Dora Ristorante opened in La Jolla, and from the moment I stepped inside, it felt special. Some places need time to find their rhythm. Dora Ristorante restaurant opened already sure of itself. The room is warm and inviting, with soft light, imported Italian tile. It has an open kitchen so that you easily see dishes being made. You can tell right away that a lot of care went into every detail.
Chef Accursio Lota is a True Standout
Chef Accursio Lota is the soul of Dora Ristorante. I walked in with pretty high expectations for him. I’ve loved his work for years, so the bar was already set high. And he still delivered, dish after dish. His other restaurant, Trattoria Cori Pastificio, is one of my personal favorites in North Park. His talent has long been recognized. He won the 2017 Barilla World Pasta Championship. He also earned Italy’s respected Three Gamberi award from Gambero Rosso. At Dora Ristorante you can taste his Sicilian roots, his years of training, and his commitment to honest, beautiful food.
What We Ate — A Dinner Worth Talking About
For me, what makes the food at Dora Ristorante so special is Chef Accursio’s style. His cooking is rooted in the traditions of Sicily but brought to life with seasonality and creativity. He grew up in a small town near the Mediterranean. There, he learned from his nonna and family how simple, fresh ingredients can shine. At Dora Ristorante he blends that heritage with what he’s learned from working in top kitchens in Italy. His dishes are delicious and beautifully plated. The food made the whole meal feel personal and unforgettable.
Dishes we ordered:
- Carcofi Al Ferno – oven roasted baby artichokes
- Polpette Alla Griglia – beef and veal grilled meatballs
- Zucca In Agrodolce – roasted farmer’s market squash
- Polipo Alla Griglia – grilled Mediterranean octopus
- Pollo Alla Griglia – half Mary’s farm chicken
- Branzino Croccante – branzino prepared with a crispy skin
- Working Girl cocktail
- Sicily Sour cocktail
- Cioccolato, Cioccolato, Cioccolato
A New Chapter for San Diego Dining
Dora Ristorante feels like the next chapter for Chef Accursio, and honestly, for San Diego dining too. It is full of the kind of cooking that makes you want to come back before you’ve even left. I loved this dinner. And I’m sure this restaurant will be one of San Diego’s best.
The pre-theatre menu offers three courses for $58. Right now the dishes are inspired by the La Jolla Playhouse show “Working Girl.”
