Bites Nearby: Via Moto

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Santee Patch picks a great restaurant, either in town or nearby, that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Overview: An Italian restaurant featuring brick-oven, , signature pastas, salads, soups and more. A small San Diego chain new to Santee, the was June 15. With reasonable portions and prices, this family friendly restaurant is sure to be a new local favorite.

Decor: An Italian decorated large open dining room inside as well as an outdoor patio with several tables.  The large full bar connects indoor and outdoor dining areas. The ambiance is casual with a big open kitchen near the register featuring a sizable brick oven and as soon as you walk in you smell the pizzas.  The sandwich board on the wall features the entire menu. The concept behind this restaurant is somewhat innovative: they give the patron the option of counter or full service.  To-go is also available.

Entrees and Sides: The menu features a long list of pastas (whole wheat available), thin-crust pizzas (whole wheat available), pastas, paninis, and a few traditional Italian entrees such as Chicken Parmesean and Chicken Marsala. I opted to try a pizza and salad. The Insalata Rustica was nice, a light, flavorful roasted walnut vinaigrette and roasted summer vegetates such as zucchini and yellow squash over mixed baby greens. 

The Pizza Funghi was delicious: mozzarella, tomato sauce, mushrooms, white truffle oil (not listed on the menu was the best part: huge whole roasted garlic cloves that had been caramelised to perfection!) I added sweet sausage for $1.95 and was very pleased with the heaps of delicious sausage along with huge strips of portabello mushrooms.  The pizza was thin, crisp and flavorful! Without the added sausage it might have been a little plain, but luckily there is a list of add-ons on the side menu to put on any pasta, pizza, salad, etc.  Each choice is under $3 to add to your meal. I like to customize my own.

Service: Counter or full service availabe. The service was friendly, my drinks were refilled, and the full bar was hosted by a charismatic bar tender who recommended a handful of their signature craft beers on tap.

Signature Dish: There are two items on the menu named after the house: Pizza Moto with mozzarella, tomato sauce, basil, fresh meatballs and ricotta; and Insalata Moto with endive, raddicchio, goat cheese, pears, walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette.  I'll have to try them next time, along with some garlic bread, it looked great! 

Find Via Moto at 9331 Mission Gorge Rd.