This place was great! Amazing Food, great service, small and cozy space that they made work very well and made it welcoming. Everything we tried was delicious! It was a place that I look forward to going again and again. Truly special especially how at the end of the night we got to witness the owner and the cooks share a meal together, sing, laugh and enjoy each others company as if it were in a villa somewhere in Italy. I absolutely recommend this place. Our experience there was fantastic! read more

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Carbon Angela's Kitchen in the heart of South Park is a standout, unique restaurant. This is definitely a perfect spot for your next date night or the place to go for dinner for any occasion, like a birthday, or better yet, my birthday! Yes, I will be there next month with my whole gang celebrating with me on my special day! Our reservations were early, arriving on time @ 5:30 it was a bit quiet with only two other tables, but not for long. In no time every single table was filled. The restaurant was busy and the wine was a'flowin'! This quaint and very special restaurant reminds me of a small restaurant in San Diego in the 1980's, "Ciao Bella". It was located downtown on 4th Ave., it was also chef-owned. When you dine at a chef owned restaurant you are most likely destined for greatness, or a great meal! This is the case at Angela's Kitchen 'Carbon', because there is pure authenticity in her dishes and a whole lotta' love delivered in each plate. The subtle, warm decor is welcoming and the music is played at the perfect level. Just the right ambiance. Once seated, you'll be promptly greeted and the attentive wait staff will have your wine delivered pronto. What a selection they have. I started with the prosecco and moved on to the Sangiovese which complimented my pappardelle perfectly. My friend ordered the grilled salmon and had the Montepulciano Abate Pietro. The delivery of their fresh bread with garlicky pesto, and another with tomato, which I think was a focaccia. Just amazing. We asked for olive oil to compliment the bread: it was the very best of quality with a dark Sicilian olive green hue and the smoothness with the polyphenols and antioxidants dancing in my mouth. Yum! I asked for a side of Parmigiano and they brought a nice square ramekin full of finely grated cheese, Perfection!! These are the details that make me fall in love with a restaurant, causing me to return again and again. Both of our entrees were executed perfectly, the vegetables were grilled leaving a slight char, and the salmon was grilled just right leaving a tender center. My pappardelle was dressed in the deepest, richest mushroom + beef cheek fusion of flavors with whispers of some kind of red wine like maybe the Nero d'Avola that they feature on the menu. WoW!! This is a dish that you want to take your time savoring. Every bite surpassed the last, and then a sip of the Sangiovese and I was in fresh pasta heaven. Just when we were winding down and reeling from being overwhelmed by the amazing food, Angela came to our table with cannoli. It too was amazing! This was such a kind and unexpected gesture from the chef/owner. Grazie mille, a domani! read more

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I had a really solid dinner at Carbon Angela's Kitchen in South Park. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the team makes you feel welcome, like you're at a neighborhood spot rather than a generic chain. The menu leans into Italian-inspired dishes with grilled meats, fresh pasta, and seasonal plates that are generally flavorful and well-executed. Reservations are a good idea because it gets busy on weekends. Service was friendly and attentive throughout the night. A few dishes stood out more than others, but everything we had was well prepared and clearly made with care. Portions were satisfying, the wine list was thoughtfully curated, and the happy hour offerings added nice value. While not every bite was a personal favorite, the overall experience was enjoyable and consistent, and it's a place I'd happily return to and recommend for a relaxed night out with good food and a welcoming vibe. read more

What an experience! We wanted some good Italian food and boy did we hit the jackpot. We had reservations and we were seated very quickly. Upon being seated we were greeted by Angela and we loved her energy and passion for her food. We ordered the Shrimp gnocchi, the Steak tartare, the Beef Cheek Pappardelle, the Gnocchetti sardi, the Picanha From the Grill Combo, the Kale salad, and the Manila clam fettuccine special. Everything was so delicious and cooked well. All the pastas were cooked perfectly al dente and full of flavor. We were initially apprehensive about the pastas given that they all had cream sauces, but though they were hearty, they all didn't feel overly creamy. The salad was well dressed and the pistachios and whipped ricotta made it special. The Picanha was cooked well and had a nice char. The steak tartare tasted fresh and had the right amount of brininess from the capers. For dessert, we were served their amaretto chocolate mousse. Light, silky, chocolatey, and with the right amount of almond flavor. Great way to end our meal. Overall we had a wonderful dinner full of great food and fantastic service. read more

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Where do I start? Such an amazing little place! Every time I've driven by, there have been people waiting so reservations are a must! I do recommend going during the week instead of the weekend, you might be able to walk in. Spoke to Angela on the phone and apologized for not stopping in since I live close. It was a birthday celebration and what a better place to go to. I didn't get our servers name, but he was great! They have a great wine list that's moderately priced. I ordered a Super Tuscan which was very good! We started out with the Spanish potato tortilla which was unique and delicious! They also have this wonderful focaccia. For dinner, I decided on the Picanha steak with a brie, walnuts, and I believe mushrooms...soooooo good! The steak was tender and I loved the smashed fingerling potatoes. Diji had the skirt steak with peppercorn sauce...amazing is all I heard. We also shared some sauteed vegetables. We shared the brownie which went well with the wine and was a great way to end the meal. Angela brought it out to us and we had a great conversation about how long she'd been here. There is also an outside patio that I'll have to take advantage of on the next visit and bring Cako. Definitely one of the shining gems of South Park. read more

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Food was incredible! Deliberately styled and impressive in quantity. Enjoyed the servers - with a smile and no judgement on our Italian (or lack thereof). Would have liked to see pepper offered, and more engagement earlier/during the meal - felt as though they would have used another set of hands. Will be back - flavors were delightful! read more

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I am really surprised by the number of 5 star reviews for this place because it is way overpriced for very mediocre food. To start there is no parking. You have to wait outside to be seated and it was awhile before we were acknowledged, it was the same with our server. He wasn't out and out rude but he didn't seem happy or pleased to serve us. I ordered the shrimp gnocchi and it come with 3 shrimp on the most bland gnocchi I have ever had. With wine and tip I was out $60 bucks and it wasn't hardly worth it. My friend ordered the salmon and her veggies were completely undercooked. I would have been better off at Olive Garden. It was such a disappointment. Oh and its right on the street so those big open windows that ppl talk abt in other reviews mean you are subjected to motorcycle and car noise, loud music etc. while you are dining. It is also crazy small. My seat was a bench with pillows. Pls do not be fooled by these 5 star reviews. read more

Heard about this restaurant from other Yelpers posting it in my feed, even if I hadn't seen it elsewhere. A very cute, locally owned spot in South Park, with a little open-air courtyard (with heaters) in the back, and a covered porch with more tables in the front (and just a few tables inside). They don't have cocktails but they have a lot of Italian wines available by the glass, as well as a wine-based Negroni-flavored bottled cocktail. We got great service from Marco and the rest of the team. It was nice that there are tons of vegetarian and pescatarian options, and the food is not like every other Italian place in town. Complimentary bread with olive oil was great - I would have loved a few more pieces (I think we got 3) - but they didn't bring refills and we didn't ask. Mozzarella en carozza was beautifully plated here and tasty. Kale salad: I probably would have liked to share this with someone (it was well dressed but still tasted like kale LOL). Still it had some nice and unusual flavors, from the pistachio and a nice cheese. Gnoccheti with salmon, asparagus and saffron: was a little heavy for a hot night (good portion, though). But the flavor was very nice - I still tasted saffron threads later on my palate, which was nice. Dessert was spouse's favorite part, three mini (very well made) cannoli with good chocolate sauce. Back patio had a big party which was a little loud (esp when the kids at the next table got up and started to play computer games in our ears LOL) but still nice atmosphere. We liked trying this restaurant and the service was great. read more

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Came in the early evening and got seated right away. They have large windows that open up like an accordion door so it gives the space an inside/outside feel. I chose the eggplant della nonna as an appetizer. When it arrived it was not what I expected. It was a crispy fritter made from eggplant and ricotta on a bed of tomato sauce. It was delicious and had great texture but I thought it was going to be fried slices of eggplant like an eggplant Parmesan. An unexpected surprise. For my entree I got the Rigatoni al sugo. It came with a chunk of braised short rib, a meatball and an Italian sausage in red sauce. The noodles were a bit more al dente than I'm used to but not crunchy by any means. The red sauce was smooth from being stewed for a long time. I was surprised how much meat came with the dish. It came with grated Parmesan cheese on top but I guess I'm used to the waiter coming around and sprinkling it on top. I guess having the cheese on top allows the waiters more time to each table so I guess it's a trade off. By the time we left the place was full so I suggest coming early or making a reservation. Parking was all on the street, we walked a few block to get there. Over all a nice pleasant meal. read more

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Our original dinner plan did not go as expected because the eatery we wanted to visit had closed two hours earlier than the posted sign on its front door. We pivoted and made the drive to South Park to dine at Carbon Angela's Kitchen. When this place first opened, it was a barbeque joint helmed by the founder of Carnitas Snack Shack. That venture did not last long, but Carbon was retained in the new name when a local couple took over the location and turned it into a Modern European cuisine restaurant. The main dining area was completely empty when we arrived, however there was one party seated at a sidewalk table and another group seated at a table on the upper shelf to the right of the entrance upon walking in. The place was cozy with a capacity of less than 30 on the inside. By the time we departed, guests had occupied the remaining open seating. The one-page dinner menu featured appetizers, salads, pastas, entrees, vegetarian/vegan items, and a section called "From the Grill." My friend ordered a pasta dish, and we split the first listed appetizer which was the Eggplant Croques. Four golf ball sized fritters were served with grilled bell pepper aioli and parmesan cheese. I had never consumed eggplant in this style before. Most croques I have eaten contained a filling of cheese, potatoes, and/or ground meat. It worked though as the vegetable was pureed and stuffed inside the fritters. For an entree, I ventured to "From the Grill" and picked the Picanha Steak (cooked medium rare) with Bell Pepper Chimichurri as a sauce and Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes as a side. The items were served on a wood cutting board. Six slices of steak rested on the left with a small dish of the chimichurri in the top right. The potatoes were spread across the middle and to the right. The meat was cooked just right while the sauce added a bit of acidity. The potatoes had lumps in them by design as they were not whipped into a smooth cream. The service was adequate while the prices were on par for this caliber of restaurant. Nearby parking can be a challenge, but we found an empty spot in a row of spaces a few blocks away. I gave a four star rating for our backup dinner destination at Carbon Angela's Kitchen. read more

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Went here to celebrate a friend's birthday and we ordered the Grigliata Mista with the chicken skewers, skirt steak, picanha and sausage. For our sides we got the street corn and smashed potatoes. For our sauces we got the chimichurri, truffle roasted garlic, and balsamic olive oil. We also got the duck confit gnocchi. You can definitely taste the grill on all of the meats! If you do not like that grill flavor this place is not for you. In my opinion all the meats and the sauces could have used just a little bit more salt. The smashed potatoes and the duck confit gnocchi were the stars of the show for me. The potatoes had a satisfying crisp but still tender potatoey middle. The gnocchi was delightfully creamy and rich with duck flavor. Overall I probably wouldn't come back for the meats but I would come back to try their other pastas. read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Grigliata Mista, Confit Duck Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

I rarely come to this area due to no parking along 30th. You'll have to snatch one along the side streets in the residential area. It was well worth it and be sure to call in to make a reservation. They don't have on line version. We each ordered our own plate but had a chance to sample all. Four of our six items were their signature items, circled on the menu. We ordered a mixture of pasta and meat dish. 3 of us had placed our order while the 4th came late but surprisingly, all of our dishes made it out at the same time! Kuddos to the chef! -Arugula salad: refreshing -Beef cheek pappardelle: my fav type of pasta. It's handmade! The beef cheek was the winner in its tenderness. -Picanha steak (the entree): this was a preset entree with your steak smothered in a mushroom topping. Although you could sub out your sides. -From the grill choose 3: I chose picanha steak, peperonata which is a stewed vegetable dish, and bell pepper chimichurri sauce. I expected more from the sauce, it was mainly bell peppers. -Pistachio Campenelle: very nutty and cheesy, the pancetta was really thin and almost dissolved -Eggplant croque (4 pieces): I was getting full from eating 2! The picanha steak is on the menu twice. Both same price. Once as a pre set entree where your steak is topped with a mushroom sauce. If you choose picanha from the grill list then it's just a plain steak and you pick your sauce and side. I have to say, I enjoyed both. I ordered my plain steak medium yet it was more tender than my friend who ordered medium rare from the entree version. Both of our cuts were extremely chewy. Although more fatty, the skirt steak might have been a better choice. read more

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Located in South Park so street parking only! Called for a reservation for a party of 4. On a Friday night, the restaurant was packed so you know the place is good. Environment: Seats available inside and a good amount of tables available on their patio covered in umbrellas. It was nice to enjoy the nice summer sunset outside. Heat lamps available for cooler nights. Service: Our server was very personable and accommodating. She made our experience better by helping us with recommendations and just chitchatting with her. Food took a bit to come out but it wasn't a problem for us. Food: Fresh bread was served at the start with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Our party of 4 shared three main entrees and an appetizer and it was the perfect amount of food, accompanied with a bottle of wine. Three of the four dishes were circled on the menu as "Angela's Favorite." -Shishito Pepper & Brussels ($14): was not circled as a favorite. It wasn't my most favorite brussel sprout dish as I prefer it to be a little more roasted -Pistachio Campanelle ($31): the pistachio pesto was a unique flavor, pasta was fresh -Picanha Steak ($36): ordered medium rare and it came pre-sliced; melts in your mouth and loved that it was topped with Brie fondue -Beef Cheek Pappardelle ($34): my most favorite dish; the pasta was super fresh and I loved the flavor Overall: Loved the vibe and atmosphere of this restaurant! I also really enjoyed the food and would come back to try out all the other entrees we didn't get a chance to. I highly recommend making a reservation. read more

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Family owned, cozy, and welcoming. This place nails the intimate vibe. Service is warm, attentive, and the food doesn't hold back on richness. The steak picanha was tender, flavorful, and paired with potatoes that were crispy outside, soft inside, and seriously rich like it should pay me to eat it. The braised short ribs were good and fork tender. The parmesan risotto was just as indulgent as the potatoes. The Pistachio Campanelle had quality ingredients but fell short for me. This doesn't mean others wouldn't enjoy it. Everything here screams quality and I'll be back after I refill my Lipitor :) Welp! Onto the next! read more

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Trying something new, found this place on Yelp. It is pretty small, but very popular. We came early enough that we were able to get a table, but after we were seated, there was a wait. They keep the doors open, I assume to keep it cool on warm days. The only issue with that, is it lets in a lot of flies. They will give you a table fan to help try to keep away the flies when you are eating, but it doesn't add to the atmosphere. Overall the meat was tender, and okay flavored. I am happy I got to try somewhere new, but it wasn't a must return for me. read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

This is by far the best restaurant I've been to in 2025. There is just a sort of energy that really just relaxes you and makes you feel at home. It's a small quaint restaurant with such an intimate vibe! Perfect for girls night or date night. Me and 3 of my friends came here to celebrate a business venture and had the absolute PLEASURE of meeting Angela herself. The service is 100000/10 the food was 100000/10 , every single thing we ordered was bursting with flavor, fresh and hot. The drinks were amazing and strong and i just can't stop raving about this place. I will be back over and over and over again!!! If you want an Italian vibe, and authentic one, skip little Italy and come here!! Can't say enough about the quality of the food too. When i say EVERYTHING was delicious i mean it! Can't wait to come back! They also have amazing vegan and vegetarian options. read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - One of many things we ordered. Everything was PERFECT!!!! - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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This is such a cute neighborhood restaurant. Loved the wallpaper and decor. Ema was our server - he was the sweetest and we appreciated his recommendations. He started us with complimentary yummy light and crispy focaccia bread. Next we ordered the crespelle as appetizer which was so flavorful. Then we each ordered our own entree. I ordered the Beef cheek pappadelle and my friends ordered the pistacchio campanelle and gnocchi alla norma. Everything was delicious and good portions. We also ordered a carafe of white sangria to share which was so refreshing. We were stuffed from lunch but since it was my bday celebration, Ema comp's us a brownie dessert to share. This is a great place to come with friends or for date night . The restaurant didn't seem very big but they have a good size patio for dining as well which I can imagine it being so pretty at night. I'll be back for date night! read more

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Well, I drove all the way down from Carlsbad to try out this amazing quaint little neighborhood restaurant. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Everything from the service to the decor to the homemade food, made you feel like you were in Europe. We shared the kale beet salad and the beef cheek pappardelle pasta and it was incredible. I'm not usually a bread person but whatever wizardry they do with their garlic bread is next level. I had to cut myself off. Their wine selection was also great. I would give it 10 stars if I could. I just wish I lived closer. I would be there every weekend. read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Beef cheek pappardelle pasta, montepulciano red wine - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

What a cute spot in South Park! If you're anywhere near this area (or even if you're not, you MUST go)! When we first arrived, there were open tables and by the time we left, they were all full. They have a cute patio in the back for warmer days. The service was great. The wallpaper and all of the houseplants were very cute. All the dishes were great from start to finish. The salads were fresh and loaded with veggies. The crespelle... oh my goodness. Devine. You for sure need to order this as an app. The tiger shrimp gnocchi was to die for. Light, fluffy potato pasta pillows with a great garlicky paprika sauce. 4 giant tiger shrimps on top. YUM! We were served complementary cannolis. We licked that plate clean (don't judge). Small, quaint place busting out bombbbbbb Italian food. read more

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Lunch on a Saturday afternoon at the cutest and most quaint family owned restaurant in San Diego's sunny South Park. This place is perfect for a date night with cushioned benches, a floral, pastel aesthetic and petite and intimate tables for two. . Featured plates include the Crespelle, the Duck Confit, the Everything Salad and Soup of the Day. . Real, authentic, Italian cuisine that never leaves space for more. All the dishes were fervently flavorful and filling. Our server was funny, personable and patient. Although, a few details were missed on the salad order, the service and atmosphere made up for what went wrong. . I will gladly dine here again! read more

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Came in about 430 for dinner a solo dinner with the brooks . There was only one server and she was amazing we went from me and brooks and two other guest to 30 people within minutes she was managing everyone with a great smile and impeccable service down to when I had ordered my steak meat rare and she noticed that it came back medium well she took it away. She said how dare they give you this !! Wow I love it now that service it's a small I feel liken family owned love the vibe . Homey cute warm felt unbothered . They have a great patio in the back where they can do like functions . They were setting up for it started at 6:30 like maybe 20 guest. Overall, the food was fantastic. The service was great. We will definitely need it back and bring friends. read more

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The food was 5/5! Every bite was delicious. Even the pickled onions in the grilled platter were delicious. The fluffy feta on the platter is out of this world. The chicken skewers were juicy and well cooked. The sauces. The peppercorn and the chimichurri. Top notch. Even the salad was terrific. You know how must salad dressings are sour? This was not. A perfect umami balance. The red sangria with plums was excellent too. Share a carafe. The place was a little loud. But we were also seated next to a party of 15. So there's that! The service was great once it started. We waited about 10 minutes before someone took our drink orders. I'll be back. It was delicious. read more

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OMG - this place was so good and so cute! Lovely little space and the two people we interacted with were from Italy. Came here for lunch on a Saturday at noon and were seated right away. We had a house salad to start, which I believe was just a smaller version of the everything salad - it was so good with the crispy prosciutto and grilled veggies! We shared two entrees - the pistachio Campanelle- SO good! Even though it was a cream sauce, it wasn't too heavy. The pasta was cooked perfectly. We also had the Picanha steak - this was so rich, but also not overly heavy. It was a tender steak with brie, walnuts and truffle oil, served over potatoes. I'm not sure how they find the balance with the creamy sauces, but it was perfection! They also leave complimentary foccacia and it was light and pillowy with an olive oil/balsamic dipping sauce. I can't wait to go back with my hubby! read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Small everything salad and picanha steak - both were so good! - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Super impressed! First time visiting this restaurant and it really left a good impression! A small quaint restaurant in the heart of south park. Cozy dining area with bright atmosphere. My husband and I shared the eggplant croquet. It had a slightly smoky eggplant flavor. It was paired with a red bell pepper aioli and together was so good! My husband ordered the pistachio campanelle and it was delicious. I was surprised how flavorful the pistachio sauce was! It was definitely a rich dish, but it was so good. I got the shrimp gnocchi. It was a red sauce. The sauce was thick and flavored with a lot of cheese, but so good!The shrimp were nice and plump. The gnocchi were perfectly cooked. I don't usually like Italian food like this, but Carbon definitely hits. I would definitely come here again to try more of what they have to offer! read more

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Wow, wow, wow!!! This small restaurant is tucked away in the neighborhood of South Park and was recommended by someone who previously lived in the area. I dined here on a Saturday night, a table for one and was seated immediately. I asked for suggestions from the server since it was my first time here and I was in the mood for some meat, instead of pasta and the server recommended the grilled picanha with the chimmichurri sauce. I have to say the chimmichurri sauce was AMAZING! Some of the best I've tasted and it really compliments the meat well. The meat was a tad bit under seasoned for my liking, which wasn't a big deal because I could have just requested some additional salt to sprinkle on. The dish came with a grilled organic vegetables and a small arugula salad. Overall, my experience was very pleasant and I cannot wait to come back to try a pasta dish. I highly recommend checking this out! read more

The food, the service...Angela makes You feel like you are in her own home. The breakfast platter was amazing. read more

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Eating at this place definitely felt like a roller coaster ride. We had a reservation for 3 people at 7pm on a Thursday . We did not get seated until 8:45 and had to wait outside, and unfortunately for us it was raining. When asked the waitress multiple times, she said they had a issue with the reservation system and when asked about a table, she said 10 mins and then disappeared for 30 mins. People dining inside were done eating but they wouldn't leave. While I understand that they can't be kicked out, I would atleast think that the waitress would check if they need anything else and bring in the check to provide some hints, especially when people with reservations are waiting outside for so long. We thought we'd leave but she told us that she'll definitely seat us in the next 10 mins. After almost 2 hours of waiting in the rain, we finally got a table. But the hospitality was so wonderful. They offered us a very generous glass of wine, an appetizer and dessert for free for making us wait for so long. I got the pistachio pasta and it wasn't very great. While I really appreciate the free food they offered which was easily 45$ worth, I would not come back here again. read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Pistachio pasta - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Amazing food. Great ambiance. Not only is Angela the best chef, but she makes everyone feel like family. The last time we were in town, we came here 2 days in a row because the food is just that amazing! Authentic Italian food with incredible flavor, cooked to perfection. Definitely try the crespelle,, eggplant croque and eggplant della Nona.. all are perfect 10's. Best restaurant in San Diego, hands down. Also many vegetarian and vegan options! read more

Great food, really delicious Picanha (good place to go if you have a Brasilian in your party), fantastic not-too-sweet Pistachio cheesecake, but definitely some of the tastiest Italian food in San Diego. and a cute cozy spot. read more

Delicious food and amazing service!My favorite is the mussels and clams and the duck gnocci . The place is decorated so pretty! I would recommend for a cute date night or girls night out read more

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Angela's is such a great little spot in North Park! The steak tartare, which happens to be the only thing I got a picture of, was some of the best I've ever had! It was so fresh with a hint of citrus and perfectly seasoned. I would come back solely for that and the wine selection alone. We also ordered the beef cheek pappardelle which was also great. The meat was extremely tender and full of flavor.The service was very fast after we were seated and our server was very helpful when it came to explaining the Angela's has definitely made it onto our date night list! read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Steak tartare - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

We enjoyed our dinner last night at Carbon Angela's - cute, cozy, Italian restaurant with a lot of locals who were clearly repeat customers and greeted with warmth. We liked the food and were also not amazed by any one of the dishes except the tartufo which was truly amazing and a great way to finish our meal. - eggplant croque - 4/5, four large fried balls of some mixture of eggplant and filling, definitely different than a typical eggplant preparation and very filling - steak tartare - 4/5, husband enjoyed it, I do not prefer it so take that rating with a grain of salt - arugula salad - 4/5, solid salad with generous pieces of avocado - beef cheek pappardelle - 4/5, I was expecting a different kind of sauce given it's description as a red wine reduction, my bad for not reading it as carefully as this is not a red sauce, and was a little salty for my taste. The homemade papperdelle is a bit thicker than I prefer - rigatoni al sugo - 4*/5, this was a delicious red sauce (what I had been expecting for my dish) and the homemade rigatoni again a bit thicker than I prefer - Tartufo - 5*/5, this was an amazing dessert and really good for two people to share, super delicious For the friendliness and ambiance I'd go back to try other things from the menu and to support this lovely local business. read more

Madonna! What an experience we just had here. We're on vacation, so we're playing tourist. After searching through a bunch of restaurants within a stone's throw of Balboa Park, we landed on Angela's. Boy, did we make a memorable decision! The restaurant is nestled just between North and South Park, and has a quaint, airy, tropical vibe to it as you walk up. The staff was super friendly, and prepared a table for the 6 of us (plus 2 toddlers in high chairs) in their small but vibey front dining room. We probably weren't the typical party at this restaurant, but the staff's warmth and hospitality didn't waver. Ok, the food: WOW! Regional southern Italian offerings, accompanied by a few New American/fusion items. I believe we met Angela, and if that was her, she is definitely native to southern Italy. But she showed great command of her non-Italian dishes. The Brussels and shishitos in a Szechuan sauce were done perfectly. The Picanha topped with the Brie fondue and truffle was absolutely delicious - super flavorful yet not weighed down by the Brie. Perfectly balanced, the star of our table that night. Then there was her mastery of her Italian dishes. You GOTTA get the Crispelle appetizer, which she described to us as a Northern Italian dish that she put her southern spin on. Think of a crispy crepe pocket filled with a delicious cheese filling, and smothered in a delightful tomato and Calabrian chili cream sauce. FUOCO! The arancini were some of the best I've ever had, and traditionally southern Italian as the riso they used was all cooked in saffron. Soooooo gooood ‍ We passed around 3 more entrees, each of which were unique and oozing with love. If I had to put my finger on why this place's food was so good, it was that it's apparent everything was cooked with love and care. But on top of that, there is undeniable skill and technique behind the execution of this menu. The braised short rib over risotto was delicious, as the short rib had a great note of warm spice (clove?) that complimented a typical rich, braise-y red wine flavor. The beef cheek pappardelle was cooked al dente so that the ribbons of pasta held up nicely when tossed in the beautiful braise. And the confit duck gnocchi were amazing and unique in flavor as well, with a healthy portion of tender duck drowned throughout the sauce. Highly recommend you go support this local gem if you're anywhere near North/South/Balboa Park. Grazie Angela e tutti read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Our apps: Brussels and Shishitos, Arancino Trio, Crispelle - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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I can't say enough about this restaurant. The food is consistently delicious. The owner is kind, genuine and boisterous. The weight staff is knowledgeable, easy-going, kind, and attentive. The restaurant, although those small has a cozy homie vibe and definitely a feeling of being in Italy. I love the seat along the window and the street it just always seems like everyone is having such a great time when we're there. my favorite restaurant in South Park, hands-down! read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Ribeye with beet mashed potatoes - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Mind blown. We visited Carbon for our wedding anniversary and were thrilled to get a reservation on short notice. Tried the eggplant, bone marrow and mussels for appetizers. For main course we the- chicken skewers, skirt steak, house special sausage gnocchi and salmon, with some delicious sides like truffle smashed potatoes and street style corn. All excellent. Fantastic service in a small intimate setting, can't wait to return!! read more

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Truly amazing!! They are LEGIT. You have to try the picanha or skirt steak with bell pepper chimichurri. All of their dishes are good and very well curated. The steak is on point, the pastas (at least the ones i've tried) are exceptional as well. And on top of that they always offer great service with the friendliest staff and great ambiance. Perfect for dates or whatever occasion. Truly one of my fav Italian spots in SD. read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Carbon or better known as "Carbon Angela's Kitchen" of South Park, San Diego is one of those hidden gems in San Diego. It may not be the largest eatery or the most popular with the social media food bloggers, but it one thing for sure, this place has heart. The skirt steak with red pepper chimichurri and a side of organic mixed vegetable is a perfect example of an idea and food preparation that comes straight from the love of food and all its complexities. The tender skirt steak was perfectly temped at medium rare and came with great flavor from the charring of the grill. The red bell pepper chimichurri packed a lot of flavor. Although delicious I would recommend they ease a bit back on the quantity, so not to obscure the natural flavor of the steak. In any case, the meal was delicious and very pleasing on the eye. The steak cost $26. The organic vegetables were not only well seasoned, but nicely prepared to a al dent bite. I like that the place came with a good mix and quantity. There are several other sides to choose from. To start my meal, I had the Arugula Salad. The salad was wonderful. In addition to the peppery arugula, the salad also came with red onion, bell pepper, sliced avocado, manchego cheese, walnuts, and a delicious lemon vinaigrette dressing. I do recommend this salad. The salad cost $13. Oh yes! I also had a small slice of cheese cake with a terrific guava compote on top. Great dessert! Maria was my my server and she was fantastic. At the time, she was the only server on the floor when the eatery opened, and it was quite impressive watching her glide from table to table welcoming and seating quest, explaining the specials of the night at each table, bring freshly baked bread, taking orders, and bringing food to the tables, and even bussing. On top of all of that, she was super sweet and friendly. read more

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We had a reservation at 7pm but weren't seated until 7:45, which was not ideal, but the staff was super nice about it. They gave us free sparkling wine to make up for the wait Drinks: she brought out two tasters which were almost a glass of wine on their own, and then the actual glass was a generous pour to say the least! They were also very knowledgeable about the wines Food: we got the Eggplant appetizer which was really good, and the skirt steak. It was perfectly cooked and with the potatoes it was a great combination read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Skirt steak - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Beautiful setting.. nice and cozy. Open kitchen w small batches. We try to experience Arancini but it was sold out. They were kind to offer a complimentary alternative. We explored the steak dishes and pastas. Everything with unique flavors and prepared w care. read more

Nice little cozy place. Super friendly service, not rushed at all. Arepa was full of flavor and very filling. Will definitely be back to eat other items on the menu. read more

Carbon Angela’s Kitchen - Side of fries - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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