Little Italy in San Diego
Perhaps the greatest change to Little Italy occurred when Interstate 5 was built and bisected the once close-knit community. The next significant alteration to the Little Italy neighborhood was the recent high-rise redevelopment complete with condos and apartments. With the influx of the new neighbors and the death and moving away of the older residents, Little Italy's businesses have had to reinvent themselves to keep up with the changes. Thanks to the consistent and persistent efforts of the Little Italy Association, the community's shops and restaurants have thrived.
Many of the favorite haunts of old San Diegans are still in Little Italy and many are located on India Street. Places like Filippi's (1747 India Street), Pete's Quality Meats (1742 India Street), Solunto's(1643 India Street), Mona Lisa (2059 India Street), Cafe Zucchero(1731 India Street), and Assenti Pasta (2044 India Street)
continue to bring in not just the people who dine, but the people who cook. Little Italy is a cook's paradise. This is the place to find baccala(dried cod), Italian cheeses, fresh pasta of many varieties (black squid ink, anyone?), olives, salami, bread, marzipan, gelato, espresso, yerba mate, and so much more!
Other places invite you to sit down, have an espresso, and chat with the locals at Caffe Italia (1704 India Street). If you want to meet the locals, go to Little Italy, not downtown. Little Italy's business community is so eager to have people to take it easy they even provide you with free custom-made Little Italy chairs that are located throughout India Street.
If you get hungry (and you should), there are many great places to check out. Want fish and chips? Go to the Princess Grill (1665 India Street). Want some Southwestern food with flair? Go to Indigo Grill (1536 India Street). Want one of the best burgers in town? Go to the Waterfront (2044 Kettner Boulevard). Want some Italian? You have many choices on India Street.
These include: Buon Appetito (1609 India Street), Sogno di Vigno (1607 India Street), Zagarella (1655 India Street), any of the Busalacchi restaurants, Filippi's Pizza Grotto (1747 India Street), Trattoria Fantastica (1735 India Street), Mimmo's Italian Village (1743 India Street), Grab N'Go (2102 India Street), and for some of the best customer service, Pappalecco (1602 State Street). Oh, and some of the best desserts can also be found on Union Street in Little Italy at Extraordinary Desserts.
Shopping for things other than food is also a real draw to Little Italy. Many artisans have been part of Little Italy for a long time, thus the many art galleries, photography shops, and even a Blick Art Store (1844 India Street) - the only one in San Diego. Artisans who make crafts, clothing, furniture, wrought iron, and pottery also make their living here in Little Italy. One of San Diego's best gift stores is also located in Little Italy, the French Garden Shoppe (2307 India Street). This shop is located closer to Laurel Street as is Architectural Salvage (2401 Kettner Boulevard) which features genuine fixtures recovered from old homes. Need a claw tub? This is the place.
Every Saturday from 9-1:30 p.m., Little Italy hosts the Little Italy Mercato or Farmers' Market filled with certified organic farm fresh produce, select food items, vendor specialities, music and fun along Date/India Streets.
Little Italy is located on India Street, Kettner Boulevard, and Columbia Street between Laurel and Ash. Little Italy is a brisk 10-minute walk from downtown and it is also on the San Diego Trolley Line. There is even a Little Italy station that makes going here so convenient. If you are coming from the North County on the Coaster, just get off at the Old Town Trolley Station and get on to the South Line or the Convention Center Line.
Buon appetito!
|
