Press
The historic Gaslamp
district is one of San Diego's hottest spots. The
clubs, restaurants, bars, shops, and cafes offer something for everyone. And in
the heart of it all is Trattoria La Strada. La Strada's prime location on the
corner of Fifth Avenue and G Street ensures a lot of traffic for the restaurant
as well as some fantastic people watching for their patrons.
Conveniently located
in the heart of San Diego's downtown near Horton Plaza shopping mall, the hotels, and the Convention Center, La Strada has been a first choice for the guests of our city as well as native San Diegans. They have also hosted some of the most prestigious parties in San Diego and have catered to sport stars, Hollywood celebrities, and political heavyweights. The 5Th Avenue restaurant is also ideal for corporate or private celebrations as they have private and semi-private rooms.
The spacious dining room
lined with windows overlooking one of the best corners in down town San Diego gives way to an open kitchen, which allows you to watch Master Chef Roberto Bernardoni prepare Italian specialties using traditional Tuscan culinary methods. The colors in the dining room- warm and rich evoke ideas of a Tuscan villa rounding off a perfect Italian dining experience. There is also a patio if you prefer alfresco dining on one of the busiest and hippest streets in the city.
On weekend nights, La Strada adds to the revelry in the Gaslamp District by offering live entertainment. La Strada has an incredibly balanced wine list and one of the best selections of Italian wines in United States. They also have a full bar and skilled bartenders who can prepare both the old favorites as well as unique cocktails with an Italian flare.
We were so impressed
with our dining experience at La Strada that we
can't wait to go back; the service was five star and the food was outstanding.
We sat against a wall of windows - having a fantastic time watching the city
night unfold just beyond the glass - as we started with a delicious antipasti,
Scampi in Guazzetto, large shrimp sautéed with brandy, garlic, olive oil, and
parsley and served with a spicy tomato sauce over crostini.
Next we had Zuppa Contadina, one of the most amazing tomato soups I've ever had. This cream-based, homemade soup was and garnished with Mozzarella cheese and basil. Although the ingredients were simple, the flavor was complicated and wonderful. We also tried one of their most popular salads, Insalata Patrizia - arugula, avocado, hearts of palm, Mozzarella cheese, and shaved Parmesan cheese with drizzled olive oil which was rich and fresh.
We tried two pastas, both of which were delicious. The perfectly decadent Farfalline Al Pollo was my favorite. The bow tie pasta, tender chicken breast, broccoli, and sun dried tomatoes tossed in the delicious cream sauce was an ideal indulgence. We also tried one of their specials, the Penne Portofino. The penne was stained with their creamy tomato sauce and tossed with it were fresh-water jumbo prawns flambéed with vodka, garlic, and red pepper. This dish was perfect for any seafood lover.
For our entrée, we tried the Tonno Alla Griglia, fresh, Ahi tuna grilled with lemon juice, capers, and mint sauce. The generous piece of fish was served with grilled asparagus and roasted potatoes and was slightly spicy. This was another one of our favorites.
We finished our dinner
with fresh coffee and a very special dessert, pannetone flambéed in Grand Marnier, surrounded by a light custard, topped with vanilla gelato, a sprig of mint, and dusted with powdered sugar. All of their desserts looked divine so be sure to check their dessert tray as it changes often.
The servers at La Strada are knowledgeable and friendly but you can tell there is something else there too. It was evident to us that everyone who works there has a real sense of pride in what they do. This is probably just one of the reasons why La Strada has been the winner of the "Best of the Best Five Star Diamond Award", the 1998-2002 recipient of the "Insegna del Ristorante Italiano", and twice voted best Italian dinner in Metropolitan Magazine. It is also one of the reasons why it's one of the top ten Italian restaurants in the U.S. and on the top of our list.
La Strada
was the first privately owned Italian restaurant on 5th Avenue and has flourished for over fourteen years. With the abundance of Italian restaurants in the Gaslamp District, their packed tables (they're booked every day of the week, so be sure to make your reservation ahead) and staying power are true testaments to the quality of service and cuisine offered by this reasonably-priced, well-known, and well-respected restaurant.
