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    Italian Cucina

    4.0 (117 reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Closed • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Italian Cucina Photos

    ITALIAN CUCINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Romantic
    Classy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Italian Cucina

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    Braised short ribs was a dream
    Chris P.

    We had a great experience. The food was spectacular. The wine flowed like water and the service made the night completely magical. We got to dine in the private room so it made it that much more memorable.

    Hunny Moon!
    Tavelle A.

    SURPRISE SURPRISE!!!! Ok it was the day after my wedding night! I'm already on a high from all the love and celebrating and amazing food... I didn't want to have high expectations for this Italian restaurant inside a casino!! But to my surprise this place kept the high going! I'm new to the Ahi Tuna game as a week prior introduction to Poke... this seared Ahi Tuna was phenomenal! The seared crust around the meaty tuna had the perfect flavor balance to complement a his bed of salad, made of different cold beans,olives ,sun-dried tomatoes and more! The chief put this together with intention and you can taste it!! Chief's kiss!!! WE LOVE ITALIAN CUCINA!!

    Ribeye Steak
    Bruski N.

    We finally accepted our brother-in-law's invitation to Barona for Italian fine dining. Whoever thought fine Italian dining could co-exist at a casino? But Italian Cucina is legit. From appetizers to desserts, they offer a range of high-quality dishes. The ribeye steaks were perfectly cooked. My seafood dish was filled with clams, mussels, shrimps, scallops, 1/2 lobster, and salmon. The broth was decadent and flavorful. The service was friendly and a little more relaxed. We definitely will never turn down an invite to Italian Cucina again.

    Filet Mignon
    Mai H.

    Cozy and romantic restaurant located inside Barona casino. I've dined here many times and the food is consistent each time. Service is usually good. It can get really busy, since they're only open during dinner on the weekends and Thursdays. Below are some of the items I enjoy: - House Salad (1 of the options that comes with your entree) - Seared lamb chops - Italian grilled cheese - Classic lasagna - Ribeye - Filet mignon (sometimes, could be a hit or miss) Their margaritas are huge and refreshing. Will keep coming back!

    Carpaccio appetizer, margarita, espresso martini and mango margarita!
    Clarissa D.

    I had to try this Italian restaurant inside Barona Casino last night. We had an order of calamari and carpaccio and they were delicious! Their complimentary warm bread and butter are awesome! Now for the drinks, what I came here for was divine! I had an espresso martini and it was nice and smooth and frothy, really good! I truly enjoyed it. We also ordered a margarita and a Mango Margarita- it was so good I felt like I was on a tropical vacation. I will recommend it to my friends when there in Barona and will go back there again for drinks! It was a very nice experience!!

    Salmon pizza
    Samantha G.

    Upon arriving we were seated right away. The food was okay. I felt like the pizza needed more balsamic vinegar on added oil. The drinks were strong but it took awhile to get them. We only wanted to get drinks since there's no alcohol to purchase in the casino. We had to purchase food in order to get a drink. Our server was newly hired but he did a great job.

    Katie G.

    My son turned 18 yesterday and we usually go to an Italian restaurant in little Italy for his Birthday for the past 10 years . Because it was his 18th we decided to try this place so he can also gamble for the first time . We had 5:30 reservation for a table of 4 . We were very excited and in a great mood to celebrate such an epic occasion. Sadly, our experience last night was without a doubt the worst service I have experienced in probably 20 years . Our server Garrett was extremely slow and non attentive. He is the kind of server you have to track down because he was MIA . He never checked on us . Even though he knew the kitchen was taking a painfully long time to serve us our food . Never asked to refill our drinks , knowing we had been sitting there over an hour waiting for our entrees . When we did manage to track him down for help , he took just as long to fulfill the request. Finally 2 hours later when it was time for my son to have is celebratory cake and be sang happy birthday, he had to ask the manager to please pack the cheesecake to go because everyone was very frustrated and over dealing with, without a doubt the WORST servers we have ever encountered. Also the food was cold once we finally received it . The only dish that was great was their fried calamari.

    San Diego's Best (non-buffet) Casino Restaurant!
    Ron Q.

    Food at casinos are often more known for their buffets. Patrons can gorge themselves after winning big or wallow in their sorrows after losing rent money to a deck of cards. With the Covid pandemic, many buffets have sadly disappeared. Too many people touching serving spoons and breathing on each other while drooling over the serving dish of beef n broccoli. That's ok tho when you have such stellar restaurants such as Italian Cucina as a fantabulous alternative! The restaurant is located on the lower level of the casino passed the Blackjack Hall of Fame wall and down the escalator. Upon entering, we were warmly greeted by the hostess and shown to a table. We requested a booth as there appeared to be some available but were advised they were reserved for patrons with reservations. While it wasn't necessarily busy at the time, we did notice a steady flow of customers being shown to tables throughout our meal. James soon came by to introduce himself as our server. He was patient and informative about the menu and our options. After bringing water and offering a few minutes to look over the menu, we decided on the salmon and short ribs for dinner. Another team member dropped off a basket of freshly warmed rolls. The cheese roll was UH-MAZ-ING. Ask for more if you get a chance. Each entree came with a choice of soup or salad. We both opted for salads, one house and the other a Cesar. The house salad was much more interesting with various veggies. The Cesar was a classic with just romaine, croutons and shredded parmesan. The salmon was roasted well and seasoned perfectly. It came with seasonal veggies and a lemon wrapped in cloth to avoid seeds dropping into your meal. The short ribs came with pesto mashed potatoes and roasted carrots. Definitely a different twist to mashed potatoes but good nonetheless. The meat easily shredded with a fork and was mouthwateringly good. There is a large dessert case at the entrance along with a coffee bar. Some decadent desserts can be found here. The aroma of fresh ground coffee also filled the air which made the visual experience that much more enticing. Italian Cucina is one of the better options for dining at Barona. Will be back. Keep on Yelp'n!

    ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO
    Caesar N.

    The pizza was ok, it was basically bread topped with salmon arugula onions and a sauce so its nothing crazy, but i like the environment and the drinks were good.

    Our bill for 2 overly salted steaks and 2 cocktails.
    Lee S.

    We absolutely love Barona. This was an anniversary treat for us. Steak at the Italian Cucina is hit and miss. It wasn't until after our meal, I mentioned to my guy how salty the steak was. He said he saw the cook shake A BUNCH of salt onto it while cooking. What a shame. (There are screens above the kitchen to watch the Chefs cook.) I do LOVE their house salad, however. Boo.

    Baked Penne
    Dan E.

    Descending the big beautiful escalator down to the lower level of Barona Casino yields an array of outstanding dining options. First thing you see is the grand, yet elegant entrance to Italian Cucina (the only one currently open). This is an amazing sit-down Italian restaurant, open for dinner Thursday - Sunday. Just a short 10 minute drive down Wildcat Canyon Road, south of Ramona, you think you've gone "down the hill", but not really. The restaurant and service are very much top shelf, but the prices are pretty mid-range (in the teens) for most dishes. The overall atmosphere was magnificent! Not at all depressing like some run down Italian restaurants I've been to around SoCal. The food used to be outstanding here. Huge portions too. A number of the dishes I order regularly seem to have gone down hill in quality. Most notably the lasagna, chicken parmigiana and baked penne. All tables are served a complimentary dish of some olive appetizer thing, bread, etc. with bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Be careful not to fill up on the bread service. Easy to do! The sun-dried tomato compound butter served with the bread is excellent. All composed entrees are served with choice of house or caesar salad, or soup at no extra cost. If I could rate 3.5 stars I would. I'm erring to four due mainly to the exemplary service, atmosphere, overall experience and the fact that you can still dine-in. The food on its own is pretty much 3 star now unfortunately. My wife's Caesar salad last week, the croutons were literally cubes of bread. Soft and squishy. Add to that, their 'rona protocol has them wrapping everything in plastic wrap as it leaves the kitchen. You literally have to unwrap your food like a Christmas present. Kind of tacky. A stainless steel dome would be far more classy, and that's what I've been requesting.

    Margarita
    Batool D.

    Their food is super delicious, very friendly slow staff. I tried their ceaser salad and chicken Parmigiano, and I really liked them, BUT these are not why I'll be going back. They have this huge delicious margaritas for around $10, which is cheap compared to any other place in san diego.

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    Our waiter was amazing, took very good care of us. All the did was outstanding. No complaints!

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    Testo Pepesto Italian Restaurant - Cioppino, made with fresh seafood

    Testo Pepesto Italian Restaurant

    4.2(592 reviews)
    11.2 mi•Cajon Heights
    •$$

    Such a wonderful night with amazing food and amazing service. Cindy was our server tonight and her…read morebright spirit and enthusiasm really shined bright in every interaction. As first timers here, Cindy provided a welcoming and personal experience through meal recommendations, drink pairings, and community events. She truly made our night so much more memorable and meaningful throughout her kindness and hospitality. It is truly so refreshing to connect with such a warm-hearted and radiant person and have the opportunity to hear about their love for the industry, food, and connection to the people that they work with. It was such a pleasure to enjoy the amazing food and atmosphere that she provided tonight! Looking forward to our next time here!

    Testo Pepesto Italian Restaurant in El Cajon, just off Main St., was a great experience! Street…read moreparking was easily available, and the restaurant offers both indoor and patio seating with plenty of space for larger parties. We were a party of eight, including three little ones, and our waitress, Ms. Cindy, was AMAZING! Her service is truly the reason this restaurant is getting a 5-star review from us. Ms. Cindy consistently checked on our table to make sure we had everything we needed. What impressed me most was how attentive she was around the children. When bringing out hot dishes, she was very mindful about where she placed them and made sure they were safely out of the children's reach. That level of attention to detail was phenomenal! If you're looking for amazing table service, ask to be seated in Ms. Cindy's section, and be sure to leave her a generous tip because she is worth every penny! Now, on to the food: Gnocchi Tuscan: Good flavor. Sicilian Lobster Mac & Cheese: Delish! Double Deluxe Pizza: Delicious and absolutely true to its name. DELUXE and packed with goodness! Garlic Cheese Bread: Delish, and the marinara sauce was SO GOOD! Calamari: Well cooked, although there were no tentacles. Teriyaki Chicken Wings: Good-sized wings, but the breading made them look HUGE. They were a little over-sauced for my liking. Shrimp Lobster Linguini: I was told it was amazing! Rigatoni Fra Diavola with added shrimp: AMAZING flavor! Margherita Pizza: I'm normally not a fan of pizza without meat, but this one completely surprised me. AMAZING flavor! Overall, we had a wonderful dining experience, but Ms. Cindy's exceptional service really made our visit memorable. THANK YOU, MS. CINDY, for taking such great care of our family and giving us an AMAZING dining experience!

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    Testo Pepesto Italian Restaurant - Warm, freshly baked focaccia bread

    Warm, freshly baked focaccia bread

    Testo Pepesto Italian Restaurant - Fresh pizza, served and ready to enjoy

    Fresh pizza, served and ready to enjoy

    Testo Pepesto Italian Restaurant - Hot, fresh pizza made from scratch

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    Hot, fresh pizza made from scratch

    Mamma Rosa's Restaurant & Pizza - Spaghetti and Lasagna

    Mamma Rosa's Restaurant & Pizza

    4.4(440 reviews)
    9.1 mi
    •$$

    **A Hidden Gem in El Cajon!**…read more If you're looking for authentic Italian food made with love, I highly recommend **Mamma Rosa Italian Restaurant**! One thing I really appreciated is that they offer many of their pasta dishes in **half or full portions**. I love having that option because it gives you the opportunity to try a little bit of everything if you're like me and can't decide on just one dish! I ordered the **Chicken, Ham & Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo**, and it was absolutely delicious. The fresh homemade noodles were cooked perfectly--not too thick--and the Alfredo sauce was creamy, rich, and full of flavor without feeling overly heavy. We also enjoyed their pizza, and it definitely didn't disappoint. The crust was cooked to perfection with just the right texture, and the marinara sauce was incredibly well-balanced--not overly acidic, which was a huge plus since I'm sensitive to red sauces. Best of all, I had no heartburn afterward! We also tried their homemade Italian sausage, which was outstanding, along with the hearty potato gnocchi that was soft, pillowy, and full of flavor. The spaghetti was another favorite--my grandson absolutely devoured it! One of the highlights of our visit was meeting **Linda**, the owner. She shared that many of the recipes have been passed down from her grandmother, making this a true family tradition. Knowing that these are cherished generational recipes made the experience even more special. Our server, **Helen**, provided exceptional customer service. One thoughtful touch that really stood out was that when we had leftovers, the staff took our plates and carefully packaged everything into to-go containers for us. That's a level of service you don't see very often anymore, and it made us feel genuinely cared for. The restaurant itself was clean, cozy, and welcoming. From the homemade food to the warm hospitality, every part of our experience was wonderful. If you haven't been, I highly recommend giving this hidden gem a try! **Mamma Rosa Italian Restaurant** 1773 E. Main St. El Cajon, CA 92021 We'll definitely be back!

    Mamma Rosa's on East Main in El Cajon is yet another establishment that reinforces my observation…read morethat some of the best Italian restaurants happen to be in strip malls! In business since the 1980s this old school family run place features coziness and comfortable neighborhood charm. Service was friendly and genuine as the patrons and staff all seemed to be salt of the earth East County locals. For dinner I ordered the Half & Half with lasagna and spaghetti with meat sauce. Comes with garlic bread. Everything tasted outstanding. The lasagna was a nice portion, served piping hot, just how I like it. They seem to take great pride in their lasagna; I could tell it was thoughtfully prepared and not all sloppy. The spaghetti was somewhat al dente, definitely better than some other local restaurants. I did notice their "House Chianti" is dispensed from a Franzia box for what it's worth...

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    Mamma Rosa's Restaurant & Pizza
    Mamma Rosa's Restaurant & Pizza - Half & Half

    Half & Half

    Mamma Rosa's Restaurant & Pizza - House Chianti

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    House Chianti

    Italian Cucina - italian - Updated October 2026

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