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    Lala

    4.2 (176 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM

    Lala Photos

    LALA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Lala

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    In Italy, putting a meatball on spaghetti is the equivalent of putting pineapple on pizza...offensive. Very delicious.
    Felipe P.

    What a hidden gem. The wait staff was tops. Great music. Truly great vibes. The food is the best American Italian food I've had in San Diego to date.

    inside
    Sammy B.

    Loved the food and ambiance at Lala! Between stilettos on the wall and heart shaped napkins, this restaurant is perfect for a girls night out. We made a reservation in advance, and we got sat as soon as we arrived which was nice. Our food was delicious and the portions were generous. Our table tried the spicy caesar salad and arancini for appetizers, and I would say definitely to get the arancini - I could have passed on the spicy caesar. For mains we order the gnocchi, pinwheel lasagna, and rigatoni - we loved all three! Unfortunately, the only reason I couldn't give our experience a 5/5 stars was a our service. Our waiter seemed distracted by some folks he knew at the bar. We had to ask for things like water or more napkins multiple times before we received them. We also were never offered a dessert menu and just handed the check. Although we didn't love our waiter, our busser (I am so sorry I don't remember his name, but he had a fun accent!) was amazing. He went out of his way for us and checked in multiple times. We made sure to thank him extra on our way out. I will want to come back and try a dessert!

    Avery M.

    Such a cute girls night place. The bathroom, the table setting, the yummy cocktails/mocktails, the vibe was immaculate! Great place to celebrate a bachelorette (they gave us dessert with a sparkler). Pasta was yummy enough and well presented/ surprisingly big serving size but nothing spectacular

    Espresso Martini, Pink Ferrari
    Angeline A.

    Came here for my 22nd birthday dinner and loved it! The service was a bit slow; it was a busy night and a small space, so it was understandable. Despite it taking a while, our server was very attentive and sweet! When making my reservation, I asked for a birthday freebie, and I got a cute dessert! Bone marrow Trofie ($23.95)- Super creamy, and I loved the trofie pasta. It was my first time trying it. However, there wasn't much marrow in the bone. Flavors all went very well together,r though. Pink Ferrari ($17)- Such a cute and girly drink to get! A bit of a heavy pour Busa Espresso martini ($17)- Amazing espresso martini, and it uses oatmilk! It was my first time trying one, and I loved it a lot. The alcohol taste wasn't too strong. The space was small, but the decorations were gorgeous and definitely made up for the smaller area.

    Gnocchi
    Susan M.

    Incredible service, vibes, and food! This place is tucked away and a hidden gem. San Diego must try! Make sure to try the espresso martini too!

    Heart napkin
    April P.

    I was so excited to try this place but sadly we were all underwhelmed. The ambiance of the restaurant was so cute and funky with lots of pink and fun accents. But the service was mediocre, or server was friendly but he rarely came by to check on us, never asked if we wanted more drinks or dessert. He was just immediately ready to take our order. The food came out incredibly quick, which not complaining about that but it was just warm and very bland. We tried the gnocchi, rigatoni w/ burrata, and pesto pasta. All of it was very bland and underwhelming. And they never even offered Parmesan or chili flakes to top it off. All in all, it was a cool experience but with all the other trendy Italian spots popping everywhere, i will definitely not be returning

    Bone marrow pasta dish
    Jessica R.

    First time at Lala and it was overall a good dining experience. The prosciutto app was amazing and the bone marrow pasta dish was recommended and did not disappoint! I will say the restaurant is on a smaller scale and you are sitting close to other parties but it didn't bother us. Our waiter was kind and always made sure we were okay. I'd say I would go back!

    Sign
    Lala J.

    Such a cute bar! Found it by accident and loved that it's my name. So it was a must. Only had one drink here cause we tried several other bars in little Italy . Service was okay .. bartender was busy so nothing extra

    New York steak, with cavatelli bone marrow in the back
    Joyce L.

    Ambiance: A+. Service: A+. Food: solid B. Our server Jesus was amazing, really made the experience. Friendly, fun, and a great server who legit seemed to enjoy what he does and good at conversing with customers. (Most of the) drinks were good. We ordered multiple rounds of their espresso martini. I particularly liked the Lala martini, which had a nice spicy kick to it. One of their mezcal drinks was dry and tart, that it was hard to drink... we didn't finish it. Food was average. Good, but nothing stunning. Pasta portions felt small -- our group of 4ppl ordered 3 appe's, 2 pastas, and 1 main. Most of their dishes were fatty and cheesy, which adds taste but no depth of flavor. For example, the chargrilled oysters were primarily cheese... I didn't taste the oyster at all. Food was pretty forgettable. Overall, a solid experience and if anyone asks, I'll say Lala is decent. But nothing I'm itching to come back for...

    Audrey L.

    Had come here for my mom's birthday recently and could not have had a better time! She has been driving by Lala for months and decided she wanted to celebrate her birthday there. We had a reservation and were seated right away. Our server was so nice and made great recommendations. We started with the half pound meatball, lobster bisque and the spicy caesar salad. They were both incredible and very shareable. For our main, we decided to share the shrimp entree that came with mashed potatoes in a lemon sauce and asparagus. Everything was delicious, and the martinis were so good. I completely forgot in the reservation I added that we were celebrating a birthday until our server brought out a little birthday dessert. The dessert was a citrus cheesecake and so incredible!

    The Stiletto
    Talk Of S.

    Came here for my wife's birthday and overall the food and ambiance were excellent. We ordered a wide range of dishes (steak, pastas, desserts), and everything came out well executed. The atmosphere is lively and definitely fits the Little Italy scene. The issue was with the birthday experience. I noted it in my OpenTable reservation and also confirmed it with the hostess when we arrived. She mentioned they do a dessert presentation with a candle and sparklers and said she would notify our server. During dinner, we even saw another table receive that exact presentation. When our dessert came out, it was only a candle. We still sang and enjoyed the moment, but it didn't match what had been described or what we saw delivered to another table. When I asked the server afterward, there wasn't a clear explanation. Also worth noting: there is a 20% service charge added, but it's not clearly explained whether this replaces gratuity or is in addition to it, which creates some confusion. Overall, a strong restaurant in terms of food and atmosphere, but consistency and communication, especially for special occasions, need improvement. Also had difficulty reaching the restaurant, as only one of the listed phone numbers was working.

    Short Rib Arancini
    Natalie M.

    We came to Lala for our 2-year anniversary dinner, and the food was honestly incredible. We ordered the short rib arancini, the 1/2 lb meatball with spaghetti, the gnocchi, the lobster bisque, a cab, and the stiletto martini and every single thing was sooo good. You can tell they put real care into their dishes. The flavors were rich, balanced, and comforting without being heavy. The drinks were on point too. Our server had amazing energy -- super warm, attentive, and really added to the experience. You could tell they genuinely enjoyed what they do, and it made the night feel extra special. The reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the space itself. The restaurant is very small and gets packed fast. We went on a rainy night, and toward the end of our meal, water actually started leaking through the ceiling onto us. It wasn't enough to ruin the experience, but it was definitely noticeable. Still, the food and service were fantastic, and I'd absolutely come back -- just maybe on a dry day.

    Meatballs and marinara appetizer
    Kathryn S.

    Love the old 1930s style vibe it feels like you're inside a railroad car but on a much more elevated level. The bartender was super friendly and helpful with menu recommendations. They had a bartender's cocktail on sale for happy hour which the bartender explained that particular day was made from Aperol, bourbon, and a few other ingredients, I wasn't sure because I'm not a fan of bourbon however, this cocktail was delightful not too tart not too sweet with undertones of the Aperol, It was perfect.! We had an appetizer tower with eggplant and olives and peppers and cheese and they were so good.! and we also had the appetizer of meatballs and sauce with crusty bread so amazing we recommended it all. Love the entire list of specialty craft cocktails we will definitely be back to try them. We had a great experience and we would definitely come back.!

    Bone marrow

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Lala

    Is it 21+ to enter?

    No, all ages are welcome

    Is there happy hour?

    Yes until 6:30

    How do I make a reservation?

    Call or go on OpenTable to rsvp

    View All 4 Questions

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    Bencotto Italian Kitchen

    Bencotto Italian Kitchen

    4.2
    (3.6k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Bencotto definitely lived up to the hype! Everything we ordered was delicious. I had the cheese…read morewheel pasta special with mushrooms and added sausage--I'm so glad I did because the sausage was perfectly crisp and absolutely scrumptious. My oldest ordered the salmon salad, and the creamy dressing was light, fresh, and full of flavor. The salmon portion was on the smaller side but cooked perfectly. My youngest got a "small" order of spaghetti Bolognese (there's no kids' menu), and she cleaned her plate. We also ordered the house bread, which our server explained is baked fresh to order, so it took a little extra time--but it was worth the wait. The seasoned olive oil dip was incredible, and the butter was rich and creamy. The only thing I personally missed was a side of balsamic vinegar. The drinks were just as impressive: a refreshing lavender mocktail for my oldest, a beautifully presented strawberry lemonade for my youngest, and their take on an Aperol Spritz for me. All three were refreshing and a perfect complement to the meal. Great food, wonderful service, and a spot we'll happily return to!

    Came here on a weekend and we were seated outside due to no reservation. Our table was filled with…read moreleaves that had dropped, including on our dishware. We got mozzarella sticks, tagliatelle nere, cheese wheel pasta, and tagliatelle lamb. To our surprise, the mozzarella sticks only come with three small sticks, but the cheese pull on them were really nice. The cheese wheel pasta was not tossed in the cheese wheel table side because we were seated outside, which I wish they would've explained when we were ordering. We substituted the tagliatelle ragu with pappardelle pasta since we already had fettuccine and I liked that a lot. When the pasta came out, our server asked if we wanted cheese on the pasta to which we said yes, and then he forgot to bring us cheese so we had to ask the hostess standing outside. Overall the food was good and the pasta portion was filling. I wouldn't recommend sitting outside because service was not the best. Not sure if it was because we were quite literally the only table outside.

    Photos
    View from window seating inward
    View from window seating inward
    Calamari Fritti...
    Calamari Fritti...
    Manhattan

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    Manhattan
    Rusticucina

    Rusticucina

    4.6
    (1.7k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$
    Happy hour specials
    Locally owned & operated

    They know what they're doing and their client service was perfection. My older friend had a…read moresignificant birthday this year with the passing of her husband nearly a year ago exactly, It was a special birthday considering her failing health and I gave the restaurant a heads up we would be celebrating. Nathan, Sabrina and Johan were a primo team and outstanding on all counts. They made extra sure my guest was comfortable and most importantly, appreciated. The fried burrata was a star as was their caprese salad. Their spinach ravioli was delicious and despite how full we were, it was gobbled up. Their pizza was great as well as their arancini. The New Zealand Sauvignon blanc was delicious with a spicy finish. We ordered two bottles. The vibe is very communal and it got lively around 7pm on a Saturday. It was quiet and intimate when we arrived around 4:45pm so come a little earlier if you typically would like a quieter meal with fabulous food. Again, can't thank Nathan. Sabrina and Johan enough. The entire team was fabulous and humored us with our questions in regard to Sicily. I will be back and will bring others: thanks again!

    Amazing service, but unfortunately the food didn't live up to the hype…read more Ossobuco: 5.5/10 I've had a lot of ossobuco over the years, and this was honestly my least favorite. The meat was fairly tender, but it lacked flavor almost entirely. The sauce didn't add much either, and the risotto underneath was just okay. Nothing was necessarily bad. it was just surprisingly bland. For a dish that's usually rich and comforting, this one felt forgettable. Pesto Pasta: 7/10 This was decent and definitely better than the ossobuco, but it wasn't anything I'd go out of my way to order again. The pesto was enjoyable, and I appreciated that it wasn't overly acidic. Beyond that, it didn't really stand out. The cocktails were good, the service was fantastic, and the complimentary limoncello cake was delicious. That said, when there are so many great Italian restaurants in the area, I don't see myself returning. I left feeling like the food was more hype than substance. Food: 5/10 Service: 10/10

    Photos
    Rusticucina
    Rusticucina
    Rusticucina

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    Cucina Urbana

    Cucina Urbana

    4.4
    (4.9k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    Cucina Urbana's Sunday offering is great. It feels like an excellent home cooked meal without the…read morework. The meal includes *Family chopped salad - light and fresh * Focaccia + herbed butter - nice and warm bread with flavorful butter * Bucatini amatriciana - perfect seasoning; al dente * Polenta - rich and creamy * Seasonal roasted vegetables - very good side; lovely char on the veggies. * Spatchcock chicken - moist inside but crispy skin. Not a lot of flavor but if you add the pesto and the lemon & with the bed of arugula- I think it's wonderful. * Tiramisu/dessert- they have peaches and added hazelnuts on top- a good variation. We also had Lavender lemonade which was a bit sour for me but the other people at the table liked. Service and food were great. The restaurant is very clean and modern. Overall, highly recommended.

    Came here on a Friday night for a friend's birthday and was able to find street parking a few…read moreblocks away. The squash blossoms were the best thing we ordered. I'm a cheese lover, so these were right up my alley. The sauce was so good that I ended up dipping the focaccia in it. The focaccia bread itself, though, was pretty plain with just butter and not worth paying for. The food was pretty hit or miss. The Beef Brasato Pappardelle was flavorful with a good amount of meat, while the Bucatini Amatriciana was sour and not enjoyable. The Parmesan Truffle Fries were disappointing- they were hollow and airy with barely any potato or truffle flavor. The burnt Brussel sprouts were actually burnt (ha), the grilled octopus was dry with very little meat, the hamachi crudo was okay, the wagyu carpaccio was alright but didn't taste like wagyu, and the Jidori chicken fra diavolo wasn't worth the price. We also wanted the steak, but unfortunately they were out that night. Service was good. They waived the usual $3/person cake-cutting fee since we cut our own birthday cake. My biggest complaint was how hot it was inside. It took about 45 minutes to an hour before we could even feel the AC, which made dinner pretty uncomfortable on a summer night. Overall, there were a few standout dishes, but just as many misses. It wasn't a bad meal, but it wasn't a delicious one.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Grilled octopus
    Grilled octopus
    Squash blossoms with goat cheese

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    Squash blossoms with goat cheese
    Parma Cucina Italiana

    Parma Cucina Italiana

    4.6
    (1.3k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Here's a polished version you can post:…read more What a fantastic find! We stopped here after spending the day at the zoo, and it was one of the best meals my family and I have had in a long time. The service was absolutely outstanding--friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome from the moment we walked in. The food was some of the most authentic Italian cuisine we've ever had, and every dish was delicious. The desserts were just as incredible and were the perfect way to end the meal. If you're looking for amazing Italian food with exceptional service, I can't recommend this place enough. We'll definitely be back before we head home!

    I walked into this little Italian restaurant and found it completely packed. I asked the gentleman…read moreat the front how long the wait would be for a table for one. Without hesitation, he poured me a glass of Prosecco, invited me to wait outside, and assured me he'd have a seat for me in just a few minutes. Sure enough, about two minutes later, he came out and seated me. This restaurant made you feel like you were in Italy with the ambiance and vibe. I had done my research beforehand, so I already knew what I wanted. I ordered the lasagna, and it was absolutely incredible. The portion was generous, and my server let me know it would take a little extra time to prepare, which was perfectly fine. It didn't take long for me to realize that the man who seated me was also the owner. As I watched him greet guests throughout the evening, it was obvious that he genuinely loves what he does. We had a great conversation, and he was warm, welcoming, and personable. After finishing my meal, I ordered a double espresso and tiramisu for dessert. The tiramisu was easily one of the best I've ever had. Exceptional food, outstanding hospitality, and a memorable experience from start to finish. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town.

    Photos
    Tagliatelle alla Bolognese
    Tagliatelle alla Bolognese
    Parma Cucina Italiana
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