Update: This restaurant is now closed.
I live in San Diego and yet there are certain parts of town that I don’t visit very often and Little Italy is one of them. Going during the week isn’t so bad, parking is easier and it’s not as crowded, which makes it more comfortable for me to go. If I can’t easily park somewhere, then I don’t want to go. I’m weird like that.
On this visit my friend Laura and I went to Zagarella Italian Restaurant. They were slightly busy for a Wednesday evening but we didn’t wait long for a table. We opted to sit outside on the patio. It was a little chilly with our June Gloom weather, but not too bad. We had heat lamps to keep us company (which we had to ask to have them turn it down because it got too warm) and it was nearing sunset and still a bit light outside. I thought the opportunity to sit outdoors was great since it’s probably hard to get a seat out there on the weekends.
One of the first things we were given was a basket of bread with olives. I don’t like olives so I didn’t touch those – but the bread was awesome! It was grilled garlic Italian bread, with that nice little charry taste on it from the grill. This made me want to grill my own bread in this manner, which I will do some time in the future. A nice twist on a classic.
My friend and I also ordered the same thing – Veal Parmesan (it’s listed on the menu as Vitello in Bella Vista – $17.95) – for dinner. We had a buy one get one free (and buy 2 drinks) coupon and ordering the same thing helped us get our money’s worth, so to speak. I was thinking of getting Chicken Parmesan but changed to the Veal when my friend said she was thinking of getting that. It came with a side of pasta marinara and some steamed veggies (cauliflower and zucchini). The veal was tender and flavorful and cooked just right. The steamed veggies were also good eaten with bites of my pasta. I ate every little bit, and felt way too full afterward. Luckily we went for a little walk which helped us both digest a bit before calling it a night. Yum!
Zagarella Italian Restaurant
1655 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 236-8764
