Vigilucci's Cucina Italiana

Our first time here and we sat outside. If you want to watch people walk by your table or be near the street traffic and hear the train off and on while dining then definitely enjoy the outdoors. Inside is quiet and cozy. Next time we'll try indoors. Food is really good. It's a pricy dinner but good. Service is excellent and waiter was all smiles and fun to talk with. Had good recommendations. It's a great special occasion dinner and they really made my husband feel special for his birthday with dessert and a card from the staff there. Nice touch for sure. We'll go back.

We don't get there often but when we do, we go all out! Service is excellent, food outstanding. A bit pricey but it's worth it.

Outstanding Italian food in a fine dining experience that isn’t fussy. Come as you are, but expect the finest in food and service. Definitely recommend when you’re in the neighborhood.

Great Experience! Loved it! Thank you. The service was great and they kept checking on us (very subtlety). The cocktails were good, the wine list was decent. We also order a bottle of EnRoute (Pinot Noir). We started with cocktails and a Caprese salad. All very good and well timed. We had asked the waiter to slow down our service and he was very happy to oblige. For dinner I ordered the Pappardelle Con Funghi E Capesante. Delicious. Followed by dessert, which they had a special gelato dessert , Straciatella (but as you can see in my attached photo it wasn’t just a scoop of ice cream). We finished with a port wine.

Love happy hour at this little old school bar! Parking can be a challenge. The food is always consistent. Totally different vibe in all the Vigilucci locations. Very local here. For sunset Tamerack location Rocks!

This was our 2nd time eating here. Food was okay but not as great as it was the first time. We sat outside and there were not too many people yet so the server didn't come around as often. Food presentation was beautiful. Creme brulee-it had lemon flavor and I wasn't a big fan but baked perfectly and looked pretty. Chicken marsala-my friend liked it. Carbonara-was good but I had better

A great place. The halibut they had on special the night we were there was perfectly cooked and well placed on a bed of avocado risotto. So good. The staff was great and sitting outside in Newport Beach is not a bad deal. We'll be back!

Sunday, Feb-2, Family lunch for 6 of us: Food was fantastic, flavorful and served hot! The head server, Memo, was attentive and very personable. The Gnocchi were to die for; the Cioppino was loaded with seafood; and the Pappardelle con Fungie e Capesante was so spot-on with very large and exquisitely-braised scallops. But the creme de la creme was the short-rib Ravioli ("Cappellacci di Manzo"). I kept to the lunch menu and had Penne del Fattore which totally held its own with rich vodka creme sauce. WE WILL BE BACK!!!

Setting the scene: A corporate awards dining event of 60-70 guests (so not my usual solo bartop dining experience while traveling for work). Upon filing in to the cozy venue, we were warmly welcomed by the manager (owner?). The service team were on-the-spot with water, wine, and cocktails, throughout the night. The menu was pre-set with apps to be shared, with a multi-course salad, entree, dessert menu tailored for a large group. The Bruschetta and Caesar were a good start, and the sliced filet preparation (Tagliata di Manzo) for the main was also very good. Looking forward to returning for solo dining at the bar, to sample other menu options.

Blew into Carlsbad 1/31/2021 for New Years Eve! Dinner reservations at 7:30pm. Ubering in...we were a little early -- so we stopped by the bar next door to get a pre-dinner drink. Love the vibe. It was New Year's Eve so everyone's dressed up looking good. There's just a magical Stardust in the air where that feeling that you always get for New Year's Eve you know it's it's kind of a magical time and everyone's just happy and the New Year's coming and usually people are coupled up in dates are in a group and it's just a good energy . We didn't have any food here. We did eat next-door, but I did see people eating and the food looked good. I thought it was really beautiful place and a great way to start off our New Year's.

Took my family here yesterday. What a HUGE disappointment. Not only is the food less than good but the prices were insane. We started off with all three appetizers from their holiday menu.. Nothing had flavor. They put a pound of cheese (melted cheese on their artichoke dish- why?) The scallops had no flavor. Moving on to the entrees. The Chicken piccata was tough,the sauce lacked flavor and the side vegetables were undercooked. The Lasagna was edible but nothing to brag about. No one in our party liked their food. What a bummer

Visited Vigilucci's February 25th, 2025 for lunch. Accompanied by my wife and two friends, one of whom was Italian. Our entries were: Spaghetti All'Amatriciana, 2 Pollo Piccata and Pesce del Giorno. Each of us were delighted with each of the dishes and the wonderful Italian accents added. The waitstaff was excellent and extremely polite and helpful. Rarely do I give a 5 Star Rating to a restaurant but everyone in our party was in agreement with the rating. It was a birthday and anniversary to remember. Thanks to one and all!

Great food and great selection of both food and wines. This is a great place to go. Parking can be challenging, but have patience - it's worth it. Also, if you want a little quieter, go to the bar area. It does tend to get a little loud because it is a place of joy and celebration of great food and service. We had Sebastian wait on our table and he did an excellent job! Buon Apetito!

Sunny outdoor patio facing beach and South Coast Highway (aka Carlsbad Blvd) with tablecloth service and some delicious upscale selections. I enjoyed my Ahi Poke on Asian Slaw while my husband was served a big juicy burger on a wood plank. Felt like a special lunch suitable for Saturday lingering. We parked down Redwood Blvd on the street.

We dined at Vigiluccis tonight, and unfortunately I wasn't super impressed. Our server was nice and provided great insight on a wine pairing for our meals. My fiancé opted for a Pinot Noir, which he actually thoroughly enjoyed. I thought it was super cool our server made such a good recommendation for wine. Especially because my fiance is not a wine drinker at all. We got the Lasagna and the Penne alla Vodka con Porchini. The penne was good, nothing special, but had good flavor. The lasagna was actually really good. It had a lot of flavor in the meat and the sauce was great too. That'll probably be what I get next time!

I'm a Vigilucci girl at heart. I love Italian food. This location is close to my house. I like the outside cause then we are in the midst of downtown Carlsbad and can just walk around and hit up all the lil shops and be near the beach. The service was wonderful and again the food was delicious. We shared an eggplant Parmesan plate and it was enough for two, we also had the yummy calamari and so incredibly delicious crème brûlée. I had moscato and a margarita but forgot the names and almost finished them before the pic came. Perfect little spot for date night.

5th time here because it is still one of our favorite places to eat Italian food, when staying in SD. Very clean, great service, not an overwhelming menu, and a full bar. There bread, calamari and salad A MUST!

Cioppino was one of the best I've ever had. Chef Louie is amazing. Artichoke appetizer recommended by our waiter was delicious. Ty! Service was great bc our waiter was observant and gracious. Where they arranged to sit us ... :( but overall a 10/10

As always, we were warmly welcomed upon arrival and seated immediately (always recommend a rezi just in case). Our server, Angelo, from beginning to end was awesome and friendly. The restaurant is quiet and nicely laid out. The food....amazing. We started with calamari, which is a generous amount, followed by entrees (mine pictured and the wife got the gnocchi), and capped off with crème brûlée. Delicious. Can't wait until next time!

Despite having a really busy night the wait staff were incredible and the Manhattan was delicious. I also had the lasagna for dinner and their béchamel was superb!

Went here for dinner tonight. Food was good. We started with the stuffed artichokes and calamari. I dont typically like whole artichokes but these mozzarella and olive stuffed artichokes were really good. They were well seasoned and balanced in flavor and were savory and really well seasoned. Although it had kalamata olives it was not overly salty and it was a great blend of flavors . The calamari i was told was also good (I didnt actually eat them because I am allergic). I liked my salmon alfredo dish. The salmon was cooked how I liked it (medium well) so it was tender and moist also really well seasoned. The only issue i had was the pasta clumping together because it was slightly over cooked. The flavor was really good but the sauce was just on the top and it was hard to grab the pasta and mix it because it was clumped together. The star of the show and worth ever penny was the strawberry jalapeño mojito. It was sweet and spicy. It was refreshing, spicy, and perfect blend of sweet, spicy and was slightly acidic with the hint of mint. Bartender did a really good job with the cocktail. There was live music which was really nice. I would probably try a different entree next time I come but overall this place it really good and the servicer was super friendly, tentative, and very professional. Definitely check them out if you are in the area. Not sure if there is music every night or not.

Great place!! I would go back again. Appetizers were delicious and huge portions. Everyone loved their meals and the hot bread! The service as excellent, and we got to sit outside which was a huge bonus in a beautiful night. They have plenty of heaters. They have reservations which I recommend.

I've been coming here since I was a kid with my family and we have a tradition of coming here for special occasions like birthdays. I visited with my mom and sister for my birthday and the food was delicious as always. My go-to is the Penne alla vodka y porcini and I add shrimp -- perfect balance of flavors and the portion is hefty so you could easily share or save for lunch the next day. We always get the calamari which never misses and we indulged in some Raspberry Lemon Drops and an Espresso Martini to end the night. The service there is always top-notch and they make you feel very welcome. Plus, the staff all signed a birthday card for me and we got a complimentary cannoli which was such a surprise and very thoughtful! The restaurant isn't huge but a good size for a busy Friday night. Its warm lighting and sophisticated atmosphere makes it ideal for any occasion. It is a more expensive; however, you are paying for authentic Italian at an elevated establishment so keep that in mind. I always recommend Vigilucci's to anyone looking for a nice place to go in Carlsbad!

Always expect a delicious meal at any Vigiluccis's location. My family and I recently went for a Christmas Eve dinner and it was delicious as always. They did create a limited menu for the dinner as well. Most of our favorites were on the menu so we were perfectly happy with our choices. Service was fantastic as always as staff is friendly and accommodating. We were able to get seated outside and had a lovely view of state st and everyone getting ready for the holiday. I ordered the Scaloppine Ai Funghi Porcini and was absolutely delighted. The mushroom and cream sauce was exactly what I was craving. The veal was perfectly cooked and the olive oil and chili pepper flake made the spaghetti to die for. I loved the vegetables as well as they were seared nicely. My family loves the Piccata di Pollo so almost everyone else ordered it. The chicken is seared perfectly with the lemon white wine sauce. The same vegetables and spaghetti were included so obviously it was as delicious. My fiancé had the Cappellacci di Manzo. He enjoyed it but I think he enjoyed our meals more. I like the rib meat and cream sauce but it definitely felt like a heavier meal and had a bit of a gritty texture. We ended our dinner with some delicious tiramisu! Can't go wrong with any of their dessert options. Our favorite is their creme brûlée, but it was not offered for this specific menu.

Staff was awesome! Very good service and food was amazing! The best was the Spumoni the flavors melted in your mouth.

I recently dined at Vigilucci's Cucina with a group of five, opting for the cozy outdoor seating despite the cold weather. The strategic placement of heat lamps kept us perfectly comfortable throughout our stay. The warm bread accompanied by delectable aioli sauce was an absolute delight, leaving me craving more. The spinach mozzarella risotto, paired with a fine glass of wine, was a highlight of the menu. The atmosphere was pleasant, with soft background music setting a charming mood. However, my experience was marred by our server, an Italian gentleman with a thick Italian accent, who seemed overly critical when my friend, celebrating her disabled mother's birthday, faced challenges pronouncing some menu items. Despite the clear communication from our table, the waiter's condescending attitude persisted, making the evening uncomfortable. To add to the frustration, a simple request for a Diet Coke resulted in two full glasses of soda at the same time which just ended up watered down. When asked why, we were met by a dismissive comment from the waiter about how it would make it so he wouldn't have to come back to the table to refill the soda that way next time he needed a refill. (Seriously, we couldn't believe he actually said that out loud at such an expensive restaurant.) For a restaurant charging $30-$40 for entrées, the subpar service, gaslighting, and lack of respect from our waiter were disappointing. Had it not been for his behavior, I would have gladly given Vigilucci's Cucina 5 stars. Regrettably, due to the unpleasant experience and the embarrassment my friend's mother endured, I can only rate it 3/5 stars, and I feel I'm being extremely generous with that considering how much money we spent, only to receive such horrific service. It's really a shame, as the other staff members we encountered were exceptional. In fact, the gentleman who brought our food out, as well as the gentleman who cleared our plates off the table when we were done eating were absolutely wonderful. They were working very hard the entire time we were there! They were extremely friendly and all-around pleasant individuals to be around.

Our second time here celebrating an anniversary and it was amazing. The staff was so friendly, our waiter was amazing. The restaurant was busy but the tables are so well spaced out that you don't feel like you're on top of one another. The area was clean and the ambiance was great. The food is delicious and you can't go wrong. If you're in the area i definitely recommend this restaurant! It's always a lovely experience.

Best Italian in town! Our go to for a nice dinner out. Two locations, but if you're looking for Italian pick this one. You can sit inside or outside and you'll be treated to an amazing dinner, good wine and impeccable service. New and different specials every time!

The food seemed ordinary with a higher cost than ordinary..the ambience was OK and the waiter seemed surly ... maybe it's his Italian way ...

Stopped in to have an adult beverage. This place has a nice bar and their Happy hours are 7 days a week from 11:30 am - 7 pm. I opted for a Bloody Mary and Cindy ordered a Jalapeño Margarita. Both were great tasting and our Bartender was great. Nice place for a glass of wine or your fav adult beverage. Stop in and enjoy.

Food was very tasty, we got the carbonara and the veal parm. The bread service was nice. (Love when there's feee bread service Haha) our server was very knowledgeable, recommended a bottle of wine, which we enjoyed. Nice little restaurant and bar area looks cool for happy hour. Ended with tiramisu

Absolutely amazing restaurant. The ambiance, food and service was second to none. The Veal Osso Bucco was by far the best I have ever had. My wife has a seafood combination over risotto which was excellent. Our server was Jameson and he was extremely attentive. We will definitely be back and I highly recommend going here.

This was our first time to Vigiluccis. We were vacationing in Carlsbad and we came with friends to celebrate a birthday. They have been to the restaurant many times, and raves about it. We had a big group table right next to the window. The windows were open to the summer air, and it made for great people watching. I had a Manhattan cocktail to start, and it was perfect. The lasagna came highly recommended, and my husband ordered that. I ordered the Scaloppine Ai Funghi Porcini ( Veal Scalippine with Porcini Mushrooms). It had a side of roasted vegetables and what I thought was plain pasta. But that unassuming side of pasta was a garlicky goodness!! I almost didn't eat it. It's such a nice dining experience overall, cloth table cloths, etc. Very attentive wait staff. The food was excellent. Wish our trip was a little longer we would probably have gone back again. But we will definitely be back next time we are in the Carlsbad Village area.

Our favorite Italian place to visit when we come to Carlsbad. We have dined here several occasions for birthdays or friend outings and the food does not disappoint. The handmade pastas and sauces pair well and bring out the Italian flavors. A few of our favorites Tagliatelle alla Bolognese and Pappardelle con Funghi e Capesante. We consumed the food so fast I forgot photos. So yummy! We ended our dinner with tiramisu. The server was friendly and cannot wait to return.

Dinner this evening was delicious! We started with a Ceaser salad and Calamari & bread. I had lasagna and my husband had oso bucco. Our waiter Miguel was excellent. We will definitely be back.

Downtown Carlsbad is wonderful, and Vigilucci's is a great place to eat. Wanted to order noodles to celebrate my birthday (noodles=long life) and knew italian was what we wanted. We went on a Monday night just before 6 pm and enjoyed the nice breeze outside. Jonathan was our waiter who just started his shift. Not the most engaging but he was fairly nice and knowledgeable of the menu. The food was absolutely delicious. Was able to make customizations on the salad (asked for Gorgonzola on the side) and the quality of each ingredient was premium. Salad was nicely but not overdressed. I ordered the cioppino, which is like a fishermans stew or seafood paella, which was humongous and nicely adorned w different seafood like calamari, fish, scallops etc. there were so many clean and delicious flavors. I loved dipping the focaccia bread into the sauce. Was given a signed card and cannoli for my bday, which was very sweet. Definitely a place to get a nice celebration and to enjoy an upscale meal.

Flawless! We came last evening for a family dinner. Myself, the hubby, and our daughter had a wonderful experience. We ordered the fried calamari and shrimp appetizer, and gnocchi, the mixed grill, and the evening's special of seafood risotto. The calamari was light and crispy. The gnocchi my daughter ordered were almost "pillowy" in texture and so perfect. My mixed grill was wonderful, but HUGE! I ended up taking 2/3 of it home. The hubby's seafood risotto was laced with a very generous amount of saffron, and perfectly creamy and rich. Our server was prompt, efficient, and very friendly. He was a total star! The dining room is very lively, bordering on a tad loud, which we didn't mind, but if you're looking for a quiet romantic place, you may be disappointed. But like I said we didn't mind the bustling level of enjoyment going on around us. Yup, we've found another winner in the Carlsbad dining scene. We will be returning again soon, and often.

Almost went to the vigiluvlcci by the beach this location is cute we had the best Italian server he was great attentive and fast, chicken picciata was juicy so was my chicken Parm my only complaint would be the noodles they were both dry the bread on the table was bomb!! Was greet and ask for seconds order the Choco cake but it took long so we cancelled like 20 min the manager came out after we had our check and ask if we still wanted we stay and ate half I wish theyvwouod have told us they make fresh so to order before meal anyways cake was excellte enjoyed meal ambiance sat outside with patio lamps my only complaint (petty jajaja ) would be is that they didn't give us a Vitalucci's bag. On our Togo They just gave us a white plain plastic. I said petty no judgement

Well for a delicious Italian meal with a full wine list to pair with your meal- you won't be disappointed. The outdoors patio has enough heaters to keep you warm on those foggy and chilly evenings. The menu is broad enough that all palettes will be satisfied. A great place to relax and enjoy company, wine and great food. I'd spend time on the menu but I keep having the same meal, unusual! Perhaps it's the homemade pasta!?! very attentive staff and friendly waiters round out your fantastic eating experience!

Huge portions and very nice family restaurant. My in-laws love this place and will drive up from La Jolla just for dinner. We came on a Saturday night for dinner. The area is pretty busy so make sure to leave some time for parking. We were seated right away and our waiter was very helpful. We shared the risotto as an appetizer. I got the chicken picatta and loved it! Lots of leftover to take home too. The restaurant had a patio and open air dining inside with large windows. It's right on the Main Street in Carlsbad so you can people watch while you eat. There's very fun dog art in the hallway to the bathroom. We will definitely be back here for dinner!

It was a beautiful evening and I sat outside by the sidewalk. The other reviews raved about the lasagna so I went with that. It was as good as everyone claimed. Now, I'm not a big wine drinker so I asked for a sweet red wine. The wine was not good and he took it back stating it was the sweetest they had but also noted they don't have sweet red wines. Not being familiar with the area, I hoped for a little insight as what there is to see in Carlsbad Village and he had no answer. To summarize, the lasagna was excellent and the atmosphere was as well. On a side note, their other location only has valet parking.

One of my absolute favorite spots to have dinner in Carlsbad Village when I'm in town. The absolute best clam sauce next to my family's receipt from Sicily! I always make it a point to stop in when I'm in CA! Recently had another fantastic experience! Thank you to everyone who always makes my time in CA special. Angelo is the best!

As a local, Been eating at this Vigilucci's on and off for the past 15 years. Last night I order their veal piccata (a $38 entree) and it was so salty it was uneatable! On Top of that when I requested they trade out the side of pasta for a scoop of mashed potatoes. THEY CHARGED ME AN ADDITIONAL $5.00 on top of the $38! Total stupidity and greed. Put a nail in this coffin! I will not eat there again.

Stefano was the best waiter! So funny and offered lots of suggestions. Food was amazing and service was spot on. I ordered the fettuccine with shrimp and hubby ordered lasagna. Both were excellent! Definitely will return!!!!

The service was really slow. We got seated pretty quickly but the food took forever to come out. The food was sadly not as good as we expected. Prices were high and did not match the quality of the food. We ordered the rigatoni and it seriously tasted like cooked noodles at home with canned tomato sauce poured on top. Our server was really nice and the ambiance was nice with heaters outside, but the food was not good especially with how expensive everything was.

Insanely delicious!! I ordered the cioppino and was shocked to see how large the dish was and sooo full of seafood. I actually had leftovers to take home, which rarely happens lol. Got the spumoni ice cream cake for dessert and ate that before I remembered to take a picture. Best spumoni I've ever had. My husband ordered the spaghetti and meatballs, which he devoured and my FIL got their Chilean sea bass which he enjoyed. Service was great, ambiance was great..just an overall perfect evening. Can't wait to come back!

Everything was so good! We ordered the special seafood risotto and it is the best I think I've had! All the dishes we had were very very good. Our server Reda was the absolute best. He was so pleasant, funny and attentive and really added so much to our experience. We had our small dog with us so we sat out on the patio with him, and Reda was so sweet and got him a bowl of water. We have been here before and every time the food and service has been great. Definitely would recommend!

My daughters last night in California and we couldn't get into Campfire so here we are. It's my third time and not voluntarily. Lol I had my usual appetizer of scallops and mushrooms on polenta (which needs to be grilled because it's a little soggy.). We also ordered the sautéed calamari with marinara sauce. It was tasty My daughter had linguine with clams and bf had mushroom pasta. No dessert because we were soooo full Service was good. Would I volunteer to come back? Possibly..

Was really in the mood for lasagna and this one just hit the spot! Beautiful presentation and really great service

It's official. Vigilucci's is my favorite restaurant in Carlsbad. What a great spot. The location is perfect, the food is delicious, the drinks are excellent, the service is great and you won't find better bartenders in all of SoCal. We love sitting at the bar here (nice big comfortable seats) and Denis always takes great care of us. Capesante ai Porcini | 23.5 Pan-seared diver scallops topped with fresh chopped tomato and porcini mushrooms finished in a white wine-truffle sauce atop crispy polenta. Excellent. Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci | 24 Fresh homemade ricotta and spinach-filled ravioli with your choice of sauce Marinara | Pesto | Bolognese | Vodka Cream | Alfredo. I will admit, it's not the prettiest presentation, but it s delicious! Salmone al Finocchio | 41 King salmon pan-seared and served over a bed of fennel purée, with pancetta-roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus. Topped with shaved fresh fennel, dill and lemon zest. This is an exceptional dish. One of my favorites. All this excellent food and there is still so much more on the menu I want to try. The next time your in town, you must try Vigilucci's. Reservations are recommended but you can always walk in and grab a seat at the bar. Vigilucci's gets my patented "Four Thumbs Up" Review.

Good Italian place in Carlsbad! I had the Italian manhattan, the piccata and the scallops. I enjoyed the piccata more than the scallops. Wasn't a fan of the bread the scallops were on. Service was a bit slow as well even though it wasn't busy. Ultimately I would come back, food was decent enough.

Food: Excellent, the salmon was crispy on the outside & perfect on the inside and so tasty! Service: Excellent Ambiance: chill place, casual or dressed up, it's upscale restaurant but beach attire is ok

Vigilucci's was the perfect choice for my birthday dinner: Greeted at the hostess stand by who I believe to be one of the owners along with a hostess; the ladies were very professional and curt. We were seated quickly in honor of our reservation once they figured what server was available next and in what area. When presented with the table and we were asked us, we were comfortable with its location in size and of course, at the end of the day it's just a table and at most a two hour commitment. It was very nice to be asked nonetheless. The table had a beautiful set up with napkins folded in a design to represent the restaurant. I appreciate the attention to detail. To begin, we ordered a round of cocktails. I myself ordered an old fashion and my husband ordered a sweet smoke. For anybody who is a fan of old fashions, you know that if it comes with a single cube, and a real Italian cherry, that you are in a good place. For my husband's drink, it did have the smokiness that was promised, but the ginger beer must've been flat. By the time we left more than half of his drink stayed at the table. You'll have to forgive me, I do not recall the name of the appetizer that we ordered, but it was a sort of meat with burrata underneath. I did not particularly care for this appetizer, as it had the texture and flavor similar to bologna. For our entrées we each selected handmade hat shaped pasta dishes. Both of them were exquisite. The sauces were delectable, and the presentation was beautiful. Between dinner and dessert we relaxed for a short time and ordered another round of cocktails and had a fun interaction with our waitress, Alexis. She has such a lovely personality and we appreciated every aspect of her service. When dessert arrived I was pleasantly surprised by a mini cannoli. I've only ever had one other and did not enjoy it but also couldn't pass up an opportunity to have another go. It was amazing! How I've gone so long without a second try is a shame. The crème brûlée was also fantastic. At the very end when we received the check, we were very surprised to see a percentage had been removed in honor of my special day as well. So, if you'd like to go to an authentic Italian restaurant where you can enjoy incredible food, hear the beautiful language, and feel extra special on "your day". Make the reservation for Vigilucci's.

Fantastic service, home made Italian food, great ambiance. If your near Carlsbad come down you will have a great experience.

Amazing experience from food, service & ambiance Pasta was fresh, lasagna the best according to hubby, calamari to die for We will be back!

We were here to celebrate a birthday....SO We chose this restaurant because of the atmosphere... white table clothes... candle light...etc... BUT, I have to tell you, our waiter was not good....he would ask us a question and then turn and leave before we could answer ( I don't know his name because he never told us) He wore a hairpiece if that helps.... So the three stars are for the restaurant and the presentation of the food.... The lack of stars is because of the waiter....He needs to pay attention to his customers and participate in the customers conversation....., We asked him several times what he recommended... he shrug his shoulder and say it's okay... We picked a dish that was very good but felt more like a fall dish....‍ The guy that was cleaning up the tables was extremely friendly and helpful.... Reservations are a must on Friday & Saturday

Our server was excellent and recommended a great bottle of red to go with our dinner. I ordered the osso bucco, which was tender, the sauce was full of flavor. This has become one of my favorite restaurants in California. I will definitely return for another meal when I'm in Carlsbad next time!