Spontaneity Lead Me To A Great Lunch

Spontaneity is the quality of being able to do something just because you feel like it at the moment, of trusting your instincts, of taking yourself by surprise and snatching from the clutches of your well-organized routine, a bit of unscheduled pleasure.

Last week, with friends Regina and Judy, we did just that. We had just concluded a docent led tour of the San Diego Museum of Art and it's Toulousse Latrec exhibit. If you haven't seen it, please do. It is the best exhibit of his work that I have ever seen, including the Toulousse Latrec museum in Albi, France. Anyway, we were NOT staying for lunch with the group because we all had much to do and wanted to get right home. So we're driving down Laurel on our way to the freeway, when I say, "Isn't that Cucina Urbana restaurant over there?" Regina says "Yes," and tells me she has heard it is really good. "Do you want to go there for lunch?" says Regina, and Judy and I answer in unison, "Yes." We spontaneously changed our plans, decided our important errands could wait, and had a memorable meal.

Cucina Urbana is a California inspired Italian Kitchen and Wine Shop. Owner Tracy Borkum's flair for combining great ambience, award-winning cuisine and unparalled service are once again starring components in this latest Urban Kitchen Group creation. (they also own Kensington Grill). A focus on raw, sustainable material and reclaimed local material is found throughout the interior of the restaurant. The menu is a whimsical expression of Italian classics coupled with the use of the freshest local produce and organic and sustainable ingredients, with all items at or below $20.

For $10, you can order 1/2 panini + salad. Judy ordered the grilled ahi+bacon+lettuce, tomato and lemon caper aioli. I had the same, and the tuna was perfectly prepared and with a nice salad, an ample meal. Regina opted for the the homemade sausage stuffed with fennel, pistachios, and other good stuff. It was served on a toasted roll. Regina raved about it. We started our meal with delicious spread of smoked trout pate topped with yellow beets. It was served on small bites of sensational crusty bread. It was presented in a small mason jar and at $5.50 was great value. Other spreads include burrata+herb+lemon olive oil and chicken liver pate+shallot marmelata. The luncheon menu includes individual pizzas that looked so appealing we were at first disappointed we hadn't order one. How about fig and gorgonzola pizza with carmelized onions and candied pecans, or lemon goat cheese and zucchini with cherry tomato and carmelized onion pizza? (I'll definitely try a pizza next time)

The menu has something for everyone, even those looking for basic items like spaghetti bolognese and margheritta pizza. One basic ittem with a new twist was the lasagna served with two different sauces.
The wait staff is friendly, informed and altogether professional. I can't wait to go again and try some other offerings from this very innovative restaurant. Sometimes the best things in life are spontaneous, and this restaurant certainly surpassed our expectations. Check their website for specials including fixe prix meals wine tastings, and happy hour. Whether it's on the spur of the moment or planned weeks in advance, I'll be back to Cucina Urbana again.