Operacaffe is a staple of Italian dining in San Diego, and for good reason. With a history of serving up classic Tuscan food with a few American favorites, Operacaffe is a go-to spot in the Gaslamp for Italian fare, or if you just want a nice dinner.
Tucked away from the louder streets of downtown, Operacaffe offers diners a respite from the bustle of the center of the Gaslamp. It's quiet, and perfect for a date or a family dinner away from the noise.
With the pandemic still going, Operacaffe has plenty of outside dining with a new patio installed to make diners feel safe. It's great in San Diego weather!
We started the meal with glasses of the house wine and the fried burrata cheese. This appetizer was completely decadent, and completely worth it. Delicious, creamy burrata cheese deep fried, then served in a pool of house-made marinara with basil.
I really, really love chicken parmigiana, but I hardly ever order if out. That will probably change now, because the chicken parm at Operacaffe was to die for. The helping was quite large, with a chicken breast perfectly fried, drenched in sauce, and topped with so much cheese. The spaghetti served on the side was fresh, with more of the delicious marinara.
Fresh pasta really does make a difference, especially when the dish has a lighter sauce. The Penna alla Kika dish features shrimp, Manila clams, and fresh penne pasta, all tossed in a very light, slightly spicy cream sauce. Like all good Italian cooking, fresh, high quality ingredients are the key to a delicious dish. This dish was a perfect summer pasta, with lots of flavor, and a lightness to the sauce and seafood.
Besides serving great pasta dishes, Operacaffe also offers homemade pizza. They have a few varieties, but I love a classic Margherita pizza. Simply topped with fresh mozzarella and basil, the Margherita pizza was a perfect supplement to the pastas. The pizza is a great option if you are dining with children.
There are many options for desserts -- all homemade. We went with the chocolate gelato, served with a chocolate cookie and fresh strawberries. It was honestly the best chocolate gelato that I've eaten since I visited Italy.
The other dessert was the classic cannoli. These were served as two minis, and were completely scrumptious, with a creamy ricotta filling and the perfect ratio of sweet spices to make them sing.
Operacaffe is open daily for dinner, closed on Mondays.
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