Make a Reservation at This New La Jolla Restaurant for a True Taste of Italy
Get a taste of the Amalfi Coast without ever leaving San Diego. Having taken frequent trips to Italy and noticing a lack of genuine Italian fare here, the Adler and Lombrozo families knew they had to make their dream a reality. Marisi was born, and the restaurant was named after the owners’ grandparents: “Mar” was taken from Marila and “Isi” was taken from Isidoro. It was their grandparents’ love of Italy that inspired the concept, and the owners hope to keep their memories alive through Marisi.
Unique culinary concepts like whole animal butchery, dry-aged fish, specialty pasta shapes and homemade limoncello are just a few things that make Marisi memorable. The culinary team is spearheaded by Executive Chef Chad Huff, who previously worked at Broad Street Oyster Company in Malibu. There are plenty of options to start, including the Blossom, made with a zucchini flower duo, caponata, pine nuts and a saffron aioli. The chicory salad, crafted with salami, tomato, red onion, almonds, oregano and Piave Vecchio cheese is another staff favorite, and don’t skip the creamy burrata, dressed up with fresh nectarines, balsamic agrodolce and arugula.
Cocktails are curated by Bar and Spirits Creative Director Beau du Bois, who was most recently at three Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley. The drink selection features a variety of Italian aperitivos, rare spirits and an Italian pilsner brewed just for Marisi. Diners will also have the option to sip tableside martinis made with extra dry vermouth throughout their meal. For a complete dining experience, Marisi encourages guests to enjoy vermouth over ice upon arrival, followed by wine and espresso to finish.
“You don’t see Italian food like this in San Diego,” says Erik Adler, one of Marisi’s owners. “Here, pasta is the star. We’re excited to share what we think will be the best Italian food in town.”
Food
The focus at Marisi is on Italian hearth cooking—that means fresh pasta made by hand—to go with traditional cocktails and fine wine.
Decor
The tiled Italian hearth, spotlighting hues of yellows, greens, blues and pinks, combined with the sunlit patio will whisk you straight to the Italian coast.
Price
With prices ranging from $6 to $48, diners have options on whether they want to splurge or save.
Verdict
This is the spot for authentic Italian cuisine! Marisi will make you feel like you’re dining in a charming villa on the Amalfi Coast.
Marisi La Jolla
1044 Wall St
La Jolla, CA 92037
858.401.6787
@marisilajolla
