Review
The historic Gaslamp district, one of San Diego´s most electric neighborhoods, is peppered with boutiques, cafes, clubs, hotels, bars, and, of course, restaurants. And in the middle of it all sits Mare & Monti. This Trattoria is known for its nouvelle Northern Italian cuisine marked by savory Tuscan flavors and is a favorite among both locals and tourists. Mare & Monti occupies one of the most coveted locations in downtown San Diego - Fifth Avenue.
Each detail of the newly remodeled restaurant, from the rich murals to the fresh flowers, ensures a warm and refined atmosphere. Mare & Monti is perfect wine lover as they have an impressive and well-balanced list featuring regional California and Italian wines. They also have a full bar with traditional Italian after dinner drinks.
Mare & Monti is a fantastic place for private celebrations ranging from two to fifty-five. The window tables and the romantic, candlelit alcoves are ideal for intimate dinners while the semi-private space is perfect for larger parties. Mare & Monti also has the largest outdoor dining area in the Gaslamp making this patio a perfect place to watch the excitement of the street on any night of the week.
We started with several choices from the Antipasti list. While the Bruschetta was delicious and hearty - made with grilled, country bread, chopped Roma tomatoes, basil, prosciutto and mozzarella - the stars were the Tortino di Granchio -dungeness crab cakes in a lemon-cream sauce - and the Martini al Limoncello. This "martini" of scallops, shrimp, and calamari tossed in an Absolut Citron vinaigrette is ideal for any seafood lover as it is generous in size, gorgeous in presentation, and light and delicious in flavor. The Tri Colore salad was, as its name suggests, beautiful and delicious. The fresh goat cheese and mandarin orange flavors were well balanced and the sweetness and tartness of the radicchio, endive, watercress, and currants were nicely contrasted.
We tried the Tagliolini Verdi, a thin spinach pasta tossed with chicken breast, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, shallots, cream, and Parmesan cheese. This delicious and slightly rich dish is Mare & Monti´s most popular pasta. For our entrée we had the baked halibut served with a fresh herb crust over grilled white asparagus with tomato-rosemary butter and roasted potatoes. The fish was incredibly tender and fresh and the presentation, striking and creative.
They offer a cappuccino bar and an enticing array of desserts, from tarts to tiramisu, all of which are made from scratch. We tried the creme brulee sprinkled with fresh berries - absolutely sinful. Mare & Monti, with its prime location, fresh dishes, amazing selection of wines, and excellent service (we felt like we were being spoiled), is a fantastic choice for a night out.
Review by Jessica Clark
September 23 2002
