This is the story of one family and three restaurants. Well sadly, now two. The closing recently of When In Rome will leave a hole for those looking for good GREAT Italian food in Encinitas.
I have still had the distinct pleasure of dining at all three with the most recent being at Rosina's in Oceanside.
If you are anywhere in San Diego looking for great Italian cuisine, head north to Rosina's.
Sure it is a bit of a schlep but look at it this way, while you are driving you can just think about all of the wonderful menu choices that will meet you there. Not to mention Rosina herself.
T and I ate there Friday last with two other friends. We will all be back - very soon.
We love Italian food, we love Italian food in Little Italy, we love Italian food in Manhattan and this is the best we have had, hands down.
T and I had planned on sharing an appetizer and an entree but when we saw the menu we knew we each had to get an entree of our own.
We started with the Insalata alla Siciliana. Terrific salad with avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion and ricotta. Tossed lightly with red wine vinegar and EVOO. To die for. This salad was so light and refreshing I could have eaten a big bowl of it with bread and been happy. Of course there was a basket of great bread served with an olive oil that had sun dried tomato in it. The only reason I didn't lick the bowl clean right there is that I am not that much of a slob. Almost, but not quite.
I had for my entree the Arrabiatta with Penne. I love garlic and I love spicy. This was wonderful as well. The pasta was house made and nice and rich and chewy. Perfect. I had a hard time keeping T's fork out of my bowl!
T had the Pollo con Carciofi - chicken breast sauteed with artichokes and capers in white wine sauce. YUM-O is all I can really say. I love capers and artichokes. Typically one would get the hearts from a jar in a dish like this. Not here. These were fresh and soooooo tender. Oh, this dish was served with creamy polenta. I ordered a side of that as soon as I tried T's. Drizzled with balsamic and out of this world. Rosina said it was fat free too. That's right, the fat was free, we only paid for the polenta.
Then of course, there was espresso - made in one of the most beautiful espresso machines I have ever seen! I told Rosina that if her machine ever disappeared, she should check my house.
Rosina told us what the dessert selections were for the evening and T and I had no trouble deciding; Creme Brulee for T, Chocolate Flan for me and a Tira Misu to go. I know, I know...a dessert each at the restaurant AND one to go. Yes, you betcha!!!
T is a huge fan of creme brulee. Rosina told us that a woman comes in to her restaurant every week just for this dessert. One bite and we knew why. The caramelized sugar on top was done to a T. Nice and crisp when broken with a spoon. The custard was just perfect as well. Nice and smooth with a sublime flavor. T was in heaven and I was too when she let me get my spoon in there.
When Rosina described the chocolate flan, I knew that was the one for me. This flan is made with marscapone cheese and semi sweet chocolate. I had never had anything like this and may never again it was so good. Not too sweet thanks to the semi sweet chocolate and just the right texture. It went perfectly with my espresso.
With the tira misu we got to go, when we were eating it we agreed that Rosina's had nailed this dessert too.
Incidentally, all of these desserts are made in house.
Do yourself a favor and get to Rosina's and FAST. That way, there will be more time to go again sooner.
3613 Ocean Ranch Boulevard
Oceanside, CA 92056-8602
(760) 721-5000
Cuisine: Italian, just like at home.Oceanside, CA 92056-8602
(760) 721-5000
Dollar Value: Good.
Service: Great!!
Would I return here: Yes after a nice Sunday bike ride for brunch. Gotta try it!!!
