New Eateries: Isla Vista welcomes two additions to the food scene lineup amidst development

September 19, 2013 at 2:22 am by Jimmy Chang

Isla Vista will welcome two new restaurants this coming school year, including a semi-swanky Italian eatery by the name of Sorriso Italiano, and a hip, fast food-pizza joint called Blaze Pizza.
Located next to the popular liquor store Keg-N-Bottle on Embarcadero del Mar, Sorriso Italiano first opened its doors on July 15. Owner Antonio Gerli said the restaurant will serve up an array of freshly-prepared, homemade Italian dishes including “really authentic [Italian] pasta, bonasa lasagna, eggplant parmesan and other Italian specialties.”
Gerli, who emigrated from Padvala, Italy in just the past year, said that while all the dishes are being offered at a competitive price, they are true to Italian culinary tradition.
The restaurant owner also said that the structure of the restaurant — authentic Italian cuisine at a somewhat affordable price — specifically targets college students, as he is seeking to provide a classier dining experience to this demographic. Sorriso Italiano may also begin serving Italian wine with meals, according to Gerli.
Blaze Pizza, which is still under construction, will open at 6546 Pardall Road, the former location of Pasta House.
The new restaurants come in light of ongoing development and renewed infrastructure in the Isla Vista community, as luxury apartment buildings like The Loop and corporate businesses like 7-Eleven continue to sprout up.