Came to trattoria da Sofia for my best friend's birthday. Yuri treated us so well and made her feel special. The environment and staff are very friendly and helpful. We hade the branzino and it was delicious. The fish was so fresh and perfectly crispy. We also had the weekend in Palermo cocktails which were also great. A tropical taste, foamy texture, and heavy hand on the alcohol. Can't wait to come back! read more

Food was delicious! We went in during happy hour and ordered 4 different bites dishes (truffle fries, arancine, polpette, and margherita flatbread), the risotto pescatore, a few kids' spaghetti meals, a cappuccino and an expresso. Service was good and the ambience was everything I would have wanted it to be...beautiful, relaxing, Italian, reminded me of a street scene from an Italian movie...we absolutely loved it! read more

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Such a great Italian spot. Everything was delicious and clearly made with care. The flavors were spot on, the pasta was perfectly cooked, and the quality really stood out. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and Brandon and Yuri were incredible. Friendly, attentive, and they made the whole experience feel special. Will absolutely be back read more

Trattoria Da Sofia - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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I can't get over how incredible the food & experience was! The food had great portions, so much flavor & our waitress Sara was amazing They've curated every interior detail to where- for a moment it felt like you were in Sicily. My bf and I will definitely be coming back! read more

Trattoria Da Sofia - Arancine & Calamari Fritti - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Ate here twice now and the second time around was just as disappointing. First time around I got the gnocchi and it was just eh. Not too impressed with the texture or flavor. The sauce tasted more like ragu from the jar. The vodka pasta was really dry and not very saucy. Calamari I'd say was really good and loved that. I'd get this again. The seafood ravioli tasted very fishy. The pistachio pasta was fairly decent. Second time around: Caesar salad was pretty good I got the caprese salad just because I didn't want the pasta this time and it was just a big ball of mozzarella served over three slices tomato with very little balsamic sauce. Not that great. Some basil there as well but mainly just a big chunk of mozzarella. The wine was way over priced. Charged $33 a bottle for one that you can get for $8.99 at Ralph's. More than likely won't be back. read more

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Me and my boyfriend have slowly become regulars at this amazing restaurant. Over the last few years we've dined at numerous restaurants and this one has ; by far the most delicious and authentic Italian food we have ever tasted. Specifically the house made pasta! I can't have boxed pasta anymore after having their food. The service is always top notch; you absolutely have to try this restaurant. The ambiance really sets the tone for the entirety of your meal here. We will continue to support this amazing restaurant! read more

Trattoria Da Sofia - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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The food was out of this world; fresh, flavorful, and so authentically Italian. Every dish we tried was cooked to perfection and bursting with rich, traditional flavors. A special shout-out to our server, Yuri, who was truly an absolute gem. He went above and beyond to make my sister's birthday celebration so memorable, from thoughtful touches to spot-on recommendations (each one better than the last!). His warm, friendly energy made the evening even more enjoyable. This was one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. I'll definitely be coming back. Bravo to the whole team for creating such an unforgettable experience! read more

3.5 stars Came early on a weekend evening to beat the crowd and parking. I got the Sugo Pittinicchi and shared the Spiedini Siciliani. The Sugo Pittinicchi came with tagliatelle pasta and pork ribs and sausage braised in a pomodoro sauce. The sausage and ribs were very tender and delicious. The pomodoro sauce I thought was too simple for me. The noodles were not soggy but not what I consider al dente, I wish they were a little more firm. The Spiedini Sicilani was a beef roll stuffed with mozzarella, bread crumbs, and pine nuts and served with rosemary potatoes. The beef was grilled and had a nice char on the outside, I did wish there were some kind of sauce on top or something to dip the meat in. The potatoes were nicely cooked and had a good texture and flavor. A good take on meat and potatoes. I think I'd try the ossobuco next time as I like braised dishes. The meal came with focaccia bread and pomodoro sauce. They were fine but I wish they were both served warm. Service was friendly and attentive. The interior is made to look like you're sitting outside in the street in Italy between buildings, as there is laundry being hung above along clothes lines. Parking is all on the street which is why I came early so I'd have an easier time finding parking. read more

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So yummy in my tummy! All of the food was delicious and the waiter was very attentive, can't wait to come back :) read more

Trattoria Da Sofia - Spicy rigatoni with sausage - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

The Kensington neighborhood has this new Italian restaurant after its Michelin Bib Gourmand predecessor closed last summer. Trattoria da Sofia debuted a couple of weeks ago in the vacated space. The interior was neatly decorated, including a Roman statue fountain near the foyer, while an outside front patio nearly doubled the seating capacity. We made an OpenTable reservation and sat at a two-top table in the main dining area. The two-page menu featured antipasti, soups, and salads on the left side while the right side listed the pastas, entrees, and sides. A complimentary basket of focaccia bread with pomodoro sauce was provided while we decided what to order. From the entrees, we split the Spiedini Siciliana as a starter. This dish was made up of stuffed beef rolled with mozzarella cheese, bread crumbs, pomodoro sauce, and pine nuts served with rosemary roasted potatoes. It turned out to be better than the individual pasta that I ordered because the meat was well-seasoned and grilled perfectly. My friend chose the Sugo Pittinicchi which was tagliatelle noodles with pork ribs and sausage slowly cooked in pomodoro sauce. I selected the Allo Scoglio which consisted of fettuccine noodles with clams, mussels, shrimp, and calamari finished in pomodoro sauce. This was the kitchen's version of Seafood Fra Diavolo as the sauce had a considerable degree of spiciness. Because of the seafood ingredients, it was the priciest of the pasta dishes on the menu. One aspect of our dinner that bothered me was the seating configuration. When we first sat down, the surrounding tables were empty. By the time we received our food, the hostess seated other groups next to us which made the area congested. Our table was already small, and I was worried that anyone who walked by would potentially bump it and knock over some plates. There were plenty of open spots across the dining room so the staff could have easily spread out the parties. For the food quality, service, and prices, I gave a 3.5 star rating for our Trattoria da Sofia experience. read more

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You have to experience Trattoria Da Sofia! The moment you walk in, it feels like family. The place is busy, i recommended making a reservation although we still had to wait 25 min after our reservation time to be seated. While we waited for our table we sat at the bar. The bartender was attentive and even shared with us about wines! We had a chance to review the menu while we waited and were ready to order. For our appetizers we had the meatballs and stuffed eggplant. They were so good! For our main course we each selected a pasta dish, the carbonara, the bolognes and the pistacchiosa. If I had to pick in order of my favorite, I would say Carbonara, Bolognes and Pistacchiosa. Of course we also had the Tiramisu to end the night. The atmosphere is busy, never a slow moment. Servers are patient when assisting customers despite how busy it is. All the food is amazing, service is great and the vibes are perfect! Although there we had to wait to be seated way after our reservation time, I'd say it was worthh it! read more

Trattoria Da Sofia - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Love this place, attached a picture of my delicious 8oz filet with mashed potatoes and spinach. But i also started with the grilled artichoke appetizer which is out of this world. Sitting outside looking at beautiful Kensington, very comfortable under the heating elements. If you haven't been, come love this place. Compliments to the Chef!! Ordered the Tiramasu so had to add this. Also delicious. Assembled at the table by our server. Plenty for 4 people to share in my opinion. Excellent choice to finish the meal. read more

Trattoria Da Sofia - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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We went the second time and I had the salmon. It's perfectly fried..I like how the edges are crispy. However I find the salmon and the risotto salty. I like salty snacks and dishes but this one was a bit much for me. Pink vodka pasta was just alright. read more

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This is closest I've had to my great grandfathers home cooking. The restaurant is gorgeous and feels like a small community type vibe. Our service was excellent and was topped off by the table side tiramisu presentation that was simply delicious. Sofia's is going on our top 5 must revisit and take friends to! Thank you for the excellent experience! read more

Trattoria Da Sofia - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Such a great meal! Was able to make last min reservations on a Friday which was great. The place is very cute inside, laundry is hanging on wire just like if you were in Italy. The workers were extremely nice. We ordered the bruschettone app, a must try!!! The burrata was so fresh and the figs and balsamic were the perfect touch. We split the Spinicini ravioli, spinach and ricotta with a pesto cream sauce-delicious!! Not too filling, very light, the pesto tasted so fresh. They have other great menu options that looked delicious as well, will have to try next time. One suggestion I have is the lights could've been dimmed a little bit, it was pretty bright inside. Other than that, highly recommend trying! read more

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Today was Trattoria da Sofia's opening day. They have taken Cucina Sorella'' spot in Kensington on Adams Ave. The trattoria offers simple flavorful regional Italian and Sicilian cuisine. For example, I tried the Sicilian favorite street food, the arancini with a meat sauce and fresh peas, Zucca in agro dulce or roasted squash in a sweet and sour sauce, alla palina: a vegetarian bucatini pasta dish with cauliflower, raisin, tomato paste, and pine nuts, and the ravioli di pesce stuffed with crab and shrimp and topped with smoked salmon. The arancine was very good and one of my favorite items. They gently crispy and handsomely filled with a delicious meat sauce similar to a bolognese. These are a Sicilian favorite and were delicious. The roasted squash was good on the second try. After making a comment regarding their cooking temp and flavor, one of the owners "Mario" took control and re-fired them in the kitchen and made some terrific roasted squash. This personal involvement by one of the owners bodes well for the new eatery. The crab and shrimp raviolis were fantastic. I loved the filling and loved the smoked salmon with the white wine cream sauce on top. This dish is a winner. The bucatini was good, but I couldn't help that it was missing something: like perhaps some sort of sauce that elevated the ingredients and bucatini pasta. Service was very welcoming and super friendly. It's clear that they want to be a great neighborhood eatery for the years to come. They have a great comfortable interior, which part of it is decorated as an outdoor Sicilian patio. They offer outdoor seating as well. read more

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Well well, what a delightful new spot in Kensington! We were able to get a reservation in the morning on a Friday. We arrived and noticed the overall design & decorations bringing you back to nana's house. We got sat in front of the fountain by the entrance, we didn't mind this. We had service quite quickly and ordered a red, the waitress recommended. Lemony artichokes Spicy Vodka Pasta 11/10 Sea bass 11/10 GET THE TABLE-SIDE TIRAMISU!! Holy cow, this blew our face and we wish we had this first! Mario was a nice treat, couldn't tell if he was the manager but he checked in, made sure we loved our food, kept our water filled, and treated us to Lemoncello! It felt friendly and familiar, that's a nice touch to a restaurant. We continued to get new silverware and plates when we changed dishes which we appreciated, we started with one entree and then chose a second. We shared every meal and I believe that really allowed us to enjoy each dish & rate it as we did. Good portions too for two! Some things that I would share as sort of "ugh" The bathrooms were through a cute tunnel but they only had one and a bit of a wait. we were sat by the front entrance and anytime someone left , the door would stay propped open and the cold air would hit us (rough after delaying & being warm). Can wait to come back and sit in the inner side of the restaurant, it was such a vibe! read more

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Everything was so delicious! My drink was the Amore (sweet alcohol tasting - almost tasted like there was no alcohol!) and I tried the pistacciosa - which i was hesitant of because I love carbonara... but I was pleasantly surprised! Not too nutty and gives that pasta type of flavor without it being too much! I would definitely get it again! Staff was so attentive and we got to sit next to the fountain, which was so cute inside! Would definitely come back again for the delicious molten lava cake too! read more

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We came here for our 3 year anniversary and it did not disappoint. The our server was so friendly and very attentive! He made sure we were comfortable. The food was delicious and cooked perfectly. The spicy rigatoni had a lot of flavor and the carbonara was tasty. The restaurant was so pretty inside as well. read more

Trattoria Da Sofia - spicy rigatoni pasta and carbonara - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

We had a great happy hour experience. We had an awesome server named Yuri. He made great recommendations for appetizers and drinks. We had the meatballs & pear bruschetta. Overall, the HH prices were a good deal. They had several spritz options. We also brought a dog and baby and sat on the patio. I will definitely come back again. read more

First time in and we will definitely be back. My girlfriend and I ordered carbonara and the short rib ravioli. The ravioli was amazing, so so so good. We had also gotten the meatballs as an appetizer which was really good. The carbonara is a hard dish to nail, and unfortunately they missed the mark in my opinion. The egg was scrambled and the dish was overall very bland, so that was disappointing. The pistachio tiramisu however was DELICIOUS. Service was great, and everyone was really nice. Ill be back again but i just wont get the carbonara again lol read more

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My husband and I were finally celebrating my birthday and our "I love you," anniversary, we threw a couple of places around and it seemed like we wanted to have Italian food. We drive by Trattoria da Sofia so often that I suggested it, we looked at the menu and it had our mouth salivating. Because it was a Tuesday we risked not making a reservation. It's located on Adams Ave right off the freeway and luckily only a 4 minute drive from our house, there is a lot of parking residential and commercial so a big perk to me. There is both outside and inside seating but we opted to sit inside, our server was Brandon, he was really personable and gave us little tidbits on the menu. I love how the restaurant was decorated, really inviting and lots of seats to accommodate so many people, there was a group of maybe 15 people behind us, so if you have a bigger party this place would be a great option. I ended up ordering a cocktail that Brandon switched the alcohols for, basically had mezcal and passionfruit, so refreshing and had like an almond syrup that rounded it out. For our starters we opted for the calamari fritti and the crispy burrata, while we waited for our starters we were given bread and their pomodoro sauce. Wow, that pomodoro sauce was incredible, not too acidic it was just right! When our starters came out I was so shocked at how generous their portions were. The fritti included, squid rings and tentacles, shrimp, shishito peppers, zucchini and carrots. Fried perfectly and not at all greasy, this could be someone's main if they wanted. That crispy burrata, holy...it was incredible. Still had a nice firmness to it, but perfectly crisp with its pistachio pesto and I had never been a mortadella girly but I was not mad at it. Separately it tastes great but all together in one bite, wow. Now our mains, I ordered the ravioli de pesce, stuffed ravioli with crab and shrimp with a salmon cherry tomato cream sauce and pistachio. Bryan opted for the cacio e pepe gnocchi and he asked Brandon about adding a protein and with his advice he opted for the sausage. The gnocchi were so light and pillowy and the sausage was so freaking flavorful, I cannot. My plate was so good, the pieces of salmon made the sauce so much more flavorful, the ravioli had the perfect balance of crab shrimp and cheese, I had it the next day for dinner and the left overs were just as good. Also shout out to the team here, they were all so nice and friendly and Brandon never let our water go empty and got us new silverware, super impressed by service. We will definitely have to come back because there are so many things I want to try. Thank you guys for making date night so great! read more

Great local Italian spot with a fun ambiance and pretty solid food and drinks. Our server Yuri provided exceptional service, would definitely be recommend for a night out in Kensington! read more

Great experience. Yuri our server was attentive and service was excellent. Food was delicious and chicken parm had generous portions. Will definitely go back. 5/5. read more

This is such a beautiful location. The staff is super friendly. The food is really good and the portions are perfect. read more

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The food and service were both good. Prices are reasonable. Nice location, there is a small parking lot by the restaurant that you might miss if you are not looking for it. Ambiance was great. I made the reservation for a party of six and the two other couples commented on how cute the place was. Great date night or night out with friends spot. It was also perfect for dinner before heading to the Adams Ave Theater. read more

This place has a cute atmosphere with lots of tables inside. There is a ton of wait staff and they were quick, but almost too much in a sense that we felt very rushed to order. They have a lot of waiters roaming around which is nice when you need something quick. We didn't order alcohol and felt a little judged for not drinking from the waiter but we did order two mains. We got the bolognese and the short rib ravioli. Both were good, but hard to rate when we just came back from Italy! The bolognese isn't traditional in the sense it comes with fusilli noodles. Lots of sauce on this dish! The short rib ravioli was yummy. There wasn't too much short rib in them but had a lot of mushrooms on top. Although I wouldn't recommend if you don't like mushrooms. read more

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We kept striking out one night with wait times at other places and we ended up at Trattoria Da Sofia, which was fine since it was in our list of places to try. We were able to sit right away and the place is super cute like you're in an Italian alleyway. I wish our excitement stayed the same throughout the meal. We started with the garlic bread and it was disappointing. I didn't taste any garlic, it was white bread halved with some cheese on it. Like cheese toast from a freezer pack. The flowers were actually good, but for $19 it was four small flowers and lettuce with no dressing/drizzle of anything. As for the meal, I ordered the Cacio e Pepe gnocchi. I went in assuming it was going to be like Cacio e Pepe, slightly dry grated cheese and pepper. Nothing on the menu suggested otherwise, but it was in a sort of Alfredo cream sauce that was too much. Between the cheese filling and the cheese sauce it was so dense. It would be great if the menu stated it was a cream sauce. It was a shame because the gnocchi was pretty fluffy. We love Italian food and unfortunately this one fell short. read more

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My friend Christian E. recommended me this place, he said I would leave with a satisfied appetite pero me dio chorro a la verga. Service was lacking and they have underwear as decor? Like not, even in my own house do I eat with underwear laying around near my food? Definitely choice. Anyway, Ive had better Italian from other spots. Shame. read more

I spent my birthday here with a group of girl friends. Yuri was attentive and helped make our experience so much fun! The food was delicious and the drinks were amazing as well. I will definitely come back! Grazie mille read more

Yuri made dinner for me and my wife truly special. The service he provided went above and beyond--attentive, warm, and genuinely thoughtful from start to finish. You can tell he takes pride in what he does, and it added a personal touch that made our night unforgettable. The ambiance at Trattoria de Sofia is cozy and romantic, perfect for date night or a special occasion. The food? Absolutely phenomenal. Every dish tasted like it was made with love--fresh ingredients, rich flavors, and beautifully plated. We shared the Pollo Parmigiana, and it was honestly one of the best we've ever had. From the appetizers to the dessert, everything was spot on. We'll definitely be back, and we'll be asking for Yuri again. If you're looking for authentic Italian with exceptional service, this is the place. Big shout out to Yuri!!!! read more

We ordered three dishes and they were all three made with high quality ingredients and super tasty Our order was timely and service was attentive The restaurant is lively and festive which adds to the charming ambiance read more

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I went to get dinner with my friends for a birthday and two issues occurred. The first was the carbonara was horrendous. It tasted like raw pancake mix...flour and milk. First of all, who uses flour in carbonara?! It was not edible. I tried to add salt, additional pepper, red chili flakes, and additional Parmesan cheese, but none of it helped. I would recommend never getting the carbonara. Secondly, the staff never mentioned they would include a 20% tip for a larger group. I am fine paying that, but it felt disingenuous and deceitful since we were thinking we needed to add a tip. I recommend always to check your bill so you don't over pay. This was my second time eating here and the spicy rigatoni was okay the first time...you can make better at home and buy better elsewhere. I will never go back.You fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. I would recommend eating elsewhere not worth it when SD has better Italian elsewhere. read more

THE absolute best italian restaurant in all of san diego! from the service, to the food and ambiance you really can't go wrong with Trattoria Da Sofia. The spicy vodka rigatoni is some of the best pasta i have ever had. Thank you Brandon & Giuseppe for the best service and hospitality, will definitely be seeing us again. read more

Vodka Pasta is amazing! Taste super fresh and authentic. Great service! Our waiter brought us an amazing takeside Tiramisu. It felt like i was in Italy. I love the vibe and aesthetic of the restaurant. read more

Trattoria Da Sofia - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Absolutely love sofiaaaaa!! Always a pleasurable experience here. Family friendly and staff is fantastic! Hidden gem and very underrated! Pasta is perfectly al dente! read more

I have mixed feelings on this place the service was great but the food was not the decor was a bit cheesy. I ordered the raviolis and they tasted very fishy so I was not a huge fan of those my friend got salmon and it was really dry and we got an appetizer of calamari but they were like rubber bands. So it was pricey and disappointing for us. read more

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The music was awesome on Sunday night at 830 pm. The kind maitre de allowed me to sit on the patio despite it being so late and time to clean up. The carbonara was perfect. The bread was served with a trio of sauces. Each one better than the next. I think my favorite was the pesto. The staff is from Sicily and shared that the Summers are just as hot as my Northern California Summers. Nice try pal. You can't keep me out of Italy, I'm still visiting someday. I was incredibly angry when I found out my hotel room fridge wasn't working upon my return that evening. I saved exactly half of my meal to savor the next day but was unable to keep it refrigerated. Such a shame. These were some legendary leftovers. read more

Trattoria Da Sofia - Carbonara y garlic bread - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

This place was amazing the food was delicious and the service was phenomenal. Thanks Lisa!! Highly recommend this place. read more

This is a new hot spot in Kensington! Perfect for date night! Here's my food recommendations: - TABLESIDE TIRAMISU IS A MUST ORDER!!!! Never had this anywhere and it beats all the other tiramisu's I have had in the past! - Involtini di Melazane is Stuffed eggplant with ricotta, pine nuts, onion, bread crumbs served with pomodoro sauce - Bruschettone - Burrata cheese, prosciutto, figs, balsamic reduction sauce - Ravioli di Pesce - Stuffed ravioli with fresh crab meat and shrimp, pistachio, finish in smoked salmon cherry tomatoes white wine cream sauce - Ossobuco - Veal shank braised with vegetables, red wine, and broth served with saffron risotto - ALSO A MUST ORDER!!! The value was great overall. The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive. The establishment is a good size, and the ambiance is very homey and comfortable. Parking may be a little tricky as they are on the main road, however, there is street parking all over. Bookmark this spot if you're in Kensington! read more