Good Italian Food
A restaurant worth considering when looking for quality Italian dining in La Mesa (a city that's part of San Diego County) is Antica Trattoria, 5654 Lake Murray Blvd.
Rather than heading downtown to the Gaslamp area, where Italian and other ethnic restaurants vie for business, or making our way to Little Italy, Jim and I decided to try a restaurant near to our neighborhood.
Von's grocery may be the kingpin of Antica Trattoria's strip-mall location, but don't fool yourself into thinking this is a mom and pop operation. Antica Trattoria's menu and prices are definitely a step up from pizza, pasta and checkered tablecloths. However, the smiling waiters, and wafting aromas make for an inviting, unpretentious atmosphere. The close seating allowed us an agreeable chat with a couple visiting from Seattle.
Jim wasn't impressed with the basket of Italian bread, which he thought was nothing special, but it was warm and came with an olive oil dipping sauce. The thick Italian accent of our server made description of the specials a bit difficult to comprehend, but we took a chance on his antipasti recommendation that blended crab, cheese and spinach over porcini mushrooms--delicious!! Then, for the main course, instead of the filet mignon, or veal chop special, Jim chose Vitello Ai Carciofi--Veal Scaloppine sauteed with garlic, artichoke and diced tomato in a rosemary and Chardonnay sauce, which came with carrots and zucchini. I'm always seeking raviolis like my mother used to make and so chose the Ravioli Montecarlo--Homemade cheese ravioli sauteed with shrimp in a Marsala and tomato cream sauce. I'm usually disappointed by a heavy, bland ravioli, but these were light, yet had a full-bodied ricotta taste. I really enjoyed them.
We noticed one group arriving with its own bottle of wine. There may have been a de-corking charge but, with the price of even a glass of wine going for close to $7.00, bringing your own is one way to cut down on the bill. Speaking of wine, one glass was enough for the two of us. I wish restaurants sold smaller amounts at half the price.
So, thanks Antica Trattoria for a pleasant evening. I'm sure we'll be back.
--Elaine West
