Leucadia – Our Weekly Tradition

By Tony Pintarelli

Somewhat off La Jolla’s beaten path, Leucadia Pizzeria Italian Restaurant is one of those places you either find by living

nearby or are told to go to by someone who had the luck of living nearby. In the past year, my brother and I …

It’s Thursday night. Everyone that knows me knows that means one thing – Leucadia.

It started out as a thing of convenience – my brother and I had nothing to do one Thursday night, so we went to “that Italian place around the corner.” The pizza was so good and staff so friendly that when we found ourselves in the same situation the following Thursday, we went back. Almost a year later, it’s become a weekly tradition with an open invite to all our friends. Most weeks a couple people tag along; but some weeks, we bring a dozen or more.

Somewhat off La Jolla’s beaten path, Leucadia Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant is one of those places you either find by living nearby or are told to go to by someone who had the luck of living nearby. In the past year, my brother and I have introduced more people than I can count to our weekly tradition – some from as far away as Portland or Phoenix.

Inside the walls have been painted to give you the feel of sitting in the middle of an Italian piazza. A massive Mediterranean seascape wraps around into a lively scene at two story building front with awnings hanging inside over the windows to add to the three dimensional feel of the design. The tables are always neatly set and a fresh baked basket of buttery garlic bread always follows you to the table… many a friend has declared the bread alone reason enough to come.

Going to Leucadia is more like going to a friend’s house. The wait staff and cooks of Leucadia are among the friendliest people in all of San Diego. Go once and you’ll see nothing but smiles from staff and customers alike from the minute you open the door. Whether it’s Ray gliding suavely from table to table or Bri’s unfaltering and contagious smile, the service is unparalleled.

In true Italian tradition, the food is rich and served in hearty portions. Whether you order a heavily stacked pizza, a stuffed calzone, an overflowing bowl of pasta or even a salad, I promise you’ll not go home hungry. The Cheese Ravioli with Vodka Sauce and the Spinach Manicotti are my two personal favorites. But, if you want to make everyone at the table say, “Ooo, what’s that?” order the Cajun Pasta – the aroma alone is worth it. Leucadia has even passed my true test of good Italian cooking – Angelhair with Marinara… the more simple the dish, the greater the challenge to do something spectacular.

The most popular item on the menu, however, is the pizza. The menu says the large serves 4-5, but with the right topping combination, one of those 5 is walking out with a box. If you don’t believe me, try the Meat Combo. And with over 30 choices for toppings (ranging from traditional favorites to things like artichoke hearts, eggplant, jalapenos, zucchini, and two types of chicken) and eight different sauces, you’re not going to run out of variety anytime soon. My favorite pizza combo so far has to be the Butter Garlic sauce with Mozzarella and Shrimp – warm mozzarella, a smooth, creamy sauce, and whole shrimp! I think I know what I’m ordering this week…

Leucadia in La Jolla is located at 7748 Regents Rd (in the Von’s parking lot) – 858.597.2222

Entrees range from $9-$15. Pizzas start out $13 for a 16″ large or $19 for a 16 x 16 “Thick Crust” pan pizza. And yes, they do deliver.

There are three other locations throughout San Diego:

Carmel Mountain Ranch – 858.975.2222 – 12075 Carmel Mt. Rd. (Home Depot Center)

Encinitas – 760.942.2222 – 315 S. Coast Hwy 101 (Moonlight Plaza)

Rancho Santa Fe – 858.759.2222 – 16085 San Dieguito Rd. (Del Rayo Village Center)