Delight in a culinary journey through Modena, Italy at This Sensational South Bay Restaurant!

Travel to the home of fast cars and slow food — Modena, Italy — without leaving San Diego! Thanks to Elisa and Michele Borelli, guests can enjoy authentic fare complemented by Modena’s famous culinary import — its prized balsamic vinegar — at the couple’s warm and inviting South Bay restaurant: Balsamic Italian Kitchen in Imperial Beach. Opening in 2022 to rave reviews, the venue features a menu reflecting Elisa and Michele’s homeland of Emilia Romagna, known for Parmesan cheese, prosciutto and other cold cuts. These regional delicacies are celebrated in each dish they serve. Main-course selections include homemade pastas Vecchia Modena and Lasagna Classica, and the crispy-crust Roman-style pizzas, which the Borellis have named after Modena’s iconic stars. The Ferrari pizza, for example, comes with mozzarella, mortadella, pistachio, and arugula; and the Big Luciano, a tribute to Modena-native and opera legend Pavarotti, is topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, sausage, and mushrooms. Bottles of traditional balsamics from Modena grace each table, inviting patrons to drizzle the condiment on bread, salads, gelato, and even crème brûlée. Brunch/Lunch, a Happy Hour, and an extensive list of Italian wine leave patrons proclaiming “Molto Buono!” Visit balsamicokitchen.com or call (858) 294-3183.