New to Chula Vista is Italgo Pasta Bar, located at 635 Broadway, between I and Halsey streets. Blink and you just might pass the entrance, but make no mistake, the small exterior is deceiving.
The interior is large, inviting and plush. The seating is spacious, perfect for a family meal, a business lunch or a single quick bite. The name Italgo is derived from Italian to go. The casual Italian concept is suitable for this busy and bustling part of the city.
Though this casual Italian restaurant concept and location has only been open since February of this year, the flavors and atmosphere may seem familiar because the roots and inspiration of this eatery started in La Jolla.
Italgo is inspired by the famed Harry’s Bar that served San Diegans for more than 18 years across the street from the Westfield UTC mall; its doors closed in 2015.
Alejandro Vicens formerly served as the executive chef for Harry’s and now currently owns and operates Italgo, expressing the more casual side of his 25 years of experience in Italian cuisine.
The menu boasts a variety of pastas and sauces, all of which are handmade and crafted in-house. Expect the menu to change from time to time as local seasonal ingredients vary.
My favorites: prosciutto with arugula, capers and lemon; ravioli with mushrooms and truffle cream; maccheroni and cheese, which includes crab meat, fontina, mozzarella and goat cheese; linguini with clams and garlic.
Don’t skip the off-menu house rosemary bread, it is delicious! And definitely don’t skip the homemade creme brulee, tiramisu and flan.
The entire menu is offered from 10 a.m. to midnight Wednesday through Saturday; Sunday through Tuesday doors close just a bit earlier.
Call (619) 651-8247 or visit www.italgopastabar.com for more information.
Buon appetito!
Kris Galicia Brown can be reached at the following social media sites:
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