Marisi Italian Now Open In La Jolla

After being in development for over two years, Marisi is now open, unlocking the doors to Italy by way of La Jolla.

With a focus on Italian hearth cooking, featuring handmade pasta, classic cocktails, and fine wine, Marisi honors Italian customs with past and present practices of thoughtful service worthy of remembering.

Marisi La Jolla Dining Room
Photo: Kimberly Motos

Meet the Marisi La Jolla team

The distinguished team is helmed by Executive Chef Chad Huff (Providence in Hollywood, Felix Trattoria in Venice, and Broad Street Oyster Co. in Malibu) and Bar & Spirits Creative Director Beau du Bois (Three Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood).

Marisi restaurant team

An Italian interior that commands attention

Upon entering the space, guests feel the ocean breeze met with the familiar aroma of wood smoke, invoking an intriguing blend of romance, sophistication, and liveliness that works in tandem with the leisurely and picturesque nature of La Jolla.

With a number of elements that command attention, including the 10-foot brick and tiled Italian hearth, expansive sunlit patio, sweeping ceilings met with high arched walkways and private dining room coined, ‘The Lemon Room,’ some of the restaurant’s more subtle details are what most significantly aid in its charm, like its vintage art prints, mosaic bar top, and custom wall décor.

Marisi’s color palette whisks you to the Italian coast, spotlighting hues of yellows, greens, blues, and pinks, set to charm with its blend of refined classic elements and subtle yet intentional details.

Marisi La Jolla Bar
Photo: Kimberly Motos

The Marisi menu

Offering handmade pasta paired with wood-fired dishes from the hearth and a beverage program customary to Italy, Marisi gives guests a tour of the country’s beloved cuisine.

With a climate almost indistinguishable from that of the Amalfi Coast, La Jolla’s abundance of fresh produce is showcased throughout Marisi’s vibrant menu. The team has hand-selected ingredients that bring authentic Italian cuisine to life, including Balsamic Vinegar from Modena IGF, Olive Oil from Sicily and Pasini Italian flour.

italian menu

A cocktail program honoring Italian culture

Marisi’s cocktail program, curated by Bar and Spirits Creative Director, Beau du Bois, features an array of Italian aperitivos, homemade limoncello, rare spirits, and an Italian Pilsner brewed specifically for Marisi.

Honoring Italy’s historic ties to Vermouth, Marisi will feature a selection of over thirty brands, with the option to sip tableside Martinis throughout the meal made with Bordiga’s Extra Dry Vermouth. Encompassing the proverb, ‘Appetite begins with vermouth’ into its beverage experience, Marisi encourages guests to enjoy Vermouth over ice upon arrival, followed by wine and espresso to complete the dining experience.

Completing Marisi’s bar program is a proprietary Italian espresso blend, a nod to Italy’s after-dinner culture, encouraging one’s intrinsic desire to extend the evening’s festivities.

Marisi’s wine program, led by Wine Director Chris Plaia, who curated some of the Bay Area’s most forward-thinking wine programs, is rich in unique Italian varietals, micro-producers, and progressive styles of wine, while also offering familiar gems.

martini cocktail

See you there

Keep up to date with Marisi by visiting their website here and following them on Instagram.

See you there, San Diego!

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