La Taverna

La Taverna Restaurant Review:

Anyone who has ever eaten at Mary Ann Vitale's tiny Italian eatery knows that she takes great pride in her authentic Italian cuisine. A local La Jolla favorite, La Taverna ensures everything you eat is made in-house --- from the bread she places on the table, to the sausages on the plate, to the sauce covering them. These extra steps mean a lot in terms of flavor, and chef-owner Vitale's choice of rustic Italian recipes is another strong point. Don't miss the insalata Romana, baby spinach tossed in homemade honey mustard dressing, topped with beets, red onion, goat cheese and toasted pecans, or the Parmesan-crusted chicken breast with a lemon-shallot sauce. The daily risotto reflects Vitale's talents in the kitchen, as does the sausage. Vitale also owns the deli next door called Sorella's for sandwiches, salads and seasonal specials.