My childhood friend J.B. moved out here from “Cinci” (a.k.a. Cincinnati) nearly 3 years ago so I figured it was about time these two Italiano’s gathered their respective families and headed to this event.  A cannolo pastry and java are likely how we’ll start off in the morning and see what else we might get into.

Various Musical Stages at Event

Immediately I observe that this area has changed a lot since we last here in 2011.  As expected there are many new restaurants and cafes.  I don’t know if I’ll get a chance to check any of these out today but two new additions, Bencotto and Solunto Restaurant and Bakery are on my short list of places to check out.

Caffe Italia: Courtyard Patio

Upscale seating, splendid decor and faux wood tile are featured here.  We get a cannolo pastry from Cafe Zucchero (cafezucchero.com).  Bella and I enjoy our “caffe au lait” (coffee with hot milk added) beverages at Caffe Italia (caffeitalialittleitaly.com).  I’ve been cutting out sugars from my diet for years and unfortunately I’ve noticed this drink has been disappearing from many coffee house menu’s.  Although my guess is something this simple could easily be accommodated.  The pastries here seem to be imported from another local bakery so oftentimes they aren’t the freshest on the block.

Cafe Zucchero: Cannolo

The cannolo at Cafe Zucchero (cafezucchero.com) is lacking the citrus flavor and orange peel in each end from years ago.  Additionally, the “sour tang” in the ricotta cheese is absent as it was at my last visit.  Those are things that made this cannolo nearly perfect for me but regardless it is still a very good cannolo.  Their pastry counter seems to have greatly reduced the variety of pastries they offer from previous years.  Given the economy maybe they retired some poor selling ones.

Vendors sell Italiano merchandise in addition to various other merchandise.

There is no shortage of cool architecture in this neighborhood.

Colorful architecture may be found here as well.

Leonardo has some fun at the fun park.

JB and Shirley hook Leo up with a penguino ballon art animal from a vendor “artiste”.  That kid better not turn his back or I’m pilfering it for my collection.  🙂

Petrini’s: Sausage & Pepper Slider’s

Per J.B., it is pretty good, but not great.

Inside of the slider…

I only “sniff” heartburn central for me so I’m out.

Mona Lisa Italian Restaurant & Deli (monalisalittleitaly.com) is selling Pulpo Salad today.

Mona Lisa: Pulpo Salad

It is to die for…

I had to go for round two of this tasty salad…

Mona Lisa Italian Foods: Sandwich

The Italian sausage sandwich with peppers and onions.

Mona Lisa Italian Deli (monalisalittleitaly.com) has a lot of nice Italian liqueurs as well as tasty non-alcoholic beverages.  True Leaf is still my favorite peach iced tea but this isn’t bad and isn’t quite as sweet as some others on the market.

Ballast Point Brewing Co.: Tasting room

At the Ballast Point tasting room (ballastpoint.com) we sample their “Calm Before the Storm” coffee cream ale.  As my luck would have it their only tasting room serving their Sextant Oatmeal Stout Nitro (the best beer on David’s planet) is located in Temecula, CA.

Ballast Point “Calm Before the Storm” coffee cream ale.

Jared and I do enjoy pumpkin foods and beverages around the holidays but this is still some “funny ass bullmud”.

More Cool Architecture…

I wouldn’t mind living off of the Little Italy strip.

Tarantino’s Sausage, Pepper and Onion Sandie

Can you sense a trend developing here?

A festive Italian parade…

Jared (J.B.) sneaks in with the parade participants and does his “dance of joy” ala Balki Bartokomous style.

If you are too young or unfamiliar with Balki, click here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balki_Bartokomous

Chalk artist at work.

Chalk artist’s work.

Chalk Art

A festival attendee is about to go into the “drink”…

Signage on Community Pool Gate

We’re now in Chula Vista checking out JB’s new neighborhood.  Yuck!

Karina’s Mexican Seafood: Chula Vista

The outdoor patio at Karina’s Mexican Seafood (karinasseafood.com) is pretty nice with fairly comfortable seating and nice ambiance.  We order a guacamole appetizer and somehow end up with a guacamole “side” which lacks the onions, tomatoes, lime juice etc.  Due to dietary restrictions, I am relatively happy with it whereas the rest of the table seems disinterested with it; likely due to the loss of interesting textures and flavors.

Karina’s Mexican Seafood: Breaded Fish Fillet

This white fish is tender, flaky and delicious.  It comes with your choice of corn or flour tortillas, salad and rice.

Karina’s Mexican Seafood: Whole Charbroiled Fish

This fish is a touch dry in spots but is very good overall.  I have big issues with “dry” foods.

Karina’s Mexican Seafood: JUMBO Prawns

J.B. says they’re as good as they look.

Karina’s Mexican Seafood: “Seven Seas” Soup

Bella loves the soup and seafood dishes at Mexican seafood (“mariscos”) restaurants and this is no exception.

Karina’s Mexican Seafood:  Flan

The good news is that it doesn’t have cinnamon and the focus is caramel.  The bad news is that while it has some firmness, something in the texture and taste is off.  It lacks creaminess and may be too egg heavy?  I’m not sure, but I don’t like it.

For more information on the Little Italy Festa event in San Diego:

http://www.littleitalysd.com/events/little-italy-festa

THE END!