Locating a diamond in the rough may not sound difficult in Pacific Beach since so many of the streets are named for precious stones. But those who haven’t discovered Mamma Mia Italian Restaurant are missing out on a real gem. Located between the 7-Eleven convenience store and a hair salon, where Balboa Avenue runs into Grand Avenue, Mamma Mia has the qualities that every restaurant at the beach should have: personality, a casual and family-friendly atmosphere, great food at affordable prices — and, most importantly — a charming owner to make the overall experience interesting. Cinzia Zolfanelli Mezzetti is many things. She’s a chef, mother, businesswoman, Italian, volunteer, teacher — oh, and a former member of the Italian national skydiving team. Of course, customers come to Mamma Mia for the made-from-scratch gnocchi, several varieties of bruschetta and tiramisu for good measure. But they also come to watch Mezzetti at work. “It’s not just about the food,” said Mezzetti. “Cooking is a gift. You can really make people happy.” Mezzetti has been cooking since 2000 and has opened four restaurants from scratch, including Ciao Bella in Ocean Beach and in La Mesa. Coming to San Diego as a vacationer from her hometown of Milan, Italy, Mezzetti didn’t go back home until six years later to visit. She opened Mamma Mia five years ago in Pacific Beach and has embraced the area’s growing Italian community. “I am Italian-sick,” she said. “I surround myself with Italian things and all my friends are Italian.” Mezzetti follows Italian cuisine from the Mediterranean region, which is known to be lighter and healthier than others. Ten years ago, she started with a menu full of heavy pasta and pizza, making the huge portions that Americans often expect. Now, she’s focused on smaller portions and healthier items, adding more protein dishes and appetizers to the menu. “Order salad somewhere else,” said Mezzetti. “If customers are ordering salad, I know it’s because the waitress hasn’t made enough suggestions for all of our other appetizers.” Mamma Mia came out with a new menu a few months ago, adding color and pictures to the list. Tired of all the plain, white menus around town, Mezzetti put her graphic design skills to use. “People want to see what they’re ordering,” she said. Ever skeptical of a thin chef, customers have asked Mezzetti why she doesn’t have a fuller figure. “When you’re cooking pasta and running around in a 160-degree kitchen, you lose weight,” she said. “You don’t want to eat.” “Being in the kitchen is a really tough job,” Mezzetti said, as evidenced by the burns and scars on her forearms. Mezzetti knows and aims to please her audience. Acting as the owner, manager and chef of Mamma Mia, Mezzetti can afford to keep her menu prices low. “You wouldn’t believe how many women are in PB,” said Mezzetti. “Sometimes the whole restaurant is filled with just women. My wine menu is catered toward what they like to drink.” The restaurant is located inside a charming house and is much bigger than it appears from the outside, with a capacity to seat private parties. It also holds a separate vineria (wine room) for those seeking a bar vibe. Mamma Mia also hosts special events like Italian-language classes, Italian singers, cooking classes and tango dance classes. Recently, the restaurant held a Latino night, featuring salsa, bachata and tango dancers, for which Mezzetti prepared a special menu. Mezzetti also teaches cooking classes and private lessons at Mamma Mia a few times per year, but it’s not the focus of her business. Mezzetti has two bilingual daughters who attend Pacific Beach Elementary School, where she has volunteered to teach students both art and cooking classes. Her daughters — Fiamma, 8, and Greta, 6 — said they enjoy making cookies and tiramisu in the kitchen with their mom. With her daughters in school, Mezzetti has catered more holiday parties, fundraisers and auctions in the last few years, and has performed cooking demonstrations for students, showing them how to prepare pizza. Mamma Mia is open Tuesdays through Thursdays for dinner and Fridays through Sundays for lunch and dinner, with happy-hour specials daily from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.mammamiaitalianrestaurant.com.