For fans of Cori Trattoria Pastificio in North Park, there’s great news: Chef Accursio Lota has opened a second location in La Jolla. Dora Ristorante — named after his nonna — quietly opened in late November in the UC San Diego Theatre District. Designed by Bells and Whistles, the space features warm, glowy interiors that create an inviting vibe that’s echoed by the well-trained, welcoming staff. Tiled floors and walls meet gorgeous marble countertops, all beautifully illuminated by abundant natural light and layered, thoughtfully placed lighting.
I’m a bread-aholic, and I absolutely love this new trend of in-house bread service. It’s a labor-intensive offering that often goes underappreciated. Dora’s house-baked focaccia is so good that I ordered a second round. It arrives looking like a little cake, fluffy like one too, served on a vintage saucer with a tomato dipping sauce. I also can’t stop raving about the Tonnarelli Carbonara: house-made pasta tossed with egg, pancetta, pecorino, and black pepper. This dish is precisely why I needed that second focaccia — I refuse to leave even a teaspoon of that unctuous sauce in my bowl.
On a second visit, I sat at the bar and greedily ate an entire Margherita pizza. The crackly, perfectly caramelized crust is light and airy, serving as the ideal vehicle for the not-too sweet tomato sauce and delicate dusting of cheese. One of my favorite things about Dora is that they serve lunch; it’s so hard to find a great lunch spot these days…