Mattarello Cooking Lab has been bringing a taste of Italy to San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter since 2018, when wife-and-husband pair Lucia Celi and Francesco Guardini first opened the restaurant. Mattarello boasts a menu of Italian classics like arrabbiata, amatriciana, and carbonara, all of which are crafted with the eatery’s handmade pasta. They’re open for lunch and dinner and, according to their website, are BYOB. But these aren’t even the best reasons why the eatery makes such a great date spot.
Mattarello Cooking Lab offers cooking classes in-house. You can choose and craft your own homemade pasta before enjoying it right there at the restaurant. I’m not sure if a date can get more romantic. The eatery also offers morning classes and classes in bread and lasagna making. Or, if its more your style to pick up some pasta for your own kitchen, Mattarello has an online shop and offers pick-up at the restaurant.
So excellent news for those of you who are looking to bring a little romance to your lives: permit intel recently obtained by What Now San Diego indicates Mattarello Cooking Lab has plans to expand. The eatery filed a permit application for a site at 1295 University Ave. The space sits on the corner of University Avenue and Richmond Street and shares the neighborhood with spots like LIV Juice Bar and Smoothies, White Elephant, and Cali “O” Burgers, among others.
We were unable to confirm an opening date with Celi, so you’ll want to check out Mattarello’s social media or visit their website for additional information.
