TravelGuides

(TGA) - As a frequent traveler, I would never eat in NYC Little Italy, but is there a really yummy place in SD's Little Italy?
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There are lots of yummy places in Little Italy. Buon Apetito has a cafe feel with great italian dishes. Better prices at lunch than at dinner.
Filipi's Pizza Grotto - is family rustic italian. Cheap prices and it also has an italian market inside. It is a small chain in California so although it isn't one of a kind it is still great.
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Buon Appetito is one of my favorites but I don't like Filipi's pasta AT ALL.
www.buonappetito.signonsandiego.com/3.html
I also like the light bites at Sogno di Vino, Buon Appetito's sister next door.
Zia's is a great little place and has a great happy hour. Po Pazzo has a great happy hour, too. For dinner it's a more expensive type of restaurant with good food.
http://www.popazzo.signonsandiego.com/
If you're here on a Sat morning stop by the Farmer's Market.
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My favorite restaurant in Little Italy is not Italian its Indigo Grill.
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I love several places in Little Italy including Filippi's which is your standard red-checkered table cloth, old school family restaurant and I wouldn't call them a chain, which sounds corporate, they are a family owned business with most of their restaurants in San Diego except for one son who wanted to live in Napa.
I also like Vincenzo, Zagarella in addition to the others mentioned. I also love an Argentine steakhouse in Little Italy called Puerto La Boca.
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You would be far more likely to find more yummy Italian food in New York's Little italy than you would in San Diego's Little Italy. I avoid the NYC LI because it is touristy, but you can find some excellent restaurants in neighboring communities....likewise, if you are looking to dine on very good Italian food, I would rather steer you towards Baci (near Seaworld) or Salvatore's in the downtown area (may not be as lively as the restaurants in Little Italy but the food is far superior.) That's my two cents, if your criteria is quality. If you want a glass of wine, espresso, or gelato then there's nothing wrong with walking the streets of San Diego's Little italy...if you're looking for truly good Italian food, then that's another story.
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Really interested in this thread, as DD and I LOVE Aubergine Parmigiani, and have eaten it in Orlando (Pastamore in Citywalk), New York (John's Pizza) and are looking for a restaurant in San Diego that has this dish for when we visit in July, and just this morning found Filippi's on the Marriott Marina website (where we're staying) and they have it, so will def be going there, unless any of you have any other recommendations. :D
Would love more info on the Farmers Market as we are visiting from Thurs to Mon. :D
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Here is the website for the great little Farmers Market
http://www.littleitalysd.com/mercato/home.asp
I personally don't like the quality of Filippi's food except pizza & antipasti. The little market is good.
Other restaurants in Little Italy have Aubergine dishes that would be better quality. All are on the same street, India Street.
Cafe Zucchero
www.cafezucchero.signonsandiego.com/3.html
Torta di Melanzane $14.95
Layered eggplant, mozzarella, pecorino, and Parmesan cheeses, topped with marinara sauce
Little Italy Spaghetteri
littleitalyspaghetti.com/…20MENU.pdf
Zia's Bistro
http://www.ziasbistro.com/dinner.html
Mimmo's Italian Village
http://www.mimmos.biz/Mimmo's%20Dinner%20Menu.pdf
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The Little Italy Mercato is one of the largest farmer's markets in San Diego
http://littleitalysd.com/mercato/home.asp
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Oh, my fav Italian restaurant is Buon Appetito and they have eggplant (aubergine) and it's very good.
www.buonappetito.signonsandiego.com/3.html
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