Romanissimo comes from Vincenzo Loverso and Alessandro Minutella, seasoned restaurateurs behind Greystone The Steakhouse, Osetra The Fishhouse, Osteria Panevino, The Butcher’s Cut, and Vincenzo’s in Little Italy. The duo previously operated Saltwater under their San Diego Dining Group, but opted for a complete transformation of the space, pivoting from a seafood and steakhouse to a menu focused on regional Italian flavors.
Romanissimo's menu highlights classic Roman-style dishes. Handmade pasta plays a starring role, with offerings like Radiatori al Sugo, featuring a short rib ragu and pecorino cheese, and Agnolotti, filled with beef cheek and served in brown butter and sage. For spice lovers, the Spaghetti Indiavolati delivers bold flavors with garlic, chili flakes, and a spicy tomato sauce.
Pizza and "pinza" - a Roman-style flatbread - are also on offer, including La Mortadella, topped with pistachio pesto, smoked mozzarella, and arugula, and Diavola, featuring spicy salami and mozzarella. Seafood lovers can opt for the Salmone Affumicato, served with lemon caper sauce, or the Ostriche, Carciofi, e Gamberi, a dish of oysters, artichokes, shrimp, lemon, and chili sauce. For heartier main courses, Romanissimo presents Cotoletta alla Milanese, a breaded veal cutlet served with arugula and tomato, as well as Filetto di Manzo, a grilled filet mignon paired with porcini risotto and a red wine reduction.
The transformation from Saltwater to Romanissimo marks a shift in culinary direction for the Gaslamp Quarter space. Originally home to Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, which operated for 24 years under the Cohn Restaurant Group, the location has long been a destination for upscale dining. With the transition to Romanissimo, Loverso and Minutella aim to bring the flavors of Rome to the heart of San Diego, following the success of Roman Wolves in Little Italy, another concept under their restaurant group.
The transformation from Saltwater to Romanissimo marks a shift in culinary direction for the Gaslamp Quarter space. Originally home to Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, which operated for 24 years under the Cohn Restaurant Group, the location has long been a destination for upscale dining. With the transition to Romanissimo, Loverso and Minutella aim to bring the flavors of Rome to the heart of San Diego, following the success of Roman Wolves in Little Italy, another concept under their restaurant group.
Romanissimo Cucina Italiana is now open at 565 Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter. For more information, visit romanissimosd.com and check out the launch menu below.
