Breakfast and Bubbles wreaks of prettiness. (Facebook)
Food | San Diego

Our Favorite New Eating Establishments

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

We’ve hit the streets of Downtown and Uptown particularly hard since California bounced back into full action on June 15 with the lifting of most Covid restrictions. We discovered some standout spots to satiate our appetites along the way.

A restaurant that’s been serving up Sicilian-American fare in San Diego since 1952 has branched into the Gaslamp Quarter. The family-run Nicolosi’s originally opened on Goldfinch Street in Mission Hills nearly 70 years ago before moving to East County, where it maintains a brisk business with house-made ravioli, classic eggplant Parmesan, and generous plates of spaghetti with meatballs. The pizzas with cup-shaped “Sicilian pepperoni” (upon request) will especially thrill back-East transplants.

Also downtown is a notable reboot of Salvatore’s Cucina, which is now Salvatore’s Cucina & Lounge. Put this on your nightlife list for imbibing on new cocktails named after San Diego’s urban neighborhoods: Cortez Hill, Little Italy, Golden Hill, and others. The menu and atmosphere have been revamped as well.

Flavors from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam converge at White Elephant, which recently popped onto the Hillcrest scene with dishes such as lemongrass-shrimp salad, pho chicken soup, pineapple fried rice, colored curries and more. We’re smitten with the peanut-laced pra ram with chicken and veggies.

North Park has seen the arrival of Breakfast and Bubbles, an all-day brunch spot where pink walls, flowers and champagne define the Instagram-friendly vibe. The restaurant is run by some of the same owners as nearby RustiCucina and Allegro in Little Italy. A meal here potentially involves things like “pink” deviled eggs, Oreo-stuffed French toast, eggs Benedict with caviar, and enough French bubbly to warrant a designated driver.