At the northwest end of downtown San Diego, Little Italy owes its heritage to Italian fishermen who found similarities to their homeland in coastal San Diego. The neighborhood now boasts shops, galleries and family Italian restaurants and cafes. With some of the best restaurants in San Diego, from carry-out sub and pizza shops to fine-dining establishments, Little Italy offers a diversity of culinary experiences.
Buon Appetito is an upscale trattoria with a cozy decor and an art gallery. San Diego Magazine honored Buon Appetito with its "Best in City" award for Best Italian restaurant. After an appetizer--Antipasto alla Contadina or the Burrata, a creamy fresh mozzarella warmed on a bed of sauteed spinach and oven roasted tomatoes--sample fresh pastas, salads, meat and seafood dishes. Delight in grilled quails over sauteed lentils and fried leeks or linguine Boscomare with fresh shrimp, bay scallops, sundried tomatoes and asparagus in a light sauce. Buon Appetito servers are friendly and attentive. The trattoria has indoor and patio dining and accepts reservations by phone Monday through Thursdays only.
Buon Appetito
1609 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-9880
buonappetito.signonsandiego.com
La Pensione Hotel houses Caffé Italia. Twice awarded The San Diego Reader has twice named this family-owned café "The Best Sunday Brunch-Waffle Bar." The restaurant features an Italian carnival decor with murals and artfully crafted masks. You'll find indoor counter and table seating as well as sidewalk patio dining. This cafe prepares made-to-order salads, soups and panini--one of which features roasted turkey breast and red peppers, provolone and pesto on freshly baked and grilled Italian bread. Local gelato--with flavors including spumoni and brownies and caramel--is also available. Caffé Italia boasts inspiring waffle combinations for Sunday brunch, such as the banana walnut drizzled in caramel or the granola waffle prepared with granola and bananas drizzled with honey. Caffé Italia offers a casual, child-friendly atmosphere; the restaurant does not accept credit cards.
Caffé Italia
1704 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-6767
caffeitalialittleitaly.com
Karen Krasne Extraordinary Desserts has garnered many awards, including a Readers' Choice award for "Most Decadent Desserts" from San Diego Magazine. Inside this architecturally striking cafe, you'll find a glass-front case amassed with artistically decorated desserts. Patrons contemplate dessert options and order organic loose leaf teas, coffees and drinks before self-seating. Indulge in chocolate croissant bread pudding or a generous slice of white chocolate-raspberry-almond cake with butter cream, raspberries and chocolate shavings. Fresh, edible flowers garnish the desserts. The cafe makes ice cream and sorbets daily. Prices at Extraordinary Desserts are moderate to expensive; the cafe accepts credit cards.
Karen Krasne Extraordinary Desserts
1430 Union Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 294-7001
extraordinarydesserts.com
