Italianissimo Trattoria

Gerald Brown Smith 2 months ago

Amazing Authentic Italian Spot! Everything about this experience was absolutely wonderful—from the food and service to the cozy atmosphere. We were seated immediately and the service was incredibly attentive and friendly throughout the night. They start you off with complimentary fresh bread that is absolutely delicious, especially when dipped in the oil and vinegar mix. For dinner, the meals arrived quickly, hot, and incredibly fresh. The flavor balance in every dish was outstanding, and you can tell how much care goes into making authentic food here. To top it all off, the desserts were amazing (do not skip the Tiramisu!).

Jeff King 3 months ago

This is our go-to Italian restaurant in Chula Vista. On our latest visit, we went to celebrate a graduation and everyone enjoyed their food. We got the calamari appetizer, 3 glasses of wine, and two desserts plus entrees so the price per guest I reported with this review is on the higher side. Check their website menu which includes prices if this is a concern. Note too that salad costs extra, but excellent bread with refills is provided. We were plenty full without getting salad. I got a fish special with cod. The sauce, which included artichokes and capers plus lots of butter, was delicious. The dish came with vegetable risotto, which was good, but not what I expected. It wasn't creamy, more like rice. I didn't ask, and the special turned out to be $30. Service was a bit slow this visit, but I appreciated that our food all came out at the same time. We were seated in the front and seemed to have the host as our waiter, so I'm guessing they were full and he was helping out. Service has been excellent for us in the past. Atmosphere in the front is like a small fine dining restaurant while the larger back area feels a bit more like a family-friendly place.

Angie Diaz 3 months ago

I am actually surprised this place has such a good rating 😬 This place is very pricey, and the food was okay. I’ve tried better at a lower price. They give you some complementary bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The service is good, but I felt like it was too pushy, I felt pressured to get a bottle of wine and certain dishes. The atmosphere is alright, mostly older people.

Marcella Birtele 6 months ago

A True Italian Gem in Chula Vista! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you are looking for authentic Italian cuisine in San Diego, skip the mainstream tourist spots in Little Italy and head straight to Italianissimo Trattoria in Chula Vista. This place is a total revelation! We visited with my father, who was visiting from Italy, and even he was completely blown away. It is rare to find such high-quality ingredients and genuine flavors outside of the motherland. From the moment we walked in, the service was impeccable. The owner and manager, Emanuele, is an incredible host. His hospitality is world-class, and he personally took us on a culinary journey to his home region of Calabria. Appetizers: We started with a delicious bruschetta and fried calamari. The calamari was outstanding—perfectly fresh with a light, crispy fry that wasn’t greasy at all. Main Course: The Pasta alle Vongole was perfection. The clams were incredibly fresh, and the pasta was served perfectly al dente, exactly how we eat it back home. The Highlight: You HAVE to try the Riccio Calabro for dessert. It’s a chocolate and gelato masterpiece that is hard to describe but impossible to forget. It was the perfect sweet ending, followed by a fl

Jose Contreras 9 months ago

Downtown Chula Vista has many great sports but i had not tried this one until recently. Their complimentary fresh bread is so good, dipped into an oil & vinegar mix. We split a salad & added chicken as protein. We also tried the tomato soup & a vegetarian pizza. Service was excellent & very well priced for such a big dinner. Next trip i will try a pasta & dessert. Everything was delicious & fresh.