Fantastic!! We waited for our table at the bar. It was a pretty hot night. The bartender came out from behind the bar to give us and others ice cold water. I thought that was very nice! We are finally seated, and I had a hard time with the menu because everything looked amazing. My husband got the osso bucco and I got the risotto of the day which had filet mignon tips. Amazingggggg. Everyone here was so nice, other patrons included. It was such a great evening. We brought our baby and were worried if that was such a good idea since this is a nice restaurant and our reservations were at 8 pm. Well the hostess was extremely inviting and let us keep the stroller right in front. One of the other servers kept on coming over to our table to say hi to our baby. And at least 6 other people that were patrons, came over to say hi too! We'll be back. Great atmosphere and great food
(5)
Nic G.
Food - I ordered the prime rib 10 oz with fettuccine. It was $29. Definitely the best value on the menu. The prime filet ordered by a friend was great as well. A friend wasn't too impressed with the mussels they ordered. The only downside was that it was too pricey. Ambiance is great. Would have preferred if it were actually on the water, but there isn't anything on the water around the area and this is the closest to it. Suggest calling ahead to reserve the patio. Service - outstanding. We had a table of 7. He didn't write anything down and our order came down exactly how ordered. I wish I could remember the waiter's name but he had a shaved head with a large tattoo on the back of his neck. (update : name is Coleman via receipt) Overall - Almost perfect except for a few people saying their food was just ok. "Just ok" doesn't cut it when you're paying 30-50 for an entree BUT this is the best restaurant in the area. The ambiance and service really add to a great experience.
My sister and I were in Carlsbad for a week visiting friends during the Valentines Day week. As usual most restaurants in the area were advertising all sorts of "specials" for Valentines Day with some very expensive pairings of food and wine. We happened to walk by Vigilucci's Cucina Italiana restaurant and reviewed its extensive menu and decided to come the day after Valentine's when the restaurant would have a more normal menu and prices We were not disappointed. The service was superb. We were warmly greeted and escorted to our table. The menu was quite extensive and the prices were reasonable. Even the wine list and its prices were moderate. The food was great as was the wine that we ordered. Dessert was another plus. In short, if you are visiting Carlsbad and are hungry for some great Italian food. This is the place.
(4)
Chad C.
Here for a business lunch today, the Carpaccio Di Manzo was the best I have ever had (love the extra capers !!!) Thinly sliced raw filet mignon topped with arugula, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, capers and shaved parmigiano magnifico !!! Followed this with Ravioli D'Aragosta - fresh homemade lobster ravioli finished in a sauce of cognac, leeks, shitake mushrooms and cherry tomatoes then topped with rock shrimp and lobster. 10/10 awesome. If you buy a bottle of their wine there is no corkage fee for bringing your own, Win Win !!! Five stars !
Best gnocci of my life. Soft little pillows of goodness. I ate the whole plate--and portions here are really large. That was a nice surprise. Usually with "gourmet prices," you get tiny servings. Not here. The bread that comes to the table is fresh and warm, wine list is great, and desserts are divine (try the cannolis). Oh, and their patio is dog friendly. We called ahead of time to reserve a table there so our dogs could come. It was easy peasy. The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is that I think it's a little on the expensive side. Pasta dishes should never be $20, sorry.
(4)
Jaylene R.
This is a popular family outing restaurant for dinner but the quality of this restaurant seems to be going down.. The ambiance of this restaurant is semi-formal, but often times people come in casual attire since it's so close to the beach. On my most recent visit, there were flies everywhere--even on my glass! My server was around to see that the fly was on my glass and kindly brought me a new one. Other than that nice gesture, our server rarely checked up on us and we had to rely on bussers to pass by so we can ask for whatever we needed. The quality of food went down as well. I ordered the salad that came with raspberries and pears. The raspberries were smushed, the pears were black and overall the fruit just looked old and like it had been sitting out and cut awhile ago. The lemon dressing was not good at all, so I ended up eating my salad without dressing, since I fortunately asked for in on the side to begin with. Bussers came around to box our food AND hand us dessert menus as our server was no where to be found. I ordered the chocolate lava cake and although I can't quite pinpoint what was different about the dessert, it just didn't taste the same and I was really bummed with the overall quality of food and service I received that night. Sadly, I will not be coming back to this location, but I'll probably give the other Vigilucci's not too far from this location another try.
(2)
Chris W.
I go here a lot. The food is amazing. They have other restaurants in the area that are equally as good. The ambiance in each of the restaurants is unique but truly an amazing experience. The food is incredible and the wine selection is adequate for the menu selections.
(5)
Debbi N.
The food was amazing.......the customer service was 10 stars!!! How amazing is it and rare to find a restaurant with this level of customer service and authentic Italian food.
(5)
Arlene Y.
the best Italian food I've had in SoCal, I highly recommend their stuffed artichoke hearts its melt in your mouth wonderful, their expertise on pasta and overall ambiance makes you feel like you took a trip to Italy proper. Great place for date night ;)
(5)
Renee M.
Some places you come back strictly for the one meal you had. This will be the case. The ahi poke salad on their lunch menu was INCREDIBLE. I was expecting this little lunch sized portion that was tiny, but it was so impressive. All my coworkers were like "WOW I wish I ordered that", and just smiled and said yeah ;) I didn't even want to share, I was being so greedy. I've been here dozens of times and honestly, it's always great service. I just think it's hilarious they have non-Italians speaking Italian there, makes me giggle. If you haven't been before, try out lunch first to get a feel for their food and prices- dinner can get a tad pricey but all the things I've ordered were worth it. The risotto is AMAZING and you can never go wrong with that!
(5)
Matt J.
Well they did it again! What can I say the food is AWESOME! I had the special which was a Sea Food Pasta with fettuccine in a vodka sauce. It has smoked salmon, scallops, shrimp, class, mussels and calamari. Our waiter was Miguel and he was on spot.
(5)
Emmy Z.
My cousin, grandpa, and I came here for lunch. I had the Trenette Alla Genovese, which was hands down the best pesto I've ever had. The sauce was flavorful without being overwhelming and the portion was bigger than I expected (which meant I got to take some home, so yay). The servers were warm and friendly, which was good, because I felt out of place ($17 for a bowl of pasta is not my kind of joint). The salad it came with was also delicious, although the plating of just half a cherry tomato and a slice of cucumber made me sad. (Not even a whole cherry tomato?) Also, the salad my grandpa had was interesting. It was literally two giant leaves of lettuce doused in sauce. Good, but odd. How does a person eat two giant pieces of lettuce without looking silly? At any rate, the food was great. The only problem I had was that there were flies buzzing around and a tiny one ended up landing in my water glass (ew). If I'm ever in the area and looking for a nice meal, I'd definitely come here again.
(4)
Tee M.
Woo hop delicious Italian food and great service - Our server was Chris who brought us piping hot bread and recommended the fettuccini al Salmone which was relish and we shared lasagna and capellini al Checca that was light and tasty - my other son. Loved the Ravioli ai Crostacei - preferred this to the steakhouse because the Cucina is on State street great for walking off a Big meal! Dessert was great too
(5)
Cali S.
Best service, best food!! Staff is always so friendly and professional. The food is phenomenal! Great selection of wine. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Andrea S.
Most delicious pesto pasta I've ever had! Went for happy hour but they ONLY have happy hour if you sit at one of the 10 bar chairs. Not the "lounge" like it specifies on their website. Oh well the pasta was so amazing I didn't even care after I started eating.
(5)
Jennifer W.
While on vacation, I was craving Italian for dinner one night. Vigilucci's Cucina seemed like the right spot - good reviews, fun downtown location, not overly fancy. It turned out to be a great choice. I had the penne a la vodka with porcini mushrooms, which had a deliciously flavorful sauce and was cooked perfectly. My husband had the steak over polenta with asparagus and mushrooms. Again a great dish, although the restaurant was a little too generous with the slab of polenta, and could have been a bit more generous with the meat. Overall, a nice experience, fun sitting outside, good food, and reasonably priced. We would go back.
(4)
Aaron T.
Food and ambiance at this place was very good. Loved the home made pasta. Hope to be back soon.
One of the best Italian out there I had a ravioli with cheese and spinach it was beyond delicious! I will come back for sure..! You have to try there desserts!
(5)
Doug A.
How is this not five stars from everybody? It is just like the restaurants in Italy. Spectacular customer service, your water glass will never stay empty and your finished plates will be picked up in under a minute. The entire waitstaff is constantly on the move and keeping up the basics. Our food was hot--heat hot---on all items. I had the Sea Bass which was perfectly seared in a grill and moist and juicy inside. My wife had the seared chicken--perfect.... Our waiter paired a white wine with our meal and it was paired to a tee. All the waitstaff when we were there were native Italian which was a great touch. Great food, staff and experience. I've got a new favorite Italian food restaurant
(5)
Madonna E.
There are several Vigilucci restaurants in our area but this one located near the center of Carlsbad is our favorite. The menu is extensive and we always enjoy whichever fine Italian dish we select, whether it's a perfectly prepared al dente pasta dish with a flavorful sauce or something as complex as a seafood cioppino replete with clams, mussels, shrimp and other ingredients. Additionally, you will not be disappointed at their creative and comprehensive wine list. Service is always impeccable and perhaps because we're regular customers the greeting is always warm and friendly. The atmosphere in the restaurant is cozy and we enjoy the friendly ambience and the businesslike but unhurried pace. It reminds us very much of the European style of dining that we so enjoy. When you are in the mood for well prepared Italian food at a reasonable price, consider Vigilucci's Cucina. We dine there often and its place is high on our recommendation list.
(4)
D P.
Good fresh food. Reasonably priced. Real Italian waiter. We will visit again if we r in the area again.
(5)
David F.
After a day of traveling from SF to San Diego with two young kids, we were tired, hungry, and in need of some rest. We found Vigilucci's in Carlsbad on Yelp and booked a table for 6:15 - and though we arrived looking a bit scruffy, were greeted warmly and seated promptly. Good start - but when our server - Emma, or Auntie Em as she introduced herself to your soon-to-be-5-year-old son, - greeted us, things went from good to great -- and stayed there. Emma's warmth was surpassed only by her perfect service - attentive and authentic, demonstrating a deep commitment to meet us where we were and give us a wonderful dinner. The kids' food was out quickly (important for a soon-to-be-2-year-old who didn't nap properly!), and when we mentioned we'd try 2 salads and probably share, she made it easy by splitting them on 2 beautifully arranged plates so we could simply enjoy. The Insalata Al Formaggio Caldo featured fresh greens and warm goat cheese crusted with herbs was perfectly cooked - the first of several places the chef's demonstrated a delicate hand - as was thePomodori, Cipolle E Bufala salad. Fresh, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. The mains were wonderful -my wife enjoyed the Penne Alla Vodka Con Porcini, noting the al dente preparation of the pasta - while I savored the Grigliata Di Pesce platter with several distinctive and flavorful seafood preparations. Again the chef's demonstrated a deft hand - the salmon was as perfect as it gets, with a touch of caramelization on the outside and softly flaking interior. We'd have loved to linger for dessert, but two tired toddlers make that a dream too far - and with her keen eye "Auntie Em" had our leftovers packed and the check on the table a instant after I asked. If you've read this far, I hope you appreciate the magic that makes for a great dining experience - and if you're in Carlsbad after a long day I think you might find that magic at Vigilucci's Cucina Italiana.
(5)
Tuyet N.
The mister had taken me to the steakhouse(previous review) so decided to try the Cucina since I was craving pasta. Ironically we both ordered the same thing we had at the other location, since our waiter wasn't so helpful with the menu. He seemed as if he was in hurry to get us out of his hair. I ordered Papperdelle al fungi and the mister, his cioppino. These two were very simular to our first experience but My dish I felt could have been more creamier and the pasta was too al dente for me personally. Overall I'd come here again if I was craving Italian food but the Vigiluccis steakhouse hands down had way better service. For the price they're charging, they need to kick it up a notch with their service.
(3)
Vivi M.
The bathrooms here are ok but not the best. The water pressure is rough and the seat covers are hard to remove. The bathroom also has paper towels and a few of the paper towels were on a trash can. The good things about the bathroom is that it has pretty furniture and the rest of the bathroom is cute. I ordered the children's spaghetti. They allowed me to substitute angel hair pasta which was awesome. My parents ate my meatballs and they loved them.
(4)
Anthony S.
Went here for restaurant week 2014 on a Friday night. Did not have to wait for a seat at all. All the food we had was amazing. No complaints about anything. I got the veal tortellini and lava cake for dessert. Artichoke for appetizer. No complaints at all and it was very worth the $35.
(5)
Sally M.
Driving up the coast with the in-laws, we stopped in Carlsbad for lunch. We loved it when Vigilucci's was in La Jolla, so we decided to check out this location. We're so glad we did! Food: We all thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Their lunch specials are decently priced and the pasta dishes come with your choice of soup or salad. I started off with a Caesar salad and was surprised at the presentation. The lettuce wasn't cut up but rather just pulled apart with the dressing, cheese, and croutons on top. It was very tasty and I didn't mind having to cut my salad. This presentation made the lettuce very fresh! For my entree, I had the Trenette alla genovese which is a pesto pasta with pine nuts and chicken. This dish was so good and it was a large portion. I didn't expect the lunch size to be so big, but it seemed like it was the size of a dinner portion (I had leftovers). The pesto and pine nuts went really well with the chicken and the leftovers still tasted great the next day. My husband had the Spaghetti ai Gamberetti and soup for lunch and enjoyed both. I tasted the rock shrimp that came with his dish and it was very good. It's a great choice if you don't want sauce as it's a lighter dish tossed in olive oil. My mother-in-law enjoyed her salmon salad and father-in-law enjoyed the Capellini alla Checca. Overall, the food was delicious and cooked to perfection! Service: It was a weekday, so the restaurant wasn't too busy. We sat outside with our dog and our server was very knowledgeable of the menu, gave us great recommendations, and very friendly. Our server actually used to work at the La Jolla location, so he gave us some insight as to why that location closed. My in-laws were interested in having an authentic Italian dessert and he described their offerings and what part of Italy these came from. They ended up getting the spumoni and enjoyed every last bite of it. The other wait staff was also very attentive and friendly making sure we had enough water and bread as well. Overall, we had a great experience at Vigilucci's with delicious food and fantastic service. If we lived closer, we'd be there all the time!
(5)
Lauren Z.
They were out of meatballs today. Too bad. We wanted to split a meatball sandwich. The chicken sandwich was good.... The service was so-so.... It was a little overpriced....
(3)
Soojin O.
Worst dog poop in the history of the world! Anyone who does this twice must be insane. $50.22 for two spaghetti dinners that were worse than Stouffer's. I would rather light a 50 dollar bill on fire than return to this place. It would be more amusing. This crap hole takes the cake for one of the worst food experiences of my life. Ripped off super duper hard. I am feeling raped. I will shower now. Once again you have been warned!
(1)
Kwang P.
Tried the ravioli lobster per some of the reviews tonight. It was ok, but not oh my god good.
(3)
Glen N.
Classy atmosphere, which is likely the big draw, and why it managed to get four stars despite the following complaints. Lasagna portion was big and meat heavy. Not served in a dish, so you miss out on the weird crusty cheese crunchiness I like, but it was good. Wife didn't like her sauce and thought her pasta was undercooked, yet it somehow didn't keep her from suggesting returning the next night (after learning our first two choices were too crowded). I guess atmosphere has a lot of weight. "Undercooked and foul-tasting but oooh a candle."--- my wife's review, and why she's not Elite like me) She didn't like that the oil and vinegar is poured for you... only because you inevitably run out(thanks to Bounty paper towel-like absorbent bread) and if you ask for more, it kinda feels simultaneously trashy and gluttonous. Finally, for those of you worried you might get scurvy you will enjoy the greyhounds because they barely have any vodka from what I tasted. Bad pour. I imagine those wanting to avoid urinary tract infections should order their cape code stat.
(4)
Jody K.
The hubs and I were in town and Yelp'd a place to have a nice dinner. This place was only a few miles from our hotel and we wanted Italian. Upon arriving, the good looking host told me to wait just a moment as he picked up their ringing phone. After waiting a moment, another gentleman came and ended up seating us. They originally wanted to put us in the very back corner squeezed in between 2 other tables near the emergency exit door. Being the hubs and I were out of town without the toddler and it was a date night, we asked if we could be seated outside where the weather was nice. They allowed it. Our server was knowledgeable with a nice Italian accent (I actually think most of the had an Italian accent). He was very preoccupied though with other tables so as he would talk to us, he'd be looking at other tables. We started off with the antipasto misto which was basically a sampling of their appetizer menu. It was very good. For entrees, I ordered the Pappardelle con funghi e Capesante which was basically assorted mushrooms with seared scallops in a white truffle and brandy sauce over ribbon pasta. Oh it was devine. So tasty and you can taste the truffle. I ate every last bit of it. The husband ordered their special which was mahi mahi. It was a nice fish steak that came out and quite delicious. I still liked mine better. Definitely would eat here again if we were in the area. The service was nice, the food was great and the weather was perfect.
(5)
Ile R.
Came here with a friend. Beautiful authentic Italian restaurant with authentic Italian food run by authentic Italian people! Had a penne pasta with a vodka sauce that was packed with flavor and very filling. Lovely indoor or outdoor patio seating available, with ba view of surrounding restaurants and stores. On Wednesdays at 1pm it seems they have a farmers market, so the parking strip in front of the restaurant is closed, but there is more parking in the back as well as street parking. Fun experience, would love to try some more foods at this place soon!
(5)
Julia T.
It can be hard to find a spot with excellent food and a classy ambiance without feeling too stuffy. Vigilucci's does it right!!!!! They have many beautiful locations but not even an ocean view could be better than sitting at the bar in front of the hilariously hospitable Emma!!! She is the best! Welcoming, friendly, and is personal with EVERY SINGLE guest that comes her way. We have only ever sat at the bar but it is clear that the staff members all have a great repor and it is such a relief to be among so many smiling faces when typically a restaurant can be made up of a lot of stressed out employees. Miguel, the manager, remembers every returning guest and is waiting at the door with a warm welcome. He consistently checks in on us throughout our evening.... As if anything could go wrong in Emma's hands.... Customers for life.
(5)
Dona K.
An exceptionally enjoyable dining experience. Everything we ordered was outstanding. Our seasoned Italian waiter was wonderful. He was warm and knowledgeable without coming off as disingenuous or pretentious. His timing was impeccable, an essential trait in a fantastic waiter. Our table was cozy and intimate. Everything was perfect for our first night in Carlsbad. You MUST try the Spumoni cake. I would drive back to Carslbad just for that! Thank you Vigilucci's we will be back!
(5)
Angie B.
The service was fantastic and a great place for our family gathering. The food was hit or miss. The calamari app was unusually tough, but the charcuterie plate was very good. Veal saltimbocca was fabulous, but the homemade pasta with bolognese was a little chewy and clumpy. Recommend - this is a nice spot for families and on a cute street in Carlsbad.
(4)
Allison C.
Early dinner reso for my father-in-law's birthday. Fingers crossed for an enjoyable meal. (We had our two-year-old with us.) We hadn't been here is a few years, but wanted to give it another try. Our server was very pleasant. However, the food and prices left something to be desired. We are more than willing to spend a decent amount of money on an amazing meal. However, we ended up spending a decent amount of money on a "meh" meal. No one was overly impressed with their entree. My husband's gnocchi was the most decent dish. My son's pizza tasted like something that could be purchased at the grocery store. (Not that he cared.) I had a salad and added shrimp. When it arrived, the salad was crowned with a SINGLE tiger shrimp. When the bill arrived, we realized that the single shrimp had added an additional SIX dollars to the total. Yikes.
(3)
Cheryl S.
We met some friends from LA here who happened to also be in town. We had reservations for 7pm and were seated right away. The bread, oil and balsamic were a great way to start the meal. My hubby and I split a ceasar salad. It was presented a little differently than we are used to - whole romaine lettuce leaves, topped with croutons, dressing, and shaved parmesan. The lettuce was a little difficult to cut but it was good. I had the rigatoni with sausage and eggplant. The red sauce was amazing. The sausage was okay, and I prefer my eggplant a little more cooked. I would have been just fine with only the pasta and sauce. :) Hubby had spinach ravioli and enjoyed those too. It was noisy and the tables were very close together, but overall, it was an enjoyable meal and we will try it again if we are in the area!
(4)
Ed K.
7 of us gathered at 1:00 PM on a Saturday for my wife's birthday. It seems that there was only one waiter and he disappeared after wine was brought to the table. It took over an hour to be served after we arrived. The food was diner quality for premium pricing. My wife and I both ordered the ahi poke salad recommended on a previous Yelp review. The raw fish did not look like the best cuts of tuna and smelled fishy. The salad was mostly chopped cabbage with bottled thousand island dressing. Bottom line: over 2 hours for lunch. food is pricey but unimpressive. The good: None of us became sick.
(1)
Christy H.
This is our GO TO! Ahhhhh it's just SO so good. This is our anniversary spot, mom And dad are in town spot, and this year even our NYE spot:) cannot go wrong!!
(5)
Angel A.
Service here is good and so is the food. We walked in around 6 for dinner and they only had outdoor seating available. They have heated lamps so it shouldn't be too chilly if you are seated outdoors. Our server spoke with a heavy Italiano accent, typical of Italian restaurants. . Guess the accent adds to the "authenticity" factor. The four of us ordered a scallop linguine, spinach ravioli with bolognese, lasagne, and wild boar ravioli with mushroom sauce. The spinach ravioli and lasagne were very flavorful, but not overwhelming. The bolognese sauce was delicious. My wild boar ravioli was very good, it paired very well with the mushroom sauce. The linguine however, was below average. The noodles were dry and the dish lacked flavor. It wasn't bland, but it didn't have enough flavor. We didn't order wine but I did have a lemonade and a free refill. With these, the bill came out to be around 100 bucks. All in all, this restaurant would be a nice place to try if you're looking for some good Italian food. If you're looking to get stuffed with food, go to Olive Garden. They don't have a private lot, but parking in dt Carlsbad is never too hard as long as you're okay with walking a block.
(4)
Marissa L.
This place was absolutely amazing. Best Italian food I've had. The waitress was extremely friendly. I had the spaghetti alla carbonara. It was amazing. Then we had the cannolis and the creme brulee. I live in San Diego and will definitely make a trip up to Carlsbad just to eat here.
(5)
Kevin P.
While searching for a new Italian restaurant, we were happy to discover this Yelped place.. Made reservation for lunch on Open Table, arrived & were greeted w/ a smile and handsome waiter who provided excellent attentive service while we dined on the outside patio. Recommendations for lunch items: Gnocchi Al Tartufo, which was excellent, and Penne Alla Vodka Con Porcini, also delicious. The house Chianti was a great compliment to our meal.. Will definitively be back to try their touted Cioppino.
(5)
Paul R.
This review is for my fellow Yeplers. This place sucks. Most of you know it, if you don't take some evening classes. I stared off by ordering an expensive bottle of wine and I told the waiter that the only reason I'm here is because they make their own pasta. I also mentioned that I'm comparing them to NY and SF. He told me to order the oso bucco (not pasta). So, I did since it was my second option. It sucked. Bad. The meat was dry and not very warm. Obviously reheated for the second/third time. They tried to fix this by dumping a ton of sauce on top. The side pasta with olive oil and garlic was down right cold. Oh oh oh where's the garlic??? They get two stars for the location and the nice weather. I sat outside in mid October. Back to my fellow yelpers. Please rate place according to price point and quality of food. Here is an example. If you find yourself in south central LA at a.hole.i the wall and they rock your world for $5 them 5 stars is ok, but if you are at Laurant is Paris you can get down right passed off if the party next to you is disruption your conversation because they got a phone call. Everything is not 4 ****.
(2)
Patty R.
We had the best dinner and the best server for our anniversary dinner a few weeks ago. Emma, our server, made the whole evening so much fun. She had so much personality and was excellent at her job. We, as a family, wanted to adopt her. The food also was exceptional. I had the seafood special. My 7 year old grandson had two portions of their spaghetti. He almost exploded after his second bowl, but fortunately left room to have his dessert. Emma brought us out a dessert on the house for our anniversary. My husband and I always consider the ambiance and the excellence of your server to add so much to the experience. This certainly was the case in our experience. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Ron L.
Its ok. Nice set up in the village. Never really outstanding but most importantly never bad. I cant really tell the difference between pasta that is fresh, and therefore not my fav and pasta that is just not very good, in that its dense and never seems to have enough sauce. My bet is that the pasta is so fresh that it doesn't suit me. I'd go back but would not make a special trip.
(3)
Andrea S.
After about a two year hiatus I decided to give this Vigilucci's another try. THRILLED to say that the two times back have been a great experience! The staff was very helpful, welcoming & friendly. Most importantly though the food was very good! Their caprese salad was so fresh and soooooo tasty. I am very excited to start visiting this particular location more often again. Yay to renewed faith :)
This review is about the happy hour at the bar--we have never sat down for dinner here. This is our favorite spot in Carlsbad Village--we come every year when we're in town. We sit at the bar and enjoy small plates of wonderfulness. They pour exquisite wines by the glass (good pour, too), and you can order from the appetizer menu--stuffed artichokes, meatballs, fettuccine alfredo. The staff is efficient and friendly. But don't tell anybody about this--they only have a few seats at the bar and we don't want it to get too crowded.
(5)
kari m.
Boooooo!!!! Really this place has that good of rating?? Stuck up snots were the servers. My pesto tasted like green mayo. Sometimes people are too quick to give 5 stars. Sheep will follow ;)
(2)
Mike G.
Overpriced food, stuffy environment, and arrogant wait staff.
(2)
Sheila G.
My husband and I ate there for the first time last night. As soon as I walked in I could smell a strong mildew or mold smell. My husband was waiting inside for me and smelled it as well. I told the waiter we wanted to move so we went in the other dining room and the smell was still there but not quite as strong. So we ordered and ate and it was good but when I told the head waiter or manager before we were seated about the odor, he said he didn't smell anything and dismissed it right away saying we could sit somewhere else. But this should be addressed immediately as mold is a health risk and no one should be exposed to this especially in such a nice restaurant. We won't be back till this issue is cleared up!
(3)
Adam L.
Vigilucci's is one of our favorite places to dine in North County. The service is exceptional, always polite, knowledgeable and attentive yet not intrusive. At our last visit our pre-booked table was not ready for 15 minutes. People take longer to eat than expected sometimes... it was Saturday night... it happens... and the way it was handled was classy -- with an apology and a glass of champagne. The food at Vigiluccis's is ALWAYS delicious and together with the fabulous service, it's a great choice for dinner. Parking outside on State Street, just cruise up and down a couple of times and a spot will open up. You can sit inside or out, and outside has heaters when it's cold, which is cosy.
(5)
Cris Ann R.
This place is a perfect dining experience when it's not Friday or Saturday (just to busy). The staff is very attentive, the food is perfect every time, the atmosphere is wonderful when dinning outside the normal busy Friday and Saturday night. We love this place for special occassions.
(5)
Laverne M.
Nice restaurant with outdoor seating & great Italian food. Go for the items w/the V next to them as they are the house specialties. The Caesar was great! The tagliatelli alla bolgonese (spelling not sure), but it was AMAZING!!! Also enjoyed the special risotto. And don't forget the cannoli. We would definitely go back anytime we're in the neighbor or go to any of his other restaurants.
(5)
Carlos U.
3.5 stars I took my wife to Vigilucci's for a date night after a marriage conference in Carlsbad. After reading some of the reviews and looking at their menu, it sounded like a good place to go. First parking sucks a bit because there is limited parking in front of the restaurant so chances are you will need to find parking in the back of the restaurant or a nearby lot. then walk to the restaurant. The back door to the restaurant was open, but there was a sign that read to keep the door closed at all times, so we decided to walk around to passing a sketchy bar on the way. When we got there we were greeted by a nice hostess and she sat us in a very crowded dining room with barely enough room to walk in. Our server was OK. His character could have been just a bit more friendly. We got our bread and that was OK nothing spectacular. You get balsamic vinegar and olive oil to dip your bread in, kind of like Maggiano's. This is what was ordered: Fritto di Calamari e Gamberett - Appetizer very good big pieces of calamari and shrimp to dip in some fresh marinara sauce. The only weird thing is that my wife started feeling the roof of her mouth itch and part of her lip after eating some of the calamari, which is weird cause she has eaten calamari many times before. So she might have had an allergic reaction to something in the marinara sauce. Rigatoni alla Siciliana - Wife's Antre She said the sauce pasta and sausage was very good and had a lot of flavor. She could have done without the eggplant in the sauce. Pollo e Salsiccia - My Antre The plate looked amazing, very nice presentation. The chicken was freshly grilled and the sausage was just right with snap to it. The pasta was alright but missing something i cant put my finger on. Spumoni Cake- Dessert We asked the guy if it was really spumoni cake and he said it was the ice cream but on a shortbread cake....I was expecting more cake than ice cream or at least half...so this dessert was OK. Overall it wasn't a bad experience but it wasn't amazing either. They do make the restaurant look very classy and the prices are just right. I would probably come back again if I'm ever in the Carlsbad area.
(3)
Eileen T.
This is by far one of our favorite restaurants in Carlsbad. The food is delicious, the service is excellent. We are impressed that almost all of the wait staff actually speaks Italian! We went the other night and the staff went out of their way to help us. It was a truly wonderful experience.
(5)
casey H.
Great food, Great service. Our waiter Stephan was there but not, if you know what I mean. Gnocci from Heaven and wonderful artichoke app the we both could have eaten an entire plateful. Great for a week night let's get outta here. Two thumbs up.
(3)
Terrance B.
Nice, classy spot for lunch or dinner date. Everything well prepared, perfectly slightly snobby waiters, great pastas and calamari, lunch very affordable. Any Vigilucci's location never disappoints.
(4)
L A.
Consistently a wonderful meal and service. I've eaten at all of the Vigilucci's restaurants in North County several times and am always pleased with the food and the service. To start, I had the tomato and Gorgonzola salad. The tomatoes were fresh and hearty. A perfect mix. For my entree, i had the special boar stuffed ravioli w white sauce. The meat was very flavorful and non-gamey. the pasta was firm. Cannoli, was my desert pick and it was delicious!! Yup, i'll be back!
(4)
Jerry B.
The hosts aren't bad to look at :p The service is good. The ambiance of the place is even better. I got some version of shrimp pasta that was absolutely amazing! Large portions, pricey, but good.
(4)
Hannah J.
I am not a fan. I thought their vegetarian options were uninspired. They make their own pasta and I did not like the flavor. Overall, I think it was expensive and the food wasn't memorable. It just wasn't worth it for the price.
(2)
Sean W.
I went here at the recommendation of the girl i was dating at the time. We went around 830pm on a week night & there were only about 4 other tables occupied at the time, so not much in the way of crowd of "vibe"...but very nice setting and beautiful location. The food was very tasty & i enjoyed dinner & desert there. I'll be back at some point but havent "rushed" to go back since its about 40 minutes away from me.
(4)
S M.
What a great restaurant! We were visiting Carlsbad and came upon this restaurant on State Street. The food is great, but the real standout was our server, Emma. We were all commenting that we had never received customer service as impeccable and respectful as our time with her. Emma truly made our experience that much more memorable with excellent recommendations, thoughtful service, and a few unanticipated extras. The pasta special was handmade and the sauce was incredibly flavorful. At $26 for a bottle of pinot grigio, the Anterra was surprisingly delicious: crisp, with a lemon, butter, green apple taste. Best tiramisu (it was dripping with rum and coffee flavors) we've had and what a smooth creme brulee!! Highly recommended with a wonderful local staff.
(4)
Dennis C.
Found this place on Yelp. What a surprise. One of the best Italian restaurants in So Cal. The food and service was great. Great view of the ocean.
(5)
Bob H.
We're from Boston and eat in the North End frequently so we think we know a bit about Italian food. The food we ate, with the exception of the bread, was absolutely first class. We were close enough from out hotel to be able to walk so we did. It's a short walk from the ocean. I can see what others have to say about the parking but we didn't have that issue. Their wine list was excellent with a good mix of high, medium and low end wines, some local, some standard. I had the veal marsala and it was great. The veal was pounded nicely thin and very well cooked (it's easy to over cook it) and the sauce and pasta were beautifully prepared. My wife had their special which was mussels, clams and other delights mixed with pasta. It was delicious. After arriving back in Boston we went over to the North End for dinner and, compared to Vigilucci's it was a disappointment.
(5)
King H.
Very pleasant lunch and vey attentive waiter. My in law's scallops looked very delicious. Everyone had a great time. The bread dishes had scraps of bread crumbs on it but otherwise will return.
(4)
Jen H.
4.5 stars Came here right when happy hour was ending so it was a little busy. A few minutes after our reservation we were seated. Our waiter took a little long, but he was nice. I ordered the Fettuccine Primevera. I was a little hesitant at first, because there is no meat in it. But I really wanted a fresh pasta with a white wine garlic sauce. Food came out in a decent amount of time. I guess I was expecting a really white sauce, but it almost looked very tomatoey, but I think that was part of the Summer vegetables that come with it. It was a very pretty plate and it tasted SOOOO GOOOD! I was happily satisfied even without the meat. I tried G's lobster ravioli and it was pretty good, but I'm glad I didn't get it. It had a super rich buttery flavor. The sauce was caramelly to me. Bread is really good too! One of my favorite parts was when we were leaving. All the waiters were like "Ciao" in an authentic Italian accent. If I was in the area again I would definitely come back. delish.
(4)
Ellen J.
Popped in for dinner here on Memorial Day. I don't know if it was that no one wanted to work on a holiday, but I was seriously disappointed. Based on previous Yelp reviews, I thought we were going to have a great Italian meal . . . it was not in the cards. The good . . . nice patio with heaters. Host was very friendly and accommodating. The fresh out of the oven bread was delicious with the EVOO and balsamic vinegar. After that, everything went downhill. The not-so-good . . . our waiter didn't tell us about the daily specials. We didn't realize this until after we placed our order when another waiter rattled off the specials to the table across from us. Bummer . . . the risotto sounded delicious. Hubby and I ordered two different veal entrees. Both were lackluster . . . not seasoned well. Even pouring salt on them didn't seem to help. I imagine the same would have held true for the risotto, even if I had the opportunity to order it. Our waiter had absolutely no personality . . . another bummer. He was almost robotic. Maybe a robot would have been better as he/she would probably not have forgotten to recite the daily specials! There have got to be better Italian venues in the area!
(2)
Cindy D.
Wow...I just love this location and the owners and the SERVICE! We have felt special and pampered every visit! We followed them (sadly) when they left coastal Oceanside for the village. A 'special event' place for us~ because we are made to feel so special every visit~ we celebrated Valentine's Day and our 55th birthdays so far this year.. I requested their fabulous polenta (which is no longer a menu item) and the chef said 'absolutely'! I can not say enough about the service and the integrity of this family. I do not know them personally, but feel as if I do. The food rivals any Italian eatery that I've been to...including a great place in Venice...and it's a lot closer!
(5)
Brittany R.
best food and service every time ive ever been here.. which is a lot! GET THE LOBSTER RAVIOLIS AND STUFFED MUSHROOms ahh to die for.. I will only stick to this location for the chef and staff here is amazing. Thank you vigiluccis for always making our night romatic and rememberable!
(5)
Lauren C.
I am from the Northeast where Italian food is amazing, so I may be a little biased. Positives: *Waiter was great & very attentive *Staff overall was attentive and constantly filled our water glasses. *Minestrone soup was good *Great location Negatives: *My husband's penne alla vodka was ok but nothing special *My calamari pasta was made up of a lot of bodies rather than rings. The rings are so much better. Overall, it was a nice night out, but the food wasn't anything to write home about.
(3)
Jenny B.
They cook homemade pasta al dente. Service and wine are great. I am rating 4 stars because their bread is a little tough to chew.
(4)
BJ M.
The location was very nice. But the lobster ravioli was terrible. The filling did not taste good at all it did not taste fresh. It was ground and did not taste like lobster at all. My husband had the salmon fettuccine was very good.
(3)
Moto B.
The seafood is way better than what we have in San Francisco! Everything cooked to perfection. I had a seafood with home-made pasta in creamy white wine sauce. The scallop was like...half of my palm, large and fresh. The big prawn almost tasted like lobster lol..so good!! The staffs are extremely friendly and attentive. If i ever head South again, Vigilucci's i will be back! (Also try the tomato vodka cream sauce, omg so good)
(5)
MR. T.
This was a nice place. I had the lobster ravioli which was really good and good price, the seafood pasta was good as well, but too little sauce. The special fish of the day was not good and for $30 bucks you'd expect it to be softer. Four stars if it was consistent, but it wasn't. My dish was good but unfortunately not the others. Good ambiance and wait staff.
(3)
Mark C.
Tried for the first time recently with a big group. Service was awesome. Very nice and accomodating. Nice atmosphere overall even though the other customers kept giving us dirty looks since we had some kids in our group. Good wine list. Good warm bread. Food was mediocre, though. The penne with chicken and brocolli was just ok, very plain and bland though it was fresh tasting. Chicken was a little tough and dried out. Kind of like a fresher made Lean Cuisine meal. Risotto with sausage special was better but not great. Risotto was hard and sauce was way too thick and sausage tasted like pizzeria sausage, not gourmet at all. Not delicate at all. Tasted like it was made by an ameteur. Calamari was quite good, though, but a little chewy. Prices were outrageous for what you get. I will never come back. There are much better values in the area.
(3)
David Y.
Great authentic Italian food.
(4)
Deborah D.
Italian restaurant a little out of the town center but right on the coast with ocean view. Service was very good, and so was the food. It seems authentic Italian to me but with a nod towards the local burger crowd also. Well worth a visit in the evening. Less busy at lunch time. Parking isn't easy but they have valet and a small lot. There is a very small patio but it's right on the main road opposite the ocean. I think it's best to eat inside.
(4)
Jason M.
Excellent food and service. Very very good food. Just so flavorful and authentic. I took my wife here (before she was my wife) to celebrate our engagement. We had a wonderful time, great wine and cheesecake was freakin great! Our waiter was really great. I love the little place too. So cozy and nice. I will be going back because when you find good Italian food and Italians know this, you want to go back again and again cause it's difficult to find true good Italian food that has not been totally Americanized. Excellent place all the way around!!!
(5)
Rebecca S.
My family took my mom here for her 65th birthday last week. Our reservation was at 7 p.m., but because of a medical emergency (a neighbor went into labor and needed someone to watch her kids), we were an hour late. Thankfully, it was a Tuesday night so the restaurant was not full. The food was delicious -- I had the Papardelle con Funghi, which had succulent mushrooms, perfectly textured pasta and succulent, large scallops -- not to mention the truffle sauce. My mother had the Grigliata Mista, which is a whole lot of quality assorted seafood for only $22. The food was rich and of a good quantity. Both my dad and my brother finished their dishes, and my mom and I (having smaller appetites) boxed up about a third of ours to take home. The service was standout. Courteous, and the management is actually Italian. My brother ordered a creme brulee for my mom's birthday, which they not only brought out with a candle but took off of the bill as well. I've never been to Vigilucci's Steak and Seafood, but Cucina Italiana is slightly less expensive ($85 for four entrees) but seems to lack nothing in quality and ambience. A great choice for a grown-up, intimate dinner. Not at all crowded on weeknights.
(5)
J L.
The pasta was good. We ordered Penne, Linguini, and Gnocchi. They were all cooked and seasoned nicely. The food is solid 4/5. The bread and wine were 3/5. I've ordered house super tuscan by the glass. The first glass was obviously from a bottle opened the previous day. Second glass was much better. The bread was forgettable. The service was good. Waiter was very attentive and quick and gets 4/5. However the manager at the front was not. She first steered our group with 8 year old kid to a table right next to the bar where people were socializing and drinking. Then despite having a reservation and restaurant being 2/3 empty we were seated next to the busy service station. She gets 2/5.
(3)
Robbie T.
Excellent Spaghetti and meatballs, fresh hot tasty homemade bread with olive oil, a good chianti, friendly attentive service...and a view. Don't over think this one, its all you need for a great dining experience. Relax and enjoy.
(5)
Edwin L.
We had been to pretty much all of the Vigilucci's restaurants in San Diego. Our favorite is the Steak and Chop house, but this time we wanted the Italian (Pasta) cuisine. When we arrive the place was pretty full, where as many of the other restaurants on State street were empty. We sat outside on the patio, the perfect place to relax. We were promptly attended by the busser and waiter - excellent service! We started with the Mozarella and Beet salad with shrimp (very tasty). I decided to have the special and my wife the Vitello - both delicious. The manager Paulo (a great manager that sees everything) came to say hello and recommended in house made ice cream. This was some of the best I have ever had. All in all, Vigilucci is one of the better chains in San Diego and this restaurant in particular deliver excellent food and service for a very reasonable price. Keep doing what your doing!
(5)
Vince C.
We recently went here on a Saturday evening for dinner. We started off with the Mussels and Clams in a white wine broth and then finished up with the gnocchi (for my wife) and the carbonara (for myself). All dishes were really great and the service was outstanding. We really wanted to try a desert but we were too full. We will definitely revisit this restaurant anytime we are in Carlsbad.
(4)
Linda K.
I dine here once or twice a month, usually for lunch. I love the fresh salads that they create and my daughter loves the pasta. The food is always fantastic and the service is friendly and perfect... Anything to please a customer. Fresh food and great service brings me back. My only complaint is that they need to spend some money and CLEAN THEIR CARPETING!! Every time I walk in I am hit by the odor of filthy carpeting and it grosses me out. There is nothing more disgusting than a smelling dining experience. The floor is gross. Get that bad boy cleaned up Vigilucci's....
(4)
Anya B.
Great restaurant in Carlsbad Village. While parking right in front of it might be a little tricky, there is plenty of parking around - no big deal. We reserved a table and it was really busy on a Friday at 06:30. Great specials - I had the Filet Mignon and couldn't have been happier. Also ordered the Creme Brulee and it was heavenly also. With wine, salads and desert I would definitely say it's a special night price-wise, but absolutely worth it. Our waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable about the wines and menu. The manager is around and it seems that they take pride in their restaurant and menu. Highly recommended!
(5)
Heather W.
Took the owner of a company here yesterday. It was empty when we walked in, but filled up fast during lunchtime. Our server was great, and handled leaving the chicken off my colleague's salad with great gumption and humor. He ended up giving us a free creme brulee'-very tasty, I might add. The food itsself was great and fresh. I had plain capellini and honestly it was filling, and delicious. I had a bite of my assistant's calamari-fresh and good. Also, pricing was extremely reasonable. I'll be back. Prefer this place over Cafe' Pommodoro.
(4)
S and C K.
My husband and I eat here about once a month and we have never been disappointed! We usually take our 3 year old with us and have never had an issue. The maitre d' and staff are fantastic and service is fast and efficient without rushing people out the door.
(5)
Sheri C.
Delicious, but can,t pronounce what I ate. Shells with white sauce and tomatoes, meatballs and asparagus!
(4)
Ray F.
our families go to place for a wonderful meal authentic and perfect ambiance .
(5)
Bri A.
AMAZING!!! Went here on a Sat Night and everything was awesome. I love that they serve bread with Olive and Vinegar. They have decently priced wines. And their entrees are priced well also. For 2 people, wine, 1 salad, and 2 entrees we left with a $50 bill. Not bad for a fine dining Italian restaurant. And the service was excellent.
(5)
Jo M.
One of my faves: entire meal there is great, but the Spumoni cake is the must have. Quick, easy valet, great food, great atmosphere.
(5)
Beeza B.
This place is awesome! Its a little overpriced but if you come during lunch hours then the prices are much more reasonable. All the pasta dishes are amazing and authentic. Also, the soups, paninis and deserts that I have tried here are all great as well. Service is really good too, it seems that real italian people work here! The overall ambiance is also a big plus, check it out.
(4)
Heidi R.
Mushy "catch of the day" for $30, fist-bumping servers that don't refill coffee until you're leaving, $9 mediocre side salad, and out of requested wine. Won't recommend.
(1)
Harry R.
This place is excellent! These guys know what they're doing...real Italian style. Was going to a Japanese place but it was closed so we walked in here after seeing ratings on Yelp. Yelp was correct! Had my children with me and the place was really nice...sat outside. They have kid friendly menu. Had the Polenta e Gamberi and Minestrone soup for appetizer....excellent! Main dish was special of the Day Lobster Risotto and Pappardelle con Funghi e Capesante (loved the homemade wide ribbon pasta!!!). Both were excellent. This place is a little hidden from PCH and inside downtown Carlsbad...but if you're in the area and looking for good Italian food...THIS IS THE PLACE! A little pricey but if you can splurge and looking for a nice place to take a date, family or friends....look this up. They have other restaurants. Definitely want to check them out....especially the one on PCH "Vigilucci's Seafood and Steakhouse".
(5)
Amy Y.
Ok - nothing special. Atmosphere & service were ok. Don't need to go back.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Leighanna R.
Fantastic!! We waited for our table at the bar. It was a pretty hot night. The bartender came out from behind the bar to give us and others ice cold water. I thought that was very nice! We are finally seated, and I had a hard time with the menu because everything looked amazing. My husband got the osso bucco and I got the risotto of the day which had filet mignon tips. Amazingggggg. Everyone here was so nice, other patrons included. It was such a great evening. We brought our baby and were worried if that was such a good idea since this is a nice restaurant and our reservations were at 8 pm. Well the hostess was extremely inviting and let us keep the stroller right in front. One of the other servers kept on coming over to our table to say hi to our baby. And at least 6 other people that were patrons, came over to say hi too! We'll be back. Great atmosphere and great food
(5)Nic G.
Food - I ordered the prime rib 10 oz with fettuccine. It was $29. Definitely the best value on the menu. The prime filet ordered by a friend was great as well. A friend wasn't too impressed with the mussels they ordered. The only downside was that it was too pricey. Ambiance is great. Would have preferred if it were actually on the water, but there isn't anything on the water around the area and this is the closest to it. Suggest calling ahead to reserve the patio. Service - outstanding. We had a table of 7. He didn't write anything down and our order came down exactly how ordered. I wish I could remember the waiter's name but he had a shaved head with a large tattoo on the back of his neck. (update : name is Coleman via receipt) Overall - Almost perfect except for a few people saying their food was just ok. "Just ok" doesn't cut it when you're paying 30-50 for an entree BUT this is the best restaurant in the area. The ambiance and service really add to a great experience.
(4)Courtney C.
I've been wanting to try Vigilucci's for quite some time now- I've heard nothing but great things about it! I am happy to report that I was finally able to try some of their menu items over the weekend. The verdict: Caesar Salad: Not a deal breaker- just commenting on the fact that you'll have to chop your own lettuce for this salad. Chicken Marsala: Cooked to perfection, served with angel hair pasta and a generous amount of sautéed mushrooms. Linguini: For some reason when I ordered this I imagined a white sauce but was given a tomato sauce instead. Regardless, still exceeded my expectations due to the large amount of calamari and size of the prawns. Bread Basket: Because what is an Italian restaurant without good bread? I would have liked to see the bread a little less dense, but I'm not complaining, I still had two baskets worth. :)
(5)Valda Z.
My sister and I were in Carlsbad for a week visiting friends during the Valentines Day week. As usual most restaurants in the area were advertising all sorts of "specials" for Valentines Day with some very expensive pairings of food and wine. We happened to walk by Vigilucci's Cucina Italiana restaurant and reviewed its extensive menu and decided to come the day after Valentine's when the restaurant would have a more normal menu and prices We were not disappointed. The service was superb. We were warmly greeted and escorted to our table. The menu was quite extensive and the prices were reasonable. Even the wine list and its prices were moderate. The food was great as was the wine that we ordered. Dessert was another plus. In short, if you are visiting Carlsbad and are hungry for some great Italian food. This is the place.
(4)Chad C.
Here for a business lunch today, the Carpaccio Di Manzo was the best I have ever had (love the extra capers !!!) Thinly sliced raw filet mignon topped with arugula, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, capers and shaved parmigiano magnifico !!! Followed this with Ravioli D'Aragosta - fresh homemade lobster ravioli finished in a sauce of cognac, leeks, shitake mushrooms and cherry tomatoes then topped with rock shrimp and lobster. 10/10 awesome. If you buy a bottle of their wine there is no corkage fee for bringing your own, Win Win !!! Five stars !
(5)Brittney S.
First timer at this restaurant. We came here for restaurant week- menu was awesome! The calamari was cooked perfect, the filet was a big chewy but the flavor was good. I had the creme brûlée for dessert. To die for! Definitely will come back.
(4)Kim H.
Best gnocci of my life. Soft little pillows of goodness. I ate the whole plate--and portions here are really large. That was a nice surprise. Usually with "gourmet prices," you get tiny servings. Not here. The bread that comes to the table is fresh and warm, wine list is great, and desserts are divine (try the cannolis). Oh, and their patio is dog friendly. We called ahead of time to reserve a table there so our dogs could come. It was easy peasy. The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is that I think it's a little on the expensive side. Pasta dishes should never be $20, sorry.
(4)Jaylene R.
This is a popular family outing restaurant for dinner but the quality of this restaurant seems to be going down.. The ambiance of this restaurant is semi-formal, but often times people come in casual attire since it's so close to the beach. On my most recent visit, there were flies everywhere--even on my glass! My server was around to see that the fly was on my glass and kindly brought me a new one. Other than that nice gesture, our server rarely checked up on us and we had to rely on bussers to pass by so we can ask for whatever we needed. The quality of food went down as well. I ordered the salad that came with raspberries and pears. The raspberries were smushed, the pears were black and overall the fruit just looked old and like it had been sitting out and cut awhile ago. The lemon dressing was not good at all, so I ended up eating my salad without dressing, since I fortunately asked for in on the side to begin with. Bussers came around to box our food AND hand us dessert menus as our server was no where to be found. I ordered the chocolate lava cake and although I can't quite pinpoint what was different about the dessert, it just didn't taste the same and I was really bummed with the overall quality of food and service I received that night. Sadly, I will not be coming back to this location, but I'll probably give the other Vigilucci's not too far from this location another try.
(2)Chris W.
I go here a lot. The food is amazing. They have other restaurants in the area that are equally as good. The ambiance in each of the restaurants is unique but truly an amazing experience. The food is incredible and the wine selection is adequate for the menu selections.
(5)Debbi N.
The food was amazing.......the customer service was 10 stars!!! How amazing is it and rare to find a restaurant with this level of customer service and authentic Italian food.
(5)Arlene Y.
the best Italian food I've had in SoCal, I highly recommend their stuffed artichoke hearts its melt in your mouth wonderful, their expertise on pasta and overall ambiance makes you feel like you took a trip to Italy proper. Great place for date night ;)
(5)Renee M.
Some places you come back strictly for the one meal you had. This will be the case. The ahi poke salad on their lunch menu was INCREDIBLE. I was expecting this little lunch sized portion that was tiny, but it was so impressive. All my coworkers were like "WOW I wish I ordered that", and just smiled and said yeah ;) I didn't even want to share, I was being so greedy. I've been here dozens of times and honestly, it's always great service. I just think it's hilarious they have non-Italians speaking Italian there, makes me giggle. If you haven't been before, try out lunch first to get a feel for their food and prices- dinner can get a tad pricey but all the things I've ordered were worth it. The risotto is AMAZING and you can never go wrong with that!
(5)Matt J.
Well they did it again! What can I say the food is AWESOME! I had the special which was a Sea Food Pasta with fettuccine in a vodka sauce. It has smoked salmon, scallops, shrimp, class, mussels and calamari. Our waiter was Miguel and he was on spot.
(5)Emmy Z.
My cousin, grandpa, and I came here for lunch. I had the Trenette Alla Genovese, which was hands down the best pesto I've ever had. The sauce was flavorful without being overwhelming and the portion was bigger than I expected (which meant I got to take some home, so yay). The servers were warm and friendly, which was good, because I felt out of place ($17 for a bowl of pasta is not my kind of joint). The salad it came with was also delicious, although the plating of just half a cherry tomato and a slice of cucumber made me sad. (Not even a whole cherry tomato?) Also, the salad my grandpa had was interesting. It was literally two giant leaves of lettuce doused in sauce. Good, but odd. How does a person eat two giant pieces of lettuce without looking silly? At any rate, the food was great. The only problem I had was that there were flies buzzing around and a tiny one ended up landing in my water glass (ew). If I'm ever in the area and looking for a nice meal, I'd definitely come here again.
(4)Tee M.
Woo hop delicious Italian food and great service - Our server was Chris who brought us piping hot bread and recommended the fettuccini al Salmone which was relish and we shared lasagna and capellini al Checca that was light and tasty - my other son. Loved the Ravioli ai Crostacei - preferred this to the steakhouse because the Cucina is on State street great for walking off a Big meal! Dessert was great too
(5)Cali S.
Best service, best food!! Staff is always so friendly and professional. The food is phenomenal! Great selection of wine. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Andrea S.
Most delicious pesto pasta I've ever had! Went for happy hour but they ONLY have happy hour if you sit at one of the 10 bar chairs. Not the "lounge" like it specifies on their website. Oh well the pasta was so amazing I didn't even care after I started eating.
(5)Jennifer W.
While on vacation, I was craving Italian for dinner one night. Vigilucci's Cucina seemed like the right spot - good reviews, fun downtown location, not overly fancy. It turned out to be a great choice. I had the penne a la vodka with porcini mushrooms, which had a deliciously flavorful sauce and was cooked perfectly. My husband had the steak over polenta with asparagus and mushrooms. Again a great dish, although the restaurant was a little too generous with the slab of polenta, and could have been a bit more generous with the meat. Overall, a nice experience, fun sitting outside, good food, and reasonably priced. We would go back.
(4)Aaron T.
Food and ambiance at this place was very good. Loved the home made pasta. Hope to be back soon.
(5)Darline D.
Just came here for restaurant week and to celebrate my dad's birthday. Since it's only the start of the week there's ample parking space out front as well as tables inside the restaurant, but it's nice to make advanced reservations anyway so there is a table set just for your party when you arrive anyway. I'd assume closer to the weekend and I'd imagine this restaurant to get pretty packed and the parking to be more sparse. All along the street, if you haven't been around here, are a lot of other businesses and restaurants too. 5 out of the 6 of us ordered from the Restaurant Week menu while the birthday boy got the special fish of the day off the regular menu. The portions were huge! The calamari alla Luciana for an appetizer was so much it could be served as an entree...add some noodles and call it a meal. It's great that the portions are big, and honestly I'm not complaining because more bang for my buck, right? The quality was there though...fresh tomatoes, calamari so fresh I swear I could taste the sea in each bite, and it wasn't rubbery at all. Chef knows what he's doing :). My mom ordered the roasted artichoke hearts (Carciofini al Forno) and it definitely looked good (and I'd have to say they were the best sized appetizer among our bunch). Dad skipped ordering an appetizer but was able to eat a portion of the calamari dish. For our second dish 2 ordered the butternut squash ravioli (Cappellacci de Zucca), 2 ordered the Tagliata Di Manzo con Polenta (black angus filet) dish, and 1 ordered the Capesante ai Pomodoini Secchi (scallops). Dad got the steamed Chilean sea bass with shrimp and roasted vegetables. I got a small bite of the fish and it was very delicate but melted in my mouth. The Cappellacci de Zucca was so filling but delicious. I love the creaminess of the butternut squash, crunch of the walnuts, richness of the browned butter, and the zing from the marinara. I'm going to have the best lunch at work tomorrow with all of my leftovers! ;) The Tagliata di manzo con polenta tasted pretty good too but was big on portion as well. The asparagus were large but very fresh, filets were melt in your mouth, and there was a good crunch texture from what I assume was fried onion slivers? Mom got her favorite Italian dessert, a tiramisu, and there was a good ratio of espresso and brandy, with a thick layer of mascarpone mousse above the two layers of lady fingers. 3 of us got the creme brûlée (orange flavored) and each creme brûlée could easily be shared with two people. Very good but very large. My cousin got the chocolate lava cake (or Tortino al Cioccolato) and ate it all in a hurry after the waiters set it down in front of her, thus why I couldn't even get a picture haha. And dad got some hazelnut and chocolate gelati (they compiled the two flavors together) along with a birthday candle. Service was excellent, speedy, and there were a lot of waiters taking care of us throughout the night to make sure we had the best experience at Vigilucci's, and that we did. The ambiance is very warm, fancy (even though the guest attire looked pretty casual), and the employees looked very sharp and clean cut. Our waiter (I forgot his name) was very informative and very helpful. Eat here for restaurant week or even just with their own restaurant menu and you won't be let down. Here, quality = quantity and it is worth every penny.
(5)Erick H.
One of the best Italian out there I had a ravioli with cheese and spinach it was beyond delicious! I will come back for sure..! You have to try there desserts!
(5)Doug A.
How is this not five stars from everybody? It is just like the restaurants in Italy. Spectacular customer service, your water glass will never stay empty and your finished plates will be picked up in under a minute. The entire waitstaff is constantly on the move and keeping up the basics. Our food was hot--heat hot---on all items. I had the Sea Bass which was perfectly seared in a grill and moist and juicy inside. My wife had the seared chicken--perfect.... Our waiter paired a white wine with our meal and it was paired to a tee. All the waitstaff when we were there were native Italian which was a great touch. Great food, staff and experience. I've got a new favorite Italian food restaurant
(5)Madonna E.
There are several Vigilucci restaurants in our area but this one located near the center of Carlsbad is our favorite. The menu is extensive and we always enjoy whichever fine Italian dish we select, whether it's a perfectly prepared al dente pasta dish with a flavorful sauce or something as complex as a seafood cioppino replete with clams, mussels, shrimp and other ingredients. Additionally, you will not be disappointed at their creative and comprehensive wine list. Service is always impeccable and perhaps because we're regular customers the greeting is always warm and friendly. The atmosphere in the restaurant is cozy and we enjoy the friendly ambience and the businesslike but unhurried pace. It reminds us very much of the European style of dining that we so enjoy. When you are in the mood for well prepared Italian food at a reasonable price, consider Vigilucci's Cucina. We dine there often and its place is high on our recommendation list.
(4)D P.
Good fresh food. Reasonably priced. Real Italian waiter. We will visit again if we r in the area again.
(5)David F.
After a day of traveling from SF to San Diego with two young kids, we were tired, hungry, and in need of some rest. We found Vigilucci's in Carlsbad on Yelp and booked a table for 6:15 - and though we arrived looking a bit scruffy, were greeted warmly and seated promptly. Good start - but when our server - Emma, or Auntie Em as she introduced herself to your soon-to-be-5-year-old son, - greeted us, things went from good to great -- and stayed there. Emma's warmth was surpassed only by her perfect service - attentive and authentic, demonstrating a deep commitment to meet us where we were and give us a wonderful dinner. The kids' food was out quickly (important for a soon-to-be-2-year-old who didn't nap properly!), and when we mentioned we'd try 2 salads and probably share, she made it easy by splitting them on 2 beautifully arranged plates so we could simply enjoy. The Insalata Al Formaggio Caldo featured fresh greens and warm goat cheese crusted with herbs was perfectly cooked - the first of several places the chef's demonstrated a delicate hand - as was thePomodori, Cipolle E Bufala salad. Fresh, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. The mains were wonderful -my wife enjoyed the Penne Alla Vodka Con Porcini, noting the al dente preparation of the pasta - while I savored the Grigliata Di Pesce platter with several distinctive and flavorful seafood preparations. Again the chef's demonstrated a deft hand - the salmon was as perfect as it gets, with a touch of caramelization on the outside and softly flaking interior. We'd have loved to linger for dessert, but two tired toddlers make that a dream too far - and with her keen eye "Auntie Em" had our leftovers packed and the check on the table a instant after I asked. If you've read this far, I hope you appreciate the magic that makes for a great dining experience - and if you're in Carlsbad after a long day I think you might find that magic at Vigilucci's Cucina Italiana.
(5)Tuyet N.
The mister had taken me to the steakhouse(previous review) so decided to try the Cucina since I was craving pasta. Ironically we both ordered the same thing we had at the other location, since our waiter wasn't so helpful with the menu. He seemed as if he was in hurry to get us out of his hair. I ordered Papperdelle al fungi and the mister, his cioppino. These two were very simular to our first experience but My dish I felt could have been more creamier and the pasta was too al dente for me personally. Overall I'd come here again if I was craving Italian food but the Vigiluccis steakhouse hands down had way better service. For the price they're charging, they need to kick it up a notch with their service.
(3)Vivi M.
The bathrooms here are ok but not the best. The water pressure is rough and the seat covers are hard to remove. The bathroom also has paper towels and a few of the paper towels were on a trash can. The good things about the bathroom is that it has pretty furniture and the rest of the bathroom is cute. I ordered the children's spaghetti. They allowed me to substitute angel hair pasta which was awesome. My parents ate my meatballs and they loved them.
(4)Anthony S.
Went here for restaurant week 2014 on a Friday night. Did not have to wait for a seat at all. All the food we had was amazing. No complaints about anything. I got the veal tortellini and lava cake for dessert. Artichoke for appetizer. No complaints at all and it was very worth the $35.
(5)Sally M.
Driving up the coast with the in-laws, we stopped in Carlsbad for lunch. We loved it when Vigilucci's was in La Jolla, so we decided to check out this location. We're so glad we did! Food: We all thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Their lunch specials are decently priced and the pasta dishes come with your choice of soup or salad. I started off with a Caesar salad and was surprised at the presentation. The lettuce wasn't cut up but rather just pulled apart with the dressing, cheese, and croutons on top. It was very tasty and I didn't mind having to cut my salad. This presentation made the lettuce very fresh! For my entree, I had the Trenette alla genovese which is a pesto pasta with pine nuts and chicken. This dish was so good and it was a large portion. I didn't expect the lunch size to be so big, but it seemed like it was the size of a dinner portion (I had leftovers). The pesto and pine nuts went really well with the chicken and the leftovers still tasted great the next day. My husband had the Spaghetti ai Gamberetti and soup for lunch and enjoyed both. I tasted the rock shrimp that came with his dish and it was very good. It's a great choice if you don't want sauce as it's a lighter dish tossed in olive oil. My mother-in-law enjoyed her salmon salad and father-in-law enjoyed the Capellini alla Checca. Overall, the food was delicious and cooked to perfection! Service: It was a weekday, so the restaurant wasn't too busy. We sat outside with our dog and our server was very knowledgeable of the menu, gave us great recommendations, and very friendly. Our server actually used to work at the La Jolla location, so he gave us some insight as to why that location closed. My in-laws were interested in having an authentic Italian dessert and he described their offerings and what part of Italy these came from. They ended up getting the spumoni and enjoyed every last bite of it. The other wait staff was also very attentive and friendly making sure we had enough water and bread as well. Overall, we had a great experience at Vigilucci's with delicious food and fantastic service. If we lived closer, we'd be there all the time!
(5)Lauren Z.
They were out of meatballs today. Too bad. We wanted to split a meatball sandwich. The chicken sandwich was good.... The service was so-so.... It was a little overpriced....
(3)Soojin O.
Worst dog poop in the history of the world! Anyone who does this twice must be insane. $50.22 for two spaghetti dinners that were worse than Stouffer's. I would rather light a 50 dollar bill on fire than return to this place. It would be more amusing. This crap hole takes the cake for one of the worst food experiences of my life. Ripped off super duper hard. I am feeling raped. I will shower now. Once again you have been warned!
(1)Kwang P.
Tried the ravioli lobster per some of the reviews tonight. It was ok, but not oh my god good.
(3)Glen N.
Classy atmosphere, which is likely the big draw, and why it managed to get four stars despite the following complaints. Lasagna portion was big and meat heavy. Not served in a dish, so you miss out on the weird crusty cheese crunchiness I like, but it was good. Wife didn't like her sauce and thought her pasta was undercooked, yet it somehow didn't keep her from suggesting returning the next night (after learning our first two choices were too crowded). I guess atmosphere has a lot of weight. "Undercooked and foul-tasting but oooh a candle."--- my wife's review, and why she's not Elite like me) She didn't like that the oil and vinegar is poured for you... only because you inevitably run out(thanks to Bounty paper towel-like absorbent bread) and if you ask for more, it kinda feels simultaneously trashy and gluttonous. Finally, for those of you worried you might get scurvy you will enjoy the greyhounds because they barely have any vodka from what I tasted. Bad pour. I imagine those wanting to avoid urinary tract infections should order their cape code stat.
(4)Jody K.
The hubs and I were in town and Yelp'd a place to have a nice dinner. This place was only a few miles from our hotel and we wanted Italian. Upon arriving, the good looking host told me to wait just a moment as he picked up their ringing phone. After waiting a moment, another gentleman came and ended up seating us. They originally wanted to put us in the very back corner squeezed in between 2 other tables near the emergency exit door. Being the hubs and I were out of town without the toddler and it was a date night, we asked if we could be seated outside where the weather was nice. They allowed it. Our server was knowledgeable with a nice Italian accent (I actually think most of the had an Italian accent). He was very preoccupied though with other tables so as he would talk to us, he'd be looking at other tables. We started off with the antipasto misto which was basically a sampling of their appetizer menu. It was very good. For entrees, I ordered the Pappardelle con funghi e Capesante which was basically assorted mushrooms with seared scallops in a white truffle and brandy sauce over ribbon pasta. Oh it was devine. So tasty and you can taste the truffle. I ate every last bit of it. The husband ordered their special which was mahi mahi. It was a nice fish steak that came out and quite delicious. I still liked mine better. Definitely would eat here again if we were in the area. The service was nice, the food was great and the weather was perfect.
(5)Ile R.
Came here with a friend. Beautiful authentic Italian restaurant with authentic Italian food run by authentic Italian people! Had a penne pasta with a vodka sauce that was packed with flavor and very filling. Lovely indoor or outdoor patio seating available, with ba view of surrounding restaurants and stores. On Wednesdays at 1pm it seems they have a farmers market, so the parking strip in front of the restaurant is closed, but there is more parking in the back as well as street parking. Fun experience, would love to try some more foods at this place soon!
(5)Julia T.
It can be hard to find a spot with excellent food and a classy ambiance without feeling too stuffy. Vigilucci's does it right!!!!! They have many beautiful locations but not even an ocean view could be better than sitting at the bar in front of the hilariously hospitable Emma!!! She is the best! Welcoming, friendly, and is personal with EVERY SINGLE guest that comes her way. We have only ever sat at the bar but it is clear that the staff members all have a great repor and it is such a relief to be among so many smiling faces when typically a restaurant can be made up of a lot of stressed out employees. Miguel, the manager, remembers every returning guest and is waiting at the door with a warm welcome. He consistently checks in on us throughout our evening.... As if anything could go wrong in Emma's hands.... Customers for life.
(5)Dona K.
An exceptionally enjoyable dining experience. Everything we ordered was outstanding. Our seasoned Italian waiter was wonderful. He was warm and knowledgeable without coming off as disingenuous or pretentious. His timing was impeccable, an essential trait in a fantastic waiter. Our table was cozy and intimate. Everything was perfect for our first night in Carlsbad. You MUST try the Spumoni cake. I would drive back to Carslbad just for that! Thank you Vigilucci's we will be back!
(5)Angie B.
The service was fantastic and a great place for our family gathering. The food was hit or miss. The calamari app was unusually tough, but the charcuterie plate was very good. Veal saltimbocca was fabulous, but the homemade pasta with bolognese was a little chewy and clumpy. Recommend - this is a nice spot for families and on a cute street in Carlsbad.
(4)Allison C.
Early dinner reso for my father-in-law's birthday. Fingers crossed for an enjoyable meal. (We had our two-year-old with us.) We hadn't been here is a few years, but wanted to give it another try. Our server was very pleasant. However, the food and prices left something to be desired. We are more than willing to spend a decent amount of money on an amazing meal. However, we ended up spending a decent amount of money on a "meh" meal. No one was overly impressed with their entree. My husband's gnocchi was the most decent dish. My son's pizza tasted like something that could be purchased at the grocery store. (Not that he cared.) I had a salad and added shrimp. When it arrived, the salad was crowned with a SINGLE tiger shrimp. When the bill arrived, we realized that the single shrimp had added an additional SIX dollars to the total. Yikes.
(3)Cheryl S.
We met some friends from LA here who happened to also be in town. We had reservations for 7pm and were seated right away. The bread, oil and balsamic were a great way to start the meal. My hubby and I split a ceasar salad. It was presented a little differently than we are used to - whole romaine lettuce leaves, topped with croutons, dressing, and shaved parmesan. The lettuce was a little difficult to cut but it was good. I had the rigatoni with sausage and eggplant. The red sauce was amazing. The sausage was okay, and I prefer my eggplant a little more cooked. I would have been just fine with only the pasta and sauce. :) Hubby had spinach ravioli and enjoyed those too. It was noisy and the tables were very close together, but overall, it was an enjoyable meal and we will try it again if we are in the area!
(4)Ed K.
7 of us gathered at 1:00 PM on a Saturday for my wife's birthday. It seems that there was only one waiter and he disappeared after wine was brought to the table. It took over an hour to be served after we arrived. The food was diner quality for premium pricing. My wife and I both ordered the ahi poke salad recommended on a previous Yelp review. The raw fish did not look like the best cuts of tuna and smelled fishy. The salad was mostly chopped cabbage with bottled thousand island dressing. Bottom line: over 2 hours for lunch. food is pricey but unimpressive. The good: None of us became sick.
(1)Christy H.
This is our GO TO! Ahhhhh it's just SO so good. This is our anniversary spot, mom And dad are in town spot, and this year even our NYE spot:) cannot go wrong!!
(5)Angel A.
Service here is good and so is the food. We walked in around 6 for dinner and they only had outdoor seating available. They have heated lamps so it shouldn't be too chilly if you are seated outdoors. Our server spoke with a heavy Italiano accent, typical of Italian restaurants. . Guess the accent adds to the "authenticity" factor. The four of us ordered a scallop linguine, spinach ravioli with bolognese, lasagne, and wild boar ravioli with mushroom sauce. The spinach ravioli and lasagne were very flavorful, but not overwhelming. The bolognese sauce was delicious. My wild boar ravioli was very good, it paired very well with the mushroom sauce. The linguine however, was below average. The noodles were dry and the dish lacked flavor. It wasn't bland, but it didn't have enough flavor. We didn't order wine but I did have a lemonade and a free refill. With these, the bill came out to be around 100 bucks. All in all, this restaurant would be a nice place to try if you're looking for some good Italian food. If you're looking to get stuffed with food, go to Olive Garden. They don't have a private lot, but parking in dt Carlsbad is never too hard as long as you're okay with walking a block.
(4)Marissa L.
This place was absolutely amazing. Best Italian food I've had. The waitress was extremely friendly. I had the spaghetti alla carbonara. It was amazing. Then we had the cannolis and the creme brulee. I live in San Diego and will definitely make a trip up to Carlsbad just to eat here.
(5)Kevin P.
While searching for a new Italian restaurant, we were happy to discover this Yelped place.. Made reservation for lunch on Open Table, arrived & were greeted w/ a smile and handsome waiter who provided excellent attentive service while we dined on the outside patio. Recommendations for lunch items: Gnocchi Al Tartufo, which was excellent, and Penne Alla Vodka Con Porcini, also delicious. The house Chianti was a great compliment to our meal.. Will definitively be back to try their touted Cioppino.
(5)Paul R.
This review is for my fellow Yeplers. This place sucks. Most of you know it, if you don't take some evening classes. I stared off by ordering an expensive bottle of wine and I told the waiter that the only reason I'm here is because they make their own pasta. I also mentioned that I'm comparing them to NY and SF. He told me to order the oso bucco (not pasta). So, I did since it was my second option. It sucked. Bad. The meat was dry and not very warm. Obviously reheated for the second/third time. They tried to fix this by dumping a ton of sauce on top. The side pasta with olive oil and garlic was down right cold. Oh oh oh where's the garlic??? They get two stars for the location and the nice weather. I sat outside in mid October. Back to my fellow yelpers. Please rate place according to price point and quality of food. Here is an example. If you find yourself in south central LA at a.hole.i the wall and they rock your world for $5 them 5 stars is ok, but if you are at Laurant is Paris you can get down right passed off if the party next to you is disruption your conversation because they got a phone call. Everything is not 4 ****.
(2)Patty R.
We had the best dinner and the best server for our anniversary dinner a few weeks ago. Emma, our server, made the whole evening so much fun. She had so much personality and was excellent at her job. We, as a family, wanted to adopt her. The food also was exceptional. I had the seafood special. My 7 year old grandson had two portions of their spaghetti. He almost exploded after his second bowl, but fortunately left room to have his dessert. Emma brought us out a dessert on the house for our anniversary. My husband and I always consider the ambiance and the excellence of your server to add so much to the experience. This certainly was the case in our experience. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Ron L.
Its ok. Nice set up in the village. Never really outstanding but most importantly never bad. I cant really tell the difference between pasta that is fresh, and therefore not my fav and pasta that is just not very good, in that its dense and never seems to have enough sauce. My bet is that the pasta is so fresh that it doesn't suit me. I'd go back but would not make a special trip.
(3)Andrea S.
After about a two year hiatus I decided to give this Vigilucci's another try. THRILLED to say that the two times back have been a great experience! The staff was very helpful, welcoming & friendly. Most importantly though the food was very good! Their caprese salad was so fresh and soooooo tasty. I am very excited to start visiting this particular location more often again. Yay to renewed faith :)
(4)Jason F.
I have eaten here on many occasions and have always left satisfied. The service here is very informative and friendly. The Brodetto di Cozze e Vongole (white wine broth with seasoning and clams/mussels) is a great appetizer for any seafood lover, and the Pappardelle con Funghi e Capesante (wide ribbon pasta with mushrooms and scallops in a brandy cream sauce) is incredible and definitely large enough for 2 people to share. Make sure to try their creme brûlée!
(5)Rian A.
This review is about the happy hour at the bar--we have never sat down for dinner here. This is our favorite spot in Carlsbad Village--we come every year when we're in town. We sit at the bar and enjoy small plates of wonderfulness. They pour exquisite wines by the glass (good pour, too), and you can order from the appetizer menu--stuffed artichokes, meatballs, fettuccine alfredo. The staff is efficient and friendly. But don't tell anybody about this--they only have a few seats at the bar and we don't want it to get too crowded.
(5)kari m.
Boooooo!!!! Really this place has that good of rating?? Stuck up snots were the servers. My pesto tasted like green mayo. Sometimes people are too quick to give 5 stars. Sheep will follow ;)
(2)Mike G.
Overpriced food, stuffy environment, and arrogant wait staff.
(2)Sheila G.
My husband and I ate there for the first time last night. As soon as I walked in I could smell a strong mildew or mold smell. My husband was waiting inside for me and smelled it as well. I told the waiter we wanted to move so we went in the other dining room and the smell was still there but not quite as strong. So we ordered and ate and it was good but when I told the head waiter or manager before we were seated about the odor, he said he didn't smell anything and dismissed it right away saying we could sit somewhere else. But this should be addressed immediately as mold is a health risk and no one should be exposed to this especially in such a nice restaurant. We won't be back till this issue is cleared up!
(3)Adam L.
Vigilucci's is one of our favorite places to dine in North County. The service is exceptional, always polite, knowledgeable and attentive yet not intrusive. At our last visit our pre-booked table was not ready for 15 minutes. People take longer to eat than expected sometimes... it was Saturday night... it happens... and the way it was handled was classy -- with an apology and a glass of champagne. The food at Vigiluccis's is ALWAYS delicious and together with the fabulous service, it's a great choice for dinner. Parking outside on State Street, just cruise up and down a couple of times and a spot will open up. You can sit inside or out, and outside has heaters when it's cold, which is cosy.
(5)Cris Ann R.
This place is a perfect dining experience when it's not Friday or Saturday (just to busy). The staff is very attentive, the food is perfect every time, the atmosphere is wonderful when dinning outside the normal busy Friday and Saturday night. We love this place for special occassions.
(5)Laverne M.
Nice restaurant with outdoor seating & great Italian food. Go for the items w/the V next to them as they are the house specialties. The Caesar was great! The tagliatelli alla bolgonese (spelling not sure), but it was AMAZING!!! Also enjoyed the special risotto. And don't forget the cannoli. We would definitely go back anytime we're in the neighbor or go to any of his other restaurants.
(5)Carlos U.
3.5 stars I took my wife to Vigilucci's for a date night after a marriage conference in Carlsbad. After reading some of the reviews and looking at their menu, it sounded like a good place to go. First parking sucks a bit because there is limited parking in front of the restaurant so chances are you will need to find parking in the back of the restaurant or a nearby lot. then walk to the restaurant. The back door to the restaurant was open, but there was a sign that read to keep the door closed at all times, so we decided to walk around to passing a sketchy bar on the way. When we got there we were greeted by a nice hostess and she sat us in a very crowded dining room with barely enough room to walk in. Our server was OK. His character could have been just a bit more friendly. We got our bread and that was OK nothing spectacular. You get balsamic vinegar and olive oil to dip your bread in, kind of like Maggiano's. This is what was ordered: Fritto di Calamari e Gamberett - Appetizer very good big pieces of calamari and shrimp to dip in some fresh marinara sauce. The only weird thing is that my wife started feeling the roof of her mouth itch and part of her lip after eating some of the calamari, which is weird cause she has eaten calamari many times before. So she might have had an allergic reaction to something in the marinara sauce. Rigatoni alla Siciliana - Wife's Antre She said the sauce pasta and sausage was very good and had a lot of flavor. She could have done without the eggplant in the sauce. Pollo e Salsiccia - My Antre The plate looked amazing, very nice presentation. The chicken was freshly grilled and the sausage was just right with snap to it. The pasta was alright but missing something i cant put my finger on. Spumoni Cake- Dessert We asked the guy if it was really spumoni cake and he said it was the ice cream but on a shortbread cake....I was expecting more cake than ice cream or at least half...so this dessert was OK. Overall it wasn't a bad experience but it wasn't amazing either. They do make the restaurant look very classy and the prices are just right. I would probably come back again if I'm ever in the Carlsbad area.
(3)Eileen T.
This is by far one of our favorite restaurants in Carlsbad. The food is delicious, the service is excellent. We are impressed that almost all of the wait staff actually speaks Italian! We went the other night and the staff went out of their way to help us. It was a truly wonderful experience.
(5)casey H.
Great food, Great service. Our waiter Stephan was there but not, if you know what I mean. Gnocci from Heaven and wonderful artichoke app the we both could have eaten an entire plateful. Great for a week night let's get outta here. Two thumbs up.
(3)Terrance B.
Nice, classy spot for lunch or dinner date. Everything well prepared, perfectly slightly snobby waiters, great pastas and calamari, lunch very affordable. Any Vigilucci's location never disappoints.
(4)L A.
Consistently a wonderful meal and service. I've eaten at all of the Vigilucci's restaurants in North County several times and am always pleased with the food and the service. To start, I had the tomato and Gorgonzola salad. The tomatoes were fresh and hearty. A perfect mix. For my entree, i had the special boar stuffed ravioli w white sauce. The meat was very flavorful and non-gamey. the pasta was firm. Cannoli, was my desert pick and it was delicious!! Yup, i'll be back!
(4)Jerry B.
The hosts aren't bad to look at :p The service is good. The ambiance of the place is even better. I got some version of shrimp pasta that was absolutely amazing! Large portions, pricey, but good.
(4)Hannah J.
I am not a fan. I thought their vegetarian options were uninspired. They make their own pasta and I did not like the flavor. Overall, I think it was expensive and the food wasn't memorable. It just wasn't worth it for the price.
(2)Sean W.
I went here at the recommendation of the girl i was dating at the time. We went around 830pm on a week night & there were only about 4 other tables occupied at the time, so not much in the way of crowd of "vibe"...but very nice setting and beautiful location. The food was very tasty & i enjoyed dinner & desert there. I'll be back at some point but havent "rushed" to go back since its about 40 minutes away from me.
(4)S M.
What a great restaurant! We were visiting Carlsbad and came upon this restaurant on State Street. The food is great, but the real standout was our server, Emma. We were all commenting that we had never received customer service as impeccable and respectful as our time with her. Emma truly made our experience that much more memorable with excellent recommendations, thoughtful service, and a few unanticipated extras. The pasta special was handmade and the sauce was incredibly flavorful. At $26 for a bottle of pinot grigio, the Anterra was surprisingly delicious: crisp, with a lemon, butter, green apple taste. Best tiramisu (it was dripping with rum and coffee flavors) we've had and what a smooth creme brulee!! Highly recommended with a wonderful local staff.
(4)Dennis C.
Found this place on Yelp. What a surprise. One of the best Italian restaurants in So Cal. The food and service was great. Great view of the ocean.
(5)Bob H.
We're from Boston and eat in the North End frequently so we think we know a bit about Italian food. The food we ate, with the exception of the bread, was absolutely first class. We were close enough from out hotel to be able to walk so we did. It's a short walk from the ocean. I can see what others have to say about the parking but we didn't have that issue. Their wine list was excellent with a good mix of high, medium and low end wines, some local, some standard. I had the veal marsala and it was great. The veal was pounded nicely thin and very well cooked (it's easy to over cook it) and the sauce and pasta were beautifully prepared. My wife had their special which was mussels, clams and other delights mixed with pasta. It was delicious. After arriving back in Boston we went over to the North End for dinner and, compared to Vigilucci's it was a disappointment.
(5)King H.
Very pleasant lunch and vey attentive waiter. My in law's scallops looked very delicious. Everyone had a great time. The bread dishes had scraps of bread crumbs on it but otherwise will return.
(4)Jen H.
4.5 stars Came here right when happy hour was ending so it was a little busy. A few minutes after our reservation we were seated. Our waiter took a little long, but he was nice. I ordered the Fettuccine Primevera. I was a little hesitant at first, because there is no meat in it. But I really wanted a fresh pasta with a white wine garlic sauce. Food came out in a decent amount of time. I guess I was expecting a really white sauce, but it almost looked very tomatoey, but I think that was part of the Summer vegetables that come with it. It was a very pretty plate and it tasted SOOOO GOOOD! I was happily satisfied even without the meat. I tried G's lobster ravioli and it was pretty good, but I'm glad I didn't get it. It had a super rich buttery flavor. The sauce was caramelly to me. Bread is really good too! One of my favorite parts was when we were leaving. All the waiters were like "Ciao" in an authentic Italian accent. If I was in the area again I would definitely come back. delish.
(4)Ellen J.
Popped in for dinner here on Memorial Day. I don't know if it was that no one wanted to work on a holiday, but I was seriously disappointed. Based on previous Yelp reviews, I thought we were going to have a great Italian meal . . . it was not in the cards. The good . . . nice patio with heaters. Host was very friendly and accommodating. The fresh out of the oven bread was delicious with the EVOO and balsamic vinegar. After that, everything went downhill. The not-so-good . . . our waiter didn't tell us about the daily specials. We didn't realize this until after we placed our order when another waiter rattled off the specials to the table across from us. Bummer . . . the risotto sounded delicious. Hubby and I ordered two different veal entrees. Both were lackluster . . . not seasoned well. Even pouring salt on them didn't seem to help. I imagine the same would have held true for the risotto, even if I had the opportunity to order it. Our waiter had absolutely no personality . . . another bummer. He was almost robotic. Maybe a robot would have been better as he/she would probably not have forgotten to recite the daily specials! There have got to be better Italian venues in the area!
(2)Cindy D.
Wow...I just love this location and the owners and the SERVICE! We have felt special and pampered every visit! We followed them (sadly) when they left coastal Oceanside for the village. A 'special event' place for us~ because we are made to feel so special every visit~ we celebrated Valentine's Day and our 55th birthdays so far this year.. I requested their fabulous polenta (which is no longer a menu item) and the chef said 'absolutely'! I can not say enough about the service and the integrity of this family. I do not know them personally, but feel as if I do. The food rivals any Italian eatery that I've been to...including a great place in Venice...and it's a lot closer!
(5)Brittany R.
best food and service every time ive ever been here.. which is a lot! GET THE LOBSTER RAVIOLIS AND STUFFED MUSHROOms ahh to die for.. I will only stick to this location for the chef and staff here is amazing. Thank you vigiluccis for always making our night romatic and rememberable!
(5)Lauren C.
I am from the Northeast where Italian food is amazing, so I may be a little biased. Positives: *Waiter was great & very attentive *Staff overall was attentive and constantly filled our water glasses. *Minestrone soup was good *Great location Negatives: *My husband's penne alla vodka was ok but nothing special *My calamari pasta was made up of a lot of bodies rather than rings. The rings are so much better. Overall, it was a nice night out, but the food wasn't anything to write home about.
(3)Jenny B.
They cook homemade pasta al dente. Service and wine are great. I am rating 4 stars because their bread is a little tough to chew.
(4)BJ M.
The location was very nice. But the lobster ravioli was terrible. The filling did not taste good at all it did not taste fresh. It was ground and did not taste like lobster at all. My husband had the salmon fettuccine was very good.
(3)Moto B.
The seafood is way better than what we have in San Francisco! Everything cooked to perfection. I had a seafood with home-made pasta in creamy white wine sauce. The scallop was like...half of my palm, large and fresh. The big prawn almost tasted like lobster lol..so good!! The staffs are extremely friendly and attentive. If i ever head South again, Vigilucci's i will be back! (Also try the tomato vodka cream sauce, omg so good)
(5)MR. T.
This was a nice place. I had the lobster ravioli which was really good and good price, the seafood pasta was good as well, but too little sauce. The special fish of the day was not good and for $30 bucks you'd expect it to be softer. Four stars if it was consistent, but it wasn't. My dish was good but unfortunately not the others. Good ambiance and wait staff.
(3)Mark C.
Tried for the first time recently with a big group. Service was awesome. Very nice and accomodating. Nice atmosphere overall even though the other customers kept giving us dirty looks since we had some kids in our group. Good wine list. Good warm bread. Food was mediocre, though. The penne with chicken and brocolli was just ok, very plain and bland though it was fresh tasting. Chicken was a little tough and dried out. Kind of like a fresher made Lean Cuisine meal. Risotto with sausage special was better but not great. Risotto was hard and sauce was way too thick and sausage tasted like pizzeria sausage, not gourmet at all. Not delicate at all. Tasted like it was made by an ameteur. Calamari was quite good, though, but a little chewy. Prices were outrageous for what you get. I will never come back. There are much better values in the area.
(3)David Y.
Great authentic Italian food.
(4)Deborah D.
Italian restaurant a little out of the town center but right on the coast with ocean view. Service was very good, and so was the food. It seems authentic Italian to me but with a nod towards the local burger crowd also. Well worth a visit in the evening. Less busy at lunch time. Parking isn't easy but they have valet and a small lot. There is a very small patio but it's right on the main road opposite the ocean. I think it's best to eat inside.
(4)Jason M.
Excellent food and service. Very very good food. Just so flavorful and authentic. I took my wife here (before she was my wife) to celebrate our engagement. We had a wonderful time, great wine and cheesecake was freakin great! Our waiter was really great. I love the little place too. So cozy and nice. I will be going back because when you find good Italian food and Italians know this, you want to go back again and again cause it's difficult to find true good Italian food that has not been totally Americanized. Excellent place all the way around!!!
(5)Rebecca S.
My family took my mom here for her 65th birthday last week. Our reservation was at 7 p.m., but because of a medical emergency (a neighbor went into labor and needed someone to watch her kids), we were an hour late. Thankfully, it was a Tuesday night so the restaurant was not full. The food was delicious -- I had the Papardelle con Funghi, which had succulent mushrooms, perfectly textured pasta and succulent, large scallops -- not to mention the truffle sauce. My mother had the Grigliata Mista, which is a whole lot of quality assorted seafood for only $22. The food was rich and of a good quantity. Both my dad and my brother finished their dishes, and my mom and I (having smaller appetites) boxed up about a third of ours to take home. The service was standout. Courteous, and the management is actually Italian. My brother ordered a creme brulee for my mom's birthday, which they not only brought out with a candle but took off of the bill as well. I've never been to Vigilucci's Steak and Seafood, but Cucina Italiana is slightly less expensive ($85 for four entrees) but seems to lack nothing in quality and ambience. A great choice for a grown-up, intimate dinner. Not at all crowded on weeknights.
(5)J L.
The pasta was good. We ordered Penne, Linguini, and Gnocchi. They were all cooked and seasoned nicely. The food is solid 4/5. The bread and wine were 3/5. I've ordered house super tuscan by the glass. The first glass was obviously from a bottle opened the previous day. Second glass was much better. The bread was forgettable. The service was good. Waiter was very attentive and quick and gets 4/5. However the manager at the front was not. She first steered our group with 8 year old kid to a table right next to the bar where people were socializing and drinking. Then despite having a reservation and restaurant being 2/3 empty we were seated next to the busy service station. She gets 2/5.
(3)Robbie T.
Excellent Spaghetti and meatballs, fresh hot tasty homemade bread with olive oil, a good chianti, friendly attentive service...and a view. Don't over think this one, its all you need for a great dining experience. Relax and enjoy.
(5)Edwin L.
We had been to pretty much all of the Vigilucci's restaurants in San Diego. Our favorite is the Steak and Chop house, but this time we wanted the Italian (Pasta) cuisine. When we arrive the place was pretty full, where as many of the other restaurants on State street were empty. We sat outside on the patio, the perfect place to relax. We were promptly attended by the busser and waiter - excellent service! We started with the Mozarella and Beet salad with shrimp (very tasty). I decided to have the special and my wife the Vitello - both delicious. The manager Paulo (a great manager that sees everything) came to say hello and recommended in house made ice cream. This was some of the best I have ever had. All in all, Vigilucci is one of the better chains in San Diego and this restaurant in particular deliver excellent food and service for a very reasonable price. Keep doing what your doing!
(5)Vince C.
We recently went here on a Saturday evening for dinner. We started off with the Mussels and Clams in a white wine broth and then finished up with the gnocchi (for my wife) and the carbonara (for myself). All dishes were really great and the service was outstanding. We really wanted to try a desert but we were too full. We will definitely revisit this restaurant anytime we are in Carlsbad.
(4)Linda K.
I dine here once or twice a month, usually for lunch. I love the fresh salads that they create and my daughter loves the pasta. The food is always fantastic and the service is friendly and perfect... Anything to please a customer. Fresh food and great service brings me back. My only complaint is that they need to spend some money and CLEAN THEIR CARPETING!! Every time I walk in I am hit by the odor of filthy carpeting and it grosses me out. There is nothing more disgusting than a smelling dining experience. The floor is gross. Get that bad boy cleaned up Vigilucci's....
(4)Anya B.
Great restaurant in Carlsbad Village. While parking right in front of it might be a little tricky, there is plenty of parking around - no big deal. We reserved a table and it was really busy on a Friday at 06:30. Great specials - I had the Filet Mignon and couldn't have been happier. Also ordered the Creme Brulee and it was heavenly also. With wine, salads and desert I would definitely say it's a special night price-wise, but absolutely worth it. Our waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable about the wines and menu. The manager is around and it seems that they take pride in their restaurant and menu. Highly recommended!
(5)Heather W.
Took the owner of a company here yesterday. It was empty when we walked in, but filled up fast during lunchtime. Our server was great, and handled leaving the chicken off my colleague's salad with great gumption and humor. He ended up giving us a free creme brulee'-very tasty, I might add. The food itsself was great and fresh. I had plain capellini and honestly it was filling, and delicious. I had a bite of my assistant's calamari-fresh and good. Also, pricing was extremely reasonable. I'll be back. Prefer this place over Cafe' Pommodoro.
(4)S and C K.
My husband and I eat here about once a month and we have never been disappointed! We usually take our 3 year old with us and have never had an issue. The maitre d' and staff are fantastic and service is fast and efficient without rushing people out the door.
(5)Sheri C.
Delicious, but can,t pronounce what I ate. Shells with white sauce and tomatoes, meatballs and asparagus!
(4)Ray F.
our families go to place for a wonderful meal authentic and perfect ambiance .
(5)Bri A.
AMAZING!!! Went here on a Sat Night and everything was awesome. I love that they serve bread with Olive and Vinegar. They have decently priced wines. And their entrees are priced well also. For 2 people, wine, 1 salad, and 2 entrees we left with a $50 bill. Not bad for a fine dining Italian restaurant. And the service was excellent.
(5)Jo M.
One of my faves: entire meal there is great, but the Spumoni cake is the must have. Quick, easy valet, great food, great atmosphere.
(5)Beeza B.
This place is awesome! Its a little overpriced but if you come during lunch hours then the prices are much more reasonable. All the pasta dishes are amazing and authentic. Also, the soups, paninis and deserts that I have tried here are all great as well. Service is really good too, it seems that real italian people work here! The overall ambiance is also a big plus, check it out.
(4)Heidi R.
Mushy "catch of the day" for $30, fist-bumping servers that don't refill coffee until you're leaving, $9 mediocre side salad, and out of requested wine. Won't recommend.
(1)Harry R.
This place is excellent! These guys know what they're doing...real Italian style. Was going to a Japanese place but it was closed so we walked in here after seeing ratings on Yelp. Yelp was correct! Had my children with me and the place was really nice...sat outside. They have kid friendly menu. Had the Polenta e Gamberi and Minestrone soup for appetizer....excellent! Main dish was special of the Day Lobster Risotto and Pappardelle con Funghi e Capesante (loved the homemade wide ribbon pasta!!!). Both were excellent. This place is a little hidden from PCH and inside downtown Carlsbad...but if you're in the area and looking for good Italian food...THIS IS THE PLACE! A little pricey but if you can splurge and looking for a nice place to take a date, family or friends....look this up. They have other restaurants. Definitely want to check them out....especially the one on PCH "Vigilucci's Seafood and Steakhouse".
(5)Amy Y.
Ok - nothing special. Atmosphere & service were ok. Don't need to go back.
(3)