A member of San Diego's iconic Busalacchi family is opening a new Sicilian restaurant in the heart of Old Town. Trattoria Don Pietro is set to unveil in early 2020.
From Sal Busalacchi, who revolutionized the way San Diegans enjoyed pizza when he opened Hollywood Pizza in the Midway District in 1978, Trattoria Don Pietro is the Busalacchi brother's return to the restaurant industry after 20 years in the coffee business. The new restaurant's motto is "sutta l’alberu ra vita” which translates to "under the tree of life" in Sicilian and with this eatery, Sal will pay homage to his Sicilian upbringing, his culture, his mother's recipes and the drive to be the best at pizza making.
"My father has spent the last five years formulating the base concept and the last two years searching for the perfect location," explained Sal Busalacchi's son, Pietro. "After hundreds of hours and perhaps thousands of miles traveled all over San Diego, he found the perfect spot owned by a very collaborative landlord, a place where we can create a beautiful atmosphere while making you feel right at home with family."
Trattoria Don Pietro aims to open in 2020 with a menu of Sicilian specialties made from locally sourced, organic and sustainable products, as well as the highest quality Italian imported goods. The restaurant will have an open kitchen, a 12 seat bar with a television featuring Serie A and other Italian soccer games, and outdoor patio seating. Expect a variety of pizzas, including vegan and gluten free varieties, made in a traditional woodfire oven as well as multiple types of sfincione - a Sicilian style pizza with a thicker crust and rustic flavor. Additionally, Trattoria Don Pietro will offer an array of housemade pasta dishes native to Sicily and shareable Sicilian street food appetizers. The restaurant will initially be open for lunch and dinner with a full breakfast menu to come at a later date.
From the bar, expect a top notch wine list with Californian and Italian varietals, as well as a draft system with local craft beers. Sal's son Pietro Busalacchi is a bartender at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant Tom Tom in Los Angeles and will be developing a specialty cocktail list comprised of premium fermented spirits and seasonal ingredients native to Sicily to complement the food menu.
Trattoria Don Pietro will sit at 2415 San Diego Avenue and hopes to begin soft opening hours mid-February with a grand opening to be announced at a later date. For more information, follow the
restaurant on Instagram.
