Piatti

Frommer's Review

La Jolla's version of the reliable neighborhood hangout is this pasta-centric trattoria, a couple blocks inland from La Jolla Shores. Come here on busy Friday or Saturday evenings--well, any night, really -- and you're likely to be surrounded by a crew of regulars that pop in weekly and know the staff by name. You won't feel left out, however, and the food is well priced. The lemon herb-roasted chicken and bistecca (rib-eye) are fantastic, but it's the pastas that parade out to most tables. Try orecchiette bathed in gorgonzola, grilled chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes, or pappardelle "fantasia"--shrimp-crowned ribbons of saffron pasta, primed with garlic, tomato, and white wine. Those who are concerned with carbo-loading can substitute spinach for pasta. The outdoor patio, beneath the romantic sprawl of an enormous ficus tree, is always ideal thanks to the cozy heaters.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.