Barolo Ristorante

this place is the best Italian food. I know! I am Italian. But unfortunately the owner sold out to a chain. Sorry guys. You missed something big! Penne Norchia

Delicious and authentic food. The owner brings back the feeling of walking into a true ristorante in Italy!
Ravioli, daily specials, best sauce, gnocchi, delicious!
Plus, they’re on the passport card :-)

Found this place using my iDine app. Worth a visit.

We tried to go there this evening, but there is no review to be made. This place shut down on Monday without telling it’s employees. Not cool. We ate next door instead, very nice French café, St. Tropez Café, Bistro and Bar.

So sad to watch a place fail
Chef Luca moved on. Then the cook moved on. Their best waitress moved on. The food, trending down fast. After their cook moved on, we went there three more times and tried all of our favorites. Fail. The Calamari Livornese is now this over spiced mess. The Rigatoni Siciliana tastes nothing like what Luca created. And what was our «go to» — see my previous review about the neighborhood pizza and a bottle of wine — is now not worth the bother. Latest example of why we won’t be back. Ordered a sausage pizza, basically Norcina sausage on a Pizza Margherita base (they don’t offer it anymore). They brought out an overcooked Pizza Margherita. We pointed out we ordered a different pizza. They brought it back 3 minutes later with some freshly sauteed sausage plopped down on the pizza we sent back and reheated in the oven. Who in their right mind would dry out an over done pizza and «fix» their mistake this way. Tasted awful too.
We may go back in a few months to see if they got their act together. But this is not the place we came to love and I need to take 4 stars away as a warning to Geno — get it handled or the place will fail.

Other reviews hit the mark… nothing spectacular for the price. $ 37 for early evening dinner for two. It that just wasn’t what we expected. Wife didn’t like the gnocchi and I thought the lasagna was on the light side — left me wanting more, or at least a plate that could satisfy. Red sauce was tasty, but again, not a wow-​factor.
Other funny issues, but I don’t feel like typing so I’ll stop here.
That said, if our early dinner came to $ 22, I’d say it was priced about right for the quality of «Italian» food we received. Prices are a bit high, even on their «specials».
Should’ve grabbed a burger next door.

Shockingly mediocre to poor food.
We were very excited to try a new place. Nice location and friendly staff with good service.
The food they served tasted like they grabbed the neighbor to run the kitchen that night. Bizarrely mediocre to poor (like an amateur chef had opened a Rachel Ray cook book to try some Italian dishes poor) For the amount of $$ they charge, it made absolutely no sense.
For their sake, I hope it is was just an off night.

For their prices, I expect more. Each time I visit here, I seem to think I could have been just as happy cooking pasta at home. Service was OK, but wish their food was better.

Food was meh (blandish).
Food was EXPENSIVE for lunch. (Holy crap!)
Service was meh (the waitress didn’t even ask me what I wanted to drink; I had to ask the busser)
I don’t think I’ll be back. Sorry.

Man oh man, if you love italian food and I mean great italian food you have to eat at my friend Gino’s restaurant Barolo in UTC. I have pretty much eaten it all on the menu, and everyday they have specials too so you never run out of trying something new there.
My favorites, you know just looked at the menu online and realised they are pretty much all my favorites. The Carpaccios are all excellent, the calamari livornese with the toasted bread, the fritto misto, the fresh mozzarella are great starters.
For entrees, the filet with gorgonzolo and balsamic, the veal masala, the pear ravioli, the giant shrimp, the rigatoni with the fresh mozzarella baked in the oven, any of the pizzas, any of the salmon fish specials, all good and tasty.
Seriously if you want a great place to eat, amazing food, great people working there then you have to try Barolo.

PLEASE, DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY HERE!!!
My wife and I just moved to the area and had a great Italian ristorante back home. We were hoping this was equally as good, but it isn’t. We gave it a couple tries to be fair and since it’s so close but they didn’t get any better (actually worse). So you don’t have to read all this, here are the highlights:
1. The food is sub-​par and bland.
— Being Italian doesn’t imply good Italian food or you should own a restaurant (or ristorante if you prefer)
2. The service is atrocious
— Slow and always understaffed
— They screwed up our order twice and didn’t apologize
3. The wine tastes like vinegar (make sure they show you the bottle and open it in front of you, if you buy it)
In addition to the food/​service/​wine being horrible, they also have customer service problems beyond the typical issues. They charged my card twice the last time we were there (found out a couple days later). Once for the original price of the meal ($ 34.80), and then again with the tip ($ 43.80). Instead of paying $ 43.80, I ended up paying $ 78.60. This is not an isolated issue as the waitress admitted to this happening other times.
I have tried multiple times to get the credit, $ 34.80, back to my card, yet each time I either visit the restaurant or call, they are too busy or the wrong person is there. They take my information every time I come in or call. A couple weeks ago they told me to bring in my credit card statement so they could see it and finally issue me a credit. My statement became available today, I brought it in and again they were too busy to help me.
The girl at the front was attempting to help me, but the owner Gino came over, yelled at her while ignoring me and told her I wasn’t important and to take care of their current customers. He grabbed her arm and physically pulled her away from the front desk. I almost called the police since I thought he might get physical. I feared for my safety and left. I’d never witnessed anything like this before!
I could never imagine it would be this difficult to get what I assumed was an accidental overcharge, credited back to my card. It is only $ 34.80, and if they really valued their customers, current and past, they would take care of their mistakes.
I have been more than accommodating as their customer and my time and money is important and limited… I won’t be wasting either of them at this restaurant and I recommend you don’t either.

Their slogan is «Barolo is simply the best Italian food in San Diego» and I’m hoping that is not the case because this food was average. I’ve found that the places that look like «Hole In the Wall» establishments are the closest you’re going to find to authetic Italian. If they blow lots of money on the décor (not that Barolo has done this), they aren’t investing in top of the line ingredients, in my opinion — and I should know because for years I enjoyed my grandparents cooking and both of them are off the boat.
Let me start with the fact that I was in on a Sunday night in January. That is definitely going to skew my review. Also, the fact that I was there with a friend and not on a date, also works against it. Date nights are probably done best at Barolo rather than a casual night out with a friend.
The prices are decent and the location is good. — it’s right behind the Westfield shopping mall between Lajolla Village and Nobel. Where we live we could walk there. Major points scored for that! I ordered the Penne alla Norcina and it was good. The main problem that I have is that there weren’t a lot of options with Marinara sauce. Sure, you can request, but if I’m taking an Italian place seriously, they need to have some stud marinara dishes on their menu.
If you’re looking for some of that «Mass Prepared» or «Canned» stuff that you’ll see at the chain «Italian» restaurants, you’re probably going to be disappointed. The pasta is definitely from a box but the ingredients in the dishes were creative and not too shabby — it’s just that you’re not going to get a lot of the zest that is normally accompanied by foods with all the preservatives that the chains use. Having said this don’t expect — no matter what they say — authentic. In my opinion authentic italian cooking at the very least rolls their own pasta.
I found the prices to be on par with most italian restaurants. You’re not going to get «down and dirty» pricing, but then again — those are the establishments you’re probably wanting to avoid. If the prices are bargain basement, then they either have a sweet lease deal or they are cutting some serious corners with your food and you don’t even want to know what’s in there.
The décor was cool. I have to believe that the real action with this place is sitting outside on the front sidewalk area and eating in the fresh air. It was too cold for us to do that, so we were inside. The wait staff was very attentive and made well thought out suggestions. Then again, my friend is more the type to go in and ask the waitress what her favorite thing is on the menu. I’m not really into that because there’s no telling how similar her palate is to mine, etc.
The bottom line — Eat here and you’ll enjoy the food and the service. It’s easy to get to and if you enjoy shopping, then the mall is only a couple of blocks up. Negatives are that the atmosphere is a little off, and at the end of the day you’re eating in a restaurant that shares a parking lot with a CVS and a vet’s office, so you get what you get.

The front desk at the local Embassy Suites recommended this place. Hungry for some Italian food, we decided to give it a try.
The bread was alright, but it was awfully familiar. As in «I’ve bought this at a supermarket before» familiar.
Entrees I ordered a pasta dish with garlic and pecorini mushrooms. My father in law ordered the same thing and my husband ordered a pasta dish with Italian sausage and I’m not sure what else.
I found the dish enough to fill me up because I was starving but flavorless and reminiscent of noodles drizzled with carelessly prepared dishwater, oil, and an intentional lack of spices. Bland. I know a dishwater reference is kind of out there but it had a weird watery taste and it might be obvious now that I didn’t care for it.
My father in law thought the same thing but in less mincing words, and my husband’s dish was 1) undercooked for the noodles and 2) the sausage that was supposed to be Italian was vaguely familiar. Like «I bought bratwurst last week at the supermarket and I’ll be damned if this is actually Italian sausage».
Going out to dinner is a treat, and it is ridiculous that this place is still in business when they serve customers food that is pretty much supermarket to plate. I almost wanted to call them out on it while I was there, but of course I’d be met with a chorus of protests to the contrary. Please don’t support a place like this when there are legitimately excellent restaurants out there.

I got Penne alla N… sth. (I don’t remember the name!) My friend got Linguini blah blah blah asparagi. It has a lot of clams. I really recommend these 2 dishes. The portion is BIG! I had leftover for my dinner.
I never know there is a Italian restaurant in this plaza before until my friend told me. I also know this plaza and have been passing by for many times, but never enter. This plaza has everything included hamburger, Thai, sushi… etc. However, it’s a little hard to park there. We spent almost 15 minutes to find a parking spot and park the car. (prob it was during lunch time) Otherwise the plaza is pretty neat.
The in-​store environment is pretty good too. Even though it’s not a large store, but it’s pretty spacy. However, the service is one of my concern not giving out 5 stars. The service is 79 out of 100. When we walked in, the waiter was like hi 2 people, and «ran» to the table where he wanted us to sit. (Why are you in hurry?) Relax dude! But he was super nice after that. He pulled the table out a little for my friend to sit down, and he pulled the chair for me. What a gentleman! The waitress, ummmm she seems pretty friendly, but can you give me some water please?! I am very thirsty!!!
Food-​wise, I didn’t try their special. I am so confused when the waitress introduced their special. I just couldn’t focus well (she talked to fast). My dish (Penne alla N…) was delicious. I really love the super creamy sauce and the sausage. The sausage is SOOO GOOD!!! I think my leftover doesn’t have the sausage because I ate all the sausage before I really start eating the penne.
I would recommend everyone to go try it because the sausage is very very delicious! YUMMMM… Thanks my very tall friend (the person who introduced this restaurant to me)

Decided to try this place after purchasing a discount coupon. I will first discuss the food and then to the reason why I will NEVER return.
The food was completely underwhelming. We had an eggplant appetizer to start with. I hate to say this, but Trader Joe’s eggplant cutlets are better. Four slices, some sauce, and mozzarella– 10.00
My husband had the salmon picatta with mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes. I make better picatta. This was 23.95
I had their gnocci. Wow. I’ve never had such bad gnocci before. It was so mushy. I barely touched it and the server seemed surprised I did not want to take it home. This was 14.00. The consistency was perfect for my baby who has two teeth.
Speaking of my baby, (I PRAY the owner/​manager reads my Unilocal review). IT IS RUDE TO TOUCH SOMEONE’S CHILD WITHOUT ASKING THE PARENT. Upon entering the restaurant, we were waiting for them to bring a highchair (which they just couldn’t get the concept of and asked twice if we could use a booster seat). I was holding my 10 month old in my arms (who had just gotten over being sick), the owner/​manager pets him on the head like he is a dog. Seriously, he ruffled his hair. Now, it happened so fast I couldn’t do anything about it. After we were seated, the owner/​manager DID IT AGAIN. I quickly started to say something but he walked away. NOTE TO THE OWNER/​MANAGER: IT IS RUDE TO TOUCH SOMEONE’S CHILD WITHOUT ASKING THE PARENT. I get it, babies are cute, they are playful– but would you have gone up to a grown person and ruffled their hair? No, because it’s socially unacceptable to do that. Why on earth would you do that to a baby? I don’t know where your hands have been and you don’t know if my baby is sick. and then you are going to serve food?
The bill, with tax, was 54 and change. Definitely overpriced for the food. We both felt rushed throughout the meal. We’ll never return.

We went heer for couple’s nite. We started off with a bottle of SB pinot noir… good start.
For appetizers, we ordered the carparcio di manzo and prosciutto e mozzarella buffalo. Both awesome. I don’t know why there is celery on the carparcio but it does not taste good with the plate. The mozzarella was so fresh it melts in your mouth… best I’ve ever had.
For main course, I had the seafood risotto. Very generous portion and cooked to perfection. My only gripe was that 2 of my clams were not opened. WTH did they put that on the plate???
Hubby ordered the linguine pescatora and the other couple ordered the penne norcina and the pasta special of the nite black squid ink fetticuine with scallops. All 3 was delicious but my favorite would have to be the squid ink fetticuine. I wanna go back for that plate.
When we were ready to pay the bill, we had 2 groupons to use and the waitress gave us a HUGE attitude that we could not use 2 when it specifically states it on the groupon we can use 2 for a table of 4+. Even after we pointed it out, we received no apology. Minus 2 stars for that.
Still contemplating if we should go back. Is the food good enough to ignore the bad waitress experience???

Oh, I love this place so dearly. I had the great privilege of coming here with my professor and his wife and colleagues after finishing a concert series together. We took our sweet time eating here last night.
It started with a toast. Champagne – refreshing bubbly, very attentively poured by friendly servers. The whole night, my glasses, water and «other,» never went empty. Once that bottle was gone (it didn’t take long), our flutes were cleared away, and we were presented with a lovely little wine list, from which Mr. Professor chose a light white.
And then we started on the bread basket. The bread had this amazing crust on it – crunchy, but still with some chew to it. The olive oil was fruity and luxurious. The balsamic was oh so thick, sweet, and fabulously pungent. Oh, it was beautiful.
Our appetizers showed up when we finished the bread. Impeccable timing! If there’s one thing you decide to order, it must be the roasted eggplant in marinara. Best. Antipasto. Ever. It is just so damn delicious! Beware: the marinara is dangerously addictive.
Then more wine…
And then my lasagne arrived. Everybody’s food looked amazing. But I wouldn’t have traded my slice of meaty heaven for anything. Layer after layer after layer of perfectly baked fresh pasta, meat sauce, and cheese. It might have been the wine… but I could have cried.
And the desserts? Oh my word. Tiramisu. Something drowned in cioccolata. Fresh espresso. Biscotti. I resisted the temptation to order the lavendar crème brûlée because by that point, I was close to dying of food overload. But the few bites I had of our table’s shared desserts were the perfect end to an immensely enjoyable dining experience.
I keep adding to the mental list of people I have to bring here! I am utterly in love. I can’t believe how many times I’ve just passed this little joint up (in favor of hot dogs next door???) Stupid stupid girl…

Love this place. If people are complaining that their food is so greasy and they’re posting pictures of their greasy plates, then I have to question them. First, you can go to any Italian restaurant and find out that they use the same amount of olive oil/​butter for any kind of cream/​fettuccine. that’s just how Italian food is so ACCEPT it. Second, if you’re complaining about the greasiness, then why is your bowl empty? You must have finished it because it was so YUMMY! Please clarify.
The restaurant really does feel authentic and they have a good selection of wine. I love how their bread comes out with olive oil and vinegar instead of butter and the waiters carry around fresh ground pepper and cheese to top off your plates. If you are into pasta, then try the PASTA NORCINA cuz it’s BOMB! The reasons why I give this place four stars is because it’s a little pricy and their bread sucks (it doesn’t come out warm). You can go to their website to check out the menu.

Barolo is one of those small Italian restaurants trying its best to survive in a real tough economy. You need to keep your regular clients coming as well as new ones. I would like to say I have eaten here several times for lunch only. I assume the dinner portions are more and possibly cost more. However the menu when we have eaten here are normally mid to high price. I think with wine, you would assume to spend at least $ 20-​$ 30 per person (glass not bottle).
However, I am basing my review on my lunch experiences in this restaurant. I am proud to say I have only received good fresh and authentic Italian food. I would say its quite better than what I would find in Little Italy. The Norcina was a staple suggestion for those wanting to keep the price down and also still have a full meal. There are focaccia sandwiches that delight the appetite.
Today’s special was chicken scallopine with eggplant parmesan on top. It was delicious, the sides of mashed potatoes and fresh steamed vegetables provided a very satisfying lunch on our farewell to a co-​worker and friend.
The other orders were all good too, lasagna, shrimp salad, another special spaghetti with mussels in tomato sauce. Overall, the whole group of us enjoyed our meal and would recommend this place as a luncheon for a nice quiet meal where friends can talk and eat in a very nice atmosphere.
Reservations are not necessary for lunch unless you are a big group (we had 13). Dinners might be busier for this are of UTC.
As they say in Italy… Mangia Mangia

2÷19÷10 update
My boss had a $ 25 gift card and she said we should get some desserts to share. My co-​worker and I went to lunch someplace else and picked up dessert at Barolo.
The tiramisu was atrocious. How dare they call this tiramisu. It was old, soggy and sitting in some kind of water puddle. I had half of mine and threw the rest away.
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First review:
I had the penne in a cream, gorgonzola sauce. By the time I was eating it (we did takeout), the entire dish was dry and had a big pool of oil collecting at the bottom.
It’s pricey for what it is — inferior pasta (and sauce) that doesn’t even taste pleasant. They are wayyy to liberal in their use of oil — I wouldn’t be surprised if my dish had at least ½ cup of vegetable oil.
The tiramisu was very soggy and in the takeout container, it was practically a tiramisu pie. Fresh or «recently-​made» are not words to describe the tiramisu.
Barolo’s management: Stop paying such high rent in the Renaissance Shopping Plaza and instead focus on your pasta. What good is this «strategic, yuppie location» when the pasta doesn’t pass my dog’s muster?