change exactly how they do it from time to time - this version was so yummy and with great butter. App: I got the burrata + pluot | cherry tomato + arugula + almond + coriander + mint + toast appetizer. Very yummy! Huge also. I took half of it home. Definitely recommend. Entree: I always like when the corn agnolotti comes on the menu, but it changes each year. This version was pretty good - I think my pasta was just a tad undercooked, not quite al dente on the parts of the agnolotti on the edges (not the pillows holding the filling). Still good though. Also, if you're going to the theater, do you know they have a FREE shuttle that takes you to the Old Globe and back? We decided to walk there after dinner (easy, pretty) but take the shuttle back after the show. So easy! And then I ordered takeout dessert from Josh. Overall, a super meal and great vibes. Looking forward to coming back soon!

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    Parma Cucina Italiana

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    4.6
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    1.7 mi
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    Here's a polished version you can post:…read more What a fantastic find! We stopped here after spending the day at the zoo, and it was one of the best meals my family and I have had in a long time. The service was absolutely outstanding--friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome from the moment we walked in. The food was some of the most authentic Italian cuisine we've ever had, and every dish was delicious. The desserts were just as incredible and were the perfect way to end the meal. If you're looking for amazing Italian food with exceptional service, I can't recommend this place enough. We'll definitely be back before we head home!

    I walked into this little Italian restaurant and found it completely packed. I asked the gentleman…read moreat the front how long the wait would be for a table for one. Without hesitation, he poured me a glass of Prosecco, invited me to wait outside, and assured me he'd have a seat for me in just a few minutes. Sure enough, about two minutes later, he came out and seated me. This restaurant made you feel like you were in Italy with the ambiance and vibe. I had done my research beforehand, so I already knew what I wanted. I ordered the lasagna, and it was absolutely incredible. The portion was generous, and my server let me know it would take a little extra time to prepare, which was perfectly fine. It didn't take long for me to realize that the man who seated me was also the owner. As I watched him greet guests throughout the evening, it was obvious that he genuinely loves what he does. We had a great conversation, and he was warm, welcoming, and personable. After finishing my meal, I ordered a double espresso and tiramisu for dessert. The tiramisu was easily one of the best I've ever had. Exceptional food, outstanding hospitality, and a memorable experience from start to finish. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town.

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