A Chic Italian Bar and Lounge Is Landing in Little Italy | Eater San Diego

"Opening in early 2024 on India Street next to Barbusa, Lala will occupy a transformed 1,000-square-foot space that once housed a pet supply and grooming business and will operate as a cozy, stylish restaurant and cocktail bar with a covered garden patio and a 50-seat dining room decorated in shades of coral and burnt sienna with two-toned olive leather and velvet furnishings, antique mirrors, and walnut wood paneling; designer Taylor Shaffer (formerly a principal partner at Open Gym, with credits including White Rice and Wildflour) handled the buildout. Backed by Busalacchi Restaurants—the family group founded by Joe Busalacchi Sr. in 1984 and now led by his sons PJ, Joey, and Mike alongside cousins Vince Busalacchi and Nino Zizzo—Lala will feature Zizzo’s seasonal menu that revolves around Italian classics with elements of broader Mediterranean cuisine, will serve dinner nightly (staying open until midnight on weekends), and will offer an Italian-leaning cocktail list focused on barrel-aged cocktails developed by lead bartender Antonio Gonzales (formerly Juniper & Ivy, Stake Chophouse)." - Candice Woo