What is it? An osteria-style Italian restaurant serving traditional Roman cuisine in a cozy setting with vintage decor.
Why we love it: This newer concept behind the same folks as Cesarina lives up to the hype. Great for family-style meals and casual weeknight dinners, Elvira serves a good weekend brunch with dishes like ricotta pancakes, avocado toast and frittatas. At dinnertime you can expect Roman-style pizzas (thin, crispy crust), homemade pastas and a handful of meat dishes.
Time Out tip: Elvira has daily specials based on the Roman calendar—think meatballs on Tuesdays, gnocchi on Thursdays and fish on Fridays. But Sundays are our favorite time to dine here, when the focus is on sharing a special family meal. At Elvira it’s an occasion that calls for baked pasta, with hearty dishes like cannelloni and lasagna.
Address: 4996 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 4–9:30pm; Sat, Sun 11am–9:30pm
Expect to pay: Pasta and pizza dishes are between $20 and $30, wine is around $15 per glass, and their coffee drinks at brunch are a cool $4. Diners can easily get in and out for under $50 per person.