Introduction to Little Italy neighborhood in San Diego
Little Italy
stretches along India Street, between Cedar and Fir, at the northern edge of downtown.
Anchored by an old-time arched neon street sign, this quaint and lively neighborhood is filled with outdoor cafes, restaurants, pubs, art galleries, and shops.
Boutiques are scattered along India Street, and several colorful cottages on Fir Street have been converted into browse-worthy boutiques.
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| neon street sign in Little Italy, San Diego, California |
Anchored by an old-time arched neon street sign, this quaint and lively neighborhood is filled with outdoor cafes, restaurants, pubs, art galleries, and shops.
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| boutique in cottage in Little Italy, San Diego, California |
Boutiques are scattered along India Street, and several colorful cottages on Fir Street have been converted into browse-worthy boutiques.
Kettner Art & Design District
Runs along Kettner St. This area is home to retail shops and art galleries that feature upscale home furnishings and fashion accessories. Restaurants and antiques stores are also found here. My favorite don't-miss is:
Antiques on Kettner CLOSED 2400 Kettner St., #106, (619) 234-3332. Daily 10am-6pm. Here you'll find a nicely curated collection of art, jewelry, pottery, metal, glass, and more. And the fact that this shop is on the airport descent route adds some excitement to browsing.
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| Antiques on Kettner in Little Italy, San Diego, California |
Antiques on Kettner CLOSED 2400 Kettner St., #106, (619) 234-3332. Daily 10am-6pm. Here you'll find a nicely curated collection of art, jewelry, pottery, metal, glass, and more. And the fact that this shop is on the airport descent route adds some excitement to browsing.
La Pensione Hotel
606 W. Date St./India, (800) 232-4683, (619) 236-8000. 68 rooms. Fitness room. No breakfast. Underground parking is limited; $15. Located in the heart of the Little Italy neighborhood, this boutique hotel offers stylish clean-lined contemporary rooms colored in cool greys and whites.
Platform beds feature ostrich-leather headboards and are made up with luxurious 300-thread-count white bedding with a duvet. Some rooms have a balcony; all have a desks, rich wool carpeting, a flat-screen TV, good lighting, a mini fridge with complimentary cold bottled water, and a shower with rain head tiled either in black or white Carrera. I could hear the digitized chimes from a nearby church, and the Mercato Farmers Market sets up a block away on Saturday mornings. Because of its central location, you can use buses and trolleys to get around.
Independently operated on-site restaurants include Caffe Italia--an espresso bar and café featuring Lavazza coffee beans imported from Italy and offering a selection of salads, panini sandwiches at lunch--and Na Pizza, San Diego’s first green-certified pizzeria.
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| bed in La Pensione Hotel in Little Italy, San Diego, California |
Platform beds feature ostrich-leather headboards and are made up with luxurious 300-thread-count white bedding with a duvet. Some rooms have a balcony; all have a desks, rich wool carpeting, a flat-screen TV, good lighting, a mini fridge with complimentary cold bottled water, and a shower with rain head tiled either in black or white Carrera. I could hear the digitized chimes from a nearby church, and the Mercato Farmers Market sets up a block away on Saturday mornings. Because of its central location, you can use buses and trolleys to get around.
Independently operated on-site restaurants include Caffe Italia--an espresso bar and café featuring Lavazza coffee beans imported from Italy and offering a selection of salads, panini sandwiches at lunch--and Na Pizza, San Diego’s first green-certified pizzeria.
Bencotto Italian Kitchen
750 W. Fir St., in Q building, (619) 450-4786. L-D Tu-Sun, also M in summer. Pasta is made fresh daily here, so it makes sense that one of the specialties is Pasta Your Way--you choose the sauce and the pasta.
I selected my favorite salsiccia sauce—a spicy sausage tomato sauce—topping wide hand-cut pappardelle noodles made with eggs and semolina flour. The portion was large and delicious.
This combined with a Cesar salad topped with a slab of parmigano and I was set. Next time I plan to try the gnocco fritto (fried bread dough) and the gnocchi ripieni (potato dumplings filled with gorgonzola) topped with pesto sauce. The contemporary industrial space features a high ceiling, concrete floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows inside, as well as sidewalk-side tables outside. Diners are justly happy, and the noise level is high.
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| pasta with salsiccia sauce at Bencotto Italian Kitchen in Little Italy, San Diego, California |
I selected my favorite salsiccia sauce—a spicy sausage tomato sauce—topping wide hand-cut pappardelle noodles made with eggs and semolina flour. The portion was large and delicious.
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| Cesare salad at Bencotto Italian Kitchen in Little Italy, San Diego, California |
This combined with a Cesar salad topped with a slab of parmigano and I was set. Next time I plan to try the gnocco fritto (fried bread dough) and the gnocchi ripieni (potato dumplings filled with gorgonzola) topped with pesto sauce. The contemporary industrial space features a high ceiling, concrete floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows inside, as well as sidewalk-side tables outside. Diners are justly happy, and the noise level is high.
Trattoria Fantastica
1735 India St., (619) 234-1735. B-L-D daily; $. No reservations.
This cozy haven features a sidewalk-side patio dining in front. Old Dean Martin songs like “Papa Loves Mamo” play in the background, and the waiters sometimes sing along. Sicilian food and wood-fired pizzas are menu specialties. Breakfast offerings include an Egg Panini on a croissant (like an omelette in a croissant), Uova Due (two eggs), and an a la carte croissant or bagel. Dinner favorites include Gnocchi alla Florentine, Gamberi alla Fantastica (shrimp in a lemon sauce), and Imbottiti (a savory eggplant dish).
More things to do in San Diego.
More information about San Diego.
Things to do in nearby La Jolla.
images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
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| Trattoria Fantastica in Little Italy, San Diego, California |
This cozy haven features a sidewalk-side patio dining in front. Old Dean Martin songs like “Papa Loves Mamo” play in the background, and the waiters sometimes sing along. Sicilian food and wood-fired pizzas are menu specialties. Breakfast offerings include an Egg Panini on a croissant (like an omelette in a croissant), Uova Due (two eggs), and an a la carte croissant or bagel. Dinner favorites include Gnocchi alla Florentine, Gamberi alla Fantastica (shrimp in a lemon sauce), and Imbottiti (a savory eggplant dish).
More things to do in San Diego.
More information about San Diego.
Things to do in nearby La Jolla.
More
ideas for exploring the U.S.
images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
I had no idea there was a Little Italy in San Diego, looks like a fun place to explore and eat of course!
ReplyDeleteFrom delicious-looking salsiccia sauce to fine linens, Little Italy in San Diego looks like a place to see in San Diego. I missed it last time but would love to return some day.
ReplyDeleteSo, is 3:15 a.m. in Munich, Germany and now I'm starving. We'll have to check out Little Italy after we've had our fill of Mexican food on our next visit to San Diego.
ReplyDeleteI never knew San Diego had a Little Italy! Love the kitschy trattoria atmosphere with singing waiters!
ReplyDeleteThis does look like a great place to explore and encounter a taste and touch and sight of Italy in America :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great spot to spend some time exploring. I'd be happy to try that gnocchi ripeni with you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute little neighborhood! I had no idea that San Diego had a little Italy either.
ReplyDeleteHaving been in Little Italy in NY last weekend, this one looks absolutely modern!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't appreciated that San Diego had a little Italy either - good to know as I plan to visit friends there in the near future.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting place. I get to San Diego once every couple years or so and on my next trip I'll definitely go there.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a pretty great neighbourhood. Thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteYou tipped me off to Kauai and have done it again for San Diego - I am heading there in December and will make this 'hood a must-see!
ReplyDeleteI went to Little Italy in San Diego on my last visit and agree with you that it is amazing. Every restaurant I went to had incredible food.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an interesting place to visit. Love the looks of that Cesare salad, will have to try that myself.
ReplyDeleteLenie
I haven't been to San Diego for several years but I always enjoyed my visits to the city. Thanks for showing another interesting side to San Diego as well as the delectable food photos! My mouth is watering!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fun place to explore. I'm hoping to get to San Diego soon. I'll remember this.
ReplyDeleteWe love San Diego and find so many new things to see and do each time. That grey wall with the design is gorgeous and I'm just dying to run my hand of that ostrich leather headboard. Ok, the food photos are scrumptious too - did I tell you about my diet? Don't ask.
ReplyDeleteI spent six weeks in San Diego a long time ago and never realized it had a Little Italy.
ReplyDeleteIt's been awhile since my last trip to San Diego. Truthfully, I haven't appreciate this area to its full potential. I will try to correct that the next time I visit. It does look like fun. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis looks really an amazing place to visit. I have never tried salsiccia sauce, so I will try this atleast here. I really liked all the pictures. It seems so fun in San Diego.
ReplyDeleteI've visited San Diego but not Little Italy. It looks like a fun place. The colorful shops are inviting.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place to explore, and some interesting food to try!
ReplyDeleteI've visited San Diego so many times, but never Little Italy. All of your photos have me tempted to visit now. I'm hungry after seeing that pasta dish too!
ReplyDeleteLittle Italy looks like a great place to stay and eat. I missed it on our visit to San Diego.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely like to add little Italy to my things to do list in san diego.
ReplyDeleteI invite you to make a link from your article to mine. :)
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