Lala

Lala was the perfect spot for our girls’ night out! The drinks were amazing, the food was delicious, and the ambiance made the night even better. A huge shoutout to Mariana (bartender) and Marcelo (server) who went above and beyond to make sure we had an incredible experience—they were so attentive and kind! 🥹 Highly recommend this place for a fun and memorable evening!

Tucked away at the back of a parking lot in Little Italy, Lala is truly a hidden gem. Owned by the same family behind Barbusa, Nonna and café Zucchero (other fantastic spots I’ll need to review soon), this restaurant delivers an unforgettable Italian dining experience. We went to celebrate a friend’s engagement, and the staff went above and beyond to make the night special. They surprised the couple with a beautiful dessert and made sure we were taken care of the entire evening—top-notch service! For food, we started with the short rib arancini, which was perfectly crispy and packed with flavor. For mains, we had the lasagna pinwheels and the spaghetti Nero con aragosta—and let me just say, everything was absurdly delicious. The lasagna pinwheels might just be the best lasagna dish I’ve ever had! If you’re looking for incredible Italian food with amazing service in a cozy, tucked-away setting, Lala is an absolute must-try!

This place is a hidden gem! Perfect for girls night, date night or pop in to try a delicious drink with clever names. The speakeasy vibe and decor gave it a cool, relaxing feel. Shout out to Joel for being so kind, making awesome espresso martinis, and keeping an eye on my nervous girlfriend who went back that evening for a date! We would come back just to see Joel. Nothing like a solid bartender. The old school bubble gum cigarettes were a nice touch too. We’ll be back to try the food. Highly recommend.

We came here after my art event at ArtWalk. It is a beautiful space , very well designed and decorated. The menu is simple and Italian fusion style. We ordered 4 appetizers to share, French baguette, pepper poppers, artichoke and calamari. I have to say, the food here doesn’t impress me, they are generally too much sweet components, such as the sweet whipped butter for bread, sweet aioli for popper, and the whole calamari dish is very sweet…. I hope you can reduce the sugar content in your recipe. Otherwise, the service here is nice, atmosphere is good, food is well cooked, I think it’s a pretty decent place.

This place has potential but I think they need to make some changes. The cocktails weren’t good. They weren’t well balanced and overall taste was poor. The food was terrible. It was super bland. Our server was nice but seemed distracted. They ended up forgetting some things we’d asked for and we had to keep asking them for basic things like water. I think if they worked on the menu and focused on customer service, this could be a cool place.

Outstanding food and service! Michael, one of the owners came by and took the time to really connect. Katy, our server, was phenomenal as well! Highlights of our food choices were the bacon wrapped dates (that blue cheese dressing was to die for), Caesar salad, and blistered tomatoes with goat cheese (burrata?)I’m a local so will definitely be back. Only downside is it’s very loud/noisy inside. Not sure anything can be done about that, in all fairness. I’ll try week day visits and see if it’s a little quieter. Overall, highly recommend.

We were excited to try Lala and made reservations as soon as we had some free time. First off, I can say the service was impeccable and we enjoyed that part of the experience. The food was good but not necessarily outstanding. Everything comes as shareable plates as the waiter explained to us when we were seated. We ordered the Blistered Tomatoes and Burrata, the Spicy Caesar and Stuffed Shells to share. Of the three dishes our favorite was the Caesar. It comes loaded with Parmesan cheese and a pleasant slightly spicy flavor. The sauce on the Stuffed Shells was fresh but the serving size could have been larger for the price and the cheese inside the shells was a little bit off on this evening. The blistered tomatoes and burrata were also fresh but just average in taste. For dessert we had the Tiramisu which comes in a glass which was a bit unusual but tasted great. Inside there was music playing at a reasonable level and the vibe is dark and moody in appearance. I would recommend not sitting near the very front of the restaurant as they were unable to close the front off to stop the cold from coming in at the tables nearest the front wall. Parking can be difficult given its location in Little Italy but there is a valet directly in front.

Very cute new spot in the heart of little Italy in San Diego, California. Well, they definitely have some growing pains and kinks to work out. Overall, I would definitely return six months down the road the Caesar salad was one of, if not the best, I’ve ever had. The Sicilian poppers: I would never order again don’t even waste your appetite. I was shocked when a limited menu of only 15 items was missing one. We could not order the grilled cheese. The stuffed shells were OK. The red sauce on them was delicious but the filling could use some work. The espresso martinis were out of this world and made with oat milk, a first for me.

This place deserves a 20/10!!! I have not one complaint about Lala and I have already recommended to so many people visiting that they need to try this restaurant. We have the best service and learn so much information. Also, his recommendation on food were spot on, everything we ordered was delicious. It was a group of 6 of us and each dish had so much flavor and came out hot. I got the gnocchi with cheese and we all had a share of Carpaccio for the table. The restaurant itself is gorgeous inside and great ambiance with the light and decor. We will for sure be back!

Lala is exactly what Little Italy needed--a sophisticated yet intimate spot that delivers not only on ambiance but also on service and flavor. The staff strikes that rare balance of being incredibly friendly while also polished and professional, making the entire dining experience feel seamless and elevated. If you're dining here, the Bone Marrow Cavatelli is an absolute must. It's a dish that is rich, velvety, and packed with deep flavors. The sauce has just the right balance of creaminess without being overpowering, and the texture of the cavatelli is perfection. Every bite is a moment of pure decadence. Beyond that, the cocktail program is stellar, with beautifully balanced drinks that complement the menu effortlessly.

Tucked away at the back of a parking lot in Little Italy, Lala is truly a hidden gem. Owned by the same family behind Barbusa, Nonna and café Zucchero (other fantastic spots I'll need to review soon), this restaurant delivers an unforgettable Italian dining experience. We went to celebrate a friend's engagement, and the staff went above and beyond to make the night special. They surprised the couple with a beautiful dessert and made sure we were taken care of the entire evening--top-notch service! For food, we started with the short rib arancini, which was perfectly crispy and packed with flavor. For mains, we had the lasagna pinwheels and the spaghetti Nero con aragosta--and let me just say, everything was absurdly delicious. The lasagna pinwheels might just be the best lasagna dish I've ever had! If you're looking for incredible Italian food with amazing service in a cozy, tucked-away setting, Lala is an absolute must-try!

cannot believe I hadn't been here sooner--this restaurant is absolutely amazing! It's an intimate, beautifully designed space with a dark dining ambiance that sets the perfect mood. The decor? Heels on the wall near the bar--such a unique and stylish touch. The whole experience was a total vibe. Came here for a little Galentine's dinner with two of my friends, and we were obsessed. We started with the calamari--so good--and shared a spicy Caesar salad. A Caesar is always a classic, but a spicy Caesar? Next level. For our mains, we ordered the lasagna--super cute presentation with three rolls, packed with flavor in every bite. Not your typical lasagna, but trust me, different in the best way. I personally had the squid ink pasta, and it was absolutely phenomenal. Every bite was perfection, especially with the little lobster pieces. I added Parmesan and chili flakes for an extra kick, and I have not stopped raving about this dish since! So much so that half my friends have already made reservations after hearing me talk about it. For drinks, we had martinis--classic, strong, and very Yelp Elite-worthy. Huge thanks to Armel, our amazing and fun server! He was so attentive and super honest with his recommendations, which we really appreciated. Also, a big shoutout to the busser (I'm so sorry I didn't get his name!)--he made sure our table was always taken care of and that we weren't missing a thing. Also, I think this place must be connected to Barbusa because on our bank statement, it said Barbusa. Honestly, not mad about it! I've been to Barbusa before, and I have to say--I like Lala ten times more. I cannot wait to come back. This place is a must-visit! Suggestions: Maybe get the host a host stand, its little Italy and the host was sitting on a chair with a blanket all evening. Valet parking is available and you can also get validation at the restaurant!

Great date night spot! Service was great and I really enjoyed the food and drinks. Good portions and a good time.

I just got a chance to check out Lala for my friend's birthday dinner! OVERALL RATING: 4.5/5 - Ambiance was everything. It was giving Great Gatsby speakeasy, but a bit more casual and welcoming feel. Lala is located right next to Barbusa, and honestly looks like a cool night club from the outside - Service was exceptional. Orders were taken quickly and plates cleared in a FLASH. We also got great recommendations from our server! - Food was INSANE. I had the spaghetti and meatballs which included a meatball the size of a newborn baby. Literally one of the best meatballs I have ever had & great portion size for the price. Everyone else's dishes looked fantastic too!! - Only critique: We were under the impression that the "free" birthday shots & dessert for Oliviah were free (since that is what we were told) but they did charge for them on the bill. Only reason why I didn't give 5/5!

One of the cutest, best decorated restaurants I've been to! Don't let the unassuming front keep you from visiting Lala, this was a great night out with my friends with incredible food and drinks. Portions are a good size, the cocktail menu is extensive and delicious, and the service was great!

Went to Lala's for Valentine's day and it did not disappoint! First of all, the restaurant ambiance and the design reminded me of a classy speakeasy. Our server was very nice and he gave good recommendations for our drinks. My wife got the Espresso martini and I got The Casanova. Excellent choices to start off. For our starters we got the tomato burrata, a french baguette to pair it with and the lobster bisque. The tomato burrata was perfect and it went very well with the French baguette. The lobster bisque was also tasty and rich and the pastry on top was soft and flavorful. Our main dishes did not disappoint as well. The Fazzoletti Pesto was our favorite as the pesto filling was fresh and it complemented the cheese around it. The Fettuccini Alfredo And Shaved Truffles was good but it didn't meet our expectations for the taste especially since it was the most expensive of the pastas. Lastly the New York Strip steak was tender and was perfectly cooked to our preferred doneness. The mushrooms and onions that came with it were also a good addition to the steak. Overall we had a great time and we enjoyed our date here and we are hoping to be back to try everything else on the menu! Lala can be both a perfect place for a night out with friends as well as a quaint date spot!

Wow. I had an intown friend invite me to meet here for dinner. This is a place I wouldn't know about since I'm from out of town. This place was so awesome. The server at the bar was seriously so perfect and kind and gave a great vibe. The food he helped give me suggestions to order were all super perfect. The food and ambiance in here was perfect.

Pretty darn tasty meal and terrific service team. I'm in town for a work meeting and our team of six secured a reservation for dinner last night. Cocktails were well prepared and tasty the starters were overall quite good - the short rib arancini in particular were delicious as was the fried calamari and my main was also ample and yummy - pork ossa bucco. Colleagues had the squid pasta and eggplant parm that looked yummy. All and all very good and recommended ! Glad we had dinner here.

Fun Fact: --- Sister restaurant of Barbusa - which is right next door --- I had the best birthday dinner experience here. I was a bit nervous due to the reviews (new-ish restaurant), but it seems like they really got their food and service down! Valet was $12 (Oct 2024) and definitely worth it for how busy Little Italy can be. Be sure to save your Service: spectacular and timely. The girl (dark-haired) who greeted me and sat our party of 12 was amazing. She kept me up to date on the short wait as much as possible and made us feel extra welcome throughout the night. The servers were also great, very attentive and handled a large group well. Ambiance: GNO! Perfect girl's night out spot (boys welcome!). The restaurant is on the smaller side, so reservations are recommended. With cute girly decor, darker ambiance , and lots of "Instagram-able" moments , it's perfect for date nights, celebrations, or a quick drink before heading out on the town. Food: wonderful place to share! Arancini was delicious and perfect for sharing. Burrata was amazing - the pistachio pesto added to the wonderful classic. Got good reviews from my friends with the pasta as well. Tried the Lasagne pinwheels (Pork and Beef Ragu, English Peas, Bechamel, Mozzarella, Marinara) and the FAZZOLETTI PESTO ( Handkerchief Pasta, Pistacchio Pesto, Cream, Parmigiano) - TASTY! Definitely would come back for a good time paired with good food.

I initially learned abot Lala from an article by Troy Johnson, in San Diego Magazine. The review was breathy and complimentary, in particilar about the "speakeasy-club feel". Lala is located directly North of Barbusa Restaurant, with, of course, the same ownership. The waiters wear plaid pants, which add to a festive air in the two dining rooms. The dining room itelf is divided into an enclosed front terrace section, crowded with little tables, and the back banquettes by the bar, which are most comfortable and preferable. When Lala first opened, the menu was quite complex and varied. Sadly, it has now been "streamlined" of many of the best dishes. Gone are the Caviar and potato chips. The Calamari used to be offered in a Kung Pao style, but now all of that has been banished.

Went during happy hour on a Friday, so it wasn't too busy yet. Sat at the bar and ordered one of their espresso martinis, which I really enjoyed. They are one of the specialty cocktails that are at a discount during HH, so that was a plus. They have a few HH snacks that I don't think are on their regular menu, but the other food items on the HH menu are just regular prices. We had the short rib arancini, which were good, but very little short rib in them. The decor there is interesting. Unfortunately while it's intimate, it almost feels a little like a fancy basement with the low ceiling. Service was very friendly and helpful. Overall I feel a little mixed about the experience, but felt like 3 stars was too low. I would come back to try a whole meal and update it then.

Overall experience was a 10/10. Very nice decor and somewhat of a small restaurant. I stopped by on a Sunday night around 7:00pm. Chargrilled Oysters and Spicy Caesar were a 10/10. I would give the Rigatoni Marinara and Gnocchi Rosa a 8/10. Our server, Andie, was attentive and full of recommendations. I would definitely come back but I would try an entree with protein instead of the gnocchi that I had. Oh and I forgot to mention, Tiramisu was phenomenal! One of the best tiramisu that I have ever had. It is a must try!

My girlfriends & I went here after seeing their spotlight on San Diego Mag. I booked a resy for Friday night & trying to find parking was a nightmare! I circled for what felt like a gazillion times, gave up & ended up parking in their valet. The restaurant is hard to spot because it is deeper inside from the street because they have a small parking lot. The restaurant is small but gorgeous. However, where we were sitting, we kept on getting bad whiffs of something, the sewer maybe? We shared numerous dishes & all of them were good except their Chargrilled Oysters. They were overly chewy & tasted old... We should have asked to swap it out with something else but the service was already rough from the start so we just left it as is.

For starters, this place has valet and it worth it! For $12, just avoid the madness in little Italy. Quite a steal. I'd recommend making a reservation but the venue was thoughtfully and joyfully decorated in holiday gear both times I went in December. The drinks are cutesy and the restaurant/bar has a darker atmosphere the some other restaurants. I enjoyed the food although the servers were a little slower then I expected. Overall, the experiences were great and I enjoyed the festive environment. I've recommended this place to several close friends and all have said the same. Enjoyable place to go to celebrate a special occasion as well.

I've visited Lala twice and have had great experiences both times! My favorite menu items are the spicy caesar salad and the lobster pasta! Tried a few new items the second time and loved the oysters and calamari! The service has been very slow but all of the servers are kind and helpful! We were celebrating a birthday and they charged us a birthday fee for the dessert which was really weird because they didn't give us an option on having dessert or not... it was just weird to give a dessert and charge for it without any communication. I like the ambiance there! It's decorated very nicely and lots of spots for a cute photo if you want to do that!

This place left a lot to be desired. We arrived for our reservation and the table was not ready. We waited at the bar in the meantime and it was pretty crowded. There isn't much space to navigate around the bar and tables. Service up to that point had been lacking. Folks at the door were not very friendly nor at the bar. Eventually we were seated. While seated, our server was better. She was friendly and helpful. Though it did take a long while to get our check after we finished out meal. I ordered the seafood risotto and my friend ordered the lasagne. My risotto was pretty good. The portion was sizey. My friend said her lasagne was also good but was confused by the addition of peas as an ingredient. Overall, nothing particularly special especially for the price.

My fiancé surprised me with a birthday dinner over the weekend to Little Italy and I was surprised that I hadn't seen Lala before. The restaurant was perfect to celebrate and it had an intimate ambiance with beautiful paintings around. Our server was amazing and answered our questions about the drinks and food because everything looked delicious and we were deciding. My fiancé made the reservation through OpenTable and we were seated right away. Lala is a great place to have drinks and dinner. I highly recommend coming here. Order the calamari because it is the perfect appetizer to have!

great restaurant concept and the decor is up for the holiday! for starters -- we ordered the "TOASTED BAGUETTE" , "SHORT RIB ARANCINI" and "STEAMED CLAMS". All were delicious, be sure to save some bread to mop up that broth, so tasty! For the mains we got -- "TORTELLONI MARINARA" , "LASAGNE PINWHEELS" and "GNOCCHI ROSA" .. You cannot go wrong with any of these .. I suggest everyone order something diff and the table shares to taste it all! If you sit in the back, the place can get very loud .. but thats only attributed to the "pop up" style restaurant layout .. great music, great atmosphere. Be sure to order a couple rounds of the "THE CASANOVA" to get the appetite warmed up ..

I went here for a friend's birthday. Even though we had made a reservation, it took about 45 minutes for us to be seated. It also took quite a while to get our orders taken and once we did, half of our meals came out nearly 40 minutes before the other half. Our server was no where to be seen the entire time. The food was delicious and everyone was nice but I was pretty shocked by the service.

I had high hopes for this restaurant, and while the food was delicious and the ambiance was pretty, there were many operational issues and lack of attention to detail that left everyone in our group unimpressed. We had a group of 9 people, however we brought our own 2 bottles of wine and paid the corkage fee so we did not start off putting in any drink orders. - We put in 5 appetizers to start and only 3 arrived. When we followed up about the beef carpaccio and oysters, we were told the beef was coming and they forgot to put the oysters in. The beef carpaccio never arrived throughout our entire dinner. - A few of us ordered salad with our dinner. They didn't bring us new plates, so we had to serve the salad on our appetizer plates which were covered in red sauce from the appetizers. Soggy, saucy salad is not good. Also the croutons were absolutely massive and hard to cut. Absolutely too big to eat whole. - Our table was VERY wobbly and couldn't be stabilized, which was a constant distraction. - The cocktail I wanted was unavailable because they "ran out"? When I asked which ingredient they ran out of (hoping to consider alternatives), the server couldn't specify and just offered other suggestions instead. Are the cocktails pre-mixed? - A $9 sparkling water that someone ordered early on in dinner and also never received was put on our bill. It's disappointing because the kitchen clearly has talent, and the space itself is stunning. But the lack of attention to detail in service and operations made it a disappointing group dinner. Everyone loved their main dish, so maybe this place is better suited with a smaller group, even though we thought we were a very easy and straight forward group.

Pros: Very sweet service(i loved our waitress) Beautiful ambiance Candy cigarette as a to go gift Cons: Antipasto tower didn't have enough bread, only 3 small slices. It honestly ruined the experience of the tower to not have enough bread to match all the different tastes going on. The gnocchi was just okay. Overall: i definitely think this place is more of a cocktail bar than a food restaurant, but it's a very great cocktail bar! I'd return for a drink, but not for the food.

I am giving Lala 4 stars because of the wonderful service and the chargrilled oysters. The waiter and staff were extremely attentive and mindful of bringing new silverware/plates between appetizers and main course which I appreciated it. The chargrilled oysters were VERY good--it was topped with sriracha caviar that perfectly tied in all the flavors. We also enjoyed passionfruit mocktails and spicy Caesar salad (it's not spicy but has good flavor). I was not a fan of the Sicilian poppers and the rigatoni marinara. The Sicilian poppers were a little too sweet for my liking and nothing special. I was disappointed with the rigatoni marinara--the pasta was overcooked and the pasta sauce tasted like the marinara sauce in a jar you get from the grocery store. The ambiance of the restaurant was aesthetic. Overall I would give the restaurant a 3.6/5 (rounded it up to 4) rating.

This is a fairly new spot in Little Italy. Went last night for dinner. The decor is really cute. The menu is very small and leaves a lot to be desired. None of the entrees come with sides and they dont offer any. How do you serve a steak with a garlic bulb as a side?? No potatoes, no veggies. Now the food we had was very flavorful. However, this place is grossly overpriced. And on another note, they allowed a girl to come inside and sit at the bar with a big dog on a leash. The dog was jumping up trying to get on bar stools and jumping up on the kitchen door. Several workers also pet the dog and then proceeded to go back into the kitchen! This is beyond unacceptable for a restaurant. I wont return here and don't recommend. I'm

Walking up to LALA's you don't really know what to expect because its in the back of the parking lot, and you can't see in side the building, yet it still looks very intriguing. Once inside, we ordered a few cocktails and throughly enjoyed them. The ambience and decor is really nice inside. Also, I thought it was cute at the bar they have little ice breaker books to keep you entertained at the bar or on a date :)S

LaLa is the perfect addition to San Diego's Little Italy scene . Food/drinks are top notch, super instagram -worthy ambiance, and perfect for a girls night out -- A girlfriend I were out celebrating Aries Season and decided to randomly drop by last Friday night . We arrived around 430pm and was greeted by the super sweet host who said they only had bar seating available, which was totally fine ! When we walked inside, we were surprised to see all the empty tables lol-- I'm guessing you should make a reservation in advanced to save a table . There were a few other duos at the bar, so maybe they wanted to fill up the bar seating first ? -- I honestly don't know . As soon as we sat at the bar, the bartender poured us waters and gave us the menu-- I'm sad I didn't get his name because I absolutely adored him ! Here's what we had-- Paso Robles Cabernet-- beautifully smooth and all I needed was one lol. 9/10 SidePiece-- tequila based and gingery . 6/10 Night in Milan-- refreshing, strong, zesty, yet fruity . 8/10 Steak Tartare-- literally my fav bite of the night . Rare steak was tender and well seasoned . Melt in your mouth deliciousness . Lots of herbs and flavors . Honey Dijon mustard horseradish kick in the background for that tart bite . Quail egg yolk for creaminess . Served with crispy chiccarones for texture . Must order ! 9/10 General Joe's calamari-- insanely addicting . Calamari was lightly battered and cooked perfectly . Sweet, mildly spicy, and delicious to snack on ! 8.5/10 Loaded potatoe gnocchi-- chewy, bouncy, and so fun to eat ! Bacon, cheese, white sauce . A bit basic, yet such a bougie bite ! 7.5/10 Overall such a fun night ! Service was grand, vibes were everything, and food/drinks are definitely worth checking out . Ps-- bathrooms are legit the cutest !!

First visit here. In San Diego for a conference and decided to try Lala based on reviews. We' were promptly greeted, connected with our friends who were joining us and seated. Ambiance was cute. It was a little dark but had a neighborhood vibe. Our waiter came to take our order and was nice enough. 3 people had spaghetti and meatball which was acceptable. I had the Bibb salad which was tasty. My pesto cream pasta was mediocre. Our bruschetta was tasty and cut in small portions which was nice. Unfortunately, our server was not attentive throughout our meal. We ran out of water and he forgot my wine until I was halfway through my dinner. He never checked on us regarding our dishes. By the way my dish came out much later than everyone else's. I'm disappointed. I was hoping for a better experience.

Lala is Barbusa's little sister who still has a little growing up to do but will get there! Located in the back of a parking lot, with a small pink neon sign, she's easy to miss. There's valet parking out front for $12 which was convenient. We went there for a friend's birthday and tried so many things! For appetizers we tried the calamari which was light and delicious, and short rib arancini which was perfectly crispy, and the oysters had a buttery crumble that hit the spot. The lasagne pinwheels was a classic dish and very filling. The spaghetti nero con aragosta was so good with al dente squid ink pasta and lots of longostino chunks. Do not get the butternut squash ravioli unless you want dessert for dinner because the amaretto cream sauce was overly sweet. Drinks were delicious and stiff. Very loud since packed tiny place but overall great ambiance. Service was slow because it was very busy but friendly.

Had a reservation for 5 for a birthday dinner. Seating: We requested a booth, but got a table for 4 with an extra chair. Ambiance: Moody, dark, girly chic, VERY tight and small. Service: Not good service, waiters seem annoyed, no introduction or menu review, they serve your drinks spilling on the table, and we had to ask waiters to clear plates after appetizers. No check ups to see if we were doing okay. Waiters walk around the restaurant staring at you seems like they don't know what to do. Food: YUMMY! Good flavors, good portions. Everything hot and fresh. Dinner menu is very limited. Conclusion: Good for MAX 1-3 people for apps and cocktails.

I give it four stars for the ambiance and cocktails but if I'm gonna be honest, I thought the food was just okay, I'd give it a 2. The scallops had a great taste but were overcooked and rubbery. The tartare was decent. As for the cioppino, I've had better. Highly recommend the Stiletto cocktail if you're in to fruity and creamy cocktails like I am. Overall I recommend going here just for the drinks, not for the food.

Lala is the latest restaurant to open in Little Italy. For reference, it's located next to another Italian restaurant, Barbusa both on India Street. The Busalacchi family are a restaurant dynasty and also own and operate local restaurants: Barbusa, Nona and Zucchero. Menus change seasonally and offer limited selections of Italian cuisine. The Lala martini is one of the signatures to try, topped with a peppadew stuffed pepper, added a spicy tingle to my lips! The interior decor had influences of vibrant colors reflective of olive and coral all classic and collaborative. Note the alluring vintage wall Art of nudes. No outdoor seating. Service from the staff and servers was attentive from the moment we stepped inside. The classy ambiance is similar to restaurants I frequent in Bel Air and Beverly Hills. Was excited to see this new restaurant, would have preferred it to be more spacious, but it's limited space and seating makes it perfect for an intimate rendezvous for a cocktail and/or dinner. Business attire appropriate. Will return and definitely worthy of my recommendation.

Cute hidden gem. Next to barbusa and has a tiny parking lot. I recommend valet. The service and food is amazing. I ordered a mocktail since I'm preggo and it was delicious... called Night in Milan. The calamari was crispy and perfectly mixed in the sweet sauce. My ciopinno (sp) worth every bite. Full of seafood.

I recently tried Lala for the first time a few weeks ago to celebrate a birthday. As soon as we entered Lala, the ambiance was amazing - feeling very upscale! The staff was extremely attentive and welcoming and helped us pick out menu items to share with the table. The food was incredible. From the gnocchi to scallops everything was full of flavor and cooked perfectly. We had such a fun time celebrating and left having had such a wonderful meal and experience. We will definitely be back!

The Busalacchi restaurant group in Little Italy has opened its newest business next door to Barbusa. Lala made its debut this week in a structure to the north of the flagship eatery. The place holds about 60 seats including the central bar area so it's rather cozy. There was a public valet stand in the driveway if you wanted to use that paid service. Otherwise, good luck finding curbside parking in this neighborhood as I circled the blocks multiple times before coming across an open space. The current soft opening hours are from 5 to 11 pm daily. The one-page food menu consisted of eighteen listings with three sides scrawled across the top margin and then appetizers, shared plates, entrees, and a dessert below. I suspect the kitchen will occasionally rotate dishes in and out of the menu. I picked the Parm Potato Chips from the top and then the General Joe's Calamari and Stuffed Shells. The spuds were double fried and very crispy with lots of grated parmesan cheese sprinkled in. It was easy to polish off this snack as the chips were addictive. The flash fried squid was the lightest batter I have tasted in such a preparation. There was minimal breading used which I thought was terrific. The calamari was dressed with a calabrian chili glaze, soy sauce, fresno chilis, peanuts, scallions, and carrots. The shells came as four pieces of pasta stuffed with ricotta, marinara, pistachio pesto, and parmigiana. If you are a vegetarian, then this dish will be perfect for your taste. Although I don't imbibe, the cocktail list was a highlight of the bar's offerings. The decor surrounding the bar was intricate art from the Renaissance period. My waitress was polite and efficient with her service. The price tags for the three largest entrees were $40+, however they didn't seem out of place for what you received (e.g. 16 oz of meat). Lala certainly doesn't have the scale of its older brethren, but there were enough creative eats and drinks for a satisfying meal.

Lala was soooooooo good! The drinks were bomb and the food looked amazing! We sat at the bar and the bar staff was awesome! The ambiance is fancy, but relaxed. 10/10

This is a cute spot in little Italy. I expected more ambiance wise in terms of decor, although it was still well put together. The drinks were good, but nothing new. The steak tartare was the best thing that we ordered, but the chicharrones did take away from it. The loaded gnocchi was very underwhelming and had close to no flavor. The stuffed shells had a good marinara sauce, but the stuffing had very little flavor. The service was the best part about our visit. I really appreciated how attentive they were to us and how they offered new plates when a new dish came out. They also offered to box our food which I always appreciate from a restaurant. The parking can be tricky since it is primarily street parking in little Italy. Keep an eye out for the place since it's tucked away a bit from the street.

**Rating strictly off food** I LOVE Lala for their drinks but, unfortunately the food is very mediocre. I was just expecting the same level of wow you receive from Barbusa considering they are sisters and that was not the case. The spicy Caesar was good, lacked spice. The chargrilled oysters simply miss the mark from me, I will say the steak was really tasty. It came out on a bed of onions and mushrooms which I love. The pasta dish was okay, nothing spectacular. The service itself was fine, we were the only one seated in the restaurant for quite some time. And the ambience is still cuter than ever. I will be returning to Lala strictly for Drinks with the girls, while they do have a pretty extensive food menu I would prefer to keep my extra coins and allocate them to drinks.

Came here last night with a girlfriend and we loved it! Ambiance is super cute and modern and the staff was AMAZING. Our waiter was super attentive and we never had to wait for a drink- he was on it! We got the general joes calamari and the Cioppino dish. Both were sooooo good and the portions were huge! The calamari was probably the best I've ever had. I would come back for that dish alone. The Cioppino also was super good- the seafood portions in the dish were well worth the money. The shrimps were massive! We finished our meal with espresso martinis as a dessert and the busa family's recipe for the martini was great. Definately will be back to try other menu options.

The ambience is excellent. Perfect for date night. Parking is difficult even tho they have valet. The line was around the block for valet so get there early. Drinks were amazing and unique. Really enjoyed the Italian old fashioned presentation. All the food was amazing and our favorite was the burrata.

At a glance: Would recommend: Yes Would go again: Yes * Format is my own rating | partner rating * Food quality: 5/5 | 4.8/5 Taste: 5/5 | 4.8/5 Options available: 4/5 | 4.15/5 Price: 4.5/5 | 3.8/5 Decor/Vibes: 5/5 | 4.9/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 | 4.9/5 Customer Service: 4/5 | 4.5/5 Friendliness of staff: 5/5 | 4.5/5 Pros: Nice aesthetic and in the heart of little Italy Cons: Tables were really close together so hard to have more 'private' or intimate meal Overall: 4.7/5 Partner Score: 4.54/5 We went on a Wednesday night and had no issues making a reservation 15 minutes before we wanted to eat. The ambience was really nice for a nice intimate dinner. Also the menu was a little short, but that's not a bad thing. That only means they have fewer ingredients and the food will be more fresh and most likely taste better. We had ordered the sicilian poppers appetizer and it was super delicious. The accompanied sauce was particularly good. We also had the pesto pasta as well as the gnocchi. Both were superb and rich. I preferred the pesto dish, as I could really taste the freshness of the ingredients. The gnocchi was great and the sauce was incredible but I felt it was a bit doughy and pretty heavy. The appetizer and two pastas were filling enough for us and we even took a little of the gnocchi to go. My only 'complaint' is that the water was empty nearly the entire time as I drink a lot of water and the cups are so small. I saw larger parties had a water container so they could refill themselves so I'm sure had I asked they would have brought it for me. They were also a little busy, which is why I'm assuming our server was unable to catch onto the empty water glasses. Overall really good and would recommend the Sicilian poppers and the pesto pasta for sure. Would recommend. Would go again.

We came here after my art event at ArtWalk. It is a beautiful space , very well designed and decorated. The menu is simple and Italian fusion style. We ordered 4 appetizers to share, French baguette, pepper poppers, artichoke and calamari. I have to say, the food here doesn't impress me, they are generally too much sweet components, such as the sweet whipped butter for bread, sweet aioli for popper, and the whole calamari dish is very sweet.... I hope you can reduce the sugar content in your recipe. Otherwise, the service here is nice, atmosphere is good, food is well cooked, I think it's a pretty decent place.

A fun new addition to Little Italy! Excellent cocktails (especially the oat milk espresso martini!) and friendly staff. Although they don't have a ton of gluten free options, a number of the shareables were gluten free and delicious, including the bacon and dates app and the antipasto tower (except the bread), and the bartender was very knowledgeable about allergies and walked us through the menu. Cute ambiance inside. Definitely make a reservation in advance as we tried to walk in without one the first couple of times with no luck. We will definitely go back!

Cute little cozy bar with small plates. It's located in little Italy and we came here on a Thursday night. It was crowded but there is valet parking in the front of the restaurant until 10p for $15. Completely worth it and would recommend if you're going. The drinks were okay. The only one we really enjoyed and would order again was the stiletto which was like a creamy lemon drop. Food was decent. Beef tartare was good but for the some reason the chicharron left a weird coating in my mouth that I've never had before with chicharron. Almost spoiled the taste of the tartare for me. The calamari was amazing. Portion was good for 4 people and it had a sweet Thai chili vibe going on which made it stand out. Honestly I wouldn't come back here but glad I tried it. Food is expensive especially for being in little Italy. You can get the same food at a nicer restaurant or even a less nice restaurant for a better price. Considering that and I only enjoyed one of my drinks it's not something I'd recommend going to

We went for an anniversary dinner. Wow the drinks started out with a bang - so tasty. Then the appetizer was probably my fave at an Italian restaurant. It was creative, and new - Sicilian Pepper Poppers. A small cherry pepper stuffed with cheese with a batter surrounding it. It was like an explosion of cheesy goodness when cut open or bitten. Then we had the meals. OMG - the cheesy sauces in my Butternut Squash Ravioli and in my wife's FAZZOLETTI Pesto pasta were divine. The fresh pasta combined with the sauces make for plate of delicious flavor. With each bite, we were so happy, yet sad the plate showed food disappearing ;) We were too full to have dessert but they have a sister restaurant hand make the desserts, and we were tempted. Next time!

Great restaurant. We almost walked by because it's set back in that driveway. We had an excellent staff. The Pasta Sicilina, steak tartare and the tomato & Burrata appetizer has to be the best in San Diego. We will be back in a few weeks. Must try.

The place looks nice when you walk in and by the prices of the food you'd think it would be good but it's not. The food is mediocre. The gnocchi is way too big and dry inside. The oysters are a big pile of soggy breadcrumbs. The calamari was soggy and rubbery. The old fashion had way too much fruit with way too many little ice cubes. 0 bitters were added to that drink. I'm 27 but I look younger so the server probably thought I wasn't going to tip so he was rude all night until I gave him 20%. Then he started to show respect. I should have gave him nothing. Waste of time considering there are other great places in little italy.

I absolutely loved the ambiance--such a vibe! The space is aesthetically stunning, with a great crowd to match. The food was incredibly fresh and delicious.

Stumbled upon Lala while walking through Little Italy, and I'm glad I did! This place is super cute and unique. I had a lemon drop, and it was delicious. The bartenders were so friendly and welcoming. I'll definitely be back for drinks and to try the food. Lala's such a great vibe!