Monello

I've never written a single review in my life but let me tell you... I'm floored by the shrimp ravioli. It needs to be said. Also service is amazing, I was freezing outside & I didn't even have to ask to move inside, an employee walked up to me & offered to move us in. Server was an absolute sweetie pie! It was packed but Kristina P was amazing & so kind. Third time I've been here & I've always left full & happy.

We selected this restaurant for mothers day because other restaurants were taking advantage of patrons by making the menu an "experience" and charging over $100 a person (looking at you Cohen Group).

The reservation process was smooth using Open Table and the restaurant called to confirm. We had a reservation for 6, but 6 of us showed up. No problem. We were greeted immediately, and led to our large table.

Service was prompt, and the menu explained to all. Everyone had something different, and no one was disappointed. Portions are large and filled with flavor.

We started with bread and Calamari and it was delivered quickly and was crispy and very flavorful. Two different sauces were provided and each added great flavors.

I had the 4 braised beef stuffed gnocchi, and it was amazing.

No room for dessert, but it did look tempting.

Paid about $30 per person and had plenty to eat and a few enjoyed a glass of wine.

Highly recommend.

Been wanting to try new places in little Italy and stumbled upon here that's just right off the main strip. Came on a Thursday night and it was busy but we got seated without a reservation fairly quickly outside.

We ordered a prosciutto pizza to share which was amazing. Portion was huge and generous servings of prosciutto on top. The balsamic vinaigrette really put it to the next level for us. We also ordered a creamy shrimp pasta (forgot the name) and a lamb ragu. Lamb ragu was probably the best thing we ate here and I'd come back just for that.

My boyfriend and I went to Monello for a cute date night this past weekend. The food was okay overall if we're talking about quality, but factor in the expensive prices, and it was subpar. I think there are definitely better restaurants in Little Italy though so don't come here unless you've already tried other options. The best thing we got was the tartufo pizza which was cheesy and topped with shiitake mushrooms and black truffle. The worst thing was the $30 special cheesewheel pasta they lured us into getting. Not worth $30 for a quantity that would fill the stomach of an 8 year old. Don't get me wrong, it tasted alright, but we regret not getting a typical pasta off the menu. Our waitress didn't tell us that we wouldn't get to see the cheesewheel on our table when the pasta was being mixed in it, and tbh, that's the only real reason we wanted to try this special dish. Tldr; if you are going for the cheesewheel, remember to walk up to the place where they have them & monitor; do not expect them to do it in front of you or tell you that it's even happening.

Here are some other things we got (we're both vegetarian):
Formaggi Misti - assorted cheese collection: I'd give this a 8/10. I love charcuterie board vibes and this was definitely that. They gave a little bit of fig on the side as well on the board, and it paired well with the cheeses. I despised the blue cheese, but every other cheese was good. The flaky one is top-tier, and the cubes otherwise are what you can find at a normal store of normal quality.

Homemade bread (served with the burrata and cheese board): I'd give their bread a 5/10. It wasn't soft. They didn't serve it with oil and balsamic vinegar like Italian restaurants usually do. It was hard.

Burrata - basically a deconstructed caprese sandwich: 3/10. We're both a fan of caprese/pesto style items, so we were excited for this. But, paying $20 for tomato slices, burrata, and some arugula with a pesto spread. Definitely not worth the money and you could probably make this yourself at home (with a lot more pesto too) for half the price. Avoid this if you can!

Cavolfiori - cauliflower with aioli: 6.5/10. Nothing special and definitely not spicy, but it was a decent starter food for us. Get this only if you really like cauliflower though since it wasn't fried enough for me and a tiny bit would let you see raw white cauliflower inside.

Tartufo Pizza - Delicious. 9.5/10! A bit more on the cheesier side so this is perfect for cheese lovers. It has the authenticity of Italian pizza. We also requested chili flakes and they accommodated for that.

Moscato - We bought a bottle of their white wine and it was delicious. If you like sweeter flavors but also powerful wine, then get this!! Honestly, the best wine I've gotten and this with the pizza were the only two things worth the price (maybe the cheese board too).

My recent dining experience at Monello was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warmth and hospitality. Carleigh, our server, provided top-notch service throughout the evening, ensuring our needs were met with a smile.

Now, let's talk about the food. Monello truly delivers on authentic Italian cuisine. Each dish was bursting with flavor and made with care. From the classic pasta dishes to the mouthwatering desserts, every bite was a delight.

Whether you're craving a cozy dinner for two or celebrating a special occasion with friends, Monello is the perfect spot. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to indulge in delicious Italian fare served with a side of excellent service. Grazie mille, Monello, for a memorable dining experience!

Beautiful local restaurant in Little Italy of San Diego! It was about 15 minutes walking distance from my hotel near downtown. I booked a reservation with my team for a party of 4 at 6:30 pm on a Wednesday night through OpenTable for reservations. We decided to eat outside on their patio since it was serene evening with breeze and sun that faced the waterfront. The restaurant has heaters that you can have turned on to fend off the cold. Our server was super helpful in providing us their favorites and recommendations. I know this restaurant was good since I had trouble narrowing down what I exactly wanted.

I ordered the norita to drink- nonalcoholic that was lime lemonade and agave. Refreshing with a great mix of sweet and sour, but I was not expecting the salty rim that slapped my taste buds. Our group ordered the calamari to share, and it was so crispy, light, not too oily, and seasoned well and paired well with their tartar sauce. My colleagues decided to make their own pasta, but I ordered the ravioli di gamberi or stuffed ravioli with ricotta and shrimp. We were content and happy with the portions of our dishes and it was very filling. My dish had a beautiful presentation of color and great flavors of cheese and shrimp with a decadent delicate shrimp bisque.

We ended the night with a surprise birthday celebration in which the place gave us a free desert of tiramisu! Absolutely loved the customer service since they recalled my special note in the reservation and I didn't have to remind them. They're on top of it!! The tiramisu was to die for!! Texture so fluffy like a marshmallow with deep rich chocolate flavor.

Loved this place and would definitely come again!

We ordered three different pasta dishes and they were all delicious. The cheese wheel pasta was great for my family, too cheesy for me. The service was ok. We made a reservation in advance but got an outdoor table. It's a bit chilly and loud in little Italy area. I would go back to try different dishes.

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Monello was nice for a date night but we probably won't be back. We stopped in on a Friday night around 8 pm. We had to wait about 30 minutes for our reservation inside. Our waiter was great, nice guy from Ohio. Inside was crazy. It was pretty loud and seating was tight. While the food and drinks were good, it seemed overpriced. The cheese wheel pasta was the best! Two entrees, 1 app, 3 drinks and no dessert was just under $200 after tip.

It was an experience and I'm glad we tried it.

I took my fiancée here the day I proposed and it will always have a special place in my heart. We are not from San Diego, but whenever we are in the general area (even Orange County), we will make the drive.
The first time we tried Monello, we actually went two days in a row because we liked it so much. The servers are always so nice and helpful and we love the whole environment, whether sitting inside or outside.
We both order the tagliatelle with formaggi sauce with either chicken or shrimp. It is delicious and I can't recommend this place enough!

We were in search of a nice pasta spot in little Italy and Yelp helped us narrow down a decision. The food was phenomenal all the sauces and noodles are made in house ! There is a variety of dishes for everyone to choose something different. I highly recommend the burrata ! It was the perfect balance of burrata cheese , pesto and arugula and seasonings. It came with a loaf of bread which was so airy and fresh ! Our server made several recommendations to us and showed us the daily specials. He remained attentive the entire stay! We will definitely be back !