Italian Restaurants in San Diego

eating at home

When I was a boy growing up in rural Massachusetts, my father, an attorney, would sometimes take me with him to Boston when he went on business. Often, he met the President of a bank in the North End at Stella's restaurant on Fleet Street. He and Tony Viola knew the owners, and even then, I remember the restaurant's warm atmosphere and delicious food. Later, as a college student, I went there often and ate lasagna and the restaurant’s great salad. I knew the staff, and they treated me and my friends well.

Around the same time, I frequented Giovanni's restaurant in Framingham, 20 miles west of Boston. Once again, I felt a personal connection with the restaurant whose owner was a client of my father.

I found a few Italian restaurants when I first moved to San Diego. There was Giulio's in Pacific Beach and a few pizza places here and there, but that was about it. Over the years, Italian restaurants have increased in San Diego, and I have been fortunate enough to find several that I enjoy. I feel a personal connection with each place, and the idea that I am reconnecting with my father and heritage has not escaped me. Here are my favorites.

Rosina's: The restaurant is owned by Rosina and her sons Giancarlo and Gianfranco. Set in a quiet commercial building in Santa Luz overlooking a bucolic park, the restaurant is welcoming and fun. Rosina comes from Italy and spends several months a year there. She loves to table hop and greet customers with news of the specials. The food is excellent and reasonably priced. By now, I know most of the staff, and the bartender, Erika, usually sends my favorite drink to our table when we come to the restaurant. It is Stella's all over again.

Trattoria Positano: Like Rosina's, the restaurant has an attractive patio for outdoor dining. Four Italian women own the restaurant and are warm welcomers to guests at their Cardiff location. The food there is excellent, though the restaurant tends to get very busy and has a more hectic feeling than Rosina's. I like the owners and always chat with two who work upfront.

Baci: Not surprisingly, Baci is another family-owned Italian Restaurant on Moreno Blvd. Tony, the owner, is gracious and always remembers us. The restaurant has old-world charm and is more formal than the above two. The food is terrific, and the restaurant makes all its desserts on-site. Like the other restaurants, Baci has a loyal clientele who have been frequenting the restaurant for years.

The Godfather: the Balistreri family opened their restaurant in 1974. Isidoro, the Sicilian father, cooks in the kitchen while his wife Maria and son Tony welcome and seat guests. Like the others, the restaurant serves delicious food and is a warm personal eatery. Tony remembers everyone; going to The Godfather feels like eating at a friend's home.

None of these restaurants are trendy in appearance. They don't showcase marble and glass and thus are relatively quiet, mainly if you eat on their patios. Do they have Michelin stars? No, but neither did my grandmother!