Buona Forchetta Sets Opening Date for Liberty Station

The considerable wait for San Diego’s second Buona Forchetta is nearly over. Though Eater toured you through the popular South Park hangout’s new Liberty Station space a month ago, the restaurant has just announced that it will officially open for lunch and dinner on Wednesday, March 15. Going forward, it will serve both lunch and dinner Wednesday through Monday and only lunch on Tuesday. Dubbed Officine Buona Forchetta, the 2,622-square-foot restaurant is the result of a burgeoning partnership between Buona Forchetta owner Matteo Cattaneo and Mario Cassineri, who runs BiCE Ristorante in the Gaslamp; it’s the first of several planned collaborations, which includes a fast-casual Italian eatery.

The 200-seat space, which includes two spacious outdoor eating patios, has a modern, industrial warehouse feel. There are counter seats at the bar, open kitchen and pizza kitchen, which is dominated by two wood-fired ovens, plus traditional seating and even a cozy table to two crafted from a vintage red Fiat. Officine Buona Forchetta plans to eventually launch breakfast and weekend brunch, but it will be open for lunch and dinner daily, offering a prix fixe two-course lunch option for $14 and and an expanded menu which includes several pizza varieties (including a much-admired gluten-free version), homemade pasta and Northern Italian-inspired entrees.