CUCINA urbanaA great spot in Bankers HillThis is fast becoming one of our favorite dining spots in SD.The food is always imaginative and delicious. Service is superb, even when crowded. Good wine selection at very reasonable prices. A perfect place for dinner before a show at the Old Globe.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMBest dinner ever!People have been telling me for over two years that I must go to Cucina Urbana. Finally, I did and truly regret not going sooner! What an experience, one of the best meals I have had in San Diego! The ambiance is truly unique and just a beautiful space to relax and be filled on all senses...comfortable plushy chairs, beautiful art and decor all masterfully lit, great conversation with your dinner guests, the most wonderful smells to entice you to the meal ahead and the flavors...the wine...the food...oh the food. Rustic, yet elegant. Robust and sublime. Heavenly.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAwsome Experience!!Great food, great staff, great service, great ambiance and beautiful restaurant. This place is Amazing!! Need I say MORE!!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food in Gorgeous settingIt was my first time in San Diego. Picked Cucina Urbana to take my travel companion to celebrate his birthday. We both loved it. It is absolutley gorgeous. The food was very good, and the service spectacular. Lot's of people having lots of fun. (Did I mention the place is very BIG! But in a good way. Vibrant!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMSaturday Nightone of the best meals ever! the polenta of the day ranges from superb to brilliant. squash blossoms are amazing, risotto, chicken and short ribs are to die for. the desserts are perfect. I have eaten there 10+ times and have never been disappointed. make reservations, because the place is always busy. they have other resturants in Del Mar and Irvine, just as good!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMLunch and dinner in Cucina UrbanaVery nice place to eat! Different !
Good food and wine. Should like to try more dishes. A pity that we live in Europe!
At the time we were there it was very crowded because of Mothersday. But all was very good!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, atmosphere, and serviceI consistently have a great time at Cucina Urbana. The food is always very well executed, interesting, and delicious. The service is attentive even though the restaurant is always very busy. The hardest thing about eating here is getting reservations, so plan ahead!5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMI will be backI am a San Diego local and drive past CU on a regular basis but never had an opportunity to dine in... Finally got the chance to enjoy the eclectic menu with my family while celebrating my mom's birthday last Thursday night.
Everyone, including my 80+ year old grandmother, was impressed with the menu, wine options and service. The only complaint was the noise level- which I didn't mind- but for anyone hard of hearing, it could be hard to keep up with conversation.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMTerrific Pizza!The best pizza we have had in a very long time! Simple but perfect crust, great flavors and a good size for one hungry person. They have an unusual wine list with many labels I didn't know but we found a very nice and reasonable Chardonnay. Our waiter actually recommended it and it was $20 less than the other one I was considering; that was refreshing!5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAbbondanzaThis is a great place and will certainly go again. The food is creative and goes well beyond the tomato sauce Italian of some of San Diego's older restaurants. Clearly the chef knows real Italian food - especially from the north - and does it well.
No real complaints but a couple things to keep in mind. The wine list is good, and has a number of moderately priced options. But it lacks wines under $30 a bottle. Also it's a bit noisy. Great with outgoing friends but not a place to take someone shy and soft spoken.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellentWhat a winner of a restaurant - awesome, rustic trendy, almost Anthro decor. All the food looks delicious - We wanted every plate that passed by us and were so happy with our choices of the squash blossom, chop salad, and branzino, followed up with a delicious caramel dessert. Will be back!!5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMTerrific Lunch!Great food, good service. Having trouble with this program or I'd write more.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMBusiness lunchTook a client to lunch and the food, service and wine were all excellent. Had the pizza and it was perfect. Highly recommend.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently GreatMy wife and I have been to this restaurant several times - just the two of us and with large groups. In each instance, the food has been excellent.. On this most recent visit, we shared a stuffed zucchini blossoom, a heirloom and burrata cheese caprese style salad, short rib papparadelle pasta and veal piccata. The veal piccata dish was my favorite - extremely tasteful, and the stuffed zucchini blossom. We had an excellent glass of chianti from the wine by the glass menu as well. We were too full for desert but would have enjoyed one of the great choices.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom Houston TexasMust say in town for one day, bartender at hotel recommended Cucina Urbana, easy acces, atmosphere fantastic, food beyond all expectations and price wonderful. No cork fee Sunday, octopus appetizer out of this world5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMA winnerVery loud venue with great table service. Altho the place was very busy we had 3 different people waiting our table. They were always there when U wanted them, but not pushy or a pest. The polenta ragu $14 although a little runny, is delicious- ragu very flavorful. The Farmer's chopped family style salads (serves 3-4) for $12 is a real bargain and has lots of great stuff in it. They held our leftovers while we went to the theatre with easy pick up upon our return. I'd skip the pizza next time- it was unremarkable. This is the place to try that unusual dish you normally wouldn't go for. I will return soon.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat eateryWe decided to eat perched on the stools at the entrance to the restaurant where the noise levels were not quite so high.. This being the only downside of an otherwise very enjoyable experience. Prompt efficient service, interesting menu and great food all made for a terrific night.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMHigh accolades for CucinaHigh accolades for Cucina Urbana. Creative, FLAVORFUL, food that you can enjoy in jeans if so desired. Foodies will not be disappointed. Ambiance is festive, not fussy. You will be well taken care of by the wait staff. I can't wait to go back so that I can try more menu items! Check out the menu online. Cucina Urabana is that rare place where the menu description doesn't do the food justice. Best of all, you can enjoy all this without breaking the bank. Must try!5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMLove Cucina Urbana! TheirLove Cucina Urbana! Their food is always amazing and the service is stellar!5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMOur waiter was fantastic andOur waiter was fantastic and every thing he suggested was as he reported-he was from Dusseldorf and a gem!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe only negative here isThe only negative here is the noise level. Otherwise it is a great restaurant.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMfirst time for lunch as wefirst time for lunch as we always go at 5:00 pre-theater for The Globe. Enjoyed it very much. Not crazy about music selection.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMAmbiance & First-class serviceI love introducing my personal & professional colleagues to Cucina. I'm a high school administrator and having such a vibrant place to share ideas takes our creativity to another level. Pete is my favorite server. We've been fortunate to have his first-class service for at least 3 visits.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat all aroundGreat all around.
Love the atmosphere. Not quiet romantic but a great place for a special occasion.
Christian was great at explaining the menu and working with us to get the right wine based on our tastes.
The short rib pasta plate was great.
The Gorgonzola and pear spread was something that I had never had before and found it great.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMDefinitely on my list of returnDefinitely on my list of return visits. Everything was wonderful and welcoming from the moment you walk through the entrance until you leave. Never felt rushed and the food was incredible. The only problem is after yu have sampled the delicious menu options, one would need to take a walk around lovely Baboa Park before reading the Dolci menu.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMCucina is my go to restaurantCucina is my go to restaurant to meet a friend for dinner or a special occasion. Original, eclectic menu options. The service is impeccable. Add it to your list of favorite restaurants!4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food. Interesting menuGreat food. Interesting menu and drink selection. Outstanding service.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMAMAZING! Loved the atmosphere,AMAZING! Loved the atmosphere, loved our server, we had a difficult order becuase of 'exceptions' and he handled it like a pro and made us laugh. Drinks were pretty weak (low alcohol) but delicious.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food, wine and service.Excellent food, wine and service. A fabulous, fun restaurant. Our party enjoyed immensely!!!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMLove this place !!! GreatLove this place !!! Great atmosphere wonderful service and good food !!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful! We love it andWonderful! We love it and the beet salad with relish was spectacular!4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was lick your plateThe food was lick your plate good! Our waiter was very helpful with an excellent wine choice. We celebrated a special occasion and the staff was very helpful and went above and beyond to a seamless perfect special dinner out.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMBest place ever!I LOVE Cucina! The food is different and wonderful. The wait staff is fabulous. Just can't praise the restaurant enough.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat... everything...!!!Always a favorite... better book fast or else you have to go somewhere else.
I live in the neighbor hood and I love it...
Great place!4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently delicious, comfortableConsistently delicious, comfortable and fun. We really appreciate
their approach to wine pricing with a very reasonable mark up. This is
our "go to" nice venue when in San Diego whether on business or pleasure.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMhad to wait about an hourhad to wait about an hour for our table, but the manager was very nice and gave us free starter and prosecco for our anniversary. It made the wait much better!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMCucina Urbana is EverythingCucina Urbana is Everything is touted. Had the short rib Pappardelle, Beet salad and pizza. Everything was great4/12/2013 12:00:00 AM"Lively" does not begin to"Lively" does not begin to describe the experience as you walk in. The sound volume is a hardy roar (although conversations at our table of 3 was definitely possible) from all the conversations going on at once and it does not let up. But if that volume level is not a problem for you - your dining experience will be more than rewarded. Creative combinations of flavors and textures await. Service was superb (our waiter was Pete) !! All in all - a wonderful experience that was rated "the best meal" by the out-of-town guests who have dined at wonderful restaurants around the world.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and great employeesGreat food and great employees at reasonable prices.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfectionFood is inventive and delicious. Stuffed squash blossom appetizer was bursting with flavor. Pork chop and short rib papperadelle were outstanding.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMCAN`T GET ENOUGHTHIS PLACE IS JUST THE BEST,WE TOOK OUR CLOSE OUT OF TOWN ORANGE COUNTY FRIENDS THEY CAN'T ZOOM BACK UP THE COAST FAST ENOUGH.... THEY WILL BE AT THE CUCINA URBANA THERE IN O.C.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWe always have a great dinnerWe always have a great dinner experience with Kevin our waiter.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous food. Start withFabulous food. Start with squash blossoms, have the arugula and prosciutto and tomato salad, and you're on your own from there! Great service, affordable wines, and FUN!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMHad a good table, food wasHad a good table, food was delicious and our waiter was very helpful.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely first-rate foodAbsolutely first-rate food with great service. Our waiter suggested an ideal wine pairing which was also surprisingly reasonable, and one I'd never had (and I do know my wines). The only catch is the very high noise level. But the maitre d' kindly allowed us to wait for a table to emerge in one of the less noisy areas, so good conversation was possible.
What a wonderful experience! Next time in San Diego, this will be my first dinner stop!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMawesome food experience, iawesome food experience, i love this place already4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMlovely atmosphere. Table wasntlovely atmosphere. Table wasnt ready however staff appologised. Very busy restaurant service was just right. Food very good.Lovely evening.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant provides aThis restaurant provides a shuttle bus to the Old Globe Theater if you dine with them. We left our car at the Valet ($7) and took the shuttle to catch "A Doll's House". Then the shuttle picks you up after the show. That really sealed the deal for us. Plus the food is great and reasonably priced. I don't think you could go wrong with Cucina.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a great dinner.....We had a great dinner..... My husband objected to the noise level, but otherwise everything was great.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is my favorite restaurantThis is my favorite restaurant in San Diego. The food is always great, service attentive, and experience memorable.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AM