Nicholas Stevenson
Google
The Garage Buona Forchetta is a charming Italian restaurant located on Coronado Island. I spent one Saturday evening there, and it was just the vibe I was looking for
This restaurant has plenty of seating, but it’s such a popular spot that you may end up waiting for a table. There’s exterior patio seating that’s perfect for date nights or for people watching out front. There’s also the main dining area (inside) that offers a lively atmosphere. There is also a backyard patio (covered). We sat in the backyard, and it felt like a lovely little outdoor dinner party. The entire restaurant is beautifully decorated. I like really appreciated the small Italian cars placed as decor. This is a converted garage/car repair shop, so, it seems fitting. But as someone who gardens, one of my favorite things was seeing the hanging planters out front (on the fences) that had both flowers and produce growing like pepper plants. This made me think they most likely compost, and I love restaurants that compost
The menu offers a variety of Italian delicacies (antipasti, insalate, pizza, etc). There a vegetarian options as well. There is a beer, wine, and cocktail menu. There are also non-alcoholic options. I got the Sicilian mule, and the cup was neat, but it was really just a Moscow mule with a touch of grapefruit
I like to think of myself as a pizza connoisseur, and I would recommend this one. It’s Neapolitan style, lightly charred on the crust, thin, and flavorful. The base/bottom of the dough was slightly soft, but it was delicious. The carbonara was rich and tasty. With the pasta dishes you can choose which pasta you prefer which is a nice touch. We also had the calamari, which was fresh, but it had more of a fishy smell than I wanted lingering at the table. Still delicious
Some tips:
They do take reservations, and this spot is a popular destination, especially on the weekends. There’s quaint market inside the restaurant and you can purchase groceries (mostly Italian), and these are components you might not find in a typical market or grocery store. They also have an extensive selection of wine that you can purchase and either take home or you can enjoy there (with a corking fee/up charge)
Cheers!!