Cucina Basilico (San Diego)

When we arrived in San Diego on our short trip to southern California we immediately went to our old “living room” - Cucina Basilico. Classic Italian food made completely in-house with care. It was also great to see Francesca and Danilo again (and we are glad the restaurant survived the pandemic)
It was great as always - hopefully we will now have the chance to come down more often


As always you start with their warm, freshly baked rolls


Rustic salame and mortadella


Prosciutto Crudo


Polpette with their marinara sauce


Pork ossobuco with porcini risotto


Raviolo filled with spinach


Mushroom casarecce with pesto and sausage


Semifreddo with marsala raisin and berry reduction


Vanilla panna cotta


Tiramisu (still our gold standard)

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Cucina Basilico https://www.cucinabasilico.com in San Diego is one of hidden gems (in a nondescript mall in Kearny Mesa - like so many hidden gems of restaurants in California) we have visited and supported since they opened more than ten years ago. And so every time we visit San Diego we have to have at least one meal Basilico - this time we had lunch on our last day.

Everything at Basilico is made in-house and especially the pasta (always a few different versions available each day) is outstanding. And their tiramisu and panna cotta are still our good standards.

Free bread

Norcina - Italian mild sausage in a light cream sauce with added mushrooms and spinach pasta

Pesto - Basil, walnuts, garlic, parmigiano & pecorino cheese, evoo with added Italian sausage and spinach pasta

Pantera Rosa - Marinara sauce, a touch of cream & pancetta with added mushrooms and spinach pasta

Vanilla Panna Cotta - handmade vanilla pudding topped with homemade berry sauce

Tiramisu - Savoiardi biscuits dipped in espresso coffee topped with mascarpone cheese sauce

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