Pappalecco

Welcome back to the food blog, mmm-yoso!!! Kirk and His Missus are somewhere in Europe, dealing with some transportation issues. Cathy does eat and takes photos, so enjoy her post today. 

13 years ago, the first location of Pappalecco opened in the Little Italy area of town, eventually expanding to three other locations and then one location closed, so at present, there are three locations total.  Each of the Tuscan influenced restaurant locations offer coffees, panini, croissant, salads, pizza, baked desserts and gelato-as well as breakfast on weekends.   We were on Adams Avenue at 42nd and decided to drop into this neighborhood location.  

 Walk in, order and pay.  There is a menu above the cash register as well as some printed menus. Your food will be brought to you. There are quite a few tables and seating areas, inside and out front.  
 We decided to try a Margherita pizza ($10.75).  The wood fired oven bakes an excellent (thin!) crust with a good chew.  The (imported) San Marzano tomatoes are unadorned and have a perfect, fresh picked tomato flavor.  The Fior Di Latte Mozzarella, Parmesan, fresh basil and olive oil make all the flavors of each ingredient stand out.  Really a perfect pie. 
We added a side salad (for one) ($5.99).  Mixed perfectly, each item (mixed greens, onion and cherry tomatoes), coated lightly with a garlic-y Caesar dressing, making each bite of the (quite large/easily shared) salad uniform and not in need of any condiments. (Lime Vinaigrette and Olive Oil & Balsamic are also choices).
 When you walk in, just to the right is the gelato display.  We had  to try 'something'.  
 So, we ended up with three flavors ($5.75).  On the bottom in the center, you can slightly see the Strawberry Balsamic-such a delightful flavor blend.  The scoop on the left is a wonderful, nutty pistachio.  The serving on the right in the above photo is "Thanksgiving" and has pumpkin, ginger, cinnamon and glazed pecans...what a perfect bit of every Thanksgiving dessert available!

We will be back to try more of the menu.

Pappalecco 4202 Adams Ave. San Diego 92116 (619)255-4770 Open Mon-Thurs 7-9, Fri 7-9:30, Sat 7:30-9:30, Sun 7:30-9 Website

Comments

[kat]

everything looked and sounded delicious!

[Soo]

I love their gelato. :-)

[caninecologne]

You had quite the variety of gelato flavors! They do have a nice selection. When it's in season, I always look for the pear. We love their pizzas and salads there. For coffee, I like their shakerato (served in fancy glassware). It's a great neighborhood spot.

[Cathy]

Fresh and so good, Kat. We will be returning.

The gelato is really good, Soo. It would be perfect as part of a walk through the neighborhood on a summer day...and was great on a cool day, too!

They were having a 'half off' on medium gelato that day, cc, so you know we had to; pear sounds good. Oooh, a different beverage; we shall try one next time. The location is just so perfect and old-fashioned, like when I grew up...part of a big city, but not.

[Faye]

There used to be a North County location but it closed some time ago. The Thanksgiving flavor looks AMAZING ! I wonder if they have any left :( Maybe their Xmas flavor will be just as creative and delicious.

[Cathy]

Pappalecco didn't seem to do well in Carmel Valley, Faye. I think the 'neighborhood feel' of a local place just doesn't do well up there, plus the rent is probably more expensive. I want to go back and check for 'Thanksgiving' gelato, too!