"Now almost a year and a half old, Elvira has established itself as one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego — and a must-try for anyone who enjoys eating comfort food in a colorful, lively dining room. The garlicky polpette di nonna meatballs are cooked in a sweet tomato sauce, while the restaurant’s rigatoni alla carbonara has perfected the Roman dish with homemade noodles in a silken egg sauce. The space is romantic and old-school, with a rotating menu of specials based on days of the week; it also recently debuted a weekend-only brunch menu available on Saturdays and Sundays until 3 p.m. An added bonus: There are plenty of options for those adhering to vegan or gluten-free diets." - Keri Bridgwater