With Stella, An Italian Chef Returns

If anyone remembers the food at the now-shuttered Pasquale's on Prospect with fondness, its chef, Enzo Mauri, is back. Since Pasquale's closing, Mauri helped to start a local food truck (Mangia, Mangia) before returning to La Jolla to remodel a four-level restaurant, perched above La Jolla Cove, into the chef's first solo restaurant, Stella, named after his daughter.

Based on the cuisine of central Italy, where Mauri is originally from, the 150-seat restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The chef is particularly proud of his homemade pastas, which range from fresh tagliolini served with a mushroom sauce or fresh seafood to gnocchi in bolognese.

A 3 to 5 p.m. happy hour offers specials on house made dips, including artichoke with mozzarella and gorgonzola with beets; a grand opening is scheduled for mid-May, and live music is also in the works.
· Stella La Jolla [Official Site]
· All Opening Alerts on Eater [~ESD~]