We just happened upon the Red Door and tried it based on the outstanding reviews. We were not disappointed. The shaved pork belly over truffle risotto was a real treat! Very unique. My husband also enjoyed his lasagna. We of course topped it off with a very nice tiramisu. Our waiter was helpful and friendly. Comfortable casual atmosphere. I really like the big panel windows that let in light and give it a honey feel. It was such a nice surprise when Chef and owner Luciano came out check on us. We really prefer supporting small businesses rather than these big corporate themed places. We will definitely be back. read more

When we entered this comfortable restaurant we did not know we had entered a portal back to Italy. There are meals you enjoy... and then there are meals that quietly rearrange your expectations. The Red Door is firmly in the second category. Chef and owner Luciano Cibelli doesn't just cook, he composes. Every dish feels intentional, grounded in beautiful ingredients sourced from local farmers, and elevated with a kind of restraint that lets flavor of his ingredients lead. The result is food that is elegant without trying too hard and is exactly what perfection tastes like. The risotto special? Dangerous. The kind of dangerous where you fully intend to share and then quietly abandon that plan three bites in. It was deliciously rich yet balanced, the kind of dish that makes conversation pause because everyone at the table is too busy having a moment. From the first course to dessert (all made in house), the entire experience felt like slipping into a small corner of Italy. It is unpretentious, warm, and deeply satisfying in that way only truly thoughtful food can be. Robin our server, guide, and overall gem of a human made the evening feel effortless. The kind of service that's attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without lecturing, and genuinely joyful. The Red Door isn't just a restaurant. It's a reminder that when care, craft, and incredible ingredients come together, something quietly magical happens. read more

If you are looking for an incredible Beef Wellington in San Diego, you absolutely have to visit The Red Door. It was cooked to perfection--tender, flavorful, and easily the highlight of the night. I also highly recommend trying the fresh clams. They were so fresh and delicious! Beyond the food, the service was top-notch and the atmosphere is very cozy and inviting. It's the perfect spot for a nice dinner. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

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Great local neighborhood feels with fresh seafood. Sea bass with pesto risotto was cooked perfectly. A glowy red ambience, a nice romantic dinner out or drinks with the girls. I can see NYE or Christmas being a fun time here! Our server Henry was hospitable and knowledgeable. Appreciated the chef coming around with his charismatic air of welcome. The tomato bean soup was straight forward. I think next time we'll skip the Brussels sprouts shaved salad and harvest salad, but the pastas and seafood are the star anyway! read more

The Red Door - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Dark & intimate restaurant. We made reservations on a Friday night. Walked in and was greeted and seated by the owner himself. He came out to go over the special dishes of the night and confidently told us we would love it. Our table ordered drinks to start. Both the Strawberry Grove & Fancy that were great drinks. Perfect balance of sweetness and alcohol. Our server took our second drink order but forgot to put it in. He was standing there talking to the bartender for a while before we made eye contact from across the room. The moment he realized he forgot, I see him tell the bartender our order. The bartender comes to the table to confirm once again. Everyone there is super nice. It wasn't a big deal since we were busy catching up and enjoying our dinner anyways. Each portion is huge. 2 can definitely share a plate. Ribeye & Risotto: 4/5 Sauce had a strong blue cheese flavor to it. An acquired taste for sure. Steak was tender and cooked perfectly medium. Pricey. I was a bit surprised it came out to be $85. My fault. I should've asked. Seafood Fettuccine: 3/5 Good amount of seafood but the sauce was lacking a little something. My friend said it would have been better with a cream sauce. Chicken Parmigiana: 3/5 I was told the sauce could be less salty Carlsbad Mussels: 5/5 Meat Lovers Mac & Cheese: 3/5 read more

The Red Door - Fancy That & Strawberry Grove - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Excellent food, excellent service, very nice inside. Pastas were very good, meatballs aswell. The seafood food was a lot of food and really good. We will return here. read more

The Red Door - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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What a great experience! Called ahead without reservations on Friday night for an early seating. Was in the area and wasn't sure where to go. The food looked good on yelp, plus strong comments/ reviews so gave it a try. We ordered the meaty lovers mac and cheese, calamari, and Brussel sprouts. The kale with the calamari was yummy, the calamari was tender (more strips than tendrils), the mac and cheese was the highlight. Probably tied for the best thing we ordered aside from dessert. Two of us shared the lobster ravioli, it was delicious and a friend had the papardelle we sampled it and it was great. I'd go back just to try some of the other items. Looking at the neighboring tables everyone's food looked good. Hannah was our server and shared what her favorites were. The owner and chef popped over to say hi and check on us. We each ordered wine/prosecco and cocktails. We shared the dessert which was heavenly. Sticky pudding cake with a vanilla charcoal ice cream The inside is cozy and inviting. Glad we took a chance on a place that wasn't referred to us. The sea bass special and Wellington are 2 dishes I'd come back to try as well as the salad and mussels or clams. Overall great experience. read more

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I'm the type who will order the best sounding special without checking the price let's just say this meet dish was juicy tender and quite good, but my wallet was definitely hurting. The desserts were a hit, but slightly too sweet for me to finish by myself. But it was quite enjoyable in flavors. Honestly think this would be a cute date night spot. read more

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This Red Door , an Italian Restaurant , was highly recommended by daughter who also made reservations on my actual birthday July 23rd. We were warmly greeted by Chef Luciano also who is the restaurant owner ! Exceptional plating presentation the entree dishes we ordered ! We started with few delicious appetizers: ROASTED BEETS & BURRATA CHEESE STEAMED CLAMS with toasted Focaccia VEAL MEATBALLS BUTTERNUT BRIE For our dinner entrees: the birthday celebrant ( Me) , The Lobster Ravioli which was served 6 medallions in vodka red sauce ! Every medallion bites I took had lobster meat chunks .... Beef Wellington :seared tenderloin in puff pastry Seafood Fettuccine served with Squid ink noodles Chef Luciano was so kind to comp my birthday truffles! Thanks so much! Will sure come back on my next visit !!! read more

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Came here on a Wednesday for a casual dinner, the place is not crowded. I like the family atmosphere and cute decor around the restaurant. The service is attentive and fast. I got the lamb shank on the top of a bed of squash risotto. The lamb is well cooked and fell off the bone, where the risotto is heavily seasoned (actually I feel it's too salty after a few bites, drank the whole bottle of water with it) It's a good dining experience overall. Will come back to try out their other dishes. read more

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The service and intimate ambiance at Red Door were pleasant. Our food came out quickly, was generously portioned and appetizingly presented. As a risotto aficionada, I had very high hopes for the mushroom risotto with truffle oil. The texture was good, and I enjoyed finding large mushroom pieces interspersed throughout. However, I found it to be overly salty and lacking balance. BF got the lamb shank, which was served atop a bed of squash risotto. He liked the fall off the bone texture of the lamb, but we felt that both the risotto and lamb were overly salted and moreover this risotto was not as flavorful as the mushroom one. To end on a sweet note, we chose the sticky toffee pudding, which the waiter mentioned is their most popular option. I liked the charcoal ice cream topping, but was not wowed by the toffee pudding itself as I expected something stickier and sweeter. read more

The Red Door - Lamb shank with squash risotto - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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What a cute little gem in mission hills! This restaurant had the coziest vibes and a great staff! The beef Wellington is their specialty and it was good coming from a non-beef Wellington fan. The cauliflower steak was underwhelming in flavor; I wouldn't recommend. The orchiette and the short ribs were pretty good. Overall, I love their farm-to-table concept and the dining experience here was fantastic. I would definitely come back and bring more friends! read more

The Red Door - Cauliflower steak, beef Wellington, short rib, orchiette - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Red Door delivered an incredible dining experience from start to finish. I had the Chateaubriand paired with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and everything was exceptional. The atmosphere was warm and inviting and the service couldn't have been better. What truly stood out was the personal touch. The chef came by our table more than once to check in which made the evening feel even more special. The Chateaubriand was a showstopper. Presented beautifully over a bed of arugula salad with a rich demi glace and perfectly cooked potatoes it was truly a work of art and one of the best I've ever had. Every bite was perfectly balanced flavorful and memorable. I will absolutely be back. Red Door has earned a permanent spot on my favorites list. read more

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Okay experience. The food was pretty good and flavorful. I got the flatbread which was cooked well and the crust was soft. It's a decent portion too and big enough for your meal. There's a good selection of pastas and entrees. Around $40 for a meal. Location is easy to find but parking may be challenging. Inside decor felt homey and intimate. A good spot for friends or a date. The chef came out in the beginning and introduced himself which was a unique touch. The downside was the service and our server. We felt that he took a while to come take our order. We ordered the appetizer and politely asked for two more minutes to decide on entrees. Unfortunately, he did not come back for 15 minutes when the appetizer got dropped off. My peer also asked him for a recommendation but felt he gave a generic response. He didn't seem enthusiastic nor showed any emotion overall. Additionally, I didn't like the calamari unfortunately as I would've liked more seasoning and for it to be crispier. The portion was on the smaller side and half the plate was fried kale. Unfortunately the kale felt more like kale dust/crumbles. I didn't prefer it. Not sure I'd come back but ok to try once! read more

The Red Door - Flatbread - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Worst experience of my life at a restaurant at the Red Door. The owner does not treat his customers right. At his restaurant the customer is always wrong. Worst service ever. Celebrated my birthday with a friend that was a long time customer We ordered lobster ravioli Mussels Shaved brussel sprout salad Scallops Short ribs Chocolate dessert Lobster ravioli decent Shaved brussel sprout salad not even fit for a rabbit absolutely horrible Mussels smelled and not fresh Then we wait an entire hour to get our entrees Scallops are 4 tiny pieces not even fit for an appetizer Short ribs were decent, brussel sprouts burnt underneath We wait for another 20 min to order dessert and coffee That takes another 15 min and they serve the dessert but forget the coffee Coffee comes out another 15 min later. They forget to pack my short ribs to go After this fiasco I called and talked to the manager who was very apologetic and said that she and Luciano would call me the next day They never called until I called THEM today Would they have called me? Anyway I get on the phone with Luciano and told him that my friend a long time customer is not ever coming back His response was that he didn't care at all He didn't want to do anything to make this horrible birthday right, he made it worse with his attitude Never ever going back. He is an arrogant sob and does not treat his customers well, they are always wrong and he is always right read more

Food ok but pretty overpriced. There are two areas one with a guitarist with a little bit better atmosphere and the other area pretty bland. On a friday evening it was the only place with no reservation needed after we'd tried several others with 30 - 90 minute wait times. the glass of wine had bubbles which lingered so we asked for a re-pour and mentioned the previous glass my have been soapy. Same thing again and we didn't bother sending it back again. Service ok but not overattentive. Sorry but we're unlikely to go again, even if no reservation needed. read more

The perfect last meal of 2024! I've passed The Red Door many times, located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Mission Hills, and have always wanted to give it a try. Known for having a romantic and warm atmosphere with delicious Italian inspired cuisine, I was so glad a friend suggested it for our final meal of the year. We arrived for our 8:15am reservation and were seated in the center of the dining room. The Red Door has a very intimate environment. The lighting is low and the space feels warm and comfortable. Chef and Owner Luciano may contribute to this as he isn't shy about greeting guests and welcoming them into his restaurant home. We brought our own bottle to dinner and they charge a $30 corkage fee. They also have a great selection of drinks including a full bar. They had a special holiday menu available and the four of us shared a variety of entrees to get a taste of multiple different mains. Beef Wellington - A staple that is traditionally on their regular menu. The beef was cooked to perfection and was very soft. I'm not usually a steak person, but I enjoyed the beef wellington because of how tender it was. The veggies it was paired with were perfect as well. Spiny Lobster with Pappardelle - What a statement! We saw a table order some of the lobsters before us and were stunned by the large shells. My friend we were dining with noted that they must be local as they didn't have the traditional claws of an East Coast lobster, but instead, came in a spiny shell. The lobster was cut so that we could easily access the meat. While the lobster was the star of the show, I thoroughly enjoyed the pappardelle it was placed on top. Truffle Gnocchi - Our favorite dish! The creamy gnocchi was perfect and pillowy and we got a generous serving of truffles on top. Chef Luciano took over to shave the truffles, even adding some to our lobster pappardelle. He was incredibly generous and it felt like good luck going into the new year. We had a lovely meal. I looked down at my watch and an hour and a half flew by in no time. That's how you know you're in good company with good food. I look forward to coming back to this special neighborhood spot. read more

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Came here for Valentine's Day and the ambiance was cozy/great. The sauce from the Beef Wellington was very tasty. The flatbread was a great decision for a starter. read more

The Red Door - Flatbread - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Ambience is great here. The best was the beef Wellington! Highly recommend this restaurant for a date night!

We have been visiting this local restaurant for many years and it is always a favorite. One of our favorite things is that the chef seems to always take time to walk through the restaurant and say hello to everyone which is very cool. The food is great and he usually has a special or two on the menu. It is a small restaurant so I would recommend reservations, but I don't think they're too busy for walk-ins. read more

This is a staple date night spot for my husband and I! We come here monthly and my husband always gets the Beef Wellington (his fav!). The service is always amazing, easy to get a reservation, and the chef and owner comes out sometimes to make sure everything is great. We never leave disappointed! read more

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When we arrived we we were told we were seated in the bar area next door. Not overly thrilled as that was not the plan. As it turned out, though, it was delightful and glad we were there. The calamari / kale appetizer was great and not so great at the same time. The calamari was most excellent. The kale, however, left a lot to be desired. It was more like kale dust and was very hard to eat. Not pleasant. Calamari 5-Star. Kale 1-Star. I ordered the lamb shank with risotto and it was a ten out of ten. Lamb fell off the bone and was a perfect temperature. The chicken parm was a 9 out of 10. Portions sizes were good and the price point seemed high but in the end both dishes were amazing. Since we we're in the bar it would have been nice to have the wooden tables that felt a bit sticky covered with something. A 9 out of 10 night. Service was good and the chef came out to talk to us. Go. Enjoy. It's a great place. read more

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Guys I can't say more lovely things about this place! My husband and I have seen this place a few times but decided to check it out Friday right at opening. First of all the service is extraordinary. Everyone was so helpful and lovely. The owner and chef even came over during dinner to check on us. You can tell everything done here is done with pride and great care. That alone earned this place a 5/5 but the food was just the best. We started off with their butternut brie and the flatbread (it was a special that night and had porchetta). The brie was super flavorful and I highly recommend the flatbread for large parties as it is HUGE. You could also smell it before you even saw it - they really do use really fresh ingredients here. Then we had the meat lovers Mac n cheese and the pappardelle. The Mac n cheese sauce was fantastic but guys the pappardelle was PHENOMENAL. The homemade pasta was cooked to absolute perfection and I could literally be buried in the sauce and would die happy. For a big brain move make sure to get something with bread for the entree to soak up the extra sauce. Then we ended the night with the sticky toffee pudding. This may be the best dessert I've ever had. Sincerely. Again, homemade. All the desserts are homemade and when we spoke to the chef to ask what his favorite was he said as he makes them all by hand that would be like picking his favorite child. All this means is we have to come back and try the rest of them (and their beef Wellington!). Will absolutely be back to try everything else on the menu. But definitely get a reservation. We went during opening but this place gets very busy as the night goes on. Parking wise is street but it wasn't too bad at 5pm on a Friday. Come early just in case. read more

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Nicholas is an excellent restaurantur the parking is iffy. The Beef Wellington, was well prepared and presented. The clams, meh. I shall be more than happy 2 return. read more

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Farm to table fresh with the taste to back it. Fantastic food, you can taste just how fresh everything is. The beef Wellington was everything I hoped for. Perfectly cooked with perfect portions. the service was quick and staff were knowledgeable on everything. They have lots of daily specials! Ambience was relaxed and quiet. Perfect for date night. read more

The Red Door - Beef Wellington - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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My review is solely on the food. We came here for the beef Wellington which I was excited about because I've never had it. We started with the kale Caesar salad. It was yummy but very salty. Then came the main course. It was not good. The pastry was raw and the meat was tough and had absolutely no flavor. When we arrived the service was amazing. But as people started to come in it died down. When we explained to one of the kids that was running the food he asked if I was joking. That was kind of a shocker. Chef and owner was very kind and apologetic. However I just wanted to get out of there and our server made us talk to the chef. She would not run our check till we talked to him. Super uncomfortable. We left hungry and disappointed. We were celebrating my daughter's bday. Felt awful for her. read more

Cute little restaurant in Hillcrest. The service and food was good. We went for happy hour and there was hardly anyone there. The price for a bottle of wine is no different than just ordering individual glasses, which was a surprise. Food came out pretty quickly. read more

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We had a relaxing Sunday dinner here. The place is charming with soothing jazz music playing in the background. We started off with calamari and kale. And also tried the mussels. For my entree, I had the risotto with seared ahi tuna. For dessert, it was the ricotta cheesecake. For drinks, I had the RB spritzer and carajillo. I enjoyed every bite. The food was fresh and delicious. The serving sizes were generous and I took leftovers home. This was the first time trying a carajillo which was an after dinner coffee cocktail that is less boozy than an espresso martini. I loved this drink. Service was excellent. Our waiter, Kevin, was friendly and attentive. The chef stopped by our table and acknowledged us. We definitely want to return to try more of their great menu. read more

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We ate there tonight for the second time and each time exceeds expectations! Chef Luciano personally visits each table and has an exquisite staff to make the meals more than just a "special of the night", but more of culinary experience that heightens one's taste buds to extreme delight of wine and food that make this more than just another night out. My wife and I both had the special of Sea Bass and pesto risotto, while our dear friends had the scallops and the Beef Wellington. Based on the sounds emitted from the table an outside of observer would have thought we the gods had descended upon our table and bestowed magical Chiromontegifts. The meal was beyond our expectations and the pairing of wines such as an opening "I Versi Bianco" rose wine, followed by a masterful Sea Smoke Pinot Noir, followed by a 2020 Tenute Chiaromonte - Muro Sant'Angelo Barbatto Primitivo that transcended the overall meal to pure delight and we knew we were dining at our new favorite restaurant! If you have not dined at The Red Door you should cancel plans and change them to take a journey of delightful food at a new level. Thank you Chef Luciano! read more

Let's see... Butternut Brie - A cup of butternut squash soup with a wedge of brie floating in it, accompanied by a whopping six 1x1" pieces of toast for dipping. Total miss. Thin Shaved Brussels Sprouts - Good, but something anyone could whip up in a home kitchen in like six minutes. Beef Wellington - The restaurant's signature dish. quite tasty, but very small for the price ($58!) and the meat was not the best. I basically destroyed the dish cutting my first bite due to all the sawing I had to do. Banana Creme Pie - Solid. One of the best I've had. Cocktails were decent, but somewhat uninspired. And the service we received from the young waiter who never gave his name was pretty laughable. I'm hoping it was his first night there as that could help explain his nervous demeanor and total lack of menu knowledge. By the fourth time he replied "let me go ask" to one of our questions, it was pretty clear that server training isn't a priority here. All in all, The Red Door feels like a somewhat ambitious labor of love with very little experience behind it. I'm usually one to give an up-and-comer a second try, though. Maybe this was just an off night. read more

Absolutely incredible restaurant. Honestly some of the best food I've ever eaten. I had the flatbread and the chicken Parmesan and both were not only outrageously delicious, but also very generous portions! The service was excellent and the ambiance was nice. My only issues were that I personally wish there was a little more room between the tables, as it feels like a private conversation would be impossible due to the size of the restaurant, but I know that's not necessarily a problem for many people, so I don't consider it a negative, or the fault of the restaurant. It's just a different vibe. Secondarily, parking was a real hassle, but that's also not the fault of the restaurant. Just something to consider when planning. All in all, I was very impressed and would love to visit again sometime. read more

Came here for Valentine's weekend. Nice place. Very busy. Very friendly staff. Very helpful with the menu. Got the lobster risotto and the beef Wellington. The lobster risotto was really good. Very flavorful. The beef Wellington was very easy to eat. The crust was nice and the meat was medium-rare. The sauce complimented the Wellington very well. The tiramisu was very good. One of the better one's I've had. I'm already looking at items to get when I come back. read more

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We ate there 2 nights ago. Filet was $75 drinks are $18. Chef and waiters were very accomodating. I just think it was too pricey for the area but then again I am not from CA read more

This place is a hidden gem. It's been stylishly re-decorated and is now very light & bright. The food was delicious, and a good wine selection. The chateaubriand was perfectly cooked and the two person portion was big enough for three. The chocolate lava cake was a delicious, very rich dark bitter chocolate. Luciano the owner chef greets every customer and checks in later. Robin the bartender & waitress for the whole restaurant was an amazing server. Alejandro Godoy was the saxophonist on Sunday night. He accomplished something difficult to do in a restaurant - great performance which still allowed for easy conversation at the table. read more

The Red Door - Chateaubriand - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

This place is a hidden gem that is a MUST try. We started with the arugula salad which was very fresh and well balanced in ingredients. But the star of our night was their ribeye steak special with Gorgonzola risotto. I want to bathe in the Demi glaze sauce. More than enough for two to share. We meant to take a photo before but after the first bite we couldn't stop until it was gone. The staff was so friendly and the owner/chef came out at the end of our meal to introduce himself. read more

Absolutely phenomenal, every single thing about this restaurant! I came for dinner with one of my friends who had previously been and absolutely loved it. The setting is very lovely and intimate. Service is phenomenal, nothing is rushed and everything feels very deliberate. They have a wonderful wine selection as well. We tried several items from the menu and everything was spectacular. I especially loved the dessert...we had the molten chocolate cake as well as banana cream pie, they were both phenomenal. The chef came out and took the time to stop at each table and talk with us, which I thought was so unique and lovely. This restaurant is perfect for nights out with family, friends, or romantic date. Parking can be a little bit tough in the Mission Hills area. We parked on a residential street, but it was not very far walk to the restaurant. I highly recommend the spot, I will certainly be returning. read more

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I celebrated a special birthday at The Bar at The Red Door. Chef Luciano Cibelli prepared 5 delicious entrees for my guests to choose from. Everyone loved the food. It was a private party and I was also able to bring a guitarist to play background music we enjoyed. The service was incredible and I thank Robin for all her efforts to take care of each one of us. Thank you to The Red Door, love my neighborhood Italian restaurant. Thank you Chef Luciano read more

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Tldr; Absolute perfection. 5/5. Should be 6/5. Stop what you're doing and make a reservation asap We've eaten here many times so this review is based on multiple experiences Food: *chefs kiss* Luciano & his crew absolutely nail everything they cook. We've tried almost the entire menu and not one dish was less than perfection. It's so clear how much they care about putting out world class Italian. Luciano is an absolute legend. Service: Much like their food, their service is impeccable. They pass "the water test" with flying colors (never wanting for water). They make sure you're comfortable and can get what you want. I remember being bummed they were a pepsi shop and magically a cocacola showed up. They are professionals that really care about the guest experience. Even Luciano comes out from the kitchen every now and then to interact with guests and get feedback on his food Ambiance: Such a gem. It is quaint (although they do have the bar side), but they do a good job of maximizing space without making you feel cramped. You feel like you're in their home eating a home cooked meal. read more

Had the most fabulous dinner in recent history here. Yellow fin tuna flown in and plated that day. The meal was spectacular. This will be the second time, here at this restaurant, and not the last time. First time, years ago, had the iconic Beef Wellington. If we are being honest, both meals great, but the yellow fin tuna next level spectacular. I let Chef know that haven't had yellow fin tuna prepared so well since New Orleans, the taste mecca of the US read more

The Red Door - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Lovely. Service and food are great. Portions are good and the ambiance is classic. Been coming here for years and will continue to do so. Even as new, subpar places open up in the area. read more