Semola

We came here at 4:45pm for 5pm reservation through Open Table on a week day and there happen to be plenty of parking up and down Faye Street. As it got later, you’re competing with other restaurants, The Lot theater and Vons supermarket. Semola is located across the street from Vons and sandwiched between two pizza businesses (Pizza Pronto and Bernini’s Bistro). You have the choice of indoor seating, covered heated patio or out in the open patio in the courtyard. Both patios are pet friendly and we brought our dog. We got seated immediately and the hostess, server, and even the chef came out to greet us and explained their concept as well as when each plate was served. They said Semola is a fine dining experience and expected to be serve in smaller portions and it’s a fusion of Italian and Spain. That the noodles are expected to be on the al dente chewier side. Started off with a complimentary bruschetta spread with 4 slices of baguette. The bruschetta amount was enough for one slice of bread so we had to ration it out. Amatriciana di mare ($29) - tomato sauce, guanciale (pork cheek), sprinkled with pecorino cheese, large blue Caledonian prawns. I really enjoyed the cubed fatty crispy pieces of pork cheek. The saltiness balanced well with the tomato sauce. We got fettuccine pasta but I saw discrepancy in other Yelp photos that this dish was served with bucatini. I would have preferred bucatini. Arrabbiata ($19)- tomato based sauce, Calabrian chili (not spicy), sprinkled with parmigiano 24M (top quality cheese) and garnished with parsley on fusilli noodle. This was more of a vegetarian dish. Very tasty. Tasted more of the tomato sauce on this dish. Nero di gamberi ($35) - squid ink pasta, 3 pieces of large raw headed prawns with a half grilled lemon. We had omakase the day before so sashimi did not scare us! The pasta was served al dente and really chewy. I had a hard time cutting it with the butter knife. That didn’t bother me and was delicious. I would have preferred a whole lemon because half was not enough to squirt generously on the prawns and the pasta. You need to drizzle it on the pasta! Overall, it was a delightful experience. I’m glad we got an introduction it’ll be served as smaller portions and how the pasta are meant to be al dente. Pricing is a bit up there for me and there are so many competitors out there that I wouldn’t come back. However, it was a lovely meal. The restrooms are shared among the businesses in this courtyard down the stairs in back to the right. You’ll have to ask for the code. It’s a code for the first door then another code for male or female stalls.

Don’t walk, run to this place. The pairings with the courses was amazing — food was superb, service was top notch, and everything was amazing. We’ve been to dozens of Michelin Star restaurants and this beats most. Giacomo was outstanding. The head chef is wonderful, and explains everything in detail. Definitely go for the dinner with pairing.

During a two week business trip in San Diego, by far the best restaurant! Every single course was both delicious and always very professionally prepared. The service was top - and I say that as a European!

I was excited for this new establishment on the block but unfortunately I am very disappointed. For a restaurant that charges these prices, I expect good service, especially when it was not even busy. I didn’t expect any luxury treatment but at least don’t ignore us (3 times!) when we request something they forget. I can forgive if foods are good, unfortunately, they were not. The scallop salad ($29) were one scallop sliced very thin into four pieces. It was definitely not sashimi graded - it smells and tastes very fishy, definitely frozen. (I have sashimi at least once per week so I can tell the difference). The mussels and clams in the pasta and risotto were very low quality. there were sand in the clams still… and see how tiny those mussels are. the only item that’s acceptable was the beef tartare but nothing memorable. Overall, bad food and subpar service. Save yourself some bucks and go to anywhere else in La Jolla.

Chef Daniela just introduced the new brunch menu at Semola, and it is quite spectacular - Crème brûlée baked French toast; Wagyu tartare with caviar, caper mayo and parmesan foam; n foam 🐖 Choripan sausage baguette with chimichurri sauce; Shakshuka; Prosecco flight. What an unbelievable way to start the weekend.

Semola takes customers on a refined culinary journey inspired by modern Italian cuisine. Each dish is sure to delight and engage your palate with a symphony of curated flavors.

Giacomo, Silvio, Andrea, and chef Daniela really nailed it with Semola!! As a long time San Diego resident, I have not been to anything like what they created at Semola in La Jolla. The experience was thruway extraordinary; ranging from great food to amazing wine and top notch service. I highly recommend this for a great date location or groups. For an even more extraordinary experience you can book the chefs table for a guided multi-course culinary experience.

This restaurant ranks in the top 5 best restaurants in my lifetime! And I am not young. Food was outstanding, creative and beautiful. The food was a fusion of different cuisines. I will be back! Service was outstanding. The ambiance incredible. Don’t miss this treasure in San Diego.