Recently I was fortunate enough to check out one of the newest restaurants in Little Italy, Isola Pizza Bar. I was pretty stoked about trying their pizzas because Chef and Owner, Massimo Tenifo is from Piemonte, Italy. Second, Isola Pizza Bar’s only piece of cooking equipment in the restaurant is an imported oak wood-burning oven from Naples, Italy. Third, all pizzas are made with a double zero flour also imported from Naples, Italy. Last but not least, Chef Massimo Tenifo focuses on local, fresh, and simple ingredients. For example, using organic produce from the farmer’s market, mussels from Carlsbad, and herbs from their own patio.
Isola Pizza Bar is a modern and chic restaurant with an open kitchen bar.
One of my favorite parts of the restaurant is the bathroom. Although it may just seem very hip and LA-ish, it’s really the opposite. It’s just an amazing picture of Chef Massimo Tenifo’s grandma, Isola who first taught him how to cook. Just love this tribute to her.
Instead of flowers, I love that fresh herbs are in the a vase.
Acqua Panna $6
Natural Spring Water from Tuscany, Italy
If you want to make your Italian meal complete, you can even order natural spring water that is from Italy. Or of course, wine from Italy.
Fagioli al Fiasco $8
Cannellini beans, fresh herbs, olive oil, garlic, red chile
This is baked in the wood-burning oven and was just simply delicious. I could easily eat this every day, it had the right amount of flavor and spices which showed that Chef Massimo Tenifo doesn’t mess around.
Special of the Day – Tomato Carpaccio $10
This dish was created from what Chef Massimo Tenifo found at the farmer’s market that day. Once again, very simple, but ridiculously good and well prepared.
Gamberetti $16
Shrimp, asparagus, goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella
I was really in the mood for white pizza with some goat cheese and thankfully Isola Pizza Bar had me covered. The light, savory crust along with the fresh quality ingredients pizza just created a whole new pizza experience for me. Just sprinkled some red pepper flakes on top and it easily became one of my favorite pizzas. I highly recommend ordering it.
4 Stagioni a Modo Mio $15
mozzarella, mushrooms, artichokes, speck prosciutto, olives, tomato
This was Medi’s pizza and he changed out the speck proscuitto for the parma prosciutto. His pizza was cooked a bit longer and crispier. He really enjoyed it and I had a slice, but the Gamberetti already had a love spell over me. But proscuitto and olive fans would rejoice.
Gelato $8
Home-made gelato: vanilla bean, pistachio, and rum raisin
Isola Pizza Bar makes various flavors a day of home-made gelato. Our favorite which the waitress highly recommended was the rum raisin. Also the pistachio tasted just like a pistachio and was super rich and creamy. We ordered the vanilla bean to be safe, but it ended up being our least favorite since all the other flavors were just exploding with flavor. We also were able to taste the chocolate mint gelato afterwards and that was also one of our favorite too.
Budino al Cioccolato $8
belgian chocolate, caramel, panna, sea salt
I thought I would switch it up by not ordering my favorite, the tiramisu since I’ve never had this before. Those who love rich chocolate pudding-like desserts, this is for you. Although very good, I’m more of a tiramisu girl and heard really great things about it. Must go back for it.
Isola Pizza Bar is now one of my new favorite places in Little Italy because of their amazing food and impeccable service. Hope they keep up and can’t wait to go back. I highly suggest everyone check it out.
This meal was complimentary and provided by the restaurant. I was not compensated for the review and all the opinions are my own.
Isola Pizza Bar
1526 India Street
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 255-4230
