Oh how much my native San Diego has changed in downtown with new high rise structures in front of old buildings. Whenever I travel people always say how they love to visit our city. So I say to my local friends, get out there and experience it and don’t take it for granted. I soaked in the gorgeous view from the roof top of the Andaz in the Gaslamp District.
Little Italy on India St is also changing but two places have remained the same over time. The Assenti family has been making fresh pasta in Little Italy since 1981. But their Italian cooking roots go back even further in San Diego. It’s the place to buy fresh pasta and sauces along with all the help you need to make a fabulous dinner.
The family has special holiday foods to go and they are worth a look see to make an impressive dinner. We brought home the angel hair pasta and whipped up a meal with tomato shrimp sauce from our fridge. Nothing like fresh pasta for dinner.
One of my all time favorite markets is Mona Lisa Italian Foods on India St. I asked about the hanging salami’s and was told they’re from San Francisco and hanging them gives a little more flavor.
The market is as close to Italy as I could get and I often load up on cheeses and breads. It’s one of the few places to buy delicious spumoni ice cream and I couldn’t leave without sandwich #8!
Mona Lisa Italian Foods
2061 India St, San Diego 619.234.4893
Assenti’s Pasta 2044 India St, San Diego 619.239.5177
Andaz San Diego 600 F St, San Diego 619.849.1234
