Vinarius Wine Bar & Restaurant Claim this business

Yuchy Zhou Zhouon Google

4 weeks ago

Best Lasagna and meat balls in US imo 😍😍😍 I just wanna screaming Mamma Mia! Added on June 29 below: I ate dinner here three nights in a row. Though several weeks have passed, the deliciousness and the warmth ambience still linger on my tongue and heart, refusing to fade. I have no choice but simply have to write this down. First, the shrimp and crab ravioli (Ravioli ai Crostacei). The pasta is supple and springy, the filling fresh and savory, with visibly fresh chunks of lobster meat. The vodka cream sauce is seasoned beautifully. The asparagus tips add a crisp bite and the pleasure of chewing. A masterpiece! Equally recommended, the Lasagna Bolognese. The best lasagna I've had in all my years! The house-made veal ragù is rich and fragrant. Under the harmonizing touch of the béchamel, the ragù, pasta sheets, tomato sauce, and mozzarella melt together as if there were no boundaries — every bite a dense, complex aroma and flavor EXPLODE. Especially the top layer, where the Parmigiano is torched or broiled until lightly charred: the moment it arrives at the table, the scent of cream wafts everywhere. The first taste is the crisp, crackling skin of cheese, ushering in the mellow richness of meat, the fragrance of cream, the sweet-tart of tomato. Genius! Next, Fettuccine Alfredo. The noodles are cooked to truly perfect doneness — slightly firm, with a satisfying chew — the fine flour delivers double the carbohydrate joy. The white sauce, blended from cream and butter, is well balanced; and most brilliant of all, a generous amount of toasted, fragrant minced garlic is added to season it, cutting down the greasiness and drawing out a superb aroma. This sauce is truly remarkable! Personally, I'd recommend adding chicken — chicken is just well handled too, moist rather than dry, with a faint roasted fragrance. Continuing on, the meatballs (Polpette). Four big spheres to a plate. These meatballs are truly marvelous! About the size of a small child's fist, yet cooked perfectly evenly, with a fluffy texture somewhat like shizi tou (lion's head meatballs). The seasoning is light, letting the abundant meaty fragrance shine through without any greasiness. Take it with a thick layer of fresh tomato sauce, your tongue would reach fairyland! Crowned with a layer of grated Parmigiano and some herbs; gather them together into one mouthful, and there's yet another flavor altogether. I also ate several other dishes. The Porchetta — sliced pork shipped directly from Sicily, sitting atop a thick-crusted white pizza base, roasted until crisp and charred, where fat, dried herbs, and creamy notes collide into a wild burst of flavor. The Seafood Special — delicious but without a sharp, memorable hook; in my humble opinion, a stronger red wine sauce might give them more character. The Eggplant Parmigiana — delicious, but I wouldn't recommend ordering it alongside dishes of the same flavor profile. I must also mention the bread. Crisp on the outside, soft and tender within, the fresh bread cut into cubes, drizzled with fresh olive oil — clean, refreshing, delicious, and deeply satisfying. Finally, I must give a shout out to the owner, Giuseppe! Love him, love him, love him! A gentleman from Sicily, warm as the balmy breeze over the Mediterranean, who speaks his Italian like music. He goes to great lengths to avoid being picked by Michelin, so that he can always keep a seat open, anytime, for the local community and old friends. His kitchen's deep skill goes without saying, and his bartender, I hear, is excellent. And the waiters — they work as smoothly as flowing clouds and running water, warm in just the right measure, and a few of them even put on an Italian accent when introducing the dishes: the voice arrives before the dish does, and the experience is wonderful.

If Studio Ghibli were to draw a restaurant, it would probably look just like this place. And if there were one cure-all seasoning that could elevate the joy of eating, it would probably be this kind of human warmth. Shh — don't spread the word. Come quick!

Rick Vattimoon Google

5 months ago

Wow! Completely blown away by Vinarius! When everything comes together: food, wine, service, atmosphere, vibe - you end up with a total experience that is on another level. This was Vinarius. It only happens when the owner’s passion shines through and comes out in all the staff. I didn’t even have to ask, I knew Giuseppe was the owner after I watched him for about a minute. Total focus on ensuring everything was perfect…. moving fast… checking tables, plates… coordinating, whispering to the staff… no detail too small…. Pride. I sat at the bar and immediately felt comfortable. Jacob was friendly, knowledgeable, and even though he was busy he connected with everyone at the bar. The wine list was excellent and we picked a great Barolo by the glass that he had just opened. The menu looked great and the dishes that were coming out of the kitchen looked and smelled fantastic. I went for the special of lamb osso buco- perfect! The dessert was equally as good and they brew a great espresso. They made me feel like I was a regular there after only a few minutes. That’s rare. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with Jacob, and thank you to Giuseppe who made time to speak with me. Their passion for what they do and their restaurant could go toe to toe with any in New York City, London or Italy. My only regret was work prevented me from going right back the next night! But this will be me first (and maybe only!) stop when I’m in San Diego again!

Ryan Ton Google

5 months ago

The 5-star reviews here are all rightfully rated. I came in for dinner with my girlfriend and sat at the bar, greeted by the lovely Paola. She made excellent recommendations for wine pairings and food, and made us feel right at home. All of the ingredients were fresh, portion sizes are generous, and the staff brings hospitality and charm that make this cozy restaurant a hidden gem. The beauty of this restaurant is that there is something for everyone. Whether adventurous or familiar, expensive or cheap, Vinarius is a phenomenal bar and restaurant. This place was completely full on a Saturday night, and rightfully so. Will be back soon.

Nicholas Cancelliereon Google

5 months ago

Very friendly staff. They have a great wine selection. The food is good. The polpette was perfect and soft. The pistachio cake was an amazing finish to the meal. The owner is very personable and made sure everything was just right.

Britney Fosteron Google

3 months ago

Stopped into Vinarious in Little Italy during a San Diego getaway and had such a lovely experience. The owner was incredibly kind and welcoming, seated me at a table when the bar was full, and still honored the happy hour special, which was so thoughtful. The White Haven Sauvignon Blanc was delicious, the ricotta pistachio cake was decadent and beautiful, and the whole experience felt warm, accommodating, and memorable. I’ll definitely be back.