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The Best of San Diego Dining Scene

Restaurant: Review | Info Page
Location: La Jolla & UTC
Cuisine: Italian
Chef: Emilio Bertoli
Recipe: Signature Recipes
Customer Reviews: 31 Reviews
Gift Certificates: Buy Online
Menu: Sample Dinner Menu

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Location	Cuisine	Price	Service	Food	Total
La Jolla & UTC	Italian	$$	Outstanding	Excellent

Sante excels at bringing the traditions and elegance of fine Italian dining to the La Jolla Area. Chef Emelio Bertoli’s delectable Northern Italian cuisine ranges from delightful treats, such as homemade paperdelle with a wild boar ragu, to reliable favorites, such as risotto di frutti di mare, a rich risotto with clams, mussels, shrimp and calamari. An outstanding and extensive wine list complements every dish on the menu. The classic setting is full of old world charm, as is the gracious host and owner, Tony Buonosante. With a combination of fantastic service, great food, and warm atmosphere, it’s no surprise Sante continues to be a local favorite. More..

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User Reviews

July.02.2009 12:39

Name: Charles
Restaurant: Candelas on the Bay
Title: Candelas on the Bay
Review:

We've lived in Chula Vista for about ten years and have enjoyed many of the fine resturaunts in and around the San Diego area. For our twentieth wedding anniversary I was looking for a special restaurant for the occassion. While doing some research online I came across this site, and, impressed but a bit overwhelmed by all the choices available, I asked for some suggestions through the site's free Group and Events Services.

Many thanks to Jessica, who offered several excellent choices perfectly tailored to my requirements. I decided on Candelas on the Bay. I'd never been to Candelas before and while I was passingly familiar with the Ferry Landing area on Corondado, I could not recall ever seeing this restaurant. I called the restaurant and talked with a very pleasant young lady who helped me with directions and parking, and who agreed to care for a vase of roses I later brought by on the day of our reservation. The restaurant does not gaurantee special seating, but as the reservation was on a Wednesday, I was hopeful of getting a table with a nice location.

That evening we arrived at the restaurant about ten minutes prior to our reservation. There was a pretty good crowd for a Wednesday and the restaurant was busy. The young lady at the front recognized me and immediately showed us to our table. The vase of roses was already in place and our table even had a Reserved sign on it. The table was exactly where I wanted, next to the celing high glass that looked out on the water and the San Diego skyline.

Our waiter, Daniel M., also welcomed us to the restaurant and congratulated us on our anniversary. He was gregarious and knowledgeable, talking over the menu with us and making some suggestions. He gave us some time to study the extensive wine list. The ambience was perfect, with the view and setting. Despite the arrival of a large group not long after we arrived the noise level remained muted. I do have to report that there was a mixup in service which led to a considerable wait. Daniel explained later that he had been asked to help with the large group that had arrived and had been told our orders would be taken by another server.

Once that was cleared up Daniel remained as our waiter and we had excellent service the rest of the evening. A server came by and offered us a choice of breads. We selected the cheese bread, which was very good. We both had a glass of Fallbrook Chardonnay with a Candelas label, one of their more inexpensive wines. The flavor was a little light, but quite good for the price. In between the bread and the main course, Daniel brought us a bowl of soup, courtesy of the restarurant, for us to try. It was suberb, with just the right spice to it. Our dinner choices arrived quickly, and was well presented.

My wife had selected Manjar Vallarta (Chillean Sea Bass), while I had been enticed by Daniel's description of the special catch of the day. We both love Mexican cuisine, but we don't often try the seafood selections. This time we were glad we did. We were very pleased that both the sea bass and my dish (I can't recall the name of the fish, but which was described in much more eloquent words than I by Daniel as similar to halibut, but better) were fresh, tasty, and nicely complimented by the sauces used. I also greatly enjoyed the crab stuffed tomato that came with my dish.

We watched people enjoying a walk on the beach or the pier, marvelled at the sailboats taking advantage of a breezy day, and lingered to view dusk come to the San Diego skyline. A tangy lemon sorbet and a flavorful after dinner liquer topped off our dinner. Overall it was a perfect evening for our anniversary. Excellent and courteous service from both the young lady at the front and Daniel, a fine atmosphere, and outstanding food.

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