Elvira, a new Roman osteria-meets-pizzeria in Ocean Beach, will officially open its doors on the 19th. Taking over the former Bo-Beau Kitchen + Bar space, Elvira is the next venture following the successful Cesarina Ristorante as reported by San Diego Eater.
Niccolò Angius, Elvira's co-owner, aims for the restaurant to truly capture the essence of its namesake, his great-grandmother Elvira. Accordingly, the venue displays family photos and features her beloved recipes. Limes Architetti, an Italian firm, performed the refurbishment, contributing to the cozy atmosphere that Angius and his partner, Cesarina Mezzoni, aspire to share with San Diego.
Through the culinary creations of Mezzoni, who takes on the role of Elvira's executive chef, the establishment aims to acquaint San Diego locals with authentic Roman food culture. Homemade pasta dishes like tonnarelli cacio e pepe and bucatini all'amatriciana will be available, along with the crispy fried artichokes that are a specialty in the Roman neighborhood of Trastevere.
Influenced by her family's business, a Rome-based butcher shop in the renowned Campo de' Fiori square, Mezzoni introduced the lamb "cotoletta", paired with arugula, artichokes, shaved pecorino, and fresh mint, to the menu.
Staying in line with Roman customs, Elvira will offer daily specials, known as piatti del giorno, associating different dishes with specific days of the week.
Ignazio Tagliavia, the executive pizza chef, will supervise the operation of the wood-fired oven. He plans on introducing a variety of Roman pizzas, including oval-shaped pinsa and pizza al taglio, baked in rectangular steel pans, which, to begin with, will be available during dinner service, San Diego Eater reports.
Elvira is determined to serve wine in a traditional osteria fashion, by the quarter, half, or full-liter carafe, instead of the common practice of serving individual glasses. Among its wine list are offerings from regions in Italy like Lazio, Campagna, Abruzzo, and Marche, local and Italian craft beers, and cocktails with Italian spirits and liqueurs, like the Carciofo, which includes scotch, Cynar, and bitters.
By January, Elvira plans to offer 'Cucina di La Nonna', an intimate dining experience in a room next to the kitchen. This curated event recreates the ambiance of an Italian kitchen during mealtime, complete with a separate prix fixe menu.
Couple Angius and Mezzoni, who have lived in Ocean Beach since they moved to San Diego, have shown interest in expanding their culinary influence in the Ocean Beach/Point Loma area further. Their cheese-making and catering establishment, Angelo, intended to open opposite Cesarina, has been postponed. However, the pair still plans to utilize the space while searching for a new location for Angelo according to San Diego Eater.
