Restaurant Review: The Old Venice in Point Loma

 Old Venice
2910 Canon Street
San Diego, CA 92106
619-222-5888

A friend and neighbor – Jim – called me a few days ago and wanted to take me out to dinner as a thank you for taking care of his house while he was away.  He suggested a new restaurant in Ocean Beach, but when I looked at the menu, even during  “restaurant week” I felt it was too expensive for what was being offered.  I said I would go with him, but not to the restaurant he chose.  He didn’t care where we went so I looked thought those listed that were under $35.  The “Old Venice” restaurant was listed at $25 per person, and had a nice selection of items.  It seems to me that I reviewed this restaurant before but it was at lunch time, so I felt this time would still be a review of a what was being offered.

Linguini in Clam Sauce

Suffice it to say that this review is only on the Restaurant Week menu, although all of the items offered are also on the regular menu.  I made the reservations on-line for 6:30pm.  When we arrived there were only three other tables in use in the dining room, although I know that there were other tables being used in the outside patio.  We had our choice of tables, and were seated immediately.  Before I even got my napkin on my lap, we were presented with garlic bread and water glasses were filled.  The service was impeccable; all of the serving staff spent time talking to us and making suggestions.

Magic Mushroom

The appetizer menu consisted of five items:  Brussel Sprouts, Foccacia, Meatballs, Wicked Caesar Salad and a Tomato Bisque.  The waitress recommended the Foccacia, and that was what I ordered. For some reason, Jim elected not to order from the special menu, and so he did not have any appetizer with his meal.  The Foccacia was good; a bit dried out because I like it “chewy” but the taste and flavors were good.

The entrée selections consisted of Rigatoni Bolognese, Spinach Lasagna, Linguini with Clams, and New Zealand Lamb.  I selected the Linguini with Clams and was pleased with the choice. There were 8 clams in the shell; the sauce was delightful and the pasta was cooked perfectly.  I was given a cup to put the shells in and there was garlic bread available.   Jim, on the other hand, ordered Angel Hair pasta with meat sauce and he said it was very good.

Canoli in Chocolate Sauce

The desert menu was an offering of two alcoholic drinks – Lemoncello Liquor and/or Moscato wine and/or Bread Pudding Brandy Crème Sauce and Canolis in a Chocolate Sauce.  I elected to have the Canolis.  I have mixed feeling about that decision.  There was only one Canolis on the plate, and it was very hard. It was filled with whipped cream and had to be eaten with my fingers because it was too hard to cut.  The taste was non-descript;  it wasn’t good – it wasn’t bad.  Would I order it again? Probably not.

Over all,  the meal was very tasty and well cooked.  The service was wonderful and by the time we left there wasn’t a seat in the house and there were people waiting in line to get in.  There is no question that I would return to the “Old Venice”.