Garage Buona Forchetta: Coronado's Slice of Italy with a Side of Sea Air

I found myself in Coronado the other day, mostly running errands before visiting a friend on the Naval base. After a quick stop to stretch my legs at Glorietta Bay Park, enjoying the sunshine and watching the boats bob in the harbor, my stomach started to rumble. I knew I needed to find somewhere for a late lunch.

That's how I ended up at Garage Buona Forchetta. The name alone piqued my interest – a garage turned Italian eatery? Intriguing. And the good reviews I'd heard from friends sealed the deal.

Walking in, the place had a warm, bustling vibe. Not overly fancy, but clearly a spot where people came to enjoy good food and company. I snagged a seat at the bar and took a look at the menu. It was full of familiar Italian dishes, with a few interesting twists.

I started with the Mixed Vegetables Minestrone ($11). It was a hearty and flavorful way to begin the meal, packed with cannellini beans and lentils. For my main course, I decided on the "Sorrentina" Baked Gnocchi ($28). The gnocchi were perfectly pillowy, and the marinara sauce, mozzarella, and basil combination was just what I was craving – classic comfort food, elevated by quality ingredients.

The menu had several dishes that caught my eye, though. The Tagliolini with Mussels, Spicy Nduja & Pecorino Cheese ($29) sounded like a fantastic combination of seafood and spice. And if I wasn't in the mood for pasta, the Salmon Piccata with Mixed Veggies ($30) would definitely be a contender. I'm also a big fan of pizza and I overheard the special was Spicy Salame, Prosciutto Cotto, Spinach, Mushrooms, & Red Onion, topped off w/ Roasted Red Pepper Hummus ($26), which would have been amazing to try.

Before heading back towards the bridge, I walked off my meal with a stroll along the beach, thinking about how I had been meaning to check out The Silver Strand Nature's Bridge to Discovery sometime. It's close by, and everyone says the views are spectacular. Maybe next time I will!

Garage Buona Forchetta isn't trying to reinvent the wheel, but they've clearly put a lot of care into executing classic Italian dishes with fresh ingredients. The portions are generous, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed. If you find yourself near Coronado, maybe after a trip to Seaport Village, and you're in the mood for some solid Italian food, I'd definitely recommend stopping by. It's a reliable, unpretentious spot that delivers exactly what it promises: a good meal at a fair price.