Nothing warms the heart like great Italian food, here are 10 restaurants that stand above the rest and range in price for those on a budget to those out to wine and dine.
OLD VENICE RESTAURANT 2910 Canon St. San Diego, CA 92106 (619) 222-5888 Hours: lunch: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Saturday, dinner 4 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Often characterized as the quintessentially romantic Italian restaurant with its soft décor lit warmly by candlelight, Old Venice sits in the neighborhood of Liberty Station. The family-owned and operated restaurant is going on celebrating 25 years. The menu features gourmet dishes—from pizza, pasta, seafood, poultry and beef—with a Mediterranean flare, and a rather expansive yet not too overwhelming wine list. The prices are decent for an impeccable date spot and surprisingly, it’s relaxing enough to grab a sandwich for lunch. Estimated cost for dinner $11 to $27.
VENETIAN RESTAURANT 3663 Voltaire St San Diego, CA 92106 (619) 223-8197 Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 11 p.m., daily Known for its wildly popular pizza, the Venetian—founded by the Giacalone family—has been a Point Loma landmark since 1965 and seats couples on a date (in the more romantic dinning room) or family out for a casual dinner (in an area of open tables). The restaurant boasts a private wine room opened for large parties that reserve it in advance. The Venetian attracts a wide array of patrons from local celebrities to the regulars to younger families. The eatery is also famous for its tiramisu. Estimated cost for dinner is between $12 and $21.
TRATTORIA ACQUA 1298 Prospect St. La Jolla, CA 92037 (858) 454-0709 Hours: lunch: Monday thru Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., brunch: Saturday and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner: Monday through Thursday 5 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5 to10:30 p.m., Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m. If you’re looking for a restaurant where the view is just as beautiful as the food then look no further than Trattoria Acqua. With its award-winning dishes, patrons feast on house specialties while taking in the breathtaking view of the La Jolla Cove and beyond as the restaurant sits on a hilltop. Such specialties include the Lobster “Pot-Pie” made with half a pound of Maine lobster tail mixed with baby carrots, organic corn, asparagus, potatoes, green beans under a baked pastry crown. Trattoria Acqua offers a delectably creative menu (brunch, lunch and dinner items) that gives a group of people in the mood for nearly anything a notable selection to choose from like the Campi al Aglio (baked Black Tiger Shrimp crusted with parmesan breadcrumbs, garlic, white wine and parsley butter, served with a timbale of wild mushrooms & white truffle essence); the Costoleta di Maiale (oven roasted Snake River Farms “Kurobuta” Pork Chop served over chive whipped potatoes with braised red cabbage and a Dijon mustard sauce); or the Mezza Rigate alla Contadina (rigatoni pasta laced with spicy eggplant, pancetta (Italian bacon),roasted tomatoes, cream and asiago cheese). Estimated cost of dinner $18 to Market Price.
ANTICA TRATTORIA 5654 Lake Murray Blvd La Mesa, CA 91942 (619) 463-9919 Dinner hours: Monday through Sunday, 4:30 to 10 p.m. Antica Trattoria is testament to the up-and-coming nature of La Mesa as it is considered a hidden jewel in a town about 12 miles from downtown San Diego, and the high concentration of Italian joints in Little Italy. With great prices to match the food, Antica’s cuisine is inspired by the Tuscan region and is a must when in the area. The pesto gnocchi is a favorite among patrons. Its Chef Francesco Basile founded the charming eatery that offers some unique combinations of edibles like Capellini Fiesole ($11.95), an angel hair pasta with shrimp in a shitake mushroom and tomato in a Pinot Grigio sauce or the Pollo Toscano ($15.95), a chicken breast topped with fresh asparagus, prosciutto and fontina cheese in a beurre blanc sauce. Estimated cost of dinner $10 to $22.
VIGILUCCI'S 505 S. Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 942-7332 Hours: Restaurant hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Vigilucci's is owned by Roberto Vigilucci, a Carlsbad resident and a native of Milano, who comes from a line of avid cookers—his mother and grandmother—and, who as a child, spent his summers in Tuscany. Vigilucci opened his downtown Encinitas locale in 1994—one of six Vigilluccci-operated eateries all situated in North County. With a wide array of veal, fish, beef and pasta dishes, the selection for its patrons will keep them coming back for more. The shrimp based pasta is a favorite among connoisseurs while the Insalata alla Pere ($10.25) of baby mixed greens tossed in a homemade olive oil, lemon dressing with gorgonzola cheese, raspberries, pecans on a bed of sliced pears is worth a taste. Estimated price for dinner ranges from $9 to market price.
FAST EDDIE’S 4204 Voltaire St San Diego, CA 92107 (619) 225-9900 Nestled in the heart of Point Loma, Fast Eddie’s offers a chicken parmigiana sandwich—a highly recommended choice among the locals. The pizza joint provides delivery service of items like New York style pizza, homemade barbecue ribs, subs and pastas but also ice cream, beer and wine. Fast Eddie’s is open until 2 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
RUSSO’S PASTA SHOP 270 N El Camino Real Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-6867 Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Whether you’re in the mood to pick up a handful of fresh ingredients for an authentic Italian dinner or a quick plate of the much-talked-about lasagna, Russo’s is the place for it. The Ma & Pa shop makes its own pasta, pizza, desserts and sauces fresh daily and has done so for more than 20 years. The eatery also sells unique Italian made grocery goods like cheese, wines, deli items and wines, and ships its homemade creations to Russo’s House (see delicious hideaway category) in Hillcrest. Don’t be fooled by the homogenous strip mall where you can find Russo’s, the restaurant is a landmark gem in North County. Estimated cost for dinner $4 to $12.
BUON APPETITO 1609 India St San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 238-9880 Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday noon-10 p.m. With an aptly titled name in an appropriately named part of San Diego (Little Italy), Buon Appetito is a sister to Trattoria Trulli in Encinitas and inspired by the Hillcrest darling Arrivederci (see delicious hideaway category). The quaint, bistro-style locale not only dishes up some of the best Italian in town, but also showcases the work of local artists and features a comprehensive wine list. The tomato sauce here is especially delicious while the beef and chicken dishes are noteworthy. If in the mood for some seafood, be sure to check out the cioppino. Patrons of varied parties sit intimately close to one another, making the dinning experience all the more homey and charming. Estimated cost for dinner between $8 and $25.
MAMA MIA ITALIANO RESTAURANTE AND PIZZERIA 1932 Balboa Ave. Pacific Beach, CA (858) 272-2702 Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday. The old, picturesque and colorful house-turned neighborhood restaurant is considered a real local gem in Pacific Beach. The portions and the prices are just the right size and amount, respectively, and being just a few months old, the eatery has already made an impression on the most seasoned Italian pasta aficionados. With pizzas priced at around $10 (for a 16-incher) and $5 (for a 12-incher), college students and working professionals, alike, flock for both the Italian staples and the stylized pasta dishes with their creative combinations that can cost a relative fortune an upscale restaurant. And make sure to leave room for dessert as the choices range from gelato to tiramisu and warm cakes to crepes. Estimated cost for dinner $5 to $15.
BMH 7670 El Cajon Blvd. La Mesa, CA 90941 (619) 698-6333 Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Sunday. There is nothing like an Italian neighborhood bakery and deli where the sandwiches are just as good as the salads. BMH offers both hot and cold sandwiches a few pasta dishes and a selection of Italian imports and freshly made desserts. The unassuming locale houses a few dinning tables for those who want to eat in, along with catering services for those looking for a one-stop shop. The summer salad is a Mama (the “M” in BMH) specialty and the daily made soups are always worth a tasting. The cold torpedo and the hot Ba-Da-Bing! sandwiches are favorites among regulars like S.D.S.U. colleges who are able to take advantage of some discounts and specials. Estimated cost for lunch between $6 and $10.
The Top List of Best Italian - San Diego, CA