According to manager Gavin McCarthy, the annual Seafood Festival at Trattoria Acqua in La Jolla is a "chance for people from San Diego to sample seafood only found in Italy."
Starting in April, Chef Damaso Lee promises four to five daily appetizers and entrees featuring fresh fish flown in directly from Italy. Selections will include Orata (Halibut), Branziano (Seabass), Marmora (Purple Snapper), Royal Scampi, Spiny Lobster, and many others. Special Italian wines that nicely complement the menu will also be available. But Trattoria Acqua doesn't limit the spring festival just to Italy; instead, they offer both décor and cuisine from all over the Mediterranean.
Lunch entrees regularly include Pollo Caprese, oven-roasted free range chicken breast with fresh mozzarella, or Salmon al Profumo di Tartufo, oven-roasted organic Scottish Salmon filet served with heirloom potatoes and vegetables. For dinner, try the Tagine d'Agneau, braised lamb shank, Scampi al Aglio, baked jumbo shrimp with parmesan breadcrumbs, garlic, white wine, and parsley butter, or the more traditional Cappellini al Pomodoro, angel hair pasta with tomatoes, basil, and garlic.
Save room, though, for something from the impressive array of deserts, such as the lemon tart, banana fritters with Belgian chocolate, or the crème brulee. A superior "hand-selected" wine list is also available.
In the same La Jolla location for fourteen years, Trattoria Acqua has several dining areas and diners can choose from "sun-dappled courtyard seating" or "romantic and cozy indoor dining." Lovely window seating along Coast Boulevard is also available, and recommended for the warm spring weather.
The Seafood Festival is scheduled for the month of April, but previous festivals have been known to last well into summer. For more information on the Seafood Festival, discover the 2007 celebration here.
Discover San Diego Hotels