With the saturation of Italian-American restaurants in the Gaslamp, to discover an authentic "ristorante Italiano" in these parts is to find a needle in the culinary haystack.
It is an additional delight to experience any restaurant in San Diego that celebrates its cultural tradition while incorporating contemporary accommodations that do not force or threaten its inherent, old-world style. Located off 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter, this is Acqua Al 2.
Entering the trattoria from its romantic, street-side brick patio, patrons are welcomed by open surroundings and a sophisticated bar, market-place crates of wine perched high on shelves, dramatic woodwork, fresh baked bread served table-side in paper bags and folks (many Italian-speaking) feasting all around. As our gracious waiter offered menu suggestions and engaged us with genuine interest, I turned to my guest and smiled, "We're not at Olive Garden anymore."
The history of Acqua Al 2 ('ah-qwa-all-doo-eh') begins in the historic theater district Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy, where renowned chefs Stefano Innocenti, Gianni Ravera and Lucia degli Innocenti first opened the doors in 1978 (located on Via dell' Acqua #2 - hence the name). Several years later, Mexican born, traveler-turned-chef Martin Gonzalez, after studying at the Instituto Culinario in Florence under Innocenti, opened Acqua Al 2 in San Diego in 2000, making the restaurant the international sister location.
To this day, locals and visitors dining at our very own Acqua Al 2 enjoy the same menu and dishes served at the famed ristorante in Florence. Since the opening in downtown San Diego, Acqua Al 2 has become the hot-spot for professional baseball players, members of the Mexico national soccer team, and countless celebrities.
L'atmosfera (the atmosphere)
Acqua Al 2 is located near the Harbor Drive end of 5th Avenue, and is a nice escape from heavy Gaslamp crowds for casual, elegant dining. The design of Acqua Al 2 is open, airy and quite bright, although there is a sectional dining room that provides for a darker, more intimate setting. Streaming, modern Italian jazz is a lovely, authentic touch - no Lazy Mary here. There is also an assortment of autographed plates hung throughout Acqua Al 2. This element of décor began as a tradition with dedicated regulars and public figures in the Florence ristorante and continues today in San Diego.
Il Cibo (the food)
A unique culinary experience offered at Acqua Al 2 is Assaggios, or sampler plates of chef-selected dishes in one. Among them, the Assaggio di Primi presents five different pasta dishes, the Assaggio di Secondi is a sampler of three entrees, and the Assaggio di Dolci offers a taste of four delectable desserts. We selected the Assaggio di Secondi that comes with the Filetto al Mirtillo - a robust, fork-tender filet mignon topped with an aromatic blueberry sauce, the Filetto all' Aceto Balsamico - a filet mignon also fork-tender drizzled with a balsamic vinegar glaze that drenches the cut in flavor, and the Petto di Pollo ai Funghi - a sautéed chicken breast topped with a porcini mushroom, garlic and white wine sauce.
All entrees were beautifully presented and exceptionally succulent. But the Petto di Pollo was chewing-while-nodding-head incredible. (Note: keep the mouth closed with this one. Water-balloon bursts of tangy, garlic-infused white wine will fill the mouth). We closed with the Assaggio di Dolci with a Pannacotta - a cream custard with fruit coulis, Torta di Cioccolatta - a dense, flourless chocolate cake, a creamy ricotta cheesecake with a strawberry glaze and walnut crust, and a delicate Tiramisu with light mascarpone cream and dusted, chocolate specs. A chilled Moscato d’Asti D’La Rei was served with the favoloso Assaggio di Dolci, and grins were rich all around.
Il Vino (the wine)
From Californian to Italian reds and whites, Cabs from Chile, a spicy Tempranillo from Spain, French, Mexican, Argentinean, and Australian selections, as well as its own label of Sangiovese, Acqua Al 2 offers an extensive wine collection. Mega-highlights by the bottle include a Super Tuscan Sassicaia 2002 (Tenuta San Guido), an Opus One 2002 (Napa Valley), a Hundred Acre 2002 (Napa Valley), a 1999 Merlot, Charles Krug "Reserve" (Napa Valley), and when only the best will do, a Sagrantino di Montefalco "25 Anni" Anniversary Riserve 2000 to lavish upon the senses. All wine varietals are personally selected by Chef Martin Gonzalez from exclusive vineyards around the world.
Acqua Al 2 has won numerous awards including Best Downtown Restaurant by 944 Magazine and Best Italian Restaurant 4 years in a row by the Gaslamp Quarter Association. Acqua Al 2 is located on 5th Avenue, between J and K, and is open for lunch M-F, 11:30am- 2:00pm; nightly from 5pm to close. There is a 2-for-1 Happy Hour special M-F from 5-7pm and Aperitivo on Thursdays - traditional Italian hor d'oeuvres offered complimentary at the bar from 6-8pm. Buon Appetito!
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