I have a major backlog of local restaurants that I need to blog about, so I’ll start now…

In San Diego’s downtown Gaslamp Quarter, there’s a wealth of upscale Italian restaurants. After years of walking or driving by them, I finally patronized one… Trattoria La Strada for my friend Jaime’s birthday in December. (See! I told you I was backlogged!)

We got the evening started with a few glasses of wine at Jaime’s downtown loft which has an amazing balcony view of the revitalization of our downtown as evidenced through countless cranes dotting the skyline. Then we walked a few blocks down to Trattoria La Strada on 5th Avenue.

Wine continued to flow like the spoiled brats we are… delicious bottles chosen by the Birthday Girl who is quite educated on wine. One was a white wine - Vernacia di San Gimignano La Diacetta from Campania. We also got a Gloria Ferrer Pinot Noir. Good choices, Jaime!

Starting with two carpacchios, I was reminded of why I prefer raw meat and fish over their cooked counterparts. The beef was complemented by tart cheeses and citrusy flavors. Yum!

Carpaccio Di Bue Ai Carciofi E Grana (Thinly sliced raw filet mignon topped with artichoke hearts and sliced Parmesan cheese - $13.95) and Carpaccio Al Gorgonzola E Rucola (Thinly sliced raw filet mignon topped with capers, Parmesan and Italian soft Gorgonzola cheese and arugula with a light sprinkle of truffle oil - $13.95)

Dinner also began with Eggplant Rollini, always a favorite of mine. I’ll have to try and make this at home!

Rollini Di Melanzane Farciti Con Caprino (Eggplant rolls filled with goat cheese, ricotta cheese, mint, sun dried tomatoes served on a bed of warm fresh tomatoes in a basil sauce - $11.95)

For the main course, I took some liberties with the menu and customized their simple fettucine by changing the pasta to angel hair and adding fresh goat cheese on top for an additional $2. For some reason, it was exactly what I craved that night and I knew that an Italian place like La Strada would do it perfectly. Totally hit the spot!

My creation - Capellini Pomodoro E Basilico (Pasta tossed with fresh tomato sauce, basil, garlic and extra virgin olive oil - $12.95)

Here are the scrumptious dishes that my friends enjoyed that night:

Saltimbocca Alla Romana (Veal medallions topped with Prosciutto, sage and fontina cheese in a white wine reduction - $25.95)

Penne Pirata (Tube shaped pasta sauteed with shrimp and clams in a light creamy garlic sauce - $15.95)

Capellini In Barca (Angel hair pasta tossed with clams, mussels, shrimp and scallops in a white wine and tomato sauce - $16.95)

Filetto “Ciao San Diego” (Grilled filet mignon wrapped with Italian cured pancetta and bay leaves flambeed with cognac, sauteed in a light cream sauce, served with bowtie pasta with a porcini mushroom sauce - $30.95)

We were fortunate enough to have some connections at the restaurant who knew that it was Jaime’s birthday, so they lavished us with complimentary Champagne and a generous dessert plate. Lucky us! I have to say, though, that even as a sugar-addict, the desserts were rather disappointing. Nothing rich enough for me, just mediocre. I can’t speak to their regular dessert menu.

So in the end, Trattoria La Strada reminded me of how wholesome and delicious well-made, authentic Italian food can be. Italy was already atop my list of desired travel destinations, but now it’s definitely #1! Eating Italian food in Italy for days on end… count me in!

Trattoria La Strada
702 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
619.239.3400