SOL VIEW: ASTI RISTORANTE

SO I AM ADDICTED TO ITALIAN FOOD... AND VERY VERY PICKY ABOUT ITALIAN FOOD MORE IMPORTANTLY.... AND ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO I DECLARED A NEW FAVORITE RESTURANT.

ASTI RISTORNANTE IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO IS THE EPTITOME OF EXQUISITE DINNING AND SERVICE. I WAS SO HEARTBROKEN THAT I HAD TO MISS THEIR WINE TASTING EVENT LAST NIGHT (DUE TO A HORRIBLE APPOINTMENT AT THE DENTIST) HAD TO DO A REVIEW ON THEM.

SO HERE'S THE SKINNY

CUISINE: ITALIAN

WHERE: SAN DIEGO, CA (728 5TH AVE)

ATMOSPHERE: RUSTIC ELEGANCE (YOU'LL LOVE THE MURALS ON THE WALLS AND THE QUAINT TABLE SETTINGS.)

BEST TIME TO GO: FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT RIGHT BEFORE YOU HIT THE CLUBS DOWNTOWN 8PM-10:30PM (TRY TO GET A SEAT OUTSIDE ON THE PATIO SO U CAN PEOPLE WATCH THE GASLAMP)

THE GOOD: HANDS DOWN THE FOOD.... WITH OUT ANY SHADOW OF A DOUBT THE FOOD AT THIS PLACE IS AN EXPLOSION OF DELIGHTS AND TEMPTATIONS FOR YOUR MOUTH. GO ONCE AND YOU'LL BE BACK AGAIN.

THE BAD & UGLY: THE SIZE OF THE RESTURANT... WHILE I LIKE THE SMALL ATMOSPHERE I PERSONALLY ONLY WANT IT BIGGER BECAUSE IS SO SHECK DE COOL.

THE FOOD: LIKE I SAID WHEN IT COMES TO ITALIAN FOOD I AM BEYOND PICKY BUT THE FOOD IS FILLING AND HAS MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS TO IT. THE LAST TIME I VISITED I HAD

Cavatelle Michelangelo 22.95

Homemade semolina and ricotta cheese dumpling pasta with sun dried tomatoes, brandy, diced chicken, light marinara sauce and a touch of cream

WHICH WAS SO FILLING AT THE TIME I REGRETTED NOT BEING ABLE TO BRING ANY HOME. THE CREAM SAUCE WAS PERFECT TEXTURE... NOT TOO THICK AND NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING WATERY. WE PAIRED IT WITH Pinot Grigio, Armani “Vigneto Corvara” - Val d’Adige WHICH REALLY BROUGHT OUT THE SWEETNESS IN THE MARINARA AND THE SULTRINESS OF THE SUNDRIED TOMATTOES. THE CHICKEN HAD GREAT CONSISTANCEY AND WASN'T CHEWY OR CHALKY TO THE TASTE.

DESSERT OF COURSE I HAD TO GO WITH TIRAMISU

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: GOING TO ASTI ISN'T JUST A PLACE FOR GOOD FOOD BUT IT'S ALSO A PLACE FOR GREAT SERVICE AS WELL.... THE OWNERS AND STAFF THEIR ARE NOT ONLY KNOWLEDGABLE ABOUT THE CUISINE THEY ARE BEYOND FRIENDLY AND ACCOMADATING. FOR ME I CAN SAY THAT THEY ARE FRIENDS YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH THERE SERVICE PROBABLY MORE SO THAN THEIR FOOD JUST BECAUSE THEY DO GO THAT EXTRA MILE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE FAMILY NOT JUST A BILL. (ME PICTURED WITH THE OWNER WHILE STOPPING IN FOR A LATE DESSERT ON HALLOWEEN)

THE BOTTOM LINE: WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ROMANCE OR A WARM SETTING ASTI IS YOUR BEST BET.

CIAO BELLA!!!

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(619) 232-8844