Vigilucci’s Sparks the La Jolla Wine & Dine Scene

by Frank Mangio

Daniel Brunner, the manager of the 7th Vigilucci’s restaurant in San Diego County, this one a palatial villa in La Jolla, likes to show the personal wine collection of Roberto Vigilucci. It’s in a private dining area, and contains lovely Italian collectables like Gaja, Sassicaia, aged Antinoris and Amarones.

The wine list for patrons is only a little less impressive with a lengthy collection from the most popular varietals in the world with the emphasis on Italian.
The latest triumph for Roberto is at Fay and Propsect and is described as serving “the finest steaks, fresh seafood, chops and pasta,” for lunch and dinner. A different risotto of the day distinguishes the cuisine by chef Giorgio Coverde.
Our evening’s risotto dish incorporated beef tips, tuna, scallops, shrimp and mixed vegetables, simmered in a light tomato cream sauce.

Roberto was brought up on his mother’s cooking in their Tuscan kitchen, and when his travels brought him to San Diego County, he saw a need for authentic Tuscan cuisine and opened the first Vigilucci’s in Encinitas in 1994. Today, in addition to Encinitas and La Jolla, you can find a Vigilucci’s in Oceanside, two in Carlsbad, two in Leucadia as well as Vigilucci’s Catering. But none of the others compares with the magnificence of the La Jolla location. I was struck by the authentic Murano glass, used as hanging lighting over the tables. The bar area, at once intimate yet dramatic looking in its showcase presentation, is home to a lively happy hour from 4 to 6pm with complimentary appetizers.

Daniel and the District Manager, Maurizio Carbone,( shown in accompanying photo) introduced me to a striking wine from Campania, the 2005 Terradora Aglianico. The Aglianico grape is red with the highest rating in the Campania area, a long stretch of terroir that touches Naples and the Mt. Vesuvius volcano that is still active. Almost black in color, it tasted a lovely chocolate, earthy flavor. It’s another under-the-radar Italian wine, still inexpensive for the quality of taste. For more on Vigilucci’s, access the restaurant’s website at www.vigiluccis.com.