Fun Fact: it's inside a mini like mall, blue and white, located right at the corner intersection. Turn right and there is plenty of neighborhood parking! - I want to first start off by saying that the dock for one star was mostly due to service. I'd give it a 4 stars for food flavor , portions, and presentation. I love Italian food, and anyplace that has pasta - I will try. I enjoy that they do happy happy hour and their menus change seasonally, which allows for each time to be a unique experience. It was one of my best friend's birthday and I clearly state it was her bday in the OpenTable comments. When I got there, the server that we were introduced to took our drink orders (water !) and did not come back with a menu until 15 min later ( and no water). Next we ordered an app to start as well as two dinner plates but everything came all at once in 15 min. It was disappointing to see our food all served together. Typically you serve an app first, then the food after. I was shocked it came out so fast. Then, my pesto pasta has Parmesan already melted on it, it would have been nice to have that served freshly shaved at the table. I also had to ask for water twice, having to flag down and call our server by raising my voice loudly as the other times he did not hear. When it our meals were done, the server already had the check ready. We had to insist to ask for dessert menu. I also had to fake going to the bathroom to make sure they had a candle for my friend's bday. I'll admit, there didn't seem to be too many servers for how many tables there were, but this is where communication is vital. The basics, though important details like water and birthdays are important. My friend did enjoy her short rib which she said was tender and deliciously marinated. And while overly salty for my taste, overall my pesto pasta had a delicious flavor. I enjoyed the summer vegetables throughout the pasta. The place is beautiful with indoor and outdoor seating. Overall, I think this place has great ratings for a reason- they have great food. I'd love to see a few more pasta dishes, better communication better and service in the future. read more

Candor by Giuseppe - Pesto pasta with summer veggies, short rib , Burrata & Peaches - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

AMAZING FOOD AND SERVICE, the potatoes diablo where amazing the salmon on my salad was well executed and the service was great!

Absolutely an amazing place. It seems that my best experiences are coming lately from places that I just happened to land and not making days in advance reservations. This place is no exception. We were in the neighborhood and happened to se this place. We went in without reservation and the hostess was very kind in giving us sits. And we are glad she did. Food was amazing, ambiance was nice and service was great. Definitely a place I recommend if you happen to be in the area. You won't be disappointed. Happy meals! read more

Candor by Giuseppe - SUMMER ORECCHIETTE (V) - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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An all around outstanding restaurant that does, in my opinion, California cuisine beautifully. The restaurant is very cute and has lots of good outdoor spaces, but the food is what truly matters and it shines. It's hard to pick a bad dish and lord knows I've tried through the number of times I've been there. Everything tastes fresh, delicious and show a commitment to top quality ingredients. Stand outs for me are the Peach/Burrata Salad and especially the Tomato Bread to start, with the Farro Romesco (might be my favorite thing there), Salmon, Steak Frites, Moroccan Salad and Fisherman's Stew which are all absolutely amazing. On top of which we've never had a bad server there and everyone is friendly and effective. If I had to give it 1-2 minor digs, I wish they brought back the half chicken instead of chicken breast and their cocktails can be a little weak versus their excellent wine. Still this is a fantastic location to eat at when you're driving into La Jolla and shouldn't be passed by on the way to Girard. read more

This review is long overdue!! Candor has been my favorite go-to spot for lunch- they have the most amazing salads! The veggies are so fresh, everything tastes as if they grew them out of a secret garden in the back. In addition to the salads, I'm a huge fan of the Tuna Melt & their pasta. read more

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food was excellent! i got the spag and balls and the tomato sauce had such good flavor ! Guillermo was our server and he was very nice. It was a nice night and the outside seating is so pretty. 10/10. read more

Had the best Orchiette and chicken Milanese. Not super oily/salty at all, and the serving size was absolutely amazing for the price. was served by Giuseppe and had an amazing night. Would definitely check it out if in La Jolla Cove. Parking lot in front of the store has limited space, but there are plenty of spots available 4-5 mins (walk) away. read more

I drive by this spot every day but we finally came in for a last minute date night. Wife and I were treated well by the Candor staff. We were immediately seated despite not having reservations (but I recommend calling beforehand to ensure theres space). Our waiter was very attentive- we noticed a lot of repeat customers that were on a first name basis woth the staff and treated like family. We ordered herb fries, the Lamb Pappardelle and Linguine & Clams- both were delicious. The fries we used to mop up any remaining sauce. Candor is a great option for a no frills date night. Overall this place did not disappoint! read more

I like this place. I was a little bummed out that I could not order the Lobster Benedict's given the sauce apparently had broken in the batch they made for the morning. I was hoping they would make more sauce, but I received a negative on that. I was sad. Chef suggested to try his signature breakfast, "G's Favorite," which consisted of scrambled eggs, olive oil smashed avocado, heirloom tomatoes, Labneh Yogurt, toasted Pistachio, and Levain toast for $15. It was a nice scramble and I liked it, but the meal would of been better off with freshly sliced avocado, that than then the pre-prepared avocado mash. It just did not give the rest of the ingredients justice. The scramble eggs were very well prepared and were a perfect example on how they should be prepared, with the exception of a soft scramble. They were soft and silky, and seasoned just enough to accentuate the quality of the fresh farmed eggs. Most importantly, they were scramble to a glistening "yellow" with no whites or brown over cooked sections, an appearance I run into at other places. The addition Labneh Yogurt played well with the scrambled eggs and its neutral flavor allowed the eggs to shine. I liked the addition of the toasted pistachios because the dish definitely needed texture. They were tasty and crunchy. The fresh tomato slices were nice. They were perhaps a little on the thick side, but certainly eatable to doubt. The Levain Toast was one of my favorite components of the meal, the eggs were second, because not only was the bread toasted for that terrific texture, but its quality and flavor was up front and personal. I loved it and it made for a great vehicle for eating the eggs and yogurt. Service was good but it was a little laid back. I had to ask for water, I had ask to order, and I had to ask for my check. Perhaps it's an Italian thing. Nice breakfast, but there's something to say about slicing into a fresh ripe avocado. read more

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This is a new restaurant in the small plaza on the NW corner of Herschel Ave and Torrey Pines Road. It replaced the suite where Come On In! Cafe used to be. The inside could seat roughly a couple dozen customers while five tables were located outside under the covered front patio. Today was their grand opening so I didn't know what to expect for seating. It turned out just fine as I had my pick of the outside tables. The front of the dinner menu listed the 'First' courses, the 'Second' courses, Greenery, and Sides. The back of the menu contained the selection of wines, draft beers, kombucha and soft beverages. I decided on the Marinated Shrimp "Al Ajillo" ($16) as a starter. This plate contained five jumbo size shrimp in a mix of calabrian chili, lime, hotel butter - garlic sauce, and a roasted tomato. It was a nice presentation, but the price tag was steep for five shrimp. I would select a different first course next time. For my entree, I picked the Orecchiette ($19) which was made up of pork-fennel sausage sugo, roasted peppers, and broccolini sprinkled with pecorino cheese and herb breadcrumbs. I really liked this pasta dish as the meat delivered the protein heaviness I was craving while the veggies and cheese were nice fillers. The service I received from the waiter was fine so overall I rated this dining experience with four stars. read more

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We had dessert but it was really good. Charming ambience with lovely people. Will return soon!

The place looks like a nice place to dine and the service was great. The food was awful. The bread with tomatoes on it was saltier than the Salton Sea and the pasta was more bland than a concrete wall. Im pretty sure they used up their entire week supply of salt in the bread with tomatoes. Just dont dine here unless you want to be crystalized like Han solo. read more

Back when I lived in San Diego, Candor was always one of my favorites restaurants. So of course, when I was back in town I had to stop by. The menu has changed a bit since the last time I was there and I was pleasantly surprised with the new offerings. They had a lamb pappardelle which was amazing. The espresso martinis are my favorite! The staff are very friendly and when the owner is there, he comes by the tables to say hi. It is really everything you would want from a neighborhood spot! read more

Candor by Giuseppe - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Wonderful restaurant! My sister, my husband and I went to candor for Mother's Day today and LOVED the food, ambiance, service and hospitality! We had the hot and crispy tomato grilled bread and the steamed mussels and clams as starters. Very yummy broth on the mussels and clams which goes great with the bread for dipping. Then we had 3 entrees: 1) the Branzino was absolutely delicious, tender, moist and accompanied by beautiful greens and a wonderful green goddess sauce along with baby potatoes roasted to perfection crispy outside tender inside. 2) Fisherman stew in a delicious saffron sauce. Sooo yummy! Delicate yet flavorful and memorable. Came with grilled bread for dipping. 3) Hamburger and fries. Tender large burger with a wonderful sauce and white cheddar cheese. Grilled beautifully and paired with a very generous serving of excellent crispy steak fries. We cleaned our plates and as tempting as dessert was, we had no room. We paired our meal with a bottle of Pinot Noir. You know that feeling when you leave a restaurant fully nourished (in every way), content and grateful for people who create lovely places to eat great food with friendly folks working there? That is Candor! We all can't wait to go back! Highly recommended. read more

Confused by the high ratings - did they lose their chef? All dishes was terrible. Arancini was off and my friend got food poisoning. Super sour mojitos which seemed to have zero alcohol. Only reason this even deserves a 1 star are the servers and outdoor ambience which were wonderful. read more

Good food, good service. I'm looking forward to returning when I'm in the area. I recommend it.

Food, service and ambience is amazing. Juan hosted our table and was great and made good recommendations. I had the whole Branzino for my entree and it was grilled to my likeness. This place is a small wonderful Mediterranean restaurant. The food made me feel as if I was eating at a small town in Greece. Thank you for a wonderful dinner! read more

Steak frites. Phenomenal. I don't write these very often, but every now and again you just have to when it knocks your socks off. Steak cooked perfectly, chimichurri was perfect and the Manhattan was PERFECT. To top it all off, great fries and a well portioned side salad with a great dressing. I'll be back soon to try the rest of the menu! read more

Most of the food from salads to pastas was meh and the desserts were unacceptable. Parking could be a problem as there are a limited number of spaces considering the number of establishments at this strip mall. read more

I made a reservation here for Sunday just in case. Upon arrival, we were seated on a nice outdoor patio. Every table had a bottle of spray on hand sanitizer, which was cool. There were plenty of umbrellas providing shade and I definitely appreciated that. I noticed there were a total of three occupied tables including ours with one of the tables getting ready to leave shortly after we sat down. Our waitress was nice and she wore gloves as well as a mask. My friend and I were given small water glasses with water and for some reason mine wasn't even filled halfway with water to begin with. We had to keep asking for a water refill partly because the glass was small and partly because our empty glasses were ignored. I would totally understand if it was busy, but it wasn't at all. Aside from the water, I ordered an Arnold Palmer and that was delicious on its own. My friend and I shared the California cheese and cured Italian Salumi. We loved it! It was nicely laid out with crispy bread and spreads. It had nuts and strawberries and pears on it too. I did wish there was a little bit more cheese on the board. Overall though it was really, really good. My friend ordered a salad for her main and I got the avocado toast from the breakfast menu that was provided. My avocado toast came with a side salad, which is a weird thing for me at most places. When someone offers me a side salad, I usually get a heap of mixed greens and some dressing. If they're feeling frisky they'll have some shaved carrots in their so called side salad. Not here! I was hesitant, but the side salad here exceeded my expectations. Thankfully, it was a real salad with variety and a dressing. Side salads are probably an odd thing to rant about. The avocado toast came on a large piece of perfectly toasted bread and generously slathered ripe avocado. It was layered so nicely with toppings and an egg. I would order this any day of the week! It was very well put together and super satisfying. Check out the picture I included of this beautiful toast and side salad. We loved the food and thought the customer service could be a little better. We also discussed how confusing the menu options seemed. First, we looked online to see if they had a brunch menu. Their social media page said yes, their online menu said no and when I called they said they have the same menu all day. When we arrived, we were given a breakfast option on a small menu that's not listed on their website at all. It seemed we had to do more work than necessary to figure out what kind of menu would be available. read more

This place was a gem! We had passed buy this place a couple of times while staying in La Jolla. My wife and I tried it on 9/13/22 and this place didn't disappoint. The shrimp starter was delicious and the sauce just added so much flavor to the dish. The Branzino and Beef Short Ribs were cooked to perfection and both dishes melted in your mouth! The drinks were great as well and our server was the consummate professional. This place is on our list whenever we are staying in La Jolla! read more

Ooh, my new favorite little spot in the area! First, the service was above and beyond. A wonderful gentleman from Rome (who may have been the owner) chatted with me for a bit, and so did an extremely friendly and knowledgeable lady who I assume was the general manager. What a treat! Very nice people. The selection of wines was excellent (and even more so by the bottle!), and I got the opportunity to sample several of them. I had a glass of Tempranillo on a whim. I kind of regret that, but it's my own damn fault. I never really loved Tempranillo. This one was unusual though, so it was fun experiencing it in any case! The cab I tried was really delicious, so I might do that next time. Orrrr, they also have a Chianti (sold only by the bottle) that I have my eye on for next time... I got some shrimp to nibble on and OH MY GOD YES. I definitely recommend those. Maybe get like six or seven... orders. Just kidding. Maybe. I feel like I just scratched the surface of what this place has to offer. I definitely plan to return! read more

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I am part of a supper club and this was picked for our monthly get together. The service was good initially but then a big group came and the server got busy with the big group. Also my friend ordered wine and she did not a good glass till the third try. The food was good and the place really cute. Parking is on the streets and a bit difficult to find a spot. Would I go back - not opposed but wouldn't make a special trip here unless I am in the neighborhood. I wish could give them 3.5 stars instead of the 3 read more

Came for dinner last night with our friends Kasia and Federico who are regulars here. The food was fantastic. We have a place in Italy and know the cuisine well. We followed Giuseppe's advice and enjoyed the seafood soup, the swordfish and the lamb papardelle. All extremely tasty and well presented. Chris was our very attentive and knowledgeable waiter. The Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige went well with our food. We ended up raiding the cookie stash because the brownies and peanut butter cookies were simply too tasty to leave behind ... and the kids at home were waiting for a treat! We will certainly be back. read more

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I love this place. Everything is delicious, the staff is wonderful and the ambience is perfect. They're even dog friendly. I would recommend everything, I've always loved everything I order and it tastes fresh and I always feel good after. Some meals are so hearty they even make a great leftover read more

Go to Candor right now! The farm-to-table menu is always changing and always amazing. If the food doesn't speak for it self, then the amazing staff that makes you feel like family and the beautiful ambiance, both indoor and outdoor, will do the trick. Candor has a full bar with amazing wine selections hand picked by Giuseppe and his team. I highly recommend this restaurant for everything from date nights to family events. read more

Had a wonderful dinner here with friends. They were pretty accommodating for our 3 year old who we brought with us. The restaurant was fairly busy on a Sunday night as expected. Date of our visit was 9/1/2019. I ordered a wonderful bouillabaisse. Had huge shrimp. The seafood was all very tasty. My wife ordered the whole fish which was delicious. Sure I'm Asian and totally of the stereotype but I love eating whole head-on fish. There's so much tasty meat in there. Fish cheeks and collars!! Ok, I'm not a fish eyeball guy, but people love that stuff. The allowed us to sample a few of their house wines before selecting which was really nice. Service was top notch. Would revisit for a future date night for sure! read more

Candor by Giuseppe - Fisherman Stew - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Delicious!!! My mom, her friend, and I came here and loved the food. She got the salmon, he got the shrimp and I got the salad. We were all really happy with our selections. Waitress was friendly and happy to answer our questions. Parking was easy. We will be back! read more

Candor reminds me of small independent restaurants in Beverly Hills. Nice ambiance, great food and awesome service and attention to detail. My friend and I came to Candor to have dinner before going to The Conrad. It was her birthday! She ordered the salmon nicoise salad, and I had the fig and arugula salad. They both had very fresh ingredients, and great flavor. We ate every bite. Then it was dessert time! The panna cotta was so good - I normally don't like panna cotta, but this was so tasty. We sat outside, it was a gorgeous evening. The one and only issue was with the sun positioning it was difficult to get the sun out of my friend's eyes with the umbrella positioning. The staff tried multiple times, but it never really quite worked. We both loved it at Candor, highly recommended! read more

This is the type of place you go once and are hooked! Everything from the ambiance outdoors, all the staff, and especially the food was impeccable. We tried a few items on the menu and loved each more than the last! There is such a great variety of items/flavors that this is a place anyone can find something. Both our cocktails were delicious. We also ordered glasses of Cabernet that were recommended by our waiter and we loved! We started with the burrata and grilled pears as well as the marinated shrimp al ajillo. Both were so fresh and fantastic! The best part was the special attention to detail in each dish - the basil crystals in the burrata and the perfectly spiced chilis in the shrimp. Would definitely order these both again. The shrimp is a MUST! For the main course we got the braised beef short ribs and the orecchiette. Hands down the best short rib I have ever had in CA! It was perfectly cooked and the flavor with the sauce was just delicious! The garlic mashed potatoes were also phenomenal. The orecchiette was a great portion for the price and the taste was 10/10! The herb breadcrumbs offered a wonderful crunch addition. Would also order both these items again and recommend. For dessert we had the carrot cake which was moist, not too sweet, and had the best icing! We were so full that we had to take most of it home but now we get dessert for another day :) Giuseppe, the chef and owner, came out and greeted tables while we were eating. He gave us a history of the restaurant and where he drew inspiration for the menu. Majority of the ingredients are sourced locally in La Jolla and everything is made in house - which I love! He was very warm and welcoming, as were all the staff we encountered. Will absolutely be back and will be telling all my friends to give Candor a try! read more

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Went a couple of times with two very different experiences. Once had a looong wait for my food, yes i got there at off hours bit they were open and understaffed. Had a burger which was just ok. My other experience was a dinner in which two people got two very different presentations for the same plate (none were bad) but it was weird. Had some tortilla soup with NO tortillas, i had to complaint about it to finally get some tortilla strips brought. It's Ok. read more

Nice ambiance, attentive service and delectable food. A wonderful experience the whole family enjoyed. Fisherman's Stew was exceptional. Bread was a great addition to the stew. Negroni was a perfect choice to make for a great evening. Coming back! read more

Giuseppe - well done once again!!! My mother, Sister and I have been big fans for the last 20 + years. First time visiting Candor and once again you completely blew us away. The flavors of the food was outstanding! From the burrata peach salad to the mussels, the incredible beef short ribs and special halibut dish of the evening, every bite was out of this world! The wine list was superb, Super Tuscan and Tempernio plus 30% off... incredible!!! Outstanding menu, phenomenal wine list, incredible prices!!! Post covid - doing it right! All staff members in masks and using glove. Social distancing enforced. Outside dining area set up in parking area with a magical ambiance, turf grass, umbrellas and more. Highly reccomend visiting this restaurant. 5 star shout out to Darnel, great server, wonderful energy, very personal and great reccomedations on the menu. Well done G!!! read more

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Love Candor! Celebrated my birthday last night and the food was delicious, as always. I'm a picky vegetarian so I appreciate the seasonal menu changes for variety. The grilled pear salad was amazing, the arancini to die for, and the mushroom ravioli was wonderful. My husband had the salmon which was also excellent. Great service as well and we appreciated the outdoor heated patio. read more

I just had the most utterly delightful meal at Candor tonight. From the appetizers to the decadent desserts, every bite was perfection. Upon arrival, we were promptly seated outside under a heated canopy, a cozy blend of a heater's warmth with the gentle outdoor breeze of summer air. Quickly, our server, Andrea, appeared, and our culinary journey began. We started our meal with several tantalizing starters: Grilled Mediterranean Eggplant, Grilled Peach Panzanella and Burrata, and Papas Bravas. Each was a masterpiece in its own right. The eggplant dish offered a tangy twist, the panzanella balanced sweet and savory perfectly, and the papas were cooked to a flawless crisp. Andrea was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Not only did she know the menu from top to bottom, but she also took the time to advise each of us according to our individual tastes. When she learned that one of our guests had celiac disease, she assured us it was no threat to the Candor kitchen. Instead, they delivered dishes that were bursting with flavor and completely gluten-free, showcasing their adaptability and attention to dietary needs. For dinner, I indulged in my favorite, the Whole Roasted Branzino. Candor serves this fish whole, crispy, and smothered in greens, each bite rich and satisfying. Clearly, I liked it, as evidenced by my clean plate (except for the tail). One of my dining companions raved that his Summer Orecchiette was the best he's ever had, a symphony of flavors that danced on his palate. We ended our meal with several desserts, a selection of sorbets and a carrot cake that was simply divine. The sorbets were light and fresh, exploding with rich chocolate and fruitiness, while the carrot cake was moist and flavorful, adorned with a cream cheese frosting that melted in our mouths. Overall, I highly recommend Candor for any special occasion or just a delightful night out in the neighborhood. It's a rare gem that blends fine dining with an approachable California vibe. Unpretentious in the best way possible, Candor offers a dining experience that's both luxurious and laid-back. I have always loved going to Candor, and my recent visit was no disappointment. Giuseppe and Sofia, we will be back, eager to explore more of your culinary delights. read more

We love Candor! My boyfriend took me for my birthday dinner and we had a great experience! This place is really cute at night. The outdoor seating has lots of heaters so it was comfortable to sit outside. They were very busy since it was a Friday night but we had a reservation so we were seated in a timely manner. I am not sure how walk- ins work but I would recommend a reservation since they do get busy, its really easy through their Opentable. We ordered some of their signature cocktails and they did not disappoint. Our server was so sweet and on it. The food was all so good, the braised short rib was my favorite! Highly recommend Candor, we will be back! read more

Stopped by for a weekend brunch and enjoyed some fantastic wine selections and extremely tasty eats. We sat outside on the patio and enjoyed the friendly service and cute ambiance they have created in this small strip mall type location. The menu is diverse and wonderful and should satisfy many palates. read more

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Service was great! Very attentive waitress and server. They checked in with us many times. Outdoor seating feels great! Nice space with lights, and a clean look. We did not feel too close to other diners. More space to sit inside, too, we just loved the feel of this restaurant! Very fresh ingredients. The chef was very accommodating with my allergies, and my dinner was amazing. Portions were a good size,too! We will definitely be back! read more

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This place is amazing food ambience and drinks are amazing and Sofia is making a best Espresso Martini in town please type it you're going to love itLily&John read more

We had lunch at the mediterranean place beside this restaurant and since they don't offer desserts, we ended up checking this place out. We got (1) scoops of sicilian pistachio gelato over a brownie and (2) scoops of dark chocolate gelato topped on a brownie, and I didn't taste anything special at all. Even the carrot cake was so-so. The server was very nice and friendly, which made up for the indifference of the scowling lady manager who almost made me want to go drive to another place for dessert. The outdoor dining set- up was great. read more