As I am on the constant search of good Italian food. I try just about any place that I can find. I first noticed Sazio’s while picking up a pizza from the Bonsall Pizza shop. At first glance, Sazio’s looked upscale with its al fresco dinning area, and I had just finished cleaning and feeding the horses. So, I made a note to self to take the kids and to soon give it a try.

Sazio’s location is a difficult one for this style of dinning. If you are not specifically looking for it you can easily drive past it every day on Mission Road without ever knowing it’s there. So, like most things that are out of sight, they soon become out of mind as well.

As a Southern Italian snob, I will generally give a restaurant one try, and if they don’t cut the mustard as they say, I don’t go back. I will judge them on three basic items. Linguine with white clam sauce, Lasagna, or Veal Parmigiana.

On our first trip to Sazio’s, the kids and I were seated promptly by a very pretty Hostess at a comfortable table next to the front window. Our waitress soon arrived and introduced herself and took our drink order.

Seated a few tables away from us was a large party with several children, who just were not going to eat Italian that night, and kept our waitress busy for quite a while. So much so, that The restaurant owner approached our table, introduced himself to take our order.

After reading the menu , I discovered that everything was ordered al la cart, not a great selling point for me, but I ordered a salad with a house raspberry vinaigrette that was superbly assembled and dressed. I then ordered the linguine and the kids ordered, (Well, I don’t recall what they ordered)

When my entre arrived, the aroma hit me and I knew, I was in for a treat. The sauce was a white wine and clam juice reduction with plenty of garlic. The sauce accompanied my al dente pasta perfectly and was not the thin, watery, soupy after thought, many places in North county pass off as clam sauce. I ordered extra homemade bread to insure none of the sauce was returned to the kitchen.

The price was moderate and the staff was very friendly. Because of the wait we had, the owner treated me to a very nice glass of Valpolicella to enjoy after I had eaten. I have gone back several time since then and have always enjoyed my time there

I fear though for the restaurant because of it’s location, so If you looking for a good Italian meal definitely patronize Sazio’s you wont regret it.