BriGeeski 
San Diego Restaurant Week started last night and my first stop was CUCINA Urbana. I have been wanting to check them out ever since I had a tasting of their Caramel Panna Cotta at #SDRWTaste2012.
I started my meal off right with “the geisha” – blueberry vodka + pear cherry puree + lemon juice.
My first course was the octopus risotto. This was definitely a different option than I am used to. It was very good but not my favorite. I think it was a texture thing. My husband, Mark got the zuppa toscana with housemade pork sausage, bacon, onion, potato, spinach and meyer lemon crema and it was like “pizza in a bowl” according to him. It was actually quite tasty and the flavors of the sausage were rich and satisfying.
For my main course, I got the short rib pappardelle with cremini mushroom, carrot and parmigiano. This was by far the best pasta I have ever had. The savory flavors of the mushrooms and short ribs combined with the large pasta noodles were melt in your mouth delicious. The flavors were reminiscent of a beef bourguignon that I had long ago.
Mark had the spicy shrimp puttanesca angel hair with olives, capers and tomato. The pasta was fantastic. I kept going back for more. I loved the addition of capers with the spicy shrimp and the noodles were cooked perfectly.
For dessert we had the bittersweet chocolate budino with a salted chocolate cookie and the orange pistachio cake with candied fennel and citrus segments. Both desserts are worth coming back for. The chocolate budino was rich, creamy and oh so chocolaty. The salted cookie was a flavorful addition. The pistachio cake was a simple yet refreshing treat after a filling meal.
I would like to go back now for lunch!
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San Diego Food Love is a new series of restaurant reviews by BriGeeski. All opinions are my own and all participating restaurants are my choice. The photos are a combination of images from the restaurant and BriGeeski.
