What I truly loved about this special restaurant is the way they make you feel, from the moment you walk, in their treatment is outstanding, you just feel like royalty. The staff is not overly gushing about your experience, but they really do see that everything is flawless. The food, the ambiance, their stories, all picture perfect.
Sorrento’s Story: Former La Villa restaurant located in the heart of Little Italy in San Diego, Sorrento ristorante, bar e pizzeria opened in 2015. A newborn of the Mastellone family. (Au Revoir Bistro, Arrivederci, Piacere Mio, Solunto.) Typical Italian restaurant, Sorrento, has a casual ambiance, authentic Italian cuisine, and an atmosphere that transport’s you directly to the piazza Tasso in Sorrento, at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius in di Golfo di Napoli.
Here’s What I Tried:
Cocktails:
Martini, traditional, with a nice authentic martini glass, just loved the cocktail.
Mango Martini, this is a fruity drink, not for a real strong cocktail drinker. But for me, it hit the spot. Maurizio Pino made my lovely drinks, he did an amazing job.
Salads:
Caprese, a super delicious salad with nice fresh ripe tomatoes, a great way to start my meal.
Pera E Formaggio, Spinach, gorgonzola, red onions, mushrooms, pears, walnuts, and house vinaigrette. This salad would be my go to salad for sure. The combination of candied pecans and pears, with the cheese, is just fantastic.
Specials:
Cioppino, mussels, clams, calamari, tuna, salmon, shrimp, light tomato and white wine served with crostini. A very fragrant light broth filled with treasures from the sea, just delightful.
Lobster Ravioli, homemade pasta filled with succulent lobster and the sauce is thick, rich, and super creamy.
Lobster Tail Fra’ Diavola, spicy marinara sauce, tomato, and mushrooms, served with linguine. A very spicy dish, but guaranteed to be a real crowd pleaser. I just loved all of the super fresh lobster, and the great handmade pasta underneath it all.
Dessert:
Tiramisu, Ladyfingers, espresso, mascarpone cream, cocoa powder, a perfect ending to my very elegant dinner.
Chocolate Mousse Silky Chocolate Mousse, if you are a chocolate lover, like me, then this is your dessert.
Wine:
Tenute Silvio Nardi, Rosso Di Montalcino, 2016.
Il Briciato, Tenuta guado al Tasso, 2016. Both wines were elegant and paired perfect with my dishes, a true delight.
My very fun server Farbrizio Cammarota, has worked for five years at Sorrento’s. He was a restaurant manager and wedding planner in Florence before. He moved to America for his wife Chanel who is from Boston. He also worked at Arrivederci in the Hillcrest neighborhood before. He added just the right amount of knowledge and expertise he also paired my wines for the night and did an excellent job.
Jerry is Sorrento’s renowned pizza chef; he has been with the restaurant for 3 years. He says he has made more pizza at Sorrento then anyone else in the San Diego area. In 1980 he went to Italy to see how pizzas are made there. Jerry really takes pride in his exquisite pizza making; he says it’s a true art form.
I spoke with owner Lucio on the phone, and he was very welcoming, Lucio is partners with Antonio Mastellone, they own a few other dining establishments around town.
It has got a very inviting patio with a fountain in the middle. The inside has a big bar with lots of action. The whole place is designed very tasteful, you feel like you’re in Italy. The music is Italian pop, and Italian favorites, which totally makes the mood at Sorrento elevated. I would try this wonderful cuisine on your next trip to San Diego.
Sorrento Ristorante
1646 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
619 546 0365
https://www.sorrentoristoranteandpizzeria.com
