We've been dining at Piatti in La Jolla for over 15 years, and it remains one of our favorite Italian restaurants in San Diego. It's always full for good reason: consistently excellent food, warm hospitality, and a wonderful atmosphere. The dining room offers a classic, inviting Italian vibe with comfortable seating and the perfect energy. It works great for special occasions or casual dinners. The service is outstanding. Last night our server Art was great, knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly. The team remembers regulars and makes everyone feel welcome. The food is fantastic. I love their rotolo. The pasta is perfectly cooked with rich, flavorful filling. Their pizzas are excellent too, with crispy crusts and fresh toppings. Everything we've tried is top-notch, with generous portions and spot-on flavors. They offer a full bar with a great wine and cocktail selection. Piatti is the real deal for delicious Italian food in a beautiful setting with great service. We'll keep coming back! Highly recommend. read more

Piatti - Aperol Spritz - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Came by the other night for dinner with some colleagues. It was pretty packed for a Monday night. All the tables were taken. It's got some cute tables outside. It was kinda loud inside. It's by the La Jolla Shores so it's nice to be able to walk to the beach after a nice meal! The mussels were a hit! The sauce they used was like a tomato cream sauce that was so good! Perfect for dipping a little bread in. It was savory, not too creamy and not too acidic. Perfect blend of tomato cream. I also got the lemon Jidori chicken. It was a good sized chicken and pretty juicy. The lemon sauce was good and gave the chicken some good moisture. It wasn't too lemony or overpowering. The Caesar was good but nothing spectacular. We had to try a few different desserts because it all looked good! The white chocolate gelato was delicious! Creamy, rich chocolate that wasn't too sweet. I liked the tiramisu as well! Perfect balance of creaminess and lady fingers. Would definitely come back again to try some other dishes! read more

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Absolutely mediocre. If you are at all discerning with your Italian food, this place will probably disappoint you. First of all, the plates at our tables we dirty looking- even on the bottom. Totally off-putting and a bad first impression. We ordered the Rotoli and Cavatappi and Caesar Salad. All three, while being sufficiently tasty, were also TOTALLY UNDERWHELMING for being $30 plates. I personally would find another Italian place. Its only redeemable quality is that it's in a beautiful location by the ocean! read more

Piatti - Rotolo - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

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This restaurant was such a let down! The hostesses both had bad attitudes. My shrimp parpadelle was terrible. The shrimp tasted off and the pasta had no sauce. Burrata salad was 1 piece of burrata and some undressed lettuce. My son ordered a Cesar salad with salmon that came out 10 minutes after everyone else's food. He was not a fan of the salad once he got it. The martinis were mid, the waiter was ok. The location and ambiance are good. This was my second time dining here and I won't make the mistake of coming here again. Extremely overpriced for less than mediocre food. read more

I've been coming here occasionally for about 15 years, usually twice a year for family members' birthdays. I'd recommend it as a location for a special occasion, such as birthdays and anniversaries. My favorite appetizers are the semolina fried calamari and the saffron risotto balls, but the grilled hearts of Roman and butter lettuce salada also make for wonderful appetizers of sides. My favorite main courses are the orecchiette, ravioli, lemon herb half chicken, and grilled rib eye. The hot salami pizza and the dried mission fihs pizza are very good as well. They have an extensive wine list, some good beers on tap, amd a nice variety of liquor. They're sparkling water with lime is unexpectedly good. The service is pretty incredible and the food comes out fairly quickly. The servers and staff are very accommodating. Parking can sometimes be a hassle, especially on weekends, due to their location being in a heavily trafficked area of La Jolla Shores. On the other hand, a short walk in this area tends to be unusually scenic. It's only two blocks from the beach so an after meal walk on the beach is never out of the question! Update: Piatti is still a decent restaurant, but honestly I feel like the quality has gone down a bit over the past several years, possibly due to a change in management. I say this because the prices have stayed the same, but the depth of flavor on several mains and apps seems to have evaporated, and the level of pasta being used seems to be good boxed but no longer made in-house. Service is still good, but rising restaurant prices weighed against the overall quality of the food just feels unjustified now. None of this is to say that Piatti is not worth visiting, but it is no longer what it once was. read more

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The Lemon Chicken jidori was tasteless, so were the mashed potatoes Not what I expected and it was very noisy read more

We came here on Friday night for our 7:30 reservation. We were immediately seated at a cute little two-top tucked into a corner of the dining room. Monica quickly greeted us, and we ordered some glasses of white wine (Vermentino and Riesling). Both suited our individual palettes. Piatti has been in the Shores since 1987, so it is one of the LJ OGs. The business is very busy on the weekends and reservations are recommended. The decor is cute and homey. The street has a number of other restaurants on it, and it is pedestrian-friendly (blocked off to cars), and charming. There are some cute photo ops if you are into that sort of thing. The atmosphere here was lively, both inside and out, and the restaurant was full. I was surprised that they charge for bread and oil, but they do ($7) and it was tasty. The bread was crunchy and the dipping oils (balsamic, evoo, herbs) were fresh and flavorful. We shared a Caesar. M. ate the one anchovy because I'm not a fan. I'm not sure he is either, but he ate it anyway. Lol. The portion was decently sized and it was fine for us to share. I had the Shrimp Pappardelle. The large flat noodles tasted like they were homemade, and the sauce was flavorful and the saffron was a nice touch. It was heavy on the oil though, so I felt a bit greasy afterward. Many of the other pasta dishes were cream-forward, and I did not want a cream sauce, so this was a better pasta option for me. One of my shrimp was a lukewarm and unseasoned, but the others that were stirred into the pasta more fully were hotter and more flavorful. I also found a random piece of seafood in the dish, maybe it was calamari? I ate it. I guess that was a bonus. The Cavatappi per M.'s observations was fine. Those noodles did not look homemade, but it is always possible I guess. He enjoyed his food, especially the homemade sausage, and cleaned his plate. By the time Monica came around to ask us about dessert, there was no way that we could even think about it. Maybe another time. Overall, the verdict on Piatti is that it is a tad expensive but the upscale location has to be taken into consideration. Street parking nearby. We enjoyed our dinner here for sure. Mille grazie! read more

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Wowza... gotta be honest here. I'm a huge huge piatti fan (look at past reviews). We've gone to the Danville one for nearly every anniversary (10), had it catered for wedding rehearsal, and have been to the La Jolla one many times. We went for lunch and it was awful. The waitress seemed like she hated every second of her life there and was extremely rude. Service was truly invisible and there was so much attitude when we asked for water, plate for food, or truly anything else. There was 5 of us and usually Piatti's is so worth the price, but this time it wasn't at all. We even called Piatti's the next day to ask who our waitress was it was so bad. Piatti's feel free to contact me. read more

We came to Piatti a few years ago and had such a great experience, so we were honestly a little sad that last night's dinner didn't live up to what we remembered. We just wanted to share some feedback because we really do hope it was an off night. The burrata was very dry and didn't have much flavor for a $21 salad, and the beet salad was quite soggy. My friend even looked at me and said, "I'm tired of eating this salad." The sauces were also very watery, and the homemade pappardelle our waiter recommended were a little too Play-Doh-like for us. We ended up leaving most of them. The lasagna was okay, but overall the food and service just didn't feel quite at the level we expected for the price. Our waiter seemed a little disengaged and we had to prompt him a few times. We're sharing this because we really enjoyed our visit a few years ago and would love to have that experience again. read more

Piatti - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

This Italian restaurant has been a mainstay in the La Jolla Shores business district for nearly 30 years. We used to come to Piatti at least once a year to host a dinner for out-of-town employees. With the pending closure of a stretch of Avenida De La Playa, turning that section into a pedestrian-only walkway will make al fresco dining here more tranquil as they do have multiple tables set up curbside as a parklet. I visited on a weeknight and sat at the bar which was to the left of the hostess stand when you walked in. The main dining room was to the right and was about half occupied at the time. The food menu consisted of one page. Appetizers, salads, pizzas, and entrees were in the left column while the pasta offerings were in the right column. I chose the Herbed Cauliflower Cakes to start my meal. Two thin cakes were grilled and topped with roasted pepper aioli. A bed of arugula was provided on the side. The item was very unique, and I would recommend it to anyone even if you are not a vegetarian. For an entree, I selected the Cavatappi from the pasta section. The noodles resembled elbow macaroni but with a twist to them. Italian sausage, mushrooms, spinach, tomato sauce, and parmesan were the other components to this dish. Roasted potatoes used to also be a part of the mix, but that has been removed. The sausage was flavorful, but the sauce was a bit salty. I think Piatti delivers consistently solid food, but I feel it has been bypassed by newer Italian spots around town that have more creativity and flair in their menus. read more

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We had dinner here while in town for a meeting and sat in the outdoor area which was lovely. There were hummingbirds visiting some nearby flowers which was a welcome sight for us midwesterners who won't see them at home for another month and a half. We enjoyed the cauliflower cakes and bread as appetizers. The wine list has good options by the glass. I went with a classic Chianti which did not disappoint. The cavatappi with sausage was flavorful and a nice classic combination of ingredients. Service was good, and we had a nice relaxing evening near the beach. read more

Piatti - Cavatappi, House-Made Italian Sausage, Spinach, Mushrooms, Roasted Tomatoes, Parmesan - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

Piatti truly never lets me down. I recently visited again to bring a hometown friend and we both had a fabulous time. The service is ALWAYS top notch. He thought their IPA's were really refreshing, it was a good match for a beautiful day. I had a Piatti Spritz which is a little strong, but it ultimately paired well with my caesar salad. I can never, ever go wrong coming here. read more

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Took my teenage kids here for the first time recently and they agree - this place is so good, they ranked it their favorite Italian Restaurant in San Diego! We sat outside in the beautifully lit courtyard. Lots of family celebrations occurring inside and outside the restaurant. The courtyard is very romantic too if you want a spot for a date night. The food was great as always. This is a staple in La Jolla Shores. Any native San Diegan who grew up in or around La Jolla know this charming spot is always a crowd we pleaser. We had the Calamari appetizer, and for our entrees the pasta carbonara, cannelloni with short ribs, and the Fruti de Mare Linguini. The linguini was our least favorite of the 3. The pasta was not as delicate as the other 2 dishes and that made a difference. Service was good. Our server was busy but very attentive. read more

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The outdoor patio was super cozy and the perfect temperature with all of the heaters! My husband and I came with a group to celebrate a birthday and we had a lot of fun sharing a bunch of pastas. My husband and I ordered the ravioli (pro tip: order half the spinach, basil, ricotta, lemon cream and half the tomato sauce if you want variety!) and the pasta of the day, which was Spaghetti with chicken. The ravioli with the lemon cream was by far my favorite and the spaghetti had a bit of a spicy kick to it. read more

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We were a party of 6 celebrating a friend's birthday . Service, food and ambiance were great. There's a full bar and the restaurant has indoor and patio seating. We were seating in a round table with a cool big lighting fixture above us. And we had a nice view of the kitchen. We ordered the ciabatta Demi loaf with piatti dipping oil for the table to share. Then I ordered a vacation spritz and the shrimp pappardelle. The bread was very fresh but the piatti dipping oil was what made it so much more delicious... Olive oil , balsamic vinaigrette with garlic flavors yum!! I liked my vacation spritz as it was refreshing and fruity but I would have preferred it to have just a hint more prosecco in it as it tasted like a lot of juice. The shrimp and pappardelle entree was very good. Fresh pasta made in house was al dente and the prawns were succulent. The ground pepper and freshly grated Parmesan cheese made it taste even better. I enjoyed this pasta because the sauce was flavorful yet light, it wasn't a heavy sauce that weighed you down after eating it. Lastly our server comp'd my friend a tiramisu dessert for her birthday which she shared with us. I couldn't have just 1 bite. It was so amazing! I would return just to order the tiramisu! This was a lovely experience. read more

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We chose to dine outside which was a great choice. The service was excellent and they were informative and prompt. I had the Ceasar Salad with extra anchovies and linguine with clam sauce. Both the pasta and clams were fresh and tasty. My wife had the raviolis are made 3 in a red sauce and 3 in a white sauce. We shared the bred pudding and gelato. A great dining experience from start to end. read more

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I chose to dine at Piatti for the last meal of my San Diego trip and it did not disappoint. The staff was attentive and nice, the ambiance was romantic and inviting (I decided to dine on their patio) and the food was amazing. I tried the following: -pappardelle (5/5! Typically served with a meat sauce, I was excited to try the saffron and shrimp rendition of this dish. It was perfectly balance with acidity from the tomato and wine, a touch of cream and the complexity of the saffron. The shrimp were very nicely cooked and complimented the pasta well) -crostata al limone (5/5; super unique and delicious lemon tart with raspberry. Perfectly balanced and oh so good. I'm really glad I took the waiters recommendation to try this dessert) I'm definitely glad I decided to try Piatti and I will certainly return the next time I'm in town. read more

Piatti - Saffron Pappardelle, Shrimp, Tomatoes, Garlic, Chili Flakes, Arugula, Lemon, White Wine Broth - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Location is amazing. It's really nice to sit outside and then take a short walk to the beach especially around sunset time! To be honest, the food was a bit underwhelming. Things sounded good on the menu but nothing was memorable and there wasn't much depth of flavor. The sauce for the calamari was extremely salty, salad was a bit over-dressed, bruschetta sauce was good but bread was a bit soggy, and our pasta/ravioli was underwhelming without much flavor for a red sauce & the meatballs in my parents' pasta also looked a bit dry. It was a bit disappointing since it looked really nice but I don't think I would go back. read more

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After having a not so great experience at the Laguna Beach location, management made things right and was able to give another go at the San Diego location. We had great experience and great service. Dirty martini is absolutely phenomenal. We had ordered the bruschetta as an appetizer also amazing. I'd love to know what kind of olive oil combination they use because it was so good. We shared a Caesar salad and the cauliflower with veggies pasta dish. Both were excellent. I found the dressing at the Laguna location way too thick and garlicky. The Caesar here was great. I also normally don't get pasta dishes but was very happy with what we got. My friend got the mussels which she said were heavenly, so that's great too! I definitely will be back at this San Diego location. read more

Piatti - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

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This place is absolutely a great spot for dining for brunch, lunch and or dinner. The Menu is seasonal, so everything is fresh and packed with flavor. Ive been here twice now for lunch and everything has been so delicious. The ambience is calm and the atmosphere is quiet and pleasant. The service staff is friendly and attentive. Definitely will be coming back. read more

Piatti - Rotolo: pasta rolls stuffed with spinach and mushrooms with a porcini mushroom cream sauce. - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

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This spot is quickly becoming one of my favorite Italian places to dine at. We made reservations on a Friday during lunch, but you could easily walk in. Highly recommend sitting in the courtyard. It is beautiful there. We ordered three pastas, and every one was amazing. Would love to come again soon. read more

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I want to start out by saying that this is a special spot for me. My mom and I come here for both of our birthdays almost every year, and it was also the scene of my first date with my boyfriend, who coincidentally picked this spot for our first date without knowing its meaning to me beforehand. I love Piatti because it is always consistent with great service, fair prices, and excellent food. We especially love the atmosphere sitting out on the patio with the giant tree above us and twinkly lights all around. Piatti makes special occasions extra special by printing "Happy Birthday" or "Happy Anniversary" etc on your menus as well as giving you a lovely tiramisu dessert on the house. It's been a favorite of my family's for over 5 years now and I'm sure it will continue to be one for a long time! read more

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We decided to try this Italian restaurant near La Jolla Shores Beach... First of all, the place was much more formal than expected, including linen table cloths. In any case, we ordered their Fried Calamari for starters, then my husband got this Ravioli and I got their Cavatapi pasta...and we loved them all! I was especially impressed with their version of Fried Calamari...which even included Fried Shrimp and Fried Asparagus. Absolutely delicious!! Here are the reasons why I didn't drop 5 stars. I knew they had lunch menu, but they didn't even present that to us...just the dinner menu. Also, the waiter was a bit off, and spilled drink on the table, for one. He didn't offer any bread and butter either...whereas we noticed that another table got the bread. Maybe bread and butter was on the menu for a fee? For such a nice restaurant, I thought the waiter was a bit unpolished. Overall, we enjoyed the meal. Bit pricey for lunch, but then we basically ordered from their dinner menu...and felt like dinner, minus the bread. read more

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Piatti is a family birthday favorite. We sat in the courtyard which is our favorite place to dine. Quieter than inside and lovely dining under the tree. Service was great, as usual. Food, cocktails and wine were also wonderful. Definitely recommend Piatti read more

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Despite other reviews to the contrary, this place sucks. My daughter made a reservation far in advance for her roommates bachelorette night dinner. She specifically told the restaurant the 'special occasion'. The hostess is one of the rudest people I have ever encountered working in a 'customer service' job, if I owned the restaurant she would be out of a job immediately. Despite having reservations, we were seated at a too small table right next to the kitchen. It was so loud we could not even talk to eachother. The air conditioner DRIPPED WATER on the bride-to-be so much that she had to move and no one could sit in that seat which made the too small table even more cramped. And when we told the waiter he actually had the kahunas to LAUGH about it. The dishes and silverware were dirty, there were flies and bugs flying around the food, and the food sucks and is over priced AND small portions. GO ELSEWHERE. There are a lot of other places to eat on the same street. We all could not wait to get out of there. NEVER, EVER AGAIN. read more

Came here for lunch with my husband and mother in law. She raved about coming to Piatti over 10 years ago and we wanted to give it a go! Location is beautiful and eating Al fresco is the perfect way to people watch. The restaurant wasn't too busy on a Sunday and we also had a reservation. The PEI mussels were delicious! We ordered bread for the table and it never came out sadly! The bread with the mussels was perfectly charred and oiled. Dipping it into the tomato sauce with the mussels was the perfect appetizer. The server recommended the Caesar salad, which he said people raved about. It was delicious and the dressing was well balanced. I enjoyed the whole anchovies they put on the salad as well. The sage gin drink was so good but one thing we noticed was that both cocktails I ordered had small portions. The wine was well portioned and my MIL enjoyed the house Chardonnay. The mains were a little underwhelming. The cannelloni was sadly too room temperature to enjoy. The server cautioned that the plate was extremely hot but both my MIL and husband thought it cooled off too quickly. My shrimp pappardelle was nothing to write home about. The shrimp felt like it was tossed in after the pasta was made, leaving us with bland and under salted seafood. Our favorite pasta was the ravioli with squash and sage. That was probably the highlight of the meal. Their tiramisu was voted one of the best in SD a few years back and they certainly have defended the title as it was a tasty way to end the meal! read more

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Stopped by this Italian restaurant for an evening gathering with fellow entrepreneurs and had such a fun experience. The atmosphere was lively and definitely on the louder side, but it added to the energy of the night. Between the conversations, laughter, and the buzz of the restaurant, it felt like a true social dining experience. Most importantly -- the food was absolutely delicious. Rich flavors, comforting dishes, and the kind of meal that keeps everyone lingering around the table a little longer. Great food, great company, and an enjoyable night overall. read more

Great food and drinks. We sat outside on the back patio. The weather was great, but may want to avoid if it's too hot and humid out.

Oh my goodness, the Ravioli came with two sauces, half had lemon cream sauce and the other was their Italian red. Great meal, good service and very much enjoyed sitting out on their patio read more

Oh my sooo good! My husband and I had a date night here while we were in town for a wedding. The speciality drink, Fig It About It, was amazing (and quite strong)! We shared the bread and cauliflower cakes- the roasted pepper aioli was chef's kiss. I was obsessed with the mushroom to rotolo! I could that eaten double (jk, but really it was that delicious)! read more

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Pretty spot, but just an okay experience We had high hopes for Piatti's, it's such a cute spot in La Jolla and has a nice atmosphere. We ordered the saffron pappardelle (shrimp was rubbery), seafood linguine, beef carpaccio, calamari and Caesar salad. Good wine selection, beer selection was minimal. Everything was fine, but nothing really stood out. The flavors were a bit flat, the night prior we had dinner at Brigantine San Diego, and that was memorable! Great variety! It was worth the drive. Piazzi is close by, so it was convenient. The service at Piatti was meh, not very attentive, we asked for cracked black pepper, server handed us the shaker and we had to ask for the pepper grinder. She made it awkward, like she's thinks she's working at McDonald's or Taco Bell to hand us the shakers. Then kind of hesitated when I asked for the grinder, I offered to do it myself that's how awkward it was. Though she offered it to other tables. Overall, it wasn't bad, just not as memorable as I hoped. There are so many great places in La Jolla, and this one felt a bit average for the area. By the way parking is generally tough in this area. I probably would go back and try the veal next time but would make sure to not get the same server. read more

Piatti - Saffron Parpadelle, shrimp was chewy and overcooked. Rubbery. - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

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This place used to be my favorite. I started going here as a kid, then would go every week while a student at UCSD, then for nearly every date night. But over the past year it's gone downhill. Prices surged, new dog rules, up charge on every single thing, dirty plates and glasses, servers knowledge went down, and the list goes on. I also noticed the food quality wasn't as good, I was getting meals cold and our whole table didn't even come out at the same time. Such a shame for a place that used to be a staple. Time to find a new Italian favorite. read more

This place is FANTASTIC. The food is 5 stars all the way. It's my most favorite restaurant. I ordered the Shrimp Pappardelle with saffron and substituted gluten-free pasta. Just perfect, absolutely a well prepared and tasteful entrée. My husband and I split Mista Salad with lemon vinaigrette as our appetizer. Such a flavorful delightful dressing! My husband ordered the Seafood vDi Mare and he really loved it; lots of seafood carefully prepared. I had Spumoni Gelato for dessert, which is my favorite, and my husband had the Pumpkin seasonal cheesecake that had a surprisingly wonderful pumpkin flavor. Piatti is the bomb! Chef Pepe is clearly the very best in San Diego! If you are hesitating going to this restaurant, the only drawback is the parking. You're going to have to hunt around for a space and/or take an Uber, BUT it is worth every little tiny inconvenience to go there. There isn't any place I've been that was better than this, hands down. Service was excellent as well. Just go! read more

This resturant is very close to La Jolla cove and a nice spot for a fancy dinner. The food was hot, tasty and overall satisfactory. But the thing that is preventing my allocation of another star was the inattentive service and being charged for bread. The waiters attention was unevenly dispersed and to my surprise he rudely corrected me when ordering my item. I would recommend this resturant for the quality of the food but be prepared for thee service and cost of bread. read more

Piatti - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

Lasagna was fantastic. Service was absolutely amazing and AMAZING ambiance. Haven't been in 14 years and was pleased to see that they preserved the tree that we sat under all those times when I was a kid. The bread and balsamic vinegar and olive oil was busssssss and they had some garlic and cilantro in it which brought it to the next level. Will be back when I'm in La Jolla. Post surf dinner would go nuts here. read more

Piatti - Lasagna, Meat Ragu, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Parmesan - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

I've been here twice and both times the food + the service has been amazing! It's right next to the shore so the beach vibes and decor is incredible. The seafood also tastes extremely fresh. I would definitely recommend this place! read more

Piatti - seafood Linguine, Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Calamari, Today's Fish, Garlic, Parsley, Chili Flakes, Crushed Tomato Sugo - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

We needed a restaurant last minute and found Piatti recommended by Yelp so we went and were seated even with a party of 6, restaurant looked very nice it was kinda empty we arrived around 1pm food was delicious and the desert was amazing really enjoyed this restaurant read more

Really enjoyed the burrata salad with the lemon vinaigrette. The bruschetta was quite good as well. Unfortunately, the pasta dishes weren't quite hitting it for me. The red sauce wasn't thick as I had hoped and savory. Nice patio area especially during sunset! read more

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My partner and I share the notion that "Piatti's will never not be good." It's an extremely reliable spot to eat if you're feeling indecisive for some solid Italian eats. With a pretty extensive menu and larger portion sizes, bring a friend and stay a while. From the handful of times I've visited, I've gotten around to trying a good amount of salads and pastas. The Grilled hearts of romaine is my top pick for salads! It's served along with some prosciutto for saltiness and hazelnut vinaigrette for sweetness. Simply the best way to start off your meal. Of the pastas, I absolutely loveeee their Cannelloni (if you're looking for something heavy and indulgent) and their Cavatappi (if you prefer something on the lighter side). The staff is super attentive and the space is rather spacious with plenty of seating options. Our favorite spot has the be the patio out front- it's perfect for people watching on a sunny afternoon! read more

Piatti - Cavatappi & Orecchiette - Italian Near Me - La Jolla, California

Piatti Locali: From La Jolla Legend to Gastric War Crime I used to bring out-of-town guests here to show off the best of SoCal. Now, I wouldn't even bring a mortal enemy here unless I wanted to be sued for biological warfare. Arriving at 3:30 PM on a Friday--the "lull" where a restaurant's true soul (or lack thereof) is exposed--I witnessed the architectural decay of a former icon. The Service The operation was led by a Jurassic-era Regina George behind the bar. This "lead henchman" spent the afternoon bragging about her 30-year tenure in food service while simultaneously proving she learned absolutely nothing in three decades. * The Wine: I was charged $17 for a glass of white wine poured from a bottle with no marking of an open date. It tasted like it had been sitting in a hot garage since the Obama administration. * The HR Nightmare: I astonishingly witnessed this bartender and a cook taking turns groping the visibly uncomfortable bar-back. While the poor guy was trying to do 90% of the prep work, the "seniors" were busy treating the workplace like a hippie cuddle-puddle. The "Food" (A Culinary Eulogy) I ordered my old flame, the Butternut Squash Ravioli, but what arrived was a ghost of Christmas Past. In its glory days, this dish was a masterclass in al dente perfection bathed in a velvety hazelnut cream; now, it's just mushy, pasta-flavored sadness drowning in a thin, translucent soup. Where there used to be sophisticated fried herbs that signaled true culinary craft, I found exactly three lonely specks of hazelnut that looked like they were placed there by someone who has clearly given up on life. The final insult? The once-complimentary bread and garlic dipping sauce is now a $6 ransom fee. Charging for bread after serving that "ravioli soup" is peak audacity. The Aftermath I haven't lived in San Diego for over 8 years, and this visit was a violent reminder of why I made my emergency exit. I've spent the last 48 hours in a state of gastric exorcism, sprinting to the bathroom every 30 minutes like my life depends on it. Bottom Line If you're looking for overpriced oxidized wine, workplace harassment as a side dish, and two days of digestive agony, Piatti Locali is your spot. Otherwise, RUN! read more