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Chianti Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
644 5th AveSan Diego, CA 92101
Neighbourhood: Gaslamp
(619) 235-8144
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
100 reviews for Chianti Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"Oh, did I mention you gotta try the Osso Buco." In 3 reviews -
"Get ANYTHING with pink sauce." In 4 reviews -
"They did have a nice wine list and a full bar." In 5 reviews
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99 reviews in English
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Review from Michelle I.
Farmington, MI
4/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came here as part of a rehearsal dinner party, so my experience isn't the typical one; but still the experience was great!
Despite having to cater to a large-ish party, the service and food at Chianti was spot on. Our servers were wonderful, and managed our huge party with flawless execution. Wine glasses were never empty, water was refilled within moments and food was delivered with spot-on timing.
And the food was amazing as well. As part of the dinner, we had a limited menu of four entrees to choose from. I only saw two of them; both the salmon and steak entrees looked delicious. My steak was prepared perfectly (the perfect medium rare steak) and was served with a mushroom sauce that was delicious. Neighbor's salmon looked amazing and perfectly seasoned.
If every dining experience here is like the one we had, I will gladly return in a heartbeat. -
Review from Michael Lee L.
San Diego, CA
4/18/2012
YOU MUST visit Chef MARCO at Chianti!!! He recently arrived in San Diego via New York and I met him while dining next door to Chianti. He invited me to visit his kitchen and see the ambiance of his restaurant. I worked with Chef Marco for a special meal and he absolutely "killed it" (that's slang for "he blew me away"). The food preparation was like art and design. The flavors were Mediterranean Style and the taste was indescribably delicious. Chianti Restaurant is a true contender for downtown's best food. If you are looking for fine dining and creative selections with distinct flavor then you MUST visit Chianti and ask for Chef Marco. I know you will feel the same way I do about your choice. I can't wait to have Chef Marco prepare another outstanding meal for me :)
LOVE IT!! -
Review from Kathleen G.
El Cajon, CA
4/4/2012
I'd thought I'd go with the positive reviews here and, well, maybe I ordered the wrong thing but this place has a ways to go before it gets even 3 stars, let alone the 5-star rating some people have given it.
Now, I wasn't paying (it was a birthday treat) so my rating is only about food, ambience and service.
The tables set in the main dining area (the one to the right as you walk in) were cramped together with little space between you and the person behind you. Not exactly an appetite-stimulating atmosphere.
Our waiter was unctuous, wanting to shake hands with us twice! Ick, c'mon guy, you are handling my food. I don't want to think you've touched everyone in the restaurant.
He kept wanting to talk about his past restaurants. I don't care.
They didn't have the risotto I wanted. He assured me that the Risotto Primavera was going to be even better than the Risotto con Carciofini. Well, if that dish was better than the one listed on the menu, then I guess I should thank my lucky stars. The risotto was too hot to eat for several minutes and by then the vegetables were mere shadows of their former selves.
The chocolate lava cake was dry and fairly tasteless.
In other words, Chianti is not on my list of must-return establishments. -
Review from C K.
Sarasota, FL
5/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Our waiter was disappointed in us (I guess we were not "cool" enough for him?) and he let it show, but the food was good. It met our expectations soundly.
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Review from Rick M.
Irvine, CA
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Went to the Angels VS Padre Game Friday and wander over here after. Had their Carpaccio and Cesar Salad both were very good. Sat outside to watch all the punk posers trolling for girls/boys so the entertainment was good too!
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Review from Joshua D.
San Diego, CA
3/18/2012
This is why it's hard to trust yelp. This place has 3.5 stars and people complain about the price? Dinner for 2 with an app and desert for $65 is not expensive especially being downtown. The rigatoni with the filet is freaking amazing. The pasta and filet were both cooked perfectly. Steak nice and rare and pasta firm. The service was good everybody was friendly and the dipping sauce for the bread is a little spicy but damn good. The server also let me invent my own dish of veal marsala w spaghetti bolognese. The pasta was really good and the marsala sauce was great. The veal was good but not spectacular.
Hey an Italian restaurant where the pasta is actually the best thing on the menu what a novel concept... -
Review from Bob C.
Albany, NY
5/5/2012
I've been here for dinner with family more than once. We are always satisfied with the quality of the dishes, portions served and excellent service. This is a great restaurant for a any occasion.
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Review from M P.
Los Angeles, CA
4/10/2012
Excellent service and great waiter we had. Good atmosphere.
However, the food is mediocre for the price. I have tasted better italian food for better price. -
Review from Allison C.
San Diego, CA
12/24/2011
Chianti blew my expectations out of the water! I went with my boyfriend to finally celebrate my very (four months' belated) birthday. We sat outside, and had a really good view for people watching on 5th. We had the Pappardelle Allo Zafferano con Gamberi e Calamari, and another dish. Both were great.
Before the meal, I knocked my small plate on the floor as I was lifting my menu. It smashed. They didn't mind!
Our waiter, Thomas, was fabulous. He waited on us hand and foot. Since we'd told him we were celebrating my belated birthday, he brought me a piece of tiramisu with a candle, and comped it. What a nice surprise! And... it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
I would definitely recommend Chianti if you want to celebrate a special occasion with a nice Italian dinner downtown! -
Review from Kriss B.
San Diego, CA
1/10/2012
We came here with a http://restaurant.com certificate and were treated like VIP's. The waiter was wonderful, the manager came and talked to us, and the food was outstanding.
It was a bittersweet visit because it was a goodbye dinner for a friend moving to Israel, but the entire experience was awesome from beginning to end!! -
Review from Victor C.
12/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came her for dinner one night and it started out pretty good since there weren't a lot of people at that hour which meant seating right away. But despite the empty tables, we were sat right next to a huge dinner party. Um, ok.
No water was served until maybe 10-15 minutes in. That's when the waiter came up and read the specials off the menu and then quickly left before we could ask him about it, never to return for another 15 minutes. Already 30 minutes in and we didn't even get bread yet.
After what seemed like ages, the waiter finally came back and we jumped at the chance to not ask any more questions and just order for fear he'd leave for another 15. I don't even remember what I ordered (probably a shrimp pasta dish with dried tomatoes) but it tasted average.
After that and another few minutes, the bread finally comes. All four slices of it. The wait was so long that by the time we started eating the bread our dishes came.
We finished up in about 10 minutes and waited another 15 for the waiter so we could take care of the bill.
I probably won't ever come back here again unless I want to sit around for 45 minutes to stare at their menu. Oh and that reminds me. I fixed their menu for them -- It was falling apart -- while I was waiting. You're welcome. -
Review from Ix B.
La Jolla, CA
3/29/2012
Ok, so I didn't pay my own way here which is why I'm giving it 3 stars. But if I had to foot the bill it would be two or less, and the reason is, my seafood pasta pretty much sucked. I'm not picky about my Italian, and quite partial to seafood, but it was mediocre at best and I had to put my fork down about halfway through. My party's dishes were marginally better so I suppose my experience was partly due to bad selection, but it didn't blow me away either. We also had some wine and cake for dessert and neither were impressive. In fact the only good thing about this establishment was its service (nice waiter, chatty but not pushy) and the general ambience -- quiet, warm, private but not empty, great for a nice evening out. If they would only change their chef I would come here again.
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Review from N B.
Murrieta, CA
3/16/2012
EXCELLENT!!! Everything about this place was perfect. I decided to take a chance and go with the positive reviews, and I'm so glad that I did. We had appetizers, salads and filet mignon with gorgonzola and chicken in lemon sauce and capers. Omgosh... Everything was completely delicious. They even made my boyfriend's filet mignon just as he requested it... Well done (and they didn't need to butterfly it).
I read about David and forgot to request him... When our waiter came up to us, he started to describe the specials and made my mouth water. I asked him his name, and it was David! I was thrilled. He makes the whole experience complete. He is a total foodie. My boyfriend and I loved watching him take orders at the other tables... You can tell that he not only knows his stuff, but he also truly loves what he does.
The manager stopped by our table several times to make sure everything was ok... Totally classy. :)
We used a http://restaurant.com gift certificate and they still treated us like royalty. David even brought us a complimentary tiramisu!!! And it was like all the other courses... Divine!!!!
For those that complain about slow service... This is not a place to go for a quick meal... You go here for a complete experience. We will definitely return to Chianti. -
Review from Mariana M.
Winter Park, FL
3/8/2012
John makes the best lemon drop martinis!!! And our server David was amaaaazing,request him if you come!food was absolutely amazing!
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Review from CYNTHIA M.
El Cajon, CA
4/23/2012
I bought a certificate from http://Restaurant.com for a little good bye dinner for my best friend. The set up is very nice inside. The tables are a little close for comfort but it was ok. Our waiter, Brad was super friendly and gave recommendations for dinner and wine, and both were good choices. Another waiter stopped by the table and brought the food out. He kept reaching over us and didn't know how to put everything on the table. That might sound a little picky, but a nice place like that should have waiters that don't have their arms in my face and can not move my drink to the other side of the table to put down appetizers. We stayed for about 2 hours. We enjoyed ourselves. I would go back again.
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Review from Grace G.
San Diego, CA
2/25/2012
I purchased a Groupon voucher and gave it as gift to my parents. I called Chianti to make a reservation for them on 2/14/12 and I asked the reservation desk if the voucher would be accepted on this day. The lady I spoke with confirmed that it would be accepted. She was very pleasant over the phone and said it was a very sweet gift for my parents.
My parents went to dinner that evening and when the bill arrived my parents showed the Groupon voucher to the server and they were told that they were not able to accept the voucher because February 14th was a "holiday". The server was talking loudly and was very rude to my parents as they explained that I was told upon making the reservation that the voucher would be accepted on this date. When my parents asked for an explanation, the server arrogantly said the voucher was not valid because it was a "holiday."
While the Groupon voucher states that it is not valid on a holiday, there is nothing in any calendar that says Feb. 14 is a holiday - it is not a holiday!
See list of Federal Holidays: http://www.opm.gov/ope....
See list of State Holidays: http://www.dpa.ca.gov/....
This restaurant is overpriced and the servers are rude. -
Review from Raj K.
Huntington Beach, CA
8/10/2011
Bogus! Came here for dinner on a Saturday night. All of the Gaslamp was hopping, and Chianti seemed to be able to take a whopping 3 of us in. The food was Italian, and the non-standard types of dishes you get at an Italian place came with their prerequisite white wine/garlic/butter sauces. Can't say any dish really stood out for the $20-$30 prices per dish we were paying.
But... we had the manager waiting on us, and after presenting the bill for a little over $100, went ahead and added in a gratuity. FOR 3 PEOPLE!
My fault for not being thorough, but when you get a summary bill to sign, and there's only three people eating, you don't expect to see something like that.
Trying to stick it to the tourists... thanks. I come to SD often enough that I can never come back. -
Review from Stephanie T.
San Diego, CA
8/5/2011
Let's start out by saying that my {and the 14 other people I was with} experience was horrible. Just bad. It was recommended to us by our hotel since it was in walking distance, but I would have much rather gone to the trash hole hooters that was on the corner.
Also know that the restaurant was only about 20% full and we were our servers only table.
We get there and don't see any kind of server for about 20 minutes. Granted, that's how long it took them to fill up our water glasses and bring out bread. Whatever. After we finally see him, we were all starving and extrememly ready to order. Was he ready to take our order? No. Said he would be back in 5 minutes to do that. After 10 minutes, he finally comes back to take it. One of my girlfriends and I decided to split the lasagna and a salad since we were told it was pretty big portions. When we told the waiter that, you would have thought we were talking in another lanuage. I don't know if he was just dumb, or wanted to get his gratuity higher because he knew what a crappy server he was..
Either way, it then took almost an hour to get all of our meals out. We inhaled our food in about 20 minutes, and told him that we were ready for the check. He informed us that he had already split it all up to make it easier for us. Awesome. Thanks, dude. After an ANOTHER hour trickled by of us waiting to get our check, we were pissed. The manager proceeded to tell us that he still has 2 minutes ON HIS BREAK and would be over shortly. Seriously? On his break?? Wait another 20 minutes. He finally emerges with our checks and proceeds to tell us that we should pay with cash because it's much cheaper than credit card. What would have been a lot quicker is if he wouldn't have waited an hour to get us the checks in the first place. After spending almost 4 hours at this place, we finally got to leave.
Will I ever come back here again? HELLLLLLL NO. Even though I do have to say that the food wasn't bad. Pretty good, actually. I just wish I wouldn't have had to pay out the ass for it and it come with shitty service. -
Review from John D.
San Diego, CA
2/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Second time we had been here about three weeks ago. Always good italian food and never disapointed.
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Review from Tony J.
Haworth, NJ
3/16/2012
I was back here again in San Diego on business. I have frequented several really good restaurants on 5th Ave, but, this was my first time to Chianti. I arrived as part of a large group of about 20 people. The night before we had dinner at their sister restaurant "Urban" accross the street, so my expectations were set by my prior night's great dinning experience. Service for our very large table was excellent. I wanted to order the my favorite Osso Bucco, but, our waitress insisted I should order their Abbacchio al Forno Rack of lamb, baked with a demi-glaze Madera sauce and herbs. She was right on. It was excellent. I finished my meal with their Creme Brulee which was equally as good. Now I have 6 great restaurants to return to on 5th Ave. They are the Greystone, Osetra Watergrill (or Fish House), Panevino Osteria, Urban and now Chianti. They are all highly rated depending upon what you want. If you want steak I recommend Greystone. If you want seafood I recommend Osetra Watergrill. If you want Italian I recommend Panevino Osteria or Chianti. Urban is also good for general cuisine.
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Review from Emily D.
Bonita, CA
5/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's bad when all the diners in your party say the food is good until they see the bill.
Sticker shock. That's my take-way from this restaurant.
And the best thing about the meal was the $32 bottle of wine and the free bread.
I ordered off the daily special menu (no listed prices) and paid $34 for a lobster risotto. It was ready after only about 10 minutes of waiting and came out so blazing hot that the lobster in it was cooked to a chewy mess after 5 minutes sitting on the table.
I've cooked better risotto in my kitchen from a Weight Watchers recipe... and I can't cook!
I'm still getting over the shock of the bill. 3 entrees, 1 bottle of wine = $144.45 with 18% gratuity.
If I pay this kind of money, I want to walk away saying it was easily the best meal I've had in long time.
What I did say was that I could have gone to Olive Garden and gotten pasta cooked properly and with more flavor for 1/3 of the price. -
Review from John G.
12/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
There was no seating inside, but they had outdoor with heaters above.....So we took it....It was well worth the gamble!! They had Peroni, always a plus at an Italian joint. The food was really good and fresh, pasta cooked Al Dente, like it should be! Next time I go back to San Diego, I will def go back to Chianti!!
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Review from Estella P.
Los Angeles, CA
4/15/2011 1 photo
Came here with my girlies last week and left incredibly happy and impressed! Okay, I'll have to say that the gigantic menu at the front of the restaurant listing all the prices WAS pretty intimidating.... but seriously, it was all very well worth it.
PLUS, the portions are humongous, so if you want, you can tell the waiter to split an entree with you and a friend, and they will gladly separate your food and seriously, I basically paid only about $10 for some delicious italian food.
My roomie and I ordered the Tagliolini Verdi, which was basically green fettucini pasta in pink sauce. We basically made our decision on this particular entree because we thought 'pink sauce' sounded so pretty and cool. HAHA! This entree was delicious though, no regrets at all! :)
To top off our scrumptious meal, our waiter was super amazing! He seriously reminded me of Fabio and he was like trilingual and even started speaking to us in Spanish at one point. He was very funny and super hospitable to us girls. He didn't even complain when we asked for our bread bowls to be refilled about 5 times! :D
Anywhere with wonderful customer service plus mouth-watering food becomes one of my faves! In addition, the decor inside is beautiful!!, a perfect date spot for you boys! ;)
I shall be back Chianti!! -
Review from Ryan A.
Simi Valley, CA
6/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love Italian food! This place was great! I went here with some friends as a pre-race meal to load up on some carbs before the San Diego Rock N' Roll 1/2 marathon. For starters, the bread they brought out was amazing. It was fresh and the outside was crunchy and the inside was soft and still warm! And plus any bread tastes good with the oil and balsamic vinegar!
Well I got the Tagliolini Verdia and that was so good! It's green fettuccine pasta with chicken, mushrooms, green onions, and peas in a pink sauce. I wasn't sure what pink sauce was but I was sold on everything else when I ordered it... and I was glad I did. I still am not sure what the sauce is but when it's all mixed together, that pasta was delicious. My brother who ate here with me ordered the Rigatoni Toscano and he loved it. He finished off the whole bowl! It's rigatoni pasta, with slices of filet mignon, sage, red wine porcini mushrooms, and shallots in a light tomato sauce. I tried some of his pasta and it was also very good! The pieces of filet mignon were amazing. The filet literally just melted in your mouth. And eating it with the pasta was a great combination. So If you want a nice place to go eat in downtown San Diego try Chianti's! You won't be disappointed! -
Review from Roger T.
Long Beach, CA
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
The food here was quite good, but the service was a little less than the price of the restaurant. Also, be careful ordering any of the specials because they leave off the prices and they can be steep. We ordered a pasta that ended up to be $37 when the most expensive pasta on the menu was $24. All in all, it was good food, but a bit too pricey for the entire package.
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Review from L L.
New York, NY
5/26/2011
My hotel recommended this restaurant and we had a business meal there. We spent around $800 for 7 people - which was over price for an average meal.
The green salad was green.. that was a good start. I got the Ozzo Bucco - expensive, salty, and poorly presented - reminded me of left over. The service was not bad as the restaurant was only 25% filled that night - so we got the full attention of the waiter.
I would not have gone to that place with my own money.... and neither should you. -
Review from Adrian W.
San Diego, CA
6/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
My wife and I discovered Chianti through a quest for Italian Desserts in the Gas Lamp. We've been finishing our nights out here ever since. Most weekends you will find us here at the bar eating Tiramisu, and drinking perfectly made cappuccinos from John the bartender. Gives us the perfect pick me up before the drive home!
We've eaten here several times as well, and always enjoyed the food and service. As an added bonus the restaurant offers Gluten Free Pasta as an option - which makes this an even bigger winner for wife whose allergies usually stop her from pasta all together.
Good food here is a given - but it's excellent service that's always brought us back. -
Review from Liza N.
Los Angeles, CA
12/28/2010
OK. I'm going to get real for a second here: the homemade pesto (atop gnocchi) changed my life. I have never had pesto so delicious.
I was impressed with all of the food I had, and I didn't find the menu to be overwhelmingly expensive or overpriced, nor the restaurant too touristy, as some other reviewers have found. Service was great, and although the food (BESIDES THE PESTO OHMYGOD) didn't change my life, it was all yummy. -
Review from Lady G.
4/3/2011
Fabulous service, a classy decor, amazing classic Italian foods and prices that were reasonable for the quality of the food.
This place starts you out with nice fresh bread and oil/balsamic. The pace was not rushed. The wine list was ample and the suggestions were spot on.
My pappardelle pasta with seafood in a saffron cream sauce was amazing! My companions and I noted that everything was perfect-not overly salted or over garlicy. Thank you, George from Chicago, for being such an awesome server that evening!
We'll be back! -
Review from Jacques S.
Coronado, CA
3/18/2011
I was very happy with my meal here and so was my friend. I got the pasta dish with sausage and he got the gnocchi. Both of us liked our food.
Good atmosphere right on 5th ave. We had a gift certificate through http://restaurant.com which came in handy. Pasta dishes are all reasonable. I didn't really look at the other dishes. The crabcakes were some of the best I have ever had. Definitely a nice surprise.
We had a great waiter. I wish I could remember his name. I remember him saying he was from La Mesa which he pronounced Lame-esa
Four stars, bravo. Worth exploring. -
Review from Tim F.
11/18/2010
Decent food, but overpriced, small portions and not very good service.
Waiter we had seemed annoyed that we came in for appetizers and drinks. The restaurant was not very busy so instead of being annoyed, thought they would be please to have the business, but apparently not.
The antipasto salad was pretty good, with fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, giardiniera etc. However, the portion was only suitable for two people.
Overall, a decent place, but it seems to me that with the plethera of Italian places out there, there is little reason to compel me to make a special trip here. -
Review from Meagan C.
San Diego, CA
9/25/2011
First of all I would like to give this place zero stars it doesn't deserve one star. Bought a coupon online to try the place. The decor is old and out date very traditional fancy fancy and a price tag to go with it. I had read the reviews half good and half bad. WOW I cant believe people have anything good to say about this truly terrible excuse for a restaurant.
Now the food, the bread was warm, all went down hill from there. I ordered the risotto with mushroom pile of goopie mess, presentation was seriously lack. It was thrown into a bowl sprinkled with dry old parsley. The worst part of the dish were the slimy mushrooms or at least i think they were mushrooms, didnt look like any mushroom I have ever eaten.
More the slugs once I tasted one I lost all appetite.
My mother orders the seafood pizza, look very promising crust was crisp, tomato sauce was good. Then the seafood seriously under cooked, the clam tasted like a raw oyster going down. Did they for get to cook the seafood??????? The squid was still raw in the middle. This is a huge health issue. Shortly after eating my mother had food poisoning. I dont understand how this place hasn't been sue for such poor handling of food.
As if it couldn't get any worse. I would think a italian place can cook pasta boy was I wrong. My dad ordered the rigatoni with beef and mushrooms. First of all the beef looks old and dry, and worst of all it smell old. How can you serve food that smells like it has been sitting out???? The poor preparation of food was terrifying how can you still be open??? Do you not care about people's health? or at least the reputation of the restaurant??? Now the pasta, it was raw not al dente RAW??? Seriously boiling noodle, I could do that when I was kid. SAD SAD SAD
Needless to say I will not being going back to this restaurant. I know this is a hater review but I honestly think that people should be warned. People work hard for their money, they should waste in on a fancy pricey restaurant. I came to this restaurant to treat my parent for there 30th anniversary and it was the worst meals I have ever had. So much for doing a nice thing. -
Review from Jaime L.
Huntington Beach, CA
7/23/2010
We had a few hours to kill before heading back home, so we decided to eat our way through san diego. Ah, how times have changed, it used to be pub crawls, now its just food crawls.
I didn't realize ComiCon was going on downtown until I saw all the wacky costumes and slit faces but, being in the middle of the gaslamp district and sitting outside, we had a front row view of all kinds of crazy.
The service is very good and fast, atmosphere is old-world Italian, but the food is just ok. Not the best and not the worst Italian I've had.
We split the ceasar salad ($8) and lasagna bolognese ($15). Both came out a little too quick for my liking. The ceasar wasn't cut, but the long shards of romaine, with hard croutons and a very anchovy tasting dressing.
The lasagne was pretty descent. They did have a nice wine list and a full bar. -
Review from Earl G.
9/15/2009 2 photos
One of the best things to do in the Gaslamp is to dine al fresco and people watch.
With packed restaurants everywhere, Chianti was one of the few remaining bistro's still open for a late Saturday night dinner (10:30pm) for our party of 10.
The service was good and everyone found something they liked from the rustic Italian menu. There's a full bar if you're on that liquid diet.
I ordered the Costata Fiorentina ($30) - 16 oz. grilled prime bone-in rib-eye, served with Barolo wine brown sauce, roasted potatoes, and vegetables. (http://static.px.yelp....) It was cooked perfectly and I gnawed on the bone - so yeah, it was good.
I tasted some of their lobster ravioli and that was mighty tasty but the WTF dish of the night (even getting a few WTF's from passerby's) was easily Brian M's "tootsie roll dish". (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)Listed in: Steak!, San Diego Man Bash 09
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Review from zak k.
San Diego, CA
10/22/2011
The Best Italian food on 5th that I have tried. Great service. Great for dates.
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Review from Kristin F.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 5/17/2010 4 photos
I almost want to increase Chianti's rating to 4 stars, allllmost. Had a nice lunch here with my boyfriend yesterday (Sunday) before the Padres-Dodgers game.
When we arrived a bit after noon we were just about the only ones if not the only ones at the restaurant. Sat on the patio to take advantage of the smack-talking sidewalk show as fans ventured to Petco Park. Yesterday's weather was super-crappy for San Diego standards--overcast and chilly. The hostess assured us that the patio heat lamps served their purpose well, and indeed they proved to be extremely adequate. Toasty!
I can say this next statement with complete confidence: Chianti has, hands down, the best warm complimentary bread of any restaurant in San Diego that I've experienced. So delicious, so addictive. The free bread and our caprese salad--with exceptionally fantastic mozzarella--were the highlights of our meal. My "Pollo Piccata" entree with 2 chicken breasts was very good as it consistently is, and my boyfriend's "Mahi Mahi Alla Pizzaiola" was pleasant as well. Lacking the "wow factor," but very good. The entree portion sizes were perfect.
Business didn't pick up until near the end of our meal, so service was really attentive and incredibly personable, a bit too personable. There was definitely more detailed talk about our professions and our relationship and baseball than I would have preferred. Nevertheless, we were well taken care of, and the timing of all aspects of our meal was perfect.
Knowing me, it's no surprise that an establishment's presence on http://Restaurant.com will make me return when I never really thought I would. Chianti falls into this category, and I was happy that our lunch yesterday was an improved experience compared to past visits!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/15/2009
I've always had this idea that good (Americanized) Italian food is just that...good (Americanized)… Read more »
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Review from Dalia E.
Beverly Hills, CA
2/4/2011
I am amazed. The bread was thick, juicy and warm. Their balsamic vinegar was really fruity and the house wine hit the spot. Get ANYTHING with pink sauce. So yummy.
Their portions are big and perfectly seasoned. My minestrone soup was a giant hot mess. (good hot mess). Their cheeses are so fresh; especially the goat cheese in the tre colore salad. And to top it off, they gave us extra bread with our to-go boxes (yes the portions are that big).
I will go back there many many times.
This is the closest you'll get to authentic Italian in San Diego; without the grease.
Enjoy. -
Review from Maria T.
Santa Monica, CA
4/26/2009
UNIMPRESSIVE.
You're paying for the outdoor dining. The waitstaff were more interested in people watching ever-exciting Gaslamp than serving our table.
I ordered the salad with shrimp. I think this is pretty much how they made it:
1) Get lettuce.
2) Put shrimp on top.
3) Take can of sundried tomatoes in oil. Dump onto salad. Make sure at least 1/2 cup of oil is poured onto the salad so that it pools around the edges of the plate in a very unappetizing manner.
Other gripes: The minestrone soup had no beans in it--really guys?! The pasta dish that had mushrooms and "filet mignon" was a step above Chef Boyardee. Also, when they give you the oil and vinegar for your bread, they put it in these little but deep bowls, so when you dip--all you get is OIL and none of the sweet balsamic goodness. Yep, more oil.! Ew! Never again!Listed in: I think you SUCK
-
Review from Wendy S.
Long Beach, CA
10/23/2008
I tried this place before and wasn't impressed, but I decided to give it a second shot. Last time I ordered some special of the day and thought it was just 'ok". This time around I tried the seabass special, and honestly, I don't think I'll be returning.
Sitting outside is cool for great people watching, except for the people who are walking around smoking - it's RIGHT next to the sidewalk and there are many people wondering around.
I'm sure there are many other places I can go to that will serve much better food. So with that, I'm done with this place. -
Review from Rudy T.
Anchorage, AK
2/26/2011
Nice place. The food seemed a bit bland but frankly I prefer that to getting something where all you taste is the sauce. Had the osso buco. Generous portion. Had carpaccio and it was more of a salad. I'll give credit to whoever sliced it. I have never seen it so thinly sliced. Tasty but it was a salad with carpaccio.
Not bad, not the best I have had. A little pricy for the food but would go back to try other stuff if I was ever back int he area.
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