Semola La Jolla

Sort by

Filters

1. F

   Foodlover

   San Diego

   9 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined today

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Fabulous! Wine pairings were excellent!

   Report
2. D

   David

   New York Area

   3 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall4food4service1ambience4

   Great menu and solid dining experience. Service was very disappointing and not attentive. Would still go back as good is among best in La Jolla but set low expectations for the service experience.

   Report
3. CW

   CorinnaW

   San Diego

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall4food4service4ambience4

   This is a cute spot with great service and delicious food! I highly recommend it!

   Report
4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Denver

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   I was looking for something different for a last minute birthday meal. Semola definitely delivered. Excellent service, unique preparations and helpful wine suggestions. Semola is breath of fresh air in the La Jolla dining scene.

   Report
5. d

   davido

   San Francisco

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on June 18, 2022

   overall2food2service4ambience1

   Sea Bass dry and flavor disguised by sauce. Pesto pasta with scallops good. Very uncomfortable seating Dead vibes Way too expensive for what we got. Bread was good. Couldn’t wait to leave. Went next door for dessert and drink. Good luck!

   Report
6. HD

   HaloDeck

   San Diego

   66 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   66 reviews

   Dined on June 12, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   A party of four for brunch. We had the mimosas that included a bottle of Prosecco and three different seasonal juices. The Prosecco served was *very* good (not your typical overly sweet Prosecco), and was ideal for mimosas. All the dishes served were delicious, but the Pasta Alla Gricia is NOT TO BE MISSED!! It was so good, we ordered a second one for all of us to share. It's made in the classic Roman style, and it was fantastic.

   Report
7. AS

   AlexS

   London

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on June 12, 2022

   overall2food3service2ambience2

   Slow service wh

   Report
8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Diego

   1 review

   vip
   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on June 12, 2022

   overall1food2service2ambience1

   We were seated in the loudest indoor space possible with servers moving back and forth past our table at high speed. Zero ambiance. Asked to be reseated but was ignored. Was with my 85 year old mom. Disappointing. We left.

   Report
9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Diego

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on June 12, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Do the tasting menu and pay the extra for tier 2 wine.

   Report
10. S

    Sherlock

    San Diego

    55 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on June 3, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Small restaurant serving Italian food and on special nights special French and other ethnic foods so best to check what is on for the evening's offerings. Enjoyed the meal prepared by a chef from Rome and related to the owners. Service was top notch!

    Report
11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Exceptional service by Laura and delicious food.

    Report
12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    I’m so excited this restaurant has come to La Jolla. The food was some of the best I’ve had in San Diego.

    Report
13. c

    cmata

    San Diego

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Overall a great experience. We had a family member visiting who is vegetarian and we wanted to try something different. Every item felt like a piece of art. I don't think we could have gone wrong with anything we ordered. We started with 4 appetizers, L’Insalata di Semola, Wagyu Carpaccio, Esquite in Fiore and the Il Giardino Segreto. The Il Giardino Segreto was over the top amazing and unique. The Crudite even had a smokey flavor and the hummus was unlike anything else. We'll end up wishing we had it as a side dish/appetizer for as long as we can remember. For entres we ordered Fugazetta, Limone e Pecorino, and Raviolo Kaiseki. The wine list was unique and our server went out of her way to explain every item carefully and pair our meals with the best red wines. She even allowed us to taste some of the wines to make sure we'd enjoy them. I highly recommend this venue, whether you are vegan, vegetarian or a meat eater. It was Delicious. The only thing we didn't partake in was dessert.

    Report
14. C

    michelleC

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 30, 2022

    overall1food1service3ambience1

    The food was below average. The pasta was tasteless and overpriced. Don’t waste your money one this experience.

    Report
15. RG

    RobertGFromLaJolla

    San Diego

    50 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This is my fifth visit to this wonderful restaurant. Each meal has been outstanding. I really like the creative food design. The bread and butter at the beginning of the meal were outstanding. The wine choices range from reasonable and good value to exceptional with proportional pricing of course.

    Report
16. R

    92037Res

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 29, 2022

    overall3food3service5ambience3

    Food was creative and mostly tasty, but portions extremely small and waaay overpriced.

    Report
17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing food and excellent service and value… I will definitely going back again..

    Report
18. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful would go aagain

    Report
19. R

    Rachel

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had an amazing food, wine and service while celebrating the restaurant's one year anniversary!

    Report
20. C

    Chris

    San Diego

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    It was my first but definitely not my last time to visit this restaurant. I was lucky enough to score a reservation for their first anniversary and it was outstanding

    Report
21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic food. Engaged service. Very cool vibe. Love this place!!!

    Report
22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wedding anniversary

    Report
23. M

    Mandie

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Fantastic in all respects. One of the most inventive resturants we have been to in the San Diego area.

    Report
24. N

    Nattie

    San Diego

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    came for dinner and it was amazing! Enjoyed everything I got :)

    Report
25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Sincere greeting, excellent accommodations, great character and personal service.

    Report
26. CT

    ChristopherT

    San Diego

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Hidden gem in La Jolla! Elegantly prepared and delicious Italian food with attentive service from very friendly wait staff. We will be back!

    Report
27. F

    Friend

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    I'm a big fan of Ambrogio, so was looking forward to this "higher-end' option from our Milanese friends. Food was solid, service excellent, but we'd like to go back and explore more, and we want the guys from Milano to succeed here in San Diego!!

    Report
28. JA

    JimA

    Denver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great place. Special food and excellent service. Definitely recommend this place for lovers of Italian food with a flair.

    Report
29. TD

    TedD

    San Diego

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very modern fusion similar to Shanghai restaurants

    Report
30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    This place really wants to be something special, and it has all the elements it needs, but it’s just not quite coming together for them. The quality of the ingredients is there, but they’re getting in their own way with the execution. Risotto was cooked perfectly, but lacked depth, salt, and butter. Pasta was perfectly made and cooked, but arrived cold. Complimentary dessert was delicious, but the gelato was half melted by the time it got to me.

    Report
31. JL

    JimLocal

    Minneapolis

    126 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    126 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    First, I will qualify by explaining that I have been to several Michelin-star restaurants, among them French Laundry, Pet Se, Alinea, Eleven Madison, Le Bernardin, Daniel, etc. I only mention this because I was informed that Semolo aspires to earn a Michelin star, and, so, I judged accordingly. I enjoyed the 5-course tasting menu. It was exceptionally well-conceived; the dishes were unique, prepared with fine ingredients, creative combinations (such as scallops with shaved wasabi with red pepper flakes and marinated in ginger), and two types of raw tuna served with a Bloody Mary sauce and accompanied with a hearty glass of Barolo. The dishes all benefited from superb knowledge and an appreciated willingness to please the palate of their guests. My one caution: I paid $99 for the upgraded wine pairing (standard is $49). Given that this translates into $10 additional per “glass” (which are small pours), I found no value in the upgrade, and would definitely recommend against it. Frankly, I would have been further ahead if I’d ordered two servings of the standard pairings ha-ha), or stopped at Bev Mo to get a nice bottle of red, and paid Semolo a corkage fee.

    Report
32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Semola js my new favorite restaurant in San Diego! I have always been passionate about new dining experiences and every time i eat there is a special one! Yesterday i got to try the new summer menu and jt was jncredible! The creativity of the chef, the presentation, the flavors, everythjng was spot on! I had many dinners around the world, from Noma to Pujol, from Alinea to Dom and i can tell you, the team at Semola is going the right direction! 10/10!

    Report
33. r

    rashg

    San Diego

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 10, 2022

    overall3food2service2ambience4

    The food was highly overpriced for the quality and portion size. Appetizers were under-seasoned and my steak was over salted with sides on the plate being cool when it arrived. The servers were very nice but the promise of a Michelin inspired meal is highly over sold. Note that the scallop appetizer is one scallop sliced thinly for a lot of $$. Good wine list

    Semola La JollaResponded on April 11, 2022Dear Ms. Rashmi Ghandi, we are sorry you did not enjoy your experience. Our menu is developed by Chef Daniela Martinez & Michelin Star Chef Silvio Salmoiraghi with the goal of creating a modern fusion between different cuisines, with an Italian soul and a Japanese Kaiseki Style. Our dishes are correctly priced based on the quality of the raw material and the creativity behind it, with our Acquerello Scallop SASHIMI being a great example of Chef Silvio's cuisine. We wish you the best

    Report
34. T

    Torontiff

    San Diego

    74 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    74 reviews

    Dined on April 10, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience3

    Very special food. Something for everyone. We shared 3 dishes and were very satisfied.

    Report
35. D

    David

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    Average - won’t be going again.

    Report
36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 1, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    One of the best meals EVER! The tasting menu was so well curated and delicious, it’s a must try! The lamb ragu was out of this world. I live in Chicago and have dined at the restaurant that was rated number one in the world and this food was at that caliber of excellence!

    Report
37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was some of the best food I’ve ever had. We did the 5 course chefs meal, it was INCREDIBLE and the whole team was so sweet

    Report
38. HD

    HaloDeck

    San Diego

    66 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    66 reviews

    Dined on March 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    The absolute best dining experience of my life. Read the whole review to understand why. We dined as a party of four, at the Chef's table with the premium wine pairings. So admittedly, we had the best that Semola offers. For credibility, we have enjoyed many fine dining meals including French Laundry, Le Bernardin, Eleven Madison Park, Restaurant Guy Savoy, Lasserre, Marsan par Helene Darroze, and many others, many times. We have had incredible dishes, and wine pairings by Aldo Sohm himself, but what made Semola special was the intimate dining experience delivered by Chef Daniela Martinez and co-founder Giacomo Pizzigoni. Chef Daniela weaved stories from her life, and references to the staff and owners, with each course that she directly presented, highlighting its personal meaning. Giacomo similarly shared each wine's provenance, and the special reasons why he chose each one, and he did so in a way that connected emotionally. We felt we were dining in their home. Each of the eight courses were superbly presented, and most were Michelin Star worthy. Creative, playful, smart. Each of the 8 wine parings were excellent, with three being exceptional. The amazing thing about Semola is that it's in a simple space, on an off-street, in the quaint Village of La Jolla. They will surely grow, and become another great destination restaurant, but likely lose the intimacy. Go now, and when you do, enjoy the Chef's table. An experience that you will treasure.

    Report
39. S

    Schin

    San Diego

    11 reviews

    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 27, 2022

    overall3food5service5ambience1

    The food was excellent and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. However, we sat at a table inside the small adjoining room and every time the servers opened the door they let in the cold air and left the door open. It was like a parade of servers and one of the diners had to jump up and close the door. Unfortunately, the couple at the table next to us brought their two boisterous young children , one of whom liked to stand on his chair and argue with his mother. Next time, we’ll do takeout.

    Report
40. FB

    FrederikaB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Semila created the most exquisite meal I have had since moving to San Diego from New York City. I was in the food world in NYC, and what a joy to find such a passionate chef and restaurateur in La Jolla. They understand the table is where family and friends come to celebrate each other’s company. Every dish was delectable and the personal attention was remarkable.

    Report