Elegant cocktails and flavorful dishes await at these new San Diego dining destinations.
The Gincident and Roman Empress cocktails at Roman Wolves; PHOTO BY ARLENE IBARRA
Classic carbonara awaits at Roman Wolves; PHOTO BY ARLENE IBARRA
Following the success of Rusticucina in Hillcrest, restaurateur Nino Cusimano has opened Roman Wolves in Little Italy, a restaurant and cocktail concept that pays homage to Rome’s cuisine and culture. Chef Enciro de Santis offers pasta and Roman-style folded pizzas alongside artful cocktails, a signature spritz collection, and curated wine and beer. “Roman Wolves is more than a bar and restaurant; it’s a celebration of what Italians call the Eternal City,” says Cusimano. “We’ve created our own take on Rome’s legacy and its significant historical, cultural and culinary impact on the Italian food and nightlife scene.”
Try the Margherita pizza and cacio e pepe pasta at Elvira; PHOTO BY ARLENE IBARRA
The dream team behind the Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized Cesarina Ristorante has joined forces to launch Elvira, an Italian osteria and pizzeria that pays homage to Rome. Led by chef Cesarina Mezzoni, Niccolò Angius and Giuseppe Capasso, the Ocean Beach eatery bowed in late November and honors the legacy of Angius’ grandmother, Elvira Lippi. Expect beautiful plates of pasta, wood-fired pizzas from executive pizza chef Ignazio Tagliavia, and a beverage menu emphasizing organic and biodynamic wines from Italy’s central terroirs.
The Lafayette Hotel & Club is walking on the wild side at its new jazz club and restaurant, Lou Lou’s Jungle Room. Live music played on a historic clam shell stage that once hosted Bob Hope is the space’s centerpiece, a nod to the glitz and glamour of 1920s jazz club culture that Lou Lou’s hopes to evoke. Order an espresso martini during one of two nightly seatings—pre-show dinner or post-show lounge service—and explore chef Ted Smith’s classic supper club cuisine. The talented Gilbert Costellanos is the resident jazz musician at Lou Lou’s, and rotating acts will grace the stage Thursday through Saturday.
An array of Vietnamese-Latin dishes at Chào XO; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Launched in late January, Chào XO is a Vietnamese-Latin fusion concept from Leslie Dang, a rising restaurateur whose love of cooking began with her grandmother and mother. At her new National City restaurant, Dang invites locals to experience the generational recipes and techniques she’s honed in dishes ranging from Vietnamese beef carpaccio to Sriracha-lime elote to birria pho.
Lala includes a plush dining room, sheltered garden patio and wraparound cocktail bar, with interior design by Taylor Shaffer; PHOTO BY KIMBERLY MOTOS
The Light My Lamp cocktail at Lala; PHOTO BY KIMBERLY MOTOS
Head to India Street to sip and dine at Lala, a new restaurant and cocktail bar from Busalacchi Restaurants, the group behind Barbusa, Nonna and Zucchero. Executive chef Nino Zizzo is plating Mediterranean-inspired dishes, including veal Parmigiana, loaded potato gnocchi and slow-simmered cioppino. On the beverage side, lead mixologist Antonio Gonzales—an alum of Juniper & Ivy and Stake Chophouse & Bar—is whipping up classic cocktails with Italian influence. Don’t miss the Stiletto featuring housemade limoncello.
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