This is one of my favorite stops in downtown San Diego. It is walking distance from Petco Park home of the San Deigo Padres. What a great setup San Diego has, so many restaurants and bars you couldn’t hit them all in a year. I found Acqua Al 2 because I heard it was the top Italian restaurant in the city. Acqua Al 1 is located in Italy.

This restaurant is frequented by many celebrities and has a very comfortable down to earth feel. They are known for their pasta dishes so I must recommend the Fusille pasta. It is homemade and looks like curly fries. They also serve an amazing fillet covered in a blueberry reduction sauce. You must experience this dish because it is so different and exciting. I could ordered it every time.

This last visit I had their seafood pasta special. Very seasoned, like I love it and satisfying to the last mouth full. For the wine we shared a bottle of a Malbec meritage. It was medium to full body. I wasn’t worried about it over powering the seafood because the seafood was cooked with black olives. Black olives can dominate the taste buds so it helps to have some other big flavors.

I finished the night with an espresso because I had to drive back to Orange County. If you are looking for fine dining and a taste of Italy this is your place in the Gas Lamp District.

All in all I give this restaurant a, “Simply Bellissimo.”