Maestoso

Very unique Italian restaurant that includes a rotating passaggi menu with seasonal Chef-to-table dishes. The pinsas (Roman street pizzas) are delicious and made from a special dough that is easily digestible. The entrees and pasta dishes are Chef Maestoso's twist on traditional Italian cuisine. I can't say enough about how amazing this place is. The menu is unlike anything else you'll find in San Diego. It's also one of the few restaurants where the chef is walking the floor to interact with guests. A really one of a kind experience.

This place doesn’t just make food. They make art that taste as delicious as it looks. We sat at the pasta bar with a front row view of fresh pasta being made. There are unique offerings like the veggie ball and roasted tomatillo. It was fun to order the main plate and then have a server walk around with a cart full of that day’s special items to add as sides. The pasta serving was small compared to servings at most restaurants but the idea is that you add items to complement your meal. The experience made the meal fun. Great service from the entire team.

Wow, Maestoso. They have a rolling cart with different apps, think Italian dim sum. They do a chef to table experience if you sit at the bar, which of course you should do. Everything is incredibly fresh, they explain every process and the menu. They really care about your experience.

We had an incredible experience at Maestoso! This restaurant truely embraces tradition with creative fusion. Other than the Roman imported ingredients, guest shared view of the kitchen, and carefully hand made dishes, my favorite aspect was the passaggi cart. Small cold and hot plates are presented by chefs who are excited to explain what they have for the guests. These plates always change, so you will always have something new to look forward to! The menu has classic home made pastas and other dishes which will stay on the menu. I honestly felt this was such a gem which will grow to a great popularity very quickly. There is something for everyone and I loved the staff's passion for their food and culture.

Just a couple pix of our fabulous tasting menu. All paired with wines. It was absolutely fantastic. The marriage of classic and new twists for recipies. The warm and inviting restaurant.

The food here is as creative as it is delicious! Presentation is top notch, the wine list is perfect, and as for the staff, there is NONE finer in all of San Diego. If you're looking for a masterful twist on real Italian, made by Italians, this should be your go to spot.

Maestoso blew my expectations out of the park. I loved the chef’s creations that they brought around to offer in addition to the menu. The pinsas, pastas, and other house specialties were delicious! We got the lamb chops (so tender and tasty!) and a tortellini pasta that had the most delicious sauce. The service was some of the best I’ve encountered in a while. Our server was very helpful and attentive, and I just got a great vibe from the entire staff. A must try!

I learned Maestoso actually translates (loosely) to "majestic." It also happens to be the head chef's last name: Marco Maestoso! However, I'm willing to bet majestic is an appropriate one-word description for this Italian hot-spot. What I like most about Maestoso is that it's humble, inviting, and authentic. Much like a sushi bar, the numerous chef's at Maestoso busily prepare orders literally right in front of your eyes--if you're sitting at the wrap-around bar that is. Everything is made to order, and it's just as much fun to watch things being prepared as it is to eat. Choice ingredients, including specific spices (and even flour,) come directly from Italy. This attention to detail is pivotal, as it truly adds flair, taste, and authenticity to each and every dish. Dishes are also meticulously prepared, and each one is given the proper care and attention it deserves. The result is a sophisticated plate of food that not only ensnare the senses, it'll give your palate something to happily contemplate. Each dish I tried brought something unique to the table, and I was hard-pressed to choose a single favorite--that's a good sign! Their pizza is fantastic. I want to know how they perfect the crust. It's flaky, yet soft...defying logic I guess?! But their pasta is what truly steals the show. I challenge you to find a better tasting (and looking) pasta dish. I'm spoiled now. Last but not least, I got to give a shout out to the pastry chef (also named Marco.) His crafty concoctions are a work of art. Each delectable bit is chock-full of rich flavor. I appreciate how he doesn't lay a heavy hand on the sugar, and lets natural ingredients (fresh berries, rich dark chocolate) speak for itself.

Came here to have Sunday brunch during SD pride. We happen to find this place because it was the closest from where we were walking. They had patio seating and they were gracious to have it set up for us. Nice restaurant decor. Simple and open plan seatings. Friendly and helpful waiters. Since it is titled as a pizzeria also we started with their Roman style pizza: amatriciana. The bread and crust is so fragrant. Simple ingredients and topped with saffron threads. They had some spice and yummy crushed tomatoes. Recommend ordering this pizza if you like some heat. I had the simple Cacio e Pepe| Al dente pasta and simple ingredients with generous pepper. We also had parpadelle with bolognese. Tasty, comforting and satisfying bolognese sauce. Their spaghetti and meat balls are good and the clam pasta. I would come back if we visit SD again!

More or less a disappointing experience. Vibe: extremely loud as if you are in a club. we could barely hear or understand our server and had to shout to order our meal. It feels like they are going for high end, fine Italian dining, but that is not what you will get. It's set up like a chain in terms of decor and furniture. We walked past and were hoping to sit on the patio, but we're denied because they closed the patio before they stopped taking tables. Food: very overpriced. The clam pasta we ordered was a watery mess and the noodles were beyond undercooked (I enjoy an al dente noodle). A simple Caesar salad is almost $20 and then additional $10 just to add chicken. no substitutions or modifications are allowed on any items. Again, feels like fine dining, but the quality and atmosphere just missed the mark. The truffle fries were overcooked and seemed like mashed potatoes on the inside. It was just a single potato potato wedged. They have a full bar, but we could only order two cocktails that were $17 each. I ordered a beer came in a can and was fairly warm. Either the prices need to match the food and atmosphere or the food and atmosphere need to be elevated. $45 per person and we walked out disappointed. I did like my Amatriciana pizza, so not all was lost. It still felt overpriced though.

Tavola Nostra is one of the best Italian spots in Hillcrest! If you're searching for pizza or pasta, look no further! I started with the Nostra Bruschetta, which was delicious and fresh. I also had the Arancini (risotto balls with beef and mozzarella), which is served with a side of marinara sauce. They were so good! Their marinara sauce is fantastic. For the main course, I went with the lasagna and pizza margherita. The lasagna was really good but the pizza was the star. Service was top notch and my server was happy to make recommendations. The restaurant was nice and clean.

It has been a while, but we were driving around aimlessly looking for somewhere to eat that had outdoor seating and was dog friendly. I can't believe I haven't been back! The times I've come, parking was crazy and they were really busy, but on this lazy Sunday, there were tables available on the patio! The friendly server remembered us when she came to say hello. I think she recognized Cako first...LOL! We shared the delicious bruschetta, a traditional pepperoni pizza, and the tagliatelli bolognese, both were very good! Two glasses of chianti and we were good! We had a very enjoyable meal and the people watching was great! There was a drag event going on at Rich's across the street. Cako Approves!

The food was amazing the taste was delicious. Location was clean and the service was on point. A really nice location for a nice seat down lunch

Food is amazing! The pizza is like 90% New York. We had also had the penne pasta dish. The banana split was very good as well. Portions are good for sharing. We ate family style. When they say spicy they mean it. Service is a bit chaotic but servers are nice and you see them hustling. The service is a little slow so be prepared and do go there on starve mode on a Friday or Saturday night.

A wonderful Tagliatelle Bolognese pasta dish... Highly recommended with a nice red wine from Puglia Italy (also on the menu). Ask for Maristella for great service

Absolutely love this place! My cousins who are locals like this spot so they brought me here when I was painfully hungover from a night at Rich's across the street, and it was such good recovery food. We shared the bruschetta, truffle fries, antipasto salad, cacio e pepe, and pepperoni NY-style pizza, plus a bottle of sparkling water. All of it was fabulous. I really loved the bruschetta and their pizza! I'm a pizza snob thanks to the couple of years I spent in undergrad living in Connecticut and this pizza passes the test. Great crisp on the crust and generous pepperoni portions, with a light sauce ratio for an extra perfect bite. Had to end the meal with their banana split, which was so yummy. They give you a very full bowl of their hazelnut gelato with it so we couldn't even finish it between the three of us! My one and only "complaint" is that the portion size of the truffle fries was very small (only about six fries on the plate) but each fry was pretty big and dense, so you don't need a bunch if you only have two or three people in your party. I don't think I'll need to order that appetizer next time. And the bananas in the banana split weren't caramelized as described, just cut up and included on the sides, but that didn't take away from how good the dish was. We loved the waitstaff (and owner!) here--really attentive and anticipatory service which was nice. The owner even gave us 50% off our dessert since we had already closed our tab before changing our minds about wanting the banana split, so we had to create a separate check for it, and when we were ready to pay for just that they had gotten a big party inside so their waitstaff was a bit busy and there was the slightest delay in getting our second/final check, so that was a classy move! P.S. they have Diet Dr Pepper, for anyone who likes it, because it's their owner's favorite! A rare treat for sure. The interior is cozy and relaxed; we were seated immediately but it was off-peak hours (4 p.m. on a Saturday) and it started to get busier by the time we left closer to dinner. Easy lot parking in the back with great walkability to nearby shops and bars. We spent $100 for a filling family-style meal for three, and I can't wait to go back.

Love you Maristella and Jose Luis. This place is like family. Try their patriótica pizza or their prosciutto pizza. Their lasagna is my favorite. Their Zinfandel(primitivo) wine from Verona is my favorite. The Brussels sprouts for starter (without the spicy chili oil) is my recommendation. Feels like a little of Italy in San Diego. Excellent service and the ambiance is great.

We stopped by for lunch since we were in the strip mall. We ordered the classic pepperoni pizza, patricotta pizza, and calamari. This was a lot of food for two people, but we happily took leftovers home, The pepperoni pizza was cheesy and deliciously salty. The patricotta was a pesto pizza with fresh burratta. Of the two pizzas, I liked the pepperoni the best since it was more flavorful. The pizzas were Roman style flatbread with a cloud like crust. It's definitely different than traditional pizza. The calamari was good, but was not crisp. It was not busy during lunch hour and service was quick and friendly. It was a relaxing lunch with lovely Italian music playing in the background.

I've been on the hunt for a good pizza place in SD and I enjoyed this place! The location is warm and inviting and I loved the big fire pit outside. While the pies here are listed as NY style they are more Neapolitan style. Neapolitan style pizza can be really hit or miss for me because the crust can get soggy. However, the crust here was nice and crispy and not too thick. The pizza could've used a little more sauce but it was good either way especially with the prosciutto on top! The arugula salad was also well dressed and nice and peppery.

Went here the other night, a tiny issue had arise. Everything was handled professionally & taken care of. Our server was a sweet old lady and she definitely gave me 5star "Nona vibes." She was making sure we were comfortable and just honestly going out of her way & she didn't even need to. Then we met the owner and Jeff's an awesome guy. He comped our truffle fries (which by the way are delicious, highly recommend.) customer service was top tier. The food really does speak for itself. My partner and I enjoyed it, we had a pressing engagement we had to get to so we only had time to order appetizers. However judging off the two starters that we ordered We can't wait to come back to enjoy an actual entree from here. I already know it's gonna be delicious. Clean, Old school Portraits on the wall , nice & relaxed atmosphere & To which I assume is "old Italia vibe." I don't drink alcohol ,but they have a wonderful selection of wine. Parking is available shared with other businesses in the plaza , of course there's always street parking too. Anyways check this business out, Enjoy!

Tavola Nostra means "our table" in Italian and everything they do is rooted in family tradition. They really go out of their way to make you feel at home when you're there. It's got such a nice relaxed vibe here and the service is so fast and friendly. We enjoyed: Spritz del Conte Birra Dell Eremo Fiera IPA Pecorino Truffle Fries Vulcano Pinsa Linguine alle Vongole Braised Shortrib Gnocchi Baba Rum Cappuccino What an incredible meal Their truffle fries are thick potato wedges just loaded with flavor. The vulcano pinsa is pretty spicy with calabrian chili and sausage, but nicely balanced with creamy burrata. The Linguine with clams was one of the best versions of this dish we've ever tried. And the gnocchi dish was a new special on their menu and the way the shortrib just melts in your mouth with the pillowy, chewy gnocchi was just heavenly. The rum cake was the perfect way to end the meal - lightly sweet to offset the slightly bitterness of the cappuccino.

Finally checked out this spot, and was not disappointed. First off, the Burrata on the Pinsa is A1! SOOO GOOD! If you want to have some of the best pizza- you found the place. The flavor, the crust, the toppings- just YUMMY- highly recommend getting the Nosta Salsiccia e Broccolini or even the classic Margherita (I saw multiple to by to different tables that looked delicious and perfect perfect)! I ordered the Pollo alla Parmigiana and cleared the plate clean. The sauce was great on the spaghetti so I can only imagine it paired with the meatball would be the perfect comfort dinner! Breading was great on the calamari fritti and the aioli paired with it was the perfect touch. Staff is friendly and welcoming- service was great and food came out quick. They offer seating both inside and their outside patio. Can't wait to come back and try more food here!

Second time here and I'm excited to come back when I'm back in the area. This place is such an underrated gem. The food is amazing, service is great, and atmosphere is upscale but cozy. Perfect place for a date, family dinner, or a nice dinner without completely breaking the bank. I've ordered a few dishes from here and each were delicious and I have no complaints. The dishes are also all very shareable which I appreciate. One salad and a pasta were enough between me and my friend. Parking is easy since it's in a plaza. It can get crowded but spots open up. It's in a convenient area since you can also do other things like grocery shopping in the same stop.

Never again... a huge disappointment. We ordered $200 worth of food, and they completely short-changed us on a few of the items. The lasagna (see pic) and the marsala pasta looked like it was half eaten. The spaghetti and meatballs barely had any noodles. This is a complete scam at ~$26 each. How do you serve food like this to customers, knowing you're ripping them off? The lack of integrity is just embarrassing,

Super fun time here - so glad we tried it! I'd looked at the menu many times - even though it has great ratings on Yelp, it was hard to figure out how it would be different from every other Italian place. And they only have wine and not a liquor license. BUT... we finally got ourselves here and almost everything was delicious! 5 stars: service (thank you, Ellie!) 5 stars: kitchen efficiency (food came SO FAST and we were hungry) 5 stars: patio: it gets crowded in the summer, but in winter, inside was BUSY & FULL, but outside was spacious and folks weren't on top of us. 5 stars: parking! 4.5 stars on average: food! We started out with the grilled BRUSCHETTA and the soup of the day (MINESTRONE). The bruschetta was *excellent* - they're really really good at grilled bread here (it was on a few dishes) and the tomatoes and vinaigrette were great. The minestrone was not mind-blowing flavorwise BUT it was extremely tasty and hearty. Rustic, traditional, yummy. Really nice big chunks of vegetables and a few pieces of the yummy bread. Wine: got a very yummy red blend from Tuscany for $12. Ellie steered me well. I wish places could let you get half-glasses - I hate spending $24 to get a nice buzz when there are no cocktails in sight! But it was tasty and I enjoyed it. Entrees: Even though this place is best known for pizza, we each wanted something else and didn't want too much food! Sweetie got the veal parm, I got the eggplant (melanzane) parm. Both were really yummy. A very full-bodied and rich tomato sauce. Mine came with... more grilled bread; the meat one came with spaghetti. The spaghetti was not that memorable (not like the spaghetti we had at Red Door recently) - but who really cares since we had enough food. Dessert: Sweetie got the cannoli, I tried the pistachio cheesecake special. (they were out of the chocolate torte we wanted). Cannoli was quite good - and this is coming from someone who's had quite a few cannolis! The pistachio cheesecake was my least favorite thing of the night, even though I love both pistachios and cheesecake. It's ricotta based and so lighter than a cream cheesecake, but it was more savory and less sweet than I expected and not something I'd get again. It's great that you can park in this lot (usually), since this is in the shopping center in Hillcrest on Vermont with dedicated parking - but then you're dining not feeling you're in a strip mall, since the outdoor tables are on Vermont Street. We loved this place overall and will come back. Even though I can't get a cocktail here, we loved our food and want to try the pizza - and the chocolate torte next time!

Rated a 4 but it's 5. Just saving the last star for full dinner service with wine. Highly recommended. My review is based on a simple amazing lunch of a salad and pizza. But don't think it's that simple ... coming from a restaurant that has been diner's choice on open table the last couple years. This place wasn't even on my radar, and I thought I knew, but have yet to review, all the great Italian restaurants in San Diego and North County. Walking into Tavola Nostra, I'm welcomed by a cute, comfortable design, earthy tones, bright and welcoming space. Neat and aligned place settings; I'm thinking upscale casual, somewhere to dress up or dress down, but very down to earth. My guest and I are seated and as I peruse the menu, I hear Ol' Blue Eyes sing, 'Come Fly with Me; then I hear Dean Martin, the Rat Pack era, a classy and smart selection of music. Staff are attentive and personable and we quickly ordered, starting with a salad of Sicilian mixed greens: chilled fresh, high quality produce. The highlight was the marinated cucumber, heirloom tomatoes and the aged balsamic which had so much flavor and elevated the salad. Next was the Pinsa Roma, we chose the Patriottica and the Margherita. The crust has a crispy exterior, soft interior light and airy. The Pesto is so fresh with a well rounded taste made with quality ingredients. The burrata, cool and creamy, blends well with the rest of the ingredients for balance. The warm juicy cherry tomatoes that popped acidity against the pesto with aged balsamic adding another layer of flavor. A glass of wine would pair so well with the Patriottica. The Margherita; the texture and acidity of the crushed house tomatoes with sea salt and EVOO (you can taste its quality) with the burrata for balance, fresh basil leaf was delightful! The perfect bite! The construction of each piece of our Pinsa Roma pizzas gave me everything it promised in every bite. I enjoyed my time at Tavola Nostra. I respect when a menu translates well to the plate. No words spoken but thoroughly understood, this is to what great restauranteurs and chefs aspire. Bellisimo!

It's a romantic and intimate restaurant. We walked in with no reservation for dinner, and we were seated at the bar. It was such a good seat, I loved watching the chefs make pizza. The pizza was phenomenal. The crust was light, airy, but substantial. The best pizza I've ever had. I'm still dreaming about it! I can't wait to go back. For the dessert, we had the ice cream. It was refreshing and sweet for the summer. On the next visit back, I'll have to try the tiramisu.

Food: If you're looking for some of the BEST Roman style pizzas in San Diego, then you have to come here. Their dough is amazing - it's so chewy and delicious that it takes me back to being in Italy! My favorite pizzas are their margharita and their dolce and salato for the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Their New York style pizzas are also delicious! Service: All the staff were very attentive and kind. We met the owner and he was the sweetest! It was great to hear how this restaurant started and the heart behind it. Ambiance: A very Italian feel with both inside and outdoor seating. They also have a free parking lot as there are other businesses around, which is a huge plus in this area.

I ordered the pepperoni pizza tonight and it was really good. The service was outstanding and the cost was reasonable. I bought the pizza to go and it was a good experience.

This is easily my favorite Italian restaurant in the Hillcrest neighborhood and one of my go-to date night spots with my husband. It's usually pretty easy to walk in on week nights and be seated right away. The vibe is very casual and down to earth. I usually order a glass of the Opaque which is one of my favorite wines from Paso Robles and hard to find on menus. We almost always start with the Brussels sprouts and then split a pizza and a pasta dish. Their pizzas are so good. They remind me of the pizzas you get in Italy. The crust is pillowy soft. Staff is so friendly here. Always a great dinner experience at Tavola Nostra.

Pizza is true Napoleon style. Most importantly bottom not so burnt as the other Italian pizza places. Very flavorful. I normally don't eat the crust but can't stop munching on them. Friendly owner and servers. Welcoming atmosphere and yummy smell of Italian food.

Tavola Nostra Pizzeria e Cucina was one of the best experiences I have had revisiting San Diego after having resided there for a few years. The owner, Jeff, has brought the taste of authentic Italian cuisine to the former bustling area of Hillcrest. Many might venture to Little Italy for the ambience and experience as it remains a heavy tourist attraction, however, one should never over look stumbling into areas with competing Italian food. Tavola was a wonderful treat before leaving my short visit. The service was warm and personable. Tavola and Chef/Owner Jeff have a beautiful story to share with customers including immigrating to the country and owning Italian restaurants in the early 80's. I've traveled to Italy a handful of times and I can confirm that the food was spot on. I hope Tavola grows and remains a staple in the Hillcrest community. Margherita Pizza: 10/10 Bruschetta: 10/10 Salad: 10/10 Tiramisu: 10/10 Service: 20/10

The best tiramisu I've had here in San Diego! you can visually see the espresso moist the dessert. We always get the same Italian lady server. She is the best. Sorry, her name escapes me right now. There's only 1Italian lady there and we live her. She's just amazing! She remembered us the 2nd time we went back. And the succeeding days. She welcomes you, sits you, takes your order, chats with you with her very pleasant smile and demeanor. And she clears tables too. Very efficient! I went back one time just to get a tiramisu to go and she saw me from the corner of her eye, waved and came over. She offered me a sip of their new red wine, it was a good one too, while not lingering too long and forgetting her diners. Just simply an amazing positive person! Aside from the tiramisu, I like their Italian Margarita pizza. They make the best Marsala sauce. I love their Cesar dressing too. Not going to mince my words, it's YUMMY! We had their lasagna, meat balls, chicken parmigiana. We just keep coming back.

I wish I'd taken more photos! This is a must stop on and enjoy place! Warm and comfortable fir a date night or groups. Service is spot on and you feel warmth of all the staff. Mmmm the food is fabulous Italian rustic. Everything from the pizzas to the pasta dishes were delicious. They are heavy on on the spice but I personally love that. I must say the tiramisu was the best I've had outside of Italy! Mmmm absolutely delicious AF! Bravo!!!

OUR TABLE ... that's what "Tavola Nostra" means. - FOOD: ok - PRICE: meh - SERVICE: excellent - AMBIANCE: cool space Craving calamari and pizza and this place popped up. Wanted to try something new besides the regular rotation places. The restaurant is in a prime location. It's clean. Nice variety menu. Employees are VERY welcoming. ITALIAN SODA ($5) - the lemon Italian soda was yummy. It tasted like a carbonated lemonade; I love lemonade. And I live drinking this flavor in the summer and when eating fried foods. HIGHLY RECOMMEND PINSA MARGARITA ($20) - house crushed tomato, burrata cheese, basil, sea salt, EVOO. This is Roman style pizza. I love Roman style pizza but didn't realize "Pinsa" is Roman style pizza until the waitress started to describe. You'll notice on the menu a 12' pie is cheaper than a Pinsa. Maybe, I should have ordered the pizza. The Pinsa here was overrated in my opinion. When it came out the size was plenty. The taste was ok. Sure it was basic but the taste needed to level up. The sauce wasn't my favorite, nothing special and was acidic. The crust was airy, soft middle, and crispy ends but it was just ok. It fell a little flatter than my expectations. CALAMARI FRITTI ($19.5) - fried calamari, fresh herbs, pepperoncini aioli, arrabbiata sauce. Now the calamari made up for the Pinsa. Nice crispy outer texture without over frying the calamari. The calamari flesh was tender-oni good. The pepperoni i aioli dipping sauce paired well with the calamari after a big squeeze of fresh lemon. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Not a full CON TUTTO I'AMORE review but maybe another day. until the next review...

Stopped in here for dinner one night and it did not disappoint. My friends and I were in the mood for so many things on their menu and couldn't decide. So naturally we just ordered a bunch of things to try and share! We started with a bottle of wine that our server recommended. Our server was super sweet and the food all came out really quickly! We ordered the meatballs and arancini to start. We shared the Cacio E Pepe, Pepperoni Pizza and a flatbread pizza that had a nice spicy kick to it. I can't wait to come back here hopefully soon!

I've been to Hillcrest several times and had never heard of this place until a friend recommended it to me - and I'm so glad they did! It's located along University inside the same strip mall as Nishiki, Ike's, and Ralphs. Parking isn't too difficult in my opinion, which was another plus. My experience here was amazing from start to finish. Our server was super friendly and seemed really passionate about the menu and answering any questions we had. We ended up choosing the pecorino truffle fries, patriottica pizza, and tagliatelle bolognese. When we placed our order for the truffle fries, I think we were expecting thick cut fries instead of potato wedges - but don't take that the wrong way, we were actually surprised at how well-cooked the truffle fries were! Super cripsy on the outside, the truffle and parmesan flavors balanced really well, and the inside was still soft and warm! Would highly recommend this as an appetizer. The patriottica pizza was super delicious - the burrata and balsamic glaze paired really well together and made for a great eat. But my favorite was by far the tagliatelle bolognese. The serving size was just perfect, and the noodles tasted super fresh and perfectly cooked. The sauce wasn't too loaded and had just the right amount of flavor and meat. It is very obvious that they care greatly about the quallty of all their food! I will definitely be back.

So I think we may have come on a slightly off night because our pasta didn't look quite like the pictures I saw on here, but overall still a good experience! Great ambiance and service. The caesar salad was a little too cheesy and too soggy. The pinsa margherita was 11/10 amazing and the pasta Marsala was pretty good. The cacio e pepe was basically a soup and pretty much inedible. Our waiter saw that we hadn't eaten much of it and kindly offered to comp it for us, so it was all good. Would try to come back since several things were really good and we still had a nice time.

Wow! We really enjoyed the ambiance, service, and food here. My bf and I decided to take our server's recommendations since it was our first time here. Everything was delicious! The pasta was definitely fresh and sooo good. Would highly recommend.

Friday night dinner with Friends. We had reservations, no longer in my 30's hoping that there is an opening on a weekend night. Seating in Tavolo comprises of the reg table or bar top. we prefer to have the reg and we moved. Then before we received our food, an emergency with the table behind us, prompting us to move again. We tried to help as best we can, calling 911, then a Dr in the room helped. The patient was wheeled out but the restaurant assured us she will be fine. Now for the food, our monthly dinner is always a way to try different places once a month. We ordered several items from the menu as you can see in the photos. The main reason to go here was the roman pizza, the pizza is rectangular and the crust was crunchy (this is my preference), the meats were delicious. The spice comes primarily from the chili oil (and meat). One of us is not really into spicy food so the oil was on the side to pour at your own slice. I would absolutely get this again, The Pasta marsala with mushrooms was sufficient complement to the pizza (no chicken added) Obviously if you are having the pasta for your self add the meat. Two of us had beer and the other two a glass of wine. We didn't have dessert this time. Would I go again, of course but I'll have my Roman Pizza minus the emergency ;--)

SETTING Tavola Nostra Pizzeria e Cucina is a family restaurant in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego serving pizza and Sicilian/Italian dishes as it's name suggests. The interior has a casual, rustic vibe with wood decor, brick walls, and polished concrete flooring. Traditional Italian music was playing in the background. The exterior also has seating with heat lamps and a fire pit. FOOD 5/5 Caponata Siciliana $12.5: sauteed eggplant, brined olives, tangy capers served w/ grilled bread, pine nuts. I was surprised this dish is served cold, but it has a sweetness and tanginess that kept me digging in. 4.5/5 Polpelle di Manzo $14: (Sicilian Meatballs) grated pecorino, basil, tender beef. These meatballs are tender and flavorful, and served with marinara. I could use an extra pinch of something, maybe olive oil. 3.5/5 Patriottica Pinsa Romana $21.5: House pesto, burrata cheese, cherry tomatoes, aged balsamic glaze, basil. PINSA ROMANA are Tavola's 12" oval pizzas which are an Ancient Roman Recipe containing a three flour mixture: wheat, rice & soy. The flour is imported from Italy, 80% hydration, low yeast with a 48-96 hour fermentation. Tavola states there are no animal fats, and it is non-GMO, vegan, and easy to digest. I personally would add some Parmesan, spice, sausage, prosciutto, or pepperoni to give it a little more flavor. The crust was chewy, slightly crisp, and charred in some areas. 4/5 Catch of the day: This was a Sicilian style branzino (flaky white fish) with crispy skin, cold cucumber couscous, roasted tomatoes and potatoes - only available during San Diego Restaurant Week 5/5 tiramisu: Sweet, creamy, and caffeinated - these ladyfingers are soaked in Caffe Vergnano 1882® Espresso, layered with generous amounts of mascarpone, and topped with cocoa. DRINKS The wine list is extensive and notably Italian. SERVICE 5/5 staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and helpful with getting heat lamps on, ordering, and table service. PARKING 2/5 Nearby street parking is available. There doesn't appear to be a parking lot.

Delicious bread and pinsa crust! Excellent service! Almost no wait on a Sunday at peak dining despite a packed house. Staff really coordinated well. I really do NOT recommend bringing children or teenagers here. Despite the fact that it's a 'pizza' restaurant, it serves authentic Italian style pinsa and pizza- not the Americanized stuff kids prefer. And accordingly, Alex had no appetite for it. Their pinsa differs from the pizza in that the dough fermentation time is longer and results in a higher protein crust. Pinsa is also more oval vs round and is cooked at a lower temp for longer. We ordered: 1. Cesare salad: refreshingly crisp and perfectly dressed with crunchy croutons. Sadly I couldn't taste any anchovy- which I dearly love and require in cesare salad. Alex liked this salad the best. 2. Caponata siciliana: reviews made this sound so divine, I had to try it- very good, perfectly cooked eggplant- not mushy at all, and the bread served with it was magical- toasted just right- not too hard with the crust, yet still perfectly crispy. Would order again. As for Alex, it was like torture to get him to taste one tiny cube of eggplant and then he chugged his water to wash it down as if it were medicine 3. Nostra Salciccia e Broccolini Pinsa: sausage broccolini and burrata. Alex had been 'saving room' for pinsa, but the second he saw it, he was so disappointed he refused to even taste it. I think he had been expecting marinara sauce with the sausage and burrata. He very stubbornly boycotted it and retreated to eating half the salad instead. Personally, I thought it looked gorgeous! I felt the crust was perfect, the burrata was refreshingly cold, and the salciccia was warm and flavorful. I really wanted to love it, so I thoughtfully and carefully ate 2 pieces, but I somehow feel something was missing. The broccolini were ok but just didn't add flavor or interest here. Overall the flavor combo did not pop for me. Next time, I will try to come back with a more sophisticated dining partner(s), so I can try out more of their dishes! I could clearly see their execution and authenticity were en pointe. I think I just didn't order the best choices for our palates and mood.

Had another great meal at Tavola Nostra today. We always order a Pinsa Romana (Roman pizza) and it is fantastic every time. Outdoor seating + friendly staff + amazing pizza - one of my favorite Hillcrest spots.

I've been stalking this restaurant on yelp for about two months now. I finally had the chance to try it today and I'm mad I didn't go sooner. We started with the cavoletti di bruxelles and they were cooked perfectly. Between two of us we shared the broccolini roman style pizza and pasta alla amatricana. Our server was lovely and the restaurant is in a great spot if you like people watching. I can't wait to go again so I can try more items on the menu.

Went here for my wife's birthday dinner last night and wanted to take her somewhere nice. I saw this spot while driving and wanted to take her here after I researched it. When we entered it felt like home. Are server was great she sat us down in a great area to see the whole restaurant and we made our drink orders and she brought them to us quickly. We ordered two apps the arancini and the truffle frites, they came out pretty fast the frites were thick like potato wedges the arancini was nice and plump. The truffle aioli was pungent salty and delicious it definitely enhanced the frites and the frites were crispy on the outside, but had a mashed potato texture on the inside, my wife loved the arancini the creaminess of the cheese and the sauce was well seasoned. We got a chance to speak with Jeff the owner who's a really good guy, we enjoyed ourselves and will give this spot another go in the future.

Best Italian restaurant in the world !! Not only is the food great here , people , service , their genuine caring attitude towards customers makes this place a slam dunk ! Their Pinsas are out of this world , so are their awesome pasta dishes . We can Naveen have enough of this restaurant --- best ever !!

Seriously one of the best pizzas I've had in San Diego. I saw the pepperoni pizza on Yelp and immediately booked a reservation for the upcoming week. My girlfriend and I visited last night, turns out you don't need a reservation at 4:45 on a Wednesday lol, we were one 2 of 4 guests. Our server was incredibly friendly and quick getting our orders. We had the Pasta Marsala and the Pepperoni Pizza. The Pasta Marsala was a solid 3.5/5. It tasted fresh, but lacked a little in the flavor department. The Pepperoni pizza is what will have me coming back regularly. The crust... fluffy, light, and honestly what makes this pizza a 11/10. It was so cheesy and loaded with crisp pepperonis. The undercarriage was a bit floppy, but nothing out of the ordinary for an authentic Italian pizza. I had the last slice left over and cold, and it was still heavenly. The vibe is quaint and warm. A great, casual date night spot that won't break the bank and still give you a delicious meal.

I've been in eating Italian in San Diego for over 20 years, and I'll say this is in the Top 5 of local Italian eateries. The wife and I enjoyed Valentine's dinner, luckily I was able to get a reservation almost last minute! The ambience is romantic and elegant despite the industrial look, and the sound management is incredible...despite it being packed it was still a comfortable noise level to talk without shouting. Our waiter was kind, attentive, strong and handsome...rawr! The rest of the staff was friendly as well. Added bonus: this is one of the few Hillcrest eateries that has a parking lot! $22.50 Pinsa Dolce E Salato...a unique pizza iteration that's oval shaped and more of a crunchy texture than a regular pizza, almost opposite of the soft chewy Neapolitan style. Mozzarella, guanciale, pecorino Romano, & honey on this tasty version giving a mix of sweet and savory in each bite. My only complaint is that its rather small for price point. It would make a good lunch, but its not quite enough for a dinner. $18 Pasta Marsala + $9 for organic chicken...one of the best pastas ever! Cremini mushroom, aged parmigiano reggiano, fresh parsley, creamy marsala wine sauce blended with penne pasta. So creamy and savory and delicious! Again, I just wish the portion was larger for a $27 pasta dish. $13 Delizia al Limon...Dessert! A lovely Lemon cake, cream filling, yum! But again, its a rather small piece of cake for the price. In a nutshell...great people, great ambience, and great food! But rather small portions compared to some of my other favorite Italian eateries. Maybe that's a good thing since swimsuit season is coming.

Finally Friday... The special was 4 cheese gnocchi with short ribs sauce... sorry mom, I've never had such light gnocchi.. amazing. Penne Arrabiata with sausage is always spicy and fantastic.. Thank you Jeff!

We had a really nice date night at Tavola Nostra. Everything we ate was delish from the pizza, to their really yummy Cesare Salad. We shared a couple Belgian beers and honestly I couldn't think of a better night. Oh actually I can lol. Being the foodies we are, we finished the night with a couple cappuccinos and an ice cream s sundae my partner devoured. Great night together at a great place with a sweet server. I forgot her name but she was really attentive and kind. Blonde hair I think and a patch tattoo sleeve. You were awesome, thank you!

The first time I dined here was with family, another birthday celebration. On this visit, we carefully chose some dishes because we had a vegan sitting at the table. Because we were a party of eight, we were able to feast on a lot of flavorful and colorful dishes from the menu -- family style! On my second visit. my dear friend, George, said he'd been frequenting this new restaurant and he wanted me to join him. I told him what I enjoyed on my first visit, so as we sat at the bar, we ordered the Vulcano Pinsa Romana and the Sicilian Mixed Greens, and got to meet Chefs Jeff and Erik. Jeff shared his history of his Roman family, his life's transitions and about his pizza flour recipe. His rooted passion shows through his food. A sensational eatery. Mangia! Mangia!

Let's chat about my rendezvous at Tavola Nostra Pizzeria e Cucina - a true slice of Sicilian heaven right here in Hillcrest. First off, let's give a round of applause for the customer service - it went beyond the norm and straight into the realm of genuine hospitality. You can feel the Sicilian roots in every dish, and that family touch adds a sprinkle of magic to the experience. Now, as I walked in, the casual decor immediately set the tone - this place is all about relaxed comfort. And let me tell you, the cozy and warm ambiance? It's like being wrapped in a culinary hug. Located in the heart of Hillcrest, it's a gem waiting to be discovered. And the food? Oh, the food! We kicked things off with an antipasto salad that's a burst of fresh flavors. And the lasagna? It's like a savory symphony of layers that danced on my taste buds. Paired with a glass of wine that was clearly meant to be, this was a match made in culinary heaven. Tavola Nostra, consider me a devoted fan - your Sicilian magic has captured my heart and palate!

The calamari frittie was delicious. I enjoyed it. Perfectly crispy. The truffle fries could have used more truffle flavor but was crispy and delicious. Perfectly cooked The Caesar salad was good and the croutons very crunchy and crispy. Delicious The tavolo pizza was so delicious. Perfectly cooked and seasoned beautifully. Highly recommend this pizza. So good

My sophisticated palate was in the mood for some Italian food. So I trusted Yelp to help me find this family owned restaurant - a BIG THANK YOU to the Yelp Community for their reviews. Much appreciated! I decided to come to this place to also contribute to the feedback. The staff was also very instrumental...being helpful and attentive to my needs since it was my first time there. I appreciated their knowledge and recommendations. I ended up ordering the San Antonio Lambrusco wine to unwind after a long workshop session. As for my meal, I had arugula salad with pasta mandala and titamisu for desert. All I can say to myself with each bite was "Buonissimo!!" I will definitely come again to try the other food items that look amazing.

When I saw the truffle fries brought to our table, I thought to myself that the $2 per fry stick better be good. And it was! It's airy inside and. It potato-ey. I love the Caesar salad. Calamari had a heavy but not thick breading and it was delicious. The Tavola pizza is ok..I don't think the hot honey was hot. Could be a play of hot honey chicken but it's a fumble.

This place is a hidden gem and I really think more people should know about them! The food is excellent--the pizza is great and the tiramisu is some of the best I've ever had. Their service is also top notch--this is a family-owned restaurant and they are always incredibly kind to us. Highly recommend!

The alla Norma pizza and the chicken Marsala pasta are OUTSTANDING!!!! I have yet to have a bad meal at this restaurant, and the service is exceptional. The food is literally orgasmic and I'm always looking forward to coming back and trying more. They also gave me the cutest birthday cannoli to celebrate. Everything was perfect!

I have been here twice and each time I've been here everything has been great. Pizza is amazing