Balsamico Italian Kitchen

Update: 3/15/23: change review to 5 stars. It’s been a year since I last visit and my experience has gotten better. Food was amazing and the service is friendly. The balsamic sauce is amazing. It pains me to place 3 stars because normally I LOVE this place. I ordered take out today and the food this time wasn’t as good. I places pics to compare. The first 3 being the take out I had today vs when I dine in. In the take out the food didn’t have as much sauce as when I dined in. Second the balsamic sauce was missing from what I ordered and the lasagna was over cooked. The pics I place of when I dine in was very good . Full of flavor and probably the best pasta I have in I.B. Which is why it disappoints me that the take out I had today wasn’t as good. I really hope next time when I order again it will be good because I really love the food you guys make but today was just a disappointment. Update: change review to 4stars. Because of the the 4 times I’ve gone here 3 of those times where very good. Tip: their balsamic sauce is super Good!!

We enjoyed another fantastic meal at Balsamico, this time for restaurant week! We shared the fantastic bisque and salad, the to die for lemon pesto ravioli and pumpkin tortellini as well as the pannacotta and sorbet. All went so well together with their amazing wines and their balsamic vinegar. Thank you to the amazing staff and chef!

it was a nice and cozy experience ! the place felt like you were eating at your nonna’s house in Italy (i dont even live in Italy but now i know how it feels like bc of this place). the people serving us were incredibly nice and always made sure that we were comfortable and enjoying the food. they’re heartwarming soul just made we want to go back already. but do not start on me with the food !! OMG THE FOOD IS WAS IMPECCABLE. ive never experienced so many different flavors in one bite of having their truffle ravioli. i still dream about it. it’s a mix of a flavorful truffle with a light taste of mushrooms and cheesiness. if you don’t like mushrooms OR cheese, think again. bc that dish will make you fall in love with something you’d never think of falling in love with. the ravioli was perfectly cooked. and the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken was perfection. the most perfect amount of cheese, butter, and creaminess. the chicken was also a good choice to put in there. tender, flavorful, and so classic. not to mention, the garlic bread is literally garlic ON bread. but it’s crispy, soft, and amazing if you mix in the balsamic vinegar with the olive oil and then dip the bread in there i could give 10 stars if i wanted to. i wish the best for the italian owners of the place and please go there to try it for yourself. i promise, you will not regret gaining those 2 pounds (just kidding)

Friendly service, really great food and the ambiance is very nice. Highly recommend the tasting option, great value with the best items on the menu. As others have said, the balsamic is a little sweet so if that’s not your thing then skip items that have it. They bring bread for the table so you can try it first

The food reminds me what we ate during our September 2024 vacation to Northern Italy. Very tasty. Their balsamic vinegar is aged 15 years. This place is located in Imperial Beach in a small strip mall.

Came on a Friday with a last-minute reservation (under an hr) for a party of 7. It took a while to be seated as the restaurant was quite full and not super huge. The service was a little slow, but the wait staff was amazing. Food was really good, they bring you table bread in tomato tins with a little bit of oil. Daughter got the Margherita pizza it was 4/5, Mediterranean salad was very refreshing 5/5, tortellini ragu 5/5. Recommend trying the balsamic vinegar. It was probably better than Italian ones. Parking out front.

Absolutely incredible experience! The food was out of this world—fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Every dish we tried was a hit, from the appetizers to the dessert. The staff were just as fantastic: warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. It felt like dining with family in the best way. Cozy atmosphere, amazing service, and top-tier Italian food—what more could you ask for? We can’t wait to come back!

We came in last weekend, on a vacation trip to the area. We weren't sure about this place, as it's located in a strip-mall type property near the hotel. We were staying in the Hampton Inn next door- and luckily found this place. The food was great (I had the lasagna- my wife had the tortellini romagnoli). We sampled each other's plates---- both were amazing. Everything was great- especially our server, Carlo. Who was very friendly and helpful throughout. He also let us know they honor discounts for people staying at the Hampton Inn- and also for Military personnel, which we loved to hear. We'll definitely be back on our next trip down here. Thanks, Jimmy and Ang