Sicilian cuisine celebrates the sea and the sun. The southern Italian island has been influenced over millennia by Italy, Greece, Spain, France, and various Arab countries. The cuisine highlights the use of fresh vegetables, fish, and beef and that is exactly what you will find at La Mesa’s Antica Trattoria.
Francesco Basile, owner, and executive chef has been working in a kitchen since the age of 16 and studied in a culinary school in Palermo. His philosophy of cuisine is “I try to stay in my Sicilian roots when I create menus. I make simple food. Simple is tastier. I don’t like complicated food,” Basile said.
Antica Trattoria has been a local favorite in La Mesa since 2001. “My kitchen chefs have been with me for up to 17 years,” Basile said.
The menu changes seasonally to highlight the freshest ingredients. As a diner, this makes it exciting to always have new dishes on the menu.
Some highlights on the current menu are Saltimbocca which is a Veal Scaloppini and Prosciutto with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Brasato that is braised boneless short ribs in a Cabernet Sauvignon sauce with mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Some pasta dishes on the winter menu are house-made Pappardelle with porcini mushrooms, wild mushrooms, and a Gorgonzola dolce cream sauce. Burrata Ravioli stuffed with smoked salmon and shrimp in a brandy cream sauce. For the traditionalist their Lasagna with baked pasta sheets, meat sauce, béchamel, and layered in cheeses. Nonna’s Sunday “sugo” (traditional tomato sauce) gnocchi with diced short ribs and green peas.
Sicily is renowned for its seafood and Antica Trattoria does not disappoint. The Cioppino Livornese with clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp, and the chef’s choice of fish is hot and savory.
Vegetarians can enjoy the Parmigiana di Melenzane with Sicilian-style eggplant and San Marzano tomatoes layered with Parmigiano Reggiano and Mozzarella cheeses.
The name Antica means old in Italian and the inside of the restaurant is rustic, which is where the name came from. “Who would think that a strip mall would have such a high-end restaurant? I’m so happy that we found this restaurant. And I tried the Lasagna, which I’m told is the ultimate test plate for Italian food, and it was incredible,” said Sue Fickess, a guest visiting from Colorado.
Located at 5654 Lake Murray Blvd in La Mesa, call (619) 463-9919 for more information.
Go to: anticatrattoria.com/ for the daily menu and Open Table for reservations.
– Robin Dohrn-Simpson is a local food and travel writer. Reach her at: robindohrnsimpson.com.
