Italian Cuisine: 24 Restaurants Found
Via Lago Trattoria
Address: 866 Eastlake Parkway, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 91914
While far from the urban bustle of downtown San Diego, Via Lago exudes cosmopolitan charm. Located at the Village Walk at Eastlake, the restaurant is well worth the short drive from central San Diego, thanks to a modern, elegant atmosphere, spot-on professional service, and a menu of Sicilian favorites that will redefine your notion of Italian cuisine. Overseen by Joe Busalacchi, the kitchen turns out dish after mouthwatering dish using fresh ingredients and inventive combinations, such as Ramigna Alla Contadina, pasta with artichokes, chicken, zucchini, eggplant, tomato, garlic, basil, and ricotta salata, or Pasta Palermitana, rigatoni with spicy Italian sausage, capers, garlic, olives, and hot red peppers in a tangy marinara sauce.
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Busalacchi's on Fifth
Address: 3683 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
The flagship restaurant of the Busalacchi family has been serving up authentic Sicilian cuisine since 1986. Housed in a quaint converted house, the restaurant boasts an elegant welcoming setting indoors, and a cheerful, a charming patio for fair weather dining. The extensive menu is peppered with flavorful favorites such as Scallops alla Romana, featuring plump scallops wrapped in pancetta and served in a cream sauce, and Gnocchi alla Busalacchi, potato pasta in a pesto and sundried tomato sauce. As with all Busalacchi restaurants, the service is gracious, and the staff is waiting to cater to your every need.
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Sante Ristorante
Address: 7811 Herschel Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037
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.
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Acqua Al 2
Address: 322 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
While it may be physically impossible to bring a Florentine trattoria to San Diego, Chef and Owner Martin Gonzalez has come remarkably close. Acqua Al 2 is the sister restaurant of the original Acqua Al 2, located on the Via della Vigna Vecchia in Florence. Using the same menu, recipes, and cooking techniques, Acqua Al 2 offers authentic Tuscan-style dining right in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp district. The charming ambiance hints of old world Italy, while the aromatic and flavorful dishes exude authenticity. Anyone considering an escape to Italy should first pay a visit to this local favorite.
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Firenze Trattoria
Address: 162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas, CA 92024
Sit at a table at Firenze Trattoria and let yourself be transported to Italy. The quaint Italian restaurant, tucked in the hills of Encinitas, seems worlds away from the hustle of San Diego. Whether you choose to surround yourself with the soothing outdoor patio or calm, elegant interior dining room, you’ll feel at ease. The cuisine is as transporting as the space, with an extensive menu of savory Italian fare including alluring pastas and risottos, fresh, flavorful fish, and tempting house specialties such as Veal Scaloppini, Chicken Piccata, and Eggplant Parmesan. An extensive, Italian-centric wine list and gracious, hospitable service compliment an already outstanding dining experience.
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