Chef Accursio Lota and his wife, writer Corinne Goria, are gearing up for a new restaurant that will open at 9165 Scholars Drive South in UCSD’s Theater District in La Jolla.
The Sicilian-born chef/owner has unveiled plans for a sophomore concept, opening in Summer 2025 in UC San Diego’s new “Theater District Living and Learning Neighborhood,” according to a press release. The yet-to-be-named restaurant will join Lotaria Restaurant Group, the newly formed umbrella for Chef Lota’s dining concepts. The concept will bring Southern Italian coastal cuisine to life in a way that complements the vibrant cultural energy of this corner of La Jolla.
Situated just steps from the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse, the restaurant will be known for its pre-theater, thespian-driven dining program, which was designed in collaboration with his wife, writer Corinne Goria, to resonate with the themes and motifs of current performances. Accursio drawing from his culinary repertoire– which includes winning the 2017 Barilla World Pasta Championships and a pertinent stint at the Four Seasons in Milan, where he once created an opening-night menu for the world-renown Teatro alla Scala– and Corinne lending her extensive background in literature and the arts to help shape dishes that blend storytelling with gastronomy.
“We see food as a form of storytelling, and this new restaurant gives us the perfect opportunity to bring that to life in a way we’ve never done before,” Accursio Lota said in a press release. “Having worked next to the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, I’ve always been inspired by the energy and emotion of performing arts. With this new concept, we’re excited to bring that same sense of occasion to La Jolla, offering guests a pre- or post-show meal that enriches the overall theater-going experience.”
The restaurant will focus on southern Italian coastal cuisine, emphasizing fresh, house-made ingredients. From bread and pasta to gelato, everything will be crafted in-house. The menu will lean into Mediterranean-style seafood through the lens of locally-caught products and seasonal produce. With 2,600 square feet of interior space and an expansive 1,400 square foot patio, the restaurant’s design will revolve around an open kitchen, offering guests a full view of the chefs in action. Award-winning design studio Bells & Whistles (Jeune et Jolie, Animae, Marisi) will shape the aesthetic, drawing on coastal Italian elegance, while CLTVT (The Lafayette Hotel, Kingfisher, The Plot) oversees the bespoke build-out.
The new project reflects a deeply personal philosophy for both Accursio and Corinne. When they first opened Cori in 2019, they lived in North Park and embraced the Italian tradition of working within the community where they lived. Now, as La Jolla residents, they are excited to continue that tradition with this new restaurant, building deeper connections with their neighbors and the local community.
Corinne, an acclaimed author, and human rights attorney is excited to collaborate with Lota on this venture, bridging her passion for literature and the arts with the culinary world and creating a space for conviviality. “We are so honored to be part of this new space that reflects our shared love for food, culture, community, and the arts.”
