Excellent service. Let me start by saying that. Super attentive and happy and cheerful and efficient. Our guy obviously loves his job! Really cute place in the heart of La Jolla.... Decorated beautifully at the outside area where we sat. I had the salmon salad and the salmon was cooked perfectly. Soooo good. The chopped salad had so many good tastes. My friend's avocado toast was huge and looked amazing. I wish I had taken photos because the presentation was lovely, too. Couldn't have asked for a nicer lunch. read more

We were here twice during our stay in La Jolla. They've done a great job adjusting to Covid restrictions by setting up a nice outside dining area. Both times we had the short ribs and green beans. I'm sure the other items on the menu are good but those two items were prepared to perfection so why change? We also had an interesting bottle of red wine from the Lazio region of Italy that was a perfect complement to our meal. read more

Candor by Giuseppe - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Loved it. Have now been here three times. Everything was great and the service rocked

I have to say I haven't eaten here although there wine is delicious. I was fortunate enough to meet the owners daughter Sophia, what a special person she is. She truly is the reason why I will be back to try the food. The energy feels right along with-outdoor patio. I'm writing this today because I was really again impressed with Sophia and just the way how she handles herself and makes people feel very welcome. Glad to find this place would recommend to anybody. read more

Everything was delicious. The arancini were the best we've ever had, the steamed clams and mussels appetizer was huge and so good, and the peach burrata was also delicious. The short ribs and pesto pasta we ordered were great and one person in our party ordered the salmon and we all tried it and said it was the best salmon we'd ever had anywhere. Affogato was amazing - way better than we expected, would definitely recommend. read more

Candor by Giuseppe - Foraged Mushroom & Pea Arancini - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Candor by Giuseppe always hits the mark! We've been there several times and loved each dish we tried. Service has always been great - staff seems to be happy working there. Very glad to have an outdoor seating option, which we've always chosen. This is a hidden gem in the corner of a strip mall - very surprising to find such high quality and excellent flavors. We'll be back! read more

My rating is entirely based on the utter embarrassment that I endured at lunch today. After getting a haircut nearby, I went to Candor around 11:30 am to grab some lunch alone. Upon walking up, a server told me to sit anywhere I'd like and that he would bring me a menu. I found a nice table in the shade against the side of the building and started looking over the menu options. I unrolled the silverware and set out my place setting. After about two minutes, the hostess sent the server over to tell me that the 4 person table I was at was reserved for larger parties and that I could go out into the parking lot table which was a two top. Let me stress that I was one of three tables having lunch and that there were about 10 other 4 top tables that could accommodate a larger party. I had to embarrassingly pick up my things and move out to the overly loud parking lot table with the less comfortable aluminum chairs and the late morning sun glaring in my face because I had the audacity to come to lunch alone. I ordered an expensive entree (steak frites - $36) and a beverage and tipped $20 on my bill. The food was fine, but at no point during my meal was the table that I was sitting at originally occupied. I should have gotten up and left when I was treated like a leper and I suggest that you change your policy so as not to ostracize paying customers in favor of not-yet-existent non-customers. In the meantime, you can continue to cater to retirees who order water with lemon and split a salad with a $3 tip for their server. read more

We went with a few friends to dinner a few weeks back and wow! Beautiful patio area, delicious food, and top notch service. They were very safe due to covid with masks and gloves. Our server, Lindsey, was incredible! Very attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable! She was so great! Now for the food, everything was so good! My favorites were the shrimp appetizer and the farro vegetarian dish! I highly recommend! read more

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First time coming here and not gonna lie I was a little disappointed when I saw the eggs in my Mediterranean scramble. I was expecting real eggs and instead got diner-style fake eggs. Aside from that the food was good but geez. read more

Candor by Giuseppe - Mediterranean Scramble, Chilaquiles Rojo - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Fabulous food and great outdoor seating patio. Patio is more comfortable and intimate than most outdoor restaurants. All the food is amazing I especially like the fish stew, the grilled eggplant, the fish of the day, I doubt if you'll ever be disappointed in this restaurant it's great read more

We came in last night for a family dinner and boy did candor leave us very impressed. We loved the Cesar salad and short ribs with mash potatoes so delicious we also tried the branzino and clams pasta dish both superb quality. I'm going to recommend candor to all my friends and family we will be back soon thanks so much to the server Andrea !! read more

Giuseppe 100% nailed it out of the park! Our party of 5 sat outside and got the last table o a Saturday night. Ordered two appetizers Lobster grilled cheese and the spicy Garlic shrimp ... all I can say is wow! Perfectly prepared! Cesar salad also was perfection. Four of us underestimate the Lamb Ragu Papadelle was slow-cooked meaty delicacy with perfect homemade pasta. The other vegetarian pasta was incredible! Desserts were lovely too... Guiseppe came out and said hello to our table... what a charming man! Can't wait to try Bruch super soon read more

We had a great experience dining at Candor last Saturday. The restaurant was lively and ambiance was great. Our server was very nice and knowledgeable and gave us some recommendations. They have a great wine list and a variety of dishes to choose from. We ended up getting the med eggplant for an appetizer and it did not disappoint. For our entrees we got the braised short rib which was tender and topped with a yummy sauce and the white lasagna which was our personal favorite! All the food here looked really good and we are excited to come back and try more soon! Highly recommend Candor if you are in La Jolla! read more

What an nice addition to La Jolla. The place is very simple yet elegant. The staff is friendly and accommodating. We were immediately greeted by a nice young man. I was very happy to see the restaurant full and was not at all concerned that we had to wait a bit to be seated because the outside seating area was so comfortable. They had a wonderful selection of wines. I ordered the Cavit Lunetta prosecco. It was light and creamy and satisfying. We ordered the steamed Pei mussels. The garlic broth and fennel was wonderful with the chorizo giving it a Mediterranean twist. Very high quality. We came in to try it out and REALLY look forward to having the full dining experience soon, so stay tuned. read more

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Super yummy and cute spot for brunch. I really enjoyed the decor and the European vibe of the place. The chocolate croissant was one of the best I've ever had. For some reason the dishes didn't blow me away but maybe that's because my eggs were way too over cooked. The service was really great and the vibe of the place seems quite friendly and relaxed. Will come again but order somethkn read more

Candor by Giuseppe - Sister about to gram the chocolate - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Hidden Gem. Where to start? 1. The ambiance...sat outside on a warm early September evening with the pretty lights of the shared courtyard. Tables close but not too close...a feeling like we could have been in the Old World...where La Jolla beach town meets a sweet Italian town. 2. Service..waitress from Latvia & also interfaced with Jad El Khoury, the GM...and of course from the owner Giuseppe! Their happy demeanor, professionalism and genuine appreciation/passion for their work shows through. T 3. Food - wow..soooo good. I had a simple fabulous salad for dinner and it was fabulous, really good from the quality to the dressing. It went well with my bubbles. My husband meal was a delicious pasta dish. Great old world red wine glass for him. The desert was a recipe from Carmen's mother or grandmother...a chocolate deliciousness that had me nearly reenacting When Harry Met Sally diner scene because it was SO Good. 4. And Giuseppe supports the community in many ways...even at the non profit events, you might see his involvement or donation. Looking forward to my next trip and coming back again and again! Thank you Giuseppe and Jad and team! (near where the old Yogurt Affair shop was...) read more

Great Italian food. Location is in the middle of a parking lot and that's why the 4 stars. Otherwise, food and service are fantastic. We had the cheese and salumi plate and roasted vegetables as appetizers. The cheese plate was in particular great, toasted bread was fantastic. As entree the California blood orange and arugula salad with grilled shrimp was delicious. Of course, ended with an espresso. read more

Candor by Giuseppe - Cheese and salumi platter with toasted bread - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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I saw an ad for their family dinners on Yelp two days ago and decided to try one with another couple. We live nearby so picked up the dinner for five which came in a big box with everything wrapped to preserve its temperature. We chose the caprese salad, roasted vegetables, macaroni and Vermont cheddar cheese and an entrée of five large pieces of salmon with a pint of chimichurri sauce, plus cookies and brownies for dessert. We picked up our box at 6:30 PM, took it home opened and served it,. Everything was just as hot and tasty as the last time we dined in at Candor. What a wonderful surprise! There was more than we could eat for dinner. (We are four upper middle-aged [well old] folks). read more

Love the food and wine! A great little local spot and hang out Cool upbeat staff they are the great You have to try it so many flavors! read more

We love Candor!! The food is fantastic and healthy choices abound. The takeout menu was easy to navigate and my pickup time respected. The portions were generous and oh so delicious! Highly, highly recommend. I'll be ordering the "Thursday Night Chicken Dinner" which is roasted! Sounds delish... In addition to more weekly meals, I know where my holiday meal is coming from! Can't wait to try Guiseppe's cranberry/orange chutney! read more

The portions are as generous as they are delectable! We also enjoyed the positive vibes of Lindsey at the bar while sipping on some draft beers. Very cool place with a friendly atmosphere. read more

Candor by Giuseppe - Mushroom medley app paired with some draft beers - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Excellent dining experience! We enjoyed a lovely meal at Candor. The service was fantastic, including great recommendations from our server. Every dish was special in its own way and delicious. The owner was gracious in coming around to chat with guests and make sure we were happy. A great experience all around. read more

I would highly recommend Candor! I had Great Service and the ambiance was warm and welcoming. The Rocky Junior Chicken with potatoes was incredible! Definitely a must try restaurant in San Diego! read more

Candor by Giuseppe - Rocky Junior Chicken is incredible!! Absolutely must try!! - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

One of our Favs. Service is great. Short Rib awesome. Kinda disappointed in the Duck Bolognese. Watery and lacking flavor. Must have been an off night. I've had before and it was delicious. read more

This review is not for the food or for the servers, this is for the management. We were dining here for the first time and the food was good, our server Lacy was great, very attentive and had a wonderful attitude. While we were eating we overheard a conversation with another table where the people were complaining about a strawberry, Lacy returned with a plate of strawberries for them and said "we appreciate your feedback because we always want to make things right for you' and the wife said 'you don't need to be so specific, bi*ch". Extremely rude. As we watched she informed the manager it looked like and nothing was done. We noticed that nothing got done at all, the management here just lets people call their employees slur words for female dogs.. Not acceptable!! This is terrible on the management side and from working in restaurants for years in my youth I can tell you that part of being employed at a restaurant, you are entitled to a safe environment. The management here did nothing. We felt terrible for her and will not support a restaurant that doesn't take care of their staff. First and last time dining here. Tsk tsk on candor. Take care of your employees and don't let people treat your staff like that. read more

Everything was great except for the service when it came to seating. I made my reservations 2 weeks prior to our dinner and they would not sit us inside because it was reserved for other reservations which was ok even though there was only one group seated inside, all other tables were available. Then we asked to be seated under their covered patio at a specific table but they said that is reserved for guest who have dogs (just in case they show up). Personally, it doesn't make me feel good as a customer to not give me a table JUST in case an invisible patron shows up. That's bad business in my opinion. You're giving preference to a person who is not there over a customer who is. Therefore, although the food was good, we will not be back. With so many great restaurants in La Jolla, I want to go where I feel valued. Such an easy concept to understand but somehow these restaurant owners don't get. Just as I predicted, no one ever showed up to take the table we requested.... read more

I left a poor review last time and received a very thoughtful response from the owner. I tried Candor again, and wanted to let yelp readers know that our food was WONDERFUL - as usual! The other review was just a reflection of an off night. The other 2 dozen times I've had their food, it was fantastic!! read more

The dining experience was top notch and the outdoor dining option is very quaint and cosy. I recommend the grilled eggplant with roasted tomatoes to start and the broccolini side with garlic and Calabrian chile. Giuseppe is a master of his craft and the flavors and service are on point! Our server Lacy was awesome. Highly recommend this delicious spot! read more

Candor by Giuseppe - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

If you're looking for a great dinning experience look no further! The service was impeccable and the food was so delicious. Our server Lindsey was so attentive and gave us great wine recommendations based on the food we had. I highly recommend the farro salad, it was so wonderful to have vegan options. Thank you so much! This is now my new favorite restaurant. read more

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Food and prices are comparable with other restaurants. Better seat outside than inside

I have known Giuseppe for over twenty years . He has the experience, and the passion.I highly recommend Candor prior to not being able to get a table without a long wait, or reservation. The space is brand new and very comfortable. The staff is serious about getting it right . They also have a nice little bar . read more

Amazing, fresh flavors, with portions that were just right. We got in a bit late, toward closing time but the restaurant was very accommodating. They were out of the sea bass and the roasted cauliflower trio, but we had a variety of appetizers and dishes that were incredibly flavorful. Check out some of the photos. The corn fritters were delicious, the broccolini was crisp and the butter lettuce crunched and melted in your mouth. Keep up the quality and the taste! read more

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My boyfriend have been here twice - both times for drinks and appetizers and have been wanting to try out dinner. The wine is amazing, the appetizers are too (get the flatbread!) and we're excited to come by tonight for our last dinner in San Diego (saving the best for last!). A big shoutout to Emily who works the bar and also serves -- even when it was extremely busy, she remained cool, attentive and was definitely one of the other main reasons our time here was so enjoyable. If her boss is reading this, she probably deserves a raise :) read more

Charming restaurant in La Jolla Village. Delicious food. Searched out this place as it is dog friendly and they were so accommodating. Our server Cassandra was especially nice and professional. Had the Moroccan spiced shrimp salad with grilled nectarines and feta and lobster club sandwich! Both excellent. Highly recommend! read more

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They squeezed us in tonight (New Year's Eve) after our event was canceled at the last minute. Dinner was excellent, and we had a great time. Must-have items- grilled pear and burrata salad and lamb pappardelle. The portions are generous and oh so tasty! Kudos to the friendly and efficient staff. read more

Another wonderful dining experience by Giuseppe! I love the casual, elegant interior design---great job! The service was very friendly and knowledgeable. The 4 of us loved our meals---fresh and flavorful. The entire menu looked great and I can't wait to try it all! So happy to add Candor as a regular go-to place to eat. Congrats Giuseppe and team. read more

Wonderful addition to La Jolla! We've enjoyed Chef Giuseppe's catering in the past- We were served by Jad who was so friendly and engaging. The lobster grilled cheese appetizer is a must! read more

I've never tasted anything better than Giuseppe's chopped seasonal salad with poached chicken... and with or without the chicken, it's the best dinner party course ever. But then there's his seafood stew, which is sublime... and Salem is the best greeting ever. read more

Now let's speak with CANDOR about a place that isn't very open and honest. Didn't have a reservation the other night but it also wasn't fully crowded and there were definitely some open tables. The hostess said they didn't have anything open without a reservation and that the wait would be about an hour and 45min. When asked to be put on a waitlist, she took my number and added me through open table. My party and I left to walk around the area to kill time and ended up at another crowded restaurant that had no wait and live music. I kept my name on the waitlist curious to see when they would text. After dinner, I checked where I was on the waitlist through open table and saw that I was taken off the waitlist which I did not do myself. Pretty sure this was done by the hostess, and to give some context she was Caucasian and most of the staff that I could see were unmasked and knowing that my group consisted of all minorities and me wearing my mask, this felt very much like a microaggression. So if you're a POC, another type of minority or an ally to us maybe go support a different restaurant that doesn't exclude anyone that might be seen as "other". read more

I went to the restaurant as a walk in and was told they were not accepting walk ins at this time and the wait was 1hr and 45 mins I left with my party and went to another restaurant and checked on open table for a reservation and they had open ones.tthat was available 15 mins after I left and there was open tables when they told us that they were not accepting walk ins I believe It was because my party was minorities would not recommend this restaurant to anybody. read more