Destination: Trattoria Acqua in La Jolla

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For over 12 years, Trattoria Acqua—or "Acqua," as those who know the restaurant well fondly call it—has served imaginative Italian dishes with a distinctive flair. Equal parts ambiance and food quality, Trattoria Acqua is the perfect locale for a genuine dining experience.

While the natural beauty of La Jolla cove sets a perfect stage, it is when you enter Acqua that you really feel transported. At night, the courtyard comes to life, a potted topiary garden delicately adorned with flowers of every color and strands of twinkling white lights. By day, the sun washes over the pale plaster walls and dances off the water. The thoughtful décor is both intricate and effortless. In a world of manufactured sameness, the beauty of Acqua lies in the little details that will delight and surprise you.

Over the years, the restaurant has found its rhythm in offering fare that echoes the essence of Italian cooking. By building a menu based on the season's freshest ingredients, known as the "market concept", the restaurant naturally evolves with the passing months.

The character and charm of Acqua's menu is truly a family effort. The kitchen staff, led by brothers Damaso and Hugo Lee, crafts every dish with care and genuine love of the food and ingredients. Damaso's wife supplies the restaurant with daily (sometimes even twice daily) shipments of crisp organic vegetables and ripe fruits. A prime selection of fresh fish and savory meats from small-scale natural producers are also delivered daily. The friendly staff, many of whom have been with the restaurant since opening, have a first-hand knowledge of the menu and fabulous wine list—a "bible" of important wines and rarefied finds hand-selected by the proprietors, Michael and Victoria McGeath and their son, Josh.

Sophisticated yet approachable, the menu selections are sure to intrigue even the most discerning guest. Build your dining experience with one of many antipasti dishes. The tender Calamari Fritti is perfectly dusted with a crisp, flavorful semolina flour mixture with a hint of spice. Garnished with lemon and the perfect aioli sauce for dipping, this calamari is no ordinary dish... arguably the best in San Diego. For a twist on a classic dish, try the Baked Brie. Cloaked in phyllo dough baked to a golden perfection, the generous wedge lies on a bed of crisp, tart green apple and slightly bitter, nutty arugula accented with a honey sauce infused with decadent truffle essence and garnished with delicate mirco greens.

For seafood lovers, a myriad of dishes will delight your senses—in particular, the Vongole alla Victoria is a longtime favorite. Any dining experience at Trattoria Acqua wouldn't be complete without sampling a fabulous desserts and famous cappuccinos. Diners want to stay as long as possible at Trattotia Acqua, where the frantic pace of life seems to melt away.

Insider's Tip: Don't miss reading Acqua's clever corkage policy. The table next to me was reading it out loud, and there was a round of laughter after every witty line!

Trattoria Acqua is open daily for lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, and open for dinner at 5:00 pm. Trattoria Acqua is also a perfect venue for large parties and special occasions.