Old Venice Awards

Old Venice Restaurant Review:

If you can't afford to jet off to Italy for some romantic dining, head to this intimate Point Loma restaurant instead. Enjoy hearty Italian cuisine at one of the patio tables under twinkling lights, or dine in the cozy candle- and fire-lit room. Notable starters include pesto-baked feta with sun-dried tomatoes; New Zealand green lip mussels steamed in garlic, basil and Madeira; and the ensalada Venicia --- fresh greens tossed with walnuts, yellow raisins, feta, cucumbers, roma tomatoes and pineapple, and spritzed with a pineapple-balsamic vinaigrette. Among the pizzas, we like the "Greek Goddess" with its Greek olives, cheese, oregano and fresh tomatoes. Rich pastas include rigatoni with broccoli, garlic, onion, tomato and caramelized walnuts sautéed in a Gorgonzola cream sauce, and smoked salmon on black linguine dressed up with peas, garlic and onion in a Parmesan cream sauce. Piccatas, Marsalas and Florentines abound, all carefully prepared with fine meats, fish and chicken. Gelati are a fine ending, or indulge in the giant chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies, smothered in gelato and pecans.