Being a native San Diegan, I’m sad to say I really haven’t tried all the cool little restaurants around here. It’s okay, because I have a lot of friends who are willing to scope out new places to try out every now and then. It’s like our own little “Finer Things Club“. Our latest excursion took us to Point Loma to this cute Italian restaurant called, “Old Venice.”
Looking at other online reviews, it seems that people either really like it or think it’s not worth the money. Unfortunately, I also think that it is a little overrated. The restaurant is situated on a small street in Point Loma and not surrounded by other restaurants. This is good because parking was plentiful when we arrived for our 5:30PM reservation (they only take reservations for parties of 10 or more guests).
One thing I always look forward to at Italian restaurants is their fresh bread. I wasn’t a big fan of the kind that Old Venice served. I’m no bread expert, but I believe it was a kind of semolina bread with sesame seeds and seasoned with some butter and chives. The crust was too brittle, dry, and crumbly. It was toasted for a little too long and it just didn’t hit the spot.
Since I knew this was going to be my first food blog, I decided to go for broke and order an appetizer. Our server recommended the Magic Mushrooms ($9.75) which is button mushrooms stuffed with snow crab and shrimp and baked with provolone cheese. It came to me fresh out of the oven, piping hot. I only wish I was able to taste the the snow crab and shrimp in there. It really could have been mushrooms and cheese, because that’s all I could taste.
My main course was also highly recommended by our server as his personal favorite. The La Regina ( $23) comes with clams, shrimp, scallops, fresh fish, mussels, and baby clams sautéed in a white wine marinara sauce over black linguine. I would classify the white wine sauce as very mild, which is the way I like it. They were very generous with the pieces of seafood with large shrimp, very fresh scallop, and big mussels. The black linguine was cooked al dente, just like it should have been. However, if you are a fan of extremely flavorful dishes, I would suggest you get something else.
After our dinner plates were cleared, the hostess brought over a tray of desserts. She mentioned something about their house special tiramisu and I jumped at it. I love how tiramisu is a delicate balance between mildly bitter espresso and cocoa and the sweetness of the cream and marsala wine. I took a bite and… wow. Too sweet. Way too sweet. The consistency was just as a good tiramisu should be, but way too much sugar. Great presentation, though.
All in all, my foot of the bill came out to $54 for an appetizer, main dish, and dessert, including tax and tip. It was a little much for what I got. You really are paying for the ambiance of their restaurant, which was great.
Old Venice is a great place to take your special someone, but not if you are looking for somewhere quiet to talk about things. There is a lot going on, and if there is a large party in the same room, it can be noisy. This isn’t bad thing, it just depends on what kind of environment you’re going for.
The young staff were extremely nice and professional. The setting was great and was nicely decorated for the holiday seasons. If you go for the ambiance and service, you will be happy. If you’re going just for the food, your money is better spent elsewhere.
This is LeOnion, and that is just my opinion.
1. Weirdest thing you have had for breakfast?
* Porridge with Thousand Year Old Egg.
2. Most desperate meal you've ever had?
* Mac and Cheese, except there was no milk in the fridge. Made it with soy milk instead. Not quite the same.
3. When you eat too much, you...
* Resist the temptation to fall asleep. 
