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| Catania's classic 2 egg breakfast with prosciutto coto and Italian sausage |
October 20, 2015
We recently sat down with local food writers to experience the very best from
Catania’s new weekend afternoon menu. The picturesque restaurant perched atop La Plaza La Jolla has recently debuted a brand new, authentic-Italian brunch, served every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Check out the highlights of Executive Chef Vince Schofield's new menu and start planning your own brunch experience.
Owned and operated by
Whisknladle Hospitality Group (Whisknladle, PrepKitchen), Catania was originally conceived from the vision of owner Arturo Kassel and culinary director/partner Ryan Johnston after the inspiration garnered from the duo’s two-week, 1,400-mile road trip through Italy six years ago. Johnston’s subsequent visit to Italy this past summer with Catania Executive Chef Vince Schofield and his culinary team fueled the artistic creativity evident throughout the restaurant’s inventive menu of unique iterations.
On our visit, we enjoyed a plethora of samplings from the restaurant's unique brunch menu (copied below), including polenta pancakes with summer fruit, lemon simple syrup and mint; a most delicious Eggs All’Amatriciana with baked eggs, Swiss chard, guanciale, Fontina cheese and breadcrumbs; farro oatmeal with pistachio mascarpone, peaches, currants and cinnamon; and Nutella brioche, as well as delicious Italian craft beer, bellinis, Prosecco cocktails and one of my favorite things, Café Corettos (espresso with your choice of Amaro, Grappa or Sambuca).
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| Arugula and poached eggs with pancetta, roasted mushrooms and Pecorino Toscano ($14.25) |
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| Nutella Brioche ($2.50) |
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| AMAZING - Eggs All'Amatriciana with baked eggs, Swiss chard, guanciale, white beans, fontina cheese and breadcrumbs ($13.25) |
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| Veal Milanese with fried eggs, farm fresh tomatoes and toast ($17.25) |
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| Gluten free polenta pancakes with fresh fruit, lemon simple syrup and mint ($13.75) |
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| Farro oatmeal with pistachio mascarpone, figs, persimmons, currants, honey and cinnamon ($12.50) |
Behind the bar, cocktail curator Adam Lockridge has injected his artistic flair to develop an Italian-inspired list of signature libations. A natural cocktail savant, Lockridge’s standouts include the Signora e Signore (Aperol, Cynar, Amaro Nònino, Prosecco and Angostura Bitters) and the Bavende Fumoso (Gin, Sage Liqueur, Carpano Bianco, Celery and Smoked Olives).
In addition to a vast selection of handcrafted cocktails, Catania also boasts an all-Italian selection of drafts, small and large bottle beers with the exception of Birra Catania, a Belgian/Italian herbed ale brewed exclusively for the restaurant in collaboration with San Diego-based New English Brewing Company.
Catania is located at 7863 Girard Avenue in Little Italy and brunch is available Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 3pm. For more information, visit
cataniasd.com.
