Charisma Cucina Italiana

Name: Charisma Cucina Italiana
Address: 142 University Ave., San Diego, CA, United States, 92103
Telephone: (619) 209-3636
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.4

4.4

43 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

142 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Innovative
Good for special occasions

We are a family run, italian bistro. We try to make in house as much as we can, including bread, some pasta and all the desserts. We come from the Amalfi coast, which to me, is one of the most beautiful and colorful places in the world .My sister (my business partner) recently moved from Italy, and she is in charge of the kitchen while I run the front of the house. We've been in the restaurant business for as long as I can remember. I was nine when my father decided to open his first trattoria in the Salerno area.The year was 1970. It seems like yesterday! From then on, it's always been the food industry. Cooking it's just second nature for us; a way of life.

We hope you enjoy your dining experience with us!
Antonio and Maria Pia

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Lunch: Saturday - Sunday : 11:30am - 2:00pm Dinner: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday,Friday,Saturday,Sunday: 5:00pm - 9:30pm,. TUESDAY CLOSED
Phone number
(619) 209-3636
Website
http://www.charismacucinaitaliana.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
142 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
Neighborhood
Hillcrest
Cross street
3rd Ave
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout

Bruschetta$8.00
Toasted bread, chopped tomato, fresh basil, garlic & extra virgin olive oil
Carpaccio Di Manzo$12.00
Thinly sliced raw beef, arugula, shaved Parmesan cheese, capers, lemon & extra virgin olive oil
Tagliere Misto (Serves Two)$16.00
Mixed cold cuts, cheeses, pickled vegetables & olives
Caprese Burrata$12.00
Sliced tomato, basil, fresh burrata & extra virgin olive oil
Fritto Misto$14.00
Fried calamari, shrimp, zucchini & artichokes
Cozze E Vongole$12.50
Fresh mussels & clams steamed in garlic, white wine & tomato broth
Carciofi Alla Giudea$12.00
Artichoke hearts sauteed in extra virgin olive oil, garlic and basil
Carpaccio Di Polipo$12.00
Thinly sliced octopus in a citrus dressing, rucola, pink grapefruit, sweet peppercorn

Secondi

Melanzane Alla Parmigiana$16.00
Thinly sliced eggplant baked with mozzarella, Parmesan, tomato sauce & fresh basil pesto
Bistecca di Maiale$16.00
Grilled pork shoulder steak in a sauteed mushroom sauce, touch of cream, garlic, olive oil
Petto di Pollo Farcito$17.00
Roasted chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella cheese and spinach over roasted bell pepper purée
Pollo Parmigiana$17.00
Classic chicken parmigiana, an American favorite
Tagliata con Rucola$25.00
11 oz grilled new york steak served over arugula lettuce, topped with shaved parmesan cheese
Zuppa Di Pesce (Serves Two)$30.00
Classic fish stew (Cioppino), calamari, fish, shrimp, mussels & clams, garlic tomato broth
Pesce Del Giorno
Catch of the day!
- M.P.

Insalate

Della Casa$7.00
Mixed baby greens, tomato, balsamic dressing
3 Colori$9.00
Mixed baby greens, carrots, tomato, avocado, celery, lemon dressing
Pere & Noci$10.00
Baby spinach, caramelized walnuts, sherry pear, Gorgonzola cheese, balsamic dressing
Rucola & Grana$9.00
Italian rocket lettuce, cherry tomato, shaved parmesan cheese, lemon dressing
Bietole & Mele$10.00
Beets, mixed baby greens, green apple, goat cheese, fresh fennel, balsamic dressing

Paste

Lasagna Tradizionale$16.00
Homemade traditional baked lasagna, with meat sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese & bechamel
Pappardelle al Ragù Di Agnello$16.00
Ribbon pasta with lamb meat ragout, mushrooms and tomato sauce
Spaghetti Con Polpette$15.00
Pasta with ground beef meatballs, tomato sauce
Ravioli di Aragosta$17.00
Lobster ravioli, fresh chopped tomato, mint, garlic & extra virgin olive oil
Ravioli di Carciofi$15.00
Artichoke filled ravioli in a gorgonzola cheese sauce
Tagliolini Neri Mediterranei$18.00
Black squid ink pasta with shrimp, calamari, clams & mussels, light spicy tomato sauce
Pappardelle Charisma$15.00
Ribbon pasta, pork sausage, green peas & mushroom, cream sauce
Gnocchi a Piacere$13.00
Ricotta cheese and flour dumplings with topping of your choice

Drink

Red

Merlot, Tierra del Fuego - Chile 2013
- Glass$7.00
- Bottle$23.00
Cab. Sauvignon, Tierra del Fuego - Chile 2014
- Glass$7.00
- Bottle$23.00
Chianti, Pontevecchio DOCG - Italy 2014
- Glass$8.00
- Bottle$26.00
Cab. Sauvignon, Maddalena - Paso Robles CA 2011
- Glass$9.00
- Bottle$33.00
Pinot Noir, San Simeon - Monterey CA 2013
- Glass$10.00
- Bottle$35.00
Barbera Bow Tie - Italy 2011$23.00
Malbec Postales - Argentina 2015$25.00
Tempranillo, Siglo Crianza - Roja, Spain 2012$26.00
Merlot San Simeon - Paso Robles CA 2012$26.00
Zinfandel, Mc Nab Ridge - Mendocino CA 2012$26.00
Rosso Toscano, San Felice - Italy 2013$27.00
Chateau Vieux Manoir - Bordeaux France 2011$28.00
Raudii (Merlot / Corvina Grape) - Italy 2012$30.00
Ripasso, Vigneti di Torba (Single Vineyard) - Italy 2012$34.00
Chateau Maine D'Arman - Cotes De Bourg France 2010$36.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, San Simeon Estate Reserve - Paso Robles CA 2012$36.00
Chianti Classico, Riserva Il Grigio - Italy 2011$36.00
Rosso di Montalcino, Campogiovanni CA 2013$40.00
Zinfandel Opaque - Paso Robles CA 2013$44.00
Cab. Sauvignon, Flying Horse - Sonoma CA 2066$45.00
Meritage, San Antonio Cask 520 - Paso Robles CA 2009$48.00
Amarone Domini Veneti - Italy 2011$60.00
Barolo Bel Colle - Italy 2007$70.00

White

Pinot Grigio, Villa Alena
- Glass$7.00
- Bottle$25.00
Sauvignon Blanc, Fernlands - New Zealand
- Glass$7.00
- Bottle$25.00
Chardonnay, Maddalena - Monterey CA
- Glass$8.00
- Bottle$28.00
Riesling Maddalena - Monterey CA
- Glass$7.00
- Bottle$26.00
Chardonnay, Kinderwood - CA.$20.00
Vermentino Perolla - Italy$25.00
Gavi Le Rive - Italy$28.00
Soave Classico - Negrar$28.00
Pinot Gris Marisco Ned, Marlborough - New Zealand$23.00
Viura Carlos Serres, Roja - Spain$20.00

Rose

Fonte Do Nico (Dry) - Portugal$20.00

Sparkling

Prosecco Stella Rosa (Dry) - Italy$8.00
Brachetto Stella Rosa (Medium Sweet) - Italy$8.00
Rose Louis Perdrier - Cote D'Or France$30.00
Prosecco Diama - Italy$30.00
Champagne H. Blin - France$6.00
80% Pivot Meunier 20% Chardonnay

Birre

Peroni (Pale Lager) - Italy$6.00
Guinness (Dark Stout) - Ireland$6.00
Stella Artois (Pilsner) - Belgium$6.00
Fat tire (Amber Ale) - USA$6.00
Blue Moon (Wheat Ale) - USA$6.00
BirraDell'Eremo 17oz (IPA Craft Beer) - Italy$10.00

What 43 people are saying

Charisma Cucina Italiana reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4

4.4 based on all time ratings

4.4Food
4.4Service
3.9Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

43 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
San Diego4 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 3, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was excellent and the owner and staff was so nice. Great experience!
Is this helpful?
AD
AnnD
Los Angeles5 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 6, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fabulous food, fixed to perfection with the best ingredient. I never knew what real Mozzarella was until I had their Caprese Salad. Amazing! The Lobster Ravioli was tender with an incredible tomato sauce and the Salmon with Pesto was cooked to perfection, moist and light, not overdone and rubbery like most places cook fish. Lovely experience, I plan to go again.
1 person found this helpful
b
boss315 VIP
Nashville40 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 20, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food in a homey atmosphere! What a find that is a great creative place... best kept non touristy secret in San Diego. We have traveled and dined all over the world and this has to be one of the top places we've eaten!
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago4 reviews
3.0
Dined on February 18, 2017
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
My husband and I were on vacation. We got massages and wanted to grab a bite before our movie. We were excited to go to this restaurant as we just visited the Amalfi coast this fall. However, there was a rain storm and takeout orders were completely disruptive of our meals. It was chaos with the takeout orders. There was a printer in the dining room to manage those orders. It was so distracting and we were one of 3 tables and felt completely ignored. I understand that this is unusual and abnormal for this spot, but we truly were disappointed in our experience at this location. The food was great and the atmosphere was fine.
1 person found this helpful
B
Beezcurious
San Diego2 reviews
4.0
Dined on February 15, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Great food. Very small so it got really loud and was hard to carry a conversation with the person across from me. Overall a good place to eat.
1 person found this helpful
MP
MarkP
San Diego9 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 15, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We enjoyed this meal at Charisma as we always do--good food and good service. Highly recommended.
1 person found this helpful
SP
SteveP
San Diego16 reviews
4.0
Dined on January 22, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Very small but good food and good service.
1 person found this helpful
OM
OscarM
San Diego54 reviews
4.0
Dined on January 8, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Nice find in Hillcrest, food was very good, attentive service from all the staff. Great restaurant to try, authentic Italian cooking.
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
Munich1 review
5.0
Dined on January 1, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Fantastic Italian restaurant! One of the best in San Diego, I will definitely go back.
1 person found this helpful
ML
MargaretL VIP
San Diego12 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 1, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
darling place, friendly staff, excellent food - fun for New Year's Eve!
1 person found this helpful

FAQs

Charisma Cucina Italiana offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 209-3636.

Charisma Cucina Italiana is rated 4.4 stars by 43 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

142 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103

Additional information

Cross street
3rd Ave
Neighborhood
Hillcrest
Hours of operation
Lunch: Saturday - Sunday : 11:30am - 2:00pm Dinner: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday,Friday,Saturday,Sunday: 5:00pm - 9:30pm,. TUESDAY CLOSED
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout

Website
http://www.charismacucinaitaliana.com/
Phone number
(619) 209-3636

Charisma Cucina Italiana

About this restaurant

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Apristomaco

Bruschetta$8.00

Carpaccio Di Manzo$12.00

Tagliere Misto (Serves Two)$16.00

Caprese Burrata$12.00

Fritto Misto$14.00

Cozze E Vongole$12.50

Carciofi Alla Giudea$12.00

Carpaccio Di Polipo$12.00

Secondi

Melanzane Alla Parmigiana$16.00

Bistecca di Maiale$16.00

Petto di Pollo Farcito$17.00

Pollo Parmigiana$17.00

Tagliata con Rucola$25.00

Zuppa Di Pesce (Serves Two)$30.00

Pesce Del Giorno

Insalate

Della Casa$7.00

3 Colori$9.00

Pere & Noci$10.00

Rucola & Grana$9.00

Bietole & Mele$10.00

Paste

Lasagna Tradizionale$16.00

Pappardelle al Ragù Di Agnello$16.00

Spaghetti Con Polpette$15.00

Ravioli di Aragosta$17.00

Ravioli di Carciofi$15.00

Tagliolini Neri Mediterranei$18.00

Pappardelle Charisma$15.00

Gnocchi a Piacere$13.00

Drink

Red

Merlot, Tierra del Fuego - Chile 2013

Cab. Sauvignon, Tierra del Fuego - Chile 2014

Chianti, Pontevecchio DOCG - Italy 2014

Cab. Sauvignon, Maddalena - Paso Robles CA 2011

Pinot Noir, San Simeon - Monterey CA 2013

Barbera Bow Tie - Italy 2011$23.00

Malbec Postales - Argentina 2015$25.00

Tempranillo, Siglo Crianza - Roja, Spain 2012$26.00

Merlot San Simeon - Paso Robles CA 2012$26.00

Zinfandel, Mc Nab Ridge - Mendocino CA 2012$26.00

Rosso Toscano, San Felice - Italy 2013$27.00

Chateau Vieux Manoir - Bordeaux France 2011$28.00

Raudii (Merlot / Corvina Grape) - Italy 2012$30.00

Ripasso, Vigneti di Torba (Single Vineyard) - Italy 2012$34.00

Chateau Maine D'Arman - Cotes De Bourg France 2010$36.00

Cabernet Sauvignon, San Simeon Estate Reserve - Paso Robles CA 2012$36.00

Chianti Classico, Riserva Il Grigio - Italy 2011$36.00

Rosso di Montalcino, Campogiovanni CA 2013$40.00

Zinfandel Opaque - Paso Robles CA 2013$44.00

Cab. Sauvignon, Flying Horse - Sonoma CA 2066$45.00

Meritage, San Antonio Cask 520 - Paso Robles CA 2009$48.00

Amarone Domini Veneti - Italy 2011$60.00

Barolo Bel Colle - Italy 2007$70.00

White

Pinot Grigio, Villa Alena

Sauvignon Blanc, Fernlands - New Zealand

Chardonnay, Maddalena - Monterey CA

Riesling Maddalena - Monterey CA

Chardonnay, Kinderwood - CA.$20.00

Vermentino Perolla - Italy$25.00

Gavi Le Rive - Italy$28.00

Soave Classico - Negrar$28.00

Pinot Gris Marisco Ned, Marlborough - New Zealand$23.00

Viura Carlos Serres, Roja - Spain$20.00

Rose

Fonte Do Nico (Dry) - Portugal$20.00

Sparkling

Prosecco Stella Rosa (Dry) - Italy$8.00

Brachetto Stella Rosa (Medium Sweet) - Italy$8.00

Rose Louis Perdrier - Cote D'Or France$30.00

Prosecco Diama - Italy$30.00