CATANIA Coastal Italian

CATANIA Coastal Italian Restaurant Review:

This La Jolla restaurant was inspired by a 1,400-mile road trip taken through Italy. Perched on the top floor of the redesigned La Plaza Center, CATANIA offers dreamy views and Italian coastal cuisine. Beets mingle with yellowtail crudo, kissed by Meyer lemon and poppy seeds and a touch of basil. Beef carpaccio melts on the tongue, paired with a crunch of Suzie’s Farm lettuce, pickled shallots and a spot of heat from Calabrian chili vinaigrette. The subtle flavor of burnt orange elevates the goat cheese and beet pesto pizza, and a tenderbelly bacon and charred broccolini pizza with garlic and chili flakes is another nice bite. While Schofield succeeds with his whole branzino and the braised pork shoulder, it’s the duck sugo orecchiette that’s etched in our minds. Nuggets of duck and porcini mushrooms tuck into the slightly al dente, ear-shaped pasta, pampered with Parmesan. Look for spiked Italian sodas like orange-tarragon with vodka, and desserts by chef Jojo Rossi. We recommend her pistachio torta with a mixed citrus salad and chocolate budino.