CUCINA urbana

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Address:
505 Laurel Street
San Diego, CA 92101

Neighborhood:
Banker's Hill

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Cuisine:
Italian

Price: $30 and under

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CUCINA urbana Details

Dining Style: Casual Dining
Website: http://www.cucinaurbana.com/home
Phone: (619) 239-2222
Hours of Operation: Dinner:
SUNDAY | 4:30p - 9p
MONDAY| 5p - 9p
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY | 5p – 10p
FRIDAY + SATURDAY | 5p – 10:30p dinner | 10:30p – 12a pizza + vasi

Lunch:
TUESDAY - THURSDAY | 11:30a-2p
FRIDAY | 11:30a-5p
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Italian, American
Executive Chef: Joe Magnanelli
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Catering: URBAN KITCHEN CATERING provides four star, stunning events with menus unique to your occasion. For more information check the URBAN KITCHEN CATERING link on our website www.urbankitchengroup.com or call Alison at 619.239.2222 extension 2. Or if interested in restaurant buyout opportunities, please contact Tiffany Tassano at 619.239.2222 extension 1.

Getting there

Cross Street: 5th Avenue
Parking: Valet

A word from CUCINA urbana

Welcome to CUCINA urbana, a casual Italian American Neighborhood Kitchen and Wine Shop located in the heart of Banker's Hill. The menu highlights the cuisines of various Italian regions with a distinct California ‘farm to table’ flair for which the Urban Kitchen Group has become known. Chef Joe… Magnanelli is excited to preview his Italian heritage and create dishes that are fresh, simple and seasonal. Items include: antipasti, artisan pizza, pasta and piatti. Enjoy wine by the glass or visit the Wine Spectator award-winning wine shop and select a bottle from over 100 selections at retail price ($8 corkage fee applies). The space features contemporary elements and vintage artifacts creating the feel of a modern Italian kitchen combined with the history and comfort of an old rustic country farmhouse. A focus on raw, sustainable material is evident with much product coming from recycled/reclaimed local sources.
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerItalian
Diners' Choice WinnerFit for Foodies
Diners' Choice WinnerHot Spot

CUCINA urbana - Best Restaurants in Banker's Hill

Diner Reviews

"A really imaginative menu but nothing so crazy you'd hesitate to order. Very fresh foods, local produce for a great salad. The best octopus I've ever had and good service. The prices aren't bad, either. My wife and I attempt to try out a new spot at least once a week; some we won't go back to in the near future. Cucina Urbana will see us again, soon!"
Dined on 7/17/2014
"Excellent service, very good food, and well worth the cost."
Dined on 7/14/2014
"The menu is incredible! SO much selection...I get excited just thinking about it! Took my husband for his bday, as it was our first time there. We tried some of the more popular items, and we were very pleased. He loved it so much...we're going back for his bday celebration with his entire family. We'll be there tonight!"
Dined on 7/12/2014
"Very strong in the food category. Our guests commented that the parpardelle were one of the best dishes they had ever eaten and they were foodies who eat all around the world. Loud and difficult for conversation but the food is worth the sacrifice...You can always talk later!!!"
Dined on 7/12/2014
"Cucina has been one of my favorite restaurants since it's opening; however it has been a few months since my last visit. I was, therefore, truly disappointed on Saturday when everything seemed "off." The food was less-than-memorable...with one of our four entrees being inedible (a total surprise since it was one of our favorites.) The waitstaff were efficient, but blasé. And the usual animated vibe was nowhere to be found. I'm hoping that our experience was an anomaly rather than an unexpected evolution."
Dined on 7/12/2014
"Cannot say a bad thing. It was delicious! We all had a wonderful time. The service was great. Make reservations far in advance of not you will be eating late."
Dined on 7/11/2014
"We found the food bland and just average. I had the arugula salad which was overdressed and a half portion of risotto which was rich but bland. My daughter had the roasted chicken with fava beans. She's an enthusiastic health food lover but didn't eat the dish, because she didn't care for the seasonings. I ate some of it and found it mediocre. My husband ordered the shrimp puttenesca pasta and said it was uninspiring. I had heard this was a great restaurant and really wanted it to work, but we will not return."
Dined on 7/11/2014
"We had 6 pm reservations and coming from N county were 25 minutes late because of bad traffic. I called and were told they usually hold the table 20 minutes but accommodated us and held the table longer, which I appreciated. The waitstaff was friendly, efficient and got us out in an hour so we could make the play in time. Good food, good wine. Overall a great experience."
Dined on 7/10/2014
"I found the menu to be just about perfect. Innovative, a good range of choices in all categories (starters, mains, desserts, etc.) but there was a coherence to it all that kept everything tied together. I tried the Polenta with braised pork ragu (a signature dish); it was a tad salty but wonderful nonetheless and the presentation was fun and appropriate. The grilled pork chop was also a wee bit salty but otherwise perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. The nutella-stuffed chocolate truffle desert was out of this world good. The service was perfect and we appreciated a drop by from the owner. The ambience was decidedly upbeat but not out of control. People were definitely enjoying themselves and there was a lot to enjoy!"
Dined on 7/10/2014
"Loved this restaurant from the location to ambiance to the wine "store" to the food and service! Our best dining experience of our trip to San Diego!"
Dined on 7/8/2014
"Very much enjoyed this dining experience. Low point was the noise level"
Dined on 7/8/2014
"the servers and bartenders are really helpful and know what to order! This is one of those places you can order anything and it'll all be amazing and fresh."
Dined on 7/6/2014
"One of the SD favorites! Simply great food, service, wine. Check out Sun night no corkage fee...."
Dined on 7/6/2014
"We enjoyed our evening at Cucina urbana. We started out at the bar while we waited for our table and were entertained by the skilled and entertaining bartenders (Good show, guys) and enjoyed a cocktail and a pleasant Sangiovese for Happy Hour. We moved to a table when it was ready and appreciated our waiter's recommendations. Some of the food was not to my taste but I thought charred Brussels Sprouts were fantastic. The Gorgonzola Walnut Mousse, Poached Pear pizza was too sugary for me, though it was overall tasty, just sweeter than I was expecting and not my favorite crust. The whole fish was very nicely prepared and very fresh and the couscous was a saffron lover's dream. The service was good, the table comfortable."
Dined on 7/6/2014
"One of our SoCal favorites... Food is always great, service is awesome. We did have some hiccups when we first arrived (we were brought to a table at the same time as another group- after they'd refused their original table... they sat, we had to wait), but once we got to our table, everything was great. Try the polenta boards!!!"
Dined on 7/5/2014
"This place never fails to deliver. Every visit seems to top the last one."
Dined on 7/5/2014
"I have been here a number of times and I am never disappointed. The service is always excellent, from the host desk to the servers to the bussers and food runners. The food is outstanding. On this visit, amongst other things, we shared the veal sweetbreads and the stuffed squash blossoms. Fantastic!"
Dined on 7/5/2014
"My family group of 5 ate a Cucina Urbana at 5:45 before strolling over the Old Globe to see Othello. Food was delicious. We tried a number of dishes. Started with the squash blossoms and mini mason jar of cherry tomatoes. Both were unique and yummy. Favorite dinner entre of our group was the Agnolotti. Tender pasta with great flavor. Finished by sharing the Zappole Nutella filled donuts and Strawberry Tart. A great finish to a great meal. Our waiter and busboys were very attentive and the service was extremely prompt. The walk over to the Old Globe is about a half a mile and is very pleasant way to enter the theater complex."
Dined on 7/5/2014
"We have taken our friends there several times and everything is great we like to try different items on the menu and have nevver been disappointed. Great wine list and the cheese and meat sampler is wonderful."
Dined on 7/3/2014
"Brought a client, his wife and daughter to Cucina Urbana after hearing rave reviews about this restaurant from friends. We had a stellar experience. We were given a table away from the fray so we could converse easily. Our server knew the menu well and was attentive without being obtrusive. The martinis were perfectly prepared and I appreciated that the corkage fee was only $20 as I had brought three bottles of wine. The food was fantastic; we all shared and every dish was perfectly prepared. I plan to return in a few weeks with another client."
Dined on 7/3/2014
"awesome, great food, great service one of our favs"
Dined on 7/2/2014
"While in San Diego I have to dine at Cucina. Food is delicious, service is friendly and knowledgeable. A casual yet elegant ambience makes this a "must go" while in town visiting family. My sibling and I discovered this place when it first opened and they are regulars. I would be too if I lived here!!! Yum!"
Dined on 6/29/2014
"Absolutely amazing. So glad we went here! The food was great and reasonably priced."
Dined on 6/26/2014
"When we got there it seems The music was too loud, but as we got used to it everything was fine"
Dined on 6/26/2014
"I visit Cucina Urbana pretty often. The food and the service are consistently great. Whether I have a server who I know or someone new, my party is always well cared for. This visit was to celebrate a birthday, and the server's thoughtfulness made the occasion extra special. The food, a a always, was perfectly prepared. Chopped salad was delicious. Peppers stuffed with ricotta, the market veggie, was amazing. Pork chop, burger, and a simple margarita pizza were all wonderful. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'll be back!"
Dined on 6/25/2014
"I think they have improved the menu. It was good before but it is even better now. Our service this last visit was excellent as it is most nights. It is a happening place. It is not a quiet hideaway so be prepared for a bit of noise."
Dined on 6/25/2014
"loved eating at Cucina, will be returning soon. Food was outstanding, ambiance modern and rustic. You must have the truffle fries and the arugula salad along with whatever entree you choose!"
Dined on 6/25/2014
"Very nice place, valet parking (always a plus), greeted well and seated quickly. All staff were friendly and attentive, but not overbearing. We started with the liver pate & the mussels for app's, then had the beet salad, spicy shrimp and pear pizza, all very tasty. For dessert we shared the Nutella/crème fraiche and cappuccinos...the staff were always around, but not pushy, they kept us well hydrated and answered every question with ease. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone."
Dined on 6/23/2014
"The menu selections were mouthwatering, very nice presentation, delicious."
Dined on 6/22/2014
"Very convenient pre-theater dining. Shuttle to Balboa Park. Modern, casual ambience with excellent service both times we've been there. Love the suckling pig appetizer. Portions generous, lite eaters can split an entree. We've enjoyed the sea bass, lasagna, and short rib papardelle (very rich). Look forward to returning."
Dined on 6/22/2014
"I have to say i was skeptical about all the above average reviews, but Urbana. Innovative recipes and great integration of ingredients to old dishes make for a good surprise. This is not a classic steakhouse, so do not expect THAT kind of menu here. If you are into new tastes and something totally different than what you are used too, than try this place. It did not disappoint me or my wife. The prices match the menu and a great surprise that I did not expect nor have I seen in any other restaurant recently is that THERE IS NO MARK UP ON THE WINE! You pay for retail price of the bottle and uncorking. I will be back as soon as I get an opportunity, maybe for brunch or lunch just to try a different menu. Thanks for night out CU!"
Dined on 6/21/2014
"Good food-a bit busy...a fun place to bring a date."
Dined on 6/21/2014
"I loved the ambience of this place -- the rustic decor gave the interior a very relaxed feel. The food was a nice experiment in exotic combinations of savory and sweet. Our waiter, Kevin, was very attentive, polite and particularly helpful when it came to choosing from the menu and wine list. The Sangiovese was very smooth. The creamy polenta with mascarpone was amazing, and the ragu was a perfect accompaniment -- bold, bursting with flavor and rich-tasting. My tastebuds were truly delighted. If one were to chose anything off the menu, I doubt that you could miss."
Dined on 6/21/2014
"Brought a couple from Illinois to Cucina Urbana on Sat night. Ordered a variety of food items, wine, desserts. Wonderful all the way around!!"
Dined on 6/21/2014
"Our server was amazing. He was friendly and watchful, and really knew how to please."
Dined on 6/20/2014
"Great food at this place that doesn't look this amaxing from the outside."
Dined on 6/19/2014
"I had my first visit here with my mother and husband. The gorgonzola vase with wine poached pears was wonderful. We followed it with the fried squash blossoms, arugula caprese salad, and entrees of the short rib pappardelle, carbonara, and funghi pizza with added fennel sausage. All of the dishes were wonderful! The service was friendly and prompt! Will return again for dinner soon."
Dined on 6/18/2014
"Outstanding food, service and wine list. The Vasi-gorgonzola walnut mousse & poached pair, arugula & heirloom tomato salad and entrees of lasagna al forno and green garlic tagliatelle carbonara were nicely seasoned. Chocolate espresso budino dessert is decadent. The décor is lovely, even in the clean restrooms. Valet service makes parking a non-issue. Nice surprise to find wines at different price points that are not usually on wine lists but I know are good and have in my private collection. Our server always arrived when we needed him. The staff were great at clearing our dishes promptly, keeping our water/wine glasses filled. They let us linger after the dinner so we could visit and I never felt as though we were being pushed out."
Dined on 6/16/2014
"Fabulous food and service. Must try the stuffed squash blossoms. Pastas are wonderful. Chicken was also yummy."
Dined on 6/16/2014
"Always does a great job. Love the spicy brussels. Nightly deals are awesome."
Dined on 6/15/2014

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CUCINA urbana Details

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