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CUCINA urbana

Italian Restaurant, Bar, and Pizzeria$$$$

Park West, San Diego

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CUCINA urbana

9.2^/10

514

ratings

Ranked #1 for wine in San Diego
Has a stamp of approval from Eater and Serious Eats
"The polenta board is great and the ragu changes daily."(11 Tips)
"Try the polenta and the short rib pappardelle!"(6 Tips)
"Stop here for a glass of wine before walking into Balboa Park."(4 Tips)
"Try the Bittersweet Chocolate Budino - #nom"(2 Tips)

164 Tips and reviews

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Italian food
polenta
good for dates
short ribs
trendy
desserts
bittersweet chocolate budino
balboa park
bar
fennel sausage
zucchini flowers
sorbet
gluten-free food
risotto
meats
gelato
sangria
salads
pork chops
fashionable
(15 more)

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Ainee TinyOctober 16, 2017
This place at the corner of Laurel st and 5th ave. Is a must! Decor is absolutely stunning, awesome service, food outstanding. Pictured: mushroom and goat cheese pizza and ahi tuna crudo. Both delish
sohailFebruary 28, 2017
Been here 5 times, everything is always so good. I tried the pesto pizza for the first time and it may very well have been the best pesto pizza I've ever had. The Brussel sprouts are also money!!
BaharehAugust 19, 2018
I absolutely fell in love with this place! I was in shock that I found this gem in San Diego! The perfect ambience, food and wine! Gnocchi is amazing! The squid ink pasta is exceptional!
Jon B.November 24, 2017
Fun Italian Restaurant with a great vibe, and solid wine list that will not bust the budget. The salmon was awesome, and the taste of the lamb pasta that I was offered was outstanding.
Allen ShiuAugust 22, 2013
Everyone comes here for the short rib pappardelle, but it's CU's apps that make it a SD favorite. Get the polenta board, gorgonzola mousse, squash blossom, and the gnudi (order 2, they're that good).
EaterApril 23, 2013
Three years after opening, this is still one of the toughest tables to get in town. The shareable, Italian-inspired menu is modern and accessible. [Eater 38 Member]
ElisaAugust 20, 2018
Pappardelle was decent but I actually prefer the bucatini. Octopus was delicious as others have mentioned. It's a huge restaurant, lots of high table seating if you don't have a reservation.
Kelsey SparrowFebruary 4, 2018
Incredible wine list that they sell at market price with a $9 corkage. The veal fell off of the bone. Everyone was wonderful, save for the gelato and sorbet sampler, whose flavor a bit overwhelming.
Divya MulanjurJanuary 31, 2015
Amazing place! We had made reservations for a group and pre ordered a fixed menu. It was delicious. Go for the pizzas, wild mushroom cavatelli and short rib pappardelle. The tiramisu is to die for!
RimaMarch 15, 2015
Sat at the bar since it was super busy and still had a great experience. Bartenders very friendly & attentive. Get the sorbet sampler for dessert -- was AMAZING.
Emily HayesMarch 28, 2018
I had lunch there last week. Ambience, loved it. Cozy and rustic. Service, great. Food, out of this world. We split the squash blossoms, Brussels and lasagne. I'm still dreaming about them!!!
John SchwartzMarch 21, 2018
You can't really go very wrong with CU. The ambience, the food, the staff, the menu! Sure, it's a tad pricier but also a tad more worth it I have yet to find anything on the menu that is not appealing
Megan GAugust 9, 2016
Favorite restaurant in San Diego. Gluten free friendly options too! Burnt brussels sprouts and Short Rib Papardelle are amazing!!
Luke WhiteNovember 30, 2014
Get a family sized platter of the bolognese and pick out a nice big Zinfandel from the self-serve wine racks. Everything is delicious but if you're short on bolognese expect fork battles.
Kimber B.November 5, 2013
Wow.... Amazing ambiance, hip place, food awesome, service great... Love, love, love the polenta!!! I will definitely be back and plan to make this a regular stop on my future San Diego trips!
Parker MFebruary 28, 2013
By far one of the best meals I've ever had..the polenta board is phenomenal. Every dish we had was great. Cozy atmosphere, reasonable price, great staff. Look forward to new del mar location!
Lisa MartinezMarch 30, 2018
Ohh what a place to eat . Actually the best restaurant by-far. Bartenders are great and really passionate . Stop reading reviews and just go. It's that amazing. Trust me.
aeroRafaJuly 6, 2012
All tips are right. This place is a unique gem in the Balboa Park area. Lunch or dinner. Great service and friendly atmosphere. Don't be afraid to try something new. Come, sit, enjoy
Kate McCormleyJuly 18, 2013
Been here 25+ times
The new wheat berry kale salad is amazing. I killed it in about 2 minutes, and even ignored my beer so I could keep shoveling bites into my mouth!
Djordje GrkovicAugust 22, 2014
The polenta lived up to the hype, and the octopus antipasti was grilled to perfection. Cocktails are quite delicious as well, especially their many takes on a negroni
Ailie ChangMarch 20, 2017
Best thing here is the Polenta Board! I'm craving it all the way from New York! The Burrata + Prosciutto 'Caprese' is also a great starter.
Foursquare InsidersOctober 7, 2015
“The draw here is a comfortable, homey energy and a neighborhood feel. The playful list includes bottles from diverse regions and grapes—and shockingly low prices.” - Laura Williamson, Wine Expert Read more
Patrick PinaMay 25, 2013
Been here 50+ times
Remember to try everything on the menu. I know you have you favorite, but step out of your comfort zone. You'll discover something else just as fabulous here.
Grant AcostaMay 3, 2016
Did it tapas style with the Brussel sprouts app., cauliflower app., polenta board, risotto, cherry tomatoes and burrata...everything was fantastic!
Dave AlarconJanuary 2, 2016
This is the kind of place you want to come back to try the whole menu! Everithing is excellent!!
Kristy DettweilerAugust 15, 2011
Was in a party of six and all us loved our drinks/apps/meals and dessert. The meatballs are enormous! The veal piccata is delicious. All the veggies tasted as if they were grilled, so good!
Jinnie LOctober 7, 2014
Loved the atmosphere♥ we came here for wine. cheese & salumi board and *truffle parmesan fries* were so good. late night num nums ;P
Amy CummingsMarch 2, 2019
I found everything to be a bit pretentious, from the cocktails to the staff to the food.
Christanna HonerDecember 12, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Sit at the bar, get some Italian wine, eat squash blossoms and enjoy the man candy that shall take care of you. No, seriously, great service. And lots of amari.
The FeastJune 13, 2011
A festive, high-energy mood prevails amid crafty pizzas, polenta boards served with daily ragouts and familiar Italian foods stamped with modern twists. Bar and communal dining is also available.
Benson BleierMarch 3, 2016
At first this place looked like all the other "new American" Italian cuisine but the food far and away exceeded my expectations,EVERY dish I had here was superb.
America PayneMarch 14, 2018
Polenta board is delicious. I got the gluten free tagliatelle yum!
Gabby M.May 30, 2017
The short rib pappardelle is really good and the Nutella zeppole in combination with the fruit sauce is AMAZING!👌🏼
Willis Allen Real EstateNovember 6, 2012
Hip & happening downtown restaurant, steps outside Balboa Park. Everything is delicious & under $20. Extensive & affordable wine selection & daily happy hr. Order the giant meatball!! -K. Hill
Ant RamSeptember 24, 2012
Eating ossabocca bone marrow & squash blossoms while listening to Florence & the Machine, I almost felt like a hipster. Find out which daily deal is right for you, free cork Sundays worked for me
Paul EllisJanuary 17, 2018
We can't ever eat here without getting the polenta board. It doesn't matter exactly which meat it is for the day. It is always awesome.
Carter GibsonJanuary 17, 2013
Three years after opening, this is still one of the toughest tables to get in town. The shareable, Italian-inspired menu is modern and accessible.
Margot MazurJune 29, 2016
Incredible food and amazing wine choices. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend for lunch!
Steven YSeptember 7, 2013
Wine bottles at retail plus $8 corkage fee; mushroom and fennel sausage pizza with truffle oil, short rib tagliatelle, strawberry tiramisu are awesome
Nicole LingnerJuly 22, 2010
THIS IS MY FAV PLACE IN THE COUNTRY. It all works, knowledgeable staff, ambiance...food! Must order: Polenta of the day, chicken liver pate, short rib pappardelle, bittersweet chocolate budino, yum! Read more
Lorna JacobyApril 6, 2014
Great wine list and they sell at cost and charge corkage so you can have some really great stuff. We had the Barolo. Several bottles ...
San Diego ReaderOctober 11, 2012
Cucina Urbana executive pastry chef Jack Fisher shares his recipe for savory polenta in this week's Reader ("What the Chef Eats"). Read more
Serious EatsNovember 6, 2013
The pizza is always a good bet at this Italian restaurant close to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo.
PacificSD MagazineJanuary 18, 2012
Amazing grab and go wine selection to have with your meal or take home... And try the lasagna!
Rachael GreenMay 19, 2014
Been here 10+ times
They've changed the gnuddi to an arrabiati sauce, but you can still request it old school style with brown butter sage sauce. Yumminess!
Jason HughesApril 16, 2014
Get reservations ahead of time. Great wine selection at retail prices, so no added markup. The lasagna was amazing!
Lisa SuzukiAugust 12, 2013
Chase ATM across the corner. If you are coming with a big party, hit up the ATM before you come in. Happy hour at 5:00 pm and opens at 5:00 pm
lori zitoJanuary 3, 2011
Busy place any night of the week... but worth the wait. Bottles of wine are retail priced, with a $7 corking fee. The beet salad is divine.My only complaint... the hummus has chicken broth in it!
Gianna NebbiaSeptember 22, 2018
Go with a group and order multiple different bottles of wine. Pasta was yummy- al Dente as it should be
LeeanneSeptember 23, 2011
Their daily polenta specials are worth asking about. If your Italian grandma kept up with foodie trends and shopped at Anthropologie, she might run the show here. Superb.

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