Busalacchi’s A Modo Mio

This place is absolutely fantastic. The food has always been a delicious light Italian fare that doesn’t leave you walking out bursting at the seams from all the carbs you just murdered. They have a great selection of craft beers on tap for those of us that don’t care for the fermented grape scene. Seriously, this is a huge plus for those of us dudes that regularly get dragged to outings so the girls can turn their teeth purple with vino. I really like the eggplant, calamari and bruschetta on the menu. I’ll be back, undoubtedley.

Busalacchi’s A Modo Mio is a pretty well-​known name around San Diego and I had the opportunity to dine here in Hillcrest during a dinner meeting with some friends. It was the perfect place because I was specifically craving Italian during this time. This family-​run Hillcrest hangout retains its charm in a very unique way. The proprietors, Joe and Lisa Busalacchi, have been able to maintain their wonderful restaurant for the past twenty-​five years. Their menu caters towards Sicilian style (not traditional Italian), and their son, Joey, helms the kitchen.
From their menu, you can choose thin Crêpes filled with pesto and Romano cheese, Caprese with Burrata, or lightly breaded calamari. Veal, fish and chicken dishes dominate the entrée selections. The Saltimbocca is a standout; tender veal medallions are topped with prosciutto and mozzarella and rest over spinach with a lemon-​white wine sauce. Vegetarians will enjoy the eggplant layered with vegetables, mozzarella and marinara sauce, while scallop fans must try them alla Romana, wrapped in Pancetta and nestled in cream sauce. You can’t go wrong with the variety of selections they offer here. The Cannoli and pastries are simply a must!
Just great service all around. They really went out of their way to make our experience as delicious, filling, and satisfying as possible.

I had dinner here the other day using my groupon certificate. I’ve been here several times both for happy hour and dinner. I have my favorite dish there, Spaghetini Granchio. It is spaghetini pasta with, dungeness crab /​Crispy Soft Shell Crab /​spicy Serranochili /​Shallots /​Brandy Saffron cream /​Tomatoes, I always add shrimp for additional $ 5. Even when I try to order something different, I always fall back on this. It is so good. A couple nights ago, it didn’t quite taste the same. I was disappointed. Still good but not the same. They probably just had an off night. I will still come back.
The happy hour appetizers are yummy. I think they have martini Wednesdays. check their website for that. I enjoy their sangria. The bartenders make it so good there.
There is this gentleman that works there. His name is Mario. He takes care of everyone there. He always is so nice and very accommodating.
I highly recommend this place. Make sure to ask for their bread and the tomato thing that comes with it. It is so fresh and yummy!!!

Delicious short ribs and to die for cannoli !!!
Super Mario was amazing and he can sing!!! Came here for a celebration and I will definitely return with anticipation.

So the waiter was a little brash but he was efficent and overall got the job done. Pricey. Menu doesn’t have a lot. of variety but the cheese board appetizer was very generous food was alright not the greatest. Probably wouldn’t go back.

I made a reservation for 8 pm and we got there at 7:30 pm, they sat us right away. The staff was very friendly. I went there for a friend’s bday. We ordered a Cesar salad with anchovies, they we very kind to split the plate, I ordered the carbonara with pancheta, it was very delicious. My friend had angel hair with soft shell crab, also an amazing dish. Our waiter was very nice, they brought our a complimentary dessert for my friend because it was her bday and then he began to serenade to her in Italian happy bday song. What a great way to end our dinner. I recommend this place.

Great, upscale Italian food and service which is reflected in the steeper
prices. The crowd is a little mature, but the ambience wasn’t stuffy with the good waiters/​staff working there… Classy overall. Reservations may be a good idea. They have live music on Saturdays also.
My friend and I started off sharing a house ceaser salad with anchovies, which the kitchen kindly split for us, without us asking. I ordered a soft shell crab spaghetti in a creamy tomato sauce. There was plenty of crab inside the pasta which was topped with an whole soft shell crab. My friend loved her carbonara which was yummy and perfectly al dente.
I was celebrating my birthday, so upon returning from the bathroom, a chocolate-​tiramisu like dessert was brought out with a single candle and a man serenading
an Operatic Italian happy birthday song to me. Memorable? I’d say so!
The tables are small and cozy, not ideal for big groups that wanna get rowdy. But there’s outside seating also that I didn’t venture out to because it was a dark, cold night.
Street parking can be a challenge.
I’ll be back… Good place to hit up if I don’t wanna make a trip out to little Italy. Otherwise, the crowd in little Italy is a little more hip and diverse.

I went here for my first time with a big group of people for a birthday celebration. We walked in and were immediately greeted. The bartender was extremely courteous and attentive. Our server gave us just enough privacy and our food came out in a timely manner.
The only thing I will say is that the food was a little lack luster for me. We got the caprese and the tomato weren’t ripe, but the flavor profile is there. I have never had a caprese with burrata and I loved it!

Really unimpressed with this place. We got a groupon and wanted to try it out. The outside looks really cute. Right when you walk in there is a hostess just sitting there in the middle of the walkway on the computer. This is very unflattering. They should really rearrange so the hostess isn’t sitting on a computer blocking the entrance/​exit. I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw that. We were greeted and seating right away. There was plenty of seating inside but we were seating outside in a corner behind a curtain. There was also a big party going on on the patio but we were not part of it so I guess that’s why they put us in the corner behind the curtain? Thankfully the heaters were nice a warm. Since we were tucked away it took a while to be greeted by our server, I’m sure he didn’t even see us. I believe the water here is not filtered. Tasted like tap water to me but my friend disagreed. We ordered a salad to start, then spaghetti with meatballs and the risotto. The salad was good but small for 9 $. They also serve complimentary house bread. Which was average nothing special. When our food arrived the food runner/​busser did not even offer fresh Parmesan! What kind of Italian place does this? We ate our food anyways. The risotto was VERY bland and did not have that melt in your mouth feel. The spaghetti and meatballs was very average, nothing to boast about. About half way through our meal our server checked on us and we asked for fresh Parmesan. That gave both the meals a little more flavor. I will not be back, there are so many other Italian restaurants just a couple miles away that offer so much more than here! You can give it a try, but don’t expect much.

Server put his foot in his mouth by jokingly calling me a «cougar» while checking my ID. This was right after he checked my husband’s ID (who is a few months older than me. Not sure the server actually even looked at the DOB).
Although he did bring us a free dessert for his remark, I do not see myself a repeat customer.

I went to Busalacchi’s the other day to catch up and have dinner with a friend. We sat on the patio, which is a great if you like to dine al fresco like me, and isn’t too loud either (good for conversation).
We first shared a caprese then I had a pasta dish and my friend had a steak. The food was definitely good — I’ve had better though — and it’s a little pricey.
The service, however, was more than just good, it was great. Our waiter was extremely attentive, listened to us, provided recommendations, let us take our time (I hate feeling rushed, especially when I’m there to catch up with someone) and served us a second appetizer, compliments of the house.
In short, the food was fine, but it the atmosphere and exceptional, attentive service will get me to come back and recommend Busalacchi’s to others.

«New Busalacchi’s Very Romantic and Appealing «
My wife and I visited the new Busalacchi’s A Modo Mio restuarant on 5^th Ave. in San Diego tonight, and had a very nice experience. The new Busalacchi’s is just a few blocks away from the old restaurant they used to have for years. This new restaurant captures the the same style atmosphere as they have a wonderful outside covered Patio area with a Firewall table and Bar area. The inside is very romantic, and they also have a couple special long table rooms for larger parties. Alfredo our server was very nice as he served us our Baby Kale and Spinach, and Hearts of Romaine salads. We enjoyed the salads with some pieces of Busalacchi’s famous Garlic Bread. For our main courses, we had the Imbottiti, which is sliced Eggplant, Three CHeeses, Pesto, Pasta, and Salsa Di Pomodoro. It was very delicious. My wife had the Bolognese alla Nonna, which was Fettuccine, Veal, Beef and Pork Ragu Sausage, and Meatball. Both meals were cooked perfectly and very tasty. For dessert we shared a slice of their home made Strawberry Cheese Cake, which was Yummy ! After Dinner Joey Busalacchi came over to our table to say Hi, and see how our meal was. They also have a Happy Hour 7 days a week, and have Live Entertainment on the weekends. It was hard to break away from the Old historic Busalacchi’s venue down the street, but the New Busalacchi’s is definitely a Romantic and Appealing place to enjoy a homemade and fresh Italian Cuisine meal.

Love their patio. Make sure you ask for bread. It’s free but only on request. Delicious and it comes with a fresh tomato dipping spread thing.
Everything I’ve gotten here is delicious. Love the salmone pistachio. The pasta is well made.
Avoid the short rib! My dad got this and it was pretty much pot roast. Short rib is a star on any menu but here it is awful. YOu can’t miss with anything else.
Mondays are half off wine bottles too!

Positives:
1) The food is yummy! I had the butternut squash ravioli and my husband had the salmone. Both were delicious and tasted fantastic.
2) Their Happy Hour and other specials! Half price appetizers and wine glasses until 6:30pm everyday, half price wine bottles on Mondays, half price martinis on Wednesdays.
Negatives:
1) The portions are a bit small… you need an appetizer salad plus an entrée to feel almost full.
2) A bit pricey… if you’re a paying full price (their are often Groupons or LivingSocial deals available)

Remember when the world was supposed to end on 12÷12÷12? That’s the last time I was here.
Busalicchis has proven itself as a kind host, first from that Unilocal event at the end of the world, then again when I (finally) returned 2.5+ years later.
WANT TO HEAR A STORY? If not, go to next paragraph:
Busalicchi’s played an important role in my current relationship with my boo, BECAUSE last time I was there I for some reason thought I could hold more liquor than I can (I have the tolerance of a newborn), and agreed to match a friend drink for drink. I also decided I should bring this man I was interested in. I then drank too much and he found out I was interested in him. Boom, 2.5 years later, we are still together. Thanks Busalicchi’s!
So in addition to being a relationship maker, this place has some DANG good food. We had a groupon and would absolutely come back with or without one.
We ordered:
–Constantine: Think fancy hash brown with short rib and cream sauce. IT IS SO GOOD. MY GOSH. MY. GOSH. NEED. NEED. NEED. PERFECT. NEED. Crispy potato cake plus well-​seasoned, perfectly tender short rib plus dat sauce. NEED. Busalicchi’s, help a girl out and send some my way.
–Fettucini alla Nonna: YES. PERFECT. I thought I don’t like pasta but places like this make me think I just have never had it done right. The noodles are made in-​house (I believe) and are SO GOOD. The sauce was sweet and tomato-​y and flavorful, and the 3 meats were incredible. That meatball made me praise Jesus in a new way.
–Butternut squash ravioli: Genius. Sweet butternut squash in a ravioli with hazlenuts and shaved brussels sprouts, in a sweet cream sauce. This was sweet and had excellent texture and was SO good.
Boyfriend and I couldn’t finish (this never happens to me, kudos on the accomplishment, Busalicchi’s) so we got things boxed up and I ate it the next day. YESSSS.
Service is friendly, atmosphere is BEAUTIFUL (sit on the patio!!), parking is a pain, ANNDDD it is across from Babycakes, one of my true loves.
This place is a win for any occasion. Love love love.

They have a very nicely done outdoor terrace seating area including a «fire» bar. The outside décor makes it feel like a resort in the middle of the city.
I had the pesto crepes with crab with a glass Chardonnay. I still swoon over how delicious the crêpe was. The sauce was rich but not too rich and the crab added a sweet flavor. I usually avoid such rich foods, but this was worth it!

I was surprised the restaurant was dead on a Friday night. If you’re lucky you can find street parking. There is valet parking available and a few paid lots nearby.
There’s a Unilocal check in offer for a free appetizer with the purchase of two entrees. The garlic bread was good. I wouldn’t recommend the eggplant parmigiana due to its bitterness.
I had the soft shell crab pasta after looking at pictures on Unilocal.Mine definitely did not look like the pictures! It was okay. I wouldn’t order it again. Actually, I probably won’t be back to the restaurant considering there are so many Italian restaurants in San Diego and I gave this place a 3.
If you do decide to dine here, make sure you pick up a gift card/​certificate deal on Groupon/​Living Social etc.

Beautiful restaurant and patio area. We sat inside, but definitely will have to sit outside next time. The space is pretty and the service was fantastic. I loved the casual elegance. My poor friend had to wait on me for dinner as I ran late at work, but arrived with her already enjoying a glass of wine. I quickly ordered a glass for myself. The red house wine is $ 7. Our server brought out rolls with fresh tomatoes in olive oil and then we got to ordering.
We split the calamari and the seasoning was perfect. I ordered the lobster bisque, full of flavor and sweet chunks of lobster. I followed it up with the spicy sausage rigatoni and had to take a to-​go but enjoyed both during my dinner and for lunch after.
I typically head to Little Italy when I want pasta, but will keep this place in mind even if only to have wine and appetizers.
Tip: There is a lot right next door with parking for $ 5, if you can’t find street parking.

Wonderful California Caprese appetizer… And ½ off during happy hour!
We love the ambiance of the patio. Mario was very nice to us, as our server, even telling us a few jokes along the way.
The short ribs were good, but adding a bite of the Parmesan risotto makes them amazing! My husband loved his gluten free pasta alla nonni!

Came here because of a living social deal and was immediately impressed by the ambience! The restaurant, located on 5^th Ave in Hillcrest, has both indoor and outdoor seating areas. On Saturday nights, they have live music from 7−10pm!
The BF and I sat inside and ordered the cheese platter, spaghetti carbonara and rigatoni. The cheese platter was just okay. It came with gorgonzola, parm and manchego (no spreadable cheeses). For the $ 16 price tag, it was definitely a menu item we could have skipped. However, the pastas were incredible! The pasta had a delicious homemade taste. I loved the rigatoni. It had spicy italian sausage in the rich tomato sauce. There was also a nice blend of capers and olives mixed in as well. The carbonara was a good compliment with a slightly sweeter taste. Also, very delicious.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. It was the perfect date night venue. The staff was friendly and the overall atmosphere made the evening very enjoyable. I definitely would recommend this restaurant to other Unilocalers looking for some tasty Italian food.
PS. Almost forgot. You must ask for some bread! The warm ciabatta came with a delicious tomato garlic spread that was absolutely wonderful!